New z4 e89 owner with a couple of issues

[RCF83]

Hi All,

Picked up my first z4 yesterday, 2013 2.0 auto and have noticed a few things I’m hoping your experience can help with...

1. Within the hour I got a warning that the rear right brake light has failed.
2. Squeaks and rattles a LOT! This has a clear wind deflector fitted and wondering if this is the main source, any idea how much these cost to replace? Also Any tips on where to put silicone spray appreciated.
3. Steering feels heavy, this has had a steering rack recondition around a year ago and maybe making me overly worry about it, maybe I’m just used to lighter steering cars?
4. Oil temp hovers around the quarter mark and doesn’t wanna get to the middle position... is this a cause for concern or sign of things to come?

 

[Chippie]

Hi and welcome to the forum.
Have you checked to see if the bulb has failed?

The steering is hard to assess without comparing it to another z4, I don’t think they are overly light so every thing may be fine.

They do tend to suffer from quite a few squeaks and rattles, try doing a search on here, there’s a great post detailing where and how to fix most of them.
The clear wind deflector will be an after market one, they should be mesh.

The oil temp does seem to sit around the 1/4 - 3/8 mark unless driven hard.

We like to see photos on here, how about posting one of your new purchase

 

[RCF83]

Thanks for the reply, I’ll get the bulb changed and see if it sorts it... appreciate it was all a bit vague but I’ve been up since the early hours so I’ll blame tiredness

Anyway, not taken many photos yet but here she is pictured with the enemy.

 

[R.E92]

The electronic steering is heavy at standstill on all UK vehicles as the servotronic option wasn't available in the UK. If it's still heavy while moving then you might have a fault but normally that would trigger a warning light on the dash. Could also be caused by alignment issues.

Oil temp should up to 100C after 10min of driving, if not then it's very possible that either the thermostat is stuck open or is opening early.

 

[Anonymous]

My E89 rattled like crazy. Totally ruined the experience for me

 

[Anonymous]

The N20 engined cars tend to run their oil cool compared to the six cylinder variants..mine sits at 80c ish when driven normally on A/B roads on temperate days..

Also the N20 has a more complex coolant management system where it increases the cooling to attempt to get to 80c coolant when using larger amounts of power..

The plastic windbreaker is bound to create turbulence at various speeds depending on which windows are up and down, hence why BMW uses a mesh one as it acts as a diffuser reducing turbulence..

Reference your observations on steering..when you say it’s heavy..at what speeds?

Are you running normal wheels/tyres?

 

[RCF83]

Makes me feel better about the oil temp thanks.

I’ve booked in to have a new wind deflector so hopefully that improves things.

I’ve been used to newer cars where steering feels so much easier, it’s by no means really tough just noticeably heavier than previous m240i and current q7. Just on run flats but will check this out, thank you.

 

[Anonymous]

Makes me feel better about the oil temp thanks.

I’ve booked in to have a new wind deflector so hopefully that improves things.

I’ve been used to newer cars where steering feels so much easier, it’s by no means really tough just noticeably heavier than previous m240i and current q7. Just on run flats but will check this out, thank you.

I found the steering ‘different’ compared to almost all other cars I had...not been a BMW fan so wasn’t sure whether they were all like that..most people think the run flats are atrocious and don’t help the ride/handling/steering..

Like many I changed from them and the differences were amazing..

Whether it is the E89 chassis but BMW. just couldn’t seem to me to be able to make the run flats work with the chassis..

 

[buzyg]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Mr Tidy]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I hope you get those issues sorted so you can enjoy your Z4 while the summer is here.

 

[kinger]

I would get some of this, and coat all the rubbers, on the roof, that should make it squeak a lot less.., i swear by it,
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nextzett-Gummi-Pflege-Rubber-Care-Stick-100ml/264693414278?epid=19031289759&hash=item3da0f4f986:g:tq0AAOSwlfxXGn3A

Mike

 

[Smartbear]

My E89 rattled like crazy. Totally ruined the experience for me

My pre facelift buzzed & rattled down the road but my post facelift car is pretty much silent, i suspect assembly tweaks & mods have made a difference. I read the sun visors were changed because of the noise generated by the early ones
Rob

 

[Pooltee]

Up until today, I have never seen my oil temp gauge move past 80, but today it was borderline bang in the middle just off 120 whilst on the motorway. Once back in slow moving traffic it soon came down.

My car also had awful rattles when I purchased it, and I have taken apart a lot of the interior and reassembled using assembly Greece (molycote 111) and most of mine had gone until I had the roof repaired. Now I have an intermittent clock behind the drivers seat over rough ground.

The steering in my Z is a lot heavier than that of my 3 series, but not too the point that it feels faulty. I would say nicely weighted, just wish it had a bit more feedback.

Also, if you have run flat tyres fitted at the moment I would look to getting those changed to standard tyres. You will be surprised how much difference it makes to these cars, and may even calm down some of the squeaking and rattling.

Paul.

 

[RCF83]

Thanks for the replies. New wind defector quoted at 500 from bmw so I’m not bothering with that
I’ve got the silicon spray to play with and will look at a tyre change... any recommendations on the tyres?

 

[Huzee4]

I would get some of this, and coat all the rubbers, on the roof, that should make it squeak a lot less.., i swear by it,
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nextzett-Gummi-Pflege-Rubber-Care-Stick-100ml/264693414278?epid=19031289759&hash=item3da0f4f986:g:tq0AAOSwlfxXGn3A

Mike

I use this but when it runs out I’m going to try Vaseline, my superb Indy swears by it to reduce leaks and stop rattles

 

[mcbutler]

I dont know if its the angle or your camera lens but the car looks to be lower on the right side in your first photo!

 

[RCF83]

Yeah it’s just the drive inclines towards the door as I paved over grass ... makes the car look odd parked but I get more space

 

[Smartbear]

I would get some of this, and coat all the rubbers, on the roof, that should make it squeak a lot less.., i swear by it,
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nextzett-Gummi-Pflege-Rubber-Care-Stick-100ml/264693414278?epid=19031289759&hash=item3da0f4f986:g:tq0AAOSwlfxXGn3A

Mike

I use this but when it runs out I’m going to try Vaseline, my superb Indy swears by it to reduce leaks and stop rattles

I wouldn’t use Vaseline on my car https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=58876
Rob

 

[Wyldie85]

Goodness! £500 for a wind deflector! Licence to print money sometimes at BMW.
Perhaps a search online to source one would work out cheaper...

 

[Danglesberries]

Try ebay for a genuine second hand, good condition mesh wind deflector should be no more than £250 with fittings for a good one.
Just a side note, looking at your MOT history, it eats its way through tyres at an alarming rate for failures..... wonder if previous owner(s) put cheap tyres on?