New Z4 owner seeking advice

[animator]

Hello people,

I recently got a z4 N20 (2.0) Msport and I love it but I have a few issues and questions I need resolved.

First if all I did read a lot in here prior to buying it and I know most BMW fanatics would avoid the N20 engine for various reasons but mine drives pretty good with 139.000 km on the clock with full service history. Its a German import with everything in equipment and packages.

Anyways here are my questions

1) I have the famous ticking noise which follows the RPMs. In idle the sound can't be heard. I found A LOT of topics about it here but no-one seems to have figured out what it really is. I have exactly the same problem as the z4 in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxnkrW_HZ9o

2) im thinking about doing a remap of the engine. A tuning company here in Copenhagen can do it (BOOT) with a result of 260hp / 420nm - does this sound right? Its a huge improvement from the 184 stock hp I think?

3) even though I like the rims I have on now together with my m sport suspension I would like to have the car lowered a bit and get some new rims. Is it possible to put 30/30 H&R springs on together with a set of 20s? If so what size of rims and tires (front and back) should I aim for to get the best fit possible?

Thx in advance and sorry if my English is not perfect im not from GB

 

[Twin Turbo]

Firstly Welcome,

Can you open the bonnet, and try and isolate the sound, is it could be a couple of things.

I would not consider doing anything until this has been identified.

 

[animator]

Hello Thank you..

The sound is most noticeable inside the car. It sounds like it comes from the back of the engine just behind the steering wheel (my steering wheel is sitting in the left side of the car) I can also hear it if im standing next to the car and someone is revving the engine or if im opening the window while driving slow. Its not easy to hear the sound when sticking my head under the bonnet actually but its there. The sound is differently coming from the back of the engines left side if seen from the drivers point of view.

 

[mr wilks]

Hi mate , welcome to the forum .
If the ticking is chain related then i would either fix it first or forget the remap idea as to my mind that will only accelerate the issue to a point of failure
20s with H&Rs is a bold move , im struggling with mine on 19s with anything over et35 so be wary on the widths & fitment

 

[Smartbear]

Hi, if your noise is coming from the back of the engine it’s unlikely to be chain related as that’s situated at the front-are you sure it’s not just injector noise? The direct injection engines can be pretty “ticky” and bmw fitted an engine cover with greater sound reducing qualities after a year or two after receiving complaints from customers :?
Rob

 

[animator]

@mr wilks

Thx buddy..

Yeah from our IG chat I got a little concerned about the 20s

But it does look great with 20s (Breyton Race LS 8,5x20ET35 w. 245/30 front and 10x20ET35 w. 285/25 rear) and H&R (user dice´s car)

Its not like the ticking sound get worse or better or have been. Its always sounded exactly like in the video.

 

[animator]

Hi, if your noise is coming from the back of the engine it’s unlikely to be chain related as that’s situated at the front-are you sure it’s not just injector noise? The direct injection engines can be pretty “ticky” and bmw fitted an engine cover with greater sound reducing qualities after a year or two after receiving complaints from customers :?
Rob

Im not sure on anything. I have no clue what it could be. Ive thought about chain, injectors, lifters but I can't find a clear answer on it.

Could be I dnk?

My Z4 is a 2012 btw.

 

[mr wilks]

Thx buddy..

Yeah from our IG chat I got a little concerned about the 20s

But it does look great with 20s (Breyton Race LS 8,5x20ET35 w. 245/30 front and 10x20ET35 w. 285/25 rear) and H&R (user dice´s car)

Its not like the ticking sound get worse or better or have been. Its always sounded exactly like in the video.

With H&Rs , 20inch 10j et35 Id be very surprised if the rears don't catch the arch liner on anything other than smooth straight roads :?
Its the weirdest design of liner on any Bmw ive ever owned , once you run your finger over it you will understand .

 

[animator]

So i figured out what is causing the N20 ticking sound. I Was at BMW today and they took my engine cover and sound dampening stuff off the block. It clearly made the sound louder.

The reason that it ticks is that the N20 uses a high pressure injection which differs from high precision injection in that it uses solenoid valve injectors with multi hole nuzzles instead of the piezoelectric type.

The system was introduced in the N55 engine and is actually a diesel construction now used on petrol engines.

 

[firebobby]

So, what Mr bear said then :|

 

[Smartbear]

So i figured out what is causing the N20 ticking sound. I Was at BMW today and they took my engine cover and sound dampening stuff off the block. It clearly made the sound louder.

The reason that it ticks is that the N20 uses a high pressure injection which differs from high precision injection in that it uses solenoid valve injectors with multi hole nuzzles instead of the piezoelectric type.

The system was introduced in the N55 engine and is actually a diesel construction now used on petrol engines.

You should try & find out if you have the later type of engine cover fitted, if not it should be easy to find a later version to subdue the sound better
Rob

 

[bob4333]

@mr wilks

Thx buddy..

Yeah from our IG chat I got a little concerned about the 20s

But it does look great with 20s (Breyton Race LS 8,5x20ET35 w. 245/30 front and 10x20ET35 w. 285/25 rear) and H&R (user dice´s car)

OP, be very, very careful about selecting these wheels. At one time I was completely suckered by them and was close to ordering the same 20"s but fortunately I'm a bit OCD with mods in that I want to know absolutely everything before I commit.

I spotted a used set for sale and contacted the seller on here for info. He had his E89 on contract. He said don't do it. His actual words were "I wish I could have asked someone before I bought them.

They don't fit , you need to roll the arches and cut away the inner plastic guard. BMW will not except the car back in this condition , you will need to spend thousands returning to standard.

They look class but just don't fit."

There's a detailing thread on here from bmwZ the man that put those on his E89 and he had full workshop facilities to help him. It's a great read but he doesn't spell out the amount of cutting and carving needed to get them to fit without rubbing. I also went off the very low profile tyres that go with this size.

I'm not saying don't, just trying to help with the understanding of what may lie ahead.

 

[animator]

You should try & find out if you have the later type of engine cover fitted, if not it should be easy to find a later version to subdue the sound better
Rob

Yeah my Z4 is a 09/12 so perhaps an early version of the N20? Any ideas on how to figure out if I got the old or newer engine cover?

And thx for the info btw

OP, be very, very careful about selecting these wheels. At one time I was completely suckered by them and was close to ordering the same 20"s but fortunately I'm a bit OCD with mods in that I want to know absolutely everything before I commit.

I spotted a used set for sale and contacted the seller on here for info. He had his E89 on contract. He said don't do it. His actual words were "I wish I could have asked someone before I bought them.

They don't fit , you need to roll the arches and cut away the inner plastic guard. BMW will not except the car back in this condition , you will need to spend thousands returning to standard.

They look class but just don't fit."

There's a detailing thread on here from bmwZ the man that put those on his E89 and he had full workshop facilities to help him. It's a great read but he doesn't spell out the amount of cutting and carving needed to get them to fit without rubbing. I also went off the very low profile tyres that go with this size.

I'm not saying don't, just trying to help with the understanding of what may lie ahead.

Hey Bob, yeah I read his post too. Im sticking with 19s and 30/20 springs for now. Dont wanna cut away anything on my car