New Z4 problems/issues?

L

lazerium

Member
 Nottingham
Right then, not sure if this is posted in the right place (maybe it should be in "New Z4", maybe "Problems") so if one of the mods wants to move it please feel free. I just thought this was the most popular bit so thought I'd try here first!

I'm vaguely half-thinking about chopping my 3.0si in for a nearly new 35I and was just wondering if there was any definitive list starting to form of the issues/problems to I should be looking out for. Ive heard a couple of mutterings about rattly roof seals, but thats about it so far.

Does anyone else have any thoughts about stuff I should be looking for? Do any current owners have any experiences with their own cars?
 
To be honest I would have thought it is a bit early in any new Z4's life to identify issues such as you are looking for. Not sure that there are that many on the road at the moment so you are no going to get a very wide range of views either. If you see one you like try and organise an extended test drive and see if you can identify any issues yourself.

Sorry just my thoughts.........
 
Yep, I guessed there wouldn't be many owners on here yet, but maybe a few of you guys have read some of the 100s of reviews out there and might have picked up stuff I haven't?

I'm already aware of a few issues such as the rattling roof, creaking non-sports seats and I've seen a few reports of misting lights and cars delivered missing tool kits. The general consensus also seems to be that the through loading option is desirable due to the small boot space.

But any feedback or advice would be greatfully received!
 
I have a March 2010 Z4 which has been into the garage for rattles behind the dashboard - which have now been fixed and a roof rattle which has now returned and is even louder, so it has been booked in yet again and let's hope it can be permanently fixed this time! (The car has only done 5,000 miles).
 
Do a google search for Z4 35i problems. - that should keep you busy for an hour or so.

In the US that have been a few instances of cars coming under the 'lemon laws'. - i.e. so many problems that it's deemed unfixable.

Fuel pump problems
Cracked wheels

Of course , not all examples are like this. you have to use your own judgement. Makes good reading though.
 
lazerium said:
I'm vaguely half-thinking about chopping my 3.0si in for a nearly new 35I and was just wondering if there was any definitive list starting to form of the issues/problems to I should be looking out for.
Click to expand...

Yes - the E89 Z4 is butt ugly. No fix currently available.

It's also about 500 pounds heavier, which is like carting a family of 4 around with you, every time you go out.
 
It is not as pretty but the 35i is a lot faster and the one I test drove had the adaptive suspension and the ride was really good.

There are some big problems with the engines though, the high pressure fuel pumps have had a lot of issues in the US although I did read that BMW had changed the design now.

For me though it wasnt significantly better than the one I have and therefore woudlnt have it
 
Butt ugly is a bit harsh. They're growing on me. Agree with the weight thing but it's supposed to be more of a GT car than the E85/6.


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- Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
richtea78 said:
It is not as pretty but the 35i is a lot faster.
Click to expand...

The E86 Z4 3.0si is faster than the newer E89 sDrive 30i. Hardly surprising when you consider how much heavier the E89 model is.
The E86 Z4 M is faster than the newer E89 sDrive 35i (even with its twin turbos). It takes the very latest sDrive 35is to beat the M on a 0-100km/h sprint.

The E89 only has 2 features I consider more attractive:
i) the dual clutch gearbox on the sDrive35i
ii) a very nicely crafted LCD pop-up design

In every other respect ... interior and exterior ... I think it is inferior to the E86.
 
playalistic said:
Butt ugly is a bit harsh.
Click to expand...
Well, it has an ugly butt.

The whole design is compromised by having a hard-top roof that opens. The E89 is a compromised car ... unlike the E86 coupe (which is raw and pure) and the E85 roadster (which is raw and pure).
 
Excellent :D i've just discovered if you add someone to your "foe list" their posts show as follows:

"This post was made by krusty who is currently on your ignore list."

That way you don't need to read the bull$h1t that they post :P :wink:
 
Glad you said that Beemer.....it's a great looking car, and I think a much better car than the previous one. My bro in law has the previous model and E89 is far better looking. It's a mini 6 series in terms of looks. Who can slate the practicality of the folding metal roof??!!
 
Each to their own; i've said it before and will say it time and time again:- Never liked the z3 just couldn't get it all :- thought the zed 4 was an improvement on the zed 3 but would never have dreamt of buying a zed 4 :- went to test drive the new shape 3 series, saw the e89 z4 in the corner of the show room and went 'f@@k me that's gorgeous', all my prissy self righteous mumbo about 'it has to be a rag top to be a convertible' went straight out the window.
If you don't like the new Z fine, you don't like it :thumbsup:
As for me if i had an old zed 4 and the chance to change to the new one i'd say OP - Do it! :thumbsup:
I think mines great, love the look of it and i haven't stopped being flattered by the number of people who comment on how great it looks, it has a real classic feel to the lines, makes me think longingly of classic jag XK's, Healeys, MGA's and the like, it pays homage to those better than the previous zeds IMO.
I've had a few issues with the car but it is a dream at the moment.
Take one for a test drive for a day and see how you feel when you get back in yours, that'll tell you whether to change or not.
As for Krusty :P
 
roofless said:
Each to their own; i've said it before and will say it time and time again:- Never liked the z3 just couldn't get it all :- thought the zed 4 was an improvement on the zed 3 but would never have dreamt of buying a zed 4 :- went to test drive the new shape 3 series, saw the e89 z4 in the corner of the show room and went 'f@@k me that's gorgeous', all my prissy self righteous mumbo about 'it has to be a rag top to be a convertible' went straight out the window.
If you don't like the new Z fine, you don't like it :thumbsup:
As for me if i had an old zed 4 and the chance to change to the new one i'd say OP - Do it! :thumbsup:
I think mines great, love the look of it and i haven't stopped being flattered by the number of people who comment on how great it looks, it has a real classic feel to the lines, makes me think longingly of classic jag XK's, Healeys, MGA's and the like, it pays homage to those better than the previous zeds IMO.
I've had a few issues with the car but it is a dream at the moment.
Take one for a test drive for a day and see how you feel when you get back in yours, that'll tell you whether to change or not.
As for Krusty :P
Click to expand...

+1 :D
 
My problem is that I enjoy driving it so much, that I put 4000 miles on it in the first two months, and have blown past all my gas budgets. But heck, I'll live off Ramen noodles, if it means I can drive more.
 
E89 30i is 1490 kg unladen weight
E89 35i is 1580 kg unladen weight
E85 30si is 1402 kg unladen weight

Really you cannot compare the 35i against the old 30i or 30si because of the extra power and torque, as for 0 to 60 times the old 30i is slower than the e89 30i to 62 mph but this matches the 30si times, all of which are a lot slower than the 35i.

Looks are subjective, having owned both I can see lots of familiarities between the two, the e89 is just evolution, so the butt ugly comment, I think is a tad churlish.

As for faults.... the 296 style wheels should be avoided unless you know a good welder!
 
sars said:
...I can see lots of familiarities between the two, the e89 is just evolution...
Click to expand...
Surprisingly so, when you see E85 and E89 parked next to one another - very similar.
 
As much as a love my car I would trade it in for a 35is if I had the money!

Styling wise I think they look similar but I find the front of the e89 much more aggressive looking then an E85.

As for the weight difference it's only 100 odd kg.... That's like carrying a fat passenger!
 
sars said:
E89 30i is 1490 kg unladen weight
E89 35i is 1580 kg unladen weight
E85 30si is 1402 kg unladen weight
Click to expand...

BMW unladen weight figures are a bit confusing, because in about 2007 they changed from using kerb weight (without the driver) to unladen EU weight (which includes a 68kg driver and 7kg of luggage).

The correct kerb weights (without the driver ... manual transmission) are:
* E85 3.0si: 1310kg (E86 coupe: 1320kg)
* E89 30i: 1415kg
* E89 35i: 1505kg

>> as for 0 to 60 times the old 30i is slower than the e89 30i to 62 mph but this matches the 30si times

0 to 100km/h Timings
===================
* E85/86 3.0si: 5.7 seconds
* E89 sDrive 30si: 5.8 seconds (0 to 100km/h)
 
If anyone thinks the E89 is ugly they should go to Specsavers!
Why all the concern with o - 60 figures, surely mid range performance is the key, is 0.2 seconds difference to 60mph important?
 
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