Replacing BMW cooling system components

06zed4

New member
 Trumbull, CT
My '06 Z4, with 15K miles, suddenly overheated yesterday - a little surprised due to the low mileage. After getting the car towed back to my home, I feverishly scoured the Internet researching the overheating issue and was surprised to see how many problems involved BMW cooling components failing due to the plastic parts associated with them. Much to my surprise, even the radiator utilizes plastic. So of course I thought, why not just replace all the parts with their metal counterparts now and not worry about it later. I then proceeded to look for all metal radiators, water pumps, expansion tanks etc. For instance I found links for MISHIMOTO All-Aluminum Radiators, etc. Is there a comprehensive parts list out there which would help negate my overheating issues in the future? If there isn't a list, can anyone recommend specific components that would help negate/reduce my overheating fears. Am I overreacting?

Tomorrow, I plan to actually get at the car and figure out the problem, until then, I thought I would panic for now.

Thanks,
Dave
 
Hi and welcome to the Forum :thumbsup:

My Zed is 8 years old this year (one owner) and certainly had no problems as you describe. Have been a member of this Forum and the previous, but now defunct Z4 forum and not seen this as a particular issue in the various submitted threads. I would suggest diagnosing the issue that you currently have and try to fix before spending large amounts of unnecessary cash.
 
I guess after reading all the info out there, the plastic parts issue is rather daunting. One simple failure and the car a a potential goner. I just would like to have some piece of mind knowing that I don't have to replace something, as simple as an overflow tank, every "X" number of miles. I must admit, I commute @120 miles per day in my '09 Prius and have not had one issue during the 100K+ miles I've put on it so far. I know comparing a Prius to a Z4 is like comparing apples to oranges, the orange being way more fun to drive, I just didn't realize all the upkeep involved.

Thanks,
Dave
 
Are bmw parts a lot cheaper over the pond?- i ask because when i owned my e46 and was a member of various e46 forums,the american owners seemed to replace all the cooling parts without worrying over cost.
 
As it turns out, my Z4 needed a new electric water pump. $1200 later and one headache the car is now road worthy again.
I have to keep remembering just how much fun my Z4 is to drive which makes the cost factor seem just a little more palatable.

- Dave
 
06zed4 said:
As it turns out, my Z4 needed a new electric water pump. $1200 later and one headache the car is now road worthy again.
I have to keep remembering just how much fun my Z4 is to drive which makes the cost factor seem just a little more palatable.

Ouch! :o
 
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