Z4 lemon?

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xtina0

Member
Hi all,

I purchased a certified pre-owned 2015 Z4 October 2018 with 35K miles. It really hasn't given me any trouble until now.

Shocks needed to be repaired as per BMW I took it to a close friend who has a indy shop. $1500 right there. I told him I've been hearing the motor fan sound like a jet engine when I take my car on the highway. He checked it out and found a gasket pan from the transmission that needs to be changed because it is leaking- another $470. Also a code came up on the computer for the thermostat which he thinks may be causing the fan to go in overdrive.

Because the thermostat needs to be changed the water pump should be changed according to my friend another $900.

I'm nervous my Z4 is going to end up costing me a lot in the long run or I was sold a car with a lot of problems.
Should I be worried? Are these normal maintenance things that Z4's need? Should I be okay after I make these repairs?

Should I consider selling it back to BMW and leasing something else?
 
Welcome to the forum. :)

Which Z4 do you have. and which engine?. That will make it far easier to target the right advice. :wink:

The water pump is a common failure in some variants. :wink:

Shocks on a 35k mile car should have been ok though. :?
 
Thank you ! I love my Z4 , its a sdrive28i.

Its at 42 K now ( 35 K when I purchased) I live in NYC potholes and poor pavement might explain why.
I'm going to drop $3K right now for repairs and want to feel a little assured I won't need to spend that amount on something else in a few more months.

It was sold a certified pre-owned by BMW dealer so I thought it would hold up a little better.
 
It was a little over a year ago it was $31 K from the dealer , I thought that was okay at the time. Then the new Z4 came out and the price probably dropped :headbang: I still owe 15K

Congrats on your car though it really is a blast to drive ! Are you going to get snow tires since your in buffalo?
 
My 35i has been and continues to be a massive money and hassle pit. Great car when ok, but engine etc has a lot of reliability issues.
 
xtina0 said:
It was a little over a year ago it was $31 K from the dealer , I thought that was okay at the time. Then the new Z4 came out and the price probably dropped :headbang: I still owe 15K

Congrats on your car though it really is a blast to drive ! Are you going to get snow tires since your in buffalo?
Click to expand...

No snow tires, I just garage it until it gets nicer.
 
I would say that your collection of faults is unusual for a 28i of that age and mileage...

Unlike the 35i(s) I would not expect it to be a money pit...

As they say in investment advice...past performance is not a predictor of future performance...

I wonder if it had a hard /uncaring life before you acquired it?
 
Have you just run out of warranty? I'd maybe go back to the BMW dealer and see if they will show some goodwill.....you never know, it's been successful for people in the past. Especially since you've only done 7k miles since buying it.
 
In hindsight a warranty whether BMWs own or an aftermarket warranty is a must in my book, especially on these types of cars. If you use BMW for repairs they will want £100 an hour labour just to look at any issues. I've not long taken out BMWs extended warranty on the M140i which is £38 month. I wouldn't normally bother but the cars complexity/electronics will soon make it a money pit if things go wrong. Gamble at the end of the day. Alternatively run a cheaper simple to fix car :)

Tim.
 
Busterboo said:
Pbondar said:
Unlike the 35i(s) I would not expect it to be a money pit...
Click to expand...
Don't be consoled by this inaccurate thought.
Click to expand...

Hi Busterboo, can you list the common failure modes of the N20 auto E89s pls?
 
Angelus666 said:
Have you just run out of warranty? I'd maybe go back to the BMW dealer and see if they will show some goodwill.....you never know, it's been successful for people in the past. Especially since you've only done 7k miles since buying it.
Click to expand...

Yes the warranty on the certified pre-owned was only for 1 year. I took it for a check back at the dealer before the warranty expired and they told me about the shock that they aren’t covered but I would be fine for another few months.

Maybe I waited to long that the rough drive effected the other stuff ?
 
Angelus666 said:
Have you just run out of warranty? I'd maybe go back to the BMW dealer and see if they will show some goodwill.....you never know, it's been successful for people in the past. Especially since you've only done 7k miles since buying it.
Click to expand...

Yes the warranty on the certified pre-owned was only for 1 year. I took it for a check back at the dealer before the warranty expired and they told me about the shock that they aren’t covered but I would be fine for another few months.

Maybe I waited to long that the rough drive effected the other stuff ?
 
No, the warranty starts when the factory warranty expires...

BMW Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Coverage
Covers you for 1 year with unlimited vehicle miles, after the expiration of the 4-year / 50,000 mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks (Valid only in the U.S.A. including Puerto Rico) for a total of 5 years / Unlimited vehicle miles.
 
Pbondar said:
Busterboo said:
Pbondar said:
Unlike the 35i(s) I would not expect it to be a money pit...
Click to expand...
Don't be consoled by this inaccurate thought.
Click to expand...
Hi Busterboo, can you list the common failure modes of the N20 auto E89s pls?
Click to expand...
No, but I recognise they're fewer than the 35iS. That said, the N20 auto E89s have fewer features to go wrong. :wink:
 
javis20 said:
No, the warranty starts when the factory warranty expires...

BMW Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Coverage
Covers you for 1 year with unlimited vehicle miles, after the expiration of the 4-year / 50,000 mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks (Valid only in the U.S.A. including Puerto Rico) for a total of 5 years / Unlimited vehicle miles.
Click to expand...


I called to check apparently car was sold in July of 2014 so July 2019 makes it 5 years. They are looking into the issues and are going to let me know if they can do something. Wish I waited and got the new Z4.
 
Pbondar said:
Busterboo said:
Pbondar said:
Unlike the 35i(s) I would not expect it to be a money pit...
Click to expand...
Don't be consoled by this inaccurate thought.
Click to expand...

Hi Busterboo, can you list the common failure modes of the N20 auto E89s pls?
Click to expand...

My understanding is timing chain failure is the biggest issue and some gasket leak issues but they pale against N54 issues.
 
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