Does the Z4 still have nagging problems?

tranquility · 07-06-2010, 10:29 AM

I'm close to buying but have been reading about some issues w/ this car, the fuel pumps (HPFP, LPFP), creaks, noises, etc. Not sure if these have been solved for the MY2011. Any issues make this not a good purchase at the moment? Thx.

flpnout · 07-06-2010, 10:40 AM

It seams this has been an ongoing issue on all the 35i models. A friend of mine with 2008 135 and another one with a 2009 335 have had issues with the high pressure fuel pump requiring replacement. I think the low pressure one is not as frequent as the high, but still an issue that BMW should have resolved a few years ago on both cases. I think if I have to go through 3 replacements I would want them to take the car back as lemon.

Darbs330 · 07-06-2010, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranquility

Not sure if these have been solved for the MY2011.

I don't know if I'm the best person to comment... I've only had the car 15 days & you could say I'm still on our honeymoon

Given that... I haven't had any hint of an issue. The car really has been pure Joy!

BMWZ4 · 07-06-2010, 12:25 PM

I've had my '11 3.0 6MT for roughly 3 months with no major issues. The only thing I've had replaced were the folding mirrors because they were "grinding" when they were folded inward (out was fine for some reason).

My roof creaks a little on very bumpy roads and even then when the outside temp if extreme (no idea why).

That said, I'm coming from an '06 MX5 Mazda convertible. Similar issues with that car as well (creaky roof from time to time) and frankly, that kind of stuff is so low on my list of things that bother me, that I simply just forget about it and drive my GREAT RIDE!!!

So other than the mirrors, ZERO issues and I'm at 4,000 kms.

Dave

tranquility · 07-06-2010, 12:31 PM

Just spoke with a sales and he said that MY2011 will be using the N55 engine (not the N54)? Would that eliminate fuel pump prbs?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_N55

BMWZ4 · 07-06-2010, 12:40 PM

That's weird, my MY11 (apparently) has the N54 engine, so I was told by BMW......my car was built March 1st, 2010.

Maybe it's because your car would be built now, versus my March date?

Dave

EDIT: oh I see why....says N55 is a turbo charged engine, mine of course is not.

juhap · 07-06-2010, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranquility

Just spoke with a sales and he said that MY2011 will be using the N55 engine (not the N54)? Would that eliminate fuel pump prbs?

Possibly, but not from the Z4, because it will keep the N54.

Press release from January.

yabbanoname · 07-06-2010, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranquility

I'm close to buying but have been reading about some issues w/ this car, the fuel pumps (HPFP, LPFP), creaks, noises, etc. Not sure if these have been solved for the MY2011. Any issues make this not a good purchase at the moment? Thx.

just hit the 33000 km, no issues besides getting dirty and added 2 times 1 ltr of oil ...
Still enjoying the N54, wouldn't wait for a "better" one ;-)

msimon18 · 07-06-2010, 02:53 PM

I have had mine for 7 months and the only issue I have had is the recent stalling issue (see thread) and the problems getting the software fix for it to take. So far no luck after about 7 days !!!

Mr. ///M3 RD · 07-06-2010, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yabbanoname

just hit the 33000 km, no issues besides getting dirty and added 2 times 1 ltr of oil ...
Still enjoying the N54, wouldn't wait for a "better" one ;-)

Good to hear, I am planning for a 7,000 KM round trip around North America.

Beste Grüße aus Kanada

tranquility · 07-06-2010, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juhap

Possibly, but not from the Z4, because it will keep the N54.

Press release from January.

Just spoke with another sales and he confirmed that for MY2011, the 35i will have the new N55 engine, but the 35is will remain having the N54. Not sure if this will solve the fuel pump issue?

BlueZ4AZ · 07-06-2010, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranquility

Just spoke with another sales and he confirmed that for MY2011, the 35i will have the new N55 engine, but the 35is will remain having the N54. Not sure if this will solve the fuel pump issue?

You have it opposite. The 35i keeps the N54. 35is gets the N55. If someone from your dealer's sales dept. stated that the 35i gets the N55 then that would explain it, because car salespeople usually misquote everything, espcially when it comes to the facts.

Since BMW decided to gun out the 2010 and 2011 Model years so fast, it is very doubtful any issues were resolved in 2010 or 2011. There are no major "nagging" issues in the 2009 -2011 that can't be easily fixed anyway.

It can safely be said there isn't a model of any car in any year on earth that hasn't had some type of minor issues.

Darbs330 · 07-06-2010, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueZ4AZ

You have it opposite. The 35i keeps the N54. 35is gets the N55.

Honestly, I keep reading threads suggesting that the N55 will be migrating over to Z's... but can't find anything to back that up. All the press releases and automotive "news" articles I can find confirm that the N54 will be the Z's power plant throughout 2011.

Not meaning any disrespect to previous posts... if someone can find a definitive report (not a salesman's misinformation), I'll ask them to please provide the link so this rumor can be put to rest - one way or the other.

H-Doc · 07-06-2010, 06:14 PM

According to the already linked to, aforementioned press release- the N54 will remain in both the 35i and 35is.

My 35is has the N54 twin turbo, FWIW.

Dr Stig 2 · 07-06-2010, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H-Doc

According to the already linked to, aforementioned press release- the N54 will remain in both the 35i and 35is.

My 35is has the N54 twin turbo, FWIW.

Mine too. build date was May 2010.

BlueZ4AZ · 07-06-2010, 07:03 PM

Correct - the N54 remains in 35is. In the Press release, I initially took the term "upgraded N54" to mean the N55. That is not true. Upgraded means the higher HP.

tranquility · 07-06-2010, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueZ4AZ

You have it opposite. The 35i keeps the N54. 35is gets the N55. If someone from your dealer's sales dept. stated that the 35i gets the N55 then that would explain it, because car salespeople usually misquote everything, espcially when it comes to the facts.

Since BMW decided to gun out the 2010 and 2011 Model years so fast, it is very doubtful any issues were resolved in 2010 or 2011. There are no major "nagging" issues in the 2009 -2011 that can't be easily fixed anyway.

It can safely be said there isn't a model of any car in any year on earth that hasn't had some type of minor issues.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darbs330

Honestly, I keep reading threads suggesting that the N55 will be migrating over to Z's... but can't find anything to back that up. All the press releases and automotive "news" articles I can find confirm that the N54 will be the Z's power plant throughout 2011.

Not meaning any disrespect to previous posts... if someone can find a definitive report (not a salesman's misinformation), I'll ask them to please provide the link so this rumor can be put to rest - one way or the other.

Boy, I'm thoroughly confused, no thanks to those salesguys and I cannot find anything on the net to state anything definitive...so I guess the status quo stands, i.e. N54 for both 35i and 35is?

teagueAMX · 07-06-2010, 11:21 PM

Look at BlueZ4AZ's latest post above. He's clarified that the n54 stays with the 35is. The key is that 35i and 35is are the same model car with a couple of very minor changes. There's no reason for BMW to change one and not the other. Everything I've read (press bulletins, tech data, etc.) indicates the n54 will remain in the Z4 for the next couple of years. I don't think there is any actual info indicating what they might do beyond that time line one way or the other.

It remains to be seen if the n55 will live up to BMW marketing data. From a performance standpoint, my belief is the twin turbo n54 is superior to the n55 for sports car performance. It's easy and fairly inexpensive to squeeze more power from it. It's possible the n55 will prove to be slightly more economical to operate, but that a good thing for the 5 series.

alan64 · 07-06-2010, 11:26 PM

mine is an 09 35i, and I have to say it has been just brilliant. love the car more even after a few months, more than when I purchased it. Nothing is perfect, but this car, for me, is just about there.

tranquility · 07-06-2010, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alan64

mine is an 09 35i, and I have to say it has been just brilliant. love the car more even after a few months, more than when I purchased it. Nothing is perfect, but this car, for me, is just about there.

So no prbs so far for my fellow Canuck?

Alext · 07-07-2010, 02:58 AM

Yeah one of the reasons I am holding back is to see if these continuing issues eventually get ironed out. I drove a new 135i the other day and compared it to my current one. The interior creaks seemed to have been solved (much more solid around the A-pillar areas - must have added some padding or something), so BMW do eventually get around to minor improvements here and there. I also had rear tailight LEDs fail and the decklid brake light surround crack. It seems BMW have sorted these in current models.

The two Z4 issues that would concern me the most would be the fuel pump and excessive creaks and rattles and sloppy steering response some have noted.

As far as the N55 engine goes, it seems a logical step that BMW will use it in future Z4's since they already have upgraded the 135i and 335i from the N54 engine to the N55 this year and mated it with the DCT.

The 'is' models will I am sure retain the N54.

It appears harder to extract more power out of the N55 than the N54, and Terry from Burger Tuning has managed to create a stage 1 tune for a fair power increase on the N55. He mentioned it unlikely you will get as much power out of a N55 as a N54, but then again, how many Z4 drivers will really need the extremes?

Darbs330 · 07-07-2010, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alext

...since they already have upgraded the 135i and 335i from the N54 engine to the N55 this year ...

Upgraded?... You make it sound like the N55 is a significant improvement...

Different - yes
Newer Design - yes
More Efficient - perhaps

Not taking anything away from the N55... or looking for a debate between it and the N54... let's just just remember for a second that the N54 has earned its share of accolades (Best International Engine of the year '07, '08)(Best New Engine of the year '07).

As for the HPFP issues... I'm not sure anyone has proven definitively that this is an "engine issue" as opposed to a fault with the design of the HPFP.

Maybe it's a questionable analogy, but, do we blame the home when a furnace fails? - no... we just fix the furnace. I'm hoping, by now, that BMW has done this with the latest round of HPFPs.

07-06-2010, 10:29 AM	#1
tranquility sportscars only 3244 Rep 3,195 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montréal iTrader: (0)	Does the Z4 still have nagging problems? I'm close to buying but have been reading about some issues w/ this car, the fuel pumps (HPFP, LPFP), creaks, noises, etc. Not sure if these have been solved for the MY2011. Any issues make this not a good purchase at the moment? Thx.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

07-06-2010, 10:40 AM	#2
flpnout Major 82 Rep 1,264 Posts Drives: 2010 Dinan S3 Z4-35i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (8) Garage List 2010 E89 Z4 [7.83]	It seams this has been an ongoing issue on all the 35i models. A friend of mine with 2008 135 and another one with a 2009 335 have had issues with the high pressure fuel pump requiring replacement. I think the low pressure one is not as frequent as the high, but still an issue that BMW should have resolved a few years ago on both cases. I think if I have to go through 3 replacements I would want them to take the car back as lemon. __________________ 2015 BMW i3 REX
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-06-2010, 12:25 PM	#4
BMWZ4 Major General 1910 Rep 5,103 Posts Drives: '23 X1/'23 Allroad Progressiv Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	I've had my '11 3.0 6MT for roughly 3 months with no major issues. The only thing I've had replaced were the folding mirrors because they were "grinding" when they were folded inward (out was fine for some reason). My roof creaks a little on very bumpy roads and even then when the outside temp if extreme (no idea why). That said, I'm coming from an '06 MX5 Mazda convertible. Similar issues with that car as well (creaky roof from time to time) and frankly, that kind of stuff is so low on my list of things that bother me, that I simply just forget about it and drive my GREAT RIDE!!! So other than the mirrors, ZERO issues and I'm at 4,000 kms. Dave __________________ '11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-06-2010, 12:31 PM	#5
tranquility sportscars only 3244 Rep 3,195 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montréal iTrader: (0)	Just spoke with a sales and he said that MY2011 will be using the N55 engine (not the N54)? Would that eliminate fuel pump prbs? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_N55
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-06-2010, 12:40 PM	#6
BMWZ4 Major General 1910 Rep 5,103 Posts Drives: '23 X1/'23 Allroad Progressiv Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	That's weird, my MY11 (apparently) has the N54 engine, so I was told by BMW......my car was built March 1st, 2010. Maybe it's because your car would be built now, versus my March date? Dave EDIT: oh I see why....says N55 is a turbo charged engine, mine of course is not. __________________ '11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-06-2010, 02:53 PM	#9
msimon18 Retired 19 Rep 868 Posts Drives: Z4 s30i Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: The Villages, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 1965 Isetta 300 [0.00] 2004 1/5 Scale M3 GTR [10.00]	I have had mine for 7 months and the only issue I have had is the recent stalling issue (see thread) and the problems getting the software fix for it to take. So far no luck after about 7 days !!! __________________ M3 GTR - 1/5 scale - 4.2 HP w/ Collari hydraulic brakes - would you believe ~80 MPH on straightaway !!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-06-2010, 06:14 PM	#14
H-Doc BMWCCA Member #434186 2 Rep 28 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive35is Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	According to the already linked to, aforementioned press release- the N54 will remain in both the 35i and 35is. My 35is has the N54 twin turbo, FWIW. __________________ 2011 E89 Z4 sDrive35is 2005 E85 Z4 Roadster 2.5i (Retired)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-06-2010, 07:03 PM	#16
BlueZ4AZ Go SU 33 Rep 902 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 sDrive35i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chandler, AZ iTrader: (0)	Correct - the N54 remains in 35is. In the Press release, I initially took the term "upgraded N54" to mean the N55. That is not true. Upgraded means the higher HP.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-06-2010, 11:21 PM	#18
teagueAMX Colonel 62 Rep 2,087 Posts Drives: Some are road worthy Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: So Cal, USA iTrader: (0)	Look at BlueZ4AZ's latest post above. He's clarified that the n54 stays with the 35is. The key is that 35i and 35is are the same model car with a couple of very minor changes. There's no reason for BMW to change one and not the other. Everything I've read (press bulletins, tech data, etc.) indicates the n54 will remain in the Z4 for the next couple of years. I don't think there is any actual info indicating what they might do beyond that time line one way or the other. It remains to be seen if the n55 will live up to BMW marketing data. From a performance standpoint, my belief is the twin turbo n54 is superior to the n55 for sports car performance. It's easy and fairly inexpensive to squeeze more power from it. It's possible the n55 will prove to be slightly more economical to operate, but that a good thing for the 5 series. __________________ "Political correctness is a doctrine fostered by a delusional liberal minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end".-- Unknown Last edited by teagueAMX; 07-07-2010 at 08:03 AM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-06-2010, 11:26 PM	#19
alan64 Lieutenant 19 Rep 484 Posts Drives: z4 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: canada iTrader: (0)	mine is an 09 35i, and I have to say it has been just brilliant. love the car more even after a few months, more than when I purchased it. Nothing is perfect, but this car, for me, is just about there.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-07-2010, 02:58 AM	#21
Alext Banned 138 Rep 2,042 Posts Drives: B M W Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Everest iTrader: (2)	Yeah one of the reasons I am holding back is to see if these continuing issues eventually get ironed out. I drove a new 135i the other day and compared it to my current one. The interior creaks seemed to have been solved (much more solid around the A-pillar areas - must have added some padding or something), so BMW do eventually get around to minor improvements here and there. I also had rear tailight LEDs fail and the decklid brake light surround crack. It seems BMW have sorted these in current models. The two Z4 issues that would concern me the most would be the fuel pump and excessive creaks and rattles and sloppy steering response some have noted. As far as the N55 engine goes, it seems a logical step that BMW will use it in future Z4's since they already have upgraded the 135i and 335i from the N54 engine to the N55 this year and mated it with the DCT. The 'is' models will I am sure retain the N54. It appears harder to extract more power out of the N55 than the N54, and Terry from Burger Tuning has managed to create a stage 1 tune for a fair power increase on the N55. He mentioned it unlikely you will get as much power out of a N55 as a N54, but then again, how many Z4 drivers will really need the extremes?
	Appreciate 0 Quote