Known faults for the BMW Z4 (E89).

Engine / equipment

N20 / N26 2.0 turbo petrol (118i–125i, 320i/328i, 520i/528i, X1/X3 20i-28i, Z4)

Period mentioned

Approx. 2012–2015

Symptoms

High-pitched whine from the engine that rises with revs, rattle on a cold start.

Possible cause described

The plastic chain guides become brittle and break. The chain goes slack and can jump, or the fragments block the oil pump.

Check for the garage

Check the guides through the oil filler opening and listen for the whine with the bonnet open.

Cost cited in the source

Approx. €1,700–3,300A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

N20 / N26 and other BMW engines with an aluminium oil filter housing

Period mentioned

2011–2017

Symptoms

Oil leak at the front of the engine, oil on the auxiliary belt (squeal or burning smell), sometimes oil and coolant mixing.

Possible cause described

The oil filter housing gasket hardens with heat cycles and cracks. Together with the valve cover gasket, it is the most common BMW oil leak.

Check for the garage

Visual inspection of the filter housing area, the belt and the bottom of the engine.

Cost cited in the source

€400–900A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Mileage cited in the database: 80,000–130,000 km. This is not a maintenance interval and does not predict a failure.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

BMW petrol engines with an electric water pump: N52, N53, N54, N55, N20 and others from 2004–2016

Period mentioned

2004–2016

Symptoms

Temperature warning and limited power with no prior warning (water pump); burning oil smell or smoke from leaks onto the exhaust or belt; rough idle and VANOS codes (2A82, 2A87).

Possible cause described

The water pump is electric and its electronics fail, often without warning, between 95,000 and 160,000 km. The valve cover and oil filter housing gaskets harden and leak; the latter can drip onto the belt. The VANOS solenoids get dirty and fail.

Check for the garage

Check the water pump and thermostat history, look for leaks at the valve cover and oil filter housing, and read VANOS codes.

Cost cited in the source

Water pump: approx. €550–1,100 fitted; oil filter housing gasket: €275–550; valve cover: €370–740 (converted from dollars)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Mileage cited in the database: 95,000–160,000 km. This is not a maintenance interval and does not predict a failure.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

FRM3 footwell module (lights, indicators and windows): 1 Series E81 to E88, 3 Series E90 to E93, X1 E84, Z4 E89, X5 E70, X6 E71 and E72 and MINI R55 to R61

Period mentioned

2004–2015

Symptoms

After a flat battery, a battery change or disconnection, or a jump start: lights, indicators or windows stop working, side or dipped lights stay on and diagnostics cannot communicate with the module (for example code 00A3C1).

Possible cause described

The module's EEPROM gets corrupted by low or unstable voltage: a flat battery, jump starting, overcharging from a faulty alternator or loose terminals. It is a module software fault, not a wiring fault.

Check for the garage

Check the battery and charging and try communicating with ISTA. If the module does not respond, it can be repaired by rewriting its EEPROM (specialist services or programmers) instead of being replaced, then coded. Use a voltage maintainer when working on the car.

Cost cited in the source

Repair by a specialist service: from about €20–60 plus postage; new module with dealer coding: considerably moreA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

ZF 8HP automatic gearbox in rear-wheel-drive BMWs from 2009 (1 to 8 Series and X: F20, F30, F10, G20, G30, X3, X5…)

Period mentioned

2009–2026

Symptoms

Harsh shifts (especially engaging D and 1st to 2nd), slipping or jerking; oil leaks from the pan, the mechatronic connector sleeve or the seals.

Possible cause described

BMW's diagnostic guide says an incorrect oil level is a frequent cause of shift complaints and asks for it to be checked every time, even with no visible leaks; the pan can be damaged by impacts. The sealing sleeve between gearbox and mechatronic lets oil through to the connector. The oil, sold as lifetime, degrades.

Check for the garage

Check the oil level with the official procedure (correct temperature and engine running), look for leaks at the pan, connector sleeve and seals, inspect the pan for impact damage and review adaptation values with ISTA.

Cost cited in the source

Oil change with pan and filter: maintenance; sleeve or seals: minor repair; mechatronic: expensive repairA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

N20 2.0 turbo petrol in the X1 (E84), Z4 (E89), 5 Series (F10), X3 (F25) and 3 Series (F30)

Period mentioned

Approx. 2012–2015

Symptoms

Repeated judder or surging when accelerating between 3,000 and 5,000 rpm in hot weather, with no engine light and no stored fault codes.

Possible cause described

The electropneumatic pressure converter (EPDW) that moves the turbo's wastegate valve binds internally. BMW describes it in its technical bulletin SI B11 10 12 of January 2013.

Check for the garage

Tell the garage it only happens in hot weather and between 3,000 and 5,000 rpm even with no codes; ask them to check the wastegate pressure converter (next to the oil filler cap) before replacing coils, injectors or the turbo.

Cost cited in the source

No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database