BMW Z4
Registered from 2003 to 2026.
About this model
The BMW Z4 (E89) is the second generation of the BMW Z4 range of two-door roadsters, and was produced from 2009 to 2016. The E89 replaced the E85/E86 Z4 and is the fourth model in the BMW Z Series.
From the Wikipedia article BMW Z4 (E89), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2014 2.0 petrol. 246 of 2,068 tests failed, 12%.
Better than 81% of 2014 cars. The typical one fails 17%, across 870 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres and wheels | 65% | 159 |
| Brakes | 15% | 37 |
| Suspension | 14% | 34 |
| Visibility | 13% | 33 |
| Lights and electrics | 6% | 15 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 3% | 8 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Any fracture or welding defect on a wheel
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
Where it stands out against its peers
- Tyres and wheels: failed more often than 97% of 2014 cars — 65% of its 246 failed tests, where an ordinary 2014 car has 32%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Tyres and wheels — 65% of its failures
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Any fracture or welding defect on a wheel
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Brakes — 15% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Suspension — 14% of its failures
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- Lights and electrics — 6% of its failures
- Visibility — 13% of its failures
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
When it starts failing
At 100–120k miles this one fails 23% of its inspections, about what an ordinary car of the same age does.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 7% | 7% | 124 | |
| 20–40k miles | 9% | 11% | 627 | |
| 40–60k miles | 11% | 15% | 725 | |
| 60–80k miles | 17% | 19% | 430 | |
| 80–100k miles | 15% | 21% | 113 | |
| 100–120k miles | 23% | 23% | 39 |
2,058 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 40k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 2.0 petrol · 255 hp · 1505 kg · 2470 mm wheelbase · 7.2 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 2.0 petrol · 255 hp · 1505 kg · 2470 mm wheelbase · 7.0 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 2.0 petrol · 255 hp · 1501 kg · 2470 mm wheelbase · 7.1 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2015 | 2.0 petrol · 180 hp · 1484 kg · 2496 mm wheelbase · 6.6 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 2.0 petrol · 241 hp · 1487 kg · 2496 mm wheelbase · 6.6 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 2.0 petrol · 241 hp · 1486 kg · 2496 mm wheelbase · 6.6 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00184/24
Due to a manufacturing error, the weld seam of the integrated transmission control unit (ITCU) may not have been correctly executed. As a result, transmission oil could leak into the ITCU, causing it to fail. This may lead to transmission seizure, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/0202/17
The universal joint of the drive shaft might break, causing a sudden loss of propulsion.
Recall of the product from end users
SR/00568/26
The failure concerns the RSW22 starter, type RWT (reinforced for watertightness). Increased abrasion of the magnetic contact can lead to the formation of deposits at the lowest point of the relay interior. This in turn can increase the resistance of the relay contact, causing accidental ignition or even short circuits, possibly leading to a thermal reaction and fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
SR/02180/26
The RSW22 starter with reinforced water tightness (RWT) may experience increased abrasion of the magnetic contact, causing deposits to build up at the lowest point inside the relay. These deposits may increase relay contact resistance, leading to starting failures or short circuits. If a short circuit occurs, either when attempting to start the vehicle or while driving due to vibration-related movement of the deposits, it could cause a thermal event and increase the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
SR/03830/25
Water may come into contact with the starter relay and gradually cause corrosion. This could affect the electrical connection inside the relay and make the engine difficult to start. It may also result in a short circuit and could cause the starter to overheat leading to a fire when the vehicle is in motion or when it is parked with the ignition off. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users