2003 BMW Z4 E85

Overview

Engines

2.5L inline-six, 3.0L inline-six

Came as

• Roadster

On record

7 warnings, 4 recalls

What changed for 2003

• The new Z4 roadster replaces the Z3, with a stiffer body, a glass rear window and, from spring 2003, an optional SMG gearbox. Edmunds

Compare 2003 with 2004

Colors

No paint color is recorded yet.

Specs

Badges

• 2.5i: 2.5L inline-six, Rear-wheel drive Edmunds, CarGurus
• 3.0i: 3.0L inline-six, 3.0L inline-six, Rear-wheel drive Edmunds

Engines

• 2.5L inline-six M54 engine page Edmunds, a published reference

  184 hp and 175 lb-ft in Edmunds' 2005 specs · 2003–2005

• 3.0L inline-six M54 engine page CarGurus, a published reference

  225 hp and 214 lb-ft in CarGurus' guide · 2003–2005

Transmissions

• Five-speed manual (2003–2005) Edmunds, CarGurus
• Six-speed manual CarGurus, Edmunds
• Five-speed automatic (2003–2005) CarGurus, a published reference
• Six-speed SMG automated manual (2003–2005) Edmunds, CarGurus

Drivetrains

• Rear-wheel drive Edmunds, a published reference

Body styles

• Roadster Edmunds, a published reference

Packages

• Sport Package CarGurus, Edmunds

Figures for the whole E85

• Model codes: E85 (roadster), E86 (coupe) A published reference
• Built: Spartanburg, South Carolina, from July 2002 to December 2008 A published reference
• Built in all: 197,950 worldwide, 180,856 roadsters and 17,094 coupes A published reference
• Trunk: 8.5 cu ft in the roadster, 10.1 cu ft in the coupe A published reference
• North American 3.0si coupes: 2,104 built, 828 of them manuals A published reference

Watch out

Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one.

• Power top motor drowned by the roof drains All years

  Check: Run the power top up and down several times. A slow or stalling roof points to a tired motor. Ask whether the motor has been moved into the trunk, and clear the roof drains.

  Eight owners in four threads on a British owners' forum say the power top's motor sits where water from blocked roof drains collects and fails; several had theirs moved into the trunk, which they call the fix. An Edmunds owner review says the same, and Euro Premium Parts lists motor failures on high-mileage roadsters. One forum owner says a US car may have had a manual top as standard. Edmunds, owners' reports (unofficial), a seller's guide (unofficial)

• Broken rear springs and worn suspension All years

  Check: Look at the rear springs for a broken coil and listen for knocks over bumps. Ask when the springs, dampers and front control arm bushings were last renewed.

  Three owners in one thread on a British owners' forum say the rear springs break, one that it happens on most cars over five years old, and two owners in another thread say to budget for new dampers and a suspension refresh. Euro Premium Parts says worn front control arm bushings are almost universal past 70,000 miles. Owners' reports (unofficial), a seller's guide (unofficial)

• Cooling system failures All years

  Check: Ask when the water pump, thermostat and expansion tank were last renewed, look for coolant leaks and watch the temperature gauge on a long drive.

  Euro Premium Parts says the plastic thermostat housing and expansion tank crack with age, and that the N52's electric water pump can fail without warning. Seven owners in two threads on a British owners' forum name the facelift cars' water pump or a leaking expansion tank or radiator. Owners' reports (unofficial), a seller's guide (unofficial)

• Oil leaks from the valve cover and oil filter housing All years

  Check: Look for oil around the valve cover, the oil filter housing and under the car.

  Five owners in three threads on a British owners' forum report leaks from the valve cover or oil filter housing gaskets as the rubber ages, and Euro Premium Parts says the oil can drip onto the exhaust. Owners' reports (unofficial), a seller's guide (unofficial)

• DISA valve and crankcase vent on the M54 2003–2005

  Check: Ask whether the DISA valve and the crankcase ventilation valve have been replaced, and listen for a rough idle.

  Four owners in two threads on a British owners' forum name the M54's DISA intake valve, one warning that a failed one can destroy the engine, and one says the crankcase vent suffers in cold weather and on short trips. Euro Premium Parts calls a clogged crankcase vent a frequently overlooked item. Owners' reports (unofficial), a seller's guide (unofficial)

• Corroded brake lines All years

  Check: Look under the car at the rear brake pipes, where the plastic cover ends and road dirt builds up.

  Three owners in three threads on a British owners' forum report rusted brake lines, one after a leak, and one says the rear pipes rot where dirt collects at the end of their cover. Owners' reports (unofficial)

• Failing window regulators All years

  Check: Run both windows up and down a few times.

  Two owners in one thread on a British owners' forum say the window regulators fail often, and Euro Premium Parts says they fail on the roadster in particular. Owners' reports (unofficial), a seller's guide (unofficial)

Recalls

Newest first. Ask the seller for proof the work was done, or check the VIN with NHTSA.

• 2003 Recall 04V247000

  An incompatible airbag control processor may have been fitted. Dealers inspect and replace it if needed. NHTSA

• 2003–2004 Recall 04V182000

  In some conditions vapor lock in the fuel pump can stall the engine, which then will not restart for about 15 to 20 minutes. Dealers add a resistor to the fuel pump's power line. NHTSA

• 2003 Recall 03V214000

  A tire may have been damaged when it was mounted on the wheel. Dealers unseat and inspect the tires and replace a damaged front tire. NHTSA

• 2003 Recall 03V032000

  The link between a front seat belt buckle and its tensioner's steel cable may not meet BMW's specification and can come apart in a severe frontal crash. Dealers inspect both sides and replace parts as needed. NHTSA

Owning

What owners and buyers say

• Watch for

  An early car with the SMG gearbox 2003–2005

  Less sought after One source so far

  CarGurus says early cars with the SMG shifted poorly and are not recommended for reliability. CarGurus

Maintenance

• Engine oil and filter All years

  Replace every 7,500 miles, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts says every 5,000 to 7,500 miles rather than by the car's own service reminder A seller's guide (unofficial)

  Ask the seller: Ask for oil change records.

• Coolant All years

  Replace every 50,000 miles or 4 years, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)

  If it was skipped: Euro Premium Parts says the plastic cooling parts should be replaced as a set, and that a crack in them can overheat the engine.

• Brake fluid All years

  Replace every 2 years, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Spark plugs All years

  Replace every 60,000 miles, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts says every 45,000 to 60,000 miles A seller's guide (unofficial)

Warranty when new