2005 vs 2006 BMW Z4
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E85
2003–2008
Sold as 2.5i, 3.0i
- 7 warnings
- 0 recalls
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E85
2003–2008
Sold as 3.0i, 3.0si
- 6 warnings
- 2 recalls
Both years are the same generation, so most of what they offer is shared.
Watch out for
Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.
2005
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DISA valve and crankcase vent on the M54 2003–2005
What to 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)
2006
Nothing that 2005 lacks.
Both years
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Power top motor drowned by the roof drains All years
What to 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)
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Broken rear springs and worn suspension All years
What to 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)
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Cooling system failures All years
What to 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)
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Oil leaks from the valve cover and oil filter housing All years
What to 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)
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Corroded brake lines All years
What to 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)
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Failing window regulators All years
What to 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)
Rare catches
2005
Nothing that 2006 lacks.
2006
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Good find
Coupe Body style
The roadster outsold it seven to one in its first 13 months A published reference
2,104 built for North America A published reference
Why it is a good find: Euro Premium Parts calls the stiffer coupe a sharper driver's car and one of the more undervalued BMWs of its era. A seller's guide (unofficial)
Recalls
2005
Nothing that 2006 lacks.
2006
- 19V273000 2006
The heater for the crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short-circuit. Dealers replace the heater. Widens recall 17V683000. NHTSA
- 22V119000 2006–2011
The heater for the crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short-circuit. Dealers fit a wiring harness with a fuse for the heater. Replaces recalls 17V683000 and 19V273000. NHTSA
What changed between
After 2005, up to and including 2006.
- 2006A facelift brings the coupe and N52 sixes. The 3.0i replaces the 2.5i and the 3.0si tops the range, a six-speed manual is standard, the automatic gains a sixth gear and paddles, and the SMG is dropped. Edmunds, CarGurus, a published reference
What it came with
2005
2006
Both years
Colors
2005
- Sterling Gray Metallic 2005 Edmunds
- Merlot Red Metallic 2005 Edmunds
- Toledo Blue Metallic 2005 Edmunds
- Maldives Blue Metallic 2005 Edmunds
- Olivine Green Metallic 2005 Edmunds
2006
Nothing that 2005 lacks.
Both years
- Titanium Silver Metallic 2005–2008 Edmunds
- Bright Red 2005–2008 Edmunds
- Jet Black 2005–2008 Edmunds
- Black Sapphire Metallic 2005–2008 Edmunds
- Alpine White 2005–2008 Edmunds
Interiors
2005
- Dark Beige 2005 Edmunds
- Pearl Gray 2005 Edmunds
- Maldives Blue 2005 Edmunds
- Dream Red and Black 2005 Edmunds
- Black 2005 Edmunds
2006
Nothing that 2005 lacks.
What owners and buyers say
Reputation: what owners and the press report
2005
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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
2006
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Sought after: A late first-generation car 2006–2008 One source so far
CarGurus calls late first-generation Z4s arguably the best value of the line, and says the 2006 update brought markedly more power and torque. CarGurus