2006 BMW Z4 E85

Overview

Engines

3.0L inline-six, 3.0L inline-six, higher output

Came as

• Roadster
• Coupe

On record

6 warnings, 2 recalls

What changed for 2006

Refresh

• A 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

Compare 2006 with 2005

Rare and special

• Coupe

Colors

• Titanium Silver Metallic2005–2008
• Bright Red2005–2008
• Jet Black2005–2008
• Black Sapphire Metallic2005–2008
• Alpine White2005–2008

Sources: Edmunds

Specs

Badges

• 3.0i: 3.0L inline-six, 3.0L inline-six, Rear-wheel drive Edmunds
• 3.0si: 3.0L inline-six, higher output, Rear-wheel drive Edmunds

Engines

• 3.0L inline-six N52 engine page Edmunds, a published reference

  215 hp and 185 lb-ft, in the 3.0i roadster · 2006–2008

• 3.0L inline-six, higher output N52 engine page Edmunds, a published reference

  255 hp and 220 lb-ft, in the 3.0si · 2006–2008

Transmissions

• Six-speed manual CarGurus, Edmunds
• Six-speed automatic (2006–2008) Edmunds, CarGurus

Drivetrains

• Rear-wheel drive Edmunds, a published reference

Body styles

• Roadster Edmunds, a published reference
• Coupe (2006–2008) Edmunds, a published reference

Packages

• Sport Package CarGurus, Edmunds
• Premium Package (2006–2008) 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

Rare trims and options

• 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)

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)

• 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.

• 2006–2011 Recall 22V119000

  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

• 2006 Recall 19V273000

  The heater for the crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short-circuit. Dealers replace the heater. Widens recall 17V683000. NHTSA

Owning

What owners and buyers say

• 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

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