2009 vs 2010 BMW Z4

vs

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.

2009

Nothing that 2010 lacks.

2010

Nothing that 2009 lacks.

Both years

  • Fuel pump, injector and turbo faults on the twin-turbo cars All years

    What to check: Ask for records of the high-pressure fuel pump, injectors, coils, plugs and water pump. Scan for fault codes and look for oil leaks around the turbos.

    Two owners in one thread on a British owners' forum had the high-pressure fuel pump fail. In a second thread an owner lists the injectors, the pump, the water pump and turbo leaks as faults to expect, and in a third an owner calls the twin-turbo engine's faults far more painful than the earlier car's. CarGurus says the turbocharged cars have had timing-chain or cooling trouble.

    CarGurus, owners' reports (unofficial)

  • Water in the tail lights and the trunk All years

    What to check: Look inside the tail lights for mist or water, check that every light works, and lift the trunk floor by the battery for standing water.

    Six owners in three threads on a British owners' forum report water in the tail lights, several having them replaced, and one says a failed tail light seal lets water pool under the battery.

    Owners' reports (unofficial)

  • Folding hardtop faults All years

    What to check: Open and close the roof several times with the engine off, by the key and by the switch inside. Ask whether the roof relays in the trunk have been changed.

    Four owners in three threads on a British owners' forum report roof faults, from cheap microswitches and relays to a large repair bill, and one names the roof wiring as a common problem. Others say most roofs give no trouble.

    Owners' reports (unofficial)

  • Cracked wheels All years

    What to check: Look at the inside of each wheel for cracks or repairs.

    Three owners in one thread on a British owners' forum had wheels of the same style crack, a fourth saying their 18-inch wheels were spared, and an owner in another thread says to check the inside of the wheels.

    Owners' reports (unofficial)

  • Oil leaks from the valve cover All years

    What to check: Look for oil around the valve cover and the oil filter housing.

    Two owners in two threads on a British owners' forum name valve cover leaks and oil around the filter housing, and Edmunds' owner summary for 2011 lists valve cover gaskets among costly repairs.

    Edmunds, owners' reports (unofficial)

Recalls

2009

  • 09V327000 2009

    A faulty crimp connector in a seat belt tensioner's wiring plug can raise the connection's resistance. Dealers repair the wiring. NHTSA

2010

  • 14V176000 2010–2011

    The bolts holding the variable camshaft timing (VANOS) housing can loosen and break. Dealers replace the bolts. NHTSA

  • 23V707000 2010–2011

    The aluminum bolts holding the variable camshaft timing (VANOS) housing can loosen and break. Dealers replace the four bolts. NHTSA

Both years

  • 13V044000 2009–2011

    The positive battery cable's connector and its terminal on the fuse box can degrade, and the heat can break the connection and cut electrical power to the car. Dealers replace the connector and secure it better. NHTSA

  • 17V683000 2007–2011

    The heater for the crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short-circuit. Dealers replace the heater. 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 2009, up to and including 2010.

  1. 2010HD radio becomes standard, and automatic high beams are a new option. CarGurus

What it came with

2009

Nothing that 2010 lacks.

2010

Nothing that 2009 lacks.

Both years

Engines
3.0L inline-six (2009–2011) Edmunds, 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six Edmunds
Transmissions
Six-speed manual Edmunds, Six-speed automatic (2009–2011) Edmunds, Seven-speed dual-clutch Edmunds, a published reference
Drivetrains
Rear-wheel drive Edmunds, a published reference
Body styles
Roadster Edmunds, CarGurus
Packages
Sport Package Edmunds, Premium Package Edmunds, Cold Weather Package Edmunds, Premium Sound Package Edmunds, Ivory White Leather Package Edmunds, Exclusive Citrus Yellow Package Edmunds, Canyon Brown Package Edmunds, Design Pure Traction Edmunds, a published reference, Design Pure Fusion Edmunds, a published reference

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

2009

Nothing that 2010 lacks.

2010

Nothing that 2009 lacks.

Both years

  • Sought after: The six-cylinder sDrive30i, for reliability 2009–2011

    In two threads on a British owners' forum, three owners name the non-turbo N52 cars, the sDrive30i among them, as the most reliable E89s, and CarGurus says the turbocharged first- and second-generation cars have had timing-chain or cooling trouble. CarGurus, owners' reports (unofficial)

  • Avoid: A twin-turbo 35i or 35is without records or a warranty All years Less sought after

    Five owners in two threads on a British owners' forum say the twin-turbo cars have a long list of costly faults, and three of them advise against running one without a warranty. Owners' reports (unofficial)