2011 vs 2012 BMW Z4
-
E89
2009–2016
Sold as sDrive30i, sDrive35i, sDrive35is
- 5 warnings
- 6 recalls
-
E89
2009–2016
Sold as sDrive35i, sDrive35is, sDrive28i
- 5 warnings
- 4 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.
2011
Nothing that 2012 lacks.
2012
Nothing that 2011 lacks.
Both years
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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)
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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
2011
- 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
- 14V176000 2010–2011
The bolts holding the variable camshaft timing (VANOS) housing can loosen and break. Dealers replace the bolts. NHTSA
- 17V067000 2011
The rear driveshaft's constant velocity joint can fatigue and break. Dealers inspect it and replace it depending on its build date. 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
- 23V707000 2010–2011
The aluminum bolts holding the variable camshaft timing (VANOS) housing can loosen and break. Dealers replace the four bolts. NHTSA
2012
- 12V302000 2012
Variations in electrical current in the electric power steering can lead to a sudden loss of steering assist. Dealers replace the steering assist module. NHTSA
- 13V454000 2012–2014
The vacuum pump that powers the brake assist may fail for lack of lubrication. Dealers modify the car to prevent it. NHTSA
- 14V627000 2012–2014
The vacuum pump that powers the brake assist may fail for lack of lubrication. Dealers fit a locking ring in the camshaft to hold its seal disk in place. Widens recall 13V454000. NHTSA
- 24V608000 2012–2016
A badly sealed electrical connector on the water pump can let water in and short-circuit. Dealers inspect and replace the pump and connector as needed and fit a shield. NHTSA
What changed between
After 2011, up to and including 2012.
- 2012The turbo four-cylinder sDrive28i replaces the sDrive30i, with stop-start, and Bluetooth and power seats become standard. Edmunds, CarGurus
What it came with
2011
2012
Both years
Colors
2011
- Space Gray Metallic 2011 Edmunds
- Orion Silver Metallic 2011 Edmunds
- Atacama Yellow 2011 Edmunds
- Mojave Metallic 2011 Edmunds
- Titanium Silver Metallic 2011 Edmunds
2012
Nothing that 2011 lacks.
Both years
- Jet Black 2011–2015 Edmunds
- Deep Sea Blue Metallic 2011–2015 Edmunds
- Crimson Red 2011–2015 Edmunds
- Melbourne Red Metallic 2011–2015 Edmunds
- Black Sapphire Metallic 2011–2015 Edmunds
- Alpine White 2011–2015 Edmunds
Interiors
2011
- Beige Leather, 2011 Edmunds
- Ivory White Premium leather, 2011 Edmunds
2012
Nothing that 2011 lacks.
Both years
- Black Leatherette, 2011–2015 Edmunds
- Coral Red Leather, 2011–2015 Edmunds
- Walnut Leather, 2011–2015 Edmunds
What owners and buyers say
Reputation: what owners and the press report
2011
-
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)
2012
Nothing that 2011 lacks.
Both years
-
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)