E89 BMW Z4 2009–2016 E89

Overview

Engines

3.0L inline-six, 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six, 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six, higher output, 2.0L turbo four-cylinder

Came as

• Roadster

On record

5 warnings, 11 recalls

Sold as sDrive30i (2009–2011), sDrive35i, sDrive35is (2011–2016), sDrive28i (2012–2016)

The story

The E89 was the first Z car with a retractable hardtop, so there was no longer a separate roadster and coupe, and there was no Z4 M. It was the first BMW designed entirely by two women, one for the outside and one for the inside. A published reference

It was unveiled at the 2009 Detroit show. Production moved from Spartanburg to BMW's Regensburg plant in Germany, where it was built beside the 3 Series convertible from February 2009 to August 2016. CarGurus, a published reference

CarGurus says it was longer, heavier and softer than the first Z4, more comfortable but still quick and agile. CarGurus

Rare and special

• Valencia Orange

Colors

• Valencia Orange Rare2014–2015
• Space Gray Metallic2011
• Orion Silver Metallic2011
• Atacama Yellow2011
• Mojave Metallic2011

Interiors

• BlackLeatherette, 2011–2015
• Coral RedLeather, 2011–2015
• WalnutLeather, 2011–2015
• BlackLeather, 2011
• BeigeLeather, 2011

Sources: Edmunds, a published reference

Rare colors and interiors

• Rare

  Valencia Orange Color

  Exclusive to the Hyper Orange and Design Pure Traction packages Edmunds, a published reference

Specs

Badges

• sDrive30i (2009–2011): 3.0L inline-six, Rear-wheel drive Edmunds
• sDrive35i: 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six, Rear-wheel drive Edmunds
• sDrive35is (2011–2016): 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six, higher output, Rear-wheel drive Edmunds
• sDrive28i (2012–2016): 2.0L turbo four-cylinder, Rear-wheel drive Edmunds

Engines

• 3.0L inline-six N52 engine page Edmunds

  255 hp and 220 lb-ft · 2009–2011

• 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six N54 engine page Edmunds

  300 hp and 300 lb-ft

• 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six, higher output N54 engine page Edmunds, a published reference

  335 hp and 332 lb-ft, with a short overboost to 369 lb-ft · 2011–2016

• 2.0L turbo four-cylinder N20 engine page Edmunds, a published reference

  240 hp and 260 lb-ft · 2012–2016

Transmissions

• Six-speed manual Edmunds
• Six-speed automatic (2009–2011) Edmunds
• Seven-speed dual-clutch Edmunds, a published reference
• Eight-speed automatic (2012–2016) Edmunds

Drivetrains

• Rear-wheel drive Edmunds, a published reference

Body styles

• Roadster Edmunds, CarGurus

Packages

• Sport Package Edmunds
• M Sport Package (2011–2016) Edmunds
• Premium Package Edmunds
• Cold Weather Package Edmunds
• Premium Sound Package Edmunds
• Technology Package (2014–2016) Edmunds
• Ivory White Leather Package Edmunds
• Exclusive Citrus Yellow Package Edmunds
• Hyper Orange Package (2014–2015) Edmunds
• Canyon Brown Package Edmunds
• Design Pure Traction Edmunds, a published reference
• Design Pure Fusion Edmunds, a published reference

Figures

• Built: Regensburg, Germany, from February 2009 to August 2016 A published reference
• Trunk: 10.9 cu ft with the roof up, 6.4 cu ft with it folded CarGurus
• Most built in a year: 24,575, in 2010 A published reference

Years and what changed

1. 2009

   The new Z4 arrives with a folding aluminum hardtop and the twin-turbo sDrive35i, which offers a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Edmunds

2. 2010

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

3. 2011

   The 335-hp sDrive35is tops the range, and an M Sport Package brings many of its handling parts to the others. Edmunds, CarGurus

4. 2012

   The turbo four-cylinder sDrive28i replaces the sDrive30i, with stop-start, and Bluetooth and power seats become standard. Edmunds, CarGurus

5. 2013
   Refresh

   A minor facelift, with BMW Connected apps. CarGurus, a published reference

6. 2014

   Restyled side turn signals, and new Hyper Orange, Canyon Brown and Technology packages. Edmunds

7. 2015

   No change recorded

8. 2016

   Sport seats become standard, and the sDrive35i comes only with the dual-clutch gearbox. Edmunds

Watch out

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

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

  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

  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

  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

  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

  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

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

• 2012–2016 Recall 24V608000

  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

• 2010–2011 Recall 23V707000

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

• 2007–2011 Recall 17V683000

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

• 2011 Recall 17V067000

  The rear driveshaft's constant velocity joint can fatigue and break. Dealers inspect it and replace it depending on its build date. NHTSA

Owning

What owners and buyers say

• 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)

Maintenance

No service schedule is added yet.

Warranty when new