Front control arm (thrust) bushes
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Steering wheel shimmy under braking
Fix: Replace bushes / arms
€200–500
Common faults, service intervals and costs
BMW Z4 (E89)
2009–2016
3
engines covered
15
known faults
14,680
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The BMW Z4 (E89) was built from 2009 to 2016.
For this generation we cover 3 engines and 15 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Wastegate rattle / turbo oil leaks: it usually appears at 80,000–160,000 km and costs €2,000–4,500 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 50–100 thousand km this model most often failed on: tyres and wheels (8.4 %), lights, wipers and visibility (6.1 %), suspension (2.6 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: tyres and wheels. It fails less often than average on: brakes, suspension, lights, wipers and visibility, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 petrol (BMW N20) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 / 0W-30 · BMW LL-01 · ~5.0 L · every 15,000 km |
| 2.5 / 3.0 petrol (BMW N52 / N53) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 · BMW LL-01 · ~6.5 L · every 15,000 km |
| 3.0 twin-turbo petrol (BMW N54) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 / 0W-40 · BMW LL-01 · ~6.5 L · every 10,000 km |
Faults typical of this model
Blower final-stage resistor
usually 100,000–220,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Fan stuck on one speed or dead
Fix: Replace the resistor
€60–150
Run-flat tyres (harsh, expensive)
usually 0–300,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Harsh ride; can't always be repaired
Fix: Budget for run-flats or switch with a spare/kit
free / recall
Faults by engine
2.0 petrol (BMW N20)
Timing chain guides (plastic)
usually 80,000–160,000 km · High risk
Signs: Whine at 2,000–3,000 rpm
Fix: Replace chain, guides, oil pump chain
€1,500–3,000
Oil filter housing gasket leak
usually 100,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Oil smell, drips onto the belt
Fix: Replace gasket
€250–600
2.5 / 3.0 petrol (BMW N52 / N53)
Electric water pump / thermostat
usually 80,000–150,000 km · High risk
Signs: Overheating warning without early signs
Fix: Replace pump and thermostat
€700–1,200
Oil filter housing & valve cover gaskets
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Oil smell, drips on the belt
Fix: Replace gaskets
€300–700
Hydraulic lifter tick (cold)
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Ticking on cold start
Fix: Correct-spec oil; lifters
€0–900
3.0 twin-turbo petrol (BMW N54)
High-pressure fuel pump
usually 40,000–140,000 km · High risk
Signs: Long crank, limp mode
Fix: Replace the HPFP
€700–1,500
Wastegate rattle / turbo oil leaks
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rattle on overrun, smoke
Fix: Turbo replacement
€2,000–4,500
Injectors (index)
usually 60,000–150,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Misfire, rich codes
Fix: Replace with the latest index
€300–1,800
Electric water pump / thermostat
usually 80,000–150,000 km · High risk
Signs: Overheating warning without early signs
Fix: Replace pump and thermostat
€700–1,200
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Steptronic (ZF 6HP / 8HP)
Torque converter / valve body
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Delayed or harsh shifts
Fix: Fluid service, repair
€300–2,500
ZF 6HP mechatronic sleeve / fluid (2001–2012)
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Medium risk
model years 2001–2012 only
Signs: Harsh or delayed shifts, 'transmission fault'
Fix: Fluid + pan filter change, mechatronic sleeve seal
€400–1,500
Steptronic DCT (7-speed, wet)
DCT mechatronic / solenoids
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Harsh shifts
Fix: Repair; keep oil changes at 60,000 km
€800–2,000
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 2.0 petrol (BMW N20) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 14,680 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 0.8 % | 1.6 % | 2.5 % | 3.4 % |
| Suspension | 1.6 % | 2.6 % | 4.8 % | 6.8 % |
| Steering | 0.0 % | 0.1 % | 0.2 % | 0.3 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 5.0 % | 8.4 % | 9.4 % | 10.3 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 3.9 % | 6.1 % | 7.6 % | 10.3 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.0 % | 0.2 % | 0.3 % | 0.4 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.6 % | 1.0 % | 1.4 % | 2.3 % |
Roadworthiness tests in the Netherlands by age
Share of this model's Dutch fleet that had a defect in each system at a roadworthiness test (APK) in 2025. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and fuel. Sample: 1,637 cars.
| age (years) | 9–11 | 12–14 | 15–19 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 0.2 % | 0.9 % | 0.9 % |
| Suspension | 0.2 % | 0.3 % | 0.7 % |
| Steering | 0.0 % | 0.3 % | 0.0 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 9.9 % | 10.2 % | 9.1 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 5.5 % | 8.8 % | 9.1 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.0 % | 0.3 % | 0.0 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.9 % | 0.9 % | 0.5 % |
Most common engine versions in the EU
New cars of this generation registered in the EU, Iceland and Norway 2010–2025: 30,887, of which 0 in Croatia. The share shows how common each version is.
| Version | Share | Years | CO₂ | Fuel use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 petrol (BMW N20)2.0 (1,997 cm³) · 135 kW (184 hp) · Petrol | 26.5 % | 2011–2016 | — | — |
| 2.5 / 3.0 petrol (BMW N52 / N53)2.5 (2,497 cm³) · Petrol | 19.8 % | 2010–2012 | — | — |
| 2.0 petrol (BMW N20)2.0 (1,997 cm³) · 115 kW (156 hp) · Petrol | 14.7 % | 2013–2016 | — | — |
| 2.0 petrol (BMW N20)2.0 (1,997 cm³) · 180 kW (245 hp) · Petrol | 9.3 % | 2011–2016 | — | — |
| 2.0 petrol (BMW N20)2.0 (1,997 cm³) · Petrol | 7.4 % | 2010–2014 | — | — |
| 3.0 twin-turbo petrol (BMW N54)3.0 (2,979 cm³) · 250 kW (340 hp) · Petrol | 5.7 % | 2011–2016 | — | — |
| 2.5 / 3.0 petrol (BMW N52 / N53)3.0 (2,996 cm³) · Petrol | 3.8 % | 2010–2012 | — | — |
| 2.5 / 3.0 petrol (BMW N52 / N53)2.5 (2,497 cm³) · 150 kW (204 hp) · Petrol | 3.7 % | 2011–2013 | — | — |
| 2.5 / 3.0 petrol (BMW N52 / N53)3.0 (2,979 cm³) · Petrol | 3.6 % | 2010–2012 | — | — |
| 3.0 twin-turbo petrol (BMW N54)3.0 (2,979 cm³) · 225 kW (306 hp) · Petrol | 3.4 % | 2011–2016 | — | — |
Source: European Environment Agency (EEA), monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars, CC BY 4.0. CO₂ and fuel use are official type-approval values (WLTP from 2021), not real-world consumption.
Owner complaints in the US
Which systems owners reported to the US agency NHTSA and at what mileage. Complaints are not confirmed faults and some relate to recalls. Sample: 78 complaints.
Common questions
Does the BMW Z4 (E89) have a timing chain or a timing belt?
2.0 petrol (BMW N20): chain; 2.5 / 3.0 petrol (BMW N52 / N53): chain; 3.0 twin-turbo petrol (BMW N54): chain.
What are the known problems with the BMW Z4 (E89)?
The faults with the highest risk: timing chain guides (plastic) (80,000–160,000 km, €1,500–3,000); high-pressure fuel pump (40,000–140,000 km, €700–1,500); electric water pump / thermostat (80,000–150,000 km, €700–1,200); wastegate rattle / turbo oil leaks (80,000–160,000 km, €2,000–4,500). The full list by engine is on this page.
What does the BMW Z4 (E89) most often fail its roadworthiness test on?
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 50–100 thousand km this model most often failed on: tyres and wheels (8.4 %), lights, wipers and visibility (6.1 %), suspension (2.6 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: tyres and wheels. It fails less often than average on: brakes, suspension, lights, wipers and visibility, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
What should you check when buying a used BMW Z4 (E89)?
Before you buy, ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether the car has any open recalls. On the test drive, watch for these signs: whine at 2,000–3,000 rpm; long crank, limp mode. The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.
Other generations
Models with the same engines
These models share engines with this car, so they share some of its faults too.
BMW 5 Series (F10) 2010–2017BMW 3 Series (E91/E92/E93) 2005–2013BMW 3 Series (E90) 2005–2012BMW 1 Series (E81/E82/E88) 2007–2013BMW 5 Series (E60) 2003–2010BMW 1 Series (E87) 2004–2011BMW X3 (F25) 2010–2017BMW X1 (E84) 2009–2015
Other BMW models
BMW 7 Series (F01) 2008–2015BMW X6 (E71) 2008–2014BMW 1 Series (F20) 2011–2019BMW 6 Series (F12) 2011–2018BMW 3 Series (F30) 2012–2019BMW X5 (E70) 2006–2013BMW 4 Series (F32) 2013–2020BMW i3 2013–2022BMW X5 (F15) 2013–2018BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (F45) 2014–2021
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 08/10/2026