BMW Z4 E89 (2009–2016)
Generation-specific owner insights from 73+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy a 2009–2016 Z4?
246
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2009–2016
27
recall campaigns
engine and engine cooling
most-complained area
What owners say about this generation
Our take, from owner reports
Owners of the E89 Z4 generally regard it as a beautiful, distinctive roadster that has held its value unusually well for a BMW, with the retractable hardtop and the DCT transmission drawing particular praise.
16 problems reported (7 recurrent, 9 isolated) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- RecurrentRetractable hardtop electrical harness wires fatiguing and breaking at the joints
- RecurrentHardtop tray and roof mechanism repairs
- RecurrentSqueaks and creaks from the dash, center console, steering column, behind the seat, and the hardtop
+ 13 more issuesShow fewer
- RecurrentCracked or fractured wheels
- RecurrentHigh-pressure fuel pump failure
- RecurrentFuel injector failure
- RecurrentIgnition coil and spark plug failures causing misfires and reduced power
- IsolatedCarbon buildup
- IsolatedDCT gearbox leaks
- IsolatedWastegate wear on turbocharged cars
- IsolatedStarter failure
- IsolatedDifferential leaks
- IsolatedLifter ticking
- IsolatedHeadlight color mismatch indicating a failing unit
- IsolatedSoft top mechanism issues
- IsolatedCamber pins not removed from strut towers
The version owners recommend
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus. Partial signal favors the sDrive35is for its factory-tuned exhaust and DCT, and the 2014-and-later 35i/35is with the N55 engine over the earlier N54 cars for reliability. The 2011 sDrive30i with the N52 is also singled out as a good choice, with one owner calling the N52 the better engine.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the Mazda MX-5 Miata (NC and ND, including RF), Porsche Boxster and Cayman, Mercedes-Benz SLK, BMW 4 Series convertible and BMW 2 Series convertible.
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Overall sentiment
Owners of the E89 Z4 generally regard it as a beautiful, distinctive roadster that has held its value unusually well for a BMW, with the retractable hardtop and the DCT transmission drawing particular praise. The car is commonly described as a luxury tourer rather than a pure sports car, and several owners note it feels more substantial and stable than other BMW convertibles they have driven. Criticisms center on maintenance and running costs, squeaks and rattles from the roof and interior, and the expense of the retractable hardtop when it fails. Later model years with the N55 engine are viewed more favorably for reliability than the earlier N54-powered 35i and 35is, while the N20 four-cylinder cars are explicitly cautioned against by some owners.
Positioning vs competitors
Owners position the E89 as the more comfortable, more luxurious, and better highway-cruising choice compared with the Miata, which they describe as more fun on backroads but louder and less insulated. Against the Boxster and Cayman, owners describe the Z4 as more of a tourer, though one owner who drove the four-cylinder Z4 back-to-back with several Porsches felt the Z4 was more connected and go-kart-like than all of them except the 987.2. Compared with the E93 3 Series convertible, owners say the E89 feels less like it is fighting its weight and is more confidence-inspiring at the limit. Several owners note the Z4 is a second or weekend fun car with a smaller market than sedans and SUVs, making it slower to sell.
Recommended configurations
Owners recommend the N55-powered cars over the N54 for reliability, and one owner explicitly advises avoiding the N20 and N54 models. The N52 in the sDrive30i is praised as a good engine choice. Manual-transmission cars are noted as selling for several thousand more than automatics, and the DCT is described as well-executed. Owners also recommend swapping out run-flat tires to improve ride and handling.
General recommendations
This generation suits buyers who want a comfortable, stylish two-seat hardtop convertible for weekend use or highway cruising rather than a track-focused sports car. Buyers should prefer later model years with the N55 engine and avoid the N20 and N54 if reliability is the priority. Owners strongly recommend a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic familiar with BMWs, and one owner advises walking away if a seller will not allow time for an inspection. Buyers should verify the retractable hardtop operates correctly, check for roof and interior squeaks and rattles on a test drive, and confirm service history, since some cars are found with only partial records.
Remarks
Owners repeatedly note that the E89 is a rare sight on the road, which many consider part of its appeal. Several owners describe the retractable hardtop as the defining feature of the generation and express disappointment that BMW later returned to a soft top. One owner notes the E89 may be refused parking in some tower garages due to its size. A recall affecting Z4 models built between March 2007 and August 2011, related to vehicles potentially cutting out while being driven, was discussed, with owners reporting difficulty scheduling the fix at dealers. Analysis based on approximately 73 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
Complaints and recalls by model year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 4 | 1 | engine and engine cooling |
| 2015 | 15 | 1 | engine and engine cooling |
| 2014 | 21 | 3 | electrical system |
| 2013 | 21 | 3 | electrical system |
| 2012 | 15 | 4 | engine and engine cooling |
| 2011 | 138 | 6 | steering |
| 2010 | 10 | 5 | engine and engine cooling |
| 2009 | 22 | 4 | wheels |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices for this generation
2016 · engine and engine cooling:cooling system:pumpcampaign 24V608000
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
2015 · engine and engine cooling:cooling system:pumpcampaign 24V608000
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
2014 · service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingscampaign 14V627000
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454.
2014 · service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuumcampaign 13V454000
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.
2014 · engine and engine cooling:cooling system:pumpcampaign 24V608000
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
2013 · service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingscampaign 14V627000
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454.
2013 · service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuumcampaign 13V454000
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.
2013 · engine and engine cooling:cooling system:pumpcampaign 24V608000
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
2012 · service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingscampaign 14V627000
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454.
2012 · service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuumcampaign 13V454000
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.
2012 · steering:electric power assist systemcampaign 12V302000
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 1-SERIES ACTIVE E AND MODEL YEAR 2012 Z4 VEHICLES. VARIATIONS IN ELECTRICAL CURRENT MAY OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE SYSTEM, LEADING TO SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE.
2012 · engine and engine cooling:cooling system:pumpcampaign 24V608000
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
7 more recalls not shown. Check nhtsa.gov with your VIN for the full history.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.