The BMW Z4 E89 is the second generation of the Bavarian manufacturer’s famed two-seater roadster. For a car company that places driving pleasure at the very top of its list of deliverables, it’s interesting that the number of two-seater models it has is few and far between. The Z4 E89 replaced the original Z4 E85 and was produced from 2009 until 2016. Today, the latest generation, the one that followed the E89, the Z4 G29, remains the only two-seater car BMW sells.
In all honesty, the BMW Z4 E89 is more of a cruiser with an acute sense of performance rather than an all-out two-seater sportscar. Still, there’s a lot to love about this machine, from how it drives to how it looks. Despite being replaced nearly seven years ago, the BMW Z4 E89 is still quite a desirable car.
Prices for a pre-owned example are low, and now is a great time to get your hands on one. To help you pick the right car, we’ve compiled a guide that includes the different engine options available, what to look for, and what to stay wary of.
BMW Z4 E89: Design and Significance
The original Z4 had created quite the name and carved out a space for itself in the Bimmer community. So when the E89 came around, expectations were high, and in retrospect, the second-gen roadster certainly did deliver. The Z4 E89 was the first BMW automobile designed entirely by two female designers. Nadya Arnaout oversaw the car’s interior design, while Juliane Blasi was in charge of the exterior design.
What resulted would be the first Z Series model to use a retractable hardtop roof. The preceding Z4 E85 consisted of separate coupe and roadster iterations of the car, while the next-gen G29 features a retractable soft-top.
Available Models in North America
The BMW Z4 (E89) was never sold with a diesel engine. It also never got BMW’s all-wheel xDrive system or a performance-spec Z4 M model from the team at BMW M GmbH. Internationally, the Z4 was available in multiple iterations, but only four of these made their way to the North American market from the Regensburg plant in Bavaria.
The N20-powered BMW Z4 sDrive18i, Z4 sDrive20i, and the N52-powered Z4 sDrive23i were never sold here. Below, we’ve listed the models that you’ll be able to buy pre-owned if you’re in the United States:
- 2011-2016 2.0L inline-four turbo N20 in sDrive28i, producing 241 hp at 5,000–6,500 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque at 1,250–4,800 rpm.
- 2009-2011 3.0L inline-six N52B30 in sDrive30i, producing 255 hp at 6,600 rpm and 229 lb-ft of torque at 2,600 rpm.
- 2009-2016 3.0L inline-six twin-turbo N54 in sDrive35i, producing 302 hp at 5,800 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque at 1,300–5,000 rpm.
- 2010-2016 3.0L inline-six twin-turbo N54 in sDrive35is, producing 335 hp at 5,800 rpm and 369 lb-ft of torque at 1,500–4,500 rpm.
Optional Equipment
The BMW Z4 E89 came standard with several features, including regenerative braking, electric power steering, an engine start-stop system, Xenon adaptive headlights, and the manufacturer’s driving mode selector that offered Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ modes. Additionally, owners also had the option to equip their cars with multiple technological and performance features.
Some of the more prominent optional equipment that BMW offered included Adaptive M Suspension, which lowered the chassis by 0.4 inches and electronically adjusted the dampers. If equipped with the M Sport Package, BMW would fit your car with more aerodynamic exterior elements, run-flat performance tires, an M Sport steering wheel, the Adaptive M Suspension mentioned above, and bolstered M Sport seats.
You could also kit your car with creature comforts like a heated steering wheel, heated seats, and higher-spec audio equipment.
Towards the end of the E89 Z4’s production run, BMW also offered a Hyper Orange Package and Ivory White Burnt Sienna Package for the car. The former included a special Valencia Orange Metallic colorway and a redesigned interior trim, while the latter comprised high-quality woodwork in the interiors.
Note: Some options and packages are only available with specific models of the Z4.
Which Engine to Get?
The Z4 is an enticing option for someone looking for an all-season sports car that they can use every day. The top-of-the-line sDrive35is is, undoubtedly, the quickest of the lot, and it will propel you to 60mph in just 4.8s. Multiple owners have said that the biggest problem with their sDrive35is is that it makes their cheeks sore from the smile it’s constantly plastering across their face.
If you’re looking for something a little more laid-back, the four-pot, N20, is an excellent choice. If this is the case, we’d still recommend that you stretch your budget and get the sDrive30i, whose naturally-aspirated straight-six has a charm of its own.
Is BMW Z4 E89 Reliable?
Most of the BMW Z4 E89 models sold in the United States were reliable. The deciding factor is simply the engine at the heart of the car. The N20, for instance, had one serious problem that multiple owners have reported — it was to do with the timing chain. The BMW N52, on the other hand, is arguably BMW’s most reliable inline-six engine.
At the end of the day, most of the problems you may run into can be avoided with proper maintenance and care.
Pre-Purchase Inspection — Known Issues
As we just mentioned, you shouldn’t have many reasons to worry if you’re looking to buy a used BMW Z4 E89. That said, you should pay close attention to a couple of things if you’re in the market for one of these cars. Let’s start with engine issues.
Ignition Coil Failure
The N52 and N54 engines from BMW have an affinity for munching on ignition coils. That’s simply the way things are. This is nothing new as both of these engines have been around for a long while.
While the N20 isn’t as bad as its 6-pot predecessors when it comes to chewing out ignition coils, these engines are known to make quick work of them as well in some instances. It’s a matter of maintenance but also tuning. Tuned BMW N20 engines will place more load on the ignition system, which often cuts the maintenance cycle for these components in half.
A good way to stay on top of this ignition coil conundrum is to use quality parts. Bosch 0221504800, Bosch 0221504470, or equivalent coils made by Delphi and Eldor will get you the performance you need. Truth be told, if you’re running a tuned engine, Delphi or Eldor might be a better choice, however, we feel that Bosch is still the best bang for the buck option for stock BMW engines. Either way, sticking to proven brands with a known track record is a must.
Timing Chain Issue
Early-production N20 engines were affected by a notorious timing chain issue. BMW acknowledged the problem and rectified it by completely redesigning the component. Unfortunately, most of the N20-powered sDrive28i available in our market likely left the factory with the older part. The silver lining is that BMW also offered an extended 7-year/70,000-mile warranty on the timing chain and its components on cars produced before 2015. So, it’s very likely that it’s been replaced on a pre-owned Z4 E89. Nevertheless, this is something you should definitely double-check.
Now, to the issue itself. The engines were equipped with a timing chain manufactured using a low-quality polycarbonate composition. This resulted in a faulty part that would break prematurely and put the engine at the risk of significant damage.
If you can take the Z4 out for a quick spin, check to see if there’s a whining sound coming from the engine. This could indicate that the timing chain is due for replacement. Manually inspecting the component for excessive scratching or slack should also help you identify if there’s an issue.
If any of this is the case, and it looks like you might have to bear the cost of replacing the timing chain, it’s best that you walk away from that deal. The timing chain is an expensive part to replace, and this is without considering any other damage that its failure may have caused.
High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure (HPFP)
Another issue that’s quite commonly reported on Z4 forums is the high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) on the N54. The N54 was the subject of a high-profile class-action lawsuit in the U.S. after complaints that the failure of the fuel pump caused the car to suddenly come to a halt. Unsurprisingly, BMW redesigned the part and offered an extended warranty on it, and the high-pressure fuel pump on a second-gen Z4 has likely been replaced at some point, but it’s still something you should be careful about.
As with all cars, the fuel pump is a vital part of the normal functioning of the car as it carries fuel to the engine. On the sDrive35i and sDrive35is, it is known to fail.
A long crank time or significant drop in power could indicate a problem with the fuel pump. It’s also very likely that the check engine light on the dash will illuminate. Unfortunately, there’s no way of seeing a fuel pump failure coming.
Clogged or Leaky Fuel injectors
The fuel injectors work with the fuel pump, and multiple owners have faced problems with this component. BMW made numerous revisions to the part, but it’s still somewhat unreliable. BMW technicians have found that carbon buildup is the most significant contributor to injector failure. Occasionally running an ethanol cleaner through your fuel can help reduce this and prevent the problem.
Turbo Failure and Wastegate Rattle
The N54 is one of BMW’s early mass-produced turbocharged engines, and consequently, it had a few issues. One of the more prominent ones is concerning the turbo wastegates.
The wastegate regulates the flow of exhaust gasses from the turbos, effectively controlling spool speed. These wastegates are operated by actuator rods that have been reported to wear out prematurely on the N54. The following issue is what’s referred to as the wastegate rattle. If not addressed soon, it can blow your turbo, easily costing you a few thousand dollars to fix.
Keep an eye for a rattling noise from the engine, a major drop in performance, or low boost engine codes.
Valve Cover and Valve Cover Gasket
All the engines that power the BMW Z4 (E89) use a plastic composite valve cover and a rubber valve cover gasket. Given the high-temperature environment that they operate in, they tend to harden over time and crack. This might result in an oil leak.
Luckily, a minor oil leak is not something that will cause severe immediate damage to the engine, and replacing the valve cover or gasket is inexpensive. The oil that leaks onto high-temperature areas in the engine should result in a thick white smoke coming out of the hood. You’ll also be able to tell if your car is leaking oil by keeping track of how much it consumes — a sudden drop in oil levels could mean there’s a leak.
Suspension, Brakes, Interior, and Exterior
The rest of the car is exceptionally well put-together too. The only serious issue that has been reported extensively is with the wheels. Several owners have said that the run-flat wheels on the Z4, especially the optional 19-inch units, have cracked unexpectedly. These wheels run low-profile tires, making them more prone to cracking from impact. Check the inner walls of the wheel for any signs of damage before finalizing the car.
Something else you should look for is the issues with the retractable roof. It’s been built to last, but you can never be too sure of how previous owners have maintained it.
The problems mentioned above are expensive to fix, and you should avoid buying a used Z4 with one of these issues. There are some minor problems like rear lights that get filled with water, fogged headlights, and issues with the sound system; however, all of these are inexpensive to rectify, and you can consider buying the car if these are the only issues it has.
Is the BMW Z4 E89 Worth Buying in 2022?
If you’re willing to overlook the slightly stiff ride and a few niggles with the engine, the Z4 E89 is still an excellent choice for a two-seater sports coupe. Sure, it’s not the most performance-oriented car in its class, and a particular German rival may suit you better if that’s what you’re looking for; but, it’s undoubtedly the more premium feeling option and one that you’ll enjoy just as much on a casual cruise down the highway as you would on the commute back from work.
It’s also worth noting that the E89 Z4 is the only hardtop iteration of the car that’s ever been sold. It’s not surprising that very few manufacturers still offer the option of a hardtop (instead of a soft-top), considering the significant weight that it adds.
As we mentioned above, which engine option you’re going to opt for is entirely based on what you intend to do with your car. Having said that, don’t forget that this is a two-seater roadster at the end of the day, and it would almost be a grave injustice if you didn’t get the one that made your cheeks hurt.
