BMW Z4 E85 / E86

From time to time, true car fans are given to dreams. For example, go to the website of a famous brand and configure a car for themselves. So, if on the BMW website to choose the roadster Z4 sDrive 20i 197 hp, then the screen will highlight the price tag in the amount of 6 370 000 rubles. At the same time, we did not even choose additional equipment, and under the hood only a four-cylinder engine. No straight sixes. It is good that there are used copies on the market. The price of such BMW Z4 is comparable to the price tag of the new Volkswagen Polo directly from the showroom. As an example, let’s look at a 2003 specimen with a mileage of 97,000 km.

Fast inspection

Automatic climate control, heated leather seats, navigation system, CD-radio player. In a new car, a set of such a set would ask for 5000 euros. It is a pity that the silvery-gray varnish on the center console has already partially worn out. In the glove compartment, a service book with a note about the passage of a free service promotion for 70,000 km. Better than nothing. Turn the key, and under the hood quietly swelled 3-liter engine. Six cylinders. Yes, they can make engines in Bavaria! It is a pity that the time of the six is already over. The future is downsizing. Fortunately, the first generation of the BMW Z4 E85/E86 series is not familiar with this concept. Since autumn 2011, its successor, the E89, has been powered by a four-cylinder turbocharged engine. The selector in the position "D." "Zetti" - so German fans affectionately call their two-door car - confidently starts from a place under the powerful pressure of a 231-horsepower engine. The automatic transmission carefully sorts the gears, giving traction to the rear axle. When changing loads, no unnatural extraneous noise occurs. So the transmission and the cardan are fine. The Z4 follows the wheel obediently. The new product is an electromechanical power steering. The Z4 was the first BMW to have an electric amplifier motor on the steering column. Each crack on the asphalt is passed to the driver. This is due to the large 18-inch wheels on the original aluminum wheels. It's time for an external inspection. The hood has marks of wear. The paint of the long front is broken with small stones. Rust never attacks the BMW Z4 E85. The Z4 was originally assembled in South Carolina, USA.

A brief excursion

BMW introduced the Z4 in 2003. Instead of retro shapes, stylists preferred a modern design, as in the first BMW Z1. The Z4’s shapes aren’t as convincing as the BMW Z3’s. However, the technically the car is certainly more modern.

Engines and transmission

The BMW Z4 has never offered a diesel engine. The smallest was a 2-liter four-cylinder atmospheric recoil 150 hp with an index N46. It was available from 2005 to 2009. All other engines had 6 cylinders.

Six-cylinder units were presented by two generations. Old M54 (2.2, 2.5 and 3.0), known from E46, and new N52 (2.5 and 3.0) from E90.

All engines are good, but not perfect. The older M54 is characterized by increased oil consumption, which is more a feature than a drawback. Among the eliminateable causes of oil consumption is a faulty ventilation system of crankcase gases (from 2000 rubles per KVKG).

Another reason for oil-sweetened oil caps (1-5 thousand rubles per set).

The 3-liter inline six M54 is the business card of BMW. It has an electronic throttle, an aluminum block and controlled gas distribution phases on both camshafts. The weak point is the ventilation system of crankcase gases.

The new N52 is a more complex and unusual design. The block is made of a combination of aluminum and magnesium alloys. Instead of a throttle, the Valvetronic system is used, and the pump is electric.

BMW engines are prone to overheating, which can lead to catastrophic consequences. There are several reasons - from a faulty thermostat with a pump to a burst expansion tank and, as a result, a shortage of coolant.

After 100-150 thousand km may require replacement of the ignition coil (3-6 thousand rubles per piece).

The power unit supports wear out after 150-200 thousand km. The cost is 3-8 thousand rubles.

Transmission

Owners of cars with manual transmission faced premature wear of the clutch, and sometimes a two-mass flywheel. Yes, the mechanics for many years were installed even in a couple of six-cylinder engines. Due to the short clutch life, BMW organized service promotions at one time.

The cost of the original clutch set is 67 000 rubles, and a good substitute is 21 000 rubles.

BMW claims that the oil in the automatic transmission is filled for the entire life of the car. It is better to change it every 60,000 km.

The machine is brought to repair after 200-300 thousand km of run.

The most capricious is the SMG sequential transmission. At least she collects the most complaints. For unforeseen repairs after 100-150 thousand km of run may need more than 50 000 rubles.

A number of owners chose to get rid of SMG, installing an manual transmission instead.

Walking

While the BMW Z3 used some of the solutions from the E30 and E36 Compact, the Z4 borrowed the running gear from the BMW 3 Series E46.

Instead of triangular levers, the Z-Axle scheme is used with three levers on each side. The first version of the model appeared in Z1. The front suspension is similar to the E46.

With suspension, sometimes there are problems: transverse levers and steering rods quickly wear out. There is a reinforced version of the Meyle suspension.

The rear silent block of the front lower lever (5-8 thousand rubles) tires of 80-120 thousand km of run. Ball supports have a similar resource, but they change only when assembled with a lever (about 11 000 rubles). The back silenth block is not included in the set.

The Silent Blocks of the rear suspension are much more durable. Periodic updates require only a floating Silentblock (1-5 thousand rubles).

The chassis is fine here. But on the copies of the first years of release, the rear springs often broke.

Shock absorbers usually reach 100,000 km: from 13,000 rubles for the front and from 5000 rubles for the rear.

Other problems and malfunctions

The poor location and clogged drains contribute to the accumulation of moisture and failure of the electric motor of the hydraulic drive pump of the roof. The new engine is only in the original and is available for 80 000 rubles. Often it is possible to resuscitate for a less significant amount - about 20 000 rubles with work.

For 10 years, folds appear on the cloth top. The new top costs from 100 to 270 thousand rubles. The roof is controlled either manually or by an electro-hydraulic drive. Manual control is a simpler and more reliable solution.

With age, door locks begin to fail (5-15 thousand rubles), or the outer handle may break.

In addition, the hinge connection of the windshield wiper leash wears out. In this case, the VAZ remake will allow you to do with small blood for 200 rubles.

It is worth noting the fogging of the headlights, which threatens the death of the block of ignition of xenon located inside. The cost of the new block headlights is 30-40 thousand rubles. For work on reconsolidation will ask about 5000 rubles.

The clearance of the Z4 is pretty small. To hook the threshold pothole or "lying cop" is not worth anything.

The roadster was hit by two service stocks. The first is associated with a defect in the vacuum pump brake booster. The second affected cars with six-cylinder engines in late 2009 and early 2011 - due to the destruction of the fixing screws of valve adjustment.

Fast inspection

• Each crack on the asphalt is passed to the driver.
• It's time for an external inspection. The hood has marks of wear.
• The paint of the long front is broken with small stones. Rust never attacks the BMW Z4 E85.

Engines and transmission

• The block is made of a combination of aluminum and magnesium alloys.

Transmission

• Owners of cars with manual transmission faced premature wear of the clutch, and sometimes a two-mass flywheel.
• The machine is brought to repair after 200-300 thousand km of run.
• For unforeseen repairs after 100-150 thousand.

Walking

• With suspension, sometimes there are problems: transverse levers and steering rods quickly wear out.

Other problems and malfunctions

• It is worth noting the fogging of the headlights, which threatens the death of the block of ignition of xenon located inside. The cost of the new block headlights is 30-40 thousand rubles.

The BMW Z4 is an affordable option. Relatively reliable, delivers a little trouble, well equipped. And yes, the four-cylinder engine is not bad, but the six-cylinder engine is better. A flaw? Exorbitant prices for service.

• Cast inspection: Each crack on the pavement is passed to the driver.
• A brief tour: BMW introduced the Z4 in 2003.
• Engines and transmission: The unit is made from a combination of aluminum and magnesium alloys.
• Transmission: Owners of cars with manual transmission faced premature wear of the clutch, and sometimes a two-mass flywheel.
• Chasing: With suspension sometimes there are problems: quickly wear out the transverse levers and steering rods.
• Other problems and malfunctions: It is worth noting the fogging of the headlights, which threatens the death of the xenon ignition unit located inside. The cost of the new block headlights is 30-40 thousand rubles.

Shows, bargaining and re-registration take time: buyers look, promise to think and disappear. Fair price after inspection closes the auction on the spot. If money is needed urgently, the purchase takes away waiting and repeat displays.

Leave a request with the car data. We will discuss the preliminary assessment and inspection. After checking the status and documents, we agree on the final price and terms of the transaction.