BMW Z4 E89
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The Z4 E89 (2009–2016) has an electric folding hardtop instead of a fabric hood — roadster and coupé in one. Technically based on the E90 platform with turbocharged engines. More comfortable than the E85, less raw, more grand tourer.
Engines: The N55B30 in the sDrive35i (225 kW) and N54B30 in the sDrive35i (up to 2010) are the six-cylinder turbos. The N55 is the more reliable of the two — N54 has piezo injectors and wastegate issues. The N20B20 in the sDrive20i/28i (135–180 kW) is the two-litre turbo — timing chain issues known, but less dramatic in the Z4 than in the 3 Series.
Weaknesses: Folding hardtop mechanism is THE topic — ~1,000 components, sensors fail, hydraulics leak. $330–4,400 depending on the fault. Tail lights fog up on 2009–2012 production — LED failure, replace every 3–4 years ($55–385). EDC shock absorbers lose oil from ~130,000 km ($660–2,750). EPS can fail ($880–2,970), but less often than on the E85. Seat leather thin and prone to cracking. Sill and longitudinal beam rust on neglected examples.
Test-drive checklist: Open and close the folding roof fully — does it stop, any fault messages? Tail lights for condensation. Drive over bumps — EDC knocking? Steering for stiffness.
2026 market: sDrive20i from $13,200–19,800. sDrive28i $16,500–24,200. sDrive35i from $19,800–30,800.
Insider pick: sDrive35i N55 (from 2010, manual) — inline-six turbo, after the N54 switch, with hardtop comfort. Check folding roof mechanism and tail lights before buying.
340 PS
sDrive35is · Benzin
Sharpest E89 Recipe: 340 hp Roofless
Legendary!170–252 PS
2.0L Turbo Benzin
10 weaknesses
Stay Away!Generations
Engine Overview
The BMW Z4 E89 is available with 4 engine variants — from 170 to 360 hp. 1 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.
BMW's first in-house four-cylinder turbo for the mid-range — the farewell to six cylinders in the 320i/328i. Timing chain and guide rails are the main weakness: BMW extended the warranty in 2015 (7 years/100,000 km) and revised the chain design multiple times. Metallic rattling on cold start should be investigated immediately. The electric water pump fails without warning — preventive replacement at 80,000-100,000 km saves a tow truck. Oil filter housing gasket becomes porous and can mix oil with coolant in worst case. Despite the weaknesses, a refined engine: quiet, good mid-range pull, economical (7-8 L/100km real). Manual transmission is the most durable combination. Replaced by the B48 from 2015.
- !! Timing chain and oil pump chain from 50,000 km
The best-known weak point of the N20. The timing chain and oil pump chain stretch; the chain tensioner fails. BMW offered an extended warranty (7 years/100,000 km) for pre-2015 models.
Symptoms: Rattling on start, engine warning light, sudden power loss, in extreme cases engine damage - !! Electric water pump failure from 90,000 km
The electric water pump fails, risking overheating. A BMW-typical problem across all engines with electric coolant pumps since the N52 generation.
Symptoms: Overheating warning, temperature gauge rises quickly, coolant warning - !! Oil pump chain / oil pump sprocket defective from 80,000 km
On the N20 the oil pump sprocket can wear prematurely or the oil pump chain can break. In documented cases (50,000 km) an internal drive component failure caused complete oil pump failure — catastrophic engine damage.
Symptoms: Whistling noise that increases with rpm; oil pressure warning; metallic rushing from the engine bay; unusual vibrations
+ 7 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
BMW's first in-house four-cylinder turbo for the mid-range — the farewell to six cylinders in the 320i/328i. Timing chain and guide rails are the main weakness: BMW extended the warranty in 2015 (7 years/100,000 km) and revised the chain design multiple times. Metallic rattling on cold start should be investigated immediately. The electric water pump fails without warning — preventive replacement at 80,000-100,000 km saves a tow truck. Oil filter housing gasket becomes porous and can mix oil with coolant in worst case. Despite the weaknesses, a refined engine: quiet, good mid-range pull, economical (7-8 L/100km real). Manual transmission is the most durable combination. Replaced by the B48 from 2015.
- !! Timing chain and oil pump chain from 50,000 km
The best-known weak point of the N20. The timing chain and oil pump chain stretch; the chain tensioner fails. BMW offered an extended warranty (7 years/100,000 km) for pre-2015 models.
Symptoms: Rattling on start, engine warning light, sudden power loss, in extreme cases engine damage - !! Electric water pump failure from 90,000 km
The electric water pump fails, risking overheating. A BMW-typical problem across all engines with electric coolant pumps since the N52 generation.
Symptoms: Overheating warning, temperature gauge rises quickly, coolant warning - !! Oil pump chain / oil pump sprocket defective from 80,000 km
On the N20 the oil pump sprocket can wear prematurely or the oil pump chain can break. In documented cases (50,000 km) an internal drive component failure caused complete oil pump failure — catastrophic engine damage.
Symptoms: Whistling noise that increases with rpm; oil pressure warning; metallic rushing from the engine bay; unusual vibrations
+ 7 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
BMW's first production twin-turbo straight-six — two small Garrett turbos instead of a single large twin-scroll as on the N55 successor. At idle a quiet metallic whisper; from 3,000 rpm the twin-turbo thrust arrives with a characteristic whistle the N55 doesn't have. No Valvetronic — boost pressure instead of variable valve lift. The high-pressure pump (HPFP) is the N54 issue: if it fails while driving, the engine stops. BMW carried out several recalls but never fully resolved the problem. Piezo injectors must be brought to the latest revision. Wastegate rattle on cold start is cosmetic; turbo bearing damage from neglected oil supply is not. Oil changes every 7,500 km, never BMW Longlife. Let the engine idle for 30 seconds after hard use — the turbos will thank you. Tuning: Stage 1 via software brings 400+ hp; well-built examples with 600+ hp are documented. Those who maintain the N54 get the most exciting BMW six-cylinder of its generation.
- !! High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure from 80,000 km
A notorious problem on the first BMW turbocharged straight-six. The high-pressure pump loses delivery pressure and the engine goes into limp mode. Build years 2006–2010 most affected; several revisions made.
Symptoms: Hesitation, power loss, engine warning, engine stalls, extended cranking - !! Injector failure (index < 10) from 90,000 km
Piezo injectors from early revisions (index 1–9) are prone to failure. Misfires, rough running. Complete set per bank must be replaced.
Symptoms: Misfires, rough running, engine warning, elevated emissions - !! Turbocharger bearing failure from 150,000 km
Both turbochargers can suffer bearing damage from insufficient oil supply, blocked return lines, or hot shutdown after full-load driving. Metal swarf in the oil, risk of engine damage.
Symptoms: Blue smoke from the exhaust, oil in the intercooler and intake tract, whistling noise under load, significant power loss
+ 9 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Single twin-scroll turbo instead of the N54's twin-turbo — torque comes in evenly from 1,200 rpm and doesn't let up to 5,500. At idle a deep, barely audible hum; under load a rich rumble that surpasses the N54 in refinement but lacks its rawness. Above 5,000 rpm the turbo drowns out the engine — those seeking naturally-aspirated emotion will be disappointed. Valvetronic almost completely eliminates the throttle butterfly; throttle response is therefore more direct than on most turbo engines. The electric water pump is the Achilles heel: fails between 80,000 and 120,000 km without warning. Valve cover gasket starts leaking from 100,000 km — replace the entire cover, not just the gasket. Oil changes every 10,000 km instead of BMW Longlife, 5W-30 LL-04. Tuning: Stage 1 brings 350+ hp; from Stage 2 the HPFP becomes the bottleneck — fit the B58 pump. Considered one of the most reliable M-engines of the last 20 years when maintained properly.
- !! Bearing wear from neglected maintenance from 120,000 km
Connecting rod bearings wear with extended oil change intervals or oil starvation. Particularly affects vehicles on Longlife intervals driven hard.
Symptoms: Knocking from the engine block, oil pressure warning, metallic particles in the oil - !! Electric water pump failure from 130,000 km
The N55 electric water pump typically fails between 100,000 and 150,000 km. A sudden failure while driving can cause overheating damage to the cylinder head or gasket within minutes.
Symptoms: Overheating warning; cooling fan runs continuously or intermittently; slow warm-up; coolant loss at idle - !! Valvetronic eccentric shaft wear from 150,000 km
Oil jet for eccentric shaft lubrication clogs with poor oil maintenance. Shaft wears excessively — loud ticking and Valvetronic system failure.
Symptoms: Ticking noise from engine bay, rough idle, misfires, power loss, extended cranking on start
+ 10 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Single twin-scroll turbo instead of the N54's twin-turbo — torque comes in evenly from 1,200 rpm and doesn't let up to 5,500. At idle a deep, barely audible hum; under load a rich rumble that surpasses the N54 in refinement but lacks its rawness. Above 5,000 rpm the turbo drowns out the engine — those seeking naturally-aspirated emotion will be disappointed. Valvetronic almost completely eliminates the throttle butterfly; throttle response is therefore more direct than on most turbo engines. The electric water pump is the Achilles heel: fails between 80,000 and 120,000 km without warning. Valve cover gasket starts leaking from 100,000 km — replace the entire cover, not just the gasket. Oil changes every 10,000 km instead of BMW Longlife, 5W-30 LL-04. Tuning: Stage 1 brings 350+ hp; from Stage 2 the HPFP becomes the bottleneck — fit the B58 pump. Considered one of the most reliable M-engines of the last 20 years when maintained properly.
- !! Bearing wear from neglected maintenance from 120,000 km
Connecting rod bearings wear with extended oil change intervals or oil starvation. Particularly affects vehicles on Longlife intervals driven hard.
Symptoms: Knocking from the engine block, oil pressure warning, metallic particles in the oil - !! Electric water pump failure from 130,000 km
The N55 electric water pump typically fails between 100,000 and 150,000 km. A sudden failure while driving can cause overheating damage to the cylinder head or gasket within minutes.
Symptoms: Overheating warning; cooling fan runs continuously or intermittently; slow warm-up; coolant loss at idle - !! Valvetronic eccentric shaft wear from 150,000 km
Oil jet for eccentric shaft lubrication clogs with poor oil maintenance. Shaft wears excessively — loud ticking and Valvetronic system failure.
Symptoms: Ticking noise from engine bay, rough idle, misfires, power loss, extended cranking on start
+ 10 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Folding Roof Mechanism Fails The E89 folding hardtop can block after 8–13 years due to faulty micro-switches, broken wiring harnesses or leaking hydraulic lines. Hydraulic pump replacement up to €4,000. Symptoms: Roof won't open or close fully, fault message on display, motor runs but roof doesn't move from 120,000 km | High | |
| Water Ingress — Boot and Footwell Porous door seals, blocked roof drains and leaking rear screen frames allow water into the footwell and boot. Early models are particularly susceptible. Symptoms: Damp carpet in footwell or boot, fogged tail lights, musty smell in the cabin from 100,000 km | Medium | |
| Tail Lights Damp / Fogged Leaking housing seals allow moisture into the tail lights. BMW replaced tail lights with a revised version in 2012. Facelift models are less affected. Symptoms: Misted or damp tail lights, water film visible behind the plastic lens from 80,000 km | Low |
Top Reported Issues
Alternatives
Opel Cascada Cascada
Convertible/Roadster (2013–2019)
Lancia Flavia JS
Convertible/Roadster (2012–2014)
Lancia flavia JS
Convertible/Roadster (2012–2014)
Mercedes-Benz SL R231
Convertible/Roadster (2012–2020)
Porsche Boxster 981
Convertible/Roadster (2012–2016)
Mercedes-Benz SLK R172
Convertible/Roadster (2011–2016)
Explore more
All BMW models Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 42 weaknesses have been documented for the BMW Z4 E89 (2009–2016) — 35 engine-related and 7 vehicle-related. One problem engine: N20B20 (2.0L Turbo). Typical issues affect Body, Suspension, Steering, Interior.
Z4 (N54B30, 2009–2011) — Be Careful: High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure, Injector failure (index < 10), Turbocharger bearing failure. Power: 306 PS.
Z4 (N20B20, 2011–2016) — Stay Away!: Timing chain and oil pump chain, Electric water pump failure, Oil pump chain / oil pump sprocket defective. Power: 184 PS.
Z4 (N20B20, 2011–2016) — Stay Away!: Timing chain and oil pump chain, Electric water pump failure, Oil pump chain / oil pump sprocket defective. Power: 245 PS.
Z4 (N55B30, 2011–2016) — Be Careful: Bearing wear from neglected maintenance, Electric water pump failure, Valvetronic eccentric shaft wear. Power: 306 PS.
Z4 (N55B30, 2011–2016) — Be Careful: Bearing wear from neglected maintenance, Electric water pump failure, Valvetronic eccentric shaft wear. Power: 340 PS.
What to watch out for with the BMW Z4? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the BMW Z4 E89 have? +
What should I look for when buying a used BMW Z4 E89? +
Which engine is recommended? +
Which BMW Z4 E89 engine is the most fun? +
Is the BMW Z4 E89 worth buying used? +
What horsepower variants are available for the BMW Z4 E89? +
Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee