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BMW Z4 Electrical Problems

40 messages,  Last post on Nov 13, 2012 at 5:28 PM

You are in the BMW Z4 Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW Z4, Coupe, Convertible

Messages Page 4 of 4

#31 of 40 Re: Temp gague [jdecola] by kperess

Oct 26, 2009 (5:10 pm)

Replying to: jdecola (Oct 19, 2009 8:57 am)
Wow, the Z4 has a top nanny along with speed nannies I live in the U.P. of Michigan and still have my M roadster out (about to back into the pole barn for the winter) and if it ain't raining or snowing the top is DOWN -- that's what heaters are for!
 
There is something exhilarating about driving top down in the late fall and early spring.

#32 of 40 Re: Power Steering Shutdown in Z4 [bauvois] by bobber3

Dec 04, 2009 (4:20 pm)

Replying to: bauvois (Jul 11, 2008 7:37 am)
My 2004 Z4 developed "notchy steering" about 2 years ago with less than 15000mi. I took it to a dealer in Houston, TX while on a trip and they told me it needed a new battery which did nothing for the problem. I seldom drive the car and we took it to our winter home in FL and I took it to a dealer in Ft. Myers this week. The service tech. knew what the problem was as soon as I described it and told me I need a new steering column. I asked him to contact BMW to see if they would do the repair even tho the car is out of warranty it still has only 18000 miles. It was declined by the area rep. and I contacted BMW customer relations. The man I spoke to there was very cool and seemed mistrustful of my account and as if they have never heard of the problem. I asked him to contact the area rep. to fully explain my situation and he said he would do so and call me. He called today and says the dealership has offered to discount the repair 15%. BMW offers nothing. He also tells me I have no further avenue of appeal.
I believe this is a design/manufacturing defect that is dangerous and should be repaired at no cost to owners. I certainly intend to contact every governmental agency I can find and would encourage every Z4 owner to do the same. Even tho your car may not be affected today it may start tomorrow and you will be facing a $3000 plus bill with a car company that doesn't know you.
If anyone has any ideas please contact mebobcarnettatt.net.

#33 of 40 Wiring disaster by pcornell

Nov 20, 2010 (2:44 am)

I had a terrifying experience with my 2008 Z4. It was parked at work in the underground garage, completely turned off. About 2 hours after arriving the building security came to get me. The entire inside of then cabin was smokey, and whole elements of the interior had melted, including then drivers side dashboard, the sun visor, and the rear view mirror. The electrical heat had apparently been so intense that the windshield on the drivers side was bubbly and cracked. On the trunk above the break light, the heat had burned throughout the metal and left a burn mark on the outside surface of the trunk. I live in Paris, and the car had had some lights changed when it was converted by an official BMW dealer to European specs from US specs. The car has been shipped to Germany for inspection and hopefully repair - we'll have to see if it was the dealers work on it or BMWs fault. Has anyone ever heard of such a thing before?? Scary.

#34 of 40 Re: Power roof [jdecola] by indie_bmw_tech

Dec 20, 2010 (3:05 pm)

Replying to: jdecola (Jul 21, 2009 10:29 pm)
what year is the z4?did u check the emergency release cable in the trunk?if it is a 1/4 of an inch out the top wont work.

#35 of 40 Re: Power Steering Shutdown in Z4 [bobber3] by shwade

May 25, 2012 (8:11 pm)

Replying to: bobber3 (Dec 04, 2009 4:20 pm)
Have just replaced power amp for radio and a chip sensor for top.... Then drove for 1 week applied brakes and the horn starts honking like ... Get outa my way kinda honking when breaking. took in says wire is worn in steering wheel I need new steering wheel I have the notchy issue when she sits in the sun all day . Mechanic says won't hurt to drive it but would have to replace whole column for a bearing... He says 3 major design flaws the steering wheel goes for 800 column 3000 plus fix it fee.....power amp /chip oil change 1700......whatcha gonna do.... I love her but.... There is a limit!

#36 of 40 Re: Power Steering Shutdown in Z4 [bobber3] by mariasumnicht

Jun 06, 2012 (1:38 pm)

Replying to: bobber3 (Dec 04, 2009 4:20 pm)
Hi Bob - My Z4 has only 47,190 miles when my Steering Column Malfunction light went on. I took my car in to the dealership last week, they told me that it would cost me $4000.00 to fix the electronic steering column that is malfunctioning. I was horrified! That is an obscene amount of money to fix a problem that I believe is a factory defect in the car. I would like us to pool our resource and to see if we can raise awareness of this BWM defect to the appropriate government agencies and to call out BMW to recall and fix this manufacturing defect on their dime. I sent you an email to:bobcarnettatt.net. I hope to hear from you soon. Regards, Maria

#37 of 40 Re: Power Steering Shutdown in Z4 [shwade] by mariasumnicht

Jun 06, 2012 (1:43 pm)

Replying to: shwade (May 25, 2012 8:11 pm)
- I just took my 2004 Z4 to the BWM dealership the other day when the light came on for the "Steering Column" on the dashboard. The sales rep called me and told me that I needed a new steering column and that it would cost me $4000.00 to fix it. Needless to say I am livid. My car has only 47,190 miles and I hardly drive it, the car is a weekend fun car. I did a Google search and came across the posting on http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f0f92ec/31 and decided that I need to contact you guys to see if we can pull our resources together. This morning I got off the phone with a BMW North America Representative. I explained the problem but I was instructed to go back to the dealership. I am not a happy camper at this moment. I too believe that this is a factory defect and that it should be fixed by BWM at no cost. I actually lost steering capability while driving on the highway. I would like to document this just in case something happens. I would like to work with you all to reach whatever government agency we can in order to get BMW to issue a recall to fix this defect. I believe it is a dangerous issue for all drivers of Z4's and we should place a warning out there to them.

#38 of 40 Re: Power Steering Shutdown in Z4 [ahva] by mariasumnicht

Jun 06, 2012 (2:52 pm)

Replying to: ahva (Mar 03, 2008 8:05 pm)
I just took my 2004 Z4 to the BWM dealership the other day when the light came on for the "Steering Column" on the dashboard. The sales rep called me and told me that I needed a new steering column and that it would cost me $4000.00 to fix it. Needless to say I am livid. My car has only 47,190 miles and I hardly drive it, the car is a weekend fun car. I did a Google search and came across the posting on http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f0f92ec/31 and decided that I need to contact you guys to see if we can pull our resources together. This morning I got off the phone with a BMW North America Representative. I explained the problem but I was instructed to go back to the dealership. I am not a happy camper at this moment. I too believe that this is a factory defect and that it should be fixed by BWM at no cost. I actually lost steering capability while driving on the highway. I would like to document this just in case something happens. I would like to work with you all to reach whatever government agency we can in order to get BMW to issue a recall to fix this defect. I believe it is a dangerous issue for all drivers of Z4's and we should place a warning out there to them.

#39 of 40 Z4 Soft top by razz617

Nov 13, 2012 (5:10 pm)

I am in the market for a rather nice 2 seater car. Call it a "mid-life crisis". I have never owned a BMW, but i have liked them form a distance.
This past weekend, after researching several Z4's, I found a 2006 that I wanted to purchase from a dealer. As I was in the car checking it out, I tried the soft-top roof. It went open, but when i went to close it, it did not move. The sales man and a service person at the dealership came out & tried. No luck. I will have to pass on THAT one.
 
Also, after reading these posts, I am having even MORE thoughts of NOT getting my mid-life crisis "dream car". UGH!
 
Any suggestions?

#40 of 40 Re: Z4 Soft top [razz617] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Nov 13, 2012 (5:28 pm)

Replying to: razz617 (Nov 13, 2012 5:10 pm)
Well if you buy a German car out of warranty, you had better buckle up because this kind of thing will happen. It's a great little car but BMWs can be buggy now and then. Your best strategy is to develop a relationship with a good independent BMW shop so that you never have to go to the dealer for repair work--then have this shop thoroughly check out any Z4 you are thinking of buying, and if the car passes, then join the BMW club for resources on saving money on parts and for getting good advice.
 
if you are expecting Camry-like reliability and a glitch-free world in a used BMW, that's simply not realistic. On the other hand, you'll have a LOT more fun in the BMW.

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