Here Are The BMW Z4 Years To Avoid
BMW is one of those manufacturers that tends to get a lot of loyalty from their buyers, and the Z4 has a good reputation for being a durable and effective model, as well as a good car overall. There are still some BMW Z4 years to avoid, but for the most part, this is a reliable option.
Of course, the reliability of the best models actually makes it even more important to make sure you’re avoiding the years that don’t work as well. It’s not that those models will be particularly more expensive, especially not compared with other vehicles, but you don’t want to get a lemon when you’re expecting to get an incredibly reliable vehicle.
Let’s take a closer look at the BMW Z4 years to avoid the most common problems with the Z4 and which models tend to be more reliable overall.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE BMW Z4
With more than a decade of options, it might be tricky to narrow down your top pick. You might wonder - what is the most reliable BMW Z4 year on the market?
BMW Z4 Years You Should Avoid
Looking at the Z4, you’ll probably be surprised by how few years to avoid there are. This is a model that has had the benefit of consistently effective performance since its release. That said, though, there are still more problems with older Z4s than with the more recent releases of this model.
- 2003
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
- 2008
- 2016
Of these, the 2003 model seems to have more problems, but the 2007 model probably has the worst problems. That being said, all of these models still have relatively low rates of issues compared with other vehicle manufacturers.
If you’re looking for a reliable BMW Z4, and your only options are from this year group, you’re still probably in good shape to go ahead and get one. Just be prepared to budget a little more in maintenance costs, especially for the 2007 model, than you would otherwise.
Of the BMW Z4 years to avoid, the 2016 model is probably the most effective and best overall option. However, both the 2015 and 2017 models are more consistent and offer better performance metrics.
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Common Problems With The BMW Z4
These are some of the most common problems with the BMW Z4. It’s important to note, though, while these problems are the most common issues with this model, they are still relatively low prevalence, and most vehicles will not have these issues, even from the BMW Z4 years to avoid.
Steering Stickiness
This is the top reported problem for the 2003 model of the Z4. However, the problem also crops up in other BW Z4 model years to avoid. The main issue is that the steering seems to be sticky and not fully correct, leading to oversteering as a driver.
The problem isn’t something that most drivers have problems overcoming, but it’s severe enough that it can slow your reaction times or make it harder to correct while you’re driving.
While not a severe safety issue, this problem does make certain models of the Z4 a little harder to drive.
Convertible Top Malfunctioning
Another common issue people are seeing from the Z4 has to do with the convertible top. The top occasionally gets stuck and can get stuck both open and closed. Usually, getting stuck open is a bigger problem than getting stuck closed, but both are frustrating.
Usually, when the mechanism has seized you can fix it on your own, but in some cases, you may need to take the vehicle to a mechanic to get the problem fixed.
Overall, while not a serious safety issue, this is one of the more annoying problems with the Z4 for owners.
Airbag Problems
This is one of the most serious complaints with the Z4 and is more specific to the 2007 model year than the other problems on this list.
In some rare cases, the airbags may deploy on their own for no reason. Unfortunately, this is possible while driving, and the airbags that pop seem to vary widely. Airbags going off for no reason can be a huge safety issue while driving, making this problem the most dangerous reported in Z4.
Unfortunately, vehicle history does not seem to be able to predict which vehicles will have the airbag problem and which will not. Both vehicles with a history of accidents, and vehicles with a perfect track record, have this issue. Thankfully the problem is incredibly rare and only impacts a very small percentage of all 2007 Z4s.
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Lower Grill Loose Fit
Another problem with the Z4, which is more cosmetic than a serious issue, is that the grill on the front can pop loose when the front bumper moves. That means that going through dips in the road where you’re more likely to bottom out can also pop the bottom half of your grill loose.
While this problem is relatively easy to fix, it can be frustrating to deal with anywhere with a lot of low dips or potholes.
Reliable BMW Z4 Model Years
Almost all BMW Z4 model years are reliable options, but we’ll give you a quick list of the reliable years here:
- 2004
- 2009
- 2010
- 2011
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
- 2015
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
Overall, as long as you avoid the 2003 and 2007 releases, you’re pretty much good to go when it comes to the BMW Z4. The incredibly low rates of consumer complaints, combined with the reasonable cost for maintenance and the high-quality condition you can usually get these vehicles in makes them a good choice if you’re looking for reliability and style in one.
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Which BMW Z4 Models Are Good Used Vehicles?
If you’re looking for a BMW model that’s great as a used vehicle, you can choose almost any model but the 2003 and 2007. These cars hold up well over time and perform well even under stress, which makes them an excellent choice for drivers of all kinds.
However, since the older models are performing well even today, you might want to consider a 2004, 2006, or 2008 model. That’s because those older Z4s still tend to be in great condition, but they also tend to have lower prices because they’ve been being driven a lot longer than the 2017 or more recent models.
That’s important if you’re looking for a deal on BMW Z4. After all, durable vehicles that last well over time are often more expensive as used vehicles than the alternatives.
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