Problems on Z4

[duckers26]

Hi, have just picked up my E85 BMW Z4 tonight and there are some issues I wondered if anyone else had encountered:

1) The hood not latching in place: the roof folds back but when it gets to the point it needs to latch on to the central hook it stops just short and the roof light flashes

2) When moving the dial for the headlight range adjustment there is a clonking noise from the drivers side one (which moves) and the passenger side one does not move

3) When the wipers return to their parked position, they then jump up the screen a bit and sit too high.

Any advice appreciated!

Thanks

[duckers26]

Oh, also I have purchased the BMW comprehensive warranty for £50 per month and I wondered if there was a time limit before I can claim on it?

[steve_bmw]

duckers26 said:

Hi, have just picked up my E85 BMW Z4 tonight and there are some issues I wondered if anyone else had encountered:

1) The hood not latching in place: the roof folds back but when it gets to the point it needs to latch on to the central hook it stops just short and the roof light flashes

2) When moving the dial for the headlight range adjustment there is a clonking noise from the drivers side one (which moves) and the passenger side one does not move

3) When the wipers return to their parked position, they then jump up the screen a bit and sit too high.

Any advice appreciated!

Thanks

1. Something obstructing it going all the way down, luggage tray, check boot, sticking mechanism, oil it.
2. Failed motor in the headlight or broken linkage.
3. Excess grease on the contacts in the wiper motor, easy diy fix, take cover off and clean the grease out and re pack with non conductive grease such as molycote em-30.

Edited by steve_bmw on Friday 27th March 10:09

[sjj84]

duckers26 said:

Oh, also I have purchased the BMW comprehensive warranty for £50 per month and I wondered if there was a time limit before I can claim on it?

I believe it's a month. Check the paper work.

[helix402]

1) this can be caused by low oil for the roof hydraulics, topping up requires roof removal.

[ocrx8]

3 is a relatively easy fix, look on Z4 Forum for a DIY guide.

[clockworks]

I had the same problem with my Z4 roof. Turned out to be an ipod charger/holder/FM transmitter trapped in the folding part of the hood frame. Looks like the previous owner had put it on the parcel shelf, and it had slid off and dropped into the mechanism, preventing it from folding all the way down. Worth checking the simple things first.

[mmm-five]

Private sale or dealer?

If the latter, simply take it back for the dealer to sort.

If the former, and you've only just started your warranty, then delete this thread so that the warranty provider doesn't see that you're trying to claim for a pre-existing fault.

[duckers26]

Thanks for the advice, it looks as though the hood problem is down to it folding incorrectly and so not dropping low enough into the cavity.

One thing I have noticed is that the last service was done in February 2012 as the car has only done 8,000 miles since then and the service indicator still says 5,500 miles remaining. This could mean it goes four years without servicing! The BMW garage confirmed that as long as it is service in accordance with the indicator (which it has been) it is in compliance with the necessary service history but would it be wise to bring forward the next service to take into account the time factor?

[helix402]

Yes, an annual oil change is wise.

[duckers26]

I spoke to the previous owner and turns out that he had an oil change after two years but that because it is not part of the official service programme it is not shown in the service history as there is no where to stamp it. On another forum someone had raised the point that if the car went more than 2 years between oil changes then the service history was no longer complete from a BMW warranty perspective but how would I be able to show that the oil had been changed if it is not part of the service stamps? Does the car log the oil has been changed?

Edited by duckers26 on Wednesday 25th March 07:54

Edited by duckers26 on Wednesday 25th March 07:55

[mmm-five]

There's nothing to stop you stamping the service history to show it's had an oil service - it's just a load of pages with blank templates to fill/stamp.

Alternatively just keep hold of invoices for all maintenance (oil, tyres, etc.).

The fluids will degrade whether they're used or not (although will usually degrade faster when used), so that's why you have to refresh them on a time-based interval as well as mileage-based.

[duckers26]

Does £125 for an oil change at BMW specialist sound ok? I have asked them not to reset the service indicator so it carries on counting down to inspection II but with nice clean oil in the meantime!

[steve_bmw]

It sounds a good price if you are willing to pay that.
I did the oil and filter on my z4 at the weekend and it cost me £27 and 20 mins of my time.

[fezst]

Join zroadster.org

Some good lads on there who can help with any issues you have.

[wilbo83]

My hood does the same as point one. Apparently its the way it folds, never really bothered me too much, a simple push down clicks it in place. I read somewhere that you can teach it to fold the proper way again.

[duckers26]

As a bit of an update I spoke to BMW warranty who said the services were too far apart time wise but that if I had the inspection II and fixed any problems they would cover it. So that's the plan.

Going to have a go at fixing the wipers this weekend. Do I go into halfords and ask for non conducting lube?!

[steve_bmw]

Not sure if halfords do it, your best bet is Maplin or an electronics place, you can Google molycote or other grease manufacturers and find the data sheets and find a non conductive grease.
EM-30 L from molycote is the best stuff, not had an issue since I changed to this grease.