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BMW E89 Z4 common problems
2009–2016 · sDrive30i, sDrive28i, sDrive35i, sDrive35is (N52, N20, N54). The known weak spots of the engines used in the E89, with sources, plus the topics that come up most in BMW's service bulletins and NHTSA recalls for this chassis.
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N52 engine
sDrive30i (2009–2011) · N52 bulletins →
Electric water pump and thermostat failure
The N52 introduced BMW's electric coolant pump. When the pump or thermostat fails the car shows a coolant temperature warning and can go into reduced power.
BMW bulletins on file for the E89:
- SIB 01 13 21 Electric water pump class-action settlement Electric water pump class-action settlement on N54/N55 engines (2007–2019); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · May 2021
- SIB 01 01 16 Thermostat warranty extension Thermostat warranty extension on N20/N52/N55 engines (2012–2017); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Dec 2017
- SIB 01 07 17 Thermostat warranty extension Thermostat warranty extension on BMW E89/F10/F30 models (2012–2014); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Jun 2017
N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat: prices →
Sources: BMW Tuning: N52 engine problems · CRP Automotive: bleeding BMW electric water pumps
Oil filter housing and valve cover gasket leaks
The two classic N5x oil leaks. Oil from the filter housing gasket can reach the drive belt, so it shouldn't be left.
BMW bulletins on file for the E89:
- SIB 11 13 15 Oil filter housing leak Oil filter housing leak on BMW E60/E84/E89/E90 and other models (2009–2016); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Aug 2015
- SIB 11 05 15 N20 and N55 Engine N20 and N55 Engine on N20/N55 engines (2011–2013); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Mar 2015
- SIB 11 03 15 Valve cover leak Valve cover leak on N20 engines (2009–2016); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Mar 2015
Sources: BMW Tuning: N52 engine problems
VANOS solenoids and lifter tick
Dirty or failing VANOS solenoids cause rough idle and timing codes; hydraulic lifters can tick on cold starts.
BMW bulletins on file for the E89:
- SIB 11 02 08 VANOS reduced power VANOS reduced power on BMW E46/E60/E61/E70 and other models (2006–2015); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Sep 2020
- SIB 01 10 14 VANOS warranty extension VANOS warranty extension on BMW E60/E70/E82/E88 and other models (2009–2013); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Feb 2018
- SIB 12 15 13 VANOS reduced power VANOS reduced power on N20/N47/N52/N54/N55/N62 engines (2008–2015); BMW gives an adjustment procedure. Service bulletin · Jan 2014
VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust): prices →
Sources: BMW Tuning: N52 engine problems
N20 engine
sDrive28i (2012–2016) · N20 bulletins →
Timing chain guide wear
BMW extended N20/N26 timing chain and oil pump drive chain coverage to 7 years/70,000 miles (SI B11 03 17), and a class-action settlement added partial coverage beyond that. A whine from the front of the engine is the warning sign.
BMW bulletins on file for the E89:
- SIB 11 03 17 Timing chain warranty extension Timing chain warranty extension on BMW E84/E89/E92/E93 and other models (2011–2018); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Oct 2021
N20 timing chain replacement: prices →
Sources: BMW SI B11 03 17 on NHTSA
Oil leaks and electric water pump
Valve cover, oil filter housing gasket leaks and electric water pump failures also come up on higher-mileage N20s.
BMW bulletins on file for the E89:
- SIB 01 13 21 Electric water pump class-action settlement Electric water pump class-action settlement on N54/N55 engines (2007–2019); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · May 2021
- SIB 11 13 15 Oil filter housing leak Oil filter housing leak on BMW E60/E84/E89/E90 and other models (2009–2016); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Aug 2015
- SIB 11 05 15 N20 and N55 Engine N20 and N55 Engine on N20/N55 engines (2011–2013); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Mar 2015
N54 engine
sDrive35i (2009–2016), sDrive35is (2011–2016) · N54 bulletins →
High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP)
Early N54 pumps failed often enough that BMW extended the emissions warranty on the pump to 10 years/120,000 miles for 2007–2010 N54 cars. Symptoms are long cranking, stumbling and reduced power.
BMW bulletins on file for the E89:
- NHTSA 10149587 High-pressure fuel pump warranty extension High-pressure fuel pump warranty extension on N54 engines (2007–2013); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · May 2013
- SIB 13 13 10 High-pressure fuel pump failure High-pressure fuel pump failure on BMW E46/E60/E61/E71 and other models (2006–2010); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Sep 2011
- SIB 16 02 13 Fuel pump noise Fuel pump noise on N20/N54 engines (2013); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Dec 2017
Sources: BimmerFile: BMW NA extends N54 fuel pump warranty
Turbocharger wastegate rattle
BMW extended the emissions warranty on N54 turbo wastegates to 8 years/82,000 miles (SI B01 02 12). A loud rattle on decel or at light throttle is the typical complaint.
BMW bulletins on file for the E89:
- SIB 11 11 16 Turbocharger warranty extension Turbocharger warranty extension on N20 engines (2012–2013); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Feb 2018
- SIB 11 14 17 Turbo wastegate corrosion Turbo wastegate corrosion on N20 engines (2009–2017); the fix is replacing the affected part. Service bulletin · Feb 2018
- SIB 11 07 11 Turbocharger noise Turbocharger noise on BMW E60/E61/E63/E64 and other models (2010); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Mar 2015
Sources: BMW SI B01 02 12 on NHTSA
Water pump, oil filter housing and valve cover leaks
Shared with the N52 and N55: the electric water pump and the usual N5x gasket leaks.
BMW bulletins on file for the E89:
- SIB 01 13 21 Electric water pump class-action settlement Electric water pump class-action settlement on N54/N55 engines (2007–2019); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · May 2021
- SIB 11 13 15 Oil filter housing leak Oil filter housing leak on BMW E60/E84/E89/E90 and other models (2009–2016); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Aug 2015
- SIB 11 05 15 N20 and N55 Engine N20 and N55 Engine on N20/N55 engines (2011–2013); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Mar 2015
N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat: prices → VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust): prices →
Most frequent bulletin topics 162 bulletins
| Topic | Bulletins | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 7 | SIB 61 03 14, SIB 61 10 25 |
| Transmission | 6 | SIB 24 02 15, SIB 28 01 14 |
| Navigation | 6 | NHTSA 10162434, NHTSA 10147623 |
| Engine no-start | 4 | SIB 11 06 16, SIB 12 05 14 |
| Engine | 4 | NHTSA 10058975, SIB 12 24 13 |
| Outside Door Mirror Moves when Locking or Unlocking the Vehicle | 4 | NHTSA 10162404, NHTSA 10149441 |
| Check engine light | 3 | SIB 11 10 12, SIB 12 04 15 |
| Misfire rough running | 3 | NHTSA 10149429, NHTSA 10149589 |
BMW service bulletins and warranty extensions filed with NHTSA that list the E89, grouped by topic. A bulletin tells technicians how to diagnose and fix a known issue; it doesn't mean every car has the problem.
NHTSA recalls by component 10
- water pump, plug connector · 1 recall24V608
- vanos bolt · 1 recall23V707
- PCV valve heater · 1 recall22V119
- crankcase (PCV) · 1 recall17V683
- constant velocity joint · 1 recall17V067
- hoses, lines/piping, and fittings · 1 recall14V627
- engine · 1 recall14V176
- vacuum · 1 recall13V454
Matched from NHTSA's public recall file by model and model year. Recall repairs are free; check a VIN.
BMW warranty extensions that list the E89
- SIB 01 20 16 Electrical system service information Electrical system service information on BMW E46/E70/E71/E72 and other models (2006–2014); BMW extended coverage for eligible cars. Warranty extension · May 2026
- SIB 11 03 17 Timing chain warranty extension Timing chain warranty extension on BMW E84/E89/E92/E93 and other models (2011–2018); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Oct 2021
- SIB 11 02 21 Electrical class-action settlement Electrical class-action settlement on BMW E84/E89/E92/E93 and other models (2012–2018); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · Sep 2021
- SIB 01 13 21 Electric water pump class-action settlement Electric water pump class-action settlement on N54/N55 engines (2007–2019); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · May 2021
- SIB 01 10 14 VANOS warranty extension VANOS warranty extension on BMW E60/E70/E82/E88 and other models (2009–2013); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Feb 2018
- SIB 11 11 16 Turbocharger warranty extension Turbocharger warranty extension on N20 engines (2012–2013); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Feb 2018
- SIB 01 01 16 Thermostat warranty extension Thermostat warranty extension on N20/N52/N55 engines (2012–2017); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Dec 2017
- SIB 01 07 17 Thermostat warranty extension Thermostat warranty extension on BMW E89/F10/F30 models (2012–2014); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Jun 2017
If a car qualifies, the listed repair may be free. Check eligibility for the VIN with a BMW center.
Repair prices for these engines
N20 timing chain replacement N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust) N54 high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) replacement
Prices on these pages are for other chassis with the same engine.
Sources: BMW service bulletins and recalls filed with NHTSA (public data) and the specialist and owner write-ups linked above. Not affiliated with BMW.