just found out my 2003 Z4 needs to have its hydraulic motor replaced at a cost of $3500 after 41/2 years and 39,000 miles - anyone heard of problems with these motors - think i have any recourse with BMW ?

I'd get a second opinion. Sounds like someone's blowing smoke up you but. GH

just found out my 2003 Z4 needs to have its hydraulic motor replaced at a cost of $3500 after 41/2 years and 39,000 miles - anyone heard of problems with these motors - think i have any recourse with BMW ?

There are known issues on the older Z's that the water drain for the top can get clogged with debris and soak the motor. Over time it just rusts and breaks. Do you live in an area where it rains alot? There is also a DIY thread here that shows you how to clean the drain of any blockages and keep it clean. I have never read a post on the expected life of the top motor though and how long they should last with no problems. $3500 seems too much, although I heard it is a big job. I would think $3500 to $5000 should get you everything from a new top to the motor. I'll bet some of our Euro friends on the forum no more about this than me. Everytime I go there it's raining;), which I love.

Here is the DIY for the cleaning of the drains. I am actually doing this on Saturday or sunday.

I had my top replaced under wtty earlier this year. I didn't think bmw n/a was going to do it. Soooo I have new-in-a-huge box an entire top assembly; motors, hydraulics, top, liner, frame...everything!!! I bought it from a dealer back east. It was a take-off. A lady bought a z4 with a black top. She wanted a tan top. The dealer replaced the whole assmbly, then sold me the take off (black top). The reason I'm rambling on about this, is because I'm entertaining the idea of maybe buying a new Boxster here soon. If I do, I'll want to sell the z4 top. I got it here from New York for less than $200 ups frieght. (It's a big box).... I don't know...just a thought for anyone reading this...

sean :-)

39k miles and it's not under warranty???

Mine went out last week at 50,130 miles, and BMWNA is replacing it under warranty. I have to hunt down that drain DIY so I can prevent this from happening again.

Here is the DIY for the cleaning of the drains. I am actually doing this on Saturday or sunday.

Instead of the remove the wheel well procedure, do you < anybody > think the following would work?

Would it be possible to connect an air compressor to a long metal wand < similar to a pesticide sprayer> down into the area where the drain plug is and blow out the debris?? Even better, It would be nice to drop a fiber optic scope down there like <really> a colonoscope to see the drain then just blow it out with compressed air. The rightools can really make repairs so much easier.

wow- costly repair
hopefully not going to be a common issue...

/subscribed

Instead of the remove the wheel well procedure, do you < anybody > think the following would work?

Would it be possible to connect an air compressor to a long metal wand < similar to a pesticide sprayer> down into the area where the drain plug is and blow out the debris?? Even better, It would be nice to drop a fiber optic scope down there like <really> a colonoscope to see the drain then just blow it out with compressed air. The rightools can really make repairs so much easier.

I think the reason it backs up is because the inner drain plug is so restrictive. I am just going to take it apart. I thought about the compressed air thing, but i think in the some mass/proper pressure to force the junk out.

As an addition to this post I just got the new issue of Bimmer magazine and it has the Z3 / Z4 market update report. It has awsome info as evey issue does. They do mention on the older Z4's there are no less than 10 service bulletins on the power tops.

Where is the DIY???

Do a quick search as there is a link to the DIY. ANPMECH - Possibility of posting the Service Bulletins? Thanks. As a preventive measure, I used a horse hair brush on the top at leats few times per week and before washing the car.

Where is the DIY???

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63033

ttt

for that price i would leave the top down and buy a hardtop... but thats just me

for that price i would leave the top down and buy a hardtop... but thats just me

my soft top still works but i stil say buy a hard top.

As an addition to this post I just got the new issue of Bimmer magazine and it has the Z3 / Z4 market update report. It has awsome info as evey issue does. They do mention on the older Z4's there are no less than 10 service bulletins on the power tops.

How old is considered older?

Had to replace my top-$2400 was the quote-Cape Cod price.....tried to tell me I drove the car in the rain with the top down.....Morons. Got it covered by the warranty after talking to BMW of NA.....Motor had no rust on it after they pulled it,it was a unknown hydraulic failure......Good Luck

where is the motor exactly and how can we check and see if its got water damage?

Was the $3500 quoted from a dealer, maybe a non dealer mechanic can do it for cheaper.

Had to replace my top-$2400 was the quote-Cape Cod price.....tried to tell me I drove the car in the rain with the top down.....Morons. Got it covered by the warranty after talking to BMW of NA.....Motor had no rust on it after they pulled it,it was a unknown hydraulic failure......Good Luck


:lol

Had to replace my top-$2400 was the quote-Cape Cod price.....tried to tell me I drove the car in the rain with the top down.....Morons. Got it covered by the warranty after talking to BMW of NA.....Motor had no rust on it after they pulled it,it was a unknown hydraulic failure......Good Luck

Where on the Cape?

Had to replace my top-$2400 was the quote-Cape Cod price.....tried to tell me I drove the car in the rain with the top down.....Morons. Got it covered by the warranty after talking to BMW of NA.....Motor had no rust on it after they pulled it,it was a unknown hydraulic failure......Good Luck

Can you tell me who you talked to at BMW NA? Both my dealer at the friendly folks at BMW are telling me that the hydraulic motor is not covered under BMW CPO. They claim that its water damaged as well, and therefore is an "act of nature" and not their problem. The car has 26,000 miles (only 7,000 since CPO) and has always been garaged or covered when at home. BS.