Selling a junk or non-running BMW Z4

If your Z4 has a steering problem, a dead engine or years of sitting behind it, you can sell the whole car as it sits. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

Z4 problems by era

Z4 owners filed these with NHTSA, and the tally ends October 10, 2026, so a late-model roadster has had little road time to draw any. Vehicle figures on recalls cover entire campaigns, which nearly always include other BMWs.

The early roadsters: model years 2002-2008

Wikipedia says the Z4 was larger than the Z3 it followed, with a much stiffer chassis, and came only as a roadster until a coupe arrived in 2006. The last model was built at BMW's Spartanburg plant on August 27, 2008. Model years 2002 to 2008 hold 1,162 complaints, almost all of the Z4's total.

Steering dominates. It is the top category on the 2003 (333 of 414), 2004 (369 of 411), 2005 (170 of 190) and 2006 (55 of 91). Air bags come second each of those years, far behind. None of the Z4 recall campaigns we reviewed covers the steering.

The recalls that do cover these cars are elsewhere. Recall 04V182 added a resistor to the fuel pump circuit on 2003-2004 cars, because vapor lock in the pump could stall the engine and keep it from restarting for a while. The 2006 Z4 3.0i and 3.0si share the PCV valve heater recall 19V273, expanded later under 22V119. The 2006 and 2007 each have one complaint that reports a death.

Model years 2009-2016

Complaints fall off sharply: 106 across these eight years. The 2009 leads with wheels (10), and the 2011 has 46 complaints spread across steering (11), engine (9) and wheels (7).

The 2011 Z4 sDrive35i is covered by recall 17V067, which inspects the rear driveshaft CV joint and replaces it depending on production date. VANOS housing bolts were replaced under 14V176 for 2010-2011 cars, and the battery cable connector under 13V044 for 2009-2011. Later, recall 14V627 added a camshaft seal locking ring on 2012-2014 cars, and 24V608 checks the water pump connector on the 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i.

The G29: model years 2019 on

Wikipedia says the G29 Z4 shares its platform with the J29 Toyota Supra and was built in the same plant in Austria. Owners have filed just 14 complaints on 2019-2025 cars, but recall campaigns run 5 to 6 a year on 2019-2021.

Several are shared with the Supra. Recall 20V516 corrected headlamp adjustment on 2019-2020 cars. Recall 21V598 updated engine software on the 2019-2021 Z4 M40i. Recall 25V636 asks owners of 2019-2022 Z4s to park in the open, away from structures, pending a new starter. Campaign 26V056 also swaps the starter, on 2021-2022 cars.

Z4 complaints and recalls by model year

Years with no complaints in NHTSA's file are left out. A multi-year recall counts in every year it covers.

Is it worth fixing?

Begin by checking the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup. Dealers do recall work free, and a stalling 2003-2004 or a G29 with the starter campaign open may only need that.

A steering or engine repair on an early Z4 is a different question. Get the quote in writing and hold it next to what the same Z4 sells for in running order. If the repair takes most of that, repairs cost more than it is worth explains the choice. If the roadster hasn't moved in years, sitting for years covers that case.

Selling the Z4 whole

1. Have the details handy: VIN, odometer, the fault, and whether the front wheels turn.
2. Get an offer online or by calling (877) 421-6008.
3. Tell us the spot: garage, carport, storage unit or curb. Mention a flat tire, a torn top or a low-clearance spot. Pickup is free anywhere in the US.
4. Leave it complete. Keep the wheels, top and converter on, and tell us if anything is already gone.
5. When the Z4 is loaded, sign the title, show ID and hand the driver its keys. Plate rules by state are in after you sell.

Missing the title? Start with selling with no title. Other BMW two-seaters: the Z3 and Z8, or see every BMW.