BMW Z Models 2012 News

BMW has issued a safety recall for a total of 2894 cars sold between November 1 2012 and July 31 2013 for a defect that could see a lack of lubrication cause the vacuum pump to fail and reduce the effectiveness of the brake assist function that adds extra force for panic stops.The carmaker says however that the vehicles will still be able to brake under normal circumstances. "They don't lose braking ability, but still lose brake assistance," BMW Australia spokesperson Lenore Fletcher says. The affected vehicles are: the F20 1 Series; F30, F31 and F34 3 Series; F10 and F11 5 Series; E84 X1 compact crossover;  F25 X3 Series and E89 Z4 sports car.Fletcher says there have been no accidents or injuries, but a small number of vehicles have experienced the problem. "There have been about six or seven reports," she says. "We believe that only about 0.5 per cent of the vehicles in the recall will need fixing."An inspection taking less than an hour will determine if a vehicle needs the fix -- which will require up to another five hours. "We'll replace the component, and while parts can sometimes be an issue, ours are being airfreighted from Germany right now," Fletcher says. BMW says concerned owners should contact their nearest BMW service centre, or call 1800 813 299.

BMW has given the Z4 Roadster a modest external freshen up, and added an eight speed auto transmission as standard to four-cylinder variants. In what is the latest in a string of pricing and specification updates for various BMW models, the Z4 refresh doesn’t extend to engine tweaks, but the two turbo-charged four-cylinder variants – the Z4 sDrive20i and Z4 sDrive28i, pick up that eight speed auto as standard. If you prefer to opt for a manual transmission, you will be pleased to hear that BMW won’t charge you any extra for a six-speed manual gearbox. On close inspection you may, or may not, notice the external changes, but they include; LED light rings around the now standard Bi-xenon headlights, new accent lights with metal inserts over the headlights, Chrome coloured surrounds on the turn signal indicators and a newly designed side indicator surround. Inside the cabin BMW has added high-gloss black surrounds around the central air vents and folding control display of the Z4 Roadsters iDrive system. Equipment upgrades include the addition of ‘Professional’ grade navigation system as standard. This system includes a high-resolution 8.8-inch colour display, DVD drive, functional bookmarks, 3D map and arrow display and bird’s-eye view. The Z4 sDrive28i picks up new 18-inch wheels, sports seats, internet functionality and a music interface for smart phones. And the top of the range Z4 sDrive35is receives new 19-inch wheels (up from 18-inch), wind deflector, internet functionality and a music interface for smartphones. BMW Z4 Roadster Australian Pricing: Australian MRLP* BMW Z4 sDrive 20i $79,900 BMW Z4 sDrive 28i $89,900 BMW Z4 sDrive 35i $119,545 Joel Helmes is the editor of the Behind the Wheel radio program, heard on more than 150 stations around Australia, and www.behindthewheel.com.au