MajorCommonElectrical

BMW Z4: Electric power steering column failure (E85/E86)

Electric power steering column failure (E85/E86) is a common electrical fault on the BMW Z4 on the 2003–2008 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $900 to $4,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 10 documented faults on the BMW Z4.

Vehicle: BMW Z4
Years: 2003–2008
Fuel: petrol
System: Electrical

This page covers the BMW Z4 as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All BMW Z4 faults10 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Steering rack yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The E85 Z4's column-mounted electric power steering motor is a notorious failure: the steering suddenly goes very heavy, the EPS warning lights, and often the column stops communicating with diagnostics entirely. Failures can be intermittent at first, which makes them easy for a seller to shrug off. Repair options are a refurbished column/motor or an expensive new unit, so verify it on the test drive.

What you would notice

Steering suddenly heavy, especially at parking speeds
Power steering warning light
Steering assist cuts in and out
Notchy or sticky self-centring

How to check it

Where to look. Steering column behind the dashboard

From a cold start, turn lock-to-lock at parking speed and feel for heaviness, stickiness or uneven assist.
Watch the cluster for a steering warning light.
Ask the seller directly whether assist has ever cut out.

Parts involved: Steering rack.

What it costs to put right

$900 to $4,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Has the power steering ever failed or gone heavy?”
“Has the steering column or its motor been replaced or refurbished?”

Now check the BMW Z4 you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

BMW Z4 buyer questions

Is electric power steering column failure (e85/e86) serious on a BMW Z4?

We rate it major and common on the BMW Z4. The E85 Z4's column-mounted electric power steering motor is a notorious failure: the steering suddenly goes very heavy, the EPS warning lights, and often the column stops communicating with diagnostics entirely. Failures can be intermittent at first, which makes them easy for a seller to shrug off. Repair options are a refurbished column/motor or an expensive new unit, so verify it on the test drive.

How much does it cost to fix on a BMW Z4?

$900 to $4,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which BMW Z4 years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2003–2008 BMW Z4. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

From a cold start, turn lock-to-lock at parking speed and feel for heaviness, stickiness or uneven assist. Watch the cluster for a steering warning light. Ask the seller directly whether assist has ever cut out. Look here: Steering column behind the dashboard