Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Z4 sDrive35i Roadster.
The 2009 BMW Z4 sDrive35i Roadster is built on the E89 chassis and is powered by a mid‑engine layout that requires 6.9 qt of oil, paired with an S7 automatic transmission. Its fuel economy is modest for a roadster, achieving 17 mpg city, 24 mpg highway and a combined 20 mpg according to EPA ratings. Owner feedback for this model year shows a relatively low total of 22 complaints, with wheel‑related issues emerging as the most frequent concern and four factory recalls recorded. Consequently, the 2009 iteration sits toward the more dependable end of the Z4’s reliability spectrum, suggesting a solid choice for researchers examining the model’s long‑term durability.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 760 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11428683168. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
| Engine oil filter | 11428683168 alt 11427953129 |
| Engine air filter | 13717582908 alt 13717556961 |
| Fuel filter | 16117168284 |
| Spark plug | 12122158253 alt 12120037244 |
| Battery | 61217598775 |
| Front wiper blades | 61612151749 |
| Thermostat | 11537549476 |
| Cabin air filter | 64319195194 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S7) |
| Overall length | 166.9 in |
| Overall width | 70.5 in |
| Overall height | 50.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 98.4 in |
| Curb weight | 3263 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 59.8 / 60.6 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 52/48 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 17 / 24 / 20 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 88 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 2.1 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | SYNTHETIC |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 6.9 qt |
| Manual Transmission Fluid | BMW MTF part number 83227533818 |
| Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.4 |
| Power Steering Fluid | Use Pentosin CHF 11S |
| Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts | 18 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | AT: 92 ft-lbs, MT: 89 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 11 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 15 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 11 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 184 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.26-1.90 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 4.70-6.00 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 48 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 760 cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 94R |
| Pressure Test | 29 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 26-30 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 207 °F |
| Engine Compression | 130-261 PSI. 29 maximum variation. psi |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81 ft-lbs |
| Brake Application | WITH 15.11 ROTOR |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | WAF7: 22 ft-lbs, WAF13: 26 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 0.945 in / 0.787 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 0.945 in / 0.787 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.882 in / 0.724 in |
| 1 | 15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 137 | 15 ft. lbs |
Prep Do not reuse old bolts
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | Bolts 1-10 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 4 | 45 degrees | 45 degrees |
Prep Do not reuse old bolts
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | Bolts 1-10 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 4 | 45 degrees | 45 degrees |
| 1 | 15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 70 | 15 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 45,000 mi.
| Every 45,000 mi | Spark Plugs (replace) |
| Every 100,000 mi | Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) |
| At 150,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Owner complaints about the 2009 BMW Z4 sDrive35i Roadster dominate in one area — the wheels, 10 of 22 reports (45%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 4 recall campaigns target the wheels, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 1 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the wheels pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.
All 22 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification…
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013…
Showing 5 of 138 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B510819 | 2024-01-16 | Electrical System | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
| B611305 | 2024-01-11 | Electrical System | The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process… |
| B662419 | 2022-09-01 | Equipment | Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible… |
| B011321 | 2021-05-01 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT: N54/N54T/N55 ELECTRIC ENGINE COOLANT PUMP . With the court's… |
| B840121 | 2021-05-01 | Equipment | TELEMATICS UNIT DEACTIVATION DUE TO 3G CELLULAR TECHNOLOGY DISCONTINUATION: The… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Interactive fuse-box and wiring references for this vehicle, searchable by circuit.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
6.9 qt of USE ONLY BMW HIGH PERFORMANCE SYNTHETIC MOTOR OIL BMW PART NO. 07510009420 OR EQUIVALENT, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined mpg.