BMW Z3 FAQ

Used BMW Z3

Question: I own a bmw z3 1.9 1997 and just aquired some wheels from the z3 2.8
but i notice the rear wheels are 17" 8.5J
will the rears fit ok?

Answer: Try using http://www.tirerack.com and match up the numbers or you could call a BMW dealer too.

Question: 2001 BMW Z3-2.5i OWNERS MANUAL?
Hi,
Where can I find BMW-Z3 2.5i owners manual in PDF format. I brought used one, but it is missing the manual.

Answer: Go to BMWUSA.com and signin to the owner's circle, you should be able to download it from there.

Question: Bmw z3 radio code?
I need to know the proceedure to enter the radio code on my BMW Z3. BMW business CD

Answer: lets say this is the code 42137
presset number :
1 press 4 times
2 press 2 times
3 press 1 time
4 press 3 times
5 press 7 times

Question: Is a BMW Z3 a girly car???
I want to get one for college, this one to be exact: http://www.automotive.com/2001/65/bmw/z3/base/alabama/mobile/18317481/2/index.html?index=0 and I want to know if it is too girly? If so what convertible is not girly?

Answer: Girly car? Not if you're one of Arnold's "girly men". LOL!

Seriously, cars that tend to be liked/driven by women are things like VW Beetle, Toyota Celica...etc

But then again, there're women who swear by their pickup truck!

I think the Z3 is a great BMW, and in my opinion, nicer looking than the Z4. I can't explain it, it's just the design. But I don't feel neither are necessarily "girly cars" just because they are small roadsters. Here's why...

People who buy the Z3/Z4 are people who love to drive and feel the road; these cars give a firmer ride than other cars. The steering wheel gives excellent feedback and feels heavier than most cars. The exhaust notes are also tuned to give a throatier sound (I know at least in the Z4).

Women generally (and I'm making a general statement of course) prefer a softer more comfortable riding car if they can afford it. So for the price of a Z3 3.0 back then (2001 @ $38,545 base MSRP), the car that is at the same price range that is probably more favored by the ladies (but not necessarily "girly") could be an RX300, Mercedes-Benz C class, Infinity I30, and many other choices. But there're of course exceptions... and those are the kind of women I like!

If you're worried about this, dress the car up with a nice set of 18" wheels, M-kit and you should be all set.

Question: Bmw z3 and airfilter mod?
I have a BMW Z3 1997 1.9, I have seen a very popular modification which you can do to the air filter, basically its another inlet pipe to let more air in.
I noticed there sensors in the airbox which i would think measures the amount of air which enters.... if i made this modification would it damage my engine in any way?

Answer: The most popular mod of this kind is to install an aftermarket CAI (cold air intake). K&N type cone filters increase air volume dramatically over the original air box and as you probably know more airflow = more combustion = more HP. However, the consensus it that unless you shield the filter from the engine heat, your purpose is defeated so there are lots of aftermarket systems that incorportate an insulated shield or box with the cone filter. I drive a 318i with a mass airflow sensor that won't benefit from the modification but I've read that your '97 Z3 can.

Question: BMW z3 Maintenance costs and Gas effeciency???
I am looking into buying a 2000 Z3. What arer typical maintenance costs for this car (i.e. tune-up, oil change, brakes, tires, etc.) Also, do you haveto take it to the BMW dealer to get an oil change or will a local jiffy lube do it?

Is the car good on gas effeciency?

Thanks so much.... If there are any drivers out there.... please let me know the upsides and downsides of the car...

Answer: Look it over well before you get it, because it may have been driven hard already. You're gonna love it I'm sure, and as per German engineering it will run well for you. Parts (if they do break) might be a bit more expensive than normal car parts.

Anybody can probably change the oil/tires/brakes for you (including you in the driveway if you want)

As far as mileage it will go down as the driving experience goes up:
1.9 will get you up to 38 mpg HW
2.2 and the 3.0 will still get you 32 mpg HW

city mileage will range from around 20 mpg in the 1.9 to like 17 mpg in the 3.0

Your biggest expense is going to be the tires you go through driving such a fun vehicle.

So hopefully this info will help you decide.

Question: BMW Z3 keyless system reset procedure?
I bought a second hand 1999 BMW Z3 car and had to change the battery. This made the keyless system forgetting about my remote key. I know there is a fancy procedure to reset the whole thing. The car didn’t come with manuals so, I don’t have this information. Can anybody help me with this?

Answer: The following link has instructions on how to reprogram a key. I don't know if it will work with your car though. The procedures are for a e46.

Question: Is BMW z3 a good choice?
Unfortunately, BMW doesn't manufacture any new z3 cars at the moment...and I think z4 is uglier than z3...and why gettin a new z4 when for the same money you can get Porsche???

Answer: I don't like the looks of the Porsche compared to the BMW. Z3 or Z4 are both better looking than the Porsche. The Porsche is for the balding guy with the small penis. The BMW has class and dosen't have those gaudy frog eyes and no the z4 isnt uglier than the z3. The z4 outperforms the z3 and is better looking.

Question: Can i put a non bmw battery in an 1997 bmw z3?
i have a 1997 bmw z3 and it has a bmw "old fashioned" looking battery with the water holes, etc. I want to put a more higher performance optima or the like because i have stereo amps and other accessories. ive read on some bmw sites that you have to put a bmw battery in it because they are different, is that true? or are they just trying to get you to spend more money?

Answer: If you can find one the right size with the same terminal placement, sure, why not. but it's not going to help run a lot of accessories. For that you need more output from the alternator. That might be a little tougher.

Question: Why doesn't a BMW Z3 have a dip stick for the transmission?
2000 BMW Z3 2.3, where can I look to see the tranny fluid level? Thanks Vaughn for answering my keyless entry won't work question. I'll try those idea's asap, no stereo work. The courtesy light by the rear view mirror when in the center position won't shut off. So it must be a switch like you said-Hood,door,trunk.

Answer: In mid 90s, BMW decided to move to new long life transmission fluid in order to maximize the first owner satisfaction. The idea is to extend the life of all the components as long as possible so that the first owner (person who actually buy and pay for the car new) don't ever have to service it. Usually that means first 100K miles of service.

Your transmission is filled with life fluid, that you should not have to change it for first 100K miles. some early version use long life fluid that has life of 70K miles. Since you never have to change it, there is no point of having a dip stick as long as it does not leak.

All that comes down to politics. Best for your car is to change transmission oil as frquently as possible. but because BMW wants to make first owners happy, they come up with this crap that is not good for the car.

If you have a leak or must check the transmission fluid level, there are two holes provided by ZF transmission. One is drain hole, and another one is fill hole. Specification says you warm up your transmission to normal operating system and open the fill hole and stick your finger in to feel the level of the fluid. The fluid level should be right below the fill hole. The fill hold should be located at right side of transmission and drain hole should be at the bottom of the transmission.

Question: Thinking of buying a BMW Z3 Roaster - Is it a good car?
I fell in love with the BMW Z3 when I was about 10 years old when I saw it in the movie GoldenEye, and I've always had it on my "buy list." But if I buy a 1997 -2000 Roaster for $6,000-$10,000, am I throwing my money away on a car that is going to break down in 2 years?

Answer: Despite common belief, european cars in general are more reliable than american cars but are less reliable than Asian. The BMW Z3 and Z4 have a pretty good track record except for the fact that they suffer from engine cooling problems. So, if you live in a hot southern state like Arizona, Texas or New Mexico, I would stay away from it. Also, no matter what car you buy, with time and milage they will need extra maintanace and repairs, and BMW parts and labor can be pricy. A good alternative is the Honda S2000. Stay clear from year models 2000 and 2003. They had trany problems.

Question: My BMW z3 started to overheat in traffic. I turned on the heater and it was fine? Can I still drive the car?
My 98 BMW z3 started to overheat last night in traffic. I turned the heat on and the temp immediately went back to normal. I drove it a few hours later (in no traffic) and it was fine. I had the radiator replaced last year, but now i'm afraid to drive it to work or to the shop which is far and expensive. Is this just a fluke? Is it safe to drive for awhile until I can take it to the shop?

Answer: Turning the heater on cools down the radiator. You check 3 of those really easy to see if thats the problem. Look at the hose that runs from the radiator to the engine...if its connected and no cuts in it, its fine.
If the fan that is against the radiator is not working, it wont spin when the engine is running(very easy to see)
checking radiator fluid is pretty easy, I dont think i have to tell you how to do that.
But chances are its the thermostat. The part depending on what type of Z3 you have will run you from anywhere from 30 to 65 dollars and if you take it to the dealership add another 200 for labor. Consult your BMW manual and it should tell you how to change it, its really not that hard.

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