
38n
Alarm systemThe conceptThe vehicle alarm system responds
>when a door, the hood or the luggage
compartment lid is opened
>to movement inside the vehicle
(interior motion sensor)
>to variations in the vehicle's tilt angle
such as those occurring during
attempts to steal the wheels or tow
the vehicle
>to interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to attempts of
unauthorized vehicle incursion and theft
by simultaneously activating the
following
>an alarm sounds for 30 seconds
>the hazard warning flashers are acti-
vated for approx. five minutes
>the high beams flash on and off in the
same rhythm.
To activate and deactivate the
alarm systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked
via a door lock or with the remote
control, the alarm system is also simul-
taneously armed or disarmed.
The interior motion sensor and tilt alarm
sensor are activated approx.
30 seconds after you have finished
locking the vehicle.
The system indicates that it has been
correctly armed by switching on the
hazard warning flashers for a single
cycle and by emitting an acoustic
signal.
You can select the individual
confirmation signal used to indi-
cate that the alarm system has been
armed or disarmed.<
Indicator lamp displaysThe indicator lamp is located in the
inside rear view mirror's rotary knob.
>The indicator lamp flashes continu-
ously: the system is armed>The indicator lamp ßashes during
arming: a door, the hood or luggage
compartment lid is not completely
closed. Even if you do not respond by
securing the affected area, the system
starts to monitor all other points and
the indicator lamp reverts to contin-
uous, uninterrupted operation once
ten seconds have elapsed. The interior
motion sensor remains off>The indicator lamp goes out during
disarming: no manipulation or
attempted intrusions have been
detected in the period since the
system was armed520de014

40n
Electric power windowsTo open and close the windowsFrom ignition key position 1:
>Depress the rocker switch 1 until you
feel resistance:
The window remains in motion for as
long as you maintain pressure on the
switch.
>Briefly press rocker switch 1 to just
beyond the initial point of resistance
(one-touch mode):
The window automatically remains in
motion until it reaches the end of its
travel. Briefly press the switch a
second time to stop the window.
The one-touch mode cannot be
used to close the passenger-side
window.<520de015
Use switch 2 to select the window you
wish to open or close:
>Driver's window
Push the switch all the way to the left
>Passenger-side window
Push the switch all the way to the
right
>To activate both windows at the
same time:
Move the switch to the center posi-
tion.
The switch on the passenger-side door
activates the window for that side only.
After the ignition has been switched off:
Provided that no door is opened in the
intervening period, the electric power
windows remain available for operation
for up to 15 minutes. Because the power windows are
sealed at high pressure to prevent
wind noise when closed, a powerful
motor is required for efficient closing.
When closing the windows, always
ensure that they are not obstructed in
any way. Unsupervised use of these
systems can result in serious personal
injury. Remove the ignition key to deac-
tivate the electric power windows
whenever you leave the vehicle. Never
leave the keys in the vehicle with unsu-
pervised children.
Never place anything that could
obstruct the driver's vision on or next to
the windows.<
To use the convenience mode via the
door lock or the remote control, refer to
page 32 or 34.

48n
Mirrors Car Memory, Key MemoryInterior rearview mirror with
automatic dimmer This mirror automatically responds to
ambient light and headlight glare from
following vehicles by dimming through
an infinitely variable range. The
dimming function is regulated by two
photocells; one is integrated in the
mirror's frame (arrow), while the other is
located at an offset position on the rear
of the mirror. 520de019
The mirror switches to its clear,
undimmed mode whenever you shift
into reverse.
To ensure that the photocells continue
to operate effectively, make certain that
their surfaces remain clear, and refrain
from allowing objects of any kind
(including windshield stickers) to
obstruct the area between the photocell
and the windshield.
For a more detailed explanation of the
electrochromatic technology used in
this mirror, please refer to page 150.
The conceptNo doubt you have reflected at one
time or another on how great it would
be if you could permanently configure
your car's various features and adjust-
ments to mirror your own individual
preferences. In developing the Z8,
BMW has incorporated a number of
options for personal adjustment that
can be programmed into your car by
your BMW center.
The available configuration data fall into
two categories, according to whether
their primary orientation is the vehicle
("Car Memory") or the individual ("Key
Memory"). Provided that each person
has a separate remote control key, you
can have your BMW center enter
adjustment data for as many as four
different individuals into the system.
The system then relies on a bilateral
data exchange to identify the individual
user and dial in the selected settings
whenever the remote control unit is
used to disengage the door locks.

78n
To open Pull the handle. The lamp comes on.
A drink holder is stored in the glove
compartment.
For further information, refer to page 80.To closeFlip the door up.
To prevent injury in the event of a
crash, close the glove compart-
ment immediately after every use.<520de049
To lockUse one of the master keys. The glove
compartment, the cellular phone holder
and the luggage compartment lid are
now locked.
A master key is also required for
unlocking.
If you turn over only your door and
ignition key for valet parking (refer
to page 30), for example, access to the
glove compartment,
the cellular phone
holder
and
the luggage compartment
is
not possible when the vehicle has been
locked.<
Manual operation(in the event of electrical malfunction)
You can turn the key all the way to the
lock's end positions to engage and
release the glove compartment lock.
For information on the cellular phone
holder and the luggage compartment
lid, please refer to page 140.
In the doorsTo open:
Pull the grab recesses.
To close:
Press cover back into place. 520de051
Glove compartment Storage compartments

79n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Storage compartmentsIn the center consoleTo open:
Flip the cover up (arrow 1) Ð access to
the ashtray and cigarette lighter.
When the glove compartment has been
unlocked, press the button (arrow 2) Ð
cellular phone holder.
To close:
Flip the cover back into place.Manual operation(in the event of electrical malfunction)
For operating
the cellular phone holder
,
refer to page 140.
520de050
Behind the seatsBy way of example, the illustration
shows the storage compartment behind
the driver's seat.
To open:
Unlock by turning the master key all the
way to the left.
The cover will open slightly and can
then be flipped all the way up.
To close:
Press down until you hear it snap into
place. The cover has been locked
again.
If you turn over only your door and
ignition key (refer to page 30) for
valet parking access is impossible.<520de082
Rechargeable flashlight Located in the storage compartment
behind the driver's seat.
Because of overload-protection, the
flashlight can remain in its holder.
Be sure that the flashlight is
switched off when it is inserted
into its holder. Failure to do so could
lead to overcharging and damage.<520de070

92n
Brake system Winter operationBrake pads
The warning lamp for the brake
pads comes on:
The brake pads have reached
their minimum thickness. Proceed to
the nearest BMW center as soon as
possible to have the pads replaced.
For your own safety: use only
brake pads which BMW has
approved for your specific vehicle
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if
they are suited for use, and therefore
cannot ensure the operating safety of
the vehicle if they are installed.<
Winter is often accompanied by rapid
changes in weather, requiring not only
a different driving style, but also certain
preparations to the vehicle itself to
ensure that your progress through the
winter months remains safe and
trouble-free. CoolantBe sure that the coolant mixture
contains the year-round ratio of 50:50
water and antifreeze/corrosion protec-
tion. This mixture provides protection
against freezing down to approx. Ð 34 7
(Ð 37 6). LocksBMW door lock deicer can be used to
free doors if frozen. This deicer also
contains lubricant.
After using the deicer, treatment with
BMW lock cylinder grease is recom-
mended.
Rubber seals and components To prevent the weather-stripping from
freezing, apply a spray-on rubber treat-
ment or silicone spray to the door, hood
and luggage compartment lid seals.
A full range of car care products is
available from your BMW center.
on the rear wheels with approved winter
tires. Always follow the manufacturer's
safety precautions. Do not exceed a
maximum speed of 30 mph (50 km/h).
Do not activate the RDW system while
using snow chains. Malfunction warn-
ings and undetected losses in pressure
are possible when driving with snow
chains.
Starting offWhen starting off in deep snow or when
"rocking" the vehicle to free it, it may be
advisable to temporarily deactivate the
DSC system. Refer to page 65.
To maintain vehicle stability,
always drive with the system
switched on whenever possible.<

141n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Passenger door Closing the convertible top Manual release>Unlock from the inside and open (pull
on the door handle twice; refer to
page 36)
>Moving the lever of the passenger-
side door upward or downward.
Upward: door is always unlocked.
Downward: door is always locked,
but can be opened from inside.520de147
Manual operation
You can close the convertible top
manually, but never open it manu-
ally, because this would cause
damage.<
In the event of a malfunction, please
consult your BMW center to have it
corrected.
If you do close the convertible top
manually, please proceed as instructed
in the next column.
1 Take off the oval-shaped cover cap,
using a screwdriver to help you if
necessary
2 Put the long end of the Allen wrench
(from the onboard tool kit) into the
support
3 Unlock the locking retainer by turning
it clockwise all the way to the right,
and pull the Allen wrench out again 520de137

Everything from A to Z
163n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Controls16
Convertible top41
closing in event of
electrical
malfunction140t
manual operation141t
Coolant111, 157
Coolant temperature
gauge63
Copyright4
Cornering Brake Control
(CBC)21, 89
Curb weight156
Current check indicator20DDashboard16
Data
dimensions155
engine154
technical154
weights156
Daytime-driving lamp69
DBC (Dynamic Brake
Control)90
Deactivating the tilt sensor
alarm system and interior
motion sensor34
Deep water87
Defrosting the
windows60, 75
Difficult steering20, 94Dimensions155
Dipstick109
Disc brakes90
Displacement154
Display lighting69
Displays18
Disposal
engine oil111
used batteries138t
Door keys30
Door warning lamp, bulb
replacement132t
Doors
emergency
actuation32t
mirrors47
remote control33
unlocking and locking32
DOT Quality Grades99
Draft-free ventilation75
Drink holder78, 80
Drive belts158
Driving in winter92
Driving notes87
DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)22, 65, 149
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)90
Dynamic Performance
Control66
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)22, 65, 149
EElectric defrosting of
mirrors47
Electric power seat45
Electric power windows40
Electrical equipment
failure138t
Electrical failure
convertible top140t
doors32t
fuel filler door140t
luggage
compartment140t
passenger-side
door141t
Electrical system158
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer31
Emergency operation
convertible top140t
doors32t
fuel filler door140t
luggage
compartment140t
passenger-side
door141t
Engine
coolant111, 157
data154
output154
speed154
starting56
switching off56Engine compartment106
Engine oil109
add109t
consumption109
filling capacity157
filter change157
pressure indicator
lamp20
quality110
specifications110
viscosity110
Engine oil level21
check109
Equipment
options and accessories5
Exit lamps, bulb
replacement132t
Exterior finish117
Exterior mirrors47
FFailure to start144t
Fault in ABS89
Filler cap cover25
Filling capacities157
Filling the washer
reservoir157
First-aid kit24
Fittings, tow starting and
towing144t
Flashlight79
Flat tire135t