Page 6 of 187

6n
For your own safety
Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels
containing up to and including
10% ethanol or other oxygenates with
up to 2.8% oxygen by weight (i.e.
15% MTBE or 3% methanol plus an
equivalent amount of co-solvent) will
not void the applicable warranties
respecting defects in materials or work-
manship. Field experience has indi-
cated significant differences in fuel
quality (i.e. volatility, composition or
additives, etc.) among gasolines offered
for sale in the United States and
Canada. The use of poor-quality fuels
may result in driveability, starting and
stalling problems especially under
certain environmental conditions such
as high ambient temperature and high
altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems that you suspect could be related
to the fuel you are using, we recom-
mend that you respond by switching
to a recognized high-quality brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled
maintenance.
Follow the relevant safety rules when
you are handling gasoline.
<
Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine parts
and accessories approved by BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested
and approved by BMW and Original
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire
the assurance that they have been thor-
oughly tested by BMW to ensure
optimum performance when installed
on your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free
from defects in material and workman-
ship.
BMW will not accept any liability for
damage resulting from installation of
parts and accessories not approved
by BMW.
BMW cannot test every product made
by other manufacturers to verify if it can
be used on a BMW safely and without
risk to either the vehicle, its operation,
or its occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories
and other products approved by BMW,
together with professional advice on
using these items, are available from
all BMW centers.
Installation and operation of non-BMW
approved accessories such as alarms,
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,
wheels, suspension components, brake
dust shields, telephones (including
operation of any portable cellular phone
from within the vehicle without using an
externally mounted antenna) or trans-
ceiver equipment (such as CB, walkie-
talkie, ham radio or similar) may cause
extensive damage to the vehicle,
compromise its safety, interfere with
the vehicle's electrical system or affect
the validity of the BMW Limited
Warranty. Consult your BMW center for
additional information.
<
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of the emission control
devices and systems may be performed
by any automotive repair establishment
or individual using any certified auto-
motive part.
<
Symbol on vehicle parts
Indicates that you should consult
the relevant section of this Owner's
Manual for information on a particular
part or assembly.
For your own safety
Page 12 of 187
Contents
Owner service procedures
Advanced technology
Technical data
Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit136
Windshield wiper blades136
Lamps and bulbs137
Master key with battery
lamp143
Remote control144
Wheel change146
Battery153
Fuses156
In case of electrical
malfunction:
Power convertible top157
Fuel filler door157
Assistance, giving and
receiving:
Jump-starting158
Towing the vehicle159Adaptive Transmission Control
(ATC)164
Airbags164
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC)165
Car radio reception166
Safety belt tensioner166Engine specifications170
Dimensions171
Weights172
Capacities173
Electrical system174
Drive belts174
Page 50 of 187
50n
Seat adjustment Mirrors Backrest anglePull the lever and apply or remove
weight as required.
Read and comply with the adjust-
ment instructions on page 49.
Failure to do so can result in diminished
personal safety.< 367de076
Head restraintsThe head restraints are integrated into
the backrests.
Head restraints reduce the risk of spinal
injury in the event of an accident.
Exterior mirrorsMake adjustments with the large, four-
directional mirror switch.
Change to the other rearview mirror
with the smaller switch:
>Push the switch up Ð mirror on the
driver's side
>Push the switch down Ð mirror on the
passenger's side.
You can also adjust the mirrors manu-
ally by pressing against the outer edges
of their lenses.365de030
Page 94 of 187

94n
Cargo loadingStowing cargoIf you are transporting cargo in your
coupe:
>Load heavy cargo as far forward as
possible Ð directly behind the
luggage compartment partition Ð and
as low as possible
>Cover sharp edges and corners
>Do not pile objects higher than the
top edge of the backrest
>Pull the partition net
* out (refer to
page 93). Be sure that no items are
able to penetrate the partition net.
367de702
Z3 cou
pe
Securing cargoFor securing luggage, you can obtain
load-securing devices
* from your BMW
center. The lashing eyes located in the
luggage compartment serve for
mounting these load-securing devices.
Comply with the information enclosed
with the load-securing devices.
367de627
Z3 cou
pe
Always position and secure the
cargo correctly. If you do not, it
can endanger the passengers during
braking or evasive maneuvers, for
example.
Do not exceed the approved gross
vehicle weight or the specified
maximum axle loads (refer to
page 172), otherwise the vehicle's
operating safety is no longer assured
and you are in violation of the law.
Do not carry hard or heavy objects
unsecured in the passenger compart-
ment. If you do so, they may be
projected through the air during braking
and evasive maneuvers, for example,
thus endangering vehicle occupants.<
Page 95 of 187

95n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Roof-mounted luggage rackA special roof-rack system is available
for your coupe as an optional acces-
sory. Please comply with the precau-
tions included with the installation
instructions.
Roof-mounted luggage racks raise the
center of gravity of the vehicle when
they are loaded. For this reason, they
have a major effect on the vehicle's
handling and steering response.
You should therefore always remember
not to exceed the approved roof load
capacity, the approved gross vehicle
weight or the axle loads when loading
the rack. You will find the specifications
for this under "Technical Data" on
page 172.
Make sure that the load is not too large
in size, and distribute it evenly. Always
load the heaviest pieces first (on the
bottom). Be sure that adequate clear-
ance is maintained for raising the
sunroof, and that objects do not project
into the opening path of the luggage
compartment lid.Secure the roof luggage correctly
and securely to prevent it from
shifting or being lost during driving
(danger to following traffic).<
Drive smoothly and avoid sudden
acceleration and braking. Do not corner
at high speeds.
Page 149 of 187

149n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Wheel changePull the lifting handle up until the spare
wheel tray is lifted slightly. At the same
time, compress the locking spring
(arrow). This releases the spare wheel
(weight: approx. 8.8 lbs/4 kg). The
spare wheel must then be held with the
lifting handle.
Using the lifting handle, lower the spare
wheel bracket with storage tray and
spare wheel and place it on the ground.
Do not put your feet beneath the
rear of the vehicle because the
spare wheel could fall as it is being
lowered.< 367de270
Pull the storage tray with the spare
wheel completely out of the spare
wheel bracket toward the rear.367de276
Lift the spare wheel at the front. Lay it
down toward the rear next to the
storage tray and with the valve facing
upward. Quickly unscrew the valve
extension from the valve of the spare
wheel. Unscrew the valve cap from the
storage tray and mount it on the spare
wheel.
When the valve extension is
screwed onto or off of the spare
wheel, you may hear a brief hissing as
air escapes.<
The procedure for removing the spare
wheel is also illustrated with picto-
graphs located on the floor mat of the
luggage compartment.367de277
Page 169 of 187
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
169n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Engine specifications170
Dimensions171
Weights172
Capacities173
Electrical system174
Drive belts174
Data
Page 172 of 187
172n
Weights
Z3 roadster 2.5i Z3 roadster 3.0i Z3 coupŽ 3.0i
Curb weight (with one person, ready for operation, full tank of fuel, options not included)
with manual transmission
with automatic transmissionlbs (kg)
lbs (kg)2,899 (1,315)
2,987 (1,355)2,910 (1,320)
2,998 (1,360)2,943 (1,335)
3,031 (1,375)
Approved gross vehicle weight
with manual transmission
with automatic transmissionlbs (kg)
lbs (kg)3,450 (1,565)
3,538 (1,605)3,461 (1,570)
3,549 (1,610)3,494 (1,585)
3,582 (1,625)
Approved front axle load lbs (kg) 1,852 (840) 1,852 (840) 1,830 (830)
Approved rear axle load lbs (kg) 1,918 (870) 1,918 (870) 1,918 (870)
Approved roof load capacity lbs (kg) 77 (35) 77 (35) 110 (50)
Luggage compartment capacity cu ft (liters) 5.8 (165) 5.8 (165) 7.2 - 14.3 (205 - 405)