
 
Contents
 
Owner service procedures
Advanced technology
Technical data
 
Replacement procedures:
 
Onboard tool kit130
Windshield wiper blades130
Lamps and bulbs131
Changing a wheel137
Battery138
Fuses140
 
In case of electrical 
malfunction:
 
Fuel filler door142
Luggage compartment lid, 
storage compartment142
Passenger door143
Closing the convertible top143
 
Giving and receiving 
assistance:
 
Jump-starting145
Towing the vehicle146Airbags150
Car radio reception151
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)152
Safety belt tensioner153
Interior rearview mirror with 
automatic dimmer154
Xenon lamps155Engine data158
Dimensions159
Weights160
Capacities161
Electrical system162
Drive belts162 

38n
Luggage compartment lid Alarm systemEmergency release This lever releases the luggage 
compartment lid from the luggage 
compartment's interior.390de792
The 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 occuring 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 arm and disarm 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.< 

43n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
The automatic convertible top4. Press on both left and right sides to 
lock the cover in place 
5. Pull the button to verify that the 
locking mechanism is engaged 
securely.
The cover lock responds by alter-
nately engaging and releasing 
with each successive application of 
pressure.<
Be sure that the cover is properly 
secured on the vehicle. If it is not 
firmly secured, air pressure could 
loosen the cover at higher speeds.<520de038
To remove the cover panelFollow the same steps as for assembly, 
however, in reverse sequence.
After removal, slide the two outside 
ends of the cover under the retaining 
strap, then tilt in the middle and fold 
toward the outside (leather on leather).
After folding the cover, insert it in the 
protective casing for subsequent 
storage in the luggage compartment.520de109
Closing1. Push the switch toward "Close" (2) 
and maintain pressure until the auto-
matic closing process is completed, 
just before the top frame comes to 
rest against the windshield header 
rail.
The side windows automatically 
retract and remain lowered slightly 
for the duration of the closing proce-
dure520de083 

53n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Airbags Transporting children safelyThe illustration shows the correct 
seating position for an older child 
wearing a safety belt with sufficient 
distance between the child and the side 
airbag (arrow).520de116
Before installing any child-
restraint device or child seat, 
please read the following:
Never install a rear-facing child-
restraint system in the passenger seat 
of this vehicle.
If the airbag deploys and hits the back-
rest of the rear-facing child seat, it is 
likely that the child sitting in the rear-
facing child seat will be seriously 
injured or killed.
If it is necessary for a child (not an 
infant) to ride in the vehicle, certain 
precautions should be taken. First, 
move the passenger seat as far away 
from the dashboard as possible. This 
important precaution is intended to 
maximize the distance between the 
airbag and the child. Older children 
should be tightly secured with the 
safety belt. Younger children should be 
secured in an appropriate forward-
facing child-restraint system that has 
first been secured with a safety belt.
In the interest of the child's safety, 
please carefully read and comply with 
the instructions for installation and use 
provided by the child restraint's manu-
facturer whenever you use such a 
device.
Do not allow children to lean out of a 
child-restraint system toward the door 
or dashboard, as otherwise serious 
injuries may result if the airbag deploys. 
Always ensure that all occupants (of all 
ages) remain properly and securely 
restrained at all times.
Read carefully and comply with the 
safety precautions covering safety belts 
on page 50. If you do not, the protec-
tive function of the safety belts will be 
limited.<  

55n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Your vehicle is equipped with an elec-
trically powered steering lock mecha-
nism.To activate the electrical power 
supply and release the steering>Insert key at position 1. The steering 
detent can be heard disengaging. If 
you encounter any resistance when 
turning the key to the right this indi-
cates that the detent is still engaged: 
turn the steering wheel slightly to free 
the mechanism and turn the key. 
The vehicle immobilizer is deacti-
vated
>The sound system and other elec-
trical accessories are available for 
use when the ignition key is in posi-
tion 1 520de023
>Turning the key to position 2 provides 
electrical power to the ignition and all 
remaining electrical systems.
Removing the key The key is removed in position 0. Turn 
the steering wheel to engage the 
steering lock and activate the electronic 
vehicle immobilizer.
With a discharged or discon-
nected battery, the steering 
column will not be locked or unlocked. 
Leaving the key in the ignition uses up a 
minimal amount of power. In order to 
avoid discharging the battery, remove 
the key if the vehicle is to be parked for 
an extended period of time.<
If the steering is locked and the 
battery discharged or discon-
nected, do not tow the vehicle, as it will 
not be possible to turn the steering 
wheel.<
Ignition and steering lock  

73n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Heating and ventilation/Air conditioner1 Air onto the windshield and the side 
windows 
2 Airflow for the upper body
The rotary dials make it possible for 
you to open and close the air supply 
through an infintely-variable range, 
while the levers change the airflow 
direction. Refer to page 75
3 Front footwell ventilation 
4 Air supply
Both the heating and ventilation are 
available from position 1 on. Refer to 
page 74
5 Defrost windows and remove 
condensation75
6 Temperature74
7 Air distribution toward 
>the windows 
>the upper body 
>the footwell 
A infinitely-variable range of inter-
mediate settings is also available. 
Refer to page 74
8 Rear window defroster with the 
hardtop in place75
9 Operating:
>Recirculated air74
>Incoming air74
>Air conditioner/Incoming air74
>Air conditioner/Recirculated air74 

74n
Heating and ventilation/Air conditionerAir supply
You can select blower speeds 
from 1 to 4. The higher the 
setting, the greater the 
amount of heat and air supply. 
In position 0, the blower, heating and 
air conditioner are switched off.
Temperature
In order to increase the inte-
rior temperature, turn to the 
right. For rapid heating, turn 
completely to the right. Then 
select an interior temperature that is 
comfortable for you. 
Air distribution 
You can direct the airflow onto 
the windows  , toward the 
upper body   and into the 
footwell  . You can also 
make all intermediate settings. The 
"6 o'clock" setting is recommended for 
normal conditions (refer also to the 
illustration and overview on page 72).
Recirculated-air mode
If there are unpleasant odors 
in the incoming air, you can 
temporarily block the air 
supply. The system then recir-
culates the air already within the 
vehicle.
If condensation starts to form on 
window surfaces during operation 
in the recirculated-air mode, switch this 
mode off and increase the air supply as 
required, or press the button for 
"Defrosting windows and removing 
condensation".<
Incoming-air mode
Recommended when driving 
with the convertible top down. 
The degree to which the 
passenger compartment is 
heated depends on temperature selec-
tion and air distribution. 
Air conditioner/Incoming-air 
mode
The air is cooled and dehu-
midified and Ð depending on 
the temperature setting Ð 
warmed again when the air 
conditioner is switched on. 
Depending on the weather, the wind-
shield may fog over briefly when the 
engine is started. 
Use the button to switch the air condi-
tioner off at outside temperatures 
below approx. 41 7(5 6). This will 
help to prevent condensation from 
forming on window surfaces.
If the windows fog over after switching 
the air conditioner off, switch it back 
on.
Air conditioner/Recirculated-air 
mode
You may find it useful to acti-
vate both systems to cool the 
vehicle more rapidly after it 
has been parked with the top 
up on a hot day. This setting provides 
the coldest possible airflow from the 
vent outlets (with temperature selection 
switch turned all the way to the left).  

83n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Cargo loadingStowing cargo If you are carrying cargo in the luggage 
compartment of your BMW Z8 roadster:
>Load heavy cargo as far forward as 
possible, directly behind the luggage 
compartment partition
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
If you are stowing cargo behind the 
seats in your BMW Z8 roadster:
>Stow only lightweight objects, such 
as clothing
>Do not pile objects higher than the 
top edge of the backrest.
Do not stow either heavy cargo or 
cargo with sharp edges and 
corners behind the seats, or else they 
could damage the back of the seat or 
the rear trim panel.
Cargo that is too big or unwieldy and 
stowed behind the seats can also 
prevent the seat from locking properly 
into position. Therefore, check to make 
sure that the seat is properly locked 
into place, moving the seat forward if 
necessary. Refer to page 45.
Always position and secure the load 
correctly. If you do not, it can endanger 
vehicle occupants during braking or 
evasive maneuvers.
Do not exceed the approved gross 
weight or the approved axle loads (refer 
to page 160), otherwise the vehicle's 
operating safety is no longer assured 
and you are in violation of the law. 
Make sure to secure heavy or hard 
objects you stow in the passenger area, 
otherwise, these objects could be flung 
about during braking or evasive maneu-
vers and possibly injure vehicle occu-
pants.<