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The Ultimate
Driving Machine
Owner's Manual
for Vehicle
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Z4 2.5i
Z4 3.0iCongratulations, and thank you for choosing a BMW.
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with
enhanced control and security when you drive it. Therefore, we
have one request:
Please take the time to read this Owner's Manual and familiarize
yourself with the information that we have compiled for you
before starting off in your new BMW. The manual contains
important data and instructions intended to assist you in obtain-
ing maximum satisfaction from your BMW's unique array of
advanced technical features. It also contains information on vehi-
cle maintenance designed to enhance operating safety while
simultaneously helping you to maintain your BMW's value
throughout an extended service life. For additional information
refer to the supplemental manuals.
This Owner's Manual should be considered a permanent part of
this vehicle. It should stay with the vehicle when sold to provide
the next owner with important operating, safety and maintenance
information.
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW AG
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© 2004 Bayerische Motoren Werke
Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the
written consent of BMW AG, Munich.
Order No. 01 41 0 158 704
US English IX/04
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper,
bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling.
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Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Contents
The fastest way to find information on special
topics is by using the index starting on
page106.
Using this Owner's Manual
4Notes
At a glance
10Cockpit
Controls
16Opening and closing
27Adjustments
33Transporting children safely
36Driving
46Everything under control
50Technology for safety and driving
convenience
56Lamps
58Controlling the climate for pleasant
driving
64Interior conveniences
Driving tips
68Special operating instructions
Mobility
76Refueling
78Wheels and tires
84In the engine compartment
89Maintenance
91Replacement procedures
96Giving and receiving assistance
Reference
102Technical data
106Everything from A to Z
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Notes
4
Notes
About this Owner's Manual
We have made every effort to ensure that you
are able to find what you need in this Owner's
Manual as quickly as possible. The fastest way
to find certain topics is by using the detailed
index at the end. If you wish to gain an initial
overview of your vehicle, you will find what you
are looking for in the first chapter.
Should you sell your BMW at some time in the
future, please remember to pass the Owner's
Manual on to the new owner. The manual repre-
sents an important component of the vehicle.
Additional sources of information
If you have additional questions, your BMW
center will be glad to advise you.
You can find more information about BMW, for
example on its technology, on the Internet
under www.bmw.com.
Symbols used
Indicates precautions that must be fol-
lowed precisely in order to avoid the pos-
sibility of personal injury and serious damage to
the vehicle.
Indicates information that will assist you
in gaining the optimum benefit from your
vehicle and enable you to care more effectively
for your vehicle.
Refers to measures that can be taken to
help protect the environment.
< Marks the end of a specific item of informa-
tion.
* Indicates special equipment, country-specific
equipment and optional extras, as well as
equipment and functions not yet available at the
time of printing.
Vehicle Memory, Key Memory, refer to
page31. Identifies functions that can be
specifically adapted for a particular key or vehi-
cle. These adjustments can be performed by
your BMW center.
Symbol on vehicle parts
Indicates that you should consult the rel-
evant section of this Owner's Manual for
information on a particular part or assembly.
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Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
5
Your individual vehicle
O n b u y i n g y o u r B M W , y o u h a v e d e c i d e d i n f a v o r
of a model with individualized equipment and
features. This Owner's Manual describes all
models and equipment that BMW offers within
the same group.
We hope you will understand that equipment
and features are included which you might not
have chosen for your vehicle. Any differences
can easily be identified since all optional acces-
sories and special equipment are marked with
an asterisk
*.
If your BMW features equipment not described
in this Owner's Manual, please observe the
enclosed supplementary Owner's Manuals.
Status at time of printing
BMW pursues a policy of continuous, ongoing
development that is conceived to ensure that
our vehicles continue to embody the highest
quality and safety standards combined with
advanced, state-of-the-art technology. In
exceptional cases, the features described in
this Owner's Manual could therefore differ from
those on your vehicle.
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Notes
6
For your own safety
Maintenance and repair
Advanced technology, e. g. the use of
modern materials and high-performance
electronics, requires specially adapted mainte-
nance and repair methods. Therefore, only have
corresponding work on your BMW carried out
by a BMW center or a workshop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. If work is car-
ried out improperly there is a danger of conse-
quential damage and the related safety risks.<
California Proposition 65 warning
California laws require us to state the following
warning:
Engine exhaust and a wide variety of
automobile components and parts,
including components found in the interior fur-
nishings in a vehicle, contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer
and birth defects and reproductive harm. In
addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles and
certain products of component wear contain or
emit chemicals known to the State of CA to
cause cancer and birth defects or other repro-
ductive harm.
Battery posts, terminals and related accesso-
ries contain lead and lead compounds. Batter-
ies also contain other chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer. Wash your
hands after handling.
Used engine oil contains chemicals that have
caused cancer in laboratory animals. Always
protect your skin by washing thoroughly with
soap and water.<
Parts and accessories
For your own safety, use parts and acces-
sories 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 thoroughly tested by BMW to ensure
optimum performance when installed on your
vehicle. BMW warrants these parts to be free from
defects in material and workmanship.
BMW will not accept any liability for damage
resulting from installation of parts and accesso-
ries 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 vehi-
cle, 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 retailers.
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 transceiver
equipment, e.g. C.B., 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. See your
BMW center for additional information.
Do not use key or remote control to lock doors
or trunk with anyone inside the vehicle. Refer to
the Owner's Manual for more details.<
Maintenance, replacement or repair of
the emission control devices and sys-
tems may be performed by any automotive
repair establishment or individual using any cer-
tified automotive part.<