BMW 3.0i Roadster (2003 year). Instruction

Maintenance

The BMW Maintenance
System

The BMW Maintenance System has been
designed as a reliable means of providing
maximum driving and operating safety –
and as cost-effectively for you as possible.

Please keep in mind that regular mainte-
nance is not only necessary for the safety
of your vehicle, but also plays a significant
role in maintaining the resale value of your
vehicle.

Service interval display

While conventional systems rely on dis-
tance traveled alone to determine when a
service is due, the BMW Maintenance Sys-
tem has taken the actual conditions under
which the vehicle is operated into consid-
eration for years, because miles can be
traveled in many different ways:
From a maintenance point of view,
62,000 miles / 100,000 km accumulated in
short-distance urban driving are not the
equivalent of the same distance covered at
moderate speeds in long-distance highway
travel.

The BMW Maintenance System includes
the Engine Oil Service and Inspections I
and II.

Determining the maintenance intervals
based on the actual loads on the vehicle
covers every kind of operating situation.
Minimal use drivers, who drive fewer than
6,200 miles / 10,000 km per year, should
nevertheless have the oil changed at least

every 2 years since engine oil deteriorates
over time, regardless of use.

Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models/Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for Canadian
models

For detailed information on required main-
tenance items and the work involved,
please refer to the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models or to the
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models.

Depending on operating conditions, it may
be advisable to have the body checked for
damage from rocks or gravel as a precau-
tion against corrosion.

BMW recommends that you have your
BMW center perform the mainte-

nance and repair.
Check that the maintenance work is
recorded in the Service Manual. These
entries will serve as proof that the vehicle
has received regular maintenance.

Care

Interesting facts about the care of your
vehicle are found in the Caring for your
vehicle brochure.

At a glance

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Driving tips

Mobility

Reference

Laws and regulations

California Proposition 65
warning

California laws require us to state the fol-
lowing warning:

Engine exhaust, some of its constitu-
ents, and certain vehicle components

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 vehi-
cles and certain products of component
wear contain or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Battery posts, terminals and related acces-
sories contain lead and lead compounds.
Wash your hands after handling. Used
engine oil contains chemicals that have
caused cancer in laboratory animals.
Always protect your skin by washing thor-
oughly with soap and water.

OBD interface socket

The Onboard Diagnostic OBD interface
socket is located on the left of the driver's
side behind a specially marked cover
located beneath the instrument panel. The
cover has the letters OBD on it.

This interface makes it possible to access
data on emissions – related components
using special equipment.

If the Service Engine Soon indicator
lamp comes on either continuously
or intermittently, this indicates a

fault in the emissions-related electronic
systems. Although the vehicle remains
operational, you should have the systems
checked by your BMW center at the earli-
est possible opportunity.

The illuminated indicator informs you of the
need for service, not that you need to stop
the vehicle. However, the systems should
be checked by your BMW center at the
next opportunity.

If the indicator blinks or flashes, this indi-
cates a high level of engine misfire. Reduce
speed and contact the nearest BMW center
immediately. Severe engine misfiring over
even a short period of time can seriously
damage emission control system compo-
nents, especially the catalytic converter.

Service Engine Soon
warning lamp for Canadian
models.

If the fuel filler cap is not on tight
enough, the OBD system can detect

leaking vapor and the indicator will light up.
If the fuel filler cap is then tightened, the
indicator will usually go out after a short
period of time.

Replacement procedures

Onboard tool kit

The onboard tool kit is stored in a tool
pouch. It is located in the luggage compart-
ment beneath the floor panel.

Windshield wiper blades

Fold the wiper arm completely out from
the windshield

Position the wiper blade at an angle and
pull the release spring, see arrow

Fold the wiper blade down and unhook
it toward the windshield

Pull the wiper blade past the wiper arm
toward the top

Insert a new wiper blade and apply
pressure until you hear it engage.

Lamps and bulbs

The lamps and bulbs make essential contri-
butions to the safety of your vehicle. There-
fore, comply fully with the following instruc-
tions during bulb replacement. If you are
not familiar with the procedures, BMW rec-
ommends that you have your BMW center
carry out the work.

Do not touch the glass portion of a
new bulb with your bare hands since

even small amounts of impurities burn into
the surface and reduce the service life of
the bulb. Use a clean cloth, paper napkin or
a similar material, or hold the bulb by its
metallic base.

A replacement bulb set is available from
your BMW center.

Before working on the electrical sys-
tem, switch off the electrical acces-

sory you are working on or disconnect the
cable from the negative terminal of the bat-
tery. Failure to observe this precaution
could result in short circuits.
To prevent injuries and damage, always
comply with any instructions provided by
the bulb manufacturer.

Accessing the headlamps

To gain access to the headlamp covers,
turn the front wheels in the required direc-
tion.

At a glance

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Reference

Open the caps with a suitable object –
coin or screwdriver

Flip open the headlamp cover.

Removing the protective cover

Pull the wire clamp out straight, see
arrow

Fold the wire clamp down past the
catches; see arrows

Flip the protective cover open and
remove.

Reinstalling the protective cover

Reinstall the protective cover care-
fully. If the protective cover is not on

tight, the headlamp installation could be
damaged.

Insert the protective cover into the
guides

Check that the protective cover is posi-
tioned correctly

Press the wire clamp past both
catches; see arrow.

Low beams and high beams

Left side of engine compartment:

Low beams

High beams

H7 bulb, 55 watts

The H7 bulb is pressurized. There-
fore, wear safety glasses and protec-

tive gloves. Failure to comply with these
precautions could result in physical injury if
the bulb is damaged.

Turn the bulb holder to the left and pull
out

Remove and replace the bulb

Install in the reverse order.

When cleaning the headlamps,
please observe the instructions in the

Caring for your vehicle brochure.

Xenon lamps

The service life of these bulbs is very long
and the probability of a failure is very low,
provided that they are not switched on and
off an unusual number of times. If one of
these bulbs should nevertheless fail, it is
possible to continue driving with great cau-

Replacement procedures

tion using the fog lamps, provided traffic
laws in your area do not prohibit this.

Because of the extremely high volt-
ages involved, any work on the xenon

lighting system, including bulb-changing,
should be carried out by technically quali-
fied personnel only. Otherwise, there is a
risk of fatal injury.

Front turn signal indicators

21 watt bulb

Insert a screwdriver into the appropri-
ate opening; see arrows

Turn the screwdriver to the left; see
arrows

Use the screwdriver to pull out the
entire bulb holder

Replace the bulb; see arrow

Install in the reverse order.

Side turn signal indicators

5 watt bulb

Turn the lamp to the left and remove

Apply gentle pressure to the bulb while
turning it to the left to remove

Install in the reverse order.

Tail lamps

Tail lamps (

1): 21/4 watt bulbs

Remaining bulbs: 21 watt

Tail lamp/brake lamp, red

Turn signal indicator, yellow

Backup lamp, white

On the right-hand side of the luggage com-
partment:

At a glance

Controls

Driving tips

Mobility

Reference

Remove the cover by turning the lock to
the right; refer to the detail in the illus-
tration

Applying light pressure, turn the bulb to
the left. Remove and exchange the bulb

Reinstall the cover.

Center high-mount brake lamp

The LED strip is in the luggage compart-
ment lid.

Please contact a BMW center in case of a
malfunction.

License plate lamps

5 watt bulb

Push out the lamp with a suitable object
and remove it

Replace the bulb.
Snap the lamp back into place.

Changing a wheel

Run Flat tires

Your BMW is equipped with Run Flat tires.
Therefore, the wheel no longer has to be
changed immediately in the event of a loss
in inflation pressure.
Run Flat tires are labeled on the sidewall
with a circular symbol containing the letters
RSC. Refer to page

BMW recommends that you consult your
BMW center if you wish to replace the tires
of your BMW, or change from summer to
winter tires or vice versa.
Your BMW center knows how to work with
Run Flat tires and is equipped with the nec-
essary special tools.

When replacing tires or changing
from summer to winter tires – or vice

versa – use only Run Flat tires since a spare
tire will not be available in the event of a flat
tire.

Jacking points

The jacking points are located at the posi-
tions indicated in the illustration.

Your BMW center can provide you
with a suitable jack.

Battery

Maintenance

The battery is completely maintenance-
free. This means that the original electro-
lyte will normally last for the service life of
the battery under moderate climatic condi-
tions.

Replacement procedures

Please consult your BMW center
whenever you have any questions

concerning the battery. Since the battery is
absolutely maintenance-free, the following
statements are for your information only.

Do not disconnect the battery cables
when the engine is running. Discon-

necting the battery cables when the engine
is running will cause a voltage surge which
will damage the vehicle's onboard elec-
tronics.

Indicator lamp

The indicator lamp for the battery
charge current lights up:
The battery is no longer being

charged. The alternator drive belt is defec-
tive or there is a malfunction in the charging
circuit of the alternator. Please contact the
nearest BMW center.

If the drive belt is defective, pull over
and switch off the engine immediately

to prevent overheating and serious engine
damage.
If the onboard supply voltage drops to a
very low level, increased steering effort
may also be necessary.

Charging the battery

Charge the battery in the vehicle only when
the engine is not running. Use the terminals
provided in the engine compartment. For
information on connections, refer to Jump-
Starting on page

Battery disposal

Return used batteries to a recycling
point or to your BMW center. Maintain

the battery in an upright position for trans-
port and storage. Secure the battery
against tilting when transporting.

Fuses

You will find the fuses and information on
their respective allocation behind the glove
compartment.

Press the lock on the left; see arrow

Press the lock on the right; see arrow

Swing the glove compartment down.

Spare fuses and plastic tweezers for grasp-
ing the fuses are found in the onboard tool
kit; refer to page

Do not attempt to repair a burned fuse
or replace it with a fuse having a dif-

ferent color or amperage rating. To do this
could cause a fire in the vehicle as a result
of circuit overload.

At a glance

Controls

Driving tips

Mobility

Reference

Giving and receiving assistance

Warning triangle*

The warning triangle is stored in the rear
luggage compartment panel.

Pull the ends of the rubber bands upward
and out of the fasteners; see arrow.

Always observe all legal regulations
requiring a warning triangle to be car-

ried in the vehicle.

First-aid kit*

The first-aid kit is located beneath the pas-
senger seat.

To open

Pull the handle and fold the cover down-
ward.

To close

Fold the cover up and press into the catch.

Some of the articles in the first-aid kit
have a limited period of use before

expiration. For this reason, check the expi-

ration dates of each of the items regularly,
and replace any whose expiration dates
have passed. You can acquire replace-
ments in any drugstore or pharmacy.
Always observe all legal regulations requir-
ing a first-aid kit to be carried in the vehi-
cle.

Jump-starting

When your battery is discharged you can
use two jumper cables to start your vehicle
with power from the battery in a second
vehicle. You can also use the same method
to help start another vehicle. Always use
jumper cables with fully insulated handles
on the terminal clamps.

Do not touch components carrying
current on a running engine. Contact

with these components can cause fatal
injury. Carefully observe the following
instructions to avoid personal injury and/or
damage to one or both vehicles.

Never use spray starter fluids to start
the engine.

Preparations for jump-starting the
vehicle

Check that the battery on the other
vehicle is also rated at 12 volts, and that
the capacities – in Ah – of the two bat-
teries are roughly comparable. This
information is provided on the top of the
battery casing

Turn off the engine of the support vehi-
cle

Switch off all electrical accessories in
both vehicles

Do not disconnect the battery from

your vehicle's electrical system

Make absolutely certain that there is

no contact between the bodywork of
the two vehicles – short circuit hazard.

Giving and receiving assistance

Start the engine on the support vehicle
and allow it to run

Open the cover of the BMW jump-start
support terminal by pulling on the tab;
see arrow.

Connect jumper cable

Always adhere to this sequence when
connecting jumper cables, even when

jump-starting other vehicles. Failure to
observe this procedure can lead to sparks
and pose a danger of personal injury.

With the + jumper cable, connect the
positive terminal of the drained battery
and the positive terminal of the support
battery

With the – jumper cable, connect the
negative terminals of both vehicles.
Your BMW is equipped with a special
nut for this purpose, refer to Engine
compartment on page

To do so:

Attach one cable clamp to the nega-

tive battery terminal or to a suitable
ground on the engine or body work of
the support vehicle

Attach the second cable clamp to

the negative battery terminal or to a
suitable ground on the engine or body
work of the vehicle to be jump-started.

Jump-starting the vehicle

Let the engine of the support vehicle
run for several minutes at a slightly ele-
vated engine idle speed

Start the engine of the other vehicle as
usual

If the first start attempt is not suc-

cessful, wait a few minutes before
another attempt in order to allow the
discharged battery to recharge.

Let the engines run for several minutes

Then disconnect the jumper cables in
reverse sequence.

Depending on the cause of the fault,
have the battery checked and

recharged at a BMW center.

Towing and tow-starting the
vehicle

Towing eyelet

The screw-in towing eyelet is stored in the
onboard tool kit; be sure that it remains in
the vehicle at all times. This eyelet is
designed for installation in the tow sockets
located at the front and rear of the vehicle,
and is intended for towing on paved road
surfaces only.

Access to towing socket

Front:
Press out the cover panel with a screw-
driver inserted in the recess at the top.

At a glance

Controls

Driving tips

Mobility

Reference

Rear:
Press out the cover panel with a screw-
driver inserted in the recess at the top.

Make sure the towing eyelet is firmly
screwed all the way in, otherwise the

thread could be damaged.
Do not tow the vehicle by any components
of the chassis or suspension, or lash them
down in any way. If you do, the compo-
nents could be damaged, possibly leading
to accidents.
If the engine is off, increased effort will be
required to steer the vehicle since power
support will not be available.

Towing with a commercial tow truck

Do not tow with sling-type equipment

Use wheel lift or flatbed equipment

Please comply with applicable state
towing laws.

Never allow passengers to ride in a
towed vehicle for any reason.

Never attach tie-down hooks, chains,
straps or tow hooks to tie rods, control
arms or any other part of the vehicle sus-
pension, as severe damage to these com-
ponents will occur, leading to possible
accidents.

Technical data

Engine data

Weights

Z4 roadster 2.5i

Z4 roadster 3.0i

Displacement
Number of cylinders

cu in/cm

152.1/2,494

181.7/2,979

Maximum power output
at engine speed

hp/kW

rpm

184/141

6,000

225/170

5,900

Maximum torque
at engine speed

lb ft/Nm

rpm

181/245

3,500

222/300

3,500

Compression ratio

10.5

10.2

Stroke
Bore

in/mm
in/mm

2.95/75
3.31/84

3.53/89.6

3.31/84

Fuel-injection system

Digital electronic engine-management system DME

Z4 roadster 2.5i

Z4 roadster 3.0i

Curb weight
with manual transmission
with automatic transmission

lbs/kg
lbs/kg

2,932/1,330
2,998/1,360

2,998/1,360
3,042/1,380

Approved gross vehicle weight
with manual transmission
with automatic transmission

lbs/kg
lbs/kg

3,483/1,580
3,549/1,610

3,549/1,610
3,593/1,630

Approved front axle load

lbs/kg

1,720/780

1,742/790

Approved rear axle load

lbs/kg

1,841/835

1,863/845

Luggage compartment capacity

with the convertible top compartment raised

cu ft/l
cu ft/l

8.5/240
9.2/260

8.5/240
9.3/260

Never exceed either the approved axle loads or the approved gross vehicle weight.

Technical data

Capacities

Notes

Fuel tank
Reserve

gal./liters
gal./liters

approx. 14.5/55
approx. 2.1/8

Fuel specifications:
page

Windshield washer reservoir
Headlamp washer reservoir

quarts/liters
quarts/liters

approx. 3.2/3
approx. 5.3/5

For details: page

Cooling system including
heating circuit

quarts/liters 9.3/8.8 for manual

transmission
9.5/9.0 for automatic
transmission

For details: page

Engine with oil filter renewal

quarts/liters 6.9/6.5

For details: page

Manual transmission,
automatic transmission and
differential

–

Lifetime lubricant, no
oil change required

BMW 3.0i Roadster (2003 year). Instruction - part 5