BMW Z3 Problems and Repair Histories
BMW Z3 problems reported via the Car Repair History and Car Reliability Surveys
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BMW Z3
BMW Z3s for which no problems have been reported are not displayed. So the BMW Z3 problems and repair histories you see here should not be used to infer car problem frequency.
For BMW Z3 problem frequency, check the Car Reliability Survey result. For the problems behind the score, check the BMW Z3 problems and repair histories that follow it.
BMW Z3 Reliability through December 31, 2012
General NotesModels and statistics marked with an asterisk (*) have very low sample sizes. These results, visible only to logged-in members, provide only a rough estimate of car reliability.Any result under 20 repair trips per 100 cars is likely a result of the small sample size, and should be expected to increase to 20 or so in future updates.
New models often start out with high repair rates, and then improve as the manufacturer identifies and addresses common problems. MethodologyOnly successfully completed repairs are currently included in the analysis. Routine maintenance, most wear items, recalls, and problems fixed with just a reflash or warning light reset are not included.
| Year | Make/Model | Trips/Year/100 Cars | Compared to all models for the same year | |
| 2001 | BMW Z3 | 26 Z3s, 9.2 months of data per Z3, average 68200 miles Like other sports cars, low average odometer reading.40 |
Fewest Trips
Most Trips
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see reported repairs |
| 2000 | BMW Z3 | 28 Z3s, 8.1 months of data per Z3, average 87900 miles Like other sports cars, low average odometer reading.53 |
Fewest Trips
Most Trips
|
see reported repairs |
| 1999 | BMW Z3 | 15 Z3s, 7.1 months of data per Z3, average 81400 miles Small sample size. Join or 15 Z3s, 7.1 months of data per Z3, average 81400 miles Small sample size. sign in to view |
see reported repairs |
Non-members can see only ten BMW Z3 problems and repair histories. Log in or join us to see them all.
Repair costs are in local units.
2002 BMW Z3 2dr Convertible
315-horsepower 3.2L I6 5-speed manual RWD
| BMW Z3 in North Carolina, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2011 | 150 | Repair Subwoofer between seats by sealing with caulking. New speaker was over $400.00. replaced exhaust cam position sensor | |
2001 BMW Z3 2dr Hatch
225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| BMW Z3 in Georgia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2009 | 87000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2010 | 88000 | 327 | DSC failed. Installed new ABS/DSC controller. Dealer visit to program new controller. |
| Jun | 2010 | 92000 | 310 | Air Cond not cooling. Aux fan inop. |
| Jul | 2011 | 105000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2001 BMW Z3 2dr Hatch
225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed manual RWD
| BMW Z3 in Maryland, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2009 | 113000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2010 | 113000 | 219 | Rear hatch fell on my head, replaced the supports/pistons. Rear hatch chrome handle gasket was cracking so I replaced it, damaged the handle in the process and replaced that as well. Replaced supposed faulty windscreen washer pump. |
| Mar | 2011 | 125000 | 527 | All four O2 sensors replaced because of CEL and codes. |
| Mar | 2012 | 135000 | 300 | Left door handle intermittent and keyhole unlocking was inoperable. Purchased a coded door handle with key cylinder (no CCA discount) from dealer and replaced. |
| Dec | 2012 | 142000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2001 BMW Z3 2dr Convertible
225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed manual RWD
| BMW Z3 in Georgia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2009 | 51000 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2010 | 53000 | 78 | Thermostat leaking at electrical connector, slow engine warmup, OBD showing P1619 code - MAP Cooling Control Circuit Signal Low. Replaced leaking expansion tank cap. |
| Jun | 2011 | 65000 | 250 | Loose outer ball joints discovered by tire tech at about 47K miles, replaced both control arms complete with ball joints and replaced control arm bushings. |
| Jan | 2012 | 68700 | 169 | Leaking 2nd generation water pump with metal impeller, replaced with 3rd generation OEM water pump with composite impeller. Noisy accessory belt tensioner bearing, replaced A/C belt tensioner and main belt tensioner, replaced both drive belts. |
| Mar | 2013 | 74000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2001 BMW Z3 2-door
6-cylinder automatic 2WD
| BMW Z3 in Pennsylvania, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2009 | 68000 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2010 | 69500 | 900 | engine burning oil. Oil getting past valve stems. |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| BMW Z3 in New Zealand | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2010 | 73160 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2010 | 73780 | 550 | Two coils needed to be replaced |
| Dec | 2010 | 81220 | 700 | Two sway bar links replaced as ball joints worn |
| Jun | 2011 | 86800 | 500 | oil leak on filter housing had gasket replaced thermostat not closing fully, so replaced. |
| Nov | 2011 | 88020 | 500 | Perished hoses for idle valve allowing air to be stucked in to intake system causing very rough running |
| May | 2012 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
2000 BMW Z3 2dr Hatch
170-horsepower 2.5L I6 4-speed automatic RWD
| BMW Z3 in Georgia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2009 | 91000 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2009 | 94000 | 700 | Oil filter housing gasket was broken and oil was leaking. Rear window wiper motor not working. |
| Jun | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
2000 BMW Z3 2dr Convertible
240-horsepower 3.2L I6 5-speed manual RWD
| BMW Z3 in Pennsylvania, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2009 | 46000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2009 | 47000 | 200 | State Inspection, Diagnose oil leak |
| Jul | 2009 | 48000 | 100 | Rebuild slave cylinder and add spacer. Car was lurching forward when trying to place it in 1st or 2nd gear |
| Sep | 2009 | 48000 | 850 | Oil pan gasket. oil separator valve, replace all oil lines for supercharger, flush brake fluid(clutch not working properly), spark plugs |
| Oct | 2009 | 49000 | 100 | Replaced a/c pulley and tensioner |
| Oct | 2010 | 51000 | 20 | 2 bolts came loose on the valve cover causing car to leak a lot of oil. I also chose to replace an air intake nipple for the supercharger |
| Apr | 2011 | 51000 | 120 | Idle control valve was diagonised as being bad. CEL came on 1 week later |
| Apr | 2012 | 52000 | 4000 | Rear subframe failure. Trunk pan and floor pan welds have separated and seam welds are cracked. Subframe fixed with Randy Forbes Subframe fix. Dual ear differential. |
| Mar | 2013 | 54000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2000 BMW Z3 2dr Convertible
170-horsepower 2.5L I6 4-speed automatic RWD
| BMW Z3 in Florida, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2009 | 83000 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2009 | 86000 | 200 | Leaking oil filter housing. Worn air intake tubes and drive belts replaced. Worn hoses and thermostat replaced. |
| Sep | 2012 | 102000 | 500 | Replaced alternator after troubleshootint. Vanos system failure - replaced seals. 2 ignition coils failed - misfire codes |
| Feb | 2013 | 103000 | 60 | vanos oil line replaced due to leak |
| Mar | 2013 | 103000 | 167 | valve cover gasket leaking - valve cover gasket replaced. coolant expansion tank leaking - expansion tank replaced |
| BMW Z3 in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2009 | 75000 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2009 | 75000 | 273 | Transmission fluid changed for the first time at 75K. (Do not believe the lifetime line). Shop could not read retained codes only current. Transmission light flashed again. Brake pressure sensor was causing the problem and replaced by dealer. |
| Apr | 2010 | 75000 | 273 | Brake pressure sensor switch. |
| May | 2011 | 75000 | 302 | Routine brake job and radiator flush |
| Jun | 2011 | 75000 | 302 | Belt tensioner needs replaced within the next 10K miles. Only retrofit parts exist in dealer inventory. |
| Mar | 2013 | 76000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2000 BMW Z3 2-door
6-cylinder manual 2WD
| BMW in Virginia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2009 | 91000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2009 | 92000 | 1550 | VANOS unit failed, as did cam sensor. Both parts were replaced. Also, clutch was replaced SRS light comes on, often showing fault code due to out of acceptable resistance on right rear seat occupancy sensor or tensioner. Tensioners have been replaced, sensor replaced, wiring harness checked/repaired, etc. Now, bad SRS module code is showing. |
| Sep | 2009 | 95000 | 299 | replace various console light bulbs, license plate light bulbs door panel trim Replaced airbox-to-MAF hose (was cracked). Replaced main instrument cluster with second-hand part due to flickering e-brake light (optional repair, but clearly the cluster was defective). I supplied the part, purchased for $150. Shop cost was ~$150 to install and recode. |
| Mar | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
1999 BMW Z3 2-door
6-cylinder manual 2WD
| BMW Z3 in Pennsylvania, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2011 | 85000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2012 | 91000 | 850 | Microfracture in radiator that was initially misdiagnosed as only a broken temperature gauge |
| Mar | 2013 | 94000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| BMW Z3 in North Carolina, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2011 | 103000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2012 | 112000 | 277 | Car started fine from home. 10 Minute drive to the bank and then wouldn't restart. All systems dead. No warning like slow crank. Wouldn't jump off a running vehicle. All electrical still dead. Battery was replaced and all systems back. |
| Jul | 2012 | 139000 | 250 | Water pump leak. Replaced water pump, thermostat and housing with upgraded parts. |
| BMW Z3 in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2011 | 117000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2011 | 122000 | 30 | Seat motor bushings wear out, allowing seat travel when braking or cornering. Aftermarket replacement can be user-installed. Repaired passenger side. Driver side OK for now. |
| Mar | 2012 | 127000 | 100 | Blown brake light fuse led to finding major break in wiring harness where it enters the coupe rear hatch. Brake lights restored but don't have rear wiper, defroster, 3rd brake light. Known coupe issue & will require some moderate rewiring. |
| Jun | 2012 | 130000 | 200 | valve cover gasket, belts |
| Sep | 2012 | 134000 | 200 | Gasket leak where oil filter housing enters block. Have to remove a lot of things to address it. |
| Mar | 2013 | 138000 | 25 | Plastic interior hood release cracked. Replaced with aluminum aftermarket model. |
| BMW Z3 in North Carolina, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2011 | 32000 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2011 | 32000 | 800 | re-charged AC, replaced battery, inspection one service (oil, filter, fluids, etc) |
| Jun | 2012 | 35000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| BMW Z3 in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2011 | 148000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2011 | 150000 | 10 | replaced right passenger seat adjustment knob (broke off myself) |
| Dec | 2011 | 151000 | 10 | needs windows lubricated and new roundels (150 for lubrication at dealer or $20 lube and a few hours of my time, roundels are $27 each x 4. haven't done it yet, will do when i get to it) needs seat bushings fixed (800 at dealer or $5 in parts and a few hours of my time) airbag light on |
Expert BMW Z3 Repair Advice
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