BMW Z3 Z3 and M roadster/coupe
1996–2002 · Z3 and M roadster/coupe (E36/7, E36/8) · M44, M52, M54, S52, S54
Last updated
Models and engines by year
| Model | US model years | Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Z3 1.9 | 1996–1998 | M44 |
| Z3 2.8 roadster and coupe | 1997–2000 | M52 |
| Z3 2.3 | 1999–2000 | M52 |
| Z3 2.5i | 2001–2002 | M54 |
| Z3 3.0i roadster and coupe | 2001–2002 | M54 |
| M roadster and M coupe | 1998–2000 | S52 |
| M roadster and M coupe | 2001–2002 | S54 |
US-market models. Chassis codes: E36/7, E36/8. Not sure which one you have? The VIN check decodes year, model and engine.
Bulletins and recalls by year
Show the numbers
| Year | Service bulletins | NHTSA recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 2 | 0 |
| 2001 | 4 | 0 |
| 2002 | 1 | 0 |
| 2006 | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 | 1 | 0 |
| 2010 | 2 | 0 |
| 2012 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 |
Counted by the year BMW filed each document with NHTSA; each chart has its own scale. More filings in a year doesn't by itself mean a less reliable car.
Repair prices for the Z3
No estimate for this chassis yet. Request a price below and we'll add the jobs owners ask about most.
Z3 factory tire sizes
Original-equipment sizes by trim and wheel package, from the fitment listings linked in each row. Front and rear differ on staggered setups. Rows marked verified appear in both tiresize.com's and Michelin's fitment lists for that model. Pressures and run-flat are shown only where a BMW owner's manual table covers that trim and year; star marking isn't confirmed yet. Your door-jamb placard has the pressures for your car. Pick your year and trim.
| Trim | Years | Front | Rear | Pressure F/R (psi) | Shop this size | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z3 Roadster | 1996 | 225/50R16 | 225/50R16 | Not confirmed | Shop 225/50R16 at Mavis | Show sourcestiresize.com |
| Z3 Roadster 1.9 | 1997–1998 | 225/50R16 | 225/50R16 | Not confirmed | Shop 225/50R16 at Mavis | Show sourcestiresize.com |
| Z3 Roadster 2.8 staggered | 1997–2000 | 225/45R17 | 245/40R17 | Not confirmed | Shop 225/45R17 at Mavis Shop 245/40R17 at Mavis | Show sourcestiresize.com |
| Z3 Coupe 2.8 staggered | 1999–2000 | 225/45R17 | 245/40R17 | Not confirmed | Shop 225/45R17 at Mavis Shop 245/40R17 at Mavis | Show sourcestiresize.com |
| Z3 Roadster 2.3 | 1999–2000 | 225/50R16 | 225/50R16 | Not confirmed | Shop 225/50R16 at Mavis | Show sourcestiresize.com |
| Z3 Coupe 3.0 staggered | 2001 | 225/45R17 | 245/40R17 | Not confirmed | Shop 225/45R17 at Mavis Shop 245/40R17 at Mavis | Show sourcestiresize.com |
| Z3 Roadster 2.5i | 2001–2002 | 225/50R16 | 225/50R16 | Not confirmed | Shop 225/50R16 at Mavis | Show sourcestiresize.com |
| Z3 Roadster 3.0 staggered | 2001 | 225/45R17 | 245/40R17 | Not confirmed | Shop 225/45R17 at Mavis Shop 245/40R17 at Mavis | Show sourcestiresize.com |
| Z3 Coupe 3.0i staggered | 2002 | 225/45R17 | 245/40R17 | Not confirmed | Shop 225/45R17 at Mavis Shop 245/40R17 at Mavis | Show sourcestiresize.com |
| Z3 Roadster 3.0i staggered | 2002 | 225/45R17 | 245/40R17 | Not confirmed | Shop 225/45R17 at Mavis Shop 245/40R17 at Mavis | Show sourcestiresize.com |
| M Roadster staggered | 1998–2002 | 225/45R17 | 245/40R17 | Not confirmed | Shop 225/45R17 at Mavis Shop 245/40R17 at Mavis | Show sourcestiresize.com |
| M Coupe staggered | 1999–2002 | 225/45R17 | 245/40R17 | Not confirmed | Shop 225/45R17 at Mavis Shop 245/40R17 at Mavis | Show sourcestiresize.com |
We may earn a commission if you buy through a store link on this page. It doesn't change the price you pay. Mavis has stores in about 20 states, including New York and New Jersey, so check for one near you first.
Sizes checked 2026-10-20. Confirm against the tire placard in the driver's door jamb before buying. Tire prices and installation costs are in BMW tire replacement cost.
NHTSA safety recalls 0
No NHTSA recalls matched to this chassis in the 2010+ recall file.
Matched from NHTSA's public recall file by model and model year. A recall may cover only some cars from a year, and it may already have been done on yours. Check by VIN →
Service bulletins on file 14
- SIB 12 12 10 Engine service information Engine service information on BMW E89/E36/7/E36/8/E52 and other models (1996–2010); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Nov 2012
- SIB 16 02 09 Fuel gauge failure Fuel gauge failure on BMW E36/7/E36/8/E38/E39 and other models (2000–2010); the fix is replacing the affected part. Service bulletin · Dec 2009
- SIB 34 07 14 Carbon Ceramic Brake Noise BMW bulletin SI B34 07 14 for G11/G12/G14/G15 and other models (1995–2024): Carbon Ceramic Brake Noise. Service bulletin · Oct 2023
- SIB 24 02 02 Subject regarding hard shifts, leak at torque converter seal Subject regarding hard shifts, leak at torque converter seal on BMW E36/7/E36/8 models (2000–2001); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Apr 2002
- SIB 00 02 00 Subject regarding new vehicle preparation and maintenance requirements Subject regarding new vehicle preparation and maintenance requirements on BMW E36/7/E36/8/E38/E39 and other models (2001); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Jul 2001
- SIB 11 06 01 Subject regarding engine oil viscosity change Subject regarding engine oil viscosity change on S52/S54 engines (2000–2001); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Oct 2001
- SIB 34 04 14 Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles BMW bulletin SI B34 04 14 for G01/G02/G05/G06 and other models (1999–2021): Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles. Service bulletin · Apr 2021
- SIB 32 04 07 Steering service information Steering service information on BMW E36/7/E36/8/E38/E39 and other models (2000–2011); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Jun 2010
- SIB 63 02 01 Exterior lighting service information Exterior lighting service information on BMW E36/7/E36/8/E38/E39 and other models (2000–2011); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Aug 2010
- NHTSA 10012783 Bremi ignition coil replacement on S54 engine Bremi ignition coil replacement on S54 engine on BMW E36/7/E36/8/E46 models (2001–2003); the fix is replacing the affected part. Service bulletin · Feb 2006
BMW service bulletins and warranty extensions filed with NHTSA that list the Z3. Showing the 10 most relevant; see the Z3 common problems page for the most frequent bulletin topics.
Common problems & maintenance
Z3 buyer's guide → Z3 common problems → Z3 maintenance schedule →
Before you pay, check the VIN for recalls. Some failures are covered by a safety recall or a BMW warranty extension.
Warning light on? See what BMW warning lights and messages mean, or look up a fault code.