Service Manual

[David K Brown]

I Have just become the proud owner of a Z3 Auto 1991cc 1999.
Can anyone suggest a good service manual please as Haynes do not appear to publish one. There is one by Bentley Publishers but its very expensive (£78).
Thanks
David

 

[Mike Fishwick]

The Bentley manual is a waste of money! Many of Its illustrations are of poor quality, it gets simple things wrong, and advises that you 'Go to the shop' for quite menial tasks.
My advice is to buy the Haynes E36 manual, as most E36 1.8i jobs are applicable to the Z3.

The BMW CD set is also worth having - it is available on Ebay, and comes as a set with the manuals, parts list, and wiring diagrams for the Z3, at about £15 - great value.

 

[Stevo7682]

Haynes do 2 e36 manuals there is one that has a green e36 on its front cover picture does only e36.
But there is also an e36 manual that has a red e36 on front cover this manual also covers z3 models .
In each section it shows how to do whatever bit it is for e36 then shows any difference between it and the z3
Haynes manual number 18021.

Stephen

 

[David K Brown]

Thanks Mike
Much appreciated.
Christmas present I think.
Thanks again
Kind regards
David

 

[David K Brown]

Sorry
Thanks Stephen too.
Kind regards
David

 

[t-tony]

Haynes do 2 e36 manuals there is one that has a green e36 on its front cover picture does only e36.
But there is also an e36 manual that has a red e36 on front cover this manual also covers z3 models .
In each section it shows how to do whatever bit it is for e36 then shows any difference between it and the z3
Haynes manual number 18021.
View attachment 207719

Stephen

Good info Steve.

Tony.

ps. Met a couple from up your way in Lowes last night. He passes through Maybole quite often so I told him to watch out for a bright yellow Z3.

 

[jonco]

..........But there is also an e36 manual that has a red e36 on front cover this manual also covers z3 models ........

Agree - I've had that one for years and it has been very useful but has some gaps, which can be filled by articles on this forum or for example https://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/tech_main_Z3.htm. Others are out there.

 

[David K Brown]

My Z3 is 1999. Does the Hayes Manuel cover this as i see its 1992 - 1998?
Jonco - Thanks for your info too. Very helpful.
David

 

[Stevo7682]

Which engine fo you have

 

[David K Brown]

1991cc Auto

 

[t-tony]

That’s a 6 cyl. classified at 2.0. Same as was in my Z3.

Tony.

 

[David K Brown]

Tony - So should be okay then?

David

 

[Stevo7682]

It covers all the pre face-lift engines ( your 2.0 is very similar to the 2 5/2.8)
As far as the rest of the car goes majority of the car is the same for face-lift and pre face-lift the haynes manual is considerably cheaper than the Bentley one and still will contain a considerable amount of information that will be applicable to your zed.

Stephen.

 

[AthensGA]

Honestly, I have given up on manuals. I just go to YouTube, Google “change Z3 oil filter” and you get dozens of results. Try a few to you find one you can follow. The thing about videos is the maker will say things like “be sure you don’t break this thingy because they cost $&$ and are impossible to find”. The manuals don’t do that.

 

[David K Brown]

Thanks for all the advice.
The headlight switch is faulty on my 1999 2 ltr Z3
Does anyone have part No. 6131 8353 506 I could purchase.
I hope I'm allowed to ask this on this Forum. If not please forgive me.
David

 

[Delk]

I use u tube, forums and also have a Bentley manual at hand. Very handy at times especially since I have had the head off several times. Nice to have simple pictures as a guide to remind me the steps for setting the cam timing.
It all depends on what your doing and what information you need.

 

[Fender2004]

This is the Bentley manual

 

[hard top]

Thanks for all the advice.
The headlight switch is faulty on my 1999 2 ltr Z3
Does anyone have part No. 6131 8353 506 I could purchase.
I hope I'm allowed to ask this on this Forum. If not please forgive me.
David

@spurs fan in a coupe might have the part you are looking for.

 

[Brian James]

Based on the above I have just purchased a Haynes manual (red) as per t-tony - just arrived and VERY pleased. Cost ca £30 BUT I guess one spell in the garage will recoup that cost!
Excellent feedback and I am well pleased someone referred me to this website when I got my Z3.

 

[Fender2004]

Thanks for all the advice.
The headlight switch is faulty on my 1999 2 ltr Z3
Does anyone have part No. 6131 8353 506 I could purchase.
I hope I'm allowed to ask this on this Forum. If not please forgive me.
David

That is the hole point of Zroadster to help each other with parts and advice.