New to BMW, have a few fast questions on Z3

[FLAJIM]

Hi All, I just bought a 1998 Z3 tonight. The used car dealer did not have the owners manual. I am trying to get one now. Until I do, can you tell me what type of gas, octane and what wt oil I should use. Also, only came with one key and one BMW alarm beeper.... what's the best/cheapest place to get another. Thanks so much for your replies

Be Safe JIM

[gregmm6]

Most of that info should be in your manuals. Check out the Z subforum for the rest.

[kornkid8600]

I can't recall a BMW that doesn't use anything less than 91.
So 91/93 premium octane.
You can get many diff types of oils
Mobil 1 0w40 European Formula
Castrol 5w30 (from BMW dealers is acceptable) Don't get the "Synthetic Blend" stuff

If you need something thicker M1 15w50, Royal Purple 10w40, Total 15w40

As far as keys go, after I believe 1993, keys are chipped for the EWS security system. So you will have to get a key from a dealer because they are the only ones that can get you another EWS chip for your key.

[MANUALmobile]

First off Welcome to your new life!

You can purchase the master key for around $70-$80 from your local BMW dealership. As for the oil, I would find where the car was serviced previously (which dealer or shop) then go there and have them look up the service records and use whatever oil they were using before. Engines do not take to kindly to switch oils (well, they do not prefer it).

Best of luck with your new BMW. And check out the z3 sub-forum. And again Welcome!

[chrisesteschiro]

I can't recall a BMW that doesn't use anything less than 91.
So 91/93 premium octane.
.

M30b35's and m20b25's, m42, m40, m10, and i am sure mroe.

[kornkid8600]

M30b35's and m20b25's, m42, m40, m10, and i am sure mroe.

Those engines are oooooooooooolllllllllllldddddddddd

[BoldUlysses]

M30b35's and m20b25's, m42, m40, m10, and i am sure mroe.

89+ is recommended for the higher-compression M30B35 and Euro-spec B34. 87 will work fine on the lower-comp US-spec B32 and B34, though.

I put 93 in my M50. Higher-octane gas is probably recommended for the Z3's engine, too.

-Matt

[Auraraptor]

M70 uses an 89 minimum. I don't remember what the early pre-Vanos M62 used, but I think it was 89 as well.

[Cerpin TaxT]

M30b35's and m20b25's, m42, m40, m10, and i am sure mroe.

I always put 91 in my M10.

[Hugo]

Hi, congrats on the pruchase and welcome to bf.c.

What's the engine in your Z3?

Once you're done checking out the Z3 section and the wealth of info it contains, feel free to ask questions to fellow members.

Needless to say, basic questions such as «what are the first performance mods I should do» and «what about this cold air intake» have probably been answered a million times, so a rule of thumb is to do a quick search before asking it for the 1 276th time.

But hey, bf.c'ers are, in general, a friendly bunch.

Happy posting!

[Virginia Bill]

You can download the manual from the BMW website.