Z3 Service Manual

UK forum for general and technical discussion about the Z3 roadster
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dollyflop
Joined: Thu 09 Jan, 2014 22:56
Posts: 1

  Z3 roadster 2.0

Z3 Service Manual

Post by dollyflop »

Hi Does anyone know were I can purchase a service manual for my 1999 Z3 ,I have seen a few on ebay why are they so expensive?,Thanks Irene.
Bowler
Joined: Sun 27 Oct, 2013 18:43
Posts: 382

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Doncaster

Re: Z3 Service Manual

Post by Bowler »

Sure someone will be along soon with an offer of a Bentley manual on disc, Think i paid about £12 pounds for the disc
I have one now transferred from my disc to over 1100 pages and nine files but much easier to look through for an oldy when working on the Z
No other specific manual available for the Z Closest Haynes manual is for the 3 series compact which shares many components but not really what you want
In love with driving again (its the Z effect)
Frank.A
Joined: Mon 20 Jul, 2009 21:15
Posts: 875

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Twixt York and Hull

Re: Z3 Service Manual

Post by Frank.A »

There is a Haynes Manual which includes the Z3.

Haynes Repair Manual 18021 BMW 3-Series 1992-1998 (Also includes Z3 models).

You can buy from Amazon market place for about £13inc or on ebay the cheapest is about £14.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-series- ... 54035b7168

The Haynes is my first port of call,then Bentleys which is some times available at a relatively reasonable price.
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bertiejaffa
Joined: Fri 26 Jul, 2013 09:28
Posts: 1733

  M roadster S50
Location: Manchester

Re: Z3 Service Manual

Post by bertiejaffa »

Bowler wrote:Sure someone will be along soon with an offer of a Bentley manual on disc, Think i paid about £12 pounds for the disc
I have one now transferred from my disc to over 1100 pages and nine files but much easier to look through for an oldy when working on the Z
No other specific manual available for the Z Closest Haynes manual is for the 3 series compact which shares many components but not really what you want

Ever thought of making copies of the disk and selling it on here? I for one would be interested
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Robert T
Site Admin
Joined: Mon 12 Jun, 2006 10:35
Posts: 10170

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Cheshire

Re: Z3 Service Manual

Post by Robert T »

bertiejaffa wrote:Ever thought of making copies of the disk and selling it on here? I for one would be interested
Yes, and the publishers would be another one! Please don't.

Cheers R.
Arctic Silver '99 Z3 1.9 & Black '59 Frogeye 1275cc
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t-tony
Joined: Sun 21 Feb, 2010 23:17
Posts: 353

  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: torksey lock

Re: Z3 Service Manual

Post by t-tony »

Fully agree with Robert, the publishers invest a LOT into these items and take a very dim view of copies being sold let alone given away. Autodata also prosecute anyone they find breeching copyright.
"Knowledge and experience are not always the same"
Bowler
Joined: Sun 27 Oct, 2013 18:43
Posts: 382

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Doncaster

Re: Z3 Service Manual

Post by Bowler »

Always willing to help, but only within the confines of the law!
In love with driving again (its the Z effect)
roadvoyager1
Joined: Sun 19 Jan, 2014 18:30
Posts: 71

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Z3 Service Manual

Post by roadvoyager1 »

Bowler wrote:Sure someone will be along soon with an offer of a Bentley manual on disc, Think i paid about £12 pounds for the disc
Can any member tell me,and others, where a (legal) copy of the manual can be bought from on disc. Bentleys don't appear to list the CD version, or perhaps that "somebody" could come along soon and help us out. Thank you
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Southernboy
Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
Posts: 6436

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Johannesburg

Re: Z3 Service Manual

Post by Southernboy »

Anyone with access to a high speed scanner and an original manual can scan and make a disc - for himself ofcourse, as I did. Since I don't own a laptop, I simply print out the relevant pages I require to complete a maintenance project, and then use the paper as note paper and hand wipes afterwards. Most of the "basic" maintenance work which I have covered is now lodged in my memory, so only the relevant "new" info guide pages are needed. These days, I can strip out the entire dash in around an hour and a bit without referring to the manual...and as with almost everything on our cars... 1st. Disconnect the battery and remove the key from the ignition.... :D
The original binding on the Bentleys was pretty crappy, and I found the pages were coming away from the spine...hence my original motivation to put it all on disc.
If one does own a laptop, it's a breeze to have it with the downloaded disc info at hand, and with my personally "upgraded index" which lists all the specific topics and the relevant page number, I can access the specific page I want, vs Bentleys "Section 1, 2, etc index"
Invariably, one needs to refer to several sections to find complimentary instructions to achieve one goal, and simply making a short list of the page numbers of the items which will be required in order of task process, one can hop instantly from one chapter to the next without continuosly referring to the index.
I've continually added to the personalised index as and when I've discovered specific items not previously encountered, so my index is pretty comprehensive, perhaps with the exception of the electrical section which hasn't been a requirement very often.
This is my toolkit which covers all interior requirements plus most "general" under-bonnet" jobs...
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Sockets, screwdrivers, torx bits, hex bits and a small ratchet wrench with extensions. The screwdriver has a drive recess in the handgrip into which the wrench drive clips to provide extra long reach if needed. It's compact, and comfrtably slots into the small storage box on the right of the boot. I've added the foam trim so when the lid is closed the contents don't rattle about in the box. The only other tools I keep in the car is one of those "multi tools" which provides a pliers, knife etc. and folds up. That lives in the center rear storage box in the cockpit, and a small LED torch light with a magnetic / peg type clip for the "dark" places...like behind the center console when replacing bulbs... :wink:
"Normal is overrated"
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Bowler
Joined: Sun 27 Oct, 2013 18:43
Posts: 382

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Doncaster

Re: Z3 Service Manual

Post by Bowler »

Z3 Workshop manual / Disc on E bay £3.99
In love with driving again (its the Z effect)
bertiejaffa
Joined: Fri 26 Jul, 2013 09:28
Posts: 1733

  M roadster S50
Location: Manchester

Re: Z3 Service Manual

Post by bertiejaffa »

Not compatible with Windows ?!?!?!?!? So £3.99 for your very own Z3 coaster
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sirius-c
Joined: Wed 12 Dec, 2012 22:24
Posts: 499

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Eeh ba gum lad, 'ow do?

Re: Z3 Service Manual

Post by sirius-c »

I've been on the look out for a Bentleys now for nearly a year & half. I might just bite the bullet and pay the £70+ Amazon is asking.

But I have a question...
I have a 1997 2.8 auto roady, should I buy the earlier blue manual or the later yellow one?

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bertiejaffa
Joined: Fri 26 Jul, 2013 09:28
Posts: 1733

  M roadster S50
Location: Manchester

Re: Z3 Service Manual

Post by bertiejaffa »

I managed to get one of the yellow ones off ebay this week.... Cant be accused of breaching publishing copyright now :rtm:
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sirius-c
Joined: Wed 12 Dec, 2012 22:24
Posts: 499

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Eeh ba gum lad, 'ow do?

Re: Z3 Service Manual

Post by sirius-c »

You didn't beat me by a pound did you? £49.98?

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bentley-boy
Joined: Mon 28 Oct, 2013 19:35
Posts: 261

  blank

Re: Z3 Service Manual

Post by bentley-boy »

£58.69 delivered, new and in hardback form from the 'Book Depository UK'
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sirius-c
Joined: Wed 12 Dec, 2012 22:24
Posts: 499

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Eeh ba gum lad, 'ow do?

Re: Z3 Service Manual

Post by sirius-c »

bentley-boy wrote:£58.69 delivered, new and in hardback form from the 'Book Depository UK'
Thanks for the info :D

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bertiejaffa
Joined: Fri 26 Jul, 2013 09:28
Posts: 1733

  M roadster S50
Location: Manchester

Re: Z3 Service Manual

Post by bertiejaffa »

sirius-c wrote:You didn't beat me by a pound did you? £49.98?

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Sorry.... :oops:

If you ever hop over t'hills to Manchester I will let you borrow it :rtm:
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sirius-c
Joined: Wed 12 Dec, 2012 22:24
Posts: 499

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Eeh ba gum lad, 'ow do?

Re: Z3 Service Manual

Post by sirius-c »

bertiejaffa wrote:
sirius-c wrote:You didn't beat me by a pound did you? £49.98?

Sent from my Hudl HT7S3 using Tapatalk
Sorry.... :oops:

If you ever hop over t'hills to Manchester I will let you borrow it :rtm:

There's far too many Zed junkies around, it's becoming a problem :D

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Madmonkeyfish
Joined: Tue 23 Apr, 2013 10:20
Posts: 15

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Z3 Service Manual

Post by Madmonkeyfish »

If anyone in East Anglia needs to view a copy I have a yellow one in Great Yarmouth, very useful!!!
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