New Owner Questions

edharly

edharly

Member
 Arab, AL
Hello: I just acquired a 2003 Z4 2.5i. It only has 37K miles on it and seems in really good shape excepting a few cosmetic issues. This is my first BMW, so I have some dumb questions.

1. For oil changes is it normal to use the quick lube type places or does this service have to be performed by a dealer or BMW-certified mechanic?
2. Does a battery replacement require the dealer or a BMW-certified mechanic (due perhaps to need for reset of electronics, etc.)?
3. I assume a car this old probably has an AC system that uses Freon which is no longer legal to use?
4. The key fobs look pretty worn so I'm assuming their batteries are not long for it. How does one go about replacing/coding/pairing those? Is that a dealer service or something you order online and do at home?

Thanks in advance.
 
I’ll answer what I can.

1. Oil change…..well so long as they use the right oil and it’s just an oil change then that’s fine. Personally, I’d find a good bmw independent and use them.
2. I believe on the e85 you don’t need to program a battery change, but I might be wrong!
3. You can still use freon if it’s not leaking and it shouldn’t be leaking. Saying that on a low miles car it might not be run and the seals dry up as oil isn’t circulating.
4. Your keys should be fine. Just because they look worn doesn’t mean they aren’t fine on the inside. I believe they are rechargeable batteries that charge up when you put the key in the slot. The batteries do go eventually, and you can order new keys and program them in.
 
The Air conditioning refrigerant will be R134a. Not illegal, not banned. Any garage/ ac company will have it.
 
Welcome to the forum and congratulations on getting your Z4. :thumbsup:

You have most answers, all I can add is that E85s don't need to have new batteries coded to the car.

We'd like to see some photos though!
 
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Thanks much!
 

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Ed, Welcome to the z family and madness. Nice looking car you have. And with only 37k miles that baby is just out of the womb. Bet you are looking forward to watching it grow up!!!
 
The only thing to watch out for if you change the battery is the car going into transport mode. That needs someone with the right software to sort or a visit to the dealer. It all depends if the dealer disabled it when the car was imported (many didn't).
 
As a follow-up, should the battery discharge to the point of not starting the car, can a 2003 Z4 be "jumped" off using jumper cables? Thanks.
 
edharly said:
As a follow-up, should the battery discharge to the point of not starting the car, can a 2003 Z4 be "jumped" off using jumper cables? Thanks.
Click to expand...
I can’t think of any reason why not, try and use a decent thickness cable and let it get a bit of charge before trying to start
 
The positive / earth terminals under the bonnet / hood are provided for this purpose. You shouldn’t jump start directly to the battery, although I’m not sure whether this is for good electronic reason or just because the battery is inconveniently situated.
 
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