Model year guide

1999 BMW Z3

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1999 BMW Z3 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 8 on record.

1999 BMW Z3 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1999 BMW Z3 at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints39
Typical price$10,031

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1999 BMW Z3 recalls 3

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E026000 · 23/03/2006

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Power Train:driveline:differential Unit NHTSA Campaign #99V272000 · 07/10/1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL MAY CONTAIN RING GEAR BOLTS THAT WERE INCORRECTLY TORQUED DURING ASSEMBLY. THE BOLT OR BOLTS COULD LOOSEN LEADING TO NOISE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S DIFFERENTIAL AND IF INVOLVED, WILL REPLACE IT.

Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:cables NHTSA Campaign #98V275000 · 03/11/1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE NUT THAT SECURES THE MAIN POSITIVE CABLE TO THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL CLAMP WAS NOT TIGHTENED PROPERLY, ALLOWING THE CABLE TO LOOSEN OVER TIME. IF THIS OCCURRED, THE CABLE COULD ULTIMATELY LOOSEN TO THE POINT WHERE ELECTRICAL CONTINUITY COULD BE INTERRUPTED.

Fix: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE NUT TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATIONS.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1999 BMW Z3 common problems

Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.

What's a 1999 BMW Z3 worth?

Low
$3,000
Typical price
$10,031
High
$29,950

From 8 comparable 1999 BMW Z3 listings.

1999 BMW Z3 trims & engines on record

Trims
2.3 · Z3 M
Engines
2.5L 6-cyl 168 hp · 3.2L 6-cyl 240 hp

1999 BMW Z3 vehicles on record

1999 BMW Z3 1999 BMW Z3 2.34USCH9334XLG00901 1999 BMW Z3 1999 BMW Z3 2.34USCH933XXLF82498 1999 BMW Z3 1999 BMW Z3 2.34USCH9331XLG00743 1999 BMW Z3 1999 BMW Z3 2.34USCH9334XLF79953 1999 BMW Z3 1999 BMW Z3 2.34USCH9333XLG00078 1999 BMW Z3 1999 BMW Z3 2.34USCH9332XLF81720 1999 BMW Z3 1999 BMW Z3 Z3 MWBSCK9333XLC89218 1999 BMW Z3 1999 BMW Z3 Z3 MWBSCK9332XLC89713

Other BMW Z3 model years

2002 2001 2000 1998 1997 1996

1999 BMW Z3 — frequently asked questions

Does the 1999 BMW Z3 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1999 BMW Z3. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 1999 BMW Z3?

Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, power train, structure.

How much is a 1999 BMW Z3 worth?

Comparable 1999 BMW Z3 listings run roughly $3,000–$29,950, typically around $10,031 (from 8 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.