Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Z4 3.0SI.
The 2008 BMW Z4 3.0SI (E86) is a passenger car sports car built on BMW's E86 platform, powered by a 3.0-liter inline-six engine that requires 6.9 quarts of oil and pairs with a 6-speed automatic transmission (S6), achieving EPA fuel economy ratings of 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. Reliability data for this model year shows 19 total owner complaints logged, with air bags representing the most frequently reported issue, alongside two recalls issued by the manufacturer. This places the 2008 Z4 3.0SI within a relatively modest complaint footprint for the nameplate, suggesting that while not without some common concerns, the model year does not present exceptional or widespread reliability problems compared to typical vehicle performance.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 480 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11421741000. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
| Engine oil filter | 11421741000 alt 11428683168 |
| Engine air filter | 13717521033 alt 13717542545 |
| Fuel filter | 16117168284 |
| Spark plug | 12122158253 alt 12120022902 |
| Battery | 61217586960 alt 61217586961 |
| Front wiper blades | 61617198671 alt 61617198670 |
| Thermostat | 11531318402 alt 11531318274 |
| Cabin air filter | 64319195194 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Overall length | 161 in |
| Overall width | 70.1 in |
| Overall height | 51.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 98 in |
| Curb weight | 3020 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 58.3 / 59.8 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 50/50 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 19 / 28 / 22 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 88 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 2.1 Pints |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 2.5 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | SYNTHETIC |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 6.9 qt |
| Engine Oil | SYNTHETIC |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.8 qt |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | AT: 92 ft-lbs, MT: 89 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 11 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.26-1.90 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 4.70-6.00 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 47 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 480 cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 94R |
| Pressure Test | 29.0 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 26-30 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 207 °F |
| Engine Compression | 130-261 PSI. 29 maximum variation. psi |
| Engine Compression | 159-174 PSI. |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 18-22 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81 ft-lbs / 49 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 0.866 in / 0.75 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 0.866 in / 0.75 in |
| Rotor Minimum Machining | 0.031 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.803 in / 0.685 in |
| Rotor Finish | 0.5 - 3.5 μin |
| 1 | 15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 120 | 15 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 44 ft. lbs., step 2: 50 degrees, step 3: 50 | 44 ft. lbs |
Prep Do not reuse old bolts
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | Bolts 1-10 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 4 | 45 degrees | 45 degrees |
| 1 | 15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 70 | 15 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi.
| Every 25,000 mi | Brake Linings (inspect) |
| Every 28,000 mi | Cabin Air Filter (inspect) |
| Every 30,000 mi | Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) |
| Every 31,000 mi | Brake System (inspect) |
| Every 100,000 mi | Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Owner complaints about the 2008 BMW Z4 3.0SI - E86 dominate in one area — the air bags, 7 of 19 reports (37%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 2 recall campaigns target the air bags, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the air bags pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.
All 19 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification…
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible… Remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in…
Showing 5 of 34 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B510819 | 2024-01-16 | Electrical System | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
| B611305 | 2024-01-11 | Electrical System | The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process… |
| B662419 | 2022-09-01 | Equipment | Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible… |
| B340414 | 2021-04-01 | Service Brakes, Air | Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused… |
| B611305 | 2020-10-01 | Electrical System | Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Interactive fuse-box and wiring references for this vehicle, searchable by circuit.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
6.9 qt of USE ONLY BMW HIGH PERFORMANCE SYNTHETIC MOTOR OIL BMW PART NO. 07510009420 OR EQUIVALENT, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined mpg.