Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 Z8.
The 2003 BMW Z8. It is EPA-rated at 12/19/15 mpg city/highway/combined.
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 49 · 740 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 11427510717 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Manual 6-spd |
| Overall length | 173.2 in |
| Overall width | 72 in |
| Overall height | 52 in |
| Wheelbase | 98.4 in |
| Curb weight | 3560 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 61.4 / 61.8 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 62/38 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 12 / 19 / 15 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Z8 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Roadster 4.9L V8 | 4.30 sec | 12.90 sec | 394 hp | RWD |
| 2001 | Roadster 4.9L V8 | 4.60 sec | 13.00 sec | 394 hp | RWD |
| 2001 | Roadster 4.9L V8 | 4.69 sec | 12.84 sec | 394 hp | RWD |
| 2000 | Roadster 4.9L V8 | 4.20 sec | 12.60 sec | 394 hp | RWD |
| 2000 | Roadster 4.9L V8 | 4.50 sec | 13.00 sec | 394 hp | RWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
Torque lug nuts to 88 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2. 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.
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 3 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | SYNTHETIC |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 7.9 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 221 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 49 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 740 cca |
| Engine Compression | 174-203 psi |
| Engine Oil Pressure | 7.25 |
| Intake Valve Lash | Hydraulic in |
| Exhaust Valve Lash | Hydraulic in |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 81 ft-lbs / 18-22 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81-96 ft-lbs / 49 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 1.197 in / 0.724 in |
| Rotor Finish | 0.5 - 3.5 μin |
| 1 | 44 ft. lbs., step 2: 50 degrees, step 3: 50 | 44 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 22 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 80 degrees | 80 degrees |
| 3 | 80 | |
This vehicle uses condition-based service — it signals maintenance needs through its onboard service indicator rather than fixed mileage intervals. Items on the factory schedule:
| Replace | Transmission Assembly · Engine Oil Filter · Engine Oil |
| Inspect | Cabin Air Filter |
| Drain, Flush & Refill | Engine Coolant System |
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.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
7.9 qt of USE ONLY BMW HIGH PERFORMANCE SYNTHETIC MOTOR OIL BMW PART NO. 07510017866 OR EQUIVALENT, per the factory manual.
EPA figures are 12 city / 19 highway / 15 combined mpg.