1998 BMW Z3 problems

POWER TRAIN

The BMW E36 Z3 1996-2002 (I have the 1998 1.9) are prone to having a separation of the Rear subframe from the differential causing the drivetrain to hang off the vehicle and/or rip out of the trunk's weak aluminum sheet subframe. BMW Germany has acknowledged the problem for a few individuals over the past decade and a half and kept it on the low for them to not spread it further. BMW North America fails to acknowledge the design flaw during their manufacturing process in the North American Plant during the late 90s. The Spot Welds' quality is subpar and worrisome as this catastrophic failure of the subframe to driveline structure has various ways of presenting it self which chiefly includes popped spot welds in the truck which comes hand in hand with a cracked differential ear bracket. * To simply understand why this happens: The issue is that the metal of the trunkfloor is too thin and not adequete at holding up to the forces of the differential tugging at it. There have been documented cases of similarly "repaired" Z3's that end up basically pulling out and/or deforming the entire trunkfloor panel. The metal panel the diff crossmember is structurally tied to (and the trunkfloor itself which is above it) is simply too weak for the forces being applied through it. Adding more welds simply changes where the failure occurs - from pulling out spotwelds, to deforming the trunk floor/crossmember itself if there are too many welds for them to be able to be pulled out. There are a few kits going around that other owners have addressed to their vehicles for a few thousand dollars which includes welding and a re-fabrication of the trunk floor's structure to the subframe/chasis. It has two "caps" that sit on the framerails at either side and a "crossmember" piece which is a strong piece of metal that spans between the two frame rails and sits on top of the "caps". When installed, the differential ends up tugging at the crossmember, which then distributes the forces.....

NHTSA complaint #11461944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

The BMW E36 Z3 1996-2002 (I have the 1998 1.9) are prone to having a separation of the Rear subframe from the differential causing the drivetrain to hang off the vehicle and/or rip out of the trunk's weak aluminum sheet subframe. BMW Germany has acknowledged the problem for a few individuals over the past decade and a half and kept it on the low for them to not spread it further. BMW North America fails to acknowledge the design flaw during their manufacturing process in the North American Plant during the late 90s. The Spot Welds' quality is subpar and worrisome as this catastrophic failure of the subframe to driveline structure has various ways of presenting it self which chiefly includes popped spot welds in the truck which comes hand in hand with a cracked differential ear bracket. * To simply understand why this happens: The issue is that the metal of the trunkfloor is too thin and not adequete at holding up to the forces of the differential tugging at it. There have been documented cases of similarly "repaired" Z3's that end up basically pulling out and/or deforming the entire trunkfloor panel. The metal panel the diff crossmember is structurally tied to (and the trunkfloor itself which is above it) is simply too weak for the forces being applied through it. Adding more welds simply changes where the failure occurs - from pulling out spotwelds, to deforming the trunk floor/crossmember itself if there are too many welds for them to be able to be pulled out. There are a few kits going around that other owners have addressed to their vehicles for a few thousand dollars which includes welding and a re-fabrication of the trunk floor's structure to the subframe/chasis. It has two "caps" that sit on the framerails at either side and a "crossmember" piece which is a strong piece of metal that spans between the two frame rails and sits on top of the "caps". When installed, the differential ends up tugging at the crossmember, which then distributes the forces.....

NHTSA complaint #11461944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

SEATS MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD WHEN VEHICLE ACCELERATES OR DECELERATES, ITS A KNOWN ISSUE OF DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT THAT SHOULD NOT FALL ON THE CONSUMER FOR REPAIR

NHTSA complaint #11257526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I HAVE A 1998 Z3 M ROADSTER AND THE TRUNK WELDS HOLDING THE SUBFRAME IS FAILING. THIS IS A COMMONLY DOCUMENTED ISSUES. BMW DEALERS ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE BUT BMW NORTH AMERICA WILL NOT FIX IT. THIS IS A WELDING/MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT CAN LEAD TO THE DIFFERENTIAL AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS IN THE REAR TO COMPLETELY SEPARATE.

NHTSA complaint #11165993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

I HAVE A 1998 Z3 M ROADSTER AND THE TRUNK WELDS HOLDING THE SUBFRAME IS FAILING. THIS IS A COMMONLY DOCUMENTED ISSUES. BMW DEALERS ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE BUT BMW NORTH AMERICA WILL NOT FIX IT. THIS IS A WELDING/MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT CAN LEAD TO THE DIFFERENTIAL AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS IN THE REAR TO COMPLETELY SEPARATE.

NHTSA complaint #11165993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

I HAVE A 1998 Z3 M ROADSTER AND THE TRUNK WELDS HOLDING THE SUBFRAME IS FAILING. THIS IS A COMMONLY DOCUMENTED ISSUES. BMW DEALERS ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE BUT BMW NORTH AMERICA WILL NOT FIX IT. THIS IS A WELDING/MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT CAN LEAD TO THE DIFFERENTIAL AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS IN THE REAR TO COMPLETELY SEPARATE.

NHTSA complaint #11165993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I PURCHASED A USED 1998 BMW Z3 WITH THE 1.9 LITER ENGINE ON 10/14/2010 WITH 90564 MILES. IN MID NOVEMBER I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC FOR A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHICH WAS SERVICED. THE MECHANIC INFORMS ME THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH Z3'S ALONG WITH OTHER MODEL BMW'S WITH THE WAY THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS ATTACHED. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE FLEXING IN THE SHEET METAL WHERE THE DIFFERENTIAL IS ATTACHED CAUSING FAILURE OF THE SPOT WELDS HOLDING THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY TOGETHER. HE SHOWED ME IN MY TRUNK WHERE TWO OF THE SIX SPOT WELDS HAD BROKEN. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ON THE DIFFERENT BMW FORUMS AND BMW IS CLAIMING THIS FAILURE IS DUE TO PERFORMANCE MODIFICATIONS OR CARS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO A TRACK OR AUTOCROSS. I DO NOT KNOW THE PREVIOUS HISTORY OF MY CAR BUT IT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF. ON 6/30/2011 I HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP AGAIN FOR SERVICE WORK AND MY MECHANIC FOUND TWO MORE BROKEN WELDS AND SOME SEPARATION IN THE REAR CHASSIS. THIS CAR IS PRETTY MUCH UN-DRIVABLE NOW DUE TO THIS CONDITION. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A COUPLE OF COMPANIES THAT MAKE A REPAIR KIT FOR THIS THAT WILL STRENGTHEN THE TRUNK AREA AND PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10415652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

I PURCHASED A USED 1998 BMW Z3 WITH THE 1.9 LITER ENGINE ON 10/14/2010 WITH 90564 MILES. IN MID NOVEMBER I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC FOR A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHICH WAS SERVICED. THE MECHANIC INFORMS ME THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH Z3'S ALONG WITH OTHER MODEL BMW'S WITH THE WAY THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS ATTACHED. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE FLEXING IN THE SHEET METAL WHERE THE DIFFERENTIAL IS ATTACHED CAUSING FAILURE OF THE SPOT WELDS HOLDING THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY TOGETHER. HE SHOWED ME IN MY TRUNK WHERE TWO OF THE SIX SPOT WELDS HAD BROKEN. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ON THE DIFFERENT BMW FORUMS AND BMW IS CLAIMING THIS FAILURE IS DUE TO PERFORMANCE MODIFICATIONS OR CARS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO A TRACK OR AUTOCROSS. I DO NOT KNOW THE PREVIOUS HISTORY OF MY CAR BUT IT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF. ON 6/30/2011 I HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP AGAIN FOR SERVICE WORK AND MY MECHANIC FOUND TWO MORE BROKEN WELDS AND SOME SEPARATION IN THE REAR CHASSIS. THIS CAR IS PRETTY MUCH UN-DRIVABLE NOW DUE TO THIS CONDITION. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A COUPLE OF COMPANIES THAT MAKE A REPAIR KIT FOR THIS THAT WILL STRENGTHEN THE TRUNK AREA AND PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10415652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BMW Z3. DURING ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEAT ADJUSTOR RAIL FAILED. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE SEAT MOVED BACK AND FORTH WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 11/09/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED BMW KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND THERFORE, THEY CHANGED MATERIAL USED IN THE ISOLATER PADS. UPDATED 11/09/09

NHTSA complaint #10285850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BMW Z3. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY RATE OF SPEED, THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOVES BACKWARDS AND FORWARDS WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA complaint #10197346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

MARCH 2007 DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND UPON STOPPING AT RED LIGHT SEAT JOLTS FORWARD CAUSING FOOT TO SLIP OFF OF BRAKE AND NEARLY CAUSING ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENS CONSTANTLY NOW ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT OF 1998 BMW Z-3. UPON TAKING CAR TO SHOP AFTER SHOP AND DEALER I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST $470.00 A SEAT TO FIX. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS PART WAS DETERMINED DEFECTIVE BY BMW AND CHANGED IN THE NEXT MODEL AFTER IT WAS DISCOVERED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND THESE PARTS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED TO SAVE THE PUBLIC FROM USELESS AND AVOIDABLE ACCIDENTS.

NHTSA complaint #10197347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT

WHILE BRAKING AND SPEEDING THE DRIVER'S SEAT LURCHED FORWARD/BACKWARDS ON THE SEAT TRACKS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10115415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

DRIVER'S SEAT MOVES BACK AND FORTH WHICH CAN BE A SAFETY HAZARD, I HAVE SEEN OTHER BMW Z3 WHILE AT A DEALER FOR SERVICE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. YET BMW HAS NOT RECOGNIZED THIS AS A FACTORY DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #10110189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

SAFETY DEFECT 1998 Z3 BMW. *MR THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. THE CHECK INDICATED THAT THE SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM WAS GETTING ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE IN THE WIRING HARNESS. THE CONSUMER REFUSED REPAIR DUE TO THE COST AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED PROBLEM THAT IT SHOULD BE REPAIR AT NO CHARGE.

NHTSA complaint #10050475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE IN THE WIRING HARNESS. THE DEALER WANTED THE CONSUMER TO PAY $400 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM BUT THE CONSUMER BELIEVES BMW SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THIS PROBLEM MAY CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO FAIL ON IMPACT. *AK *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10043982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

WHILE DRIVING AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD COME ON. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #10042414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

I AM EXPERIENCING A POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM. ON AN IRREGULAR BASIS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM INSIDE THE CAR. THIS MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO EXIT THE CAR WITHOUT UNLOCKING THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, USING THE POWER-LOCK REMOTE (FOB), OR REACHING OUTSIDE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR WITH THE KEY. IN AN ACCIDENT SITUATION, THE DRIVER COULD BE TRAPPED IN THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10003371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

VEHICLE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WILL LAUNCH FORWARD WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

NHTSA complaint #8023166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

TRANSMISSION POPS OR JUMPS OUT OF FIRST GEAR UPON TAKEOFF.

NHTSA complaint #755193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE SERVICED 4 TIMES ... THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, I LOSE ALL HEAD LIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WHEN THIS HAPPENS .. INCLUDING MY TURN SIGNALS..

NHTSA complaint #749966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.