Most common 2001 BMW Z3 Roadster problems
Share of the 8 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW Z3 Roadster complaints by model year
Best Z3 Roadster years: 2001. Compare all years →
What 2001 BMW Z3 Roadster owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
I have a 2003 BMW z4 with sequential manual gearbox. The car automatically shifts into neutral without any warning. This is very dangerous when you are trying to merge into traffic. I was almost in an accident because I stepped on the gas and the car didn't move. The car is supposed to shift into 1st gear automatically when stopping but then it shifts to neutral without touching the shift knob and it does so whenever it decides to do it. This is a situation that needs to be addressed immediately and BMW states there is no recalls on it or service bulletins. I know of at least five others with the same problem as well from a website roadfly.org. Please check this sit for more info under smg problems.
I am driving as normal and then the car begins to have problems shifting and the transmission indicator light comes on. The owners manual tell you to pull over and shift the car into park and then apply the parking brake and turn the car off and then back on. It seems to temporarily correct the problem but it still occurs on days when the air temp. Is high. I have had the car on the diagnostic a number of times with no cure. As far as I know there are no recalls on the transmission or ECU. But this could be a major problem at high speeds on the highway or in city traffic if the car stalls or locks up BMW 2001 Z3 2.5i (steptronic shifting)
2001 BMW Z3 Roadster engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 19 / 26 / 21 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 24 / 20 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 18 / 25 / 20 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 23 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Sports car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 BMW Z3 Roadster a good car?
Based on 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 Z3 Roadster rates better than average: 44% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Z3 Roadster at the same age. It is one of the best Z3 Roadster years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 BMW Z3 Roadster?
The transmission & drivetrain — 3 complaints, 38% of all complaints for this model year, most often about manual transmission. Next are the air bags (2) and engine & cooling (1).
How many recalls does the 2001 BMW Z3 Roadster have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2001 BMW Z3 Roadster. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the BMW Z3 Roadster?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2001. See the full BMW Z3 Roadster years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 BMW Z3 Roadster problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 68,000 miles; 38% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.