Niello BMW of sacramento checked my Z3 2000 for traction control light is on advise, and some fluttering noise came out during acceleration. They found out that there's metal shavings in the differential. They repaired it and replaced it with new one as what they advised to me, plus they replaced thr brake pads, rotors, sensor drive belts, cover air bag and that cost $3200.18 which I paid. I questioned them if that's still be covered by the warranty since I bought that car in May 1999, and they said, " no it's not under warranty." So I paid the whole amount of $3200.18. So I drove my car and in a matter of days the car broke again, stopping in the middle of freeway, and that time I heard some fluttering noise again underneath, which scared me. So I immediately called some help and took my car to niello BMW in sacramento for repair and it them a week to repair my car. After it was being repaired I traded it in with Lexus rx 330 in roseville since I'm scared already driving BMW and don't trust that car again.

- Sacramento , CA, USA

While on a trip I noticed an odd knocking noise from the left rear of vehicle during accelleration while in 1st gear. Upon further inspection I found the car's sub frame in the area supporting the rear differential mount fractured and breaking away from the vehicle. The noise was due to the emergency brake cable that had popped out of its retention clip, due to the physical movement of the supporting material around it. If this had not happened, I would not have noticed the failure until the mount had broken away entirely. Since this mounts the rear axle of the vehicle, it is possible for this to fail at high speed causing loss of control of the vehicle with a high potential of accident and/or injury. I am having this repaired immediately before driving the vehicle any further. This problem appears to be common to the "M" version and many of the straight 6 cylinder version of this vehicle. My version is a 2.8 liter standard roadster. It is likely a stress failure due to the higher torque of these engines. To correct this failure the damaged material needs to be rewelded and reinforced with additional support.

- San Jose, CA, USA