BMW Z3 Touch Up Paint (20 OEM Colors)

The Color Breakdown

BMW really went for it with the Z3, recording 20 distinct colors that range from the sophisticated Black Sapphire Metallic to the flat-out bold Turquoise Green and Velvet Blue. Whether your roadster is wearing the iconic Atlanta Blue Metallic or the classic Alpinweiss III, these cars were designed to stand out. With such a diverse palette, your car likely has a personality as big as its hood.

What to Watch For

The Z3 was one of the first BMWs to move toward more environmentally friendly, water-based paints, which is great for the planet but can be a bit brittle on the road. You'll likely notice a "peppered" look on the hood and front bumper from rock chips. Keep a close eye on the areas around the door handles and the edges of the trunk; if you see the clear coat starting to look cloudy or "lifting," it's time to act before it starts to peel. To find your exact match, pop the hood-your paint code is usually printed on a black label located on the driver's side strut tower (the metal "hump" near the engine). It'll often have the color name in German, like Schwarz II or Hellrot.

Driveway Repair Tip

Since many of these colors-like Cosmos Black Pearl-are packed with metallic flakes, the secret is in the shake. Give your touch-up bottle or pen a solid 60 seconds of "maraca duty" to wake up those sparkles so they don't all sit at the bottom. When you're filling a chip, don't try to fill the whole hole in one go. Dab a tiny amount into the center and let it spread to the edges. It requires a little patience, but building up two or three thin layers will give you a much smoother finish than one big, thick blob.