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The short version
- The Z3 wheel bearing at the front is 513125 for the full 1996 to 2002 run. That includes the M roadster and M coupe.
- That same 513125 number is cataloged for the E36 3-series, M3, and 318i. Rows also cover 1992 to 1995 3-series cars.
- No dedicated rear listing is held for the Z3, so match the old part or the VIN.
- The roadster’s front hub comes from the 3-series parts bin rather than a Z3 specific design.
BMW built the Z3 on a shortened 3-series chassis, and the front hub never forgot it. Order the part, and a 3-series listing answers back.
The front comes from the 3-series bin
The Z3’s front hub is 513125 across the 1996 to 2002 run. It is the identical number cataloged for the E36 3-series, including the M3 and 318i.
Catalog rows for that same number reach back to 1992 to 1995 3-series cars. The M roadster and M coupe follow the same front listing.
Z3 wheel bearing part numbers
| Years | Detail | Number |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 to 2002 | Front, Z3, M roadster, M coupe | 513125 check price |
| 1992 to 1995 | Front, E36 3-series catalog rows, M3 and 318i | 513125 check price |
| 1996 to 2002 | Rear | own listings, match old part or VIN |
Every model year this chart resolves: 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002.
Price links lead to Amazon searches for that number. As an Amazon Associate this site earns from qualifying purchases.
Lookups run through the cross reference page.
No dedicated rear listing
Unlike the front, no dedicated rear listing is held for the Z3. The correct approach is matching the old part or confirming against the VIN.
That is a gap in the catalog, not an invented shortcut. Resist the urge to guess from a 3-series rear number instead.
Shared with the whole E36 family
The 513125 front hub ties the Z3 to the 3-series it was built from, spanning everyday 318i sedans up through the M3. BMW’s broader lineup sits on the BMW page. The roadster’s eventual successor gets its own chart on the Z4 page.
A roadster with a parts bin front
A Z3 wheel bearing wears the way any 3-series front hub does. Age and mileage matter more than any Z3 specific driving pattern. Cars that spent winters on salted roads tend to show it sooner.
A hum that gets louder in one direction of turn points at a specific side. That pattern is explained on the turning noise page.
Diagnosing a Z3 wheel bearing
- Confirm the model year falls in the 1996 to 2002 range for 513125.
- Note the trim since M roadster and M coupe use the same front listing.
- Pull the old rear part or the VIN before ordering a replacement rear.
- Listen through turns for a hum that favors one direction.
- Rock the wheel to check for play before condemning the bearing.
The full check sits on the wheel bearing check page. The difference between a bearing and a full axle assembly is explained on the axle versus wheel bearing page.
Common questions
Which Z3 wheel bearing fits the front?
513125 for the full 1996 to 2002 run, including the M roadster and M coupe.
Does the E36 3-series really use the same number?
Yes. 513125 is cataloged for the 3-series, M3, and 318i, with rows also covering 1992 to 1995 cars.
What about the rear bearing?
No dedicated listing is held for it. Match the old part or confirm against the VIN.
Do the M roadster and M coupe need a different front?
No. They follow the same 513125 front listing as the rest of the Z3 range.
Is this the same part as a Z4?
The Z4 replaced the Z3 and carries its own chart, covered separately rather than sharing this number.