You have obviously not read the Owners Handbook, which describes the meaning behind the warning lamps.
If you think about it, this seems like the car is trying to tell you that there is an intermittent problem with the power steering system, similar to that which many years ago resulted in a class action in the USA, where BMW replaced all Z4 steering racks - but not in the UK!
The problem was caused by ageing of components in the power steering electronics at the base of the steering rack. This made them more sensitive to heat, and became worse until the power assistance could cut in and out without warning, which could be exciting in corners!
I remember reading of people in the UK who had this problem, and were fobbed off by dealers who claimed that they could not find any problem. Eventually a specialist from Germany diagnosed the problem straight away. BMW of course, claimed that UK temperatures were too low to cause any problems. I guess they thought their customers would never travel to the southern regions of Italy,Spain, or France during the summer.
As your car is over ten years old it is doubtful that BMW would be interested, but it may be possible that a specialist electronics repairer may be able to effect a cure. It makes me thankful for my simple hydraulic system . . .
'Vital' systems such as power steering and ABS/DSC systems are often confused by low battery voltage, giving a warning light after a period of standing until the battery is fully charged. As a preliminary measure it would be worth measuring the bettery voltage while the engine is stopped, while the warning lamp is on, and then when it has gone out.
If the difference is much over 1 volt or so, and your battery is the original, it may be worth replacing it as a preventative measure anyway, as modern batteries tend to die without warning.
------------- A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!
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