However, they can tell us that a Z3 has somewhat higher-than-average annual repair expenditures. BMW’s total RepairPal rating is 2.5 out of 5, meaning its track record for dependability isn’t particularly stellar.
In This Article...
The Z that is most trustworthy
The Z with the best reliability after ten years is the one that has had the best maintenance. Condition is everything in used autos.
The most dependable BMW I’ve ever had—and I’ve owned quite a few—has been my Z3 M. The E38 7 series is the least dependable BMW model. Avoid taking that path at any cost.
LOL, you may see my 1993 740IL in my albums.
After spending over $3,000 to replace everything else, I was quoted $3500 for shocks and struts and another $1800.00 for a power steering rebuild. But I sure do miss her.
I appreciate all the responses; I’ve been considering the four-cylinder engine for mpgs. Although I prefer manual, continual shifting can be very irritating.
Hey, I drove 100 miles yesterday and got about 32 mpg with my 2.8L. Naturally, I had the cruise set to 60 mph, and the highway was mostly in flat terrain. But dang, I never imagined I’d get so much mileage. By the way, for this test, the gas tank was topped off, I drove exactly 100 miles, and then I did it again. I determined the amount using the amount I filled up.
Maintaining my M5 is less expensive than the 740i it replaced. The same applies even when using gas! I really liked the way the last E38s looked, but everything about keeping that car maintained was terrible! In comparison to that car, I’m really making money driving an M5!
Which is the superior choice?
The only real question is which engine to purchase because the Z3 has outstanding handling throughout its lifespan. The inline-four engine may be the most dependable and least expensive to maintain, but it’s a Miata engine by default, and more power is frequently the better option. The 3.0-liter, which has 225 horsepower, is the best option, but it costs around $10,000 more than other variants. In light of this, we advise choosing the 2.8-liter, 190-horsepower engine. It costs roughly $6,000 on Autotempest and should provide you all the power you require.
BMW Z3 1.9i
- 2001
- 1895
- Manual
- Petrol
- Convertible
- 2
All that has been required to maintain the car’s reliability is routine maintenance and fuel addition.
Given that it is a BMW, the construction is sturdy and of high caliber. The heated option is wonderful for frigid winter mornings or when the roof is down on a bright but cool day, and the seats are pleasant for lengthy trips.
The car’s interior is well-designed and functional, and although being modern, it has a retro sports car feel about it.
My automobile has exceptional fuel efficiency, but that is only because it is a four-cylinder model. The six cylinder autos must be considerably thirstier, in my opinion. Being a smaller engined vehicle, the performance is obviously not spectacular, but it is decent and always enjoyable, whether in a city or on the open road. Also good is the road handling. Always feel secure.
The car’s two seats and limited baggage room are its sole drawbacks, but if you need such things, a two-seat sports car isn’t really what you should acquire in the first place.
However, the automobile has a ton of storage compartments, many of which are lockable, so even with the roof down, it’s still secure.
As a result of my ownership experience, I would suggest one to anyone. I’ve owned quite a few cars over the years, but this is by far one of my favorites since it’s well made, thoughtfully designed, entertaining, and dependable.
BMW Z3
The rear-wheel-drive Z3 handles nicely up to a certain point, after which the back end may slip out suddenly.
The 2.8-liter Six, which is an option, raises the car’s price by $6,000 while producing 23 more horses.
How durable are BMW Z3s?
BMW Z3. With routine maintenance, a BMW Z3 typically lasts between 160,000 and 180,000 kilometers. We discovered that 6.71 percent of the 149 Z3s we examined had a mileage of more over 150,000 miles. A Z3’s maximum reported mileage was 200,000 kilometers.
How much does a BMW Z3 require in maintenance?
Costs of BMW Z3 auto maintenance and repairs A BMW Z3 is expected to cost between $95 and $4957 to maintain and repair, with an average cost of $326.
What are some typical BMW Z4 issues?
- Steering wheel clunk.
- Loss of coolant.
- faulty roof mechanism
- defective convertible top
- Orientation Drifts.
- Oil Spills.
- Placed Steering Sticks.
- defective airbags
The BMW Z3 was produced where?
The first BMW model not produced in Germany was the Z3. All Z3s were produced by BMW Spartanburg in South Carolina.
Neiman-Marcus released a limited-edition James Bond Edition, which lacked the movie car’s Stinger missile launcher and built-in parachute but included blue paint and distinctive decoration. Neiman-Marcus initially intended to produce 20 cars, but due to demand, increased that number to 100.
The Coupe was allegedly created by a rogue team of engineers who cajoled top management into bringing it into production, at least according to the legend pushed by BMW.
BMW created a unique Z3 prototype with a V-12 engine, but unfortunately it was never put into production. (How unfortunate.)
How many BMW Z3 models were made?
The Z3 was produced in 297,088 units overall between 1995 and 2002. These were a number of special edition versions that could be identified by unique paint schemes and luxurious equipment accents. Only 100 of the James Bond Edition, which was the first of these, were made for the US market in 1996. This unique model, which was only offered in Nieman Marcus’ Christmas catalog, visually matched the agent’s service vehicle and was painted “Atlantic Blue.” The 5.4-liter V12 engine from the 750i was used in a prototype Z3 M Roadster made by M GmbH in 1999, but it was never put into production. This concept was abandoned very quickly because to the severe front-end load and the ensuing poor handling. The one-off is currently a member of the BMW Group Classic lineup. The previously indicated quantity of units is broken down into 279,273 roadsters and 17,815 coupes. Particularly hard to find were the facelifted versions of the M Roadster (344 for Europe/RoW, 1,565 for North America) and M Coupe (434 for Europe/RoW, 678 for North America). The Z3 was replaced by the newly created BMW Z4 in the fall of 2002.
The BMW Z3 is rusty.
- Corrosion: Look for corrosion in the bodywork. If the car has been adequately maintained, there shouldn’t be any problems, but accident damage or neglect can cause them. Some older vehicles are also beginning to deteriorate, with rust most likely to form around the bases of the boot lock and mirrors. Since bumpers are made of plastic, look for any tiny dings and scratches before repairing them.
- More corrosion: There are a few more places under the skin where corrosion could establish itself, such the mounting points for the rear subframe and the diff. When used vigorously throughout their lives, these have also been known to crack. Examine the inner wings and boot floor for straightness and accuracy because crumpling suggests that there may have been a little knock in the past.
- Seals: Verify with the owner if the automobile has ever had new seals installed around the doors and header rail. If not, search for perishing indications and a moist interior. Hoods rarely need to be replaced, however the plastic back window can darken with time. However, polishing it usually makes it better.
- Engines: Despite the fact that six-pot engines are more intriguing, four-cylinder engines are a far more logical and dependable option. The most frequent issue is typically a faulty oxygen sensor, which will cause an engine warning light to illuminate or cause a MoT emissions test to fail. Watch out for a noisy timing chain as well.
- Non-M engines: There are a few more problems with non-M six-cylinder engines to be aware of, like the Nikasil cylinder liners. Due to high sulfate fuel supply in the 1990s, this produced problems, however the majority of engines were fixed under warranty. Cast-iron block engines, which don’t have the same issues, were installed in US cars.
- Waterpump: Check for any evidence of headgasket failure because an inadequately spec’d plastic waterpump might cause overheating as well.
- The M Roadster and M Coupe models employed an engine block made of sturdy iron. Some early engines experienced big-end cap failure, which resulted in engine write-offs. When the product was new, this ought to have been fixed under warranty, but double-check.
- Smart VANOS technology, BMW’s use of variable valve timing, is a recognized weak area. You can hear a grumbling sound when accelerating if it is on the way out. A little flatness will also be felt in the power delivery. Although some experts have a good understanding of the system and can repair specific elements for a significant discount, it can be very expensive to replace.
- Dual-mass flywheels can and will eventually lose their efficiency. Genuine BMW parts are pricey, however aftermarket parts can considerably reduce the cost.
- All automobiles have a trouble-free speed-sensitive PAS system for steering. Watch out for gaiters that are torn and fluid leaks. Track rod ends frequently deteriorate.
- Wheels: Upgrading to larger alloy wheels is a popular alteration, but it might result in a terrible ride, particularly if the suspension has also been reduced. Unless you are certain of what you want, it is best to go with a typical setup. Beware of cheap replica wheels, which are frequently of a harmful grade.
- Keys: Verify that the car has a spare key and that it functions when reading the documentation. It costs money to reprogram the car to a new set of keys if you lose the key.
A BMW Z3 is it a sports car?
Although the most common 1.9-liter engine in most Z3s isn’t as speedy as a sports car, it nevertheless works well for the vehicle. The 2.8- and 3.2-litre engines are substantially more potent, but also make the chassis’ limits glaringly clear.
Exists a club for BMW Z3 owners?
We like to think of ourselves as a BMW Z3 Club because we engage in all the activities associated with a vehicle club. We enjoy all the perks of a “BMW Z3 Club” without having to pay any dues or subscriptions. It was established to serve as the foundation for a BMW Z3 Club in addition to serving as an invaluable technical resource.