Before the automobile had stability control in 1999, our tests revealed that handling was good but difficult at the limits.
The 1.9-liter Four was the first engine available, while the 2.8- and 2.3-liter inline Sixes debuted in 1997 and 1999, respectively.
With higher power and sportier handling, the high-performance M Coupe and M Roadster made their début in 1998.
In This Article...
They owned a 1997 2.8.
Later in its life, I utilized my parents’ 1997 2.8 for a few years. Absolutely fantastic engine—instant, powerful, and quick! It was a nice automobile to drive, and I particularly liked the long bonnet. In the long run, I doubt you’d use it on a daily basis because it might get a little tiresome. It was excellent as a weekend vehicle and was especially nice on a sunny day with the top down. MPG was, as I recall, between 25 and 28 mpg, or approximately 30 mpg if you drove slowly. I drove it with several friends, and they were all shocked by how swift it seemed. I’m not sure how it would perform today compared to the vehicles we are accustomed to. But that’s unquestionably the purpose of purchasing it now. A solid car overall, not the best in terms of dynamics but not the worst. But trust me when I say that engine more than made up for it! After the 2.8, I wouldn’t want to drive the lesser engines since I feel they wouldn’t perform as well. From memory, 0-60 in 6.7s is a respectable time!
terrific investment
purchased this nearly 20-year-old roadster from an out-of-state dealership without seeing it first. The automobile is still practically new at 20k miles. The car is stunning and drives fantastically, and the construction quality is outstanding. This car offers so much more than any brand-new vehicle at the same or significantly higher price. Best bargain of any vehicle I’ve had, plus it’s a blast to drive. It will be difficult to locate one this nice, but they do exist.
In Motion
Even if the 1.9-liter automobiles are passably enjoyable, attempt to afford one of the six-cylinder variants if you can. The 2.8-liter Z3 is perhaps the best used bet overall because it combines a powerful engine with a velvety smooth ride. It will only take 6.7 seconds to reach 60 mph, and then it will reach its top speed of 134 mph. The Z3 offers a favorable driving impression because to its lightweight clutch and gearbox and tolerably quick steering. The hood is well-made and does a decent job of soundproofing and weatherproofing. Even more amazing are the following models, such the 2.2-liter and 3.0-liter, but they haven’t yet been produced in the same quantity as the Z3 2.8.
The M roadster and M coupe are also loaded with genuinely sickening performance. The M roadster’s sporting credentials are assured by its 4.9-second zero to 60 mph time and 160 mph top speed. The long-travel throttle pedal gets firmer as you squeeze out the remaining few horsepower from the engine, allowing it to reach these speeds on a continuous stream of power. Although it lacks the excitement of a turbocharged engine, power is essentially always accessible, regardless of gear. It makes sense that McLaren chose BMW while searching for the best engine for their F1 supercar. The M roadster’s limited range dampens the fun. The tiny 51-liter fuel tank implies that under enthusiastic driving, the maximum range can fall to just over 100 miles. Thus, an hour of entertainment in a thirsty M roadster could easily cost PS40 in fuel.
The more powerful Z3 versions handle differently than you may anticipate. It must be a lengthy, nerve-wracking journey with all that power going to the back wheels. Well, not in the dry at least. Only a substantial provocation will cause the car to become unstable because the handling bias is set up for safety. The first generation BMW M3, which debuted in 1987 and hasn’t undergone much change since, introduced the fundamental rear suspension setup. The ride is more jittery than it is in a modern 3 Series, with the back end bouncing and skipping a little bit as the pace increases and the surface deteriorates. Nevertheless, the dynamic roadholding accentuates the car’s vivacious personality.
BMW Z3 dependability
- 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.
Are BMW Z3 values rising?
You might never see a comeback on the automobiles with the smaller engines. It’s more a matter of purchasing one for your personal enjoyment and caring for it properly to preserve as much of its value as you can. The 2.8 and 3.0 models of the Z3 will appreciate in value, but even then, only if low mileage is maintained and even then, only if the vehicle is regularly pampered, which isn’t the idea of a Z3. You can purchase, drive, and enjoy a Z3. There are more better options available if you’re looking to purchase a vehicle as an investment, such the Z3M. One is not the Z3. Instead, get it for personal use; you’ll be glad you did.
The BMW Z3—is it a vintage?
The BMW Z3 has been on the market for more than 25 years, but it is still only just beginning to qualify as a classic. We believe the Z3 is ready now since values for good instances are rising and its contemporaries are already rising in the modern-classic category.
Is it simple to repair a BMW Z3?
I longed for a cool project car as a teenage BMW enthusiast. Life, money, and obligations got in the way, and I was never really able to justify the expense. But I’ve never stopped daydreaming about a low-cost, entertaining, and comparatively easy project car, something to tinker with, customize, and go on a long drive on Sunday mornings; nowhere to go and all day to get there. The BMW Z3 is one vehicle that has been on my radar for a while, and this piece from Car Throttle is further fueling my interest.
The staff at Car Throttle once forced one of its guests, Ethan, who isn’t very passionate about automobiles, to purchase a BMW Z3 as a project vehicle. Really, it was his decision to acquire the car, but the rest of the crew supported the notion. Since purchasing it, they have repaired several of its problems and rebuilt the suspension, exhaust, and tires. Due to its modest 1.9 liter four-cylinder engine, it is still not ideal and not particularly quick. But most importantly, it’s his own, enjoyable, and reasonably priced.
A project automobile, especially an old, cheap one, has something quite unique. You, the owner, have a special bond with the vehicle because you brought it back to life and had it personalized. Even while the car model itself isn’t all that spectacular, the fact that it’s yours and unique makes it special. Ethan even mentions how his special bond with the small BMW Z3 led to him being somewhat of a car aficionado.
For project car searches, it also appears that the BMW Z3 is a fantastic place to start. It is compact, inexpensive, rear-wheel drive, accessible with a manual transmission, rather simple to maintain, and — most importantly — enjoyable. The Z3 has a cheery charm that few other BMWs at this pricing point possess.
You can purchase a BMW Z3 for a reasonable price, upgrade the suspension, give it a somewhat cooler look, and address any problems with it, and you’ll have a fun, drop-top BMW roadster to play with every weekend. Therefore, start your search for an inexpensive project BMW with the Z3.
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.
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.
What year did the BMW Z3 make its debut?
The German automaker’s first contemporary mass-market roadster, the Z3, debuted for the 1996 model year after appearing in the James Bond film “GoldenEye.” It was introduced as the Z1’s replacement. When the vehicle was unveiled, over 15,000 had already been sold.
Where was the BMW Z3 produced?
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.)
Which Z3 motor is the most dependable?
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.
Is the rear-wheel-drive BMW Z3?
Rear wheel drive is standard on the BMW Z3, which practically goes without saying. The distance between the stretched front end of the automobile and the driver and passenger’s seats, which are virtually directly above the rear axle and just above the road, is almost unbelievable.