BMW Z3 2.8. Classics the day they were born.

Author's Rating:

Pros: Beautiful like a Victoria's Secret Model without the attitude, classic, maxed out fun factor!

Cons: Ugly wood console, the fact that they don't make them any more, WHY WHY WHY!

Handling And Control:

The Bottom Line: 
The most fun you could have on a date with a hot looking sweetie . . . and you are the only person in the car!

I am new to this site. This is my second review. I might write a review of the 27 or so cars I have owned. If I do, it will be in order of most favorite to least I suppose. So clearly, this is my 2nd favorite all time car model.

History

The BMW Z3 made its debt in a James Bond movie more than a decade ago. When I first saw it, instantly I knew it was going to be a classic. That one was an M44 Atlantic Blue 1.9 sample. The car made its debt to the public in 1996 as a 1.9 liter 138 hp roadster with a manual soft top that sold for a tick under $30,000. It was based on inline 4 cylinder E36 318i series cars, including its suspension. After 7 years of production, it went out offering an S54 3.2 liter 315 hp M "monster" version that sold for over $46,000 (see my M Roadster Review for an S54 version). That is more than twice the horsepower of the original in essentially the same chassis. In between there were many variants:

1.9 M44 I-4 138bhp/133 lb-ft Torque, 1996-1998
2.3 M52 I-6 170bhp/181 lb-ft,1999-2000
2.5i M54 I-6 184bhp/175 lb-ft, 2001-2002
2.8 M52 I-6, 189bhp/203 lb-ft, 1997-2000
3.0i M54 I-6, 225bhp/214 lb-ft, 2001-2002
2.8 coupe M52 I-6, 189bhp/206 lb-ft, 1999-2000
3.0 coupe M54 I-6, 225bhp/214 lb-ft, 2001-2002
M Roadster, 3.2L S52 I-6, 240bhp/236 lb-ft, 1998-2000
M Roadster, 3.2L S54 I-6, 315bhp/251 lb-ft, 2001-2002
M Coupe, 3.2L S52 I-6, 240bhp/236 lb-ft, 1999-2000
M Coupe, 3.2L S54 I-6, 315bhp/251 lb-ft, 2001-2002

All but the M versions are properly called BMW Z3's with reference to 1.9, 2.8 etc for the engine size. M versions are properly called M Roadsters, with S52 or S54 referring to engine sizes (not 3.2). M Z3's is not a proper term.

A lot of these cars were sold over the 7 year production run. Sales over the years ranged from about 20,000-35,000 per year so there are a lot of them out there to choose from. They came in about 9 basic colors, and some unusual ones that came and went over the years. For example, my favorite Boston Green was not available every year.

As the car matured, BMW upgraded the bits. Early cars had no roll-over protection bars or automatic top. VANOS system became double VANOS etc. But the car's chassis was fundamentally unchanged over its production run. This was not a great thing, particularly as to suspension and rigidity. In 2000, all Z3 models, but not the M variants, the rear fenders were modified to bulge out more at the top (not my favorite modification).

A word on the original 1.9

The purists among Z3 owners, and indeed likely the very engineers who designed the original, swear by the 1.9 and argue that it is the best all time Z3. In terms of fun factor, they are probably right. The 1.9's tender 138hp engine was designed for the 318i based chassis and thus is the most balanced of the Z3 variants. If you like Miata's handling characteristics you will probably prefer a 1.9 to other Z3 variants. This is the engine this chassis was intended for. But alas, consumer demand and engineering curiosity lead to BMW stuffing bigger engines into this not ultrastiff chassis to the point of my 315 monster engine in my current one. At about 220-230+ hp, the engine becomes too much for the tire grip and you can become the instant unintentional drifting champion. So many will argue that the 1.9 is the original and only pure Z3 ever. Who am I to argue with logic. I wont dare claim that my fetish for horsepower is logical in the least. Having fewer complex bits and a manual soft top, the 1.9 will probably give fewer problems I expect.

The Art of Z3 Watching

1.9's are easy to spot as are all the rest, more or less. You can spy a 1.9 by noticing a lack of flared rear fenders. It is Miata narrow. The exhaust is a single squared off elliptical exercise. Those two cues will tell you it is a 1.9. A 2.8 can be spied by flared rear fenders and a twin exhaust at the left side. An M Roadster can be spied by overly-boastful flared fenders on steroids, a quad exhaust with twins on either side, and slats instead of gills on the side. The wheels of the M are also more distinctive 5 spoke thingies. To spy an S54 vs and S54 M you need more attention to detail. The wheels on the S54 are darker. The S52's are pure brushed aluminum.

My own experience with Z3's

I have owned 2 Z3's and now own an '01 S54 M Roadster. One Z3 was mine and the other my wife's. Both are gone now and both are sorely missed. Thank god for my M, else life would be just oh so boring. My '98 stick went to a Naval officer from San Diego, where she first lived. Being a navy veteran myself, no better buyer could be found for me. Off she went into good hands. My wife's '99 auto is a recent sale. Both of us felt seller's remorse, as if we gave away our very souls. She will never forgive me for selling her car. Gambling away our savings, perhaps, this never.

1998 Z3 2.8 Stick in Boston Green

This was my baby. I bought her brand new, built to my spec in what I think is the best Z3 color ever, Boston Green (a metallic green). I drove her in San Diego 99% top down. She had a tan interior and top. I loved every minute of owning that car.

Looks

The first time I saw a Z3 on TV, I was like "wow, that car is going to be a classic some day." I fell in love instantly. Then a year later, I saw one on the highway, top down, in Boston Green. I followed the car from all angles stealing glances in my autostalker best. That was it. Off to a dealer and 4 months later, she arrived. The lines of this car are so classy and beautiful from all angles it is a timeless beauty. Nothing made me realize that more than the Z4, which is so damn ugly next to a Z3. I would pay more for a used Z3 today, than a new Z4. The uberpronounced long hood is classic roadster sophisticate. I think BMW should forget the Z4 and bring back the Z3 (forget the upcoming Z2 as well). I would be first in line to get a new one. The short rear quarters smack of tidy. Curves all over, even the dash sings geometry narcotic bliss. Those side gills are so damn sexy, kudos to the designers of this car! After more than 10 years, still my favorite all time roadster. Still just timelessly beautiful, elegantly simple.

Driving Experience

Driving a Z3 is quite honestly like good sex. Afterward you have a smile painted on your face. Commuting was never so much fun than in this car. The 2.8 was a nimble car. Steering input was instant, as if she knew what you wanted to do before you did it. Tight steering on a roadster is a must if you want to enjoy life with it. Turn in was quick and balanced. She can kick out from the rear, but predictably so and that is a fun factor of this car. The 2.8 went from 0-60 in 6.1 seconds I believe. Very quick for a little 193bhp engine (BMW reported 189 and 193hp for 2.8's at the time). Brake feel was good, the sport's seats kept you in place. Suspension feel perfect. She could use more power, but I have 3 cars right now with over 1,200 hp between them so I could never have enough power.

She could keep up with Boxter's, and SLK's of the time, were no problem. I rented a Z3, Boxter, and SLK just before I spied that green one on the road. Each for 2 days. The SLK dropped off right away. The Boxter was fun to drive, but I loved the Z3 far more. A one night stand with the Boxter was enough, the Z3,I wanted to marry.

Ergos. Interior was functional and not exorbitant. Dials were clean and easy to read. The chrome accents a nice touch. The center console was a cheap looking fake wood. Never liked it one bit. The only thing about the car I hated. But so much to love. Heck, my wife has some faults, but those strong points . . . what faults? Not very roomy, but then again I am not that tall. Maybe one reason I love this car so much is that it fits me like a glove. An extension of me. I used to race motorcycles and this is the closest I ever felt to being on a bike, in a car. Trunk space good for a weekend and not much more. Shifting quick and certain. What a great experience this car was. To boot, never a single problem with the engine or this car. Dependable as hell.

1999 2.8 Automatic

Just a few notes on my wife's car, because all the above applies to hers as well. She bought hers in Alantic Blue (the James Bond color) and hers was an automatic. Else the same 2.8 as mine. I have owned 3 M3's and an M5 and all were sticks. My 4 Mercedes, all Autos. My feeling is that BMW is the best with sticks and Mercedes the best with Autos. But in fairness, this auto was very very good. Responsive and dependable. I prefer a stick in a roadster, but she loved this car and I enjoyed it tremendously when I drove it too. After all, it was still a Z3.

2001 S54 M-Roadster

I have one in Imola Red, with Red/Black interior. I will write separately about this car. There is also a fella who wrote two most excellent reviews of his '01 and '02 M roadsters and you should read his wise words in addition to mine. But I will say something about the interior of this car. WOW! The two tone retro look with the chrome dials is the coolest interior I have ever seen on a car. Like watching my wife at the pool. I just can't take my eyes off. This car, I may get buried in. Either this or my CLK55. And I have owned a Ferrari, 2 Jags, even an Aston Martin. This is the best Z3 ever made and this particular car I still own. It is my '98 with the power and performance I secretly wished for and that center console I hated became art worth of the Lourve! Long live Z3's!