The BMW Z3 burst upon the scene with lots of attention. This car looked like it came from a gun barrell manufacturing company, along with Pierce Brosnan in the James Bond flick GoldenEye shortly before its introduction for model-year 1996. This celebrity-like intro, combined with the fact that the car was BMW’s first modern mass-market roadster, gave the Z3 instant popularity. Neiman Marcus’ 1995 Christmas catalog showcased the luscious sports car as the perfect Christmas gift, and it launched a sales stampede that resulted in sold-out Z3 numbers for BMW before the first model even hit showroom floors.
The Z3’s romance with the public proved to be long-lasting. Although the chassis of the Z3 was stiff and not technology oriented, the Z3 is still a worthy car, just like how the Miata put new life into the roadster market. At the start, this was offered with only a 1.9-liter 138-horsepower inline-4 banger engine, a 2.8-liter inline-6 making 190 big ponies started becoming available in 1997. (They could be differentiated by wider rear fenders.) The six-banger engine gave the BMW Z3 plenty of get-up-and-go, all powered with a stereo providing distinctive sound. The handling is responsive. The Z3 provided a great ride that pleased both serious enthusiasts as well as the occasional driver. A BMW Z3 was a great car between the classes, of those who want more than the Miata, but less than a Porsche. For any Z3 with the top-down, you will need a BMW Z3 windscreen / windblocker / wind deflector.
Still, the BMW Z3 had its shortcomings. For the minor bummers, some of the interior components were below grade, and its cockpit couldn’t handle tall passengers comfortably. The biggest drawback of the Z3 was the plastic rear window that could yellow in strong sunlight; just ask those Texas Z3 owners. With the roadster’s styling, people either liked or hated it. The, for the Z3 with the top-down, you will need a BMW Z3 windscreen / windblocker / wind deflector
But these imperfections are pretty minor. A used BMW Z3 is very much the way to go, since the newer Z4 has depreciated the price of these. If you’re in the market for a stunning used coupe or convertible that handles even better than it looks, you owe it to yourself to investigate this talented Bimmer.
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