A roadster is an open two-seater car that emphasizes on sporting appearance and character. BMW has built roadsters before, the BMW 507 back in 1956 and then again, the BMW Z1 in 1989, both of which were not made in large numbers with only 252 BMW 507s ever made.
The launching and popularity of the Mazda MX5 Miata eventually led to BMW deciding they just had to get in on that niche again. In 1991, the development of a new roadster begun and was destined to be produced at the new BMW plant in South Carolina together with the BMW E36 series. It was the first BMW to be built solely in the US.
A roadster that’s true to form, the Z3 was based on existing models. The front suspension came from the E36 sedan and completed with the rear semi-trailing arm suspension from the first generation M3 coupe. Engines choices also came from the very popular E36 series. The Z3 was available as either a roadster or a two-door coupe and featured a front-engine rear-wheel-drive layout.
BMW Z3 Roadster (E36/7), 1996-2002
The Z3 Roadster has a long bonnet with a short boot with a very graceful shape all around. Joji Nagashima designed this exterior. The first production Z3s featured a manually-operated soft top, with the powered top offered later. As it was based on a shortened E36 platform, the Z3 was heavier and broader than a Miata.
The interior also closely resembled the higher-end E36s with leather sports seats and steering wheel, accented by chrome trims that were simple and tastefully done. Standard equipment included dual front airbags, air conditioning, limited-slip differential, and traction control system. Later, side front airbags, fog lights, cruise control and other trim packages became available, too.
Introduced in 1995 and sold as a 1996 model, the initial Z3s were powered by a 1.8L M43B18 (85 kW / 168 N⋅m) coupled to a 5-speed manual gearbox with a 4-speed automatic offered as an option. Shortly after, to boost performance, this engine was supplemented by a 1.9L M44B19 (103 kW / 180 N⋅m). This 1.9L engine was the initial model that was offered in Australia, although the 1.8L continued to be sold elsewhere.
For the 1997 model, a more powerful version joined the range in the form of the 2.8L M52B28 (142 kW / 280 N⋅m). The battery had to be moved to the boot to make space for this inline-6 cylinder. The following year, BMW introduced the Z3 2.3i which came with an M52TUB25 (125 kW / 245 N⋅m). In 1999, a 2.0L version came out featuring the updated dual Vanos M52TUB20 (135 kW / 190 N⋅m).
The 2000 model received a mild facelift, which featured wider re-contoured wheel arches, bumpers, boot, and rear lights and was popularly called the Z3 wide body. A 2.2L was now available with the M54B22 (125 kW / 210 N⋅m). Also introduced during this time was the Z3 3.0i with a 3.0L M54B30 (170 kW / 300 N⋅m).
The Z3 roadster started life with 4-cylinder engines and with suspension coming directly from the production model E36. BMW realized that this wasn't performing as BMW had envisioned and was consequently refined with bigger engines, suspension tweaks and electronic packages to improve power and handling. The later models featured BMW’s Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), an integral part of their Electronic Stability Program that continuously monitors lateral and longitudinal acceleration together with the speed of each wheel and yaw rate. The Z3s were not the fastest BMWs, but they offered impressive handling and comfortable ride for a roadster.
One of the most popular and rarest versions was the James Bond Edition released by Neiman Marcus with only 100 cars ever released. These cars were based on the Z3 1.9 and included several extras. They came in an "Atlantic Blue" exterior with beige leather interior mirroring the automobile from "GoldenEye".
BMW Z3 Coupe (E36/8), 1998-2002
BMW's engineers developed and designed the Z3 coupe in their free time, never intending to mass-produce it but instead targeted it for the enthusiasts. Revealed at the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Z3 coupe shares the same platform as the roadster but has a hardtop that was done in a “shooting brake” form, a body style that combines both station wagon and coupe design.
The coupes that were not M-badged coupes were only available with the 2.8L M52TUB28 (142 kW / 280 N⋅m) or the 3.0L M54B30 (170 kW / 300 N⋅m). It transmits power through a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual gearbox.
Production of the Z3 coupe was less than 20,000 worldwide as it was not very popular with car dealers during that time. Although it boasted of larger cargo space than the roadster version, the body style was not very popular and considered by many as strange-looking.
The Z3 coupe has a lot going for it though, with low production numbers, the car has instantly become a classic and sought-after by collectors. Owner and enthusiasts will most probably talk of the practicality of this version over the more popular roadsters, or even the newer Z4 and Z8, mainly due to its interior space, running cost and of course, a top that would be hard to spring a leak.
BMW Z3M, Roadster and Coupe, 1998-2002
A BMW series will not be complete without the M Division getting their hands on it. The Z3M was introduced in 1997 and encompassed both the roadster and coupe body styles. It is easily recognizable due to its wider track and re-contoured wheel wells with the M badge at the rear. Badging on the Z3M didn’t have the customary number after the M but only appeared as an “M” with their tricolor.
The Z3M also came with redesigned front and rear bumpers, aerodynamic wing-mirrors, revised side gills and quad exhausts. These vehicles were also offered in M-specific body and interior colors. M-Style seats with additional dash gauges set this apart from the non-M Division models.
European models initially received the 3.2L S50B32 (236 kW / 321 N⋅m) while the US models used the S52B32 (179 kW / 305 N⋅m). The European models were replaced in 2001 with the 3.2L S54B32 (239 kW / 350 N⋅m), and the US version was powered by the same S54B32 but detuned (235 kW / 340 N⋅m). All Z3M versions were only available with the 5-speed manual gearbox.
A Great Car to Have and Keep!
All the Z3 variants are now fast becoming classics. They are very popular with collectors and enthusiasts, and this is one BMW car that is undoubtedly a keeper. Powered by engines that have already proven their reliability, a lot of the Z3s are still around. Maintenance is a lot simpler than the newer BMWs and comes with fewer electronic systems. And by the way, this is one James Bond car that’s affordable!
With parts shared with the very popular E36 series, new and used parts are still widely available, especially from us at Carpart.com.au. If the listings do not show the part you are looking for, contact us at hello@carpart.com.au, and we will source it for you. Now if you're buying or selling one of these classic and rare roadsters or coupes, let us know. We’d be happy to help you!
Fred Cajulis