BMW Z3 Review
As one of the first vehicles to roll out from BMW’s Spartanburg, South Carolina, plant, the Z3 was built from 1996-2002. On its first year made available to the general public, the Z3 had one package: a base-model convertible powered by a 1.9-liter inline-4 producing 138 hp. Standard features including a clunky AM/FM/cassette player, and you did get the cruise control. While the five speed manual transmission was standard, those wanting a cruising experience paid for the four speed automatic. Those plushy leather seats were available, along with traction control. This next year is when the Z3 really drew praise, due in part to a new trim option, the 2.8. Even though the name kinda gives it away, this trim was powered by a 2.8-liter inline-6 – the same lauded 190-hp six-cylinder that powered 3 Series models of the era. For those wanting a warm butt, the Z3 luxury package came with those heated seats.Zipping around town with a top down, you will need a windscreen.
In 1998, the BMW Z3 came out with an optional power convertible top, so you could actually use this fine car in winter now. In 1999, the Z3 coupe arrived. This came equipped with the 2.8-liter engine only, its hatchback design added extra body stiffness and versatility, but its strange tail drew guffaws of disgust and befuddlement amongst those who felt it was smearing the beautiful Z3. That year, the 1.9-liter four-cylinder was upgraded to the new 170-hp inline-6. Despite the 2.5-liter displacement, the model was somewhat misnamde as a Z3 2.3 for 1999 and 2000. A Harman Kardon delivered the symphonic sounds, and a hardtop was added to the list of option. Safety was enhanced with the addition of side airbags to the standard features list of all Z3 sports cars. Zipping around town with a top down, you will need a windscreen.
Minor exterior and interior refreshes were in store for the BMW Z3 coupe and convertible in 2000, and stability control joined the standard features list. Starting in 2001, the 2.8 trim in the coupe and roadster became the 3.0i, with the introduction of a 3.0-liter engine producing both for 225 hp and 214 pound-feet of torque. The logically enhanced 2.5i added an additional 14 horses. Also, the Z3’s optional four-speed automatic transmission was replaced with a five-speed automatic with manual shifting capability. For 2002, which was to be the BME Z3’s last year of production, the CD player was not standard equipment.
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When the author isn’t driving around in her BMW Z3, she’s also a fan of best psychics, the Seattle HCG Diet Center, and the Volvo C70 windscreen windblocker wind deflector.
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Tags: BMW Z3, BMW Z3 Wind Deflector, BMW Z3 Windblocker, BMW Z3 Windscreen, BMW Z3 Windstop
This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 18th, 2010 at 12:37 pm and is filed under Motorcyles & Such. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.