BMW Z3 road tests and consumer car reviews

BMW Z3 Roadster 2010

Looks better than any other roadster, drives well but a bit like an old fashioned sports car without the issues. Great if you fit a lowering kit and some wheel spacers on the back, but watch out for speed humps.

Responses to this review

Mis-labeled. Z3s stopped production in 2002 - Ron from United States of America

BMW Z3 1999

Had this car since August 2008 and what can I say only GO OUT AND BUY ONE. The 1.9 is ample for fun driving, its cheap on insurance, fuel and parts pretty cheap too. I can’t fault it. It’s now June 2009 and I have driven it too death; 14000 miles in 10 months totalling 69770 been to Cornwall, North and South, Wales, Devon, Scotland and not cost me a penny except for fuel. Fantastic fun, brilliant to drive all good spec. Always a head turner and puts a smile on my face every time I’m in it, if your thinking of buying a soft top then get a Z3 you wont regret it.

BMW Z3 1.9 2001

Best Roadster ever...

Responses to this review

Better than a Mazda MX5? I don’t think so! - Karl from England

Had 3 MX5s and found imports best but no comparrison to my BMW Z3. I have had for 2 months, the German build is second to none. It’s quiet, no rattles, smooth and loads of room inside, even a bigger boot. I was out in torrential rain and not a drip came through hood. MX5s are good if you want a cheap sports car. I can’t comment on the newer ones, they look like they have improved them??? - Alan Sanderson - Derbyshire

BMW Z3 1999

Really fast little car with comfortable interior. Looks good with the roof on or off!

BMW Z3 1.9 soft top 1999

Bought this car for the wife because she just fell in love with it, had it now for about eight months and driven it quite a bit myself. Have put new discs & pads on front & back, plus new track rod ends, new tyres which were fitted to 18" special BMW alloy’s which look great. It’s the standard Beamer silver with a black hood, again it looks spot on, would have preferred leather seats and I am looking for some custom fit covers (anyone any ideas) apart from that fires up first time every time, goes pretty good for a 1.9 and handles nicely. For a nearly ten year old car that cost us just over £4K it was in our book a bargain & great fun.

BMW Z3 Roadster 1999

I bought this car in January this year and put it on the road in February. I bought it from a guy in South Wales, an ex-traffic bobby who had looked after it well: 63k on the clock and I think it’s a great car. I love the straight 6 engines, they’re so smooth, the power is really good. When the revs get about half way round the clock things start to happen in a big way, never any need to go anywhere near the red, even in 4th gear from around 50 put your foot down and its off. I have just worked out [roughly] MPG from the fill up with super unleaded and it works out at 33 mpg which I think is good, not that I am really bothered. The build quality of the car is all I expected of BMW and more. They’re a great weekend toy and the price you can get them for is very good, not bought many parts yet but I asked about front vented discs and the price is £19 each which gave me a pleasant surprise. I would recommend this car to anyone, I think the 6 cylinders are probably the best ones as they a fairly big lump. Happy motoring!

BMW Z3 1.9 DOHC 1997

I have liked these cars since they came out and eventually decided to buy one. I have always been a hater of 2 seater soft tops until I drove the Z3. I have a 1.9 DOHC in Atlanta blue, with uprated 17" split rim alloys and fat tyres. This car has completely changed my opinion on roadsters, it handles well, goes very well for a 1.9 and returns in excess of 30mpg but the most important thing is that it puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. What more can you ask for?

Responses to this review

I am thinking of buying a 1.9 Z3,my concern is should I buy an early one 1997 or a later one 2001?. I have seen a very nice 2001 model advertised but I have also seen some nice looking 1997/8 models for a reasonable price. Should I go for the early model or the later one?. Is one better than the other, or should I go for a 6 cylinder model instead?. Any knowledgable person with experience willing to help? - John Ireland from Conwy

BMW Z3 Roadster 1.9 2dr

Bought this second hand but not that you could tell. Amazing engine and still looks impressive, this car is definately a head turner and so much fun to drive.