RE: BMW Z3 3.0i: Spotted
Discussion
Have had / still have a few
My first was a 2.0, non sport so no LSD (sold)
Then upgraded to my M Coupe
Then met my girlfriend who has a 2.2 sport
Then she also bought an M Roadster
And finally I bought a 2.8 resprayed in Laguna Seca Blue
A few choice mods and these cars are brilliant fun to throw down the lanes
Dare I say it the 2.2 sounds the best with its lovely burble
My first was a 2.0, non sport so no LSD (sold)
Then upgraded to my M Coupe
Then met my girlfriend who has a 2.2 sport
Then she also bought an M Roadster
And finally I bought a 2.8 resprayed in Laguna Seca Blue
A few choice mods and these cars are brilliant fun to throw down the lanes
Dare I say it the 2.2 sounds the best with its lovely burble
I had a 3.0 back in 2006/7. The engine absolutely made the car. It had brilliant traction off the line, but I always felt the controls lacked enough finesse to be able to test the handling. Trading it in for an S2000 corrected this problem, although there were still areas where the Z3 was the better car.
helix402 said:
petemurphy said:
really? i'm 6,2 and had 2 of them and never had an issue.
!
I’m a few inches taller so that must explain the different experience! !
I checked that my seat was all the way back, and it was pressed right up against the rear boot wall. Maybe it could go back further,
Real shame because I liked the look of these cars was disappointed after to trying to get into it at the local garage.
Trevor555 said:
There'll always be one in my garage.
I also wasn't keen on them when they were launched. Too retro I thought at the time.
I get some nice comments from people at petrol stations.
That looks great in grey. Like many I was never a fan when they were launched and later on the Z4 overshadowed them.I also wasn't keen on them when they were launched. Too retro I thought at the time.
I get some nice comments from people at petrol stations.
Well, i have two points on some of the comments. Firstly, I'm 6'8 and could drive mine quite comfortably, and secondly, it was the worst thing I'd ever done. Swapped my Chimaera for a low mileage 3.0 in Topaz from a performance car dealer in Scotland. I had it less than a month when a valve spring snapped and made its way into the engine. It was less reliable than a TVR! I actually had a choice between the Z3 and a 968CS, but i wanted a convertible and didn't like the red graphics on the Porsche! Lesson learned!
I bought a 2000 2.8 Z3 in December last year, I was looking for another MX5 MK1 but couldn’t find a decent one that hadn’t had botched sill work!
Stumbled across the car locally and went and had a look, Went for a spin and loved it. Yes it’s not the sharpest tool and a Z4 may be quicker, but the Zed has character, from when you start it up to when you switch it off.
Stumbled across the car locally and went and had a look, Went for a spin and loved it. Yes it’s not the sharpest tool and a Z4 may be quicker, but the Zed has character, from when you start it up to when you switch it off.
I had a brand new 1.9 W reg car at the time. Interesting now how positive the comments are on this engine yet at the time the 1.9 seemed to attract nothing more than negativity.
I loved the car though. Despite having my arse handed to me by all manner of cheapo hatchbacks in a straight line.
I loved the car though. Despite having my arse handed to me by all manner of cheapo hatchbacks in a straight line.
slipstream 1985 said:
I have a 2.8 widebody.
it is a great cruiser power wherever you want it and a nice kick higher up the rev range. Handling is very "boaty" but suits the car. Treat it like an american muscle car and you'll be fine.
Still quick on fast open flowing roads thoughit is a great cruiser power wherever you want it and a nice kick higher up the rev range. Handling is very "boaty" but suits the car. Treat it like an american muscle car and you'll be fine.
2.8 Z3 lapped as fast as the lighter DC2 Type R at CAR magazine’s handling day
Have a friend who breaks old BMWs and he had a 2.8 Z3 with a body brace and few other cheap mods
I was surprised how capable it was - you hear the full six sound effects with the top down as well
Def. came with an LSD
I have the 3.0 a year newer than this one... mine is an auto (sister’s old car) which on the face of it is not ideal I would prefer a manual, but in steptronic mode it is very easy to select the gear you want and drive it as though it were a manual...
The engine makes the car - it is an addictive revvy straight 6 with loads of character - sounds better than my M5 and even though it is the smallest and least powerful engine I have, you don’t notice it - it is fast across country...
Only real weakness is that the chassis is not as good as some alternatives- however I love the looks, the character and general driving experience - have had it for 7 years - longest I have owned a car!
I have the 3.0 a year newer than this one... mine is an auto (sister’s old car) which on the face of it is not ideal I would prefer a manual, but in steptronic mode it is very easy to select the gear you want and drive it as though it were a manual...
The engine makes the car - it is an addictive revvy straight 6 with loads of character - sounds better than my M5 and even though it is the smallest and least powerful engine I have, you don’t notice it - it is fast across country...
Only real weakness is that the chassis is not as good as some alternatives- however I love the looks, the character and general driving experience - have had it for 7 years - longest I have owned a car!
Edited by akirk on Sunday 2nd June 16:22
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