1999 BMW Z3 2.8 Roadster

[Jimi.K.]

Having owned a Mk1 MX-5 a couple of years ago I was longing for another convertible in my life. Luckily for me, my wife just started a new job which she would need to drive to, so we needed a second car. Our other car is an Audi A5 Sportback (3.0 tdi Quattro) so I was able to justify adding a small 2-seater convertible to the family and I spent many enjoyable hours browsing MX-5s, Boxsters, S2000s, Z4s and the like, before settling on the Z3.

So here it is, new to me, my 1999 BMW Z3 2.8 Roadster:







Personally I think the Z3 has aged really well, with classic roadster looks and a purposeful stance, and when I saw this one advertised in titan silver with red sports interior I fell in love! The seller was just the sort of person you want to buy a car like this from - an older gentleman who had owned the car for 8 years, had spent plenty on maintenance and cosmetic improvements (including a recent wheel refurb and new plastic rear screen), Pirelli tyres all round, full service history, and even a national trust sticker in the window - jackpot!

The car has done 101k miles and has clearly been looked after and garaged for a lot of its life. The 2.8 is a lovely engine - pulls very nicely and makes a great noise. As you'd expect the car does feel heavier than my previous 1.6 Mk1 MX-5, but I'm happy offsetting the handling with a bit of extra comfort and refinement. This is a nicely specced version with air con, heated seats, electric roof, seats and mirrors, sports seats and steering wheel as well as a digital trip computer.





For the time being I'm using the car as my daily driver, covering around 200 miles a week on A and B roads. I've been pleasantly surprised with the fuel economy so far - averaging 35mpg from my last fill up (manually calculated by brimming the tank).

I've had the car for 2 weeks so far, and I'll keep this thread updated as I get to know it better!

Edited by Jimi.K. on Saturday 18th July 11:46

[Mr Tidy]

A silver Z3 doesn't stand out that much, but when you look at your interior it's just stunning!

Naturally aspirated BMW straight 6 petrol engines are usually pretty impressive - after nearly a decade of 4 cylinder turbo-diesels I'm on number 4 and 5 straight 6 petrols and am a big fan.

I'll look out for your updates.

[spreadsheet monkey]

Jimi.K. said:

I spent many enjoyable hours browsing MX-5s, Boxsters, S2000s, Z4s and the like, before settling on the Z3

Good choice. For £2500, I think I’d rather have a 2.8 Z3 with FSH than a ropey small-engined Z4.

Jimi.K. said:

The 2.8 is a lovely engine - pulls very nicely and makes a great noise. As you'd expect the car does feel heavier than my previous 1.6 Mk1 MX-5, but I'm happy offsetting the handling with a bit of extra comfort and refinement.

Interesting point. What’s the weight difference between a 2.8 Z3 and a Mk1 MX5?

I have a 2.5 Z4 and I’m also a former MX5 owner (Mk2 1.8). The Z4 has about 180bhp and the MX5 had about 140. I think the Z4 is about 300kg heavier and at low speeds it doesn’t feel much faster than what I remember of the MX5.

Like you, I’m happy to live with a bit of extra weight for a few luxuries and a nicer engine sound.

Enjoy the car. Looks like a great buy for £2500.

[Dr G]

You've done well there; didn't used to like these but agree they're ageing well.

[therealsamdailly]

I do love a Z3, yours looks good

[Jimi.K.]

Thanks for the comments everyone!

Mr Tidy said:

A silver Z3 doesn't stand out that much, but when you look at your interior it's just stunning!

Thanks, I agree that the red seats really lift the car - the black leather interiors just seem so drab in comparison! I think one of the reasons I couldn't warm to the Z4 is that all the ones for sale near me seemed to be grey with black interiors!

spreadsheet monkey said:

Interesting point. What’s the weight difference between a 2.8 Z3 and a Mk1 MX5?

I have a 2.5 Z4 and I’m also a former MX5 owner (Mk2 1.8). The Z4 has about 180bhp and the MX5 had about 140. I think the Z4 is about 300kg heavier and at low speeds it doesn’t feel much faster than what I remember of the MX5.

I've looked it up and in my case a Z3 2.8 is actually 45% heavier than a mk1 MX-5 1.6 (1360kg vs 940kg)

That equates to 142bhp per ton for the Z3 and 122bhp per ton for the MX-5, so not a huge amount in it really. At low speeds I'd agree the Z3 doesn't feel much faster, but the extra power is definitely noticeable at higher speeds. Interestingly I'm getting very similar (if not slightly higher) MPG from the Z3 than I did from my MX-5.

[HenryHippo]

I have the same engine in my 7 series, no one could call it fast in this chassis but it does sound the business

I had a major oil leak a couple of years ago and a coolant leak last year, but other than that it has been good.

35 MPG is good! I can't get that on anything other than a sedate motorway cruise. Really love the interior on yours! Always been curious how the engine would feel in a lighter car

[Jimi.K.]

Very nice! I've always fancied a 7-series of that vintage - it must be brilliant to waft around in!

[5harp3y]

cannot go wrong with a 2.8 Z3

look into getting some staggered wheels on yours as the rears look lost in those arches

here is my build thread from when i had mine

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=15...

[Barchettaman]

It does look like a ridiculous amount of car for the money. Well done OP