BMW Z3's - are they really that bad?
Discussion
I have been musing recently over my next choices of car. When I finish moving house, my commute will be nearly all dual carriageway. I will occasionally make trips down B roads, for fun at times, but much less than I do now (especially given that my Impreza is at it's best on these roads).
I am considering a few things, though I am mainly looking for a nice GT car that still has some driver appeal.
The front runner is the Mercedes R129 SL. Other cars considered include the Audi B5 S4, the Audi A8, the Porsche Boxster 986 and a BMW 7 series of some sort.
One car that would seem to suit would be the Z3. And yet, it never really seems to get a mention here. I gather it is not as 'sharp' as an MX5, hence the Mazda is often suggested as the FR-RWD car of choice. I've had an MX5 and I wouldn't have another. It's a right buzzer at 70mph!
What does the Z3 have in it's favour? They are as cheap as chips on the used market. Even 2.8i's, which would appear a great combination of straight six and two seater roadster, seems unloved and cheap.
Why does the Z3 suffer this fate? Is it the fact the Z4 looks better? Is it the handling, and does it handle as badly as some make out?
Pray discuss, that I might add another car to the reams of classified ads I already pore over...
I am considering a few things, though I am mainly looking for a nice GT car that still has some driver appeal.
The front runner is the Mercedes R129 SL. Other cars considered include the Audi B5 S4, the Audi A8, the Porsche Boxster 986 and a BMW 7 series of some sort.
One car that would seem to suit would be the Z3. And yet, it never really seems to get a mention here. I gather it is not as 'sharp' as an MX5, hence the Mazda is often suggested as the FR-RWD car of choice. I've had an MX5 and I wouldn't have another. It's a right buzzer at 70mph!
What does the Z3 have in it's favour? They are as cheap as chips on the used market. Even 2.8i's, which would appear a great combination of straight six and two seater roadster, seems unloved and cheap.
Why does the Z3 suffer this fate? Is it the fact the Z4 looks better? Is it the handling, and does it handle as badly as some make out?
Pray discuss, that I might add another car to the reams of classified ads I already pore over...
The A8 is really more on my radar than the E38 7 (just because of the looks, not the chocolate gearbox).
The R129 SL sort of meets in the middle of all the cars I am looking at, mixing supreme comfort and with more a GT coupe feel. That said, the Boxsters/Z3's etc etc are at the other end of the spectrum and still up for consideration. I have not decided on the exact car I want, rather I am just giving consideration to a few that pique my interest.
My main question is, is the Z3 worth looking at? Should it be given consideration, or is it really as poor and underwhelming as concensus seems to suggest?
The R129 SL sort of meets in the middle of all the cars I am looking at, mixing supreme comfort and with more a GT coupe feel. That said, the Boxsters/Z3's etc etc are at the other end of the spectrum and still up for consideration. I have not decided on the exact car I want, rather I am just giving consideration to a few that pique my interest.
My main question is, is the Z3 worth looking at? Should it be given consideration, or is it really as poor and underwhelming as concensus seems to suggest?
Dave Hedgehog said:
the Z3 certainly looks awful, the Z4 was probably the first of recent BMWs that actually look really good
I seriously question their build quality though having owned and driven a number of other BMW models (alongside a Z4).They just don't seem as well put together, too many rattles, plasticy trim - the new Z4 has certainly moved things on.
If the old Z4 is better than the Z3 for build quality then I dread to think.
I had one for 5 years and sold it last month at 170,000miles. The most reliable car I've ever had. Nothing went wrong other than consumables.
People seem to loathe these and brand them "hairdressers' cars" but most have not sat in one let alone driven one. The chassis is fine. There is some scuttle shake but it's to be expected.
The car is a mixture of E30(the back end) and E36, hence well balanced and fun to drive. It's fairly light too.
Not too slow (except for the 1.8) and very good on fuel.
For the money they cost now, if you find one in good condition, they are well worth it.
Get a 6 cylinder if you can. The 2.8 is the one to have in my view.
Ah,and whatever you do, avoid the automatic like plague.
People seem to loathe these and brand them "hairdressers' cars" but most have not sat in one let alone driven one. The chassis is fine. There is some scuttle shake but it's to be expected.
The car is a mixture of E30(the back end) and E36, hence well balanced and fun to drive. It's fairly light too.
Not too slow (except for the 1.8) and very good on fuel.
For the money they cost now, if you find one in good condition, they are well worth it.
Get a 6 cylinder if you can. The 2.8 is the one to have in my view.
Ah,and whatever you do, avoid the automatic like plague.
I've always been told that the 3.0 is the one to go for...
http://pistonheads.com/sales/3876300.htm
But if you are spending that much money why not save a little more and get something like;
http://pistonheads.com/sales/3841497.htm
http://pistonheads.com/sales/3876300.htm
But if you are spending that much money why not save a little more and get something like;
http://pistonheads.com/sales/3841497.htm
Baryonyx said:
I have been musing recently over my next choices of car. When I finish moving house, my commute will be nearly all dual carriageway. I will occasionally make trips down B roads, for fun at times, but much less than I do now (especially given that my Impreza is at it's best on these roads).
I am considering a few things, though I am mainly looking for a nice GT car that still has some driver appeal.
The front runner is the Mercedes R129 SL. Other cars considered include the Audi B5 S4, the Audi A8, the Porsche Boxster 986 and a BMW 7 series of some sort.
One car that would seem to suit would be the Z3. And yet, it never really seems to get a mention here. I gather it is not as 'sharp' as an MX5, hence the Mazda is often suggested as the FR-RWD car of choice. I've had an MX5 and I wouldn't have another. It's a right buzzer at 70mph!
What does the Z3 have in it's favour? They are as cheap as chips on the used market. Even 2.8i's, which would appear a great combination of straight six and two seater roadster, seems unloved and cheap.
Why does the Z3 suffer this fate? Is it the fact the Z4 looks better? Is it the handling, and does it handle as badly as some make out?
Pray discuss, that I might add another car to the reams of classified ads I already pore over...
Personally I think the Z3 probably isn't half as bad as some make out. The chassis isn't as stiff, but then so aren't a lot of 60's pen top cars. The 2.8 (or latter 3.0) are still lovely motors and the e30 rear end is perfect for some sideways action.I am considering a few things, though I am mainly looking for a nice GT car that still has some driver appeal.
The front runner is the Mercedes R129 SL. Other cars considered include the Audi B5 S4, the Audi A8, the Porsche Boxster 986 and a BMW 7 series of some sort.
One car that would seem to suit would be the Z3. And yet, it never really seems to get a mention here. I gather it is not as 'sharp' as an MX5, hence the Mazda is often suggested as the FR-RWD car of choice. I've had an MX5 and I wouldn't have another. It's a right buzzer at 70mph!
What does the Z3 have in it's favour? They are as cheap as chips on the used market. Even 2.8i's, which would appear a great combination of straight six and two seater roadster, seems unloved and cheap.
Why does the Z3 suffer this fate? Is it the fact the Z4 looks better? Is it the handling, and does it handle as badly as some make out?
Pray discuss, that I might add another car to the reams of classified ads I already pore over...
Have a look on YouTube, there's an old Top Gear with Tiff testing the Z3 at launch, he seemed to enjoy it, even with the 1.9 litre motor.
The Z3 is a nice car to drive & I enjoyed my Z3m!
I now drive a Crossfire & this is far better in my opinion than the Z3 I owned.
They also never get a mention because people on here tend to jump on the Jeremy Clarkson band wagon & slate anything he slates rather than actually driving one. Go with what you feel happy with & feck what others think.
I now drive a Crossfire & this is far better in my opinion than the Z3 I owned.
They also never get a mention because people on here tend to jump on the Jeremy Clarkson band wagon & slate anything he slates rather than actually driving one. Go with what you feel happy with & feck what others think.
PetrolDriver said:
But if you are spending that much money why not save a little more and get something like;
http://pistonheads.com/sales/3841497.htm
I guess it depends on the Ops budget, but I suspect as nice as that is, it could be 100% more money than some potential Z3 owners are considering.http://pistonheads.com/sales/3841497.htm
boobles said:
The Z3 is a nice car to drive & I enjoyed my Z3m!
I now drive a Crossfire & this is far better in my opinion than the Z3 I owned.
They also never get a mention because people on here tend to jump on the Jeremy Clarkson band wagon & slate anything he slates rather than actually driving one. Go with what you feel happy with & feck what others think.
Excellent quote; I loved my Z3M too - took it to Epernay. Ignore the bad press, just enjoy. Clarkson thinks all BMW soft-tops are wobbly. Depends on the roads you drive on.I now drive a Crossfire & this is far better in my opinion than the Z3 I owned.
They also never get a mention because people on here tend to jump on the Jeremy Clarkson band wagon & slate anything he slates rather than actually driving one. Go with what you feel happy with & feck what others think.
300bhp/ton said:
I guess it depends on the Ops budget, but I suspect as nice as that is, it could be 100% more money than some potential Z3 owners are considering.
True!But then again if my budget was £3k I'm not sure if I'd be looking at Z3's.
Interesting to know what the OP's budget it.
i had a 2.8. General comments would be - great engine and performance, well built, i thought they looked nice too. Biggest issues was the handling - understeered very badly, and always difficult to 'dial it in' to a corner, issue of a big engine in a small car? I subsequently bought a 330 cab and thought it handled much better.
I used to drive a 2.8i auto fairly regularly and enjoyed it. 
OK it didn't handle like a well sorted Midget but it was never going to! Big six up front, wind in hair, autobox for cruising - not to mention it felt bloody quick (perhaps this is to do with the cars I own??)
I've also driven a SLK230K which IMO was a good car - don't like front end to look at and thought steering wheel felt odd but I don't like steering wheels with airbags anyway. Both the SLK and Z3 steering wheels felt too thick but most moderns seem to be like that.
Both cars felt rather stiff chassis wise to me and I thought they handled well?? - Could this be to do with what I normally drive??
Another one which I thought handled very well was the Smart Roadster although the gearbox is awful and the steering is far too light - missed opportunity there Smart!
OK it didn't handle like a well sorted Midget but it was never going to! Big six up front, wind in hair, autobox for cruising - not to mention it felt bloody quick (perhaps this is to do with the cars I own??)I've also driven a SLK230K which IMO was a good car - don't like front end to look at and thought steering wheel felt odd but I don't like steering wheels with airbags anyway. Both the SLK and Z3 steering wheels felt too thick but most moderns seem to be like that.
Both cars felt rather stiff chassis wise to me and I thought they handled well?? - Could this be to do with what I normally drive??
Another one which I thought handled very well was the Smart Roadster although the gearbox is awful and the steering is far too light - missed opportunity there Smart!
laingy said:
i had a 2.8. General comments would be - great engine and performance, well built, i thought they looked nice too. Biggest issues was the handling - understeered very badly, and always difficult to 'dial it in' to a corner, issue of a big engine in a small car? I subsequently bought a 330 cab and thought it handled much better.
I had a Z4 and now have a 330 cab and I find them very similar in terms of understanding what the car is doing, which I think is great in such a heavy car.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff