Z3 - Revision history

Grrrmachine at 18:36, 7 July 2013

2013-07-07T18:36:27Z

Grrrmachine at 17:06, 9 March 2013

2013-03-09T17:06:58Z

Grrrmachine at 08:23, 8 March 2013

2013-03-08T08:23:53Z

Grrrmachine at 20:51, 16 February 2013

2013-02-16T20:51:15Z

Grrrmachine: New page: right The Z3 was BMW's first mass-production roadster. Incorporating the principles of the experimental Z1, it took the chassis of the E36 compact and...

2013-02-16T20:50:47Z

New page: 350px|right The Z3 was BMW's first mass-production roadster. Incorporating the principles of the experimental Z1, it took the chassis of the E36 compact and...

New page

[[Image:Z3.jpg‎|350px|right]]
The Z3 was [[BMW]]'s first mass-production roadster. Incorporating the principles of the experimental [[Z1]], it took the chassis of the [[E36]] compact and combined it with the rear trailing arm suspension of the [[E30]] to create a very capable and convenient convertible. The car launched in 1996, and featured a variety of engines from the humble 1.9 to the mighty Motorsport 3.0.

In 1999 a coupe version was launched. Officially known as the Z5, these breadvans only came in six-cylinder flavours, and the UK market only received the best of the bunch - the Z3M, powered by the same [[S5x|S50]]B32 engine as the E36 M3.

Since being replaced by the Z4 in 2002, the Z3 has become an appreciating classic.

=Compatible Parts=

These are the parts can be bolted directly to the E30 with little or no modification. They are considered an upgrade for either strength, performance or cost reasons. Anything not on this list is either directly incompatible or requires significant fabrication to fit.

===Engines===
''Main article: [[Engine_Swaps|Engine Swaps]]''

*[[M44]] 1.9
*[[M5x|M50/M52]] 2.0, 2.5 and 2.8
*[[S5x|S50/S52]] 3.2

'''NOTE:''' The sump on all Z3 engines must be changed to an E30-compatible equivalent. This is because the location of the oil pan interferes with the E30 subframe

===Drivetrain===

[[Drivetrain#Gearbox|Gearboxes]] can be fitted with their matching engines, but Z3 gearboxes sit at a different angle to their E30 counterparts. This means that modifications must be made to the gearbox mount and shifter mechanism

===Differential===

The Z3 uses the same differential case as the E30, and is therefore a direct swap. This is especially convenient for the lower ratios Z3 diffs can offer; the 3.15 is a particularly popular unit.
===Steering===

The [[Steering#Rack|steering rack]] is one of the standard upgrades for the E30, thanks to its faster turn rate. However, custom piping will be needed to overcome the differences in power steering plumbing, as well as components from the [[E34]] system.

Due to the age of Z3 parts now, it is more desirable to use the steering rack from the [[E46]].

===Suspension===

Specifically from the four-cylinder Z3 versions, the rear beam including trailing arms is a direct bolt-on replacement for the E30 unit, and is commonly used when converting to a [[5-Lug_Conversion|5-bolt hub]]. Trailing arms from six-cylinder Z3 models are significantly wider, making it impossible to find wheels with the correct offset.

In terms of [[Bushes|bushes]], a number of Z3M parts provide stronger alternatives to the standard E30 components, particularly the [[Differential|differential]] bush.

===Brakes===

While the Z3 serves as a common source of 5-lug brake parts, it is also very handy for its [[Handbrake_Upgrade|handbrake shoes]]. Z3 components provide a significant upgrade, and are a direct swap with the existing E30 setup.

[[Category: Other BMWs]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[Image:Z3M.jpg‎|350px|right]]
-The Z3 was [[BMW]]'s first mass-production roadster. Incorporating the principles of the experimental [[Z1]], it took the chassis of the [[E36]] compact and combined it with the rear trailing arm suspension of the [[E30]] to create a very capable and convenient convertible. The car launched in 1996, and featured a variety of engines from the humble 1.9 to the mighty Motorsport 3.0.
+The Z3 was [[BMW]]'s first mass-production roadster. Incorporating the principles of the experimental [[Z1]], it took the chassis of the [[E36]] compact and combined it with the rear trailing arm suspension of the [[E30]] to create a very capable and convenient convertible. The car launched in 1996, and featured a variety of engines from the humble 1.9 to the mighty [[Motorsport]] 3.0.
 In 1999 a coupe version was launched. Officially known as the Z5, these breadvans only came in six-cylinder flavours, and the UK market only received the best of the bunch - the Z3M, powered by the same [[S5x|S50]]B32 engine as the E36 M3.

←Older revision		Revision as of 20:51, 16 February 2013
Line 1:		Line 1:
−	[[Image:Z3.jpg‎\|350px\|right]]	+	[[Image:Z3M.jpg‎\|350px\|right]]
	The Z3 was [[BMW]]'s first mass-production roadster. Incorporating the principles of the experimental [[Z1]], it took the chassis of the [[E36]] compact and combined it with the rear trailing arm suspension of the [[E30]] to create a very capable and convenient convertible. The car launched in 1996, and featured a variety of engines from the humble 1.9 to the mighty Motorsport 3.0.		The Z3 was [[BMW]]'s first mass-production roadster. Incorporating the principles of the experimental [[Z1]], it took the chassis of the [[E36]] compact and combined it with the rear trailing arm suspension of the [[E30]] to create a very capable and convenient convertible. The car launched in 1996, and featured a variety of engines from the humble 1.9 to the mighty Motorsport 3.0.

@@ Line 40: / Line 40: @@
 ===Brakes===
-While the Z3 serves as a common source of 5-lug brake parts, it is also very handy for its [[Handbrake_Upgrade|handbrake shoes]]. Z3 components provide a significant upgrade, and are a direct swap with the existing E30 setup.
+While the Z3 serves as a common source of 5-lug brake parts, it is also very handy for its [[handbrake]]. Z3 components provide a significant upgrade, and are a direct swap with the existing E30 setup.
 [[Category: Other BMWs]]

@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 ''Main article: [[Engine_Swaps|Engine Swaps]]''
-*[[M44]] 1.9
+*M44 1.9
 *[[M5x|M50/M52]] 2.0, 2.5 and 2.8
 *[[S5x|S50/S52]] 3.2