Z3 - Opinions?

[Phatz]

Yes I know these are hairdressers/girls cars but I just wondered if anyones had any experience with one of these? Any known issues? Good to drive? etc etc...

Reason is my missus will eventually be after a car to drive this summer and I think this would suit her. It's either this or an MX-5.

[Simon13]

theres a 2.8 one on my drive, rapid,good on fuel, sideways everywhere if you want it, leaky roof. She loves it, i tolerate it as its not mine. Is the same as the one pictured with 5 spoke alloys instead

They're very reliable with tried and tested mechanics. Only grief will be roof dramas really

[Hoobs]

Sports seats??



Only kidding, I quite fancy a 2.8 myself.

[sihooker]

I'd like the 140bhp 1.9 version. I'm not a fan of massive speed or horrible petrol/insurance costs, so a four pot would do me nicely

[inlovewithRWD]

I've heard that the Z3s were let down by the suspension setup on them. Don't know how true this is though...

[sihooker]

I've heard that the Z3s were let down by the suspension setup on them. Don't know how true this is though...

Yeh, they nicked it from an E30....

[town325i]

I've heard that the Z3s were let down by the suspension setup on them. Don't know how true this is though...

Yeh, they nicked it from an E30....

not quite its the same set up as the e36 compact

[Simon13]

which in reality means theres f**k all difference. They handle like a short wheel base e30, snappy. Which is fine if you've got the talent! They're fine when driven normally in all conditions, it just doesn't take much in the wet to get the back swinging. Maybe thats why bmw fitted them with a quick rack? 2.7 odd turns lock to lock

avoid the 8 valve 1.8's as they're dog slow and no better on fuel than the vastly better 1.9 16v cars

[bss325i]

An M54B30 powered on is a weapon!

Even the M54B22 is quite pokey.

The M44B19 powered on is ok but i would always have a six pot one over a 4pot.

[Blitz]

Autocar said it has "Dull handling" "Lifeless steering"

Is that a problem with a certain type of Z3?

[bss325i]

Autocar said it has "Dull handling" "Lifeless steering"

Is that a problem with a certain type of Z3?

If they think the steering on a Z3 is lifeless then they need to drive and E30!

Dull handling? I'd say entertaining!

[Simon13]

3.0 litres and 2.2's weren't built for long and command the most money the price difference isn't worth it over a 2.8 or 2.0 imo

The steering feedback on them isn't as good as an E30, but i've yet to drive any bmw which matches an E30 for feel imo.

[Z3I]

I bought a new 2.8 in 1998 and had it until 2003 when I swapped it for a Boxster S. It was a great car and handled well, better than the Boxster, which only lasted a year, and I loved the colour! I bought the car in Melbourne Australia, and shipped it back to the UK new at a great saving.

My garage at the time...

[Zerotonine]

As previously mentioned, same set up as compact, which is E36 set up on the front and E30 on the rear.

[e30318ilover]

Z4?

[Blitz]

Z4?

Hard ride and electric steering.

[e30318ilover]

What do you mean electric steering?

[town325i]

What do you mean electric steering?

the power steering pump is electric

[e30318ilover]

Not good then?

[sihooker]

Not good then?

Saxo's have them...

[e30318ilover]

arent they the ones when you go over a certain speed they go into a manual rack

[sihooker]

arent they the ones when you go over a certain speed they go into a manual rack

I dont know about that, but i do know that my son was constantly having to hit his with a lump of wood to get it going on start-up...

[mrLEE30]

I reckon the coupe was one of the best looking cars ever to leave BM post 1992 (Z8 exception)

the M54 3.0 was indeed a weapon and as for the fluffy steering...bollacks 230hp and trailing rear suspension means loads of sideways action...most motoring journalists have little idea how to drive anyway, they just type the same old rubbish about handling and power for all new cars....

[Blitz]

Not good then?

Thats why the Z4M has a hydraulic setup.

[Ollie_bwoii]

Went with my Dad to look at a fair few of these a few years ago:



I remember them be amazingly quick, that said I was only a passenger. Although my Dad eventually brought a Vauxhall VX220 instead, so there must have been a downside.

[Blitz]

A VX220 over a M roadster.

[Ollie_bwoii]

A VX220 over a M roadster.

Yeh And over a TVR Chimaera.

He kept that only a few months anyway, and then brought my mum an Audi TT 225.

[Simon13]

M roadsters are gay, its all about the Bread van ZM3 coupe Proper mans car!

[oguz327]

M roadsters are gay, its all about the Bread van ZM3 coupe Proper mans car!

ZM3 coupe with CSL rims and a huge skinning up tray rear roof spoiler

[bss325i]

The steering feedback on them isn't as good as an E30, but i've yet to drive any bmw which matches an E30 for feel imo.

The feedback is good but slow. Manual is much worse!

[bss325i]

Z4?

Hard ride and electric steering.

Not all of them for either things you have mentioned!

[bss325i]

M roadsters are gay, its all about the Bread van ZM3 coupe Proper mans car!

I had the pleasant experience of a dakkar yellow one today!

[tomson]

I'd love a go in an Mcoupe, ive been in the 2.8 version but not the 3.2

[spook]

A ZM coupe will be my next car, if i could only part with my Hartge rep turd.