BMW Z3 Introduction

BMW Z3 (1995-2002)
The original Z3 was the first BMW built only outside Germany. All production took place at the Spartanburg factory in Greer, South Carolina.

From its launch in 1995, the car was initially available with modest four-cylinder engines of 1.8- and later 1.9-litre capacity. These gave the Z3 a good handling balance, but power outputs of under 140bhp did not impress critics or indeed James Bond fans. Six-cylinder engines producing up to 228bhp became available at the turn of the century.

BMW Z3 Coupe
BMW diverted slightly from the idea of all Z models being roadsters when it developed the Z3 Coupe. Mechanically identical to the open-top version, it was structurally stiffer – always a good thing – but its appearance was not universally admired.

The Coupe was referred to variously as ‘hearse’, ‘breadvan’ and ‘clown shoe’, which may explain why sales were disappointing compared with those of the Roadster, though they’re desirable and valuable today.

BMW Z3 M Roadster and M Coupe
High-performance versions of the Z3 developed by BMW’s high-performance M department went on sale in 1997.

Several 3.2-litre six-cylinder engines were used over the next five years, the most powerful producing 320bhp. There were some doubts about how well the car coped with this, but early complaints about the Z3 lacking power were definitely a thing of the past.

BMW Z4 (2002-2008)
Built exclusively at Spartanburg, the first-generation Z4 was similar in concept to the Z3 but felt considerably more modern. As before, coupe and roadster body styles were available, and there was a four-cylinder engine of 2.0 litres capacity for those who wanted it.

Most versions, however, were six-cylinders of 2.5 or 3.0 litres and power outputs of up to 261bhp. Or, for greater excitement still, you could have the M cars which were on sale from 2006 to 2008.