BMW Z3
BMW Z3 Roadster ( 1995-1999)
The BMW Z3 is a car of the German car manufacturer BMW. The two -seater roadster was launched in the fall of 1995 on the market. In the summer of 1998, the series was supplemented by a coupe version.
In April 1999 Roadster Coupe as have undergone a facelift. The range of engines ranged from a 1.8 - liter four-cylinder engine with 85 kW ( 115 hp) up to a 3.2 -liter six- cylinder engine with 239 kW ( 325 hp).
Until July 5, 2002 ran in the U.S. BMW Manufacturing Company, LLC in Greer, South Carolina ( USA) 279 273 roadsters and coupes 17,815 from the tape. The Z3 carries the internal designation E36 / 7 for the Roadster and E36 / 8 for the coupe ( E36/7S or E36/8S for motorsport models). It is based on the platform of the E36 Compact and shares with him various parts of the cockpit.
Model history
On 20 September 1995, the first BMW Z3 came off the line. He was the first BMW, which was built entirely and exclusively outside Germany. For this reason, the Z3 was also developed specifically for the new plant in Spartanburg. To date over 60 % of the installed parts of North America. Production in the U.S., the company should include make it more independent of exchange rate fluctuations.
The production of the roadster began with the four-cylinder model Z3 Roadster 1.8 and 1.9. This placed BMW in the James Bond movie " GoldenEye ". In 1996 the product range was expanded by the Z3 Roadster 2.8 with a six-cylinder, which is, inter alia, to wider fenders to recognize the back and two side lights in the front bumper. A year later, the Z3 M Roadster launched with the 3.2- liter six- cylinder engine known from the E36 M3 of the series and 236 kW ( 321 hp). In addition to some technical changes to the engine, suspension, exhaust system, electrical system and body of the M Roadster also brought some new visual details. The mirrors, the trunk lid, and the front spoiler were changed. The design of the center console has been revised and additional instruments were integrated. In August 1998, the series was expanded to include a combi coupé ( shooting brake ). These closed vehicles were equipped with the well-known six-cylinder engines. They were 2.8 (later Z3 Coupé 3.0) and M coupe sold under the name Z3 coupe. The resulting design of the coupe was very controversial and was commonly referred to as " sneakers ". In October 1998, BMW equipped the Z3 Roadster 2.8 with an improved engine. Although this had the same displacement, but now two adjustable camshafts (double -VANOS ), so that in addition to the inlet now the exhaust valve of the engine speed and load conditions could be adjusted. This measure brought an improved torque curve at 1 kW more power.
Interior
BMW Z3 Coupe (1998-1999 )
Facelift
From April 1999, BMW sold a revised version of the Z3 series. The rear received a new shape with raised fenders, L- shaped rear lights and a curved tailgate. The glazed round headlights the front were edged with chrome rings. Inside, the instruments of the center console have been changed and the top was an additional inside hood. Since there is no built in version -related optical differences. The M Roadster also received chrome rings for the headlights, but remained otherwise unchanged.
With the new engine generation from April 1999, BMW offered for the first time in Z3 Roadster 2.0. Over time, BMW changed the model range. So replaced in June 2000, the Z3 3.0i Roadster Z3 Roadster 2.8 and in the October of the same year, the Z3 Roadster 2.2, the model with the 2- liter engine.
Finally, the M Roadster and M Coupe in June 2001 with the S54 engine of the BMW M3 (E46) was fitted. This makes the Z3 instead of the usual 252 kW ( 343 hp) but "only" 239 kW ( 325 hp ), since no factory long enough exhaust system could be installed to achieve the performance of the M3 counterpart.
In July 2002, the production of the Z3 - series was discontinued. In total, over 297,000 units were built. His successor was from the autumn of 2002 the Z4.
Rear view
Interior
BMW M Roadster
BMW M Coupe
Characteristics of certain versions
Z3 Roadster 2.8: broad tail to 1999
Hump at the rear from 1999
Hood
The fabric hood of the BMW Z3 was made in the colors Black, Dark Beige, Klassischrot, dark blue and dark green. By design, the rear window is folded at the opening of the top, so that only one variant can be used in plastic. The disc is connected to a slide fastener with the soft top and can be exchanged relatively quickly. The optional hardtop was offered in all available vehicle paint colors.
Special models
1999 and 2001, a total of nine special models of the BMW Z3 built. All the 1999 special edition models come with white turn signal lights.
American style This model was shipped in the special paint Velvet Blue metallic. Ink Blue leather door panels and two-tone nappa leather sports seats in the M Roadster ( ink blue and black) that determine the appearance of the interior.
Bella macchina The Bella macchina was painted in Black II or Cosmos Black Metallic, The Wood veneer interior ( sycamore ), the interior was combined natural ( light beige ) and black with two-tone nappa leather door panels and seats in shades of Modena.
British traditional The special model traditional British was painted in the colors dark green or Boston Green metallic. The interior is furnished with fine wood ( poplar). The door trim and seats are upholstered in champagne colored nappa leather. The model has a dark green top.
Fiji The turquoise exterior ( custom paint Fiji Green) was combined in this model with a dark and navy blue leather interior.
Orinoco The model was delivered with the special paint Orinoco Metallic (gray- green). In the interior there are creamy white nappa leather door panels and seats. The Orinoco was available with a beige or black top.
Motorization
0-100 km / h [ AE]
Values in [ ..] are with automatic transmission