The BMW Z3 upgraded our sports-car aspirations. Americans had benefited since 1989 from the advent of the Miata – which remains the best-selling convertible in the world. Cheap, cheerful, and tossable, the Miata re-invigorated an entire segment. But it took BMW to polish that experience into a sophisticated, powerful package. While the four-cylinder Z3 dished up performance similar to the Miata, the six-cylinder was a whole different animal altogether – and each model offered a level of luxury and roominess a notch above the Miata. Here on eBay is a fine representative from the near-300,000 Z3 examples sold from 1996 through 2002, bid to $4777 in a no-reserve auction. This car, with only 57k miles and a clean AutoCheck report, is located in Nashville, Tennessee.
The engine in this example is BMW’s 2.8 liter six cylinder, producing about 190 hp and a zero to sixty time in the 6.5 second area. Thankfully, it’s paired with a five-speed manual – an automatic was an extra-cost option. Only the later 3.0i or an M version will best this engine/gearbox combination. New, this car cost $36k, a substantial premium over the $25k price tag for the M Edition Miata. This price gap restrained sales of the Z3, and assured that Mazda’s product would retain the roadster crown.
The interior is lush, with well-designed black leather seats, wood accents on the console, and three big, round gauges peeking through the steering wheel. Drivers praise the Z3’s ergonomics – everything seems to fit. The car can be optioned with a wind deflector, designed to limit noise and tousle on long top-down road trips. The top is in fantastic condition, and the trunk is spiffy-clean. Very close scrutiny reveals just a hint of wear on the driver’s outside seat bolster – otherwise it’s difficult to fault the cosmetics. Two sets of keys and the owner’s manual/service book accompany the sale.
Before cracking open your wallet to acquire this car, ask for underside photos. I suspect few surprises under there, though: from what we’re shown, this Z3 was well-kept. As to value – if you’re a collector and you want the best, don’t buy a roadster at all. You want the M coupe. The coupes are rare, high performance models that can breach $80k and show no inclination to stop rising in price. Next down the stack is the Z3 2.8 liter coupe – also quite collectable, and roughly three times as expensive as the roadsters. Which brings us back to this car. Low mileage Z3 2.8 roadsters are not rare. This black over red Z3 sold for $10,500 four months ago, and it sports fewer miles than our subject car; ditto this Atlanta Blue example, with just 31k miles, selling for $12,500. No matter the price, any Z3 offers a lot of bang for the buck. Have you ever owned a Z3? What did you think of it?
My ex sister in law had the 2.8 and manual. That car pulled like a freight train and sounded great doing it. Unfortunately it was constantly in the shop for a variety of issues. It was a well kept car but over 100k on the clock. Do I want one? Yes!
I had one for a year. Nice ride, no real problems, but it didn’t have the fun factor I was used to in British, Italian, and other sports cars. The fun factor comes with compromises, but to me, that is the part of the deal. I sold it to a neighbor lady who loved it, and still has it as far as I know.
I have a 2000 Z3 2.8 with almost 100,000 miles. It is a blast to drive, and has held up quite well. It has plenty of power (190 hp from the factory, and a little more with my tune). BMW hit a home run with these cars. I’d rather own an old Z3 over a brand new Mazda MX-5 any day.
We also own a 1996 Z3 1.9 we have restored to sell, and there is an M Roadster in my future. Nothing beats a Z3 in the roadster category, nothing.
Oh my. I bought one from the local BMW dealer, just off a 3 year lease, “pre-certified”. BRG and tan leather, 6 banger with the standard, low miles. I didn’t tell my wife, drove her to work in downtown Toronto in our other car like I always did. Then drove to the dealer, pick up the car, it was spotless. Went to pick her up early, made up a story about having to shop for something near her office. Met her at the office, and we walked to what she thought would be the other car. Came around the corner in the parking lot and the sun hits the car and she says “Wow, that car looks amazing!!!!!”. To which I replied “I sure hope so, its yours” and handed her the keys. It couldn’t have worked out any better.
well…..
Actually, it was the worst POS I have ever owned (which just goes to show you that even a lemon can show up once in a while). We took it out to PEI the first weekend we had it to see her folks (that’s an 18 hour drive from Toronto, and it rained most of the drive). We get there, I open the trunk, and its 4″ deep in water. That car spent 11 of the next 14 weeks in and out of the dealer. They changed everything they could think of, and the trunk still filled with water. Top, seals, everything. After 14 weeks of sheer misery, I drove it to the dealer and told them to take it back. We ended up doing an even trade on a similar age 328 convertible – now THAT was an amazing car for us.
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Great story, thanks to you and everyone else for letting us know about the good, the bad, and the ugly….
I guess it’s like the 2 door/4 door argument. Value be damned, convertible or nothing. Awesome car but I’d prefer a Miata
So, after losing out on the BF auction for one of these, we went to a local dealership that had a couple of them, among many other 2 seater convertibles (their specialty). Since it was going to be primarily for my wife, we walked around and sat in many cars, and the one she decided to try was a 2005 Crossfire.
After several months of ownership, I can tell you that it is a blast to drive, and to my surprise (I like a manual in my sporty cars), the auto works quite well.
The difference between the Z3 and the Miata will always come down to maintenance cost.As nice as these little Brimmer’s are the Miata is just easier and cheaper to keep running.