BMW Z3 2.8

OK - the Z3 may not be to everyone's taste. The styling you either like or don't. Personally I think its superb and represents exactly what a muscular 2 seated sports car should be.

It is not over endowed with electrical controls or saloon type refinement. It feels a little raw and needs to be driven. I believe it is all the better for it.

It handles well, goes well, sounds beautiful, is well built and cheap to run due to its reliability and build quality. The engine is a peach that miles does not appear to tarnish. The car always feels strong.

If I was to pick a fault it would be the gearbox. It is not smooth by modern standards, but perfectly functional. 1st to 2nd gear tends to induce a "clunk" in many 2.8 examples, including mine but after much research have found this can be massively improved by fitting a clutch stop bolt that basically eliminates the spare space the clutch pedal travels between the disengagement point and the floor (£10 fix).

If you are thinking of buying - do it!

The enhancements that I have found are very worthwhile are:

1) Engine brace. - Handling improves massively. Tracking much reduced

2) 18 inch wheels. Look great and strangely the ride improves

3) K & N intake kit. Pickup better and smoother

4) Clutch stop bolt

5) Get the gearbox and transmission oils changed every 50,000 miles. Whoever at BMW decided they didn't need changing was wrong. Big difference to gearbox smoothness after these are changed.

6) Quality short weighted gear change top

These improvements are all straightforward and in no way adulterate the essence of the car. Its just a lot better!

The Z3 is almost a "classic" now, and prices have dropped to under five thousand pounds even for the 2.8/3 litre versions.

It's a great car, but go for the larger engine as the smaller engine is a bit slow, plus the larger engined versions have wider rear arches which look better.

Remarkably the 2.8 will achieve 30mpg in town driving, if driven with a degree of care. Insurance is also cheaper as it can be insured as a "classic" but do check the premium before you buy one....this is no MX5.

Performance wise the 2.8 will wipe the floor with most other 2 seaters like the MX5, leaving them rasping weakly from the exhaust. The 2.8 (and even better, the 3.0) pulls like a train and sounds lovely.

Fault wise there is one issue, the diff mount can fracture and pull away from the boot floor in the larger engine versions. This needs to be checked before you buy. Mine was fine but if it does fail it can be an expensive repair.

In conclusion, before you plump for that MX5 check out the Z3 2.8....you will not be disappointed.

OK so one week is not long to judge any car, but 500 miles of pure enjoyment is enough to make me reach for my keypad. The power generated in 5th gear is outstanding. The sexy looks of the 2.8 with wide rear arches attract attention. Fuel economy shouldn't be a major concern as this is a car to enjoy and not feel guilty about. Full service history is recommended for any potential buyer. Driving hard can cause a little "wobble" so I'm considering a front strut bar. Never driven a Z3 before purchase which may be a good or bad thing but I have now realised just what I've been missing all these years. The BMW Z3 2.8 is pure FUNtastic. Treat yourself.

I decided to take my mid-life crisis a little early and so 2 weeks ago I bought a 1998 (12 year old) BMW Z3 2.8. My car has 100k, Full BMW Service History and is in excellent general and mechanical condition. The car looks amazing and has the usual BMW build quality but I have also found a lot about the Z3 2.3 that has disappointed me. From my experience of owning 50 other cars over the last 20 years, the handling of the Z3 2.8 is poor on every day use. Scuttle shake becomes more (not less) annoying with time. The car does not feel anywhere near as stuck to the road as my old 1.6 Mazda MX-5. All the weight is at the front (due to the heavy Straight 6 engine) and the car is too light at the rear. I find the seating position uncomfortably, although to be fair, my car has electric seats and the only fault with the car is that the up/down movement is jammed, a little higher than I would like! The worse thing about the Z3 2.8 is probably how heavy the clutch and accelerator both are, and the clunky, notchy gear change (have driven 3 others before mine, all with identical gear change). Performance is torquey but not as good as I expected. I think the 2.8 BMW unit is quiet de-tuned to only put out 193hp by today's standards. The car does not feel as fast and has nowhere near the mid-range pick up as my VW Bora TDi 130. The Z3 2.8 is great in 5th gear; it will continue pulling rapidly from 60-110mph. But through gears 1-4 it disappoints a little; all the power is over 5000rpm so not exactly usable in everyday use, unless you rev the heck out of it in every gear! It has refinement and looks the part. It is a LOT nicer to drive with the electric hood down (which works great). With the hood up, visibility is poor (again compared to MX-5) and the cockpit just doesn't feel as nice a place to be. The engine does sound very, very nice indeed. I jsut wish I got a bit more of a feeling of my back being pushed into my seat. I get this from the Bora - maybe I am just spoiled by super-torquey diesels! The 2.8 is not exactly slow but it doesn't feel as quick as it should in my view. I had this engine in a 5-series BMW, mated to a steptronic automatic gearbox and that car actually felt faster. Some people love their Z3 2.8 but for me the love affair has been short lived and I am thinking about selling it for a E39 BMW 540i steptronic. The Z3 2.8 is not by any means a bad car, but I heavily recommend driving one before you commit to buying, as they really not to everyone's taste in terms of the driving experience.

i have 19cc version its very nice fast enough in these days with all cameras

comfortable easy to get in out for the older person.nice driving position

boot bigger than mx5 my car is in very good condition for 12 years old.surprised hood does not unzip like mx5?like the radio players cassettes and cds i have really thought long hard for some thing i dont like and only thing i can say is parts and accessorios.

have just had z3 about year,had triumph stag,tr6,wonted somthing newer thot z3 had wee drive that was me smitted,good fun second car,dont like boot tho

great enginge well built car

The Z3 appealed to me since it has all the attributes of a classic convertible from the 60's and 70's. It looks so cool & really do feel like James Bond when I am driving it!

It's not a techno convertible like the ones from this century and this is why I like it so much. The interior is stylish and the leather power seats extremely comfortable even on long journeys. The fabric top also gives it that period look and its also powered - going down in less than 10 seconds.

The automatic gearbox is very smooth with changes sensed but not jumpy. Fuel consumption is good and servicing is easy as its based on the 3 series with easily available parts.

I previously had a yellow SLK230 and although it was fun (especially the folding metal roof) it had innumerable rattles that irritated the life out of me. And since I already have a Benz sedan the BMW appealed even more. The sound of the 2.8 in-line 6 is an astounding smooth roar compared to the SLK.

It is surely to become a classic car in the future and one to hold on forever.

Downside? Nothing!

Having owned a 1998 Z3 2.8 for a lttle over a year I have now experienced what its like to go through all the seasons with the roadster.

This car did have a bit of bad press. The complaint was the handling. It is true that there is a little body roll when driving hard but its nots a super car that will stay flat through corners. If you want that then you will lose comfort. Having taken the car out on track and pushing it to its limits it really is a drivers car. It is very "chuckable" through corners. Turn in and reduction of scuttle shake as suffered by all convertables is aided by fitting a strut brace. a butt strut and maybe even a body brace can be fitted but for everyday a front strut brace will do nicely. People complain of the car stepping out...well it is a light, rear wheel drive car with pleanty of torque thanks to the M52 6 Cylinder engine. drive sensible and its a dream yet push it hard and it will perorm like a rear wheel drive well powered car. Anyone that complains of handling with this car i'm sorry to say simply thinks they are a good driver but infact they actually are not. Its a real car with no fangled computer gadgets that flash lights on your dash and sort the car out for you...like a nanny car.

Fuel consumption is relevant to how you drive...just remember its a 2.8 straight six motor...its not going to sip fuel and pull great MPG....you want performance then you pay a little with economy.

Being the M52 engine from BMW it is a very strong motor. My car has single vanos but after 1998/99 they were replaced with the M52TU engine with dual vanos. this gave a little more grunt bottom end but not hell of a lot.

Maintenence is fairly easy. pick up a well maintained example with a good service history and you will really get a good vehicle for the money. Keep the car serviced as according to the onboard computer and the car is faultless. Like any car they are common things that can crop up but all are fairy inexpensive.

The alternatives to this model is the MX5 or the MG TF. Drive them all and you will pick the BMW everytime. The MX5 has sharper handling but not the grunt and the pleasure factor when driving. The MG is basicly a convertable metro. They are renound for be very flakey in build quality, engines are simply poor and basicly its a rover...enough said.

You might say that I'm biased but after experience in the motor trade and trying many vehicles out, of all of my cars I have owned...the BMW Z3 2.8 is the most rewarding.

You cant really compare this car to modern day vehicles as there is more technology and developments in newer cars.....the s2000 as an example. a cracking car.

If your in the market for a fun, powerful, prestige(ish) brand of sport roadster then do try the Z3, now very cheap, affordable roof down fun. If your in doubt try one ot let someone that has one take you out and show you what the car can do.....you will want one.

After adding a front strut brace, the car handles very neutral. It is just a joy to drive.. the strut brace .. Only about $150, the car is priceless.