1996-2002 BMW Z3: Road Test

Even though horsepower and torque are greater in a 4-cylinder Z3 than in Mazda's Miata, the BMW roadster does not feel any swifter--partly because it carries more pounds. Automatic is slower yet. Because the Z3's 4-cylinder engine does not develop much power below 3500 rpm, it cannot get an eager jump off the line when you push the gas pedal hard. Past 3500 rpm, acceleration becomes brisk. Performance is better with the 2.8-liter 6-cylinder engine. It doesn't set any records either, however. The 6-cylinder's extra torque is most beneficial because it reduces the amount of shifting when driving in town. A test manual-transmission 2.5i did 0-60 mph in a brisk 7.0 sec and had ample midrange passing punch. The 3.0i/manual hatchback felt more muscular--BMW lists 0-60 at 5.9 sec--but didn't present significantly more usable acceleration on the street than the 2.5i. M-Series roadsters and hatchbacks have exhilarating performance--almost reminiscent of a Corvette. Refinement is where BMW has the edge over the Miata. BMW's 4-cylinder engine is far smoother and quieter than Mazda's. It gets noisy only when working hard. The 6-cylinder engine is quieter yet. Wind noise is intrusive at highway speeds, making it hard for the two occupants to converse in normal tones. Because these are sports cars, noises from the engine, road, and wind increase markedly with speed. Firm suspensions allow little lean in turns, and the Z3 corners as if it's on rails. For a car with such high cornering limits, the ride is supple--more comfortable than the Miata's. Still, it gets jiggly on anything other than glass-smooth surfaces. All told, the Z3 lags behind Mercedes' SLK in smothering bumps. Braking is straight and short. A "panic" stop from 60 mph took about 105 feet. Space is adequate for medium-size adults, but large folks might feel cramped. Trunk space is meager by anything other than sports-car standards. The manual folding top is fairly easy to raise and lower, but the plastic back window is subject to easy wrinkling and scratches, especially if not cared for properly. Like most convertibles, the top's rear quarters are wide enough to restrict visibility over the driver's shoulders. Inside, you'll find a no-frills, Teutonic design--not inappropriate for a sports car. Standard "leatherette" upholstery on the 1.9, however, with its odd pebble-grain pattern, looks rather cheap for a car of this caliber.

Value for the Money
Eye-catching appearance and BMW's reputation for handling prowess make the Z3 tempting. Still, based on performance or equipment, it's difficult to justify paying so much more for a Z3 than a Mazda Miata. M-Series models, on the other hand, perform as promised and just might be worth the extra dollars.