1996-2002 BMW Z3 Specs & Safety - Consumer Guide Automotive

Detailed safety information for this generation BMW Z Series include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA. Specs for this generation BMW Z Seriesinclude everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.

1996-2002 BMW Z3 Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	2-door convertible	2-door coupe

Wheelbase, in.	96.3	96.3

Overall Length, in.	158.5	158.5

Overall Width, in.	66.6	68.5

Overall Height, in.	50.7	51.4

Curb Weight, lbs.	2701	2943

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	5.0	9.0

Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	13.5	13.5

Seating Capacity	2	2

Front Head Room, in.	37.6	37.6

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.8	41.8

Rear Head Room, in.	--	--

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	--	--

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

For its first season and a half, only a 4-cylinder engine was available, with a choice of 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. The dual-overhead-cam four produced 138 horsepower and 133 pound-feet of torque. A Z3 2.8 with a dual-cam inline 6-cylinder engine arrived during 1997, rated at 189 horsepower and 203 pound-feet. During the 1998 model year, a high-performance M roadster arrived in limited numbers, carrying a 3.2-liter inline 6-cylinder engine that produced 240 horsepower. Only manual shift was available in the M roadster. The 4-cylinder was dropped in '99 in favor of a 2.5-liter inline six. This engine made 170 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. For 2001, a 3.0-liter I6 was added, and both 2.5-liter and 3.2-liter I6s gained horsepower.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

dohc I4	1.9 / 116	138	133	5-speed manual: 23/31 4-speed automatic: 23/31	5-speed manual: 25 4-speed automatic: --

dohc I6	2.5 / 152	170-184	175-181	5-speed manual: 19/26 4-speed automatic: 19/26	5-speed manual: 18.6 4-speed automatic: 22.2

dohc I6	2.8 / 170	193	206	5-speed manual: 19/27 4-speed automatic: 18/25	5-speed manual: 21.1 4-speed automatic: --

dohc I6	3.2 / 192	240-315	225-251	5-speed manual: 19/26	5-speed manual: 19.5

dohc I6	3.0 / 182	225	214	5-speed manual: 21/28 5-speed automatic: 19/27	5-speed manual: 19.7 5-speed automatic: --

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Built In: USA

Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/rear-wheel drive

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