The BMW Z3 is a range of two-seater sports cars which was produced from 1995 to 2002. The body styles of the range are:
The Z3 was based on the E36/5 compact platform, a shortened version of the conventional E36 platform. This smaller and cheaper platform used the rear semi-trailing arm suspension design from the older E30 3 Series. It is the first mass-produced Z Series car.
M models were introduced in 1998 in roadster and coupé body styles and were powered by the S50, S52, or S54 straight-six engine depending on country and model year. The M models came with a 5-speed manual transmission. The regular Z3s were offered with straight-sixes or four-cylinder engines.
Production ended on June 28, 2002,[1] with the Z3 line replaced by the E85 Z4.
- 2-door roadster (E36/7 model code)
- 2-door coupé (E36/8 model code)
Development and launch
Development on the roadster began in 1991 and was led by Burkhard Göschel.[2][3] The exterior was designed by Joji Nagashima, being completed in mid-1992 at 39 months before production[4][5] and the design was frozen in 1993.[6] Design patents were filed on April 2, 1994, in Germany and on September 27, 1994, in the US.[7] The Z3 was introduced via video press release by BMW North America on June 12, 1995. Production began on September 20, 1995.[8]
Body styles
Roadster (E36/7)
Roadster models entered production in September 1995, powered by 4-cylinder engines on launch. 6-cylinder engines were later introduced in 1996.[11] A removable hardtop roof was available as an optional accessory.
Coupé (E36/8)
Coupé models entered production in January 1998.[12] The unusual side profile has been given nicknames such as "clown shoe" and "bread van" by critics.[13][14][15]
Transmissions
The available transmissions are:[20]
- 5-speed ZF S5-31 manual (Z3 2.8 / 3.0i / Z3M)
- 5-speed Getrag 250 manual (Z3 1.8 / 1.9i / 2.0 / 2.2i / 2.5)
- 4-speed GM 4L30-E automatic (Z3 1.9 / 2.0 / 2.5 / 2.8)
- 5-speed GM 5L40-E automatic (Z3 2.2i / 2.5 / 3.0)
Models
The 4-cylinder models feature a single tailpipe, while six-cylinder models have dual tailpipes, wider rear fenders (for pre-facelift models) and a revised front bumper. M models featured the same wider fenders as the six-cylinder models but with unique front and rear bumpers, side mirrors and the M division's first use of a quad exhaust pipe arrangement.
The 1.8, 2.0, and 2.2i models were unavailable in the United States. The U.S. was also the only market to receive the 2.3 and 2.5 models
M models
The M versions were introduced in 1997 in the roadster (M Roadster) and coupé (M Coupé) body styles. European models were initially powered by the S50 inline-six engine, while North American models were powered by the less powerful S52 inline-six engine. In 2001 both the European and North American models switched to the new S54 engine. The Z3M was only available with a 5-speed manual transmission.
Compared to the standard Z3, M models featured a limited slip differential, a wider rear track,[15] and larger brakes (that are shared with the E36 M3). M models were available in M-specific colors and feature numerous aesthetic and aerodynamic differences versus the rest of the Z3 range, including more aerodynamic side-view mirrors, redesigned front and rear bumpers, bespoke "Roadstar" Style 40 wheels, revised side gills, and quad exhaust pipes. The interior can also be differentiated by the voltmeter, clock, and oil temperature gauges in the center console as well as unique M-styled seats and interior color options.
Unlike the rest of the Z3 range, the M Roadster and the M Coupé did not receive cosmetic changes during the facelift in 2000.
Special models
James Bond Edition
To tie in with its appearance in GoldenEye, a James Bond film which was released the same year, BMW released a "James Bond Edition" Z3 that was offered for sale through the Neiman Marcus Christmas catalog. The James Bond Edition was sold in 1996 for US$35,000 1996. BMW and Neiman Marcus had originally set a 20-unit sales goal, but this was later increased to 100 units after receiving a high level of interest from customers.
The James Bond Edition was based on the Z3 1.9i and included a 007 dash plaque, 007 floor mats, unique wheels, and chrome exterior trim. The color scheme was an "Atlanta blue" exterior with beige leather interior, matching the Z3 which appeared in GoldenEye. The VIN of all 100 limited edition cars has code 007, and the last two indicate that out of 100 produced there is a specific example (....00700 to 00799). Exactly half of the cars (50 pieces) had a manual transmission and the same number had an automatic transmission. [21]
V12 prototype
In 1999, the BMW M division produced a single prototype Z3 powered by the 5.4 L M73 V12 engine[22]
Model year changes
Production volumes
One source provides the data below for production figures.[42] However, there are other sources which provide conflicting information,[42] so actual figures are not certain.
Marketing
The Z3 appeared briefly in the James Bond movie GoldenEye, in a scene where Bond is driving in Cuba.[43] Bond would eventually trade the car in exchange for Jack Wade's plane. The Z3 is one of only a few non-British production cars to be driven by James Bond throughout the history of the film franchise, and the first of three James Bond films that prominently featured a BMW. This break in tradition was due to a three-film licensing deal between BMW and the James Bond franchise that began with GoldenEye and ended with The World Is Not Enough.[44] The Z3 in GoldenEye features stinger missiles hidden behind the headlights, an emergency parachute braking system, and a radar scanner in the form of a LCD screen in the dashboard.[45] It is also noted during the briefing scene that the car contains a passenger ejector seat and a self-destruct system, though they aren't used at any point in the film.[46] The Z3 is also one of the few vehicles in the Q-Branch that was not destroyed in the field. Fans of the franchise were not enthused with the BMW product placement, all the more so since the Z3 never was given a scene in which to use the weaponry and defense features that have always distinguished a James Bond car. This was ultimately rectified with the
Awards
- 1995 "Super Reggie" Best-of-show award for the GoldenEye marketing campaign[52]
- 1999 Edmunds' Most Wanted Convertible $25,001-$40,000 for the Z3 2.8[53]
- 1999 Car and Driver "Ten Best" for M Coupé / M Roadster[54]
- 1999 Automobile Magazine "Design of the Year" award for the M Coupé[55]
- 1999 Automobile Magazine "Best Sports Car" award for the M Coupé[55]
References
- Timeline: BMW in Spartanburg GoUpstate.com, retrieved 9 May 2013^
- Hyundai Genesis Coupe Follows BMW Z3's Precedence www.torquenews.com, 10 June 2014, retrieved 22 June 2017^
- Catching Up With: Burkhard Goeschel www.automobilemag.com, 12 October 2016, retrieved 22 June 2017