BMW used cars like there Z3 roadster came into dealership show rooms back in 1996. Since the inception of this model, BMW has always made changes to the engine mostly by increasing the horsepower. This vehicle competes against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz CLK Class and the Porsche Boxster. Both these vehicles were first launched in 1997 and offered much more horsepower than the Z3, but you will see in my research that BMW improved its engine performance. My research will be on the BMW Z3 as a used vehicle to look at.
Even though this article is on all the years that the Z3 roadster was in production, I only looked at a used 2000 model. One thing you notice in this car when you first take a glance of the inside is the shiny silver surroundings. All the center console controls and speedometer gauges are surrounded in polished chrome. The steering wheel and 2 bucket seats are covered in beautiful leather. Some of the standard options that come with the Z3 are Anti-theft AM/FM stereo/cassette, CD changer, Cellular phone pre wiring, Microchip dynamic encoded key, anti-theft drive away protection, and air condition just to name a few.
There are several different fuel statistics over the years that the Z3 was in production. The 2.5-litre engine had a fuel rating of 11.9-litres, per 100km, for city driving and 8-litres, per 100km, for highway driving. The 2.8-litre engine had a fuel rating of 11.9-litres, per 100km, for city driving and 7.6-litres, per 100km, for highway driving. The 3.0-litre engine had a fuel rating of 11.2-litres, per 100km, for city driving and 7.6-litres, per 100km, for highway driving. The Z3 M model had a fuel rating of 12.1-litres, per 100km, for city driving and 8.1-litres, per 100km, for highway driving.
Engine sizes vary from the years that the Z3 was in production. The first engine was a four cylinder, 1.9-litre engine and this produced 138 horsepower. In 1998 BMW changed its base model motor to a 2.5-litre engine and this had 170 horsepower under the hood. In 1997 they had a 2.8-litre engine but this was replaced in 2001 with a six cylinder, 3.0-litre engine and this produced 225 horsepower. Their best model, the M roadster, had a six cylinder, 3.2 litre engine and this produced 240 horsepower.
Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of the Z3 roadster as a used vehicle:
1- There are problems with the electrical components wearing down because of aging.
2- There are no records of any crash tests done to the ZE by two leading organizations who handle these tests.
3- Overall there are only minor problems with this vehicle.
I hope this helps if your thinking of looking at BMW used cars like the Z3 roadster.
