BMW Z3 E36/8
Sports CarProduct Gallery
Product Overview
BMW Z3 Coupe (chassis code E36/8) is a subcompact coupe in production from 1997 to 2004. It was available with a range of inline-6 engines that displaced 2.8 to 3.0 liters.
Based on the E36/7 Z3 roadster, the Coupe was offered solely with I6 engines. It has a controversial rear-end styling that has elevated it to modern classic status. Moreover, compared to most BMWs of this era, the Z3 Coupe's M52 and M54 engines are rather reliable and easy to work on. BMW was kind enough to use GM's 5L40-E automatic transmission, thereby avoiding the horrendous ZF 5HP.
Drivers who appreciate handling should keep in mind that the BMW Z3 Coupe uses MacPherson front suspension, which doesn't provide the best cornering performance.
Ratings
What we found
Neofiliac score 67%
Pros
- Iconic styling, even if ugly to some
- Reliable and simple drivetrain
- Good handling
- Very light
Cons
- Stuck with MacPherson struts in the front
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Price Comparison
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Specifications
Variants shown:
2.8
2.8 AT
3.0i
3.0i AT
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100 km/h","Fv":"6.8 sec"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Acceleration | 0 - 60 mph","Fv":"6.5 sec"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Fuel Economy","Fv":"12.9 L/100km / 18.2 MPG (urban) | 7.4 L/100km / 31.8 MPG (highway)"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Top Speed","Fv":"231.0 km/h / 143.5 mph"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Drivetrain Layout","Fv":"Front-engine (longitudinal), Rear-wheel drive"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine","Fv":"M52B28"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Bore","Fv":"84.0 mm / 3.3 in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Compression Ratio","Fv":"10.2:1"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Displacement","Fv":"2.8 L / 170.4 cu-in / 2793.0 cc"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Power","Fv":"192.0 hp / 143.2 kW @ 5500 rpm"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Specific Output","Fv":"68.7 hp/L / 1.1 hp/cu-in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Stroke","Fv":"84.0 mm / 3.3 in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Torque","Fv":"280 Nm / 206.5 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Type","Fv":"Naturally-aspirated multi-port injected petrol inline-6 DOHC engine with 4 values per cylinder"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Transmission | Gears","Fv":"5-speed"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Transmission | Type","Fv":"Manual"},{"Ft":"Production","Fn":"Availability","Fv":"1997 ~ 2000"}],[{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Cargo Capacity","Fv":"210 L / 7.4 cu-ft"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Coolant Capacity","Fv":"10.0 L / 10.6 qt"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Engine Oil Capacity","Fv":"6.5 L / 6.9 qt"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Fuel Capacity","Fv":"51.0 L / 13.5 gal"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Passengers","Fv":"2"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Payload","Fv":"270 kg / 595 lbs"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Brakes | Front","Fv":"Ventilated discs"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Brakes | Rear","Fv":"Disc"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Power Steering","Fv":"Hydraulic Steering"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Suspension | Front","Fv":"MacPherson strut"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Suspension | Rear","Fv":"Multi-link"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Tire Size","Fv":"225/50 R16"},{"Ft":"Construction","Fn":"Body Style","Fv":"3-door Coupe"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Height","Fv":"1306 mm / 51.4 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Length","Fv":"4025 mm / 158.5 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Width","Fv":"1740 mm / 68.5 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Track Width | Front","Fv":"1413.0 mm / 55.6 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Track Width | Rear","Fv":"1494.0 mm / 58.8 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Weight","Fv":"1300.0 kg / 2866.0 lbs"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Wheel Size","Fv":"16 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Wheelbase","Fv":"2446 mm / 96.3 in"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Acceleration | 0 - 100 km/h","Fv":"7.1 sec"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Acceleration | 0 - 60 mph","Fv":"6.7 sec"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Fuel Economy","Fv":"14.4 L/100km / 16.3 MPG (urban) | 8.1 L/100km / 29.0 MPG (highway)"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Top Speed","Fv":"229.0 km/h / 142.3 mph"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Drivetrain Layout","Fv":"Front-engine (longitudinal), Rear-wheel drive"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine","Fv":"M52B28"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Bore","Fv":"84.0 mm / 3.3 in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Compression Ratio","Fv":"10.2:1"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Displacement","Fv":"2.8 L / 170.7 cu-in / 2798.0 cc"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Power","Fv":"192.0 hp / 143.2 kW @ 5500 rpm"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Specific Output","Fv":"68.6 hp/L / 1.1 hp/cu-in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Stroke","Fv":"84.0 mm / 3.3 in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Torque","Fv":"280 Nm / 206.5 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Type","Fv":"Naturally-aspirated multi-port injected petrol inline-6 DOHC engine with 4 values per cylinder"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Transmission | Gears","Fv":"4-speed"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Transmission | Type","Fv":"Automatic"},{"Ft":"Production","Fn":"Availability","Fv":"1997 ~ 2000"}],[{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Cargo Capacity","Fv":"210 L / 7.4 cu-ft"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Coolant Capacity","Fv":"10.5 L / 11.1 qt"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Engine Oil Capacity","Fv":"6.5 L / 6.9 qt"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Fuel Capacity","Fv":"51.0 L / 13.5 gal"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Passengers","Fv":"2"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Payload","Fv":"270 kg / 595 lbs"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Brakes | Front","Fv":"Ventilated discs"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Brakes | Rear","Fv":"Disc"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Power Steering","Fv":"Hydraulic Steering"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Suspension | Front","Fv":"MacPherson strut"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Suspension | Rear","Fv":"Multi-link"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Tire Size","Fv":"225/50 R16"},{"Ft":"Construction","Fn":"Body Style","Fv":"3-door Coupe"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Height","Fv":"1306 mm / 51.4 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Length","Fv":"4025 mm / 158.5 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Width","Fv":"1740 mm / 68.5 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Track Width | Front","Fv":"1413.0 mm / 55.6 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Track Width | Rear","Fv":"1494.0 mm / 58.8 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Weight","Fv":"1305.0 kg / 2877.0 lbs"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Wheel Size","Fv":"16 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Wheelbase","Fv":"2446 mm / 96.3 in"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Acceleration | 0 - 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