BMW Z3 E36/7
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Product Overview
BMW Z3 E36/7 is a subcompact convertible sports car in production from 1995 to 2003. It was available with a range of inline-4 and inline-6 engines that displaced 1.8 to 3.0 liters.
An attempt by BMW to compete with the Mazda MX-5 in the ultra-light sports car market, the Z3 has an interesting styling with proportions of a classic European sports car. It is slightly heavier, and its suspension setup is more basic; these factors led to the relatively poor handling characteristics of the car.
Nevertheless, when equipped with an M52 or M54 inline-6 engine, the Z3 was more powerful than the MX-5 and the Morgan +4. It is also more affordable than the latter.
Ratings
What we found
Neofiliac score 61%
Pros
- Lightweight sports car with I6 option
- Good styling
- Open top driving
Cons
- Stuck with MacPherson struts in the front
- Not very light
What external reviewers found
External score 59%
Pros
- Good standard equipment
- Comfortable to drive
- Stylish looks
Cons
- Poor ride quality
- Fiddly VANOS system
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Price Comparison
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Specifications
Variants shown:
1.8 M43B18
1.8 M43B19
1.9
1.9 AT
2.0
2.2i
2.2i AT
2.8
2.8 AT
3.0i
[[{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Cargo Capacity","Fv":"165 L / 5.8 cu-ft"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Coolant Capacity","Fv":"6.2 L / 6.6 qt"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Engine Oil Capacity","Fv":"4.0 L / 4.2 qt"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Fuel Capacity","Fv":"51.0 L / 13.5 gal"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Passengers","Fv":"2"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Payload","Fv":"250 kg / 551 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":"205/60 R15"},{"Ft":"Construction","Fn":"Body Style","Fv":"2-door Convertible"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Height","Fv":"1288 mm / 50.7 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Length","Fv":"4025 mm / 158.5 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Width","Fv":"1692 mm / 66.6 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Track Width | Front","Fv":"1411.0 mm / 55.6 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Track Width | Rear","Fv":"1427.0 mm / 56.2 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Weight","Fv":"1160.0 kg / 2557.4 lbs"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Wheel Size","Fv":"15 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Wheelbase","Fv":"2446 mm / 96.3 in"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Acceleration | 0 - 100 km/h","Fv":"10.5 sec"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Acceleration | 0 - 60 mph","Fv":"10.0 sec"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Fuel Economy","Fv":"10.9 L/100km / 21.6 MPG (urban) | 5.9 L/100km / 39.9 MPG (highway)"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Top Speed","Fv":"194.0 km/h / 120.5 mph"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Drivetrain Layout","Fv":"Front-engine (longitudinal), Rear-wheel drive"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine","Fv":"M43B18"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Bore","Fv":"84.0 mm / 3.3 in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Compression Ratio","Fv":"9.7:1"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Displacement","Fv":"1.8 L / 109.7 cu-in / 1798.0 cc"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Power","Fv":"115.0 hp / 85.8 kW @ 5500 rpm"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Specific Output","Fv":"64.0 hp/L / 1.0 hp/cu-in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Stroke","Fv":"81.0 mm / 3.2 in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Torque","Fv":"168 Nm / 123.9 lb-ft @ 3900 rpm"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Type","Fv":"Naturally-aspirated multi-port injected petrol inline-4 engine with 2 values per cylinder"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Transmission | Gears","Fv":"5-speed"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Transmission | Type","Fv":"Manual"},{"Ft":"Production","Fn":"Availability","Fv":"1995 ~ 1998"}],[{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Cargo Capacity","Fv":"165 L / 5.8 cu-ft"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Coolant Capacity","Fv":"6.6 L / 7.0 qt"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Engine Oil Capacity","Fv":"4.0 L / 4.2 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":"2-door Convertible"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Height","Fv":"1288 mm / 50.7 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Length","Fv":"4050 mm / 159.4 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Width","Fv":"1740 mm / 68.5 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Track Width | Front","Fv":"1411.0 mm / 55.6 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Track Width | Rear","Fv":"1492.0 mm / 58.7 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Weight","Fv":"1220.0 kg / 2689.6 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":"10.4 sec"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Acceleration | 0 - 60 mph","Fv":"9.9 sec"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Fuel Economy","Fv":"11.0 L/100km / 21.4 MPG (urban) | 6.0 L/100km / 39.2 MPG (highway)"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Top Speed","Fv":"196.0 km/h / 121.8 mph"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Drivetrain Layout","Fv":"Front-engine (longitudinal), Rear-wheel drive"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine","Fv":"M43TUB19"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Bore","Fv":"85.0 mm / 3.3 in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Compression Ratio","Fv":"9.7:1"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Displacement","Fv":"1.9 L / 115.6 cu-in / 1895.0 cc"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Power","Fv":"118.0 hp / 88.0 kW @ 5500 rpm"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Specific Output","Fv":"62.3 hp/L / 1.0 hp/cu-in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Stroke","Fv":"83.5 mm / 3.3 in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Torque","Fv":"190 Nm / 140.1 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Type","Fv":"Naturally-aspirated multi-port injected petrol inline-4 engine with 2 values per cylinder"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Transmission | Gears","Fv":"5-speed"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Transmission | Type","Fv":"Manual"},{"Ft":"Production","Fn":"Availability","Fv":"1998 ~ 2000"}],[{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Cargo Capacity","Fv":"165 L / 5.8 cu-ft"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Coolant Capacity","Fv":"6.6 L / 7.0 qt"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Engine Oil Capacity","Fv":"5.0 L / 5.3 qt"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Fuel Capacity","Fv":"51.0 L / 13.5 gal"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Passengers","Fv":"2"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Payload","Fv":"250 kg / 551 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":"205/60 R15"},{"Ft":"Construction","Fn":"Body Style","Fv":"2-door Convertible"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Height","Fv":"1288 mm / 50.7 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Length","Fv":"4025 mm / 158.5 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Width","Fv":"1692 mm / 66.6 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Track Width | Front","Fv":"1411.0 mm / 55.6 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Track Width | Rear","Fv":"1427.0 mm / 56.2 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Weight","Fv":"1185.0 kg / 2612.5 lbs"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Wheel Size","Fv":"15 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Wheelbase","Fv":"2446 mm / 96.3 in"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Acceleration | 0 - 100 km/h","Fv":"9.5 sec"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Acceleration | 0 - 60 mph","Fv":"9.0 sec"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Fuel Economy","Fv":"11.4 L/100km / 20.6 MPG (urban) | 6.0 L/100km / 39.2 MPG (highway)"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Top Speed","Fv":"205.0 km/h / 127.4 mph"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Drivetrain Layout","Fv":"Front-engine (longitudinal), Rear-wheel drive"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine","Fv":"M44B19"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Bore","Fv":"85.0 mm / 3.3 in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Compression Ratio","Fv":"10.0:1"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Displacement","Fv":"1.9 L / 115.6 cu-in / 1895.0 cc"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Power","Fv":"140.0 hp / 104.4 kW @ 6000 rpm"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Specific Output","Fv":"73.9 hp/L / 1.2 hp/cu-in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Stroke","Fv":"83.5 mm / 3.3 in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Torque","Fv":"180 Nm / 132.8 lb-ft @ 4300 rpm"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Type","Fv":"Naturally-aspirated multi-port injected petrol inline-4 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":"1995 ~ 1999"}]]
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· 83%
External Reviews
autoexpress[1]
Reviewer score 59% (normalized by Neofiliac)Most common problem is generally a failing oxygen sensor, which will throw up an engine warning light or fail an MoT emissions test. Non-M engines have a few more issues to be aware of, such as the Nikasil cylinder liners. Genuine BMW parts are expensive, but aftermarket parts can bring down the cost.
Pros
- Stylish looks
- Good standard equipment
- Comfortable to drive
Cons
- Poor ride quality
- Fiddly VANOS system
Also Check
References
- ^ BMW Z3: Buying guide and review (1996-2002). [autoexpress].
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