bmw z3 2.8 review

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Picture courtesy of Patrick.

Average Ratings

Performance	8.8/10
Practicality	5.9/10
Reliability	8.9/10
Value for Money	8.3/10
Reviewer Rating	7.9/10
Overall Rating	7.7/10

87% Recommended13 out of 15 Reviews

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By Den Z3 on 8th Feb 2004

Den Z3's Ratings

Year Manufactured	1999
Length of ownership	Not supplied
Performance	8/10
Practicality	7/10
Reliability	9/10
Value for money	8/10
Overall value	8/10
Den Z3's recommendation

Good Points

Excellent looks from the front and looking out over the bonnet. Strong motor that pulls from anywhere in the rev range.

Bad Points

A few bangs and rattles internally. Some of the internal trim seems to be held on by thin air ( door pillar trim )

General Comments

I first bought the BMW Z3 2.8 car beacause I was seduced by the sexy and aggressive looks and the sheer grunt and performance of the engine. It has taken me a while to get used to it and through that time I have gone through the emotions of being dissapointed and back to being delighted. If you approach the car understanding that this is a drivers car, in the mould od perhaps a '70's sports car then from day 0ne you will understand what its about. Perhaps that a cop out from BMW. After all, we are in the 21st century and my 4 years old 406 shows a much better level of sophistication than a supposedly upmarket make like BMW. Im 6ft and fit in quite well with the hardtop fitted. When ever the headroom with the soft top up is any worse I shall find out in the summer. As for internal space; I'm a big chap and it took me a while to find a comfortable setting for the seat. But now I have, I have no grumbles about it. I fit it well. I have had problems getting the nearside window to seal against the hard top. Maybe it's the way it's fitted and wont be a prob with the softop. The car is fitted with AC Schnitzer suspension which makes the car slightly lower than stock ( have to be careful with curbs ) but I have no grumbles about the handling. The engine is a gem and is really at the heart of what this car is about. Sound is lovely. And it pulls from almost nowhere and feels unburstable. Silky smoth and at the high end sreams like a motorcycle. The clutch is dragging slighty ( told it's a common fault ) but I can live with that for now. 193 bhp is very usable but i'm now finding I want more!! Z3 M would have been a better option I think!! I agree with comments elswhere regarding styling. The rear hasnt been as well designed as the front. The rear wheel arches viewed from behind are lovely, but the eye is drawn to the boot lid and the left right linear lip. The boot space is pityfull. But I do have a rack to bolt on and try. The spare wheel is under the back end. This is not an option I wish to experience on a cold, dark and rainy winters night. I would suggest that you practice a wheel change on your drive when you get the car. Halfords sell an electric tyre pump for <£15 and I have invested in one of these hoping that, on most ocassions, that this will get me home/ down to the local garage. This car could have had so much more sex appeal if the rear had been given more thought. When clean, it draws so many approving glancers from on the road users and pedestrians.

Total Respect: +3