BMW Z3 2.8 Review

Overall Rating

Performance, retro roadster looks, strong engine, real drivers handling.

Main dealer parts cost. attracts jealous people that scratch it.

Having owned a 1998 Z3 2.8 for a lttle over a year I have now experienced what its like to go through all the seasons with the roadster.

This car did have a bit of bad press. The complaint was the handling. It is true that there is a little body roll when driving hard but its nots a super car that will stay flat through corners. If you want that then you will lose comfort. Having taken the car out on track and pushing it to its limits it really is a drivers car. It is very "chuckable" through corners. Turn in and reduction of scuttle shake as suffered by all convertables is aided by fitting a strut brace. a butt strut and maybe even a body brace can be fitted but for everyday a front strut brace will do nicely. People complain of the car stepping out...well it is a light, rear wheel drive car with pleanty of torque thanks to the M52 6 Cylinder engine. drive sensible and its a dream yet push it hard and it will perorm like a rear wheel drive well powered car. Anyone that complains of handling with this car i'm sorry to say simply thinks they are a good driver but infact they actually are not. Its a real car with no fangled computer gadgets that flash lights on your dash and sort the car out for you...like a nanny car.

Fuel consumption is relevant to how you drive...just remember its a 2.8 straight six motor...its not going to sip fuel and pull great MPG....you want performance then you pay a little with economy.

Being the M52 engine from BMW it is a very strong motor. My car has single vanos but after 1998/99 they were replaced with the M52TU engine with dual vanos. this gave a little more grunt bottom end but not hell of a lot.

Maintenence is fairly easy. pick up a well maintained example with a good service history and you will really get a good vehicle for the money. Keep the car serviced as according to the onboard computer and the car is faultless. Like any car they are common things that can crop up but all are fairy inexpensive.

The alternatives to this model is the MX5 or the MG TF. Drive them all and you will pick the BMW everytime. The MX5 has sharper handling but not the grunt and the pleasure factor when driving. The MG is basicly a convertable metro. They are renound for be very flakey in build quality, engines are simply poor and basicly its a rover...enough said.

You might say that I'm biased but after experience in the motor trade and trying many vehicles out, of all of my cars I have owned...the BMW Z3 2.8 is the most rewarding.

You cant really compare this car to modern day vehicles as there is more technology and developments in newer cars.....the s2000 as an example. a cracking car.

If your in the market for a fun, powerful, prestige(ish) brand of sport roadster then do try the Z3, now very cheap, affordable roof down fun. If your in doubt try one ot let someone that has one take you out and show you what the car can do.....you will want one.