BMW Z3 2.8 Reviews

Guest's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Report this review

Good Points: Performance, retro roadster looks, strong engine, real drivers handling.

Bad Points: Main dealer parts cost. attracts jealous people that scratch it.

General comments: 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.

Guest's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Report this review

After adding a front strut brace, the car handles very neutral. It is just a joy to drive.. the strut brace .. Only about $150, the car is priceless.

Guest's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Report this review

Great car for good money

HyperMatrix's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Report this review

It's a great car. I would recommend the 2.8 (or 3.0) model, however, as this car is HEAVY. It is the same weight as a mustang. It's not that bad on gas. With my combined Aggressive City/Highway driving, I get 220 Miles on 11 gallons, which for such a respectable sports car is actually quite good. :)

The only thing you 'may' be disappointed with is not going for the higher 2.8 or 3.0 model. Other than that, this car is Golden. Make sure you get the Hard Top as it looks surprisingly nice ...

roberp's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Report this review

Owning a Z3 is truly amazing. It's a head turner every time. I am 28 years of age and have been very fortunate in owning a z3 (007 replica model - 1.9) for approx 1 year and 2 months until I crashed the car which is now a complete right off. I have been extremely devastated ever since. I have viewed other cars such as the Mazda MX-5 and the Mercedes SLK however, the Z3 continues to haunt me. I have now gone for another Z3 mainly because I am absolutely obsessed about the car in general; the perf ...

Bill Mason's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Report this review

I have owned a 1999 T plate 2.8 litre BMW Z3 for one month. I have hunted high and low over two years for the right one, and finally settled on a straight six engined roadster in dark green with 34,000 miles on the clock.
I think it is the perfect second car - my family car is a Saab 93 2.0 Aero - and it cost £8700.00. It has the chrome pack with chrome door handles and windscreen pillar, and I have paid £1350.00 for BMW fitted roll bars.
I think it would be hard to beat this choi ...

JoyToy2c's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Report this review

I just bought a '97 BMW Z3 with the 2.8. She had only 44k miles and I love her. Why didn't I get this two seater sooner? I could not imagine buying a Miata...or any other convertible especially after driving the Z3. I had even considered looking for a Mercedes SLK, but the BMW has much more power... and combined with exceptional steering and handling makes this car one to really consider buying. I give the BMW two thumbs up!

On average, people found this review very helpful
Report this review

Looks and feels a far higher quality item than say a Mazda MX5 or MGF. Retro styling looks great.

Driving position is excellent, you feel part of the car, rather than merely sitting on top of it. All instruments and switchgear are easy to see and operate.

Performance is excellent, although the auto transmission kick down is a little savage, I found it preferable to downshift manually when overtaking. The auto transmissions sports mode is pretty much a complete waste of time, all it does i ...

davsterravster1's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Report this review

The handling on the BMW Z3 is dreadful for such a car. It is quick but you can not use the power due to the bad handling. I am very let down with this car. It has put me off buying BMW ever again. I have regularly had the scares of my life due to the back end of the car kicking out. It is no fun to drive!!

On average, people found this review very helpful
Report this review

I picked up my 5 year old BMW Z3 2.8 about 3 months ago and wow what a car. I like this car because it is a car enthusiasts car. It hasn't had all it quirky bits removed by reams of focus groups & committee meetings. The looks are such that I think you either like them or loath them. I love them and with the larger 17" wheels fitted, there is no way this is any hair dressers car.
The engine is very strong and really comes alive over 4000Rpm pulling hard to just over 6000Rpm with a glorious soun ...

On average, people found this review very helpful
Report this review

Bought my BMW Z3 2.8 sports car privately, had low mileage and 18" Breyton magic wheels, has turned out to be a very good buy (touch wood). the sound from the straight six is fantastic, the accelaration is almost untouchable from most sports cars of this price on the road today. I tavel from London to Carolisle and arrive as fresh as when I left, (As long as there is no long tail backs on the M6). This car definately brings a smile to your face every time you drive it.

Servicing costs from ...

Annabelle's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Report this review

In a nutshell, I have no complaints about this BMW Z3 2.8 Sports car so far. I was lucky to find the one I have now, low mileage, full BMW service history. Well worth there money in every respect with a style, that I think, will not go out of date for a long time. I was also quite suprised how low my insurance quote was being a 25 year old female. I recommend this car to anybody thinking about buying one.

On average, people found this review very helpful
Report this review

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 a ...

bowman's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Report this review

I owned a Range rover that had some pull and i guess body roll. moved from that to the BMW Z3 2.8 and could not believe how easy it was to move on the streets again, the acceleration was good, turning circle very flat smooth ride.

i drove it from london to scotland and back doing about 1800 miles, most with roof down, it was small to do camping in, but great fun point to point, and got a lot of comments from the scots,

On average, people found this review somewhat helpful
Report this review

A major let down. The BMW Z3 2.8's handling is worrying, especially on bendy roads. The car understeers severely. There are numerous rattles and the boot fills with water when it rains causing the car to steam up badly. It is uncomfortable and causes your legs to bang in to the centre console due to the strange offset pedals that BMW use.
I am most disappointed with this car.

On average, people found this review very helpful
Report this review

The BMW Z3 2.8 is a good looking car with a distinguished bonnet and good lines. The back end isn't as strong in terms of design as the front, not even the updated rear end (2000 models onwards) manage to make it match the rest of the car. The engines below 2.5 don't do the car justice, but the 2.8 and 3.0 make this a great sports car. Okay, it's not as potent as some other cars, but for the money it gives more bhp. Since you can only buy Z3s second hand now it's fair to assume that most buyers ...