Any other Z3 owners here?

[Davil]

I bought a 54000 mile 2001 2.2 Z3 back in April. Condition is pretty much perfect. Not even any rattles (though it does have a "characterful" squeaky steering wheel). It's a very well made car no matter what certain Internet "personalities" will tell you. Like any BMW it just comes down to how much it was loved and cared for in the past.

I was one of those guys that filed themselves under the "I will never buy a convertible" label. If you are currently self filed under this label, just try it. It's a whole new world. I'm putting it down to "roadster" instead of convertible. So try a "roadster". It changes your perspective on all sorts of things.

The little m54 2.2 spins like a sewing machine, makes some glorious sounds, pops and crackles and makes you feel like you are going really fast even though you aren't. For context it's about the same pace as a modern MX5 / Miata.

And that's the thing about this car. The gearing is so short you are changing into 5th at 80km/h (50mph) when cruising. And at that speed you genuinely believe you are going very quickly.

It's such an analogue experience as well as being so connected to the elements. It makes you question how much more enjoyment you get from today's super capable insulated cars. Isn't the point of driving just to have fun and feel like you are going fast?

I also think the car has aged spectacularly well and looks better now then when it was released.

Any other Z3 owners on here please chime in!

Finally, this video is nicely produced and pretty much exactly matches my thoughts.

[W///]

Gorgeous color combo. I don't have a Z3, but have an E36 M3 and Z4M Roadster, so I get where you're coming from. I used to have an E30 325i Convertible which I sold for peanuts, but really missed the top down experience. I ended up with the Z4M Roadster after that and have pretty much sworn I'll always have something similar in the garage.

Being able to drive with the top down on a nice Fall day is absolute automotive joy IMHO. It doesn't matter how fast the car is, it'll be a fun drive. Pair that with a manual and I personally will take this over a car that's too fast for its own good any day.

[Tuxedo]

I love the modern contemporary Style 5's wheel. know the mfg?

[Davil]

Originally Posted by Tuxedo

I love the modern contemporary Style 5's wheel. know the mfg?

Yes I love this style too for older BMWs.

They are Avant Garde M220 17x7.5 square setup. Great quality, good price and 3kg a corner lighter than the 16x7 BMW style 64s that I bought it with. They take a standard BMW centre cap as well.

[Davil]

There must be more than me here! More Zeds.

[cdavis93]

Originally Posted by Davil

I bought a 54000 mile 2001 2.2 Z3 back in April. Condition is pretty much perfect. Not even any rattles (though it does have a "characterful" squeaky steering wheel). It's a very well made car no matter what certain Internet "personalities" will tell you. Like any BMW it just comes down to how much it was loved and cared for in the past.

Nice video. Have to say, that wheel setup is out of this world.

[Josh-PA]

We had a 1998 manual w/ the 2.8 that I bought from my parents a few years back. They owned it from new. It was a great little car, and we had a lot of fun with it. I always thought it was a great timeless design. We wound up selling it on BAT when I got the 911. I agree with the video that its one of the best fun cars for the money available.

This was the listing for ours.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1998-bmw-z3-23/

[Nkc]

2x Z3 M Roadsters and an M coupe

[Dagamus_NM]

I miss my z3m coupe. Most fun car I have ever had. Some day I will find another.

[Chicacti]

Still think the Z3M coupe looks incredible. Hope to get one someday

[rjaudi]

We were given a 99 Z3 2.8 by my wife's relatives because they couldn't drive stick anymore. Hope to work on it over the winter, already bought a 2000 M Roadster for parts.

Love the extended red leather in yours.

[Enabled]

I have 1 Z3 "2.3" roadster in Alpine White with the beautiful M52tub25 engine and 1 Z3M Coupe in Estoril Blue with the S52US engine.

Both extremely pleasing cars.

[F2DR1VER]

I had 2 Z3's few years ago. Still miss the driving fun they brought. Will their value increase someday?

[Efthreeoh]

My wife owns a 1997 Z3 M44 1.9L. 5-speed. We've had in since new, it will turn 26 in March '22 at 194,000 miles. It shares the same last 3 digits of the VIN with my '08 Z4 Coupe (both built in Spartanburg). Worst built (assembled) BMW out of the 5 we've owned, the Z4 is the best-built ironically. But like all BMWs, the Z3's drivetrain is stout and it drives fantastic. TBH, I'm not sure BMW ever made a better suspension than the E30.

[tomi36]

very nice

[Davil]

Originally Posted by F2DR1VER

I had 2 Z3's few years ago. Still miss the driving fun they brought. Will their value increase someday?

Maybe. Interesting points.

[LAGWAGN]

A little late to this party. I've had an '01 M Roadster for a couple of years now. Bought her on BaT with ultra low mileage (22k). I've owned a number of Bimmers, but the connectedness of this car tops all of them, so far.

I spend most of my forum time over at Bimmerforums. Pretty active Z3 community there.

[W///]

Originally Posted by LGWGN

A little late to this party. I've had an '01 M Roadster for a couple of years now. Bought her on BaT with ultra low mileage (22k). I've owned a number of Bimmers, but the connectedness of this car tops all of them, so far.

I spend most of my forum time over at Bimmerforums. Pretty active Z3 community there.

Stunning car, and stunning picture as well. This one looks like a museum piece.

I've also owned many let's say "normal" M's, but there's something completely different about a low riding Roadster. It's hard for it to not be exciting even at the slowest speeds.

[LAGWAGN]

Originally Posted by W///

Stunning car, and stunning picture as well. This one looks like a museum piece.

I've also owned many let's say "normal" M's, but there's something completely different about a low riding Roadster. It's hard for it to not be exciting even at the slowest speeds.

Thanks. It's in great shape and I intend to keep it that way. I've done a lot of work to make sure it's more than just a garage piece (rod bearings, suspension bushings, hose replacements, PPF, etc.) I don't drive it too much, but I'll be damned if I'm going to keep it tucked away.

Your garage reads like a list of BMW's best hits! Good on you for keeping these legends singing their songs.

[G80indy]

indeed yes. found a 2000 2.3 with only 32k miles... about 6 years ago.
more fun than previous e92M3.
no joke
…probably because it's only 2800 lbs.
It responded so well to these mods. It's now a different car than when I acquired it

Shark injector
Bav Auto tower brace
AFE dry filter
Magnaflow cat back

it's a 5 speed so put on ZHP short knob
Redline MTL in gearbox
Redline in crankcase
Stewart components water pump.
new OEM radiator and AC compressor.
new OEM top
new OEM front bumper
new OEM subwoofer module (DIY; foam rot on woofer)
new leather on driver seat

it's a keeper.
that's coming from someone who used to have an '06 Z4 MRoadster.
it's our date night car

[happyjack]

i still think the Z3 is one of the best looking bimmers ever made.

i really wanted to buy one when my wife started shopping for a Z4 in 2013/2014. i even got her to go look at a couple of low mileage / pristine Z3s including an M, but just couldnt get her to bite. now my M2C is the weekend, fun car, so i'm not sure i could justify a Z3 too...although my wife does love drop-tops. i agreed that really good copies of this car are becoming tougher to find and will demand a premium.

[Davil]

Originally Posted by 330indy

that's coming from someone who used to have an '06 Z4 MRoadster.
it's our date night car

What a beauty!