BMW Z3

BMW Z3 

The BMW Z3 was the first modern mass-market roadster produced by BMW, as well as the (German for future). The Z3 was introduced via video press release by BMW North America on June 12, 1995, as a 1996 model year vehicle.The entire 1996 BMW Z3 roadster production run, more than 15,000 roadsters, was sold out by the time the car was introduced.

There were a few variants of the car before its production run ended in 2002, including a coupé version for 1999. It was manufactured and assembled in Greer, South Carolina. The Z3 was replaced by the BMW Z4 introduced in late 2002 at the Paris Auto Show. The BMW Z Series are a line of roadsters considered to be successor to the BMW 507.

BMW Z3 M Coupe



From 1998 to 2002, the Motorsports division of BMW produced the M Roadster which included suspension upgrades and the engine from the BMW M3. The international 1998, 1999 and 2000 M roadster had the 3.2L S50 engine from theE36 M3 with quad exhausts. The North American models for this time frame had the less powerful S52 engine. The 2001 and 2002 models all had the S54 engine from the E46 M3. There were also interior upgrades with additional gauges in the center console, illuminated "M" shift knob, various chrome bits throughout the cockpit and sport seats as standard equipment. Exterior changes were larger wheels spaced further apart and more aggressive fenders than were installed on the regular Z3. Hardtops were available as an option. The BMW M Coupé and M Roadster were succeeded by the BMW Z4 M.

The 1999 and 2000 M Coupé models were equipped with the 3.2 L S50 (S52 for North America) engine from the E36 BMW M3, while all the 2001 and 2002 models came with the S54 engine from the E46 BMW M3.





