BMW Z3 1.9 Roadster review (BMW Z3 1.9)

Member Name: yackers1

Product:	BMW Z3 1.9
Date:	16/10/08 (289 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Pose factor, German build quality, BMW badge

Disadvantages: Creates unwanted attention by jealous people

If you want a BMW Z3 then do not go for the 1.9 version. The small engine, although provides some torque, is not up to the job to power a heavy 2 seater roadster.

I bought a 1997 model in blue, with 65,000 miles on the clock for £8,000 back in April 2006.

After changing jobs I fancied a change in car. I had always wanted a small two seater convertible and had considered the MX-5 and MGF. Although I like the look of both of these cars they are a bit.....well...... ponzy.

I wanted a 'mans' convertible. Unfortunately the SLK, Z4 etc were way beyond my budget, as was the Z3 - or so I thought.....

When I saw the Z3 I had to have a drive in it. It was a bright and sunny day, not too hot since it was April, but the rag top brigade were out in force.

The Z3 felt sluggish, but then I had just gotten rid of my 240bhp twin entry turbo'd Celica :( so most cars within my budget were going to be slow.

The build quality of the BMW is second to none. As you climb in to to the drivers seat and close the door there is a 'thud' as opposed to a 'twang' of a cheap MX-5. German engineering is something else.

Inside the Z3 was fully loaded - powerhood, aircon, traction control, electric windows, seats, 6 CD changer as standard etc. etc.

The bonnet looks like it goes on for miles and miles, and then you look behind you and....... where's the back end? Getting in to a 2 seater after driving the boat sized GT4 is strange. Reversing was so easy!

The 1.9 Z3 kicks out 140bhp - the same as 1.8 Focus. I was told that rear wheel drive cars are fun to drive - and I agree if they have a bit of poke to match. The Z3 does not have the poke. You can get the back end round, granted, but it is hard work since the initial oomph just isn't there. If you want to get some back end out action round roundabouts etc then get an MR2 - it is much easier.

Where the 1.9 Z3 wins is on really hot days and busy roads/roads where it is impossible to get over 50mph - such as the north Norfolk coast road. It is a real pleasure to get the hood down, put on some music don the shades and just.... er pose.

The Z3 taught me that driving slow can be pleasurable and that you don't have to drive flat out every where.

The Z3 feels much faster than it actually is. Being so low down to the ground the feeling of speed is enhanced greatly. The book speed is around 130mph - but there is no way I would want to drive that fast in a 1.9, that is on the assumption that it can actually reach that speed - I am definitely sceptical over that. I had mine up to 110mph on the run what you brung day at Bruntingthorpe testing circuit and I am not scared to admit that I nipped up and lost my bottle.

At that speed the Z3 felt like it was all over the place. The wind from cars going in the other direction blew my car all over the road. At 110mph my Z3 felt like it would not go any faster. so 130mph? I would like to see it.

The reliability of the BMW is, again, second to none. The engine used to purr and never miss a beat. BMW parts are expensive, granted, but nothing major happened to mine, ever. There are loads of non genuine parts around, if you look in the right places, that keeps the price down when parts are required.

The fuel economy is great. I used to get nearly 40 mpg in mine, however, what you get in economy you lose in performance. I know what I would rather have ; )

The Z3 attracted a lot of races, especially in my home town of Norwich. It is amazing how many boy racers in their Saxo VTRs and treved up Honda Civics felt the need to drag away from every set of traffic lights. It was in these situations that you have to be the bigger man - the 1.9 is not up to the job.

In addition to the boy racers you find the 30 something males in their M3s, Evos etc are also always up for a race. Once again - it is not worth bothering.

The Z3 also attracts a lot of attention and most of it is unwanted. Chavy young girls used to scream at the car as you drive past, other motorists would stare at lights and never let you in at filter lanes or cut you off etc. etc. I would frequently find spit on the wind screen, or Macdonalds milkshake or food items. A favourite in Norwich appears to be jelly sweets which are sucked and then spat out on the bodywork where they would stick.

My Z3 was also vandalised a few times. The wipers were frequently pulled off, I had 2 wing mirrors knocked off and the final straw was when it was screw drivered - all the way from the bonnet to the rear quarter panel with a big scrape in the boot lid for good measure. That was the only reason I got rid of mine.

When I purchased my Z3 a friend of a friend (who was an old man going through a major mid-life crisis) bought a 52 plated 3 litre Z3. This is a totally different animal. There is power by the bucket loads, the handling is much better and it retains the Z3 pose factor. If you want a Z3 then plump for the larger ones. I would have done if I had £15,000+ to spank on a car.

I have mixed feelings over the Z3. I had many good experiences in mine and used to love driving it, however these are clouded by the bad experiences. The last bout of vandalism resulted in a £2,500 insurance claim.

If you own one of these then you definitely need a garage to keep it in, or have off road parking in a quiet village somewhere where these jealous low lifes cannot damage it.

Summary: If you can afford it get a bigger engined one.

Processing/Quality:
Reliability:
Driving comfort: