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BMW Z3
Motor Trend, Feb 1996 v48 n2 p31(4)
Author: Karr, Jeff
At the start of the day-long press introduction drive, I wasn't quite sure the world really needed another roadster, but by noon I was convinced the BMW Z3 is a vehicle that mankind can't do without. And with the announcement of a $28,750 base price, it's certain that great hordes of Americans will find the Z3 just as irresistible.
There's quite a story behind the new Z3 BMW's roadster legacy dates back to 1929 and totals five open cars, the most recent being the (Euro-only) Z1, which was available from 1988 to 1991. None of these cars was produced in any great quantity, however, and their steep pricing kept them mostly under wraps in garages. You'll see styling cues from the 507 (circa '56-59) echoed in the Z3, most notably in the BMW roundels and vents on either side of the front fenders.
Though the Z3 shares the basic spirit of its predecessors, it also forges off in a new direction. Not only is the price remarkably palatable, but production volume should be sufficient to satisfy much, if not all, of the worldwide demand for the car Although BMW is reluctant to offer projected manufacturing volumes, the brand-new American factory that will be the sole producer of the Z3 is ramping up to produce 300 units per day of both Z3 and 318i models. The quantities assigned to each car will be determined by market demand.
The factory itself is a remarkable element of the Z3 story. This ultramodern facility is located in what you might call extreme western Germany--South Carolina, in fact--and is the automaker's first U.S. plant. BMW is working its way toward 60 to 70 percent domestic content in the Z3, which means the car will remain an import in the eyes of the EPA. The Spartanburg factory will cushion BMW against international monetary fluctuations and provide a way around notoriously high German manufacturing costs.
But can Americans attain the same high quality standards as German factory workers? All it takes is effort, according to BMW. Many of the Spartanburg factory's supervisors and line workers (known as "associates" in BMW team-speak) were jetted to Germany for training alongside their Bavarian counterparts.
From the Z3's driver's seat, all the sights and sensations fully live up to BMW standards. Throughout, the car shows its 3-Series derivation in a businesslike functionality. Although unique to this model, the interior's BMW family resemblance is evident. Even in base form, the Z3 is turned out in handsome style. It provides a six-speaker sound system, power windows, seats, and steering, and air conditioning. Vinyl upholstery is standard, or you can opt for an upgrade to leather door-panel inserts and seats with free-breathing woven leather insert sections. Wood trim is another add-on, along with a variety of improvements including a premium stereo, heated seats, and other niceties.
Regardless of how you option it, the Z3's basic interior layout is quite accommodating. Two full-size people fit in with room to spare and none of the "Land of the Giants" human-to-car feel found in the diminutive Mazda Miata. Long seat tracks and a generous amount of seatback reclining room let you sprawl out comfortably. The seats themselves provide adequate overall support, with only a minor shortage of lumbar bolstering.
Though BMW engineers gave the Z3 a fixed steering-wheel position, they picked a comfortable setup; the relationship between the wheel, shifter, and pedals is hard to fault for enthusiastic motoring. The standard five-speed manual transmission has longer throws than the Mazda Miata's revered toggle switch, but the Z's box has a positive, pleasantly mechanical feel. A four-speed automatic transmission is optional.
While the chassis underpinnings technically are fairly commonplace, BMW's tuning expertise distills fine road manners from humble stock. Up front, the Z rides on MacPherson struts snubbed down by an anti-roll bar. In back, semitrailing arms and an anti-roll bar suck up the rough stuff--an arrangement that reached its zenith on the original M3 sport coupe.
Also aiding handling and driving feel, the suspension components are affixed to a tremendously rigid body structure. An open car like the Z3 presents designers with a formidable challenge: With no fixed roof to lend rigidity, the floorpan, door sills, and transmission tunnel in particular need to be hellaciously strong, otherwise substantial flex occurs. The Z3's chassis stiffness is easily in the upper echelon of roadsters; it even feels superior to some closed cars. The Z3 breezes through real-world tests of torsional rigidity, rolling across broken pavement with unerring solidity, and whumping through sharp dips under heavy cornering loads without so much as a flinch. It's the feeling of quality.
With unexpectedly good suspension compliance and plush overall ride quality, this American-built Bimmer is no more tiring to drive than a good sport coupe. And should you happen to get a little (or even a lot) frisky on curvy backroads, roads, the Z3 complies eagerly. Body roll is nicely controlled, and the firm steering has the secure progressive feel for which BMWs are admired. Rolling on comparatively large 225/50ZR16 Michelin Pilot HX tires, the Z3 has considerable grip at the limit and settles into mild understeer to signal that traction is petering out. Only gross mishandling will cause the Z's back end to break loose on clean, dry pavement. Squeeze on full power at a turn's apex, and the Z3 simply accelerates briskly without drama.
This is partly attributable to the marvelously sorted rear-drive chassis and partly to the 1.9-liter engine, which, though adequate, is hardly the stuff of legends. This 16-valve inline-four also is the new 3-Series base powerplant. It propels the Z3 with 138 peak horsepower at 6000 rpm, backed up by 133 pound-feet of torque at 4300 rpm. Working through the standard five-speed manual gearbox, BMW claims the Z3 can accelerate to 60 mph in 9.1 seconds. With the optional four-speed automatic, that trip stretches to 9.7 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 116 mph with either transmission. Those figures mesh fairly closely with what the current 1.8-liter Miata will do, so expect fun (but far from frantic) acceleration here Z3 fans wishing for more romp in their roadster will have to wait for the release of versions with the new 3-Series 2.8-liter inline-six, which will deliver about another 60 horsepower. BMW won't specify exactly when the big engine will be available, but we're guessing in about a year.
Before you gripe about this machine's lack of tire-burning power, consider this: The 1.9-liter four helps make the $28,750 base price possible, putting the Z3 in reach of many more buyers than would a six-powered version, which will likely be closer to $40,000.
But then, what's sensibility got to do with anything? BMW Z3 purchases will be fueled by emotional attraction. This is a car people will fall in love with pamper, and simply just sit and gaze at. Even the rarely encountered cynic, given a bit of time behind the wheel and the right road, likely will warm to the Z3. And it won't require a long drive on a sunny afternoon to do the trick. Once around the block with the top down probably will suffice.
RELATED ARTICLE: TECH DATA
BMW Z3
GENERAL/POWERTRAIN
Body style 2-door, 2 passenger
Vehicle configuration Front engine, rear driver
Engine configuration 1.4, DOHC,
4 valves/cylinder
Engine displacement, ci/cc 116/1895
Horsepower,
hp @ rpm, SAE net 138 @ 6000
Torque,
lb-ft @ rpm, SAE net 136 @ 4300
Transmission 5-speed man.
Axle ratio 3.45:1
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase, in./mm 96.3/2446
Length, in./mm 158.5/4026
Base curb weight, lb 2690
Fuel capacity, gal. 13.5
Fuel economy,
EPA city/hwy., mpg 23/32 (est.)
CHASSIS
Suspension, f/r MacPherson strut/semitrailing arm
Steering Rack and pinion, power assist
Brakes, f/r Discs/discs, ABS
Wheels, in. 16 x 7.0 aluminum
Tires Michelin Pilot HX, 225/50ZR16
PERFORMANCE(*)
Acceleration, 0-60, sec 9.1
Top speed, mph 116 (elec. limited)
PRICE
Base price $28,750
Price as tested $31,500
(*) manufacturer's estimates