1996 BMW Z3 Reviews, Pricing & Specs

I still remember the first time I saw the Z3 on the cover of Automobile Magazine in 1995. I was 14 years old at the time but I distinctly remember to love I felt sweep over me immediately. Those sexy curves. Those motorcycle-like side vents. It was truly something to behold. And even though I'd never driven a car let alone a roadster, I immediately swore that I'd one day own one of these rolling sculptures, find a curvy road, and drive happily ever after. It was 16 years later before my chance finally came, when a good friend decided to sell her lovely summer car. I wrote a check without blinking an eye, and never looked back. The original Z3 is not a particularly comfortable car. For that matter it's not a terribly fast one either. Lest we even mention the utter lack of any practicality whatsoever-- a CD changer might engulf a quarter of the trunk practically. But none of that matters in the slightest. Because when you throw the manual top back, you drop the car into first gear, and you get up to speed and feel the wind in your hair and the sun on your face, you realize what a roadster is meant to feel like, and you can't help but grin from ear to ear. Mar 28, 2014

Every time I hopped into this car I was in love.  I have a fondness for British roadsters though there is one issue with them, you tend to push them more than drive them. So, I opted for a used Z3 years ago after looking at various MGs and Triumphs. The early Z3s are not luxury cars.  They rattle, you feel every bump, the interior lacks quality, and the seats could've been lifted from a domestic economy car, but who the hell cares. This thing was fun and the closest thing to a British roadster.  You hit a bump and didn't know where you'd go next, now that is living!  Besides it looked great and the pictures I've included here are the ones I took when I listed to sell the car the fall before the babies arrived. So day again I'll pickup a fun roadster. Until then I absolutely love my 335i.Jan 10, 2008

This car is the best of the roadsters from the 90's, including the 1990 miata. The styling is spot on, later versions with altered rear end are off-putting. My red showroom condition car still turns heads like the day I first bought it new, 10 years ago. The (manual stick)1.9 engine is completely underated--I can keep up with ANYTHING on the freeway up to 100 mph easy. Plus get 30 mpg, no mechanical issues whatsoever. I haven't even had a brake job yet with over 60,000 miles on her. Plastic window is only sore point, but a very minor one. Recently bought a beautiful black infiniti fx35, but this car is still numero uno to me. UPDATE Now have 99,000 miles had to repaint because of a clearcoat issue which is common with the bright red, car still goes perfect. Recently bought a 2000 M coupe, this one in imola red, amazing car of my dreams, obviously much more powerful. The 1.9 still wins as a daily driver because of smoother shifter better gas mileage.Oct 09, 2006