BMW Z3M Coupe
The BMW Z3 was BMW's first mass produced mass market roadster, and was the first new BMW model to be manufactured in the United States. E36/7 refers to the roadster variant of the Z3 which was introduced in 1995, and E36/8 refers to the coupe variant of the Z3 which was released in 1999. The Z in Z1, Z3, Z4, Z8 stands for Zukunft, which is German for future. The BMW Z3 was introduced via video press release by BMW North America on June 12, 1995 and made a short appearance in the James Bond film GoldenEye on November 17, 1995. Karen Sortito was responsible for the campaign, and sales of the Z3 spiked as the film sat at number one at the Box Office. In the 1996 production run, more than 15,000 roadsters were sold out by the time the car was introduced. A facelift for the car was introduced in 2000, and the Z3 ended production in 2002 when it was replaced by the BMW Z4.
Overview
The E36/7 (roadster) Z3 went into development in 1991 under Dr. Burkhard Göschel for 38 months. The exterior was designed by Joji Nagashima of the BMW Design Team in July 1992, which was then frozen in 1993 to be developed into the E36 platform to production in September 1995. The rear semi-trailing arm suspension was used from the BMW E30, and not the E36. Design patents were filed on April 2, 1994 in Germany and in September 27, 1994 in the US.
Production of the facelifted Z3 models began in April 1999 as a 2000 model year. Changes included new engines and cosmetics but did not apply on Z3M models, which featured only a few changes and a different engine. Upon release, the facelifted Z3 was not up to many buyers' expectations because the interior wasn't up to the standards of other BMW models (editor's note: the 1999-2001 Miata NB had a plastic rear window, so I eliminated that statement). The facelift included updated and higher quality materials.
Engines and Model Lineup
All 4-cylinder Z3's featured one exhaust pipe and a normal body kit. All 6-cylinder Z3's had 2 exhaust pipes together and flared wheel arches plus a different front bumper. This does not include the Z3M, which had quad exhausts.
Roadster (September 1995-2002)
The BMW E36/7 Z3 entered production in September 1995 as a 1996 model, with the earliest engines being the 1.8- and 1.9-liter. A 2.8l engine joined the lineup in 1996. Z3's could be ordered with a hardtop roof, which snapped onto special mounting points.
Coupe (1999-2002)
The BMW E36/8 Z3 entered production sometime in 1999 with its controversial shooting brake design, often being referred to by critics as the "breadbox", while in Germany called "Turnschuh" (sports shoe). The coupe version, however, featured a chassis-stiffening hatch area, and only had 2.8 L, 3.0 L and 3.2 L (Z3M) engines available.
Z3M (3.2 L)
The Z3M is often referred to as the M Roadster or M Coupe and can be identified as different from the standard Z3. Differences include a more aerodynamic front bumper (with no fog lights), a rear bumper designed to fit quad exhausts, temperature and oil gauges (in the center console), an M sports steering wheel and gear lever, M seats and 17-inch M wheels. Outside mirrors also have a more aerodynamic design. The front fenders on Z3M models are different as well, with a chrome strip running through them. Z3M models did not share cosmetic changes from the facelift, but they had bigger brakes, and the S52 engine replaced the S50 in 2000 with the S54 engine stalled in the 2001 and 2002.
BMW Z3M Coupe
The BMW Z3 was BMW's first mass produced mass market roadster, and was the first new BMW model to be manufactured in the United States. E36/7 refers to the roadster variant of the Z3 which was introduced in 1995, and E36/8 refers to the coupe variant of the Z3 which was released in 1999. The Z in Z1, Z3, Z4, Z8 stands for Zukunft, which is German for future. The BMW Z3 was introduced via video press release by BMW North America on June 12, 1995 and made a short appearance in the James Bond film GoldenEye on November 17, 1995. Karen Sortito was responsible for the campaign, and sales of the Z3 spiked as the film sat at number one at the Box Office. In the 1996 production run, more than 15,000 roadsters were sold out by the time the car was introduced. A facelift for the car was introduced in 2000, and the Z3 ended production in 2002 when it was replaced by the BMW Z4.
Overview
The E36/7 (roadster) Z3 went into development in 1991 under Dr. Burkhard Göschel for 38 months. The exterior was designed by Joji Nagashima of the BMW Design Team in July 1992, which was then frozen in 1993 to be developed into the E36 platform to production in September 1995. The rear semi-trailing arm suspension was used from the BMW E30, and not the E36. Design patents were filed on April 2, 1994 in Germany and in September 27, 1994 in the US.
Production of the facelifted Z3 models began in April 1999 as a 2000 model year. Changes included new engines and cosmetics but did not apply on Z3M models, which featured only a few changes and a different engine. Upon release, the facelifted Z3 was not up to many buyers' expectations because the interior wasn't up to the standards of other BMW models (editor's note: the 1999-2001 Miata NB had a plastic rear window, so I eliminated that statement). The facelift included updated and higher quality materials.
Engines and Model Lineup
All 4-cylinder Z3's featured one exhaust pipe and a normal body kit. All 6-cylinder Z3's had 2 exhaust pipes together and flared wheel arches plus a different front bumper. This does not include the Z3M, which had quad exhausts.
Roadster (September 1995-2002)
The BMW E36/7 Z3 entered production in September 1995 as a 1996 model, with the earliest engines being the 1.8- and 1.9-liter. A 2.8l engine joined the lineup in 1996. Z3's could be ordered with a hardtop roof, which snapped onto special mounting points.
Coupe (1999-2002)
The BMW E36/8 Z3 entered production sometime in 1999 with its controversial shooting brake design, often being referred to by critics as the "breadbox", while in Germany called "Turnschuh" (sports shoe). The coupe version, however, featured a chassis-stiffening hatch area, and only had 2.8 L, 3.0 L and 3.2 L (Z3M) engines available.
Z3M (3.2 L)
The Z3M is often referred to as the M Roadster or M Coupe and can be identified as different from the standard Z3. Differences include a more aerodynamic front bumper (with no fog lights), a rear bumper designed to fit quad exhausts, temperature and oil gauges (in the center console), an M sports steering wheel and gear lever, M seats and 17-inch M wheels. Outside mirrors also have a more aerodynamic design. The front fenders on Z3M models are different as well, with a chrome strip running through them. Z3M models did not share cosmetic changes from the facelift, but they had bigger brakes, and the S52 engine replaced the S50 in 2000 with the S54 engine stalled in the 2001 and 2002.