Overview & Reviews

BMW follows Mazda's lead and introduces a roadster. This dreamy two-seater made its debut in the James Bond movie, "GoldenEye," and has had enthusiasts across the country drooling over its smart styling and impressive refinement. Featured as the perfect Christmas gift in the 1995 Neiman Marcus Christmas catalog, BMW sold out of Z3s before the first one was released to the public.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 21.00

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  Gotta Love this Car - 1996 BMW Z3
  By festivator - October 6 - 8:10 am

  I love the review that has a long list of problems with this car and then gives it four stars-you have own one these to understand. I find mine to be just like one of my grown kids - you love them dearly and they keep asking for money. When I brought my "new" car to my mechanic of 20 plus years he just smiled and said, "its gonna cost ya!" It has been a very long time since I drove a car just for the fun of it. Its my second roadster - the first was a new 69 MGB - and this one is even more fun.

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  Cruisin with my Z - 1996 BMW Z3
  By joelmatt68 - May 2 - 12:31 am

  I love my Z a Jet black on black. I bought this with 100k miles on it, this is one great car. Great looking car and still runs excellent!!! I have no problems with the top because this year it was manual. BMW is the ultimate driving machine. Just cruisin with it... California way

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  Great Value - 1996 BMW Z3
  By Steve D - September 7 - 10:27 am

  After having a Porsche Boxter (loved it), I tried a Mazda Miata and was disappointed. When the opportunity to purchase the Z3 came along I grabbed it. It has been a wonderful car and predictably reliable. The rear alignment has been problematic but besides that a great car.

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  Amazing 2 Seat Convertible - 1996 BMW Z3
  By Z3 Man - December 9 - 1:20 am

  Ive had my Z for about a month now and have had nothing but pure joy. Styling is amazing. So sleek and smooth. No doubt it has aged perfectly and will continue to age much better than the the Z4. People will ask what year it it is and I tell them to guess. Their average guess is 2002 lol. Lots of people complain about performance, but luckily mine came with a supercharger made specifically for the 96 Z3 and boosted the power to 225hp. Yup thats right horsepower more than the 6 cylinder. Handling is perfect, you can go around a curve at 50 miles an hour when it suggests 35 with ease and comfort. All in all a great car that will age perfectly and last forever.

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  This is what a roadster should be. - 1996 BMW Z3
  By KennethH - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Pure top down, wind in your face, diving pleasure. There are other convertibles that offer more in the way of raw performance, but none that just work so perfectly together -- its much more than the sum of its parts. And you can drive the daylights out of the 1.9 liter motor without losing your license.

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  Lotza Fun - 1996 BMW Z3
  By jsm - June 24 - 2:00 am

  Great performance even with 1.9L. Sticks to the road - it takes a LOT of effort to make it slide in a turn. Fun factor = 10.

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  The best car in its class! - 1996 BMW Z3
  By BMW Love - June 19 - 2:00 am

  Many people call the 1996 BMW Z3 underpowered because of its 4 cyld engine, but my friends, they are wrong on every count. The body and engine work as a team, providing on of the fastest cars in its class (4 cyld). NOt only is it the perfect body of a sports car .... its a powerhouse! I fell in love the day I saw the BMW Z3 the first time on the road, I was 12 years old at the time, but I knew that day that the Z3 was the only car for me. Six years later, I own my dream car ... and its everything I immagined it would be, and more. Dont let engine freaks talk you out of buying the 1996 model, just because it says 4 cyl doesnt mean it cant feel like a V12!

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  Z3--best value in pre-owned roadsters - 1996 BMW Z3
  By dannyboy - June 18 - 2:00 am

  I am the 3rd owner of a well-cared-for 1996 meridian blue (James Bonds car from Golden Eyes) Z3. With 49,000 miles on it the only thing needed has been routine maintenance. I avg. 30/mpg using premium fuel. While the 4 clyder engine could use more power, it does well with the 5-speed manual transmission. Definitely just a 2- seater with room for one suitcase or two travel bags. Drives and corners superbly. Will replace it in a few yrs. with another Z3 but with the 2.5L motor. BMW dealer service is expensive with an oil change costing $72.

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  Found a 96 with 18K miles - 1996 BMW Z3
  By DL - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Had few problems with this car. Both the roof and trunk leak. Difficult to shift into first. Engine revs beautifully. People treat you like you are driving a very expensive and exotic car.

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  My Z3 is fun...but it can be improved - 1996 BMW Z3
  By Z3Luvr - May 2 - 2:00 am

  Bought my Z3 used with 40k miles and mint overall condition. It is very fun car to drive and the top should always be kept down. Most people that say this car is too slow never drive it properly. The M44 engine must be driven with the revs up above 3500rpm, which can be labeled as annoying for some and fun for others.