Overview & Reviews

BMW makes its 190-horsepower six-cylinder engine available in the Z3 2.8.

• It has an easy to use top and is very fun to drive, with a well-balanced chassis and outstanding brakes.

• The engine is a bit weak, as are the stereo speakers.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 32.00

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  Beautiful, but full of bugs - 1997 BMW Z3
  By metralla - March 13 - 3:54 pm

  I bought my Z3 used with 86,000 miles showing. It has many of the typical flaws of this car. Sagging glove box, sliding seats, leaky top, seriously crappy sound system, and cracks forming in the rear subframe. It will be worth the price of admission once all the gremlins are finally taken care of.

• 

  Sophisticated fun - 1997 BMW Z3
  By promethius - January 26 - 1:16 am

  This car is absolutely a joy to drive. It has almost zero body lean in high speed turns and the automated traction control keeps the tires sticking to the road. Its got that solid and sophisticated german road feel... like drinking a fine wine or smoking a good cigar. The sport seats are comfortable, and provide just enough room for me (6 feet tall). Being a 2.8 and weighing 2,600 pounds, its got alot of jump from the get go, and mine came with a custom exaust that puts me up to speed a little bit faster. The controls are pretty obvious and close to hand. While limited in cargo space, if youre shopping for a z3, that isnt the main concern. Awesome

• 

  Silver Bullit - 1997 BMW Z3
  By oldcarguy - September 21 - 7:20 pm

  Great ride and handling with a strong grip. Engine is a bit thrashy for a four, but the car is quick when need be. Great value for the money with good reliablity. One of the greatest styles ever.

• 

  97 Z3 - 1997 BMW Z3
  By beatless - July 20 - 2:00 am

  97 1.9 Z3, silver and black top. I think is the best color combination for this car. The 4cyl eng from the 318 is expectedly not powerful but enough for cruising. Fairly good on fuel but my accord is better. Somewhat cheap interior but otherwise its nice. The exterior is what shines on this car, it is pretty with top up or down. The short throw 5-spd and good brakes makes it easier to drive. The suspension could be tighter, at times it wanders esp. on rough roads. Wood interior is classy but the LED clock is almost useless topdown at daytime.

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  BMW Z-3 1.8 - 1997 BMW Z3
  By Dan D - July 14 - 2:00 am

  All in all, an inexpensive sports car drive for a BMW. Good gas mileage but very weak pick up. Good for cruising, not much more. Build qulity definitely not up to BMW standards. Many problems widely known by BMW on this model that they leave owners hung with to pay. Mine also has a manual convertable top which is a bit of a pain.

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  97 Z3 Value - 1997 BMW Z3
  By NJMarkR - March 17 - 2:00 am

  Overall, even with the 1.9L engine, its not a bad cruising car. Certainly great gas mileage. Being a BMW, I expected a better quality vehicle. This car has less than 15k miles, garage kept, never in rain or snow. The seats rock, the power window buttons fall in the console, gas gauge is eractic and BMW dealers want to charge excessive amounts to repair what shouldnt break within 10k to 15k miles.

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  fun but not the great car it could be - 1997 BMW Z3
  By fred - March 8 - 7:17 pm

  several small electric problems terrible stereo and speakers for an expensive car back window (plastic) scratches too easily no cup holders! some cheap finishes terrible car on wet pavement (on snow dont even think about it!)