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-
Gotta Love this Car - 1996 BMW Z3
By festivator - October 6 - 8:10 amI 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 amI 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 amAfter 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 amIve 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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Fun, fun, fun - 1996 BMW Z3
By Doug G. - January 18 - 4:28 pmThe four cylinder Z3s may not have the oomph of the later six cylinder models, but it is fast enough to get one a speeding ticket! On the other hand, I believe the handling is lighter and better balanced without the extra weight of the six cylinder in the front. The four cylinder wants premium gas, but gas mileage is great! And, yes, people do stop and ask about the car or look as we drive by. The BMW dealers are expensive for service and/or repairs. But dropping the top on a sunny day and cruising the back roads makes it worth while!
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A Really Fun Car - 1996 BMW Z3
By Bob G. - February 11 - 12:51 pmNow about to turn 9 years old, my Z-3 is just as much fun to drive as when new. I still get "thumbs up" and compliments from strangers (aged from teen to senior) on my "ride." It is a bit underpowered which shows climbing some of our rather steep hills or in the mountains, but that is minor compared to the superbly balanced handling - lost in the front-heavy 6s in my opinion. The interior has a few cheesy touches - especially the center console which would embarrass a Yugo - but is roomy and comfortable. Plus it has a real trunk with room for a weeks groceries or a weeks worth of luggage (softsided).
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Great Car for a short while.. - 1996 BMW Z3
By Ingersoll929 - July 20 - 2:00 amThe car is excillent for getting noticed and for the looks.However, when things mechanically go wrong, it seems like anything less then $500 isnt in the question.The trunk does leak, Engine rattles like no other, and the ride isnt very smooth at all for being a BMW. Trust me when i say you feel EVERY bump or rock in the road.Other then that its a very fun car and its great to be noticed in!
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Truth about the early Z3 - 1996 BMW Z3
By MikeInDallas - June 3 - 2:00 amHad Z3 2 years now, bought used. Door handle pulled off/common defect. Light switch is a pull switch, but the snap-on cap that covers the screw-on bolt is also snap-on. Duh. Location of window controls in center console results in shorts because its next to shifter and gets dirty. Windows sometimes dont roll up/down. Cat. Converter bad, rattles like mad. Top rattles too. Trunk leaks. This was a factory approved used car. Ive talked to others who have cited similar experiences. Maybe an older model you buy will have these things fixed, maybe not.
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2 seater fun ride - 1996 BMW Z3
By Norm - December 23 - 2:00 amThe z3 can be described as the ultimate fun cruz when it comes to driving on curving mountain roads in western North Carolina. This sports car hugs the road like a suction cup, no sway or bounce just sheer control, not near as enjoyable on expressways with 18 wheelers towering above the little car.All in all a very enjoyable car to drive.
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2 seater fun ride - 1996 BMW Z3
By - December 23 - 2:00 amThe z3 can be described as the ultimate fun cruz when it comes to driving on curving mountain roads in western North Carolina. This sports car hugs the road like a suction cup, no sway or bounce just sheer control, not near as enjoyable on expressways with 18 wheelers towering above the little car.All in all a very enjoyable car to drive.
