1996 BMW Z3

No put down

Performance: 0 Comfort: 0 Fuel Economy: 0 Fun To Drive: 0 Interior Design: 0 Exterior Design: 0 Build Quality: 0 Reliability: 0 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5 Safety Rating: 5 Technology Rating: 5 Value Rating: 5

Owning a 1996 for many years, I can't say one bad thing about it. When you buy a car , do your research. Don't buy, then find fault. Edmunds is the place to start and end in my opinion. Honest chatter only. This car, after becoming a sports car fan back in 1966, is a keeper. Owned jaguar 140,1957, porsche 911, spitfire triumph, etc. This car is the true top down , smooth going country backroad car. So was the jag. Ha. I am over six foot, 250 pounds and this can rail the corners. Safely. Retired, there are plenty of sites that can save you money. The 70 dollar oil change is half. I do it for the pleasure. One problem that was that the seat track guides wear out. The easy fix was extending the seat all the way back. No problem, if a six footer. The long hood is classic. 166,000 miles and no noticeable performance change. Friends have same type car with a third of the mileage and they can't tell any difference. This car deserves to be treated right. It will take care of your pleasure driving. Best sports car ever. 1.9 is perfect.

Old fun

Performance: 0 Comfort: 0 Fuel Economy: 0 Fun To Drive: 0 Interior Design: 0 Exterior Design: 0 Build Quality: 0 Reliability: 0 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 2 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 5 Safety Rating: 5 Technology Rating: 5 Value Rating: 5

It is Not British

Gotta Love this Car

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 5

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, "it's gonna cost ya!" It has been a very long time since I drove a car just for the fun of it. It's my second roadster - the first was a new 69 MGB - and this one is even more fun.

Cruisin with my Z

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

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

Great Value

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

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.

Amazing 2 Seat Convertible

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I've 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 that's 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.

Fun, fun, fun

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4

The four cylinder Z3's 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!

A Really Fun Car

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

Now 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 6's 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 week's groceries or a week's worth of luggage (softsided).

Great Car for a short while..

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 3 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 3

The car is excillent for getting noticed and for the looks.However, when things mechanically go wrong, it seems like anything less then $500 isn't in the question.The trunk does leak, Engine rattles like no other, and the ride isn't 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!

Truth about the early Z3

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 2 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 3 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 2 Reliability Rating: 5

Had 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 it's next to shifter and gets dirty. Windows sometimes don't roll up/down. Cat. Converter bad, rattles like mad. Top rattles too. Trunk leaks. This was a factory approved used car. I've talked to others who have cited similar experiences. Maybe an older model you buy will have these things fixed, maybe not.

2 seater fun ride

Performance: 4 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4

The 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.

2 seater fun ride

Performance: 4 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4

The 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.

This is what a roadster should be.

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

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 -- it's 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.

Good to buy used

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

The prestige and handling sell it. Paid 31k in 1996. Ironically, if you can afford a new BMW then you cannot afford to waste time bickering with the BMW [no] service center. Z-3 not comfy. for >6 hr.s I'd projected a loss of $2k per year based on previous BMW's but perhaps because of teh volume of production the loss has been around $3k per year for the Z- 3 and greater for the 328. Otherwise, very happy with the BMW cars. Happy driving, Tim

Lotza Fun

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

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.

The best car in it's class!

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

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 .... it's 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 it's everything I immagined it would be, and more. Don't let engine freaks talk you out of buying the 1996 model, just because it says 4 cyl doesn't mean it can't feel like a V12!

Z3--best value in pre-owned roadsters

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I am the 3rd owner of a well-cared-for 1996 meridian blue (James Bond's 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.

Found a '96 with 18K miles

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

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.

Careful - 1st Model Year!

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 1 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 1 Reliability: 1 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 1 Reliability Rating: 1

This was my dream car - or so I thought. Styling's beautiful, but BMW missed the boat on designing this car for longevity. The car has literally been falling apart since it was about a year old...roof leaks, pieces falling off the dash, the door handles pulling out of the door, seat belt locking, air bag light staying on for first 5 minutes after starting the car. And, of course, once the warranty was up, the worst starting happening...and it costs a fortune to fix!

My Z3 is fun...but it can be improved

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

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.

Z3 - Fun to Drive

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

The 1.9 engine might be underpowered, but the car has plenty of pick up. The drive is very comfortable and smooth. This car is top down driving at it's finest. I've been getting about 31.5 MPG. It's very reliable and a pleasure to own.

COOL CAR

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Well the BMW Z3 is the best car I have ever seen, this is the car i would only drive. If you are going to buy a car buy the BMW Z3.

cool car

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

it is very fast and very cool