BMW Z3

BMW Z3
BMW Z3
Overview
Manufacturer	BMW
Production	September 1995–June 2002
Model years	1996–2002
Assembly	United States: Greer, South Carolina (Plant Spartanburg)
Designer	Joji Nagashima; Burkhard Göschel
Body and chassis
Class	Sports car (S)
Body style	2-door roadster; 3-door shooting-brake;
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Related	BMW 3 Series (E36)
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol:; 1.8–1.9 L M43/M44 I4; 2.0–3.0 L M52/M54 I6; 3.2 L S50/S52/S54 I6;
Transmission	5-speed GETRAG 250/ZF S5-31 manual; 4-speed GM Hydra-matic 4L30E automatic; 5-speed GM 5L40-E/ZF 5HP automatic;
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,446 mm (96.3 in)
Length	4,025 mm (158.5 in)
Width	1,692 mm (66.6 in)
Height	1,293–1,306 mm (50.9–51.4 in)
Curb weight	1,160–1,400 kg (2,557–3,086 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	BMW Z1
Successor	BMW Z4 (E85)

The BMW Z3 is a range of two-seater sports cars which was produced from 1995 to 2002. The body styles of the range are:

2-door roadster (E36/7 model code)
2-door coupé (E36/8 model code)

The Z3 was based on the E36/5 compact platform, a shortened version of the conventional E36 platform. This smaller and cheaper platform used the rear semi-trailing arm suspension design from the older E30 3 Series. It is the first mass-produced Z Series car.

M models were introduced in 1998 in roadster and coupé body styles and were powered by the S50, S52, or S54 straight-six engine depending on country and model year. The M models came with a 5-speed manual transmission. The regular Z3s were offered with straight-sixes or four-cylinder engines.

Production ended on June 28, 2002, with the Z3 line replaced by the E85 Z4.