The Z3 was produced between dicember 1994 and july 2002. Several engines were available. The major change happened in 1999 when BMW decided to launch a restyling of the Z3. You will find here all the information of each model, before and after the restyling.
Mk1: 12/1994 to 06/1999
The Z3 mk1 was initially presented in 1995 (even though production started in 12/1994) with the 1.8 and 1.9 engine. The 2.8 and M engine followed, in 1997. Later in 10/1998, a small technical upgrade occurred (engine elements, double vanos for 2.8, etc.), but the exterior design remained unchanged. The major restyling happened in 06/1999, when the facelifted / mk2 z3 arrived.
The Z3 mk1 was initially presented in 1995 (even though production started in 12/1994) with the 1.8 and 1.9 engine. The 2.8 and M engine followed, in 1997. Later in 10/1998, a small technical upgrade occurred (engine elements, double vanos for 2.8, etc.), but the exterior design remained unchanged. The major restyling happened in 06/1999, when the facelifted / mk2 z3 arrived.
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1994: At the very end of the year 1994, BMW presents the 1.8 engine with 4 cilinders and 115hp. It was only sold in Europe, and did not make it to the USA. The first units were sold at the beginning of 1995, and it was produced until 1999.
Z3 Roadster 1.8 - M43 B18 - E36/7  |
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Capacity : 1 796 cm3 Cylinders / valves : 4 / 8 Power : 85 kW (115 hp) - 5 500 rpm Torque : 17.1 mkg - 3900 rpm Top speed : 194 km/h Body: Roadster only Production: 1996 - 06/1999 mk1 Only mk1. Has a smaller cylinder head than the 1.9. |
Equipment: |
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1995: In april 1995, a second engine is introduced: the 1.9 with 140hp, also 4 cylinders. At that point, BMW announces that there will be no 6 cylinders engines in the Z3...
| Z3 Roadster 1.9 - M44 B19 - E36/7 |
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Capacity : 1 895 cm3 Cylinders / valves : 4 / 16 Power : 103 kW (140 chp) - 6000 rpm Torque : 180Nm - 4300 rpm Top speed : 205 km/h Body : Roadster only Production : 1996 - 06/1999 mk1 It has a bigger cylinder head than the 1.8 |
Equipment: 5 speed gearbox, ABS, power steering, driver airbag, electrical mirrors, 1 layer hood, 15" wheels. In some countries the interior has no leather. Some extras: Automatic gearbox (4 speed), ASC+t, AC, electric roof, leather seats, 16"alloy wheels, etc. |
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1996: In september 1996, BMW presents not only the 2.8 with 193hp, but also the ///M Roadster with a 3.2l engine with an output of 321hp for Europe, an engine directly coming from the E36 M3 mk2. Rear axle is wider, the suspension and body are stiffer, brakes are bigger, clearly showing the intentions of the M department in order to cope with the 321hp.
Z3 Roadster 2.8 - M52 B28 - E36/7  |
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Capacity : 2 793 cm3 Cylinders / valves : 6 / 24 Power : 142 kW (193 hp) - 5600 rpm Torque : 275Nm - 3950 rpm Top speed : 223 km/h Body : Roadster and Coupé Production : 1996 - 06/1999 (mk1) Simple vanos, first on the Roadster then on the Coupe. |
Equipment: |
Z3 M Roadster 3.2 (mk1) - S50 B32 - E36/7  |
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Capacity : 3 201 cm3 Cylinders / valves : 6 / 24 Power : 236 kW (321 hp) - 7400 rpm Torque : 350Nm - 3250 rpm Top speed : 250 km/h Body : Roadster and Coupé Production : Mk1 (09/1996 a 06/1999) mk2 (until mid 2000) |
Equipement: The standard equipment is very complete, with the same as the 2.8, adding distinctive equiment from the ///M division such as 4 exhausts, a mechanic limited slip diff, temperature and oil pressure gauges in the center console, M steering wheel and gear lever, specific M seats, specific M front and rear bumpers, specific 17" M wheels, specific M mirrors, etc... Some extras: Tempomat, exterior chrome pack, Harman Kardon sound, CD changer, etc. |
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1998: This is an important year as BMW introduces in Europe the Coupe 2.8 and ///M Coupe in april. The idea comes from the M division, that has been criticizing the torsional stiffness of the Z3 roadster since its launch, wanting to offer more sportiness to the potential BMW customer. The M division decides to have a go on developing a specific car, the Coupe, that will finally manage to offer twice the torsional stiffness of the Roadster. This really shows in corners and in the overall dynamic capabilities of the Coupe.
A few month later, in October 1998, BMW will launch a few technical upgrades to its engine, main one being the implementation of the double vanos in the 2.8 engine (vs. single vanos before). This engine will also effectively equip the facelift Z3 2.8 (as of 06/1999) and will be the base to develop the 3.0i engine.
1998 is also the time when M models arrive to the USA, where none were available before. They have a different engine from Europe (S52 with 241hp), due mainly to emissions regulations in the USA.
Z3 Coupé 2.8 - M52 B28 - E36/8 |
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Capacity : 2 793 cm3 |
Equipement: With its sportier environment, the Coupe brings more equipment as standard, than the roadster. It includes alloy wheels (16"), sport seats as standard with Nappa leather (different to the roadster), M steering wheel, a 25% limited slip diff, ASC+t, etc. Some extras: Sunroof, heated seats, 17" wheels, harman kardon sound system, CD changer, trunk net, etc. |
Z3 M Coupé 3.2 (mk1) - S50 B32 - E36/8  |
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Capacity : 3 201 cm3 Cylinders / valves : 6 / 24 Power : 236 kW (321 hp) - 7400 rpm Torque : 350Nm - 3250 rpm Top speed : 250 km/h Body : Roadster andCoupé Production : mk1 1 (09/1996 a 06/1999) mk2 (until mid 2000) |
Equipment: The M Coupe roughtly brings the same standard equipment as the M roadster. Main extras: Sunroof, heated seats, harman kardon sound system, CD changer, trunk net, etc. |
| Z3 M 3.2 - S52 B32 (USA) - E36/7 |
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Capacty : 3 152 cm3 |
Equipment: Aside from the less powerful engine Iit's a 2.8 single vanos basis upgraded to 3.0 and a power outpout of 241hp), it has some specific details such as the glovebox lid which is bigger (in all US Z3's), it also has a square rear number plate holder, and orange/red side indicators on the bumpers (front/rear respectively). |