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New Car Test Drive - 1996 BMW Z3
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| Updated |
Jul 7, 2004 20:14:13 |
| Rating |
 139 ( 11 +7.91% ) | | Author | Tony Swan |
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Description:
A thoroughly modern classic that's made in America.
The British brought us the classic sports car in the '50s and '60s, the Japanese
modernized it with the Mazda Miata and now BMW is taking it a step upscale with the
new Z3 roadster.
It seems to be a step lots of people have been ready for. The scene-stealing walk-on
star of the latest James Bond movie and cover car for last year's Neiman-Marcus
Christmas catalogue, the Z3 started generating orders before the first production cars
began to leave the assembly line.
The assembly line is a story in itself, because it's in Spartanburg, South Carolina,
USA. That's right. Made in America. Thanks to dollar-deutschmark exchange rates and
the high cost of building anything in Germany, BMW elected to create an all-new
factory in the U.S. for its new car. The new plant, which also produces the 318ti
hatchback coupe, is the sole source of the Z3. Which is one of the reasons there's a
long waiting list. Although there's some flexibility in Greenville's Z3/318ti
production mix, Z3 production will be about 30,000 cars annually, once the factory is
up to full speed. That will take awhile, because BMW is being very deliberate about
the production ramp-up, to make sure quality is up to BMW standards. And those
standards are high indeed.
The other reason for the long waiting line is simpler. This is one nifty little sports
car.
Walkaround
With its long hood, short rear deck and muscular Coke bottle shape, the Z3 has the
proportions of the graceful shapes that seduced the baby boom generation, conjuring up
memories of cars like the original Ferrari Testarossa, the MGA, Austin-Healey, Jaguar
XK-E, pre-Stingray Corvette and the A.C. Bristol, better known as the Shelby Cobra.
BMW has a place in this hall of fame, with its 1959 507 roadster. But the 507 was a
limited production project--only a handful were made. By comparison, the Z3 is much
more of a mass market car.
Built around a shortened chassis developed from BMW's 3-Series coupes, the Z3 is a
little longer, wider and heavier than the Miata, with a slightly longer wheelbase and
wider track.
Like all BMWs--and all the members of the classic club--it's a rear-drive car with
independent suspension, MacPherson struts at the front, multilink at the rear. The
rear suspension was adapated from the previous generation of the M3, BMW'S hot rod
3-Series coupe.
The 1.9-liter 4-cyl. engine is another 3-Series adaptation, but it's unique to the Z3,
though BMW plans to install it in the 318 line at a later date. Like all members of
the BMW engine family, it has dual overhead camshafts, 4 valves per cylinder and
endless hours of development behind it.
Peak power--138 hp at 6000 rpm--is relatively modest, but the engine has very good
torque characteristics, with plenty of thrust at the lower end of the rpm range, and
the gearing of the standard 5-speed manual transmission makes the most of it.
A 4-speed automatic is available as an option ($975). It too is geared for good
acceleration, but like any automatic it sops up power and in our view takes something
away from the driving experience. With its short shift throws and precise engagement,
the 5-speed enhances the Z3's race car feel.
After driving several versions with different options, we settled on a basic roadster
with a 5-speed and optional ($1100) traction control. The standard equipment package,
which includes 4-wheel disc brakes with antilock, should make most drivers happy.
The Inside Story
Like the Miata, the Z3 updates the classic roadster with civilizing contemporary
updates. The windows go up or down at the touch of a button--power windows cost extra
on a Miata--and the manually-operated soft top is simplicity incarnate. Unlatch the
twin fasteners at the top of the windshield and flip it back. It's an operation anyone
can do one-handed, without stirring from the driver's seat. A soft plastic tonneau
cover can be snapped into place over the folded top to tidy up the appearance.
The top seals well when it's up, although a fair amount of wind noise finds its way
through the high grade material, something that's true to some degree of any
convertible. And in any case, the Z3 is quieter than a Miata.
Our only criticism of the Z3's folding top is its plastic rear window. At this price
level, we'd expect glass. Although the Z3's backlite is scratch-resistant, plastic
windows inevitably deteriorate over time. However, the plastic window zips out for
easy replacement. And BMW will make a removable hardtop available as an option later
this year.
The classic 507 roadster had room for two and not much more, and the Z3 is true to the
tradition. However, it's distinctly roomier than a Miata in all its interior
dimensions. Drivers over, say, 6-ft.-3 might find themselves short on headroom with
the top up, but leg and elbow room seem well conceived to fit most body types and
driving styles.
The instruments are standard BMW, dominated by the large white-on-black analog
speedometer and tachometer which are fully visible through the steering wheel
throughout the range of seat adjustability.
You'd expect sporty seats in any BMW, and the Z3's twin buckets are excellent
representatives of the breed. Well-padded thigh and torso bolsters keep driver and
passenger solidly in place during hard cornering and quick changes in direction, which
are, of course, core activities in a sports car. A high-grade leatherette is the basic
upholstery material. Leather, of course, costs more--$1150 more.
Although the classic sports car concept--street-going 2-seaters that could, in a pinch,
be raced--didn't include many frills, the standard Z3 comes with a goodly array of
comfort-convenience features. In addition to power windows, the list includes air
conditioning, an AM/FM/cassette sound system and power mirrors.
Safety features are consistent with the times--dual airbags, side impact protection
and, of course, ABS.
Ride & Drive
We did our test driving on a collection of Texas back roads that left us with a
positive impression of the Z3's athleticism, which we expected, and an even more
positive impression of its ride quality, which was a pleasant surprise.
With its firm suspension, quick steering and meaty 16-in. tires, the Z3 can change
directions quicker than a politician and grips the road in high speed corners like a
race car. The only surprise that emerged was just how high this car's absolute
cornering limits are. There's more grip here than most of us will ever use, a nice
reserve for emergency maneuvers and a big plus for hard braking.
Considering the Z3's basic sports car capabilities, its ride quality verges on
amazing. Yes, it's firm, as you'd expect of a car with this kind of character from
this particular company. But BMW has discovered that taut doesn't necessarily have to
mean harsh. Although those Texas backroads were an endless collection of small lumps,
bumps and pavement patches, the Z3 took the hard edge off what was going on underfoot,
to the benefit of both comfort and control.
Thanks to the large tire contact patches and oversize front brake rotors, the Z3's
braking performance also qualifies as outstanding. This car will stop as safely--and as
quickly--as any car on the road today.
Engine performance is generally in step with the rest of the Z3's dynamic traits.
Acceleration falls short of eyeball-flattening territory, but it's brisk, about 8
seconds or so to 60 mph, and midrange response is satisfying. Top speed is
electronically limited to 116 mph. For those who want more, a more potent Z3, probably
equipped with the 328's 190-hp 6-cyl. engine, is about a year down the road.
The final impression to emerge from our Texas barnstorming foray was one of overall
quality. The Z3 conveys a stronger sense of solidity than the Miata, and we'll be
surprised if it falls prey to the buzzes, squeaks and rattles that show up in a lot of
other convertibles.
Final Word
While the Z3 has played to enthusiastic reviews by automotive cognoscenti, one
question keeps recurring: Is this car really worth $10,000 more than a Miata?
That's a tough call. A terrific sports car in its own right, the Miata offers similar
performance. And even though a Miata equipped up to the level of a standard Z3 costs
about $23,000, that's still a significant price disparity.
However, the Z3 is a better car--roomier, quieter, more substantial and built to a
slightly higher standard. We think anyone who steps up to the Z3's higher price will
never regret it.
In any case, you'll have plenty of time to make up your mind. Planned production for
the Z3 in 1996 is all but sold out. But this one's worth the wait. |
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