Z3, looks like it has been designed by a 5 year old

UK forum for general and technical discussion about the Z3 roadster
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peteslag
Joined: Thu 04 Aug, 2011 07:50
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
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Z3, looks like it has been designed by a 5 year old

Post by peteslag »

In the late nineties, Jaguar released the XK8. When I first saw it my first thoughts were that it was a poor copy of the E-type with too much plastic and stupid wagon wheels that made it look like it was on stilts. Ten years later I kept seeing XK's and thinking how nice they looked. On eBay I stumbled across a deep metallic red XK8 and instantly fell in love. I went via the bank and bought it that day without thinking.

The first time I saw a Z3 it was a similar reaction, it looked like a 5 year old had penned it. The bonnet was far too long, the cabin was in the wrong place, the gills looked like they had been bought from B&Q and stuck on as an after thought. Nothing about the car made sense to me.

Three months a go I was looking for a new toy, thinking about either a Boxster s, XKR, 350Z, M3 or maybe taking my life into my own hands with a TVR. I stumbled across a deep blue metallic 3.0 Z3 on EBay and something in head went wibble. Suddenly this car made perfect sense. Luscious long bonnet, sexy curves over the back wheels, nice little vents on the front wings, this car was virtually pornographic!!!!! The performance was a match for most of the cars mentioned above, for a fraction of the cost. I made the owner come and pick me up and I bought it there and then. Every time I look at the car now, I'm sure it winks at me and says something like "take my top off and thrash me big boy".

It is funny how some cars just seem to get better with age. I don't know what other members think but I reckon the Z3's retro styling will just keep looking better and better as time goes on.

Well, that’s half an hour on a Friday afternoon stuck at work killed nicely. 27 minutes and the weekend begins. :cheers
Z3 3.0, Ford ST220, Jaguar XK8, Mr2 GT Turbo, Fiat Bravo HGT, Cavalier, Astra convertible, MK1 Astra GTE, XR3i, E21 323i, XR3, Cavalier, VW Jetta, Rover SDi, Capri 2.0S, Audi 80 GTE, another Cavalier, brown Astra van, Citroen GS Club (we all had to start somewhere).
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Robert T
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  Z3 roadster 1.9
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Post by Robert T »

Hmm. I went thought a somewhat different thought process...

I think I first saw the Z3 in the Bond film Goldeneye and liked it - reminded me of the E-type Jag I always wanted as a kid. A short time later, the BMW dealer local to my parents had an open day and my Dad and I waited a long time to take their only Z3 for a test drive. I loved it, despite nearly putting my Dad's face though the windscreen as I wasn't used to power assisted brake. Thought wouldn't it be nice to own one one day and left it at that...

A year or more later, and after a few leaps up the job ladder, I went for another test drive, this time with my Mum. She loved it, so I put my name down for one. When we got back, my Dad said "you didn't let him do anything silly did you?" - my Mum and I looked at one another and I said "What, like order one?". :lol:

Had to wait six months for it to arrive (which is probably as well, as I was still saving up for it!), and I still have it twelve years later and love it just as much as when I first got it. :D

Cheers R.
Arctic Silver '99 Z3 1.9 & Black '59 Frogeye 1275cc
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swamper
Joined: Thu 13 May, 2010 17:14
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Post by swamper »

easy one this..........i'd never even thought about a zed till one day i was sat in a traffic jam in preston in baking heat stuck in my van........looked across the road..one zed for sale......one week later i had one...now when im stuck in traffic everybody else is stressed..............im sunbathing :D
the badness makes me do it...!

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Bill-
Joined: Sat 21 May, 2011 10:57
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Post by Bill- »

I just Love pure Roadsters! No roof, 2 seats... lets go
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jont
Joined: Tue 18 Oct, 2005 10:54
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  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Brisbane

Thought provoking

Post by jont »

It seems that all Zed owners have many things in common
I have a similar story I first saw a Z in 1997 and liked the retro styling and again I am from the E type era.

In late 1998 I was looking to buy a new car but I wanted something a little different and I was a little more financial so I was looking at 3 types of cars

Ford Mustang
Cobra kit car
Z3

As a sales rep I needed something that was reliable for everyday driving so
The Z won I have had now for nearly 14 years and never seem to tire of it
I am a bit of a tinkerer and do most of my own repairs and believe it or not find that quite enjoyable.

Any way that's my 15 minutes sitting on the balcony this morning with the sun in my face in the best country in the world Australia

Good morning lady's and gentleman

Johnt :D
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RemarkLima
Joined: Fri 08 Apr, 2011 13:22
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Post by RemarkLima »

I think it looked to "try hard" at being retro-ish when it came out, and then I think it was further marred by the performance of the initial 1.9 offering, when it looked like it meant business, but didn't offer the same... Especially as it was still in the days of power rather than eco.

But totally agree that age has improved it massively, retro is cool and 100% back in fashion and I think to stay! Also, the world has become less hung up on power and it's perfectly acceptable if someone wants something cheap to run that's a bit of fun, so again really helped.

Add to that, it doesn't sit in any of the other BMW lineup, will always keep it a bit unique I'd think.
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simonbud100
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Post by simonbud100 »

The Z3 appeared during my first year in Uni. I thought that it was just so different to anything that BMW had done before, I instantly loved the design, but could no way afford one.

At the time I had another of my all time favourite BMW's, an E28 M535i which basically consumed all that I earned in my weekend bar job, but I absolutely loved it. I was lucky that it just about qualified for classic car insurance which made it (almost) affordable for a 21 year old student to insure. I ended up selling it after two years to the same guy that I bought it off for about the same money.

Fast forward a few years, and I still think that the Z3 is as good today as in '97, it has classic lines which just dont seem to age. It is a very rare thing to have a car which still looks cutting edge and classic at the same time.
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peteslag
Joined: Thu 04 Aug, 2011 07:50
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
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Post by peteslag »

It’s funny how the Goldeneye thing has come up. Thinking about it, that is the exact moment I started disliking the Z3. I was a bit of a James Bond fan at the time and it didn't seem right that he should be driving round in a German car.

Now that I'm completely smitten with Z3's, maybe I should watch Goldeneye again. Actually, that sounds like a marvellous way to spend the weekend with a couple of tinnies.

How to sell it to the missus..............
Z3 3.0, Ford ST220, Jaguar XK8, Mr2 GT Turbo, Fiat Bravo HGT, Cavalier, Astra convertible, MK1 Astra GTE, XR3i, E21 323i, XR3, Cavalier, VW Jetta, Rover SDi, Capri 2.0S, Audi 80 GTE, another Cavalier, brown Astra van, Citroen GS Club (we all had to start somewhere).
Ci
Joined: Fri 28 Nov, 2003 17:08
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  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: East Dorset

Z3 looks like it is designed by a 5 year old

Post by Ci »

I have the original Z3 booklet complete with a pic of James Bond driving his Z3, and a great big poster of the car. When it first came out I disliked it, I had an MGB at the time.
I bought my first Zed in 1999, and replaced it with an auto Zed two years ago. Time has melded me to the design of this car, it still looks great, drives well, is practical and not too costly to run.
It is the mark of classic design when a car ages and still looks good. Sadly I don't see that many Z3s out and about these days??
I mean compare the design of a '97 model with a '97 MX5 - which one looks COOL? :shock:
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TaffZee
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Post by TaffZee »

My thoughts were the same as peteslag, what cheek using a German car for our beloved James Bond, didnt really notice the Z3, I was in love with the Toyota Celica Series 6, and got one. Three years ago I decided to change the celica, never thought that a Z3 would be in my price range, until I started searching. Seen It Bought It Never Lokked Back, I love my cheap (getting cheaper :bawl: ) little iconic sports car...
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Kornknarr
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Long love affair

Post by Kornknarr »

First - hope you don´t mind me contributing to your forum though I live in Sweden. I like your forum, it's lively, varied and with a nice atmosphere. That said, my story of z3 does not begin with Bond. Actually I didn't know it figured in one of the films until I had bought my first zed.

To me it was years of looking at z3s, driving around in the summer. Always thinking that they were one of the most beautiful cars around. Brought up with open cars I had it in me that one day I should own one but the z3 was an unattainable dream of a car.

A couple of years ago I found myself talking about owning one, and realizing that they were coming within my range both when it came to my own finances and in their prices. But buying a car just for fun? With three kids to feed? One day one was at show at a local dealer and I thought: Ok, I can always have a look. It was a silver 1.8 -97 with red leather seats.

Needless to say a couple of days later I owned it. Was very happy though I realized that it didn't really have a motor that matched it's looks. Still I had fulfilled my dreams and I took it on a first long trip with a big smile in my face...

I ended up in a crash barrier after a aquaplaning in a sudden right turn that I had missed because of all the rain... I was totally devastated and felt incredibly stupid.

But I had a good insurance and one thing was sure. I was not to live without a Z3 anymore. Two weeks later I bought a 2.8 -98. I've kept driving and kept smiling.

One of the problems is to find parking spots at cafés and restaurants so I can both eat and look at the car. I find myself driving ridiculous detours when using it... et cetera.

To end this. I think it already is a classical car. It just has very beautiful lines. I think this is one of the cars that will be more and more valued with time along with (the often more expensive) Z8s, Morgans, E-types, early Corvettes... :)
simonbud100
Joined: Tue 09 Feb, 2010 22:39
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Swansea

Re: Long love affair

Post by simonbud100 »

Kornknarr wrote:First - hope you don´t mind me contributing to your forum though I live in Sweden. I like your forum, it's lively, varied and with a nice atmosphere. That said, my story of z3 does not begin with Bond. Actually I didn't know it figured in one of the films until I had bought my first zed.
Hi Kornknarr, Welcome along, I was in Sweden in July (Stockholm and Gothenburg) during the really warm weather. I couldn't believe how many Z3's I saw there in justa few days.
zibomb
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Post by zibomb »

I too hated the styling of the z i only remember them from around 2000 onwards being only 8 when they first when they first came into production. i have never looked at them till 2 months ago when i saw one parked. i love the long bonnet and the arches were made for a decent wheel fitment. I test drove one and i knew i had to have one. Only thing I dislike on the z design is how its impossible to find a nice front splitter that fits the bumper.
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peteslag
Joined: Thu 04 Aug, 2011 07:50
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: wolverhampton

Post by peteslag »

I love Sweden, fantastic country and lovely people.

However, £13 for a bottle of kopparberg is not cool!!!!!!
Z3 3.0, Ford ST220, Jaguar XK8, Mr2 GT Turbo, Fiat Bravo HGT, Cavalier, Astra convertible, MK1 Astra GTE, XR3i, E21 323i, XR3, Cavalier, VW Jetta, Rover SDi, Capri 2.0S, Audi 80 GTE, another Cavalier, brown Astra van, Citroen GS Club (we all had to start somewhere).
Bill-
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Post by Bill- »

Hello Kornknarr
One day I would like to drive around Scandinavia! all of it :)

your comment about making rediculous detours made me realise I do the same thing.. drive to a shop 20 miles away, when the exact same shop is also 4 miles away :D :D :D
Kornknarr
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Scandinavia

Post by Kornknarr »

Yes beer/alcohol is expensive. But then you have not been to Norway I presume?

Anyway, thats the problem with Norway. It's ridiculously expensive. But, on the other hand, if you really wan't something extra, then driving through parts of Norway is one of the world's most beautiful experiences. Just be careful they also have a vary alert police corps (and plenty of toll roads)!

I'd like to take my zed there next summer but will probably head for Northeast Germany instead.

Cheers!
Mike Fishwick
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  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Daglan, France

Retro?

Post by Mike Fishwick »

It is popular wisdom thatthe Z3 styling is 'Retro,' but I have never been able to see why!

Apart from the gills, which appeared on a few older BMWs, the shape does not ape any previous model - itr is simply a small sports car whose shape was dictated by the use of a large front-mounted engine, and that's it.

It is simply a nice modern sports car - and it looks it.
John Wilson
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Location: Diss

Post by John Wilson »

I don't think goldeneye is the best advert for the z3. You see it bouncing around off road trying to escape that plane, while James Bond is frantically flailing his arms to keep it on the track as though the steering joints are loose.
I really can't comprehend how anyone can dislike the styling of the z3, especially with the roof down. I think that because they are so rairly seen, that they are not considered and people then go for an MX5 or a TF. I really can't think of any other reason for buying an alternative.
We originally were looking for a 2 seater convertable just for a touring holiday around France with the idea of selling it after our holiday. I hadn't really considered a z at that point, but I discovered that there wasn't much choice, especially as I had to have an engine in the front and drive at the back. We looked at SLKs but preferred being able to take some luggage with us, and didnt really like the looks. I like MX5s, and theŷ are certainly more of a pure sportscar feel about them, but for touring long distances they are not so good. Whilst looking at an SLK, there was a Z3 in the same dealers and there was then no longer any other choice (i didn't buy that particular one but one shortly after). Of course, after the holiday, i couldn't bare to part with it, dispite the fact that the money was earmarked for a new kitchen.We still havent got the kitchen (3 years later) but the plans are drawn and it now looks like we could afford a DB9 for the same money.
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peteslag
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: wolverhampton

Post by peteslag »

Yes beer/alcohol is expensive. But then you have not been to Norway I presume?
I paid £16 for a pint of Guiness in Bergen. I can't even think about Oslo without breaking into a cold sweat. Me and my wallet know exactly how expensive Norway is :bawl: .
Z3 3.0, Ford ST220, Jaguar XK8, Mr2 GT Turbo, Fiat Bravo HGT, Cavalier, Astra convertible, MK1 Astra GTE, XR3i, E21 323i, XR3, Cavalier, VW Jetta, Rover SDi, Capri 2.0S, Audi 80 GTE, another Cavalier, brown Astra van, Citroen GS Club (we all had to start somewhere).
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