BMW Z3 Roadster (1996 - 2002) 1.8 2d (1999/T) Owner Review
Want to know everything there is to know about this car?
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Summary
What does this car say about you?
I like driving and know what a drivers car is. I like pretty cars that are well-build and like to get attention and sometimes get comments like 'nice car'.
What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?
They all like it. Most are jealous but it's just to impractical for them (kids). For people with kids it would be a second car. For first time always get in with top up and then top down. If you do it other way around it feels a bit claustrophobic.
Would you buy this car again and why?
YES. It turns heads, drives excellent, surprisingly comfi (read my Vauxhall Merive review). Not as impractical as you might think. You can live with a lot less luggage space.
What are you likely to buy next?
Lotus Elise or Lotus Europa.
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Buying experience
Type of dealer you bought from?
Independent
Did you buy this car new?
No
What price did you pay?
£8,000
When did you buy the car?
August 2007
Did you get a good deal and why?
Yes. Was imported from Germany (to The Netherlands) for me on order.
Is there any special reason why you bought this car?
A few friends have the MX-5 but I'm to tall to really fit well in a MX-5 (b-version) so I looked around for another exciting car. It really looks great so I bought it.
What was the dealer like?
Very helpful. I've been going there for car service for over 15 years.
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Driving it
What's it like to drive?
On the motorway above 100kph it is noisy and with the top down windy (remember: I'm tall: 1.92m). It is really meant to ride on back roads top down. Awesome to ride that way. Priceless when in the Ardenne. I would like to have more power but for everyday use 1.8L is more then enough.
What's it like to park?
Long nose, short back. First time in a Z3 takes a little getting used to. But PAS is excellent.
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Living with it
Have you had any problems with the car?
Considering its age not much really. Because of wider then normal tires it needs a new crosslinkage in the steering because it developed some play during 10 years. Brake lines in front need replacing now. All in all not much considering it's almost 13 years old
What's most practical about your car?
I'm single and I can fit 3 weeks of groceries in the car. Even more if I really load up. If you buy a 4 seater you end up most of the time driving by yourself and using only 25%. In this it is 50% used.
Favourite gadget, option or accessory?
Airco - I use it everyday. When it rains your are sitting in a small cockpit so everything fogs up pretty fast.
