BMW Z3 Roadster (1996-2002) review
At a glance
| Price new | £18,835 - £35,845 |
|---|---|
| Road tax cost | £345 - £415 |
| Insurance group | 29 - 38 |
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| Fuel economy | Not tested to latest standards |
| Range | 280 - 393 miles |
| Number of doors | 2 |
| View full specs for a specific version | |
Available fuel types
Petrol
Pros & cons
- Retro styling is distinctive
- Feels genuinely minimalist and sporting
- Comfort is better than you'd expect
- Smaller engines are unexceptional
- Boot space is restrictive
- Build can feel cheap in places
BMW Z3 Roadster (96-02) rivals
Overview
The rear-wheel-drive Z3 roadster was an upmarket alternative to a used Mazda MX-5 or MG TF. When new, it was neither as expensive nor as prestigious as the clever Mercedes-Benz SLK, but feels lighter and more involving to drive. Like the contemporary MX-5, the BMW Z3 took advantage of the 1990s trend for retro styling in a fun, fashionable way that appeals equally to men and women.
It’s not a particularly exciting drive with the smaller engines, but the six-cylinder 2.8 and 3.0 units transform it, if you want something clearly different from the Mazda.
As a used buy, the impressively low prices erode its value as a style statement, but is it a true sports car? It’s your decision, but plenty of buyers were sufficiently tempted to take the plunge, and there’s a large stock of used examples to choose from now.
