One of BMW’s last true analog cars, the Z3 Roadster, could be worth a fortune in years to come.
The 90s was an excellent time for the automotive world, especially for German powerhouse BMW. They began solidifying into the mainstream world of desirable automobiles and produced some fantastic cars in this period. The E36 generation of M3, the E34 M5 Touring and even introduced their first SUV, the X5.
While these cars have all become household names, one 90s Bimmer has become somewhat of a forgotten gem – The Z3 Roadster. The Z3 had everything for both car and fashion enthusiasts. A sleek design, a modern yet analog driving experience, two seats, an electric folding soft roof, and a fantastic BMW engine under the hood. And all these attributes make the Z3 a future classic to look out for.
Fame And Driving Pleasure Make The Z3 A Future Classic
We think the Z3 is set to be a future classic. Although production numbers were quite high, we think the design far outweighs anything else BMW had to offer in roadster form at the time. After all, Britain’s favorite Jaguar E-type was a mass-produced vehicle and now holds a huge cult following. We think the Z3 is capable of the same.
We didn’t know it then, but when the Z3 was ditched for the Z4, we were saying our goodbyes to BMW’s last analog sports car. In years to come, its shape will age gracefully among the sharp lines and carbon fiber of the convertibles on offer. Its small and punchy package will always provide a great driving feel with the added drop-top experience.
While it may not hold racing pedigree or any significant moments in automotive history, the Z3 was still a solid and well-performing car. It looks better than a Mazda Miata and is built more desirably than a Porsche Boxster. The Z3 was offered at a medium price bracket and was readily available to order. Despite this, there aren’t as many left as we hoped, and prices seem to be on an upward trend.
Even James Bond Couldn’t Resist The BMW Z3
The Z3 was the first BMW built entirely outside Germany. BMW’s Spartanburg, South Carolina facility started with the little Z3. It now churns out X-badged SUVs by the hundreds of thousands for the worldwide market. A total of 297,088 units of the Z3 were built between 1995 and 2002 before it ceased production. There are no exact figures for how many Z3 roadsters are on the road in the US, but blogs estimate less than 3,000 manual examples.
When introduced for the 1996 model year, the Z3 was only available with a 1.9-liter 140-hp 4-cylinder taken from the BMW 318 sedan and shared most of its parts with the E36 generation 3 Series. In fact, it was designed by the same man and shared the same platform. The Z3 wasn’t about straight-line speed but rather about cornering. For this model, 0-6- MPH came in 10 seconds.
There also came the James Bond Edition, of which only 100 were produced for the US market in 1996. If you didn’t know, James Bond was the first to get his Z3 in the 1995 film “Goldeneye” which, for many, was an instant indicator that the Z3 was a cool car to own. The image played a huge part in the sales of the Z3 back then.
In 1997 though, BMW changed the game, offering it with a six-cylinder model, which got the 2.8-liter inline-six from the 328i. With 190 HP, flared wheel arches, and roll hoops behind the seats, the performance to match the looks had come. M versions would follow and snatch the performance title. However, the Z3 roadster was perky enough in its own right without the need for the M badge.
How Much Is A BMW Z3 Roadster Worth Today?
Currently, you can buy a used Z3 roadster for as little as $3,300, but a good example will be more towards $14,000. We think this is a reasonable price to pay for the perfect weekend driver. Picture this, taking it out for a summer evening drive to dinner while channeling your inner Pierce Brosnan. We’re not sure anything could give you the same buzz for the price.
They can go up to around $45,000+ for the M-badged versions for those really looking for some extra pep, but we think the Z3 is a peak BMW roadster, and prices are trending upwards. One day, analog little sports cars like this will be long gone. For this reason alone, we think it’s worth buying a piece of the past to enjoy in the future.
While the Z3 roadster was not a supercar by any means, it was certainly a status symbol at the time. The Z3 was a car about attitude, it was a carefree motor car, and it carried all the cabriolet identify with the positive characteristics of a BMW. However, the car dropped out of thought in the mid-2000s, but we think the Z3 is worthy of a spot in your garage as a future classic.
Sources: BMW, Classic.com
