BMW Z Roadsters

The BMW Z3 was the first modern mass-market roadster produced by BMW, as well as the first BMW model assembled in the United States. It was introduced as a 1996 model year vehicle, shortly after being featured in the James Bond movie, GoldenEye. There were a few variants of the car before its production run ended in 2002, including a coupe version for 1999. It was manufactured and assembled in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The Z3 was replaced by the BMW Z4 in late 2002 at the Paris Auto Show.

M Roadster:
From 1998 to 2002, the Motorsports division of BMW produced the M Roadster which included suspension upgrades and the engine from the BMW M3. The 1998, 1999 and 2000 M roadster had the 3.2L S52 motor from the E36 M3 into it with quad exhaust. The 2001 and 2002 models had the S54 motor from the E46 M3. There were also interior upgrades with additional gauges in the center console, lighted "M" shift knob, various chrome bits throughout the cockpit and sport seats as standard equipment. Exterior changes were larger wheels spaced further apart and more aggressive fenders than were installed on the regular Z3. Hardtops were available as an option.

Coupe:
In addition to the roadster version of the Z3, BMW also released a coupe featuring a chassis-stiffening rear hatch area, though the 'breadvan' styling this gave was controversial. The coupe was available as the Z3 Coupé from 1999 to 2001 or as the BMW Motorsport-enhanced M Coupe from 1999 to 2002.
The Z3 Coupes were only available with the largest 6-cylinder engine offered in the Z3 roadster: the 2.8 L in 1999 and 2000 and the 3.0 L in 2000 for Europe and 2001 for the US. The 1999 and 2000 M models were equipped with the 3.2 L S52 motor from the E36 BMW M3, while all the 2001 and 2002 models came with the S54 motor from the E46 BMW M3.

The Z3 is currently used in the KONI Challenge Series of racing.

The BMW Z4 is a rear-wheel drive sports car by the German automaker BMW, known as the E85 in roadster form and E86 in coupe form. Production started in 2002, and thus replaced the BMW Z3. The design addresses many criticisms of the Z3; the Z4 is larger, and has a significantly stiffer chassis, though it uses the same engines as the BMW Z3. It is built in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Initially, the Z4 was available only as a roadster, but in 2006 a coupé version was officially launched.

The Z4 was designed by Chris Bangle and began the controversy over his "flame surfacing" design and aggressive styling choices, which can also be seen on most modern BMW cars, most noticeably the 7 Series and 5 Series. As of 2007, the entire BMW car line, including the BMW 3 Series and X5 SAV, had incorporated Chris Bangle's design theme.

The Z4 features a strut type front suspension like its predecessor, the Z3. The rear suspension, however is considerably different from that of the Z3, which was based on that of the E30 BMW 3 Series. Instead of a semi-trailing arm suspension, the Z4 uses a more advanced multi-link suspension.
Five-speed manual gearboxes are standard on all models except the 3.0 L and the M Roadster, which has a 6-speed GETRAG. 5-speed automatic are available on all non M cars. The M Roadster shares its 6-speed GETRAG 217 manual gearbox with the M3.
A Sport package is also available, which adds stiffer and lower suspension, larger wheels with run-flat tires, and Dynamic Driving control, BMW's Vehicle Stability Control system.
In addition to the powertrain updates, BMW made mild revisions to the styling of the Z4, added several electronic features, and increased the brake size on the 3.0si models.

Coupe:
BMW unveiled a Bangle-designed concept coupe version of the Z4 at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2005. The company announced on November 22, 2005 that the coupe would be available for delivery in the US starting in June 2006, including the return of the M Coupe. Production began at the Spartanburg, South Carolina BMW plant on April 4, 2006, and the production cars were introduced at the New York Auto Show in April of 2006.
For the 2008 model year, the Z4 3.0i Roadster, when equipped with the optional Sport Package, comes fitted with wheels very similar to those first seen on the Z4 Coupe concept vehicle, although, the production wheels come in a smaller size and with a satin finish.

As the Z4 is continually refined, it is also reported that a new model, the Z2 will become part of the stable in 2010.

The $128,000 BMW Z8 supercar was produced by German automaker BMW from 2000 to 2003. It was given the E52 BMW model code.

The Z8 was the production variant of the 1997 Z07 concept car, which was designed by Henrik Fisker at BMW's Designworks in Southern California. The Z07 originally was designed as a styling exercise intended to evoke and celebrate the 1956-'59 BMW 507. The Z07 caused a sensation at the '97 Tokyo Auto Show. The overwhelming popularity of the concept spurred BMW's decision to produce a limited production model called the Z8. 5,703 Z8s were built, approximately half of which were exported to the USA.

The BMW Z8 had an all aluminum chassis and body and used a 4.9 L (4941 cc) 32 valve V8, which developed 400 hp (294 kW) and 500 Nm (363 ft·lbf). This engine was built by the BMW Motorsport subsidiary and was shared with the E39 M5. The engine was located behind the front axle in order to provide the car with 50/50 weight distribution. The factory claimed a 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62.5 mph) time of 4.7 seconds; Motor Trend magazine achieved 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.2 seconds. Road and Track measured the car's lateral grip at .92. Car and Driver magazine also tested the car and found that it outperformed the contemporary benchmark Ferrari 360 Modena in three important performance categories: acceleration, handling, and braking. As with most BMW products, its top speed was electronically limited to 155 mph (249 km/h); the car's maximum top speed with an unlocked chip was 186 mph (300 km/h).

Every Z8 was shipped with a color-matching metal hardtop with rear defroster. Unlike many accessory hardtops, which are provided for practical rather than stylistic considerations, the Z8 hardtop was designed from the outset to complement the lines of the roadster.
In order to promote the BMW Z8 to collectors and reinforce media speculation about the Z8's "instant classic" potential, BMW promised that a 50 year stockpile of spare parts would be maintained in order to support the Z8 fleet. Due to the limited volume of Z8 production, all elements of the car were constructed or finished by hand, thereby compounding the importance of ongoing manufacturer support for the type. The price point and production process allowed BMW to offer custom options to interested buyers. A significant number of Z8s with nonstandard paint and interior treatments were produced over the course of the four year production run by BMW Individual, a division of BMW AG.

The car was featured in the James Bond movie The World Is Not Enough in late 1999. The presence of the car in the film was in fulfilment of a three-movie product placement deal that had started with 1995's Goldeneye (BMW Z3) and continued with 1997's Tomorrow Never Dies (BMW 750iL).

Below is a full, detailed review/road test of the 2005 BMW Z4 written by the experts at New Car Test Drive or by one of Automotive.com's very own.

Driving Impressions
The Z4 is a sensuous sports car, not a visceral one. It strokes you, responds to you. After five minutes on the open road, we knew it would be difficult to write this review without using the word "smooth" about 20 times. It's the ultimate smooth sports car. The 24-valve inline six-cylinder engine is bliss, crooning its way into your heart, and the five-speed gearbox is virtually idiot-proof, or maybe that should be jerk-proof, because that's what it never does. Meanwhile, the handling and brakes are typically (if not universally) BMW: almost flawless. At least for what the 2.5i is. It's not a racer's sports car.
But you can still race up to the brink of 30-mph turns at 80 mph, stand on the brakes and bang two downshifts from fourth to second gear, and feel like Juan Pablo Montoya. You do not blow those downshifts, because the gearbox, clutch, and heel-and-toe action is so smooth. No lurching, no snatching. The Z4 can make a great driver out of mediocre one.

The vented disc brakes, with ABS, front-rear proportioning and electronic brake assist, are typically BMW-brilliant, although we managed to get them to smell hot during one intense long downhill curving stretch; but they only smelled, they didn't fade. And unlike Mercedes' electronic brake-assist program, we didn't feel any interference despite our aggressive use.

BMW chassis engineers have made a real effort to get the Z4 to handle better than the Z3 it has replaced, especially in getting the rear end to stay stuck to the road, and they have succeeded. The Z4 grips in the corners like the Z3 never did. And even with the optional run-flat 17-inch tires, which have stiff sidewalls, it isn't twitchy over high-speed choppy undulating pavement.

The 2.5-liter engine makes a modest 184 horsepower, but it's good horsepower, ample as well as sweet. It's definitely not slow, and it sounds surprisingly great, with a built-in back-pressure deep burble at low rpm. It's got variable valve timing to make the most of its 175 pound-feet of torque, and redlines at a gentle 6500 rpm, with horsepower peaking at 6000. BMW's rev limiter is also the most sophisticated in the business, gently taking the power away when you hit it.

If you need more performance, the 3.0-liter delivers 225 horsepower, 214 pound-feet, and has a six-speed gearbox. BMW's acceleration claims are 0 to 60 in 7.1 seconds for the 2.5i, and in 5.9 seconds for the 3.0i, which is a big difference.

Changing gears with the manual was so easy and satisfying that we can't imagine wanting an automatic transmission, but the five-speed Steptronic with manual control is a good option. As for the high-tech Sequential Manual Gearbox, this is a gearbox for racers. We've tested an M3 with that gearbox, and found it interesting, aggressive, and fun but imperfect. We've also sampled one on a 6 Series coupe and didn't like it in that car. Make sure your fully try one out before opting for the SMG.

Summary & Specifications
The BMW Z4 Roadster succeeds as a replacement for the Z3 with room to spare. Its styling is controversial, but that's a buyer's call to make; like it or not, it's dramatic. The 2.5-liter engine is supremely sweet and fast enough to be worthy of the rest of the car's good qualities, in particular handling, ride and brakes. The 3.0-liter engine offers the power a performance-minded buyer would need, along with a six-speed gearbox. The power soft top makes the Z4 totally comfortable and civilized. At a base retail price of $34,300 with leatherette interior and simple manual top with one-handed release, an entry-level Z4 is an affordable and excellent BMW sports car with all the BMW engineering strengths.

James Bond, as played by Pierce Brosnan in the 1995 film "Goldeneye", drove a BMW Z3. The car is described by Q as having stinger missiles mounted behind the headlights, all points radar system with display, a self destruct system and is shown to have a parachute Braking system. However, none of these gadgets are actually utilized in the film.

In the music video for the 'N Sync song "Bye Bye Bye" there is a scene where the girl is chasing the two men while driving. Her car was a BMW Z3 while the other two were Dodge Vipers.

BMW Z3 is seen in "Bollywood" the blockbuster in which Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai's famous song Na Tum Jaano Na Hum was featured.

The Z3 is also seen in the movie Scream 3.

A BMW Z3 M Roadster was showcased in Armageddon (1998 film).

Nina Oliver (Nana Osanai in the original Japanese version), a supermodel character in Case Closed: The Fourteenth Target, drives a right-hand-drive Z3 (quite recklessly). The car actually played an indirect role in the plot of the film; it was an accident caused by Nina's reckless driving that ultimately lead the murderer to his serial killings.

In the 2001 BMW series of short films called "The Hire", Season 1 Episode 3 "The Follow", Adriana Lima is driving a BMW Z3 while being followed by the Driver (played by Clive Owen).

The BMW Z8 was featured in the James Bond movie "The World Is Not Enough" in late 1999. The presence of the car in the film was in fulfilment of a three-movie product placement deal that had started with 1995's Goldeneye (BMW Z3) and continued with 1997's Tomorrow Never Dies (BMW 750iL).

The BMW Z8 was also featured in a number of racing video games like the Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 and was used as a pace car for the 2000 FIM Motorcycling Grand Prix.

The BMW Z3 won the "Super Reggie" award for the best promotional marketing campaign of 1995. The campaign was co-sponsored by the United Artist unit of Credit Lyonnais and by BMW of North America. Efforts included James Bond Edition Z3's sold through the Neiman Marcus catalogue.

The BMW Z3 2.8L made Editor's Most Wanted Vehicle for 1999 Edmunds.com

The M Coupe/M Roadster made Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1999.

The 2000 BMW Z3 2.8L made one of the most exotic cars list on fantasycars.com

The 2000 BMW Z3 2.3L made "The Best Overall Value of the Year" - "Base Sport" category winner by Intellichoice

AUTOMOBILE Magazine awarded the BMW M coupe its 1999 Design of the Year.