2000 BMW Z3 Roadster 3.0i Roadster review from Germany
"Not better, but cheaper than a Boxster S"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Digital heating (ON/OFF) due to defective thermostat.
Some rattling (seats) and squeaking noise.
High oil consumption.
General comments?
It took me nearly two weeks to familiarize with the handling, especially on driven-out autobahns.
Sometimes the steering wheel has its own ideas of where to go following wrinkles on the lane.
Brakes are said to be excellent, but during the 10000 km I own the car I just didn't need them. Road holding is that superior that at legal speeds you can drive most curves without braking.
To be honest, I bought the Z3 3.0 as a cheap alternative to a Boxster S. All in all it does the job very well. Engine is just marvelous. Much torque at low revs, much power at high revs, it turns nearly vibration-free up to the revs limiter. AND: It's not a gas guzzler.
Remarkable are the speeding capabilities. 200 km in one hour? No problem - if you choose Sunday morning and a German autobahn. At full throttle (240 kph, which may be regarded as too slow) the car handles like it's on rails. Bad luck that due to faulty design:
- The convertible top doesn't sustain that speed. The locking device may loosen and has to be re-torqued. There are reasons to buy a Porsche.
- The gear transmission ratio is very short. High speed means high revs. A way to pile the car.
- Aerodynamics are very poor. Be cautious at fast autobahn curves. There are still reasons to buy a Porsche.
All in all it's not perfect, but for sure a bargain compared to a Boxster S. And much more fun than hoped.
Recommended reviews
| 2001 - Z3 Roadster 2.3 2.3 litre I6 Great little car for the young at heart AND age |
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| 2000 - Z3 Roadster 3.0 Sport petrol Fast cheap ragtop, but don't buy if you are on a budget, running costs are high |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 2000 |
| First year of ownership | 2003 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2004 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.0 Manual |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 9 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 5 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 8 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 42000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 52000 kilometres |
| Date of Entry | 16th January, 2004 |