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BMW·Sports

Z3

1995-2002
F355
F3551994-1999
95/175
F501995-1997
F50
BMW Z3 1995 - Front 3/4 viewBMW Z3 1995 - Front viewBMW Z3 1995 - Side viewBMW Z3 1995 - Rear 3/4 viewBMW Z3 1995 - Rear viewBMW Z3 1995 - Dashboard viewBMW Z3 1995 - Interior viewBMW Z3 1995 - Detail view
Front 3/4
What makes it iconic

The roadster that brought BMW sports cars to the masses. A GoldenEye appearance launched it into pop culture before the first customer took delivery.

History

Built in Spartanburg, South Carolina — BMW's first US manufacturing plant — the Z3 was the most accessible BMW roadster ever made. The M variant with the S52 engine offered genuine performance.

Timeline

1995Production begins
2002Production ends

Production & Heritage

Production Total279,273
DesignerJoji Nagashima
Production Period1995-2002
Estimated Value$8K-$25K

Value estimates are editorial assessments based on recent auction results and market trends.

Technical Specifications

Engine2.8L Inline-6 (M52)
Power193 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque280 Nm
0-60 mph6.7 sec
Top Speed228 km/h
Transmission5-speed manual
DrivetrainRWD
Weight1,290 kg
Drag CoefficientCd 0.4
BodySteel unibody

Engine Details

Engine CodeM52B28
Displacement2.8L (2,793 cc)
Bore x Stroke84 x 84 mm
Compression10.2
Valves24
Fuel SystemSequential multi-port fuel injection
Engine ManagementSiemens MS 41.1, single VANOS (intake)

Performance

0-100 km/h7.1 sec
0-60 mph6.7 sec
Top Speed228 km/h
Fuel Economy10.2 l/100km combined
Weight-to-Power6.7 kg/hp

Dimensions

Length4,049 mm
Width1,740 mm
Height1,293 mm
Wheelbase2,446 mm

Chassis & Suspension

Front SuspensionMacPherson strut, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear SuspensionSemi-trailing arm, coil springs
Front BrakesVentilated disc
Rear BrakesSolid disc
SteeringRack-and-pinion, hydraulic power-assisted
Tires225/45 R16
Wheels16-inch alloy
Stability SystemsDSC, ABS

Drivetrain

Gear Ratios1st 4.20, 2nd 2.49, 3rd 1.67, 4th 1.24, 5th 1.00 (5-speed manual)
Final Drive3.15

Capacity

Fuel Tank51 L
Trunk Volume165 L
Doors2
Seats2

Source: BMW AG / Wikipedia

Tags

Inline-5Inline-6Naturally AspiratedRWDRoadster1990sManual Gearbox

Designed by Joji Nagashima

From the 1990s

Featured in

Henrik Fisker's BMW Z8: When Nostalgia Met EngineeringThe Roadster Revival: BMW's Z Cars from Z1 to Z8

References & Sources

wikipedia.org
Wikipedia: BMW Z3wikipedia.org
bmw.com
BMW Officialbmw.com

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