test drove a bmw z3

[third_shift|studios]

I've never driven a bmw, never thought I'd ever have a chance, today was intresting though. I was on a photo-shoot that involved a bmw z3 and some tools. After the shoot, the owner indicated that he wants to sell the car:

98 z3
black with tan vert
manual 5 speed
inline 6 [top of the line model]
54k miles
$13,000

Now, that got me thinkin...wow, i don't wanna buy, but that's a good price for a mildly driven car! So i took it for a drive and they are really tight through the curves and it felt nice and solid, 'cept the seat kept sliding back n' forth abotu a half-inch every time i slowed and sped up. Anyway, 1st and 2nd are nice and torque-y, 3rd falls flat around 4000rpms and i couldn't really break 80mph as fast as i thought it should. Fun car, not a trans am though.

I got to thinkin' this would be way cool for my fiance though. She told me she wants a cool car for when she starts teaching. Originally she said "can i drive the t/a to school?" I said "you don't drive manuals, nor have you ever enjoyed being a passenger in my car...so why would you wanna drive it?" So i'm thinkin, maybe this is her "cool-car"?

[FuxOnTheFirstDate]

I like the way they look. I especially like the new ones (Z4?) and the new M3 type cars. When I'm wealthy I'll get one, lol.

[ReBop]

They are not fast, like an LS1 car but they are cute and fun. My GF has one and I find it to be a very good driving machine. The convertible is the only one to have.

[third_shift|studios]

They are not fast, like an LS1 car but they are cute and fun. My GF has one and I find it to be a very good driving machine. The convertible is the only one to have.

yes, cute and fun-pretty much dead on, there

[anewconvert]

They are not fast, like an LS1 car but they are cute and fun. My GF has one and I find it to be a very good driving machine. The convertible is the only one to have.

THey can be made pretty fast though. The unspoken thing about the M3/M Roadster is that the engine in it is the exact same engine as the 328I/325i/323i except that their is a difference in stroke between the three. Swap the cams, intake manifold, and get new software and its a whole different car. Just be careful about the subframes on the Z3. They have some issues with remaining structurally sound. I dont know why, so more investigation would be required.


That being said they are supposed to be really fun cars to own. The rear suspension is an out of date semi-trailing arm design that can get a little squirrely in off throttle edge of grip driving. Bascially it toes out and cambers in when the throttle is lifted abruptly. This can cause it to oversteer heavily. Conversely it goes toe-in/camber out on throttle so its got some great grip too.


BC

[Hot Black Trans-Am]

The M roadster is the only version of a Z3 that is worth anything. It's 300HP and fun! You wouldn't even guess it was based on the Z3 by driving it. I had a chance to take one for a ride and it was really fun. Still nothting like a V8 car.

[anewconvert]

The M roadster is the only version of a Z3 that is worth anything. It's 300HP and fun! You wouldn't even guess it was based on the Z3 by driving it. I had a chance to take one for a ride and it was really fun. Still nothting like a V8 car.

And the Z3 2.8i is a cam swap, intake manifold, and software away from being FASTER than the stock M roadster. For the price difference the 2.8 is a better purchase IMO.


BC

[third_shift|studios]

thanks fellas. talked to my fiance-she's dead set on an automatic Mini Cooper. oh well.

[TMF]

thanks fellas. talked to my fiance-she's dead set on an automatic Mini Cooper. oh well.

She wants a little death machine ?

[Hot Black Trans-Am]

Hope you can talk her into atleast a Cooper S.

[third_shift|studios]

Hope you can talk her into atleast a Cooper S.

depending on insurance and it's gas milage...we'll see. I think she'll be satisfied with a regular model.

[Hot Black Trans-Am]

Get her to drive the S first then she'll be bored with the power of the regular one!