2014-10-12

Author: Mike Fishwick
Subject: Z3 Road Tests Book
Posted: 12 Oct 2014 at 12:07pm



SHOPPING FOR A Z3

Book Review: Brooklands Limited Edition Road Tests – BMW Z3& Z3M               Mike Fishwick

Now that the Z3 has been consigned to history, manyprospective second-hand buyers will want to obtain as much information aspossible before deciding to buy BMW’s baby sports car. Apart from theobviously  prejudiced opinions of manyjournalists and television presenters, there are also the opinions of owners,some of whom may also not be the most objective sources if one is interested inthe Zed’s dynamic qualities.  It must beremembered that a BMW survey revealed that less than 4 per cent of Z3 buyerswere concerned with trivia such as performance and handling qualities!

Most would-be buyers will be so discouraged by the unendingcriticism which has been thrown at the Z3 by countless media hacks that theonly answer is to read as many road test reports as possible, in an attempt to separatefact from fantasy.  The BrooklandsLimited Edition collection of road tests for the Z3 family from UK, US andAustralian magazines remains the best source of such information.

This book covers all models up to July 1998, except the basiceight-valve 118 bhp model. It does not therefore cover the later double VANOS2.8 litre model, or the subsequent 2, 2.2, and 3 litre six cylinderengines.  As some of the tests are fromAmerican magazines,  it should beremembered that the US-market M Roadster develops 240 bhp, its engine being essentiallya 3.2 litre version of the single-VANOS 2.8.  Remember also that the US gallon is just under four litres, giving fuel consumption figures which are some 12% less than those for the imperial gallon.

As well as individual reports, comparative tests areincluded of the 1.9 litre model with the Mazda MX-5 and MGF, the 2.8 litremodel with the Porsche Boxter and Mercedes-Benz SLK, the M Roadster against theBoxster, Chevrolet Corvette, and TVR Chimera, and the M Coupé against thePorsche 911 Carrera.

The book is packed with information of all kinds; hundredsof good quality monochrome photographs, and of course the opinions of testerswho had access to comparative models. One must read between the lines when testers express opinions, for manyfail to understand that the difference between the maximum speeds of the MRoadster and TVR Chimera (155 and 167 mph) counts for nothing in the realworld.

Many testers seem to share the problems of their two-wheeledcolleagues, who cannot appreciate any motorcycle which cannot raise its frontwheel at least a foot off the ground under acceleration. The equivalentfascination in the car world is the passion for being able to provoke poweroversteer, even if (as is admitted in the case of the TVR) the resulting tailslide cannot be controlled – or even stopped – once started!  I am inclined to regard such habits as thesign of an undeveloped chassis (or driver) and can well do without the‘Excitement’ or ‘Satisfaction’ they are claimed to provide.

Some testers are obviously Porsche enthusiasts (I bet theynever buy one!) and cannot appreciate that the £11,000 price difference betweena 2.8 litre Z3 and a similarly-equipped Boxster (or the £20,000 differencebetween the M Coupé and Porsche 911 Carrera) places the Porsche in a differentmarket.  Others virtually ignore thevastly better mid-range acceleration of the 2.8 litre Z3, which makes it a farmore relaxing car to drive than the equivalent Boxster.  In fact, I find the comparison with suchdisparate models to be rather flattering in favour of the Z3!

In many cases the ‘mere’ 140 bhp of the 1.9 litre Z3 isdeemed to be insufficient, and lacking in excitement, but similar comments arealso aimed at the 196 bhp of the 2.8 litre model.  The mighty M Roadster of course, provides power by the bucketful,yet is sneered at for a general lack of ‘Class’ – you just cannot please somepeople.

One can never take the opinions of road testers at facevalue, with their personal preferences, ignorance of value for money, desire toshow off their power sliding ability and also please their magazine’s bestadvertisers.  With this personalparanoia in mind I would have liked to also see a report from a happy owner ofeach Z3 model, so giving the reader a good idea of how the Z3 performs in a dayto day, real-world environment.

As many of the tests are from USA publications, it must beremembered that their fuel consumption is based on the US gallon, which is justunder four litres, thereby producing a consumption figure some twelve per centhigher than if based on the Imperial Gallon. Fuel consumption figures, in fact, are the only problem, as they areeither manufacturer’s figures or ‘Test average’ and are not representative ofeveryday use – let alone at sensible touring speeds.

Except for this criticism, I found the book to be veryhelpful in confirming my reactions on initial introduction to the Z3, and theanswer to most of the questions which inevitably come to mind at a laterdate.  Whatever member of the Z3 family youfavour, this book is well worth the asking price, being an excellent source ofdata, information, photographs and comparisons which are unavailable from anyother single source, and will generally give you the feel of the car, albeit inextreme use.

(Brooklands ‘Road Test’ Limited Edition – BMW Z3 &Z3M.

£9.95   ISBN1-85520-478-9)

Edited by Mike Fishwick - 2 hours 48 minutes ago at 12:12pm

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