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BMW Z3

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BMW Z3: The 1990s roadster. Inline fours and sixes, and the cult M Coupe "clown shoe" variant.
Photo: MercurySable99 / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

The 1990s roadster. Inline fours and sixes, and the cult M Coupe "clown shoe" variant.

The BMW Z3 is the brand mass-market roadster of the late 1990s, built in South Carolina and famous for its appearance in the James Bond film GoldenEye. It offered everything from modest four-cylinder engines to the punchy inline-six 2.8 and 3.0 models, with the M Roadster and M Coupe at the top. The M Coupe (1998-2002), with its distinctive shooting-brake roofline, earned the affectionate "clown shoe" nickname and is now a cult collectible, pairing the S52 or S54 inline six with a rigid hatch body. The Z3 helped popularize the affordable rear-drive roadster. On WhipJury, Z3 submissions favor the inline-six roadsters and the prized M Coupe.

Z3 highlights

Roadster (1995-2002). Four- and six-cylinder open-top two-seater, built in the USA.

M Roadster and M Coupe. S52 then S54 inline sixes. The M Coupe "clown shoe" is the cult collectible.

Z3 on WhipJury

The inline-six cars and the M Coupe draw the most enthusiast interest.

Frequently asked questions about BMW Z3

What is the Z3 M Coupe clown shoe?
The Z3 M Coupe (1998-2002) is the hardtop shooting-brake version of the Z3 M, nicknamed the clown shoe for its quirky profile. It uses the S52 or S54 inline six and is now a sought-after cult collectible.
Where was the Z3 built?
In Spartanburg, South Carolina, BMW first US factory. The Z3 was also famous for its appearance in the 1995 James Bond film GoldenEye.
Is the Z3 reliable?
Generally yes, especially the inline-six cars with the durable M52/M54 engines. Standard age-related items like cooling and bushings apply now given the cars years.
What replaced the Z3?
The Z4, which launched in 2002 with sharper styling and a stiffer chassis, continuing BMW two-seat roadster line.
Which Z3 engine is best?
The 2.8 and 3.0 liter inline sixes offer the best blend of smoothness and pace among standard cars, while the M variants with the S52/S54 are the performance picks.

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