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BMW Z3 Coupe Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Generations: 2
First production year: 1998
Engines: Gasoline
Body style: Coupé (two-door)
BMW M Coupe (E36) photo gallery

The Z3 M-Coupe was one of a kind sports-car built by BMW. It was their only shooting-brake body style for more than half of the century.

Two years and a half after the Z3 roadster stormed the roadster arena, the BMW dared to do something even more outrageous: a shooting-brake based on the Z3. It was a car built by BMW engineers after the working hours. Their project impressed the management in such a manner that the car received a green light.

The front of the car was similar to the roadster, with different air exhausts than those found on the lesser version fitted with the 2.8-liter engine. From the A-pillars to the back it was a different story. A fixed roof was stretched from the top of the windshield to the back of the car. Since there was no room to make it sloped, it was straight and, right behind the rear wheels, it was dropped with a raked C-pillar. In the back, four exhaust pipes were installed under the rear apron.

Inside, the manufacturer didn't try to install unusable tiny rear seats for lower taxes. It just installed a bigger trunk. The front bucket seats were placed lower. Since the car was based on the E36 platform, it shared some components with the 3-Series. It was the same instrument cluster and the same layout for the center stack.

Under the hood, the Z3 M-Coupe was fitted with the 3.2-liter engine and offered 321 hp for the European market and just 240 hp for the U.S. market due to gasoline quality and pollution restrictions. It was mated exclusively with a 5-speed manual.

full description and technical specifications
BMW Z3 Coupe (E36) photo gallery

When it was launched in 1995, the Z3 was the first roadster built in large numbers after a long time. Its predecessor, the Z1, was only produced in 8000 units.

Two years and a half after the Z3 roadster stormed the roadster arena, the BMW dared to do something even more outrageous: a shooting-brake based on the Z3. It was a car built by BMW engineers after the working hours. Their project impressed the management in such a manner that the car received a green light.

The front of the car was similar to the roadster, with the same slats on the front fenders which evoked the BMW 507. From the A-pillars to the back it was a different story. A fixed roof was stretched from the top of the windshield to the back of the car. Since there was no room to make it sloped, it was straight and, right behind the rear wheels, it was dropped with a raked C-pillar. In the back, the tailgate offered access to the large trunk space, when taking into consideration the size of the car.

Inside, the manufacturer didn't try to install unusable tiny rear seats for lower taxes. It just installed a bigger trunk. The front bucket seats were placed lower. Since the car was based on the E36 platform, it shared some components with the 3-Series. It was the same instrument cluster and the same layout for the center stack.

Under the hood, the Z3 Coupe was offered exclusively with straight-six engines. The displacement was 2.8-liter between 1998 and 2000 and it was raised to 3.0-liter for the next two years, until 2002. All engine versions were mated as standard to a 5-speed manual.

full description and technical specifications