autoevolution
 

Body style: Coupé (two-door)
Segment: Premium Coupe
Production years: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002

BMW Z3 Coupe (E36) 1998-2002 14 Photos
BMW Z3 Coupe (E36) (1998-2002)BMW Z3 Coupe (E36) (1998-2002)BMW Z3 Coupe (E36) (1998-2002)BMW Z3 Coupe (E36) (1998-2002)BMW Z3 Coupe (E36) (1998-2002)BMW Z3 Coupe (E36) (1998-2002)BMW Z3 Coupe (E36) (1998-2002)BMW Z3 Coupe (E36) (1998-2002)BMW Z3 Coupe (E36) (1998-2002)BMW Z3 Coupe (E36) (1998-2002)BMW Z3 Coupe (E36) (1998-2002)BMW Z3 Coupe (E36) (1998-2002)BMW Z3 Coupe (E36) (1998-2002)BMW Z3 Coupe (E36) (1998-2002)

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.

BMW Z3 Coupe (E36) 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002
  2 gasoline engines
  • 2.8i 5MT (193 HP)
  • 3.0i 5MT (231 HP)

BMW Z3 Coupe (E36)
2.8i 5MT (193 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 2.8i 5MT (193 HP)
Cylinders:L6
Displacement:2793 cm3
Power:142 KW @ 5500 RPM
193 HP @ 5500 RPM
190 BHP @ 5500 RPM
Torque:207 lb-ft @ 3500 RPM
280 Nm @ 3500 RPM
Fuel System:Multipoint Injection
Fuel:Gasoline
Fuel capacity:13.5 gallons (51.1 L)
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:143.5 mph (231 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):6.8 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox:5-Speed manual
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Ventilated Discs
Rear:Discs
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:225/50 ZR16
DIMENSIONS
Length:158.5 in (4026 mm)
Width:68.5 in (1740 mm)
Height:51.4 in (1306 mm)
Front/rear Track:55.6/58.8 in (1,412/1,494 mm)
Wheelbase:96.3 in (2446 mm)
Ground Clearance:4.3 in (109 mm)
Cargo Volume:7.4 cuFT (210 L)
Aerodynamics (Cd):0.37
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:2866 lbs (1300 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:3461.3 lbs (1570 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
City:18.2 mpg US (12.9 L/100Km)
Highway:31.8 mpg US (7.4 L/100Km)
Combined:25 mpg US (9.4 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions:225 g/km

BMW Z3 Coupe (E36)
3.0i 5MT (231 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 3.0i 5MT (231 HP)
Cylinders:L6
Displacement:2979 cm3
Power:170 KW @ 5900 RPM
231 HP @ 5900 RPM
228 BHP @ 5900 RPM
Torque:221 lb-ft @ 3500 RPM
300 Nm @ 3500 RPM
Fuel System:Multipoint Injection
Fuel:Gasoline
Fuel capacity:13.5 gallons (51.1 L)
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:155.3 mph (250 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):6 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox:5-Speed manual
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Ventilated Discs
Rear:Discs
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:225/50 ZR16
DIMENSIONS
Length:158.5 in (4026 mm)
Width:68.5 in (1740 mm)
Height:51.4 in (1306 mm)
Front/rear Track:55.6/58.8 in (1,412/1,494 mm)
Wheelbase:96.3 in (2446 mm)
Ground Clearance:4.3 in (109 mm)
Cargo Volume:7.4 cuFT (210 L)
Aerodynamics (Cd):0.37
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:2932.1 lbs (1330 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:3527.4 lbs (1600 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
City:17.7 mpg US (13.3 L/100Km)
Highway:32.2 mpg US (7.3 L/100Km)
Combined:24.8 mpg US (9.5 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions:228 g/km
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