BMW Z3 2.8 boosts power and adds pizzazz to 2-seat roadster
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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Zipping around in an arrest-me-red roadster, top down and wind blowing through the leather-laced cockpit, a driver found himself checking the map, searching for wiggly routes far removed from 4-lane slabs and cruiser boulevards.
On that curvy stuff the straight-6 engine growled, as muscular suspension elements took charge and quick-to-cut steering eased out to manage the task at hand: Playing with all of those turn sets.
Down-shift a block before entering the next curve, a hard right down-sloping bender, and perhaps add a light-touch toe to brake so you can reduce speed smoothly on entry. Point that metal toward the apex, then roll your accelerator heel on the pedal to push some throttle as you ease out of the exit. Now wind it out to redline before up-shifting to fourth as you fly into the next straightaway.
This one's so balanced, in terms of weight distributed fore and aft, and the suspension settings feel so firm and stable, that a driver quickly learns to take the next turn faster than the last. Big tires remain firmly rooted to asphalt, a bulging rear settles on the road, and before you know it you're slinging around each bend, one whip after another in a way-cool rhythm which eventually merges driver and car into one free-flowing unit of power, speed and, certainly, pure and unadulterated automotive pleasure.
What a blast -- and what a ripper this roadster is.
After a week of playing with the latest version of BMW's Z3 2-seater, marked by dual-cam 2.8-liter in-line-6 engine aboard and wider rear tread accented by seriously flared fenders, this tester could not fathom my initial reluctance to drive the thing.
As I recall, the uninitiated's argument against such a test was prejudiced by five years in an automotive love affair with the original modern roadster, Mazda's wonderful Miata, followed by a year of disappointment with BMW's first interpretation of Z3 with its sluggish personality prompted by the hefty load placed on only four cylinders.
That initial Z3 1.9, rigged with a twin-cam 1.9-liter 4-in-line generating 138 hp, looked slick enough with its distinctive sculptured prow and beefy bob-tail back, but this die-hard Miata fan didn't feel that it improved on the finesse and balance of Mazda.
The new Z3 2.8, however, elevates BMW's sports car concept to an entirely new plateau.
It's viciously powerful, pumping horsepower up to a heady 189, which drops the zero-to-60-mph stat by two seconds to a quick 6.3.
The precise manual 5-speed transmission, by Germany's Getrag, shifts smoothly and feels entirely useful. For the 2.8, gear ratios decrease slightly to apply a little extra kick to all of that stout engine torque.
Equally important, the new version installs more sport-tuned substance in the suspension department, particularly at the rear where wheel track spreads 2.6 inches wider than the 1.9 edition to ultimately increase width of rear track by 3.2 inches over front track.
To such a stable base the suspension additions emerge, including longer and stiffer semi-trailing arms at the rear, plus thicker anti-roll bars fore and aft, and less forgiving shocks and springs.
Brakes, always an important element to check a machine designed to cheat the wind and rip to high speeds, vary from the Z3 1.9 due to vented versions for front discs which combine with sold rear discs in a vacuum-assist system linked to sophisticated anti-lock controls.
All of this extra hardware, including sheetmetal variances with fender flares which mimic lines of Porsche's 911 Turbo, increase the Z3's weight by only 143 lbs. Factor in the horsepower enhancement by 51 points and you'll find that the power-to-weight ratio for the 2.8-liter edition dramatically drops -- from 19.57 pounds-per-horsepower to only 15.05.
What do all of these improving numbers really mean?
They signify that Z3 2.8 is not simply a novel cousin of the Z3 1.8 designed to draw more dollars to the bottom line. On the contrary, it's Big Brother On Steroids coming home after a year in the muscle gym.
And I, for one, fell it love with that rush of power, those oh-so-wide bulges and stocky stance.
This explains why I searched for every curvy route, and always for the longer way home, whenever out on a spin. It also reveals why they virtually had to pry my fingers from the steering wheel when the time came to say goodbye.
Such an expression of automotive lust does not arrive without certain penalties, of course, and the most noteworthy concerns Z3's pricing.
A base Z3 1.9 with manual 5-speed stick lists for $29,995, which includes a $570 fee to ship the roadster to a BMW dealership.
By contrast, the new 2.8-liter edition begins at $36,470, freight inclusive. So the premium of $6,475 loads about 21 percent on the bottom line -- but, believe me, after side-by-side driving comparisons, it's worth it.
Extra equipment may be attached to each version, for a fee. An automatic 4-speed transmission (surely, a sacrilege on such a sporty roadster) comes to $975. Metallic paint puts another $475 down, and an on-board trip computer goes for $300, with extra chrome trimmings priced at $150, heated seats for $500 and subwoofer for sound system, $200.
The original Z3 arrives with seats clad in leatherette upholstery, but genuine leather is available for $1,150.
A Z3 2.8 offers special gear not available on the 1.8. Items range from extended applications of leather on the interior for $1,200 to larger 17-inch alloy wheels at $1,125. Load it up with all options, and the final figure should extend to $41,000 or so.
Both of these Z-cars contain the same essential cockpit, with two sport-bolstered bucket seats separated by a center console with gear shifter and parking brake, plus a handy little console.
You sit low, as you might expect, but the fit feels glove-tight and just right, despite the lack of adjustments for a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Analog instruments include all of the right gauges, with bold tachometer out front.
The insulated convertible top, with plastic rear window, raises and lowers manually with the flick of two lever locks. It's as easy to operate as any on the market, which invites the pop-top option on almost any drive.
1997 BMW Z3 2.8
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| 1997 BMW Z328 VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Compact 2-seat convertible |
| Model Options: |
Compact 2-seat convertible |
| Wheelbase: |
96.3 inches |
| Overall Length: |
158.5 inches
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| Engine Size: |
1.9: DOHC 1.9-L I4
2.8: DOHC 2.8-L I6
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| Transmission: |
Manual/5, Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Rear |
| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
2.8-L M/5: 19/27 mpg |
| MSRP Price: |
1.9: $ 29,995 to $ 33,765, 2.8: $ 36,470 to $ 41,395 |
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