Hi Folks…And Welcome Again To FLAT OUT!

The Car That Saved The Roadster! It’s…

The BMW Z3 & Z4: 1995-Present

---

✪ BMW has built roadsters since the 1930s, but nothing prepared the world for what arrived in 1995. The Z3 was not just a new model; it was a cultural reset. A compact, rear-drive two-seater with classic long-hood and short rear deck proportions, it looked like a baby 507 and drove like a go-kart on espresso, proving BMW could still make affordable, pure driving machines. Over the next three decades the lineage evolved through two distinct generations, the Z3 (1995–2002) and the Z4 in three iterations (E85/E86 2002–2008, E89 2009–2016, and G29 2018–present). Together they sold nearly three-quarter of a million units, starred in a James Bond film, spawned two M division legends, and kept the flame of pure driving alive while the rest of the industry chased SUVs and crossovers.

Z3 (E36/7 & E36/8): 1995-2002

BMW‘s roadster heritage traces back to the 1936 328, a lightweight sports car that dominated pre-war racing. After the war came the elegant 507, a V8-powered beauty from 1956 to 1959 that nearly bankrupted the company due to its high cost and low sales. By the 1990s BMW needed a halo car to recapture that magic. The Z1, a quirky limited-run roadster from 1989 to 1991 with plastic body panels and sliding doors, sold only 8000 units but proved there was demand for an open-top BMW. They announced the Z3 on June 12, 1995, at a glitzy event in New York’s Central Park. The car rolled out on the back of a flatbed, Pierce Brosnan hopped in for the cameras, and GoldenEye turned it into an overnight icon before a single customer had taken delivery.

The Z3 project started in 1991 under chief engineer Burkhard Göschel. BMW wanted an affordable roadster built in the United States to tap the massive American market. They chose Spartanburg, South Carolina, for the new plant, the first BMW factory outside Germany. The body was steel with plastic fenders and doors to keep weight down. Designer Joji Nagashima gave it classic long-hood, short-deck proportions with a modern twist: wide hips, a low nose, and shark-like gills behind the front wheels. Production began in September 1995, and the first cars reached U.S. dealers in March 1996 priced at $28,750 for the 1.9-liter four-cylinder model.

The recipe was simple and brilliant: semi-trailing-arm rear suspension borrowed from the E36 3-Series, MacPherson struts up front, rack-and-pinion steering, a 50/50 weight balance, and a choice of four- or six-cylinder engines. The Z3 1.9 used BMW‘s M44 1.9-liter inline-four with 138 horsepower at 6000 RPM and 133 lb-ft at 4300 RPM. It weighed a touch over 2500 pounds and hit 60 mph in 8.8 seconds with a top speed of 128 mph. European markets got a 1.8-liter version with 118 horsepower. A five-speed manual was standard, with a four-speed automatic optional. The soft top folded manually in seconds, and the ride was firm but forgiving, thanks to a 96.3-inch wheelbase and 50/50 weight distribution. In 1997 BMW added six-cylinder models. The Z3 2.8 used the M52 2.8-liter inline-six with 189 horsepower at 5300 RPM and 203 lb-ft at 3950 RPM. Zero to 60 mph dropped to 6.9 seconds and top speed rose to 137 mph. The bigger engine transformed the car, giving it the smooth power delivery BMW buyers expected. That same year the M Roadster arrived, powered by the S52 3.2-liter from the U.S. E36 M3 with 240 horsepower (thanks to different tuning for the US, European models made do with 225 HP) at 6000 RPM and 236 lb-ft at 3800 RPM. With wider tracks, a limited-slip differential, and quad exhaust, it hit 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and topped out at an electronically limited 155 mph.

The real legend arrived in 1997: the Z3 M Roadster and M Coupe. Under the hood sat the S50 (Europe) or S52 (U.S.) 3.2-liter straight-six from the E36 M3, producing 321 HP (S50) or 240 HP (S52). With wider tracks, and a limited-slip differential, the M Coupe became an instant cult hero and one of the most beloved BMWs ever. Zero to 60 mph took 5.2 seconds and top speed was limited to 155 mph (or 165 mph with the M driver’s package). Only 6,291 M Coupes and 11,208 M Roadsters were built worldwide, making them some of the most collectible modern BMWs today.

The fixed-roof Z3 Coupe debuted in 1998, instantly nicknamed the “clown shoe” for its quirky shooting-brake shape. It used the same engines as the roadster but gained stiffness from the roof, making it even sharper on twisty roads. In 1999 the lineup simplified with the 2.5-liter M52TU (184 HP) and 3.0-liter M54 (225 HP in Europe, 240 HP in U.S.). The final Z3 3.0i models in 2001–2002 offered the best balance of power and refinement. Production ended in June 2002 after 297,088 units: 261,173 roadsters and 35,915 coupes. Spartanburg proved its worth, building every Z3 with American labor and German precision.

A total of 297,088 Z3s rolled off the Spartanburg line: 261,173 Roadsters and 35,915 Coupes. Prices started at $29,995 for the 1.9 and crested at $46,000 for the M Roadster. The Z3 proved BMW could still build a pure, affordable sports car…and that Americans would buy one in droves.

First-Generation Z4 (E85 Roadster & E86 Coupe): 2002-2008

The Z4 replaced the Z3 in October 2002, moving upscale with engineering head Chris Bangle’s controversial “flame surfacing” design. Sharp creases, a wider stance, dramatic fender flares and a longer hood gave it a more aggressive look. The E85 roadster rode on a new platform with multi-link rear suspension and electric power steering, a first for BMW. Wheelbase grew to 98.3 inches, and weight climbed to around 2700 pounds, despite utilizing lightweight materials like an aluminum hood and suspension components and a magnesium roof frame. Run-flat tires eliminated the need for a spare, further reducing weight and allowing for a larger trunk.

Launch engines were the 2.5-liter M54 (184 HP) and 3.0-liter M54 (225 HP). In 2006 BMW streamlined the lineup to 3.0i (215 HP) and 3.0si with the new N52 magnesium-alloy six making 255 HP. The star was the 2006 Z4 M Roadster and M Coupe, powered by the S54 3.2-liter from the E46 M3 with 343 horsepower at 7900 RPM and 269 lb-ft at 4900 RPM. A six-speed manual only with a carbon-fiber roof on the Coupe, it hit 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and topped out at an electronically limited 155 mph (or 171 mph derestricted). Only 4522 M Roadsters and 1815 M Coupes were built, making them instant collectibles.

The fixed-roof E86 Coupe, unveiled at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show, is now considered one of the prettiest BMWs of the 2000s. The production version was introduced at the New York Auto Show in April of 2006 and was available for sale the following month. Thanks to its hatch design, the Z4 Coupe offers 10.1 cubic feet of trunk space as opposed to 8.5 cubic feet for the roadster. The Coupe‘s fixed roof increases torsional rigidity, which improves turn-in and overall handling response. The roof has a “double-bubble” contour which offers more headroom than the roadster with the soft top closed while also serving as an aerodynamic aid. It also has a sleek fastback rear window that slopes down to an integrated spoiler which is shaped to deliver downforce to the rear axle at high-speed.

The Coupe had a more limited model range than the Roadster, consisting of only the six-cylinder 3.0si and Z4 M. Transmission choices were a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic with shift paddles mounted on the steering column. Total E85/E86 production reached 197,950 units, with the U.S. taking the lion’s share. The first Z4 proved BMW could evolve the roadster formula while keeping it fun.

Second-Generation Z4 (E89): 2009-2016

The 2009 Z4 E89 marked a radical shift: a folding metal hardtop, a longer wheelbase, and a return to hydraulic power steering. The car grew up in every dimension, gaining refinement for long-distance touring at the cost of some rawness.

Engines were all N52 and N54 turbo sixes: sDrive23i (2.5-liter, 204 HP), sDrive30i (3.0-liter, 258 HP), sDrive35i (3.0-liter twin-turbo, 302 HP), and the range-topping sDrive35is (335 HP and 369 lb-ft with overboost). Zero to 60 mph dropped to 4.6 seconds for the 35is.

The E89 was the first Z4 offered with a dual-clutch transmission (seven-speed DCT on 35i/35is models). A regular six-speed manual remained available for purists. Production totaled 116,966 units, the lowest of any generation, partly because the hardtop added weight (around 3300–3500 lbs) and dulled some of the old sharpness. The E89 aged gracefully, with updates like iDrive and connected services. It was the most comfortable Z4, perfect for grand touring, but some missed the raw edge of earlier models.

Third-Generation Z4 (G29): 2018-Present

The current G29 Z4, launched in 2019, shares its platform with the Toyota Supra – a collaboration born of necessity but executed brilliantly. The soft top returned with a mere 10-second operation, weight dropped below 3400 lbs, and the classic proportions came back, echoing the long-hood and short-deck Z3.

Engines are all turbo fours and sixes: sDrive20i (2.0-liter, 197 HP, Europe/Asia), sDrive30i/M40i (3.0-liter B58, 335 HP in 30i, 382 HP in M40i). The M40i hits 60 mph in 3.9 seconds (or 3.7 with the latest 2023 tune) and tops out at an electronically limited 155 mph.

Adaptive M suspension, variable-ratio steering, and an electronic M differential make the G29 the sharpest-handling Z4 ever. As of 2025, over 80,000 G29s have been built, with the M40i accounting for roughly half of sales in the U.S.

The Z3 and Z4 family has sold over 690,000 units worldwide, from the GoldenEye Z3 that put BMW back on the pop-culture map to the current G29 M40i that can outrun most 911s on a twisty road. It gave us the clown-shoe M Coupe, the flame-surfaced E85, the elegant E89 hardtop, and the razor-sharp G29. More importantly, it proved that even in the age of crossovers and electrification, there is still a market for a pure, rear-drive, two-seat roadster with a manual option (until the very end) and a soundtrack worth turning up. BMW’s roadster isn’t the fastest or the most practical, but for three decades it has been one of the most joyful ways to remind yourself why you fell in love with driving in the first place. The lineage kept the spirit of the 507 alive, reminding every driver why BMW once built “The Ultimate Driving Machine.” ✪

Got a Great Car Story? Share it! Reminisce About Your Other Favorite Cars, Too!

Seeyas Again Next Time On FLAT OUT!