[mockngbrd]

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Z3 party at the BMW Welt



I was in Munich recently for BMW Group’s Preview event. Since I was there, dropping by the Welt was a no-brainer, and, whilst at the Welt, I came across the brand new i5 and 5-Series and I also happened to be in the right place and the right time to see a Z3 meet-up happening right outside the Welt, or rather, the BMW museum.



I was actually still at the Welt when I glanced over the museum and saw this lineup of Z3s, so I did what any normal car guy would do and (very) quickly made my way over!



The Z3 M Coupe has always been one of my favourite BMW M-cars (and the E30 M3 of course). I just absolutely LOVE the oddball shape. This is for me, the perfect M-car. Straight-6, manual, low-slung looks and space in the rear for both of my dogs!





I remember a time when these were “affordable”. Sigh…







MOVING ON… Here are more Clownshoes in slightly less hectic forms.









This one was rather interesting because while I was admiring the car, the very friendly owner came over and we had a good chat.





Turns out this particular car, is the first Z3 Coupe to roll off the German factory floor. Matching plates too!



One of the few M Roadsters in attendance. Not quite as pretty as their Coupe siblings but not quite as expensive either.



More Z3s.



Tasty looking little number on M Double Spokes.











And since I usually don’t get many photos since I’m often alone on such excursions, the friendly owner of Z3 Coupe chassis 001 offered to take a photo for me. 🙂

[Bruuuce]

great pics, the Z3 back when cars had some style and curves.

[Mani59]

Absolutely amazing! Thank you so much for sharing!

[M4_ZMT]

SO cool! Gotta love Z3's. I briefly owned a '99 2.3 (actually it's a 2.5) with a 5 speed in Arctic Silver and it was a blast to drive. The long hood with that straight 6 M52TU winding up underneath while it feels like you're sitting right on the rear axle. You can find them around with low miles in great condition, one owner etc. it's definitely a great car to grab for a project or some summer fun. One day I'll have a clownshoe... Love this Munich parts-bin experiment of greatness. Long live the Z3!

[schernov]

All coupes and convertibles z3 or z4 (first gen) 1998-2008 were made in Spartanburg SC.

Early ones had Made in Germany and hav German VINs. Because Spartanburg was classified as FEZ. But they are all made in SC.

[JK479]

I owned a 99 in 1999. Boy did I get “upset” when they revised the tail lights the next model year.

I had the 2.8. What a rattle trap that little car was. I’d later sell for a 330i and truly love bmw.

[IcewaterPete]

You, sir, have excellent timing and great taste! Thanks for all of the pics.

[TractionControlDelete]

Love seeing the Z3 on the front page! I’ve been eyeing this Roadster for a bit and I think I’ll take this as a sign

[G80indy]

Nice pics!

BTW

All Z3s could benefit from a front strut tower brace 😉 fun car to drive - esp MT !

[Ducguy46]

Wish we had a Z3/Z3M forum. Thanks for sharing the amazing pics they were cool to see. Attached is my 2002 Z3M Estoril Blue M Roadster. She goes up for sale next week.

[LAGWAGN]

I didn't know I needed those BBS's, but apparently, I do. Wouldn't it make sense that I JUST refinished the Roadstars. Figures...

Appreciate the Z's getting some love. Sold my M2 Comp a few years back and filled the hole with a very low-mileage S54 Roadster. Still miss the M2, but quickly forget about it when behind the wheel of the Roadie.

[NickyC]

I had three Z3M Roadsters and 1 Z3M Coupe back in the day (2 S52s and 2 S54s), wonderful little machines.

[shameson]

Excellent timing! Lots of great Z’s to see. Very cool seeing the first Z3 Coupe.

I’ve had my 2000 M Coupe for almost 6 years. Longest I’ve kept anything and it’ll likely stay around a lot longer. Wasn’t a car I lusted after prior to getting one, but a few friends had one. After driving one of theirs, I had a blast and learned I too needed one! A few months later they helped me find the perfect one and knew I had to have it. It’s been my favorite M car next to the E39 M5.

[atopa2002]

Z sleepy with her seniors ☺️

[dfc888]

Glad to see more Z3s, and noticing more are popping up around the neighborhood and freeways lately too.

The size is perfect in my opinion. Just enough to be fun and thrilling without the bloat.

[LAGWAGN]

Originally Posted by Ducguy46

Wish we had a Z3/Z3M forum. Thanks for sharing the amazing pics they were cool to see. Attached is my 2002 Z3M Estoril Blue M Roadster. She goes up for sale next week.

Yikes! That’ll fetch a nice number! I am still shocked to see these low mileage examples out there. One sold with 4k on the clock this week. Makes mine feel used up at 25k.

Are you putting it on BaT?

[FC05]

Z3 M coupe has always been one of my favorite BMW of all time.
I think they are so under appreciated and often forgotten, with an inline six manual trans , rear wheel drive and the unmistakable design, I think it’s something like classic 911 so unique so timeless.
Give them ten more years, these should be recognized as one of the more collectible vintage bimmer.

[Davil]

I miss mine. If I had more garage space I’d have kept it.

[mockngbrd]

So jealous of you guys with the Z3M Coupes

[perryinva]

Always loved the Z3. First time I saw one was in 1996 while leaving the airport in Greenville-Spartanburg for an interview for a new job with a company that was headquartered there. I was hours early. It was on display inside the airport, pre-production, I think, an exact replica of the Goldeneye Z3. Wow, was I smitten. I spent an hiur looking at it and taking pictures. I stopped to look at it and dream of getting
one every time I went there (got the job).

Finally bought used Boston Green ‘99 2.3, and owned it for 10 years, attending 5 Homecomings in Spartenburg and spending hundreds of hours on Roadfly. Really great memories. I still have my strut braces and Whalen Shift Machine shift knob.

Now I have a ‘22 Z4 s30i and am loving it. ;-)