Used 1997 BMW Z3 Convertible Consumer Reviews
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Understated
Longshot, 09/06/2007
1997 BMW Z3 2.8 2dr Convertible
13 of 13 people found this review helpful
The "value" of this car is understated in many ways. It is so much fun to drive, and quite comfortable for an average size person. On many occasions I have driven 800 miles in a day quite comfortably. It continues to be reliable, and as it ages, the exceptional and unique design endures. I believe the 97 2.8 will become a collector vehicle.
BEST Car I have ever Owned or Driven & I'm 69!
Bob Wainner, 01/20/2019
updated 01/26/2022
1997 BMW Z3 1.9 2dr Convertible
20 of 21 people found this review helpful
I purchased my 1997 BMW Z3 with 1.9L engine; Manual 5 speed transmission; Atlanta Metallic Blue exterior with Black interior. I had owned a 2003 Corvette (cost me $50k) and several other sportscars in my life...but, this BMW Z3 is by far the BEST car I have ever owned or driven! Footnote: I also purchased a NEW 1998 BMW Z3 when they first came out (it was an all black convertible...great car, should have never sold it). I am retired, so, this is just a FUN car for me. Paid $4,500.00 for it. It had 148,000 miles on it and seemed to have been pretty well taken care of....2 previous owners. Though, I know, with any "used car", you really should have a mechanic check out a car before you purchase it, but, I didn't this time. I had to replace the battery and the engine mounts needed to be replaced. I added a new Kenwood Stereo with CD slot. The original Owner installed 2 woofer speakers behind the seats, so, fantastic sound in my car! New top and new tires put on 12 mos. ago. This is the "James Bond - Golden Eye" movie BMW Z3, so, a bit iconic. As a professional designer for the past 40 yrs., I feel I know great design when I see it....this 1997 BMW Z3 has a "timeless" design about it. A few people have approached me thinking my Z3 is a NEW car...I told them, no, it's 20 years old. This car drives like a dream...fantastic shifting, steering, cornering....just feels light on its' feet. I can accelerate thru corners and this ZE goes around those corners like it's on rails. About 90% of the time, I drive my Z3 with the top down.....more FUN and I think it just looks better too. Overall visibility is better when the top is down (the rear window is plastic...though it was glass on my 1998 Z3). I had to purchase the "semi-flexible rubber" convertible cover that goes on the convertible cover when the top is down....for $300 on E-Bay...car looks so much better with this cover. I really appreciate this color too "Atlanta Metallic Blue"...almost flawless exterior paint. BMWs are not exactly cheap to maintain, compared to many American cars, but, to me, this Z3 is worth it. I only put about 200 miles per week on my Z3, so, I doubt I'll have to spend much on maintaining it. To me, the 1997/1998 BMW Z3 body style is the best styling/design. There are many of these Z3's on the market....If you're interested in purchasing one, I recommend searching for one on-line and maybe one for less than 100,000 miles (and have it checked out by a mechanic before making the purchase). I even looked out of State to find the Z3 I really wanted (color, engine, manual transmission, etc.). I plan to stay on top of my BMW Z3 maintenance...keep it garaged and plan to keep it for many years to come! Just a brief P.S.....The Original Owner of my Z3 had a "Dinan" cold air engine intake system installed (I think a $635.00 item plus installation)...this gives the car an additional 10 hp. As I mentioned above, in Feb. 2018, the previous Owner was the person who added all 4 NEW tires & replaced the Convertible Top. The ONLY negative I can even consider here are "maintenance costs"...not especially low for BMWs compared to many American Cars. But, as this author mentions, even with a good or even new car, you have to be willing to spend $1k to $2k per yr. in auto maintenance. Oh, and with I think with many Z3s (and even with my wife's SUV) that have power seats, after several years, the seats tend to "move" a bit when you start & stop...mine does. To properly repair this, you have to remove the seat/s OR you can set the seat in the lowest position or highest position & the sliding stops. I keep my seat low. Always use Premium 93 octane unleaded with BMW Z3s and don't allow the oil to get low (or it could have a negative impact on your timing chain)...(synthetic oil is best). Car is very low, so be careful with the front end when parking. FANTASTIC CAR...seriously doubt I'll ever buy another car, unless it's a BMW Z3. *Jan. 24, 2021....Update: I continue to restore my 1997 BMW Z3...it now has just over 150,000 miles on it. Decided to change out the Clutch & Flywheel....got a few estimates...one was even $3,100.00...but, found a better est. for $1,500.00. Like driving a NEW car; Super smooth shifting. Now, just need to keep an eye on routine maintenance, fluids, etc...STILL the BEST car I've ever driven or owned and I'm now 71 years old. UPDATE info. on January 25, 2022. My 1997 BMW Z3 (which has the smaller engine, not the 2.8L engine) is still running GREAT. Over the past 3 years since I purchased it, I have been restoring it....sort of as a Hobby. It is NOW pretty close to "Show Room" Condition. STILL having people ask me if my BMW Z3 is a NEW car? And I tell them, "No, it's a 1997 BMW". This Spring of 2022, I figure my Z3 will be 25 Years old....has approx. 152,000 miles on it. Though I sort of wish it had LESS than 100,000 miles on it, I recently read where some Z3 owners had put over 300,000 miles on their 1997 BMW Z3. According to BMW, you do have to put the HIGH GRADE UNLEADED gasoline in this car....but, since I get close to 30 mpg cith and Highway, the price of gasoline just is NOT an issue for me. Being retired, I only put about 2,000 miles a year on this car. STILL love driving this car and glad it's a 5 speed manual transmission. I feel with a stick shift I have more control over the car and it's just so much MORE FUN to drive with a manual transmission. I recently learned that ONLY about 10% of the cars on the road today have "Manual Transmissions", which surprised me. I also see that there's this movement towards ELECTRIC CARS....I would NEVER buy one. First they are way too expensive. My Son's TESLA's battery costs $25,000.00. Plus, you can't hear an electric car like you can gasoline powered cars...so, I think that's a SAFETY issue...as you need to HEAR the cars and trucks around you when you're driving. There are TONS of very affordable BMW Z3's out there on the market....1996 thru 2001...from $9K to $15K with reasonable amounts of mileage on them. If you decide to buy one, be sure to get a "Mechanic" check it out for you before you purchase it...and check out the CARFAX on the specific car. HIGHLY RECOMMEND the BMW Z3 for everyone. Mine is a Convertible and being in Texas, I drive my Z3 with the top down about 95% of the time. Bob
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Fun Car for the 'Twisty's...and very reliable!
DaveT, 01/15/2019
1997 BMW Z3 1.9 2dr Convertible
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
Bought the 1.9L version for my son's first car in 2008, with only 70,000 miles, for a little under $8,000. He drove it a couple of years until he decided he wanted to buy himself a different car with manual transmission. We decided to keep the car for both a daily driver and for our many trips to the Smoky Mountains...to include many runs on the "Tail of the Dragon", Cherohala Skyway and many other twisty roads. I take care of normal maintenance such as oil changes, air filter, shocks, brakes, etc., and this car has been great with very few repairs required. Just recently passed 231,000 miles and still going strong. Great car for the fun roads as well as a daily driver!
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A Classic in all Respects
PotomacBob, 06/12/2010
1997 BMW Z3 2.8 2dr Convertible
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
While in college in the late 1960's, I owned an Austin Healey 100-4. The Z-3 I purchased in 1997 had all the elements that I loved about the Austin Healey. The 6 cylinder in a must for the Z-3 and frankly the only color to consider if you are an aficionado is the dark green with tan interior and top. Any one who reports that there is insufficient power or that the top is too hard to put up is not a roadster devotee. Boys, step aside and let the real men tell you what constitutes a genuine sports car. Thank you BMW for bringing back a car that is in the lineage of the Austin Healey, Morgan and MG.
BMW Z3 2.8 - one of the best roadsters
Rob P, 06/16/2007
1997 BMW Z3 2.8 2dr Convertible
15 of 16 people found this review helpful
I bought the '97 Z3 2.8L with the M body style, wide tail and tires, the first year of this style. I think this body is a classic. The Z4 is a bit crisp for me. I have owned my car for 10 years and have had no problems other than a minor driver's seat rail play (seat slid back/forth) which I got fixed under warranty. In 2000, I compared this vs. my neighbor's Porsche 2.5L boxster he wanted to sell me and this vintage of the two cars didn't render a big difference. I felt the BMW 2.8 had more power than the Boxster and handled as well when I pushed both on a very windy back road. There is a huge difference between the 4 cyl and 6 cyl BMW. Once I drove the 2.8L, I said no to the 4 cyl.
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