How could we ever replace the Z3 ?
There is a saying in our circles, you don’t get rid of a BMW, they are for life.
The time has come for a 2nd car because, reasons.
A main one, winter.
I usually cycle to work, but this time it is so cold I would have arrived a popsicle.
An opportunity has presented itself yet again; identical scenario as before, a car that is destined for yourself, it will appear like Gandalf.
It is never late nor too early but arrives at the exact moment of its purpose.
I was looking for an upgrade.
A good upgrade for the Z3 is a Z4 but this one is still on the high side regarding prices.
And the answer?
Still a Z3.
When I told my work colleagues, their response was:
“You foul you bought the same car ? How is that an upgrade!
(Circumstances made things that it was also black, like the previous one)
Ahhh..
(Remember the scene in The Fast and The Furious where Brian (Paul Walker) brings a Toyota Supra to Dom’s (Vin Diesel) garage?
Dom: “What’s this?”
Brian: “No faith?”
Dom: “I have faith but this isn’t a junkyard..”
Brian: “Pop the hood!”
Dom: “I retract my previous statement … “
O yeah, I popped the hood. And in the car world, the bigger/better the engine, the better overall the car is.
Basically, yes. The upgrade was another Z3. But, on steroids … and rabies.
This is the Z3 2,8 L widebody muscle mini roadster car. It takes our present car which already is epic and adds some madness to it.
I can’t believe it, the same interior, same color, same same same… but with an even bigger soul.
It’s like its bigger brother and they have found one another.
Both are produced in May 1997. Wtf?
You should see our neighbors when they get confused.
Why are there 2 identical cars ?
Identical to the untrained eye.
The widebody means it has a larger tail/rear subframe to accommodate the bigger differential, bigger and wider wheels. For what? To keep the extra power under control.
Just look at that booty !
It’s all about the curves.
Speaking of, all Z3 2.8s come with a limited slip differential - this is a feature of true sports car territory.
It’s a Torsen type (torque-sensitive) - the easy definition: this is the best type for road usage and it is a full mechanical design (no sensors/digitally controlled or clutch type which means more maintenance hassle)
It comes with a Sebring custom sport exhaust. Will update soon with some rumble recordings.
It has the same 5 speed ZF manual gearbox that you get on the M3 of that generation.
Overbuilt and bulletproof.
Brakes, suspension, chassis, body kit, everything is on a whole new level.
And the best for last, the engine.
Oh boy it’s good to have again the legendary BMW straight in-line 6 engine.
A rare combination of harmony and power.
À la Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde.
The M58B28 single VANOS 2.8 L 6 cylinder that produces ‘just’ 190 hp and 275 Nm of torque.
All of these give you a car that 90 % looks the same as the smaller engine equipped Z3s but it feels and drives 90 % differently.
The engine is so versatile.
If you drive it calmly like every day use, it feels almost electric because of so much torque and instant power delivery.
But if you blip the throttle (and the combination of such low weight and small overall car package with this type o power - remember this engine is also on the 7 series as well! ) it will plunge you into your seat and scare your neck muscles !
To give you some perspective: 0 to 100 Km/h in 6.5s, in 3rd gear it will go all the way to 140 Km/h and will do wheel spin in basically the first 3 gears if you push it.
And oh my God how it pulls like a freight train in 2nd gear from 2.5 k rpm all the way to the redline.
Madness I tell you !
I am not gonna’ rant again endless about an analogue car because this also is a perfect example.
Maybe the last of its kind.
After 1997 it would have had more digital stuff and the technical upgrade for the engine with Double-VANOS; supposedly better MPG but more sensors, more complicated, more restricted and no more direct throttle connection between you and the car - drive by wire/digital and that detail alone would have made the whole driving experience more clinical.
Another dream has come alive.
Better that this you ask ?
The only true option remains.
A proper ///M car.
Until then, once more I invite you to come fly with black, because once you go black …
