Three decades ago, Pierce Brosnan Bond – James Bond. With the publication of Goldeneye, the BMW Z3 also gained fame in its slipstream worldwide. At a time when more and more car manufacturers say goodbye to Roadsters, the perfect moment is now to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Z3.
And where to do better than Spartanburg, South Carolina? The first BMW Z3 rolled off the production line here in 1995, and we had the privilege to take the very first for a trip – but just driving away an M -Roadster in Radiant Imola Red. And enjoying the sun in February is not so easy here in the southern states. This is because Greg Bunner is the goalkeeper of the coveted car keys in the Spartanburg plant.
1,400 miles in a 30 -year -old car
“Bring them safely and sound home and treat them well. She is like a daughter for me and has just collected 1,400 miles, ”says Bunner with a smile. He knows the Z3 like no other, and the last Z3 that was ever produced is guarded by him like the Holy Grail. “I started here at BMW in Spartanburg 29 years ago,” he continues, and pulls his baseball cap against the sun. “I worked in the paint shop on the Z3 for a long time. A great car – Strull! “
Today Bunner supervises a huge vehicle collection that BMW maintains far from his home museum in Munich at his location in South Carolina. Spartanburg has been home to the BMW’s largest production plant for years and exceed those in Munich, Dingolfing, Regensburg and any other BMW factory worldwide. A few days ago, BMW confirmed its position as the largest automobile exporter in the United States and shipping more overseas than General Motors, Ford, Chrysler or even Tesla. Most of them are X models from the X3 up. But things were different 30 years ago, when the Z3 roadster was the pride and joy of the plant in addition to the BMW 3 Series (E46) and the driving pleasure all over the world, especially with the top down.
The global success of the BMW Z3 and Z4
Why were the BMW Z3 and its successor, the Z4, so successful? The answer is no surprise. BMW recognized the growing demand for small, agile streets earlier than most others. The Design DNA of the Z3 plays back on British streets of the 1950s and 60s, a segment that was revived by Mazda with the start of the MX-5 in 1989. The Z3 followed a simple but effective formula: an attractive design, compact dimensions, two seats and an easy -to -complete soft top. Initially, it was only offered with two four -cylinder engines that produced 118 and 140 hp. Only later did the more desirable inline-SIX engines come in, all of which were built in Spartanburg in the exciting BMW Z3 M Roadster.
The 1.425-kilogram roadster is a real driver car that is a light construction with a naturally sucked 3,2-liter inline-SIX combined-the same engine, which can be found in the final iteration of the E36 generation BMW M3. With 325 hp in just 5.4 seconds, accompanied by an exciting soundtrack the Z3 m Roadster Rockets from 0 to 100 km/h. Top speed? A effortless 250 km/h. But the highway is not the ideal playground for this muscular, compact roadster. It belongs on winding country roads, where it can dance with precision through narrow corners and hairpin bends.
The only one: /// m roadster
The Z3 veteran Greg Bunner shares this feeling, but surprises us with its engine preference. “Of course, the M-Roadster and the Straight-Six motors in the Z3 are fantastic, but if I had the choice, I would probably decide one of the smaller four-cylinder models. They are easier and you really have to work with the manual transmission. It is addictive. “While his perspective is refreshing, it is difficult not to praise the legendary Straight-Six engines that have given the BMW Z3 its reputation as a real actor.
Fun comes in small packages
On the streets around Spartanburg and Greenville, the Imola Red BMW Z3 M Roadster even impresses in the clear air in February – especially with the top down. A short detour to the nearby Waffelhaus, directly opposite the main entrance of the facility, is tempting. But for a real local experience, the Clock Diner in the neighboring Greer is the real hotspot. It is not surprising that the Z3 Roadster is not only the smallest car in the parking lot, but at the age of 30 on his type of type, also younger than most regular guests.
Although Greg Bunner is the unofficial guard of the Z3 in South Carolina, his success had many fathers. The boss among them was designer Joji Nagashima, who gave the Z3 its unmistakable lines and perfectly balanced proportions – something that never replicated his larger Z4 successors. The top M version received a more aggressive frontend with larger air inlets, equipped rear fenders, almost nine centimeters wider than the standard model, and a signature Quad-Exhaust system that roared under acceleration.
A tribute to the legendary 507
The design of the Z3 also contained the nod on the legendary 507 Roadster from BMW with chromium details and distinctive side criminals. The most powerful Z3 models rolled on relatively modest 17-inch aluminum wheels (225/45 ZR 17 front and 245/45 ZR 17 behind). Despite their small size on today’s standards, they worked in accordance with the m-voice ranking, the differential restriction and a reduced driving level to bring every 325 hp and 350 Nm torque to the ground.
A rare model
Between 1997 and 2002, BMW built a total of 15,322 Z3 m Roadster – many of them that were released for the US market. Regardless of the choice or the market for motors, one thing remains true: the BMW Z3 is a symbol. A car that conquered the spirit of the nineties and at the same time pays homage to classic streets of the past. And today, 30 years later, it continues to enjoy experiencing it.
First published by https://www.bmwblog.com
