The BMW Z3 Roadster for 1997
The 1997 Z3 is an important vehicle to BMW for the convertible market segment. The Roadster is a member of a series of one trim levels for the Z3 which include Roadster. The two-door car with its rear-wheel drive is positioned to aggressively fill this niche for BMW. There is strong competition from vehicles from Honda.
Stop and Go
The restyled Z3 Roadster is equipped with a 2.8-liter six-cylinder engine that utilizes 24 valves. The engine is mated to a GMC four-speed transmission. This has resulted in an increase in horsepower and torque over the 1996 version.
The front brakes are disc while the rear brakes are disc. Steering is handled through a power-steering rack-style configuration. The Z3 uses power-assisted brakes, with 4-Wheel ABS support. Load balancing is provided by coil front springs and coil in the rear.
Statistics
The Z3 is 158.50 inches long, 68.50 inches wide, and 50.90 inches high. It has a wheelbase of 96.30 inches. It is able to seat 2 comfortably.
The listed retail price in 1997 (MSRP) was $35,900, with a dealer invoice cost of $31,455. This price is in line with the industry average price for a two-door Convertible.
Fuel Efficiency
The fuel system for the 1997 Z3 is a traditional Siemens MS 41.1, running on gasoline fuel. The fuel is controlled by an electronic system and is a fuel-injected MFI design. The capacity of the fuel tank is 13.50 gallons.
The Z3 Roadster received a miles-per-gallon rating of 18 - 19 in-city driving and 25 - 27 when it came to highway driving. Being a gas-powered non-hybrid car, this was within normal parameters.
Parting Shots
The 1996 model began the promise of the BMW Z3. The 1997 expanded on this success and has proven to be a strong seller in most markets. Even with strong competition from other manufacturers BMW hopes that the Z3 Roadster will continue to be a profitable vehicle.
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Tags: 2-Door, BMW Z3, Convertible, Roadster, United States market
