The BMW Z3 was first
introduced in late 1995. Because of the extreme popularity and
success of the Mazda Miata, BMW decided that people wanted to see the
convertible car come back. Through the 80’s car companies dropped all
of their convertibles in their lines. Only a few manufactures
continued to produce the drop-top. However, with the popularity of
the Miata, BMW decided to give it a shot.
The Z3 was the first car from
BMW that was designed here in America. BMW took many of the features
of the BMW 507 roadster from the fifties to design the Z3. BMW also
wanted to keep the family look that all car manufactures strive for
in their cars. BMW was also able to keep the BMW grille on the Z3 as
well.
Even though BMW designed the Z3
to compete with the Miata, they decided to go all out with it. The
designers gave the Z3 a plush interior, better equipment
specifications and a bigger more powerful engine. However the buyer
at large can see the difference in the prices. A Miata is around
$18.000 and the Z3 is about $39,000.
The real popularity of the car
came from the James Bond movie Golden Eye. The car got lots of press
during the stint of the movie because of the controversy of James
Bond, a British agent, driving a German car. Through the movie
everyone thought that they would be just like 007 if they to drove a
Z3, exactly what BMW wanted.
In the 1998 production year for
the Z3, BMW decided to introduce a coupe into the line of Z3 options.
Though the original concept was embraced by most the final product
left something to be desired. The boxy hatchback end left most people
in the cold. So by far the convertible is still the most popular
among the average person.
Thought the Z3 is still in its
infancy, its popularity is questioned by no one. The Z3, with its
convertible top and its sleek BMW styling, it is sure to last for
many years to come and be a sure winner for BMW.
