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1999 Z3 SERIES REVIEW

Indescribable joy, standard with every BMW Z3 roadster, is a product of BMW's body and soul devotion to creating the Z3. The beauty, the spirit and the artistry of this car radiates from within. Long forward lines, punctuated by classic detailing are carefully contoured to house the trademark BMW power and performance characteristic that tie the Z3 to present.
With ultra-modern technique, BMW has re created the true feel of a roadster from an era where style equaled drama. The result; a finer appreciation for carrying the best of the past into the future, and the finest example of how it's done-the BMW Z3 roadster.

By definition, a roadster is an open 2-seat sports car. It is a classic, timeless concept - the car of choice for driving enthusiasts. To drive one has traditionally meant giving up some of the comfort aspects of motoring, for the sake of the top-down, wind-in-the hair feeling that is so special in a roadster.

Today, however, it is possible to combine the joys of an open roadster with all the technology and quality - and much of the comfort - of a contemporary automobile. More specifically, BMW has decided that it is time to combine the joys of roadster motoring with the technology and quality of a contemporary BMW. This is what the new Z3 roadster is all about.

BMW Z3 possesses a supple suspension system that both communicates the road to the driver and insulates the passengers from unpleasant jolts...steering that leaves no doubt about the forces acting on the automobile, yet never demands too much muscle from the driver...an engine that sings a song of efficiency and performance...transmissions that offer precise shifting...a cabin that caters to both driver and passengers equally...quality that conveys both the sense and the reality of solidity and longevity...meaningful safety and security features that in no way detract from the adventure of driving.

Unlike "soft" cars, Z3 responds predictably-almost instantaneously- to the driver's input, communicating a better sense of the road. This helps sharpen the driver's awareness, confidence and control.

The Z3 2.3 6-cylinder 24-valve engine produces 170 hp at 5500 rpm and develops 181 lb-ft of torque at 3500 rpm. The experience of hammering this engine to the redline with every shift should be a requirement for every enthusiast.

Engine management is provided by Digital Motor Electronics (DME), individual ignition coils and cylinder-selective knock control. This highly sophisticated system analyzes and then actually fine-tunes the engine hundreds of times a second. Each cylinder is constantly adjusted to maximum operating efficiency under virtually all conditions. DME even has many fail-safe programs in the unlikely event of an electrical fault, it can reconfigure itself to bypass the problem. And DME has the incredible ability to diagnose itself for quick and efficient trouble-shooting.

Standard ABS and 4 wheel disk brakes guarantee a superb stopping power and available ASC+T ensures even more reliable traction and retention of the chosen line when accelerating in a straight line or on a corner. How does it work? ASC+T reduces engine torque as soon as a wheel tends to spin, for instance, on a sheet of ice. If this action is not sufficient to restore tire grip, the T function (traction control) takes over and the wheel brake is applied, provided that road speed is not above 100 km/h. Torque is reduced by the engine's own management system. In this way, ASC+T keeps the car as stable as possible on all surfaces and in critical driving situations. The system includes engine drag torque regulation, to prevent the driven wheels from locking momentarily on a slippery surface if the level of engine braking becomes too high.

Up to a speed of 40 km/h, traction control has the same effect as a conventional limited-slip differential. Since the left and right wheels can be braked independently, ASC+T is comparable to one of these devices with a locking action of almost 100 percent. But it can be switched off in unusual situations where complete suppression of wheel spin may be undesirable, for instance when rocking the car free on a soft, yielding surface.

Passive safety is represented by the crash sensor and the exceptionally rigid safety bodyshell with its programmed deformation zones at front and rear, roll over protection and side intrusion protection with special door anchors. which has proved its worth in innumerable actual tests and realistic accident simulations.

In the event of a frontal crash, the driver's and front passenger's airbags, which are standard equipment, greatly improve head and upper body protection.

Protection for your car against theft or joy-riding is assured to a previously unknown standard by the electronic immobilizer. This uses an electronically coded chip in the otherwise conventional ignition key. This transmits one of a hundred billion possible codes, which has to be identified correct before the engine can be started