BMW 1.9 Z3 Roadster

Advantages: Great for hot, sunny days and posing, great build quality
Disadvantages: Attracts unwanted attention, NOT a sports car

...If you want a BMW Z3 then do not go for the 1.9 version. The small engine, although provides some torque, is not up to the job to power a heavy 2 seater roadster. I bought a 1997 model in blue, with 65,000 miles on the clock for £8,000 back in April 2006. After changing jobs I fancied a change in car. I had always wanted a small two seater convertible and had considered the MX-5 and MGF. Although I like the look of both of these cars they are a bit.....well...... ponzy. I wanted a 'mans' convertible. Unfortunately the SLK, Z4 etc were way beyond my budget, as was the Z3 - or so I thought..... When I saw the Z3 I had to have a drive in it. It was a bright and sunny day, not too hot since it was April, but the rag top brigade were out in force. The Z3 felt sluggish, but then I had just gotten rid of my 240bhp twin entry turbo...

yackers1 12.03.2007 · Read review
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Review of BMW Z3 Roadster 

Bmw M3 Evo Saloon

Advantages: Fast, reliable, good handeling, comfortable, looks evil, solid build, smile factor
Disadvantages: expensive to maintain and run, steering wheel is a bit big, long gear throw

...Bmw E36 M3 evo saloon I love my M3 evo, 90k on the clock so far FSH and still on the same healthy sounding vanos unit. Ive always had quick cars but this thing is awesome. There are a few updated items on the 3.2 E36 M3 including bigger brakes from the M5 6, speed box and bigger 3.2 twin vanos engine giving a massive 321bhp. Beware though this car cant be run on a shoe string budget. my spends so far 1) new suspension and bushes standard boge set up £1000 2)gear box selector seal £150 3) inspection 2 service £850 which has highlighted that the vavles will need re-set in about 20-30k at a cost of £400 4) Its going in in two weeks to get the vanos serviced ,new mesh oil filter, solinoides cleaned and longer BMW bolts fitted to the front plate at a cost of £150 And if that troublesome vanos unit goes im looking a £1500...

reidtastic 11.07.2008 (07.07.2008) · Read review
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Review of BMW M3

The BMW M3 is drive-a-licious !

Advantages: Good motorsport feel
Disadvantages: Pricey, can get stiff neck, driving at speed

...At first glance there doesn't seem anything special about it, but I have to admit it does look better than the average BMW. That's when I noticed the lower front spoiler, the wider wheel arches that hide the wider axle. Believe, I couldn't go wrong with 20 18 inch rims,...can I ? Then there's that little hump on the bonnet to make sure there's enough room for the bigger engine. At closer inspection I noticed the M3 nostrils on the front fenders...and the emblem on the back on the car that says EMMMM 3 !...but the most distinct characteristic I like lies below the emblem...it's the beautiful 4-pipe organ ( twin exhaust ) which plays the most wonderful sounds known to BMW kind !...no not the church organ...but this one vroom-VROOM !! (get it ?!) Once inside I noticed the usual BMW leather upholstery, a little chrome polish here and there...

joeyhey2007 22.10.2008 · Read review
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Review of BMW M3

BMW X3, Ugly Duckling.

Advantages: Nice Smooth Engine
Disadvantages: About everything else

...yourself out of the amazon, leave that to it's bigger brother or a Range Rover. I'd like to say at this point that this car is NOT made in a BMW factory along side all the other models. The whole car it outsourced to a company in austria, which may explain the extremly diverse quality issues with this car, when compared to the rest of the BMW line up. The heated seats work lovely but I'm not sure why companies like Peugeot and Renault can offer all heated seats whilst this supposed TOTR X3 can only muster front heated seats? Is brand snobbery and the quest for making yourself look flash getting in the way of people buying value for money cars? I think so. The sunroof is also a plus point, it's a huge two stage system that looks lovely when the interior piece has slid all the way back. I found out just the other day that the sunroof has...

rally1998 08.05.2008 · Read review
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Review of BMW X3 3.0i Sport

BMW Z3 2.8

Advantages: makes people jealous
Disadvantages: hasnt got any

...I first bought the BMW Z3 2.8 car beacause I was seduced by the sexy and aggressive looks and the sheer grunt and performance of the engine. It has taken me a while to get used to it and through that time I have gone through the emotions of being dissapointed and back to being delighted. If you approach the car understanding that this is a drivers car, in the mould od perhaps a '70's sports car then from day 0ne you will understand what its about. Perhaps that a cop out from BMW. After all, we are in the 21st century and my 4 years old 406 shows a much better level of sophistication than a supposedly upmarket make like BMW. Im 6ft and fit in quite well with the hardtop fitted. When ever the headroom with the soft top up is any worse I shall find out in the summer. As for internal space; I'm a big chap and it took me a while to...

sparkz45 17.03.2004 · Read review
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Review of BMW Z3 Roadster 

My 3rd BMW

Advantages: Performance economy and comfort
Disadvantages: It does not drive it self ( well not quite )

...and allows full control of the radio and cruise control. There is plenty of legroom in the front and being 6.4" tall this is important. The only drawback is when I have the seat right back there is only enough legroom behind me for a small one. The seats are very comfortable and the car has seat belts for 5 with the middle rear being a lap belt. For those summer months Air conditioning is standard. The boot will easily take a months shopping for a family of 3 and has a toolkit built into the boot lid "just in case". The spare is whats called a space saver and the jack is fixed onto the spare under the boot floor. As standard there is a warning triangle in the boot and a first aid kit under the passenger seat. On the outside the M low profile wheels and sports body trim made it look a bit special. The sound is provided by the standard BMW...

Chadderz 02.08.2002 (14.08.2002) · Read review
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Review of BMW 330d

BMW 3 series: compact all the way...

Advantages: Great buys at the moment
Disadvantages: Will be replaced in 2005

...After a somewhat disastrous encounter with a VW I decided that in my next car, I wanted to stay German as I was impressed with the build quality of the VW but that I wanted a little more prestige but without a huge price tag. A BMW 3 series probably doesn't say cheap to most people but I have just purchased the BMW 1.6 ES special edition for £16, 495 including metallic paint. What do you get for your money? With this special edition I have got a 1.8 litre engine with 150 BHP. Standard features of this car include: Air conditioning (manual) CD Player 162 alloy wheels Electric front widows M3 steering wheel and gear stick (no controls) Sports suspension Anthracite headlining Storage compartment pocket The base price is £15, 995 and metallic paint will set you back a further £500 ish. This car is...

nickjj78 07.09.2004 · Read review
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Review of BMW 316i

Z3 2.0l what a car!

Advantages: Not enough space here to fit it all in ;-)
Disadvantages: None! But remember its a 2 seater sports car not a saloon.

...I've owned this car for nearly a year now and I absolutely love it to the point that I will never part with it. I bought this 2nd hand at a price of £10,600 for a 5 1/2 yr old, 2.0l, (6 cylinder) Special Edition with 27K on the clock. I spent 3 months avidly searching and viewing various cars before finding the right one. All I can say is do your homework and you will reap the rewards. There is a great Zroadster website that I can highly recommend, these guys know their stuff and can give you all the advice you will ever need. So for the car: If you want something that looks the part then go for it, you won't regret it. The body shape was updated late 99 which included flared rear wheel arches and a reshaped boot and rear light cluster. I think they also added a roof lining in the hood that helped insulate and sound proof...

bex1068 03.11.2006 (26.01.2009) · Read review
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Review of BMW Z3 Roadster 

BMW Sytner Chigwell

Advantages: Great customer service, aparently no matter who you are.
Disadvantages: Services can be a bit pricey, but not as bad as you would think.

...I have visited BMW Sytner a few times over the last 3-4 years & I have to say, they have the best customer service i have experienced at any dealership, bar none. I am not your typical kind of guy you would see in a BMW showroom, I am 27 years old but look like I am 17, I probably go there looking a bit rag tag aswell (I think i do it on purpose, i am not fond of face value). But I always feel that they treat me with the same courtesy as all of their customers I have been to Sytner for 3 series parts a few times & no matter how small the problem, the staff are always very helpful & polite. They took their time to track down some E36 washers I could have probably got anywhere & smiled at me when i thought they would charge me for it!, lol. Specifically, i find parts prices are not that bad at all compared to mercedes or renault. I...

krslim 23.04.2009 · Read review
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Review of BMW

BMW Approved used car warranty in doubt

Advantages: I have seen none to date
Disadvantages: A BMW approved used car from a main dealer proved to be a nightmare

...further evidence of any servicing done on the car during the following 3 and a half years and 26000 miles, even the mandatory inspection performed prior to the sale of the car to me is missing. This car has only had two services in 8 years and both were very late yet BMW UK and Vines of Guildford clearly state on their websites that ''Only BMWs that have been maintained in strict adherence to BMW servicing recommendations can qualify as Approved Used BMWs'. I have now reported the problem to the salesman at Vines and he is arranging for their workshop 'to have a listen to my engine'. I also asked about the service history, it was checked as we spoke on Vines computer, and the last time it was maintained was as per the service book. I am now expecting a battle to get a refund on this car as I believe the engine to be seriously worn...

cravenh 09.11.2008 (24.11.2008) · Read review
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Review of BMW