BMW Z3 1995–1999 car dimensions: 4025 mm long, 1692 mm wide and 1288 mm high. Unladen weight is 1,275 kg. Braked towing is 1,200 kg.
The two-seat cabin has analog gauges, a basic stereo and power windows as standard. Air conditioning and cruise control are available as options. ABS and dual airbags are standard. Traction control is optional. No parking aids, cameras or advanced driver systems appear in the equipment lists.
Boot space measures 165 litres. It takes a couple of soft bags for a weekend trip but little more.
Braked towing capacity is 1200 kg and unbraked 600 kg. Payload is 250 kg. The roadster layout limits everyday load carrying and work use.
The cabin is a compact two-seater roadster layout with supportive seats that offer electric height and longitudinal adjustment on the driver side in many specs, plus mechanical backrest. Cloth or leatherette trim is standard, with leather and seat heating available as options. Manual soft top with gas struts is standard, electric operation optional. Basic heating and ventilation with optional air conditioning keep the open-air feel practical. Analog gauges and simple controls give a focused, sporty cockpit without excess luxury features.
Petrol engine, 51 litre tank
Combined fuel use around 8 l/100 km
Service interval display with annual oil service and Inspections I/II
ABS and dual front airbags standard
Seatbelt pretensioners and side impact protection standard
Roll-over bars fitted
The 1.9 petrol engine runs on unleaded fuel and returns urban figures near 11 l/100 km with extra-urban near 6 l/100 km for a combined average of about 8 l/100 km. A 51 litre tank gives reasonable range for a roadster.
BMW uses a service interval display that prompts oil changes yearly or around 10-15 000 km plus alternating Inspection I and II services. Chain-driven camshafts mean no belt changes. Brake fluid every two years is typical.
Standard safety includes ABS, dual front airbags, pyrotechnic seatbelt pretensioners, integrated side impact protection and roll-over bars. Side airbags became available later. No specific Euro NCAP rating exists for the Z3.
Living with the car means watching for soft-top seals and drains to avoid water ingress, plus common age-related items like cooling system parts and suspension bushings. Parts are shared with E36 models so availability is good. Regular oil and fluid changes keep the M44 engine reliable for high mileages.
Length 4025 mm, Width 1692 mm, Height 1288 mm, Wheelbase 2446 mm (Z3 1995–1999)
Sources: manufacturer data, BMW Z3 Betriebsanleitung, BMW AG, 24 February 1998, Z3 roadster 1.9 tables, 51 l tank, Axle type is from BMW’s Z3 roadster Technische Daten sheet , the same layout as this narrow-body 1.9.