Performance Review: BMW Z3 2.8i Roadster - [1999]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW Z3 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW Z3 2.8i Roadster is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1999. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the and the .This particular BMW Z3 has a 2793cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The Z3 shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Z3's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1360 kgs (2998 lbs) this makes the BMW Z3 2.8i Roadster in the same weight category as the 2022 Koenigsegg CC850 4.9 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW Z3 shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 2793cc 24V St6 engine produces 193 bhp (143 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 207 lb-ft (280.6 Nm) @ 3500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW Z3 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2005 Bentley Azure Continental Coupe Le Mans Series (166.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW Z3.

The BMW Z3 has a Power to weight ratio of 141.9 bhp per ton and 152.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1999 Z3 competing with the 2005 Bentley Azure Continental Coupe Le Mans Series (166.9 bhp per ton) or the 2005 Lexus GS 430 4.3 Auto (166.9 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW Z3 generating around 152.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (176.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 1999 BMW 7 Series 750i E38 (176.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.6 secs, this made the BMW Z3 2.8i Roadster as fast as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (6.40 secs) the or the 2011 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - FN2 (6.40 secs). This BMW Z3 2.8i Roadster is also faster than the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2018 Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (6.50 secs) the and the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Z3 and the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Coupe

When talking about the performance of the BMW Z3 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.69 secs @ 87.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Coupe (15.62 secs), the 1975 Lotus Esprit S1 2.0 (15.62 secs), and the 1990 Toyota MR2 Mk2 Turbo Rev 1 (15.63 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1999 version of the BMW Z3 2.8i Roadster has a maximum speed of 140mph.

Top Speed of the 1999 Z3 equals the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1999 BMW Z3 2.8i Roadster then how about the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph), the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Polo R WRC 2.0 Turbo (151 mph), or the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Edition 30 DSG (151 mph).

Related Links:

1999 Z3 Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison