Performance Review: BMW Z3 E36 2.8L Roadster - [1996]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW Z3 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW Z3 E36 2.8L Roadster is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1996. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 and the 1996 Ferrari F50 GT1 4.7l V12.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 1302 kgs (2870 lbs) this makes the BMW Z3 E36 2.8L Roadster in the same weight category as the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 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 12V St6 engine produces 192 bhp (143 kW) @ 5300 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 203 lb-ft (275.2 Nm) @ 3950 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 2001 Lexus SC 430 4.3 (172.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW Z3.

The BMW Z3 has a Power to weight ratio of 147.4 bhp per ton and 155.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1996 Z3 competing with the 2001 Lexus SC 430 4.3 (172.2 bhp per ton) or the 2002 Infiniti G35 Sport Coupe (172.2 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 155.9 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 2007 Toyota Aurion TRD 3.5 V6 Supercharged (180.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 1995 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III (180.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.7 secs, this made the BMW Z3 E36 2.8L Roadster as fast as 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 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the or the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (6.50 secs). This BMW Z3 E36 2.8L Roadster is also faster than the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (6.60 secs) the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI S-tronic Quattro Sportback (6.60 secs) the 2014 Audi A1 1.8 TFSI S-TRONIC (6.60 secs) the and the 2013 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (6.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Z3 and the 2002 Audi A3 S3 1.8T Quattro

When talking about the performance of the BMW Z3 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.5 secs @ 88.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2002 Audi A3 S3 1.8T Quattro (15.43 secs), the 1991 Lancia Delta HF Integrale 16v (15.43 secs), and the 1969 Mercury Marauder X-100 (15.43 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1996 version of the BMW Z3 E36 2.8L Roadster has a maximum speed of 135mph.

Top Speed of the 1996 Z3 equals the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (146 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1996 BMW Z3 E36 2.8L Roadster then how about the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (146 mph), the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (146 mph), or the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (146 mph).

Related Links:

1996 Z3 Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison