USED BMW Z3 Roadster (97 - 03)

My car

This was my fifth beemer and was it worth waiting for or what!

It's just a real buzz everytime time you drive it. It may be only a 1998 model but it sure dont feel like it.

When I bought it last summer it had just passed the 75,000-mile mark but it absolutely purrs.

The 2.8 launches you down the road like a little rocket and its well capable at higher speeds on the motorway just a little loose on the handling side but you soon respect that.

It has a classy look and with the roof down it realy turns heads, even for an S plate.

OK, you can get a roadster that handles better, but it's a 2.8 Z3 - enough said!

My car

The Z3 is a dream car for me, so when I managed to buy a secondhand 2.0 version in September 2004, it was a dream come true.

For starters, I don't think there is a better looking convertible sports car on the market, even today. It always gets admiring glances and the curvy shape just makes me smile. I use my Z3 every day for work and every time I get into it I feel excitement, especially when I start the engine and hear the familiar purr of the BMW 2.0 6 cylinder spring to life. It is a joy to drive, both in traffic and on the open road.

There is hardly any wind noise when the roof is up, even at high speeds. The ride is solid but comfortable and you do feel safe sitting in this well built solid car. The cabin is small and luggage space is limited to a small suitcase, but no different from any other sports car.

Yes, it is a little more expensive to run than an average car, but then it's not an average car is it? If you want a practical convertible sports car that is easy, fun and exhilarating to drive, I thoroughly recommend it.

My car

I just love my Z3. It has always been my dream car and, even though she's getting on a bit, she has never let me down.

I'm just driving around on sunny days with the hood down, it's such a thrill. I have had her 3 years and am dreading the day I come to sell her. I just love it.

My car

Although a 1998 model, it is in excellent condition with less than 40k miles. The engine is responsive at a slight touch of the accelerator, and the engine growl is superb! The ride is hard but at least you can really feel the road.

Handling is superb - the car sticks to the road when cornering - and believe me I have played but still adhered to the laws of physics (as the manual advises!!!) although I may have challenged it once or twice but, so far have not been disappointed. My first day , I drove from the Midlands to visit family in Devon - strong winds did make it hard work.

Nevertheless, all part of the fun of real driving rather than motorway cruising in a comfy 'armchair' with cruise control. Fuel consumption a bit of a shock - 26.6MPG over 204miles with an exciting average speed, however, daily 'plod' to work has seen slightly better economy of 30.1mpg.

I'm not one for fussy gadgets and gismos so the crisp interior with novel (to me) 'on-board' computer is perfect. I suppose, as a novice, my opinion may not stand up to the elite car reviewers, such as good old Clarkson, but then we can only make comparisons with what we are used to.

Maybe my opinion would change if I had the chance to test drive (or own) a DB9, however, for me having driven the 2.2 Z3 which frankly did nothing for me, my superb 2.8 Roadster has topped the lot!

It is sporty, fun, fast and quite a handful/challenge but isnt that what driving is all about?!!!