1997 BMW Z3 for sale
None for sale by us right now: rent one for a week first, or ask us to find one. Rated 10.0 to 12.4 L/100 km combined (EPA). 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
- For sale by us
- 0
- Combined
- 10.0 to 12.4 L/100 km
- Recalls
- 1
For sale
We do not have a 1997 BMW Z3 for sale right now. We are a rental company: rent one for a week to try it, or tell us what you want and we look for one for you.
1997 BMW Z3 specs
| Spec | Powertrain 1 | Powertrain 2 | Powertrain 3 | Powertrain 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.9L 4-cylinder | 1.9L 4-cylinder | 2.8L 6-cylinder | 2.8L 6-cylinder |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual | 4-speed automatic | 5-speed manual | 4-speed automatic |
| Fuel | Premium gas | Premium gas | Premium gas | Premium gas |
| City | 11.8 L/100 km | 11.8 L/100 km | 13.8 L/100 km | 14.7 L/100 km |
| Highway | 8.1 L/100 km | 8.3 L/100 km | 9.4 L/100 km | 10.2 L/100 km |
| Combined | 10.0 L/100 km | 10.2 L/100 km | 11.8 L/100 km | 12.4 L/100 km |
| CO₂ | 235 g/km | 240 g/km | 276 g/km | 291 g/km |
| Cost to drive 100 km | $17.50 | $17.85 | $20.65 | $21.70 |
1997 BMW Z3: every figure
| Figure | Powertrain 1 | Powertrain 2 | Powertrain 3 | Powertrain 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1.9 L | 1.9 L | 2.8 L | 2.8 L |
| Cylinders | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 |
| MPG city (US) | 20 | 20 | 17 | 16 |
| MPG highway (US) | 29 | 29 | 25 | 23 |
| MPG combined (US) | 24 | 23 | 20 | 19 |
| MPG combined (Imperial) (converted from the US figure) | 29 | 28 | 24 | 23 |
| Fuel cost a year (EPA) (EPA: 15,000 miles at its fuel prices) | US$3,475 | US$3,550 | US$4,100 | US$4,350 |
| Fuel cost for 20,000 km (at $1.75 a litre for premium) | $3,500 | $3,570 | $4,130 | $4,340 |
| Dimension | Z3 2.8 Roadster | Z3 Roadster 2.8 | Z3 Roadster 3.0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 4.03 m (159 in) | 4.05 m (159 in) | 4.05 m (159 in) |
| Width | 1.69 m (67 in) | 1.74 m (69 in) | 1.74 m (69 in) |
| Height | 1.29 m (51 in) | 1.29 m (51 in) | 1.29 m (51 in) |
| Wheelbase | 2.45 m (96 in) | 2.45 m (96 in) | 2.45 m (96 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,290 kg (2,844 lb) | 1,320 kg (2,910 lb) | 1,320 kg (2,910 lb) |
Sources: fuel use, MPG, CO2, electric range, battery, charge time, luggage volume and the annual fuel cost are the US EPA's (fueleconomy.gov); dimensions and curb weight are NHTSA vPIC Canadian vehicle specifications, by body. Imperial MPG, litres, inches and pounds are converted from those figures. Figures no free source publishes for this car (power, torque, acceleration, top speed, fuel tank, towing) are left out.
What to check when buying the 1997 BMW Z3
- NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. Ask the seller for proof each one was fixed; a dealer can check it by the VIN.
- Owners filed 47 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags (16), seats (14) and seat belts (11). Have those parts checked before you buy.
| Campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 97V131000 | 1997-08-19 | vehicle speed control | THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEPARATE FROM THE... |
Source: NHTSA (US) recall campaigns and owner complaints for this model year.
Buying the 1997 BMW Z3
CarmaCars rents cars and does not sell the 1997 BMW Z3; this page helps you judge it before you buy one elsewhere. Here is what to know about the 1997 BMW Z3 before buying one.
What to check on the Z3
Ask the seller for the service records of this exact car. A pre-purchase inspection at a shop you choose is money well spent. Look at the tires, brakes and battery; they are costly to replace. A private seller in Ontario must give you a Used Vehicle Information Package.
What the figures tell you
It is powered by the 1.9L 4-cylinder, with rear-wheel drive. It calls for premium gas, which costs more a litre than regular. Rear-wheel drive gives balanced handling; in winter, the tires make the biggest difference.
For 300 km of mixed driving, expect about 30 litres, from its 10.0 L/100 km rating. The fuel for 100 km comes to about $17.50 at our price setting. At US fuel prices, the EPA estimates US$3,475 a year for 15,000 miles.
Living with the Z3
As a two-seat sports car, it puts the driving first and the luggage second. The length is 4.03 m. Parking on city streets is easy.
Who the Z3 suits
It suits a work trip where a reliable car matters more than anything else. It suits client visits, weddings and special weekends.
Drive it on your own roads
A week with the Z3 answers more than any brochure. Rent first, buy later: a week with the Z3 answers the big questions. Drive the Z3 on your commute before you commit to it.
The cost of driving it
The EPA estimates US$3,475 a year in fuel for 15,000 miles at US prices. Ask what a set of tires costs for this trim; sizes and prices vary. At our price setting, 100 km costs about $17.50 in fuel.
Choosing the right one
Write down the VIN of any car you consider; it unlocks the recall and service history. Set a budget that includes tax, licensing, insurance and the first set of tires. Within the 1997 lineup, trims share powertrains or differ in equipment; the trim pages show which.
Questions first?
Questions about trying a car first? Ask in your request.
Rent it for a week before you buy
A week of your own driving tells you more than a test drive: the commute, the parking, the fuel. Rent a 1997 BMW Z3 from us first.
Find me this car
Tell us your budget and when you want to buy; we look for a 1997 BMW Z3 for you and reply within one business day.
Buying the 1997 BMW Z3
Does CarmaCars sell the 1997 BMW Z3?
Not right now. CarmaCars rents cars; it sells one only now and then. Tell us what you want and we look for one, or rent one for a week first.
Can I rent a 1997 BMW Z3 before I buy one?
Yes. Request it for a week (or longer, up to 365 days) and drive it as your own; nothing is charged until we confirm and you approve.
Does the 1997 BMW Z3 have recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for it, in the table on this page. Ask for proof each was fixed.
What does the 1997 BMW Z3 cost in fuel a year?
EPA puts it at US$3,475 a year for 15,000 miles at its fuel prices; at our price setting, 20,000 km cost about $3500.00.
Where do the figures come from?
Fuel use and fuel cost from the US EPA (fueleconomy.gov), dimensions and weight from NHTSA vPIC Canadian specifications, recalls and complaints from NHTSA. We leave out any figure no free source publishes.