BMW Z3

Summer is roadster time!

The BMW Z3 was the first mass-produced roadster offered by BMW. It had a production run from 1996 until 2002, when it was replaced by the Z4. It instantly gained popularity in 1996 when it debuted in the James Bond movie Golden Eye. The message behind the car was "don't mess with me." It has the traditional style of a roadster with a long hood, short trunk and just enough seating for two.

The Z3 legacy

If you're looking for a powerful BMW roadster, then the Z3 isn't it - the original model only offered a 1.9-liter engine with a weak 138 horsepower, which is pretty pathetic for a high-class sports car. The interior is also not up to the usual BMW standard. At best, it's a tuned version of the Mazda Miata. The plus side to a small engine is its impressive fuel economy. Since it's low and lightweight, the Z3 loves the road and hugs the curves. Combine this with a light transmission and it makes for a stimulating driving experience.

In 1998, BMW introduced two high-performance versions of the Z3: the M-roadster and the M-coupe. The M-coupe was a strange-looking hatchback that wasn't nearly as popular as the convertible roadster. The rear hatch stiffened the chassis and the station wagon styling was not overly desired. Both models sported a more powerful 3.2-liter engine with 240 horsepower. The Z3 coupe was available from 1999 to 2001.

Despite its unimpressive power, the Z3 proved to be a reliable little sports car. Some of the older models experienced problems with failing rear shock mounts, bad oxygen sensors and fragile plastic water pumps. But over time, the only serious problems with the Z3s were leaky roofs and rocking seats. There was also a recall for the 1997-1998 models regarding a sticky throttle.

With their admired retro styling, they have held their value quite well in the resale market. The trade-in value of the Z3 ranges between $8,360 and $21,325, while the original price was somewhere around $30,000. In 1999, the Z3 made the "Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles" list for Edmunds.com. In 2000, it also won "The Best Overall Value of the Year" in the "Base Sport" category by Intellichoice.

The Z4 roadster is perfect for cruisin'

If you were fond of the Z3 roadster, then the current Z4 should satisfy all of your high performance needs.

Like its predecessor, the Z4 is available in a roadster or a coupe. The 2007 Z4 3.0si roadster and coupe come with more powerful 3.0-liter engines, and with 255 horsepower, they'll be able to take you from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds. With its infamous light-weight and low-track design, the Z4 can take on everything from never-ending straight-aways to treacherous mountain curves.

The Z4 delivers the perfect mix between modern BMW and retro roadster. The downside is that these high-performance vehicles come with hefty price tags - the roadster at $42,400 and the coupe at $40,400.

It used to be we could depend on the reputation and reliability of North American cars to meet our standards - but could it be the times are changing? Here in the U.S., overseas models are continuing to rise in popularity. Find out why!

If you love your car, you’ve got treat it right – stock will never do for your hot wheels! Whether it’s for performance or just for the look, aftermarket parts can turn that car you just brought home into your own pimp ride.