German carmakers have created some of the best cars over the last century. German cars are usually synonymous with speed and luxury. Though Porsche is known as the high-end German automaker, other brands, such as BMW, have created some truly amazing vehicles.
BMW, like many occidental car manufacturers, decided to release vehicles that would cut the grass under Japanese automakers' feet. While the E30 was wreaking havoc, it was not capable of tackling cars such as the Miata. The E30 is among the most loved models from BMW, yet cars like the Z-Series were needed in order to remain relevant globally.
10 The Inspiration And Parts Donor
Upon its release in the 1980s, the 3-Series became an instant classic. Though the car was mass-produced and can be bought for a couple of hundred dollars on Craigslist, it is nonetheless a terrific car. The car was so great that it inspired generations of BMW cars.
There are several things gearheads do not know about BMW. One thing that most people ignore is that the very first Z car borrowed a lot of parts from the E30 325i. In fact, the Z1 was equipped with the 2.5L straight-six engine that produces 168 hp and 122 lb-ft of torque. The suspensions and wheel size are also the same as the 325i.
9 The First
BMW released some of the most amazing cars from the 1970s onward. While the muscle car was slowly but surely falling in disarray, European cars were getting most of the attention. Japanese carmakers were the only real competition. Cars like the Miata MX-5 are the reason why the Z1 exists. The Z stands for zukunft, which is German for future.
Have you ever wondered why you hardly see a Z1 on the road? The reason is quite simple. Only 8,000 units ever came out of the Munich-based factory between 1989 and 1991. Out of that number, 6,443 were meant solely for the German market. Though the vertically retractable doors were never replicated, the Z1 led the way for generations of German roadsters.
8 The Z3
BMW has disrupted the industry quite a few times. In the 1980s, the car manufacturer came out with the 635 CSI and the E30 M3, which were two absolutely amazing vehicles. Fast-forward a decade or so, and the Bavarian company is still producing some truly mind-blowing vehicles.
There are plenty of reasons why the BMW Z3 is a cool modern classic car. Despite being the first Z-car to be mass-produced, the Z3 was an instant classic. First released in 1995, the Z3 was equipped with elements of the E36 just like the Z1 contained parts from the Z1. A six-cylinder engine was introduced in 1996.
7 Z3M: Faster And Louder
Most cars tend to come in different versions. The base model is more often than not a lukewarm version of the top-line, but more expensive, editions. BMW is one of the few carmakers out there that offers great base models and even better high-end trims.
The Z3M was the very first Z-car to get an M-package. The 2001-2002 European Z3M was capable of producing 321 hp at 7,400 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque at 4,900 rpm. The Z3M is one of the best roadsters ever made by BMW until this day. Though they can be hard to find, the Z3M is far cheaper than it should be.
6 Z8: The Snazzy Roadster
There are times when carmakers just decide to attract a very different portion of the population. While the Z1 and the Z3 were targeting higher-middle class individuals, the Z8 went for a much wealthier demographic. Until today, the Z8 is perceived as one of the best Z cars ever produced.
The Z8 is among the greatest BMWs of all time, and it truly is reflected in its price. The car's original MSRP was $128,000. However, unlike the Z1 and Z3, the Z8 is originally fitted with a much more powerful 4.9L V8 that produces 395 hp at 6,000 rpm and 369 lb-ft of torque. The BMW Z8 Alpina Roadster is somewhat tamer, with its 4.8L V8 that develops 375 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque.
5 Movie Star
Cars are usually a must-have in action movies. Unless it is in something set in the future like Star Trek, cars are essential. In movies like Bullitt, the car chase in the streets of San Francisco made the Ford Mustang a true icon. BMW did not fail to place its products in some of the highest-grossing movies.
Z-Series cars were featured in two major blockbusters of the James Bond franchise: Golden Eye and The World Is Not Enough. This is back when Pierce Brosnan was an MI6 agent doing all kinds of crazy stunts to save the world from ill-intentioned people. It is fair to say that James Bond only drives the finest cars ever made.
4 Z9: Concept Car
Car manufacturers have released a myriad of concept cars over the years. Though most of them were completely scrapped, some of them inspired upcoming vehicles. It is not rare to see newly released vehicles have a "je ne sais quoi" of a concept car featured at a major auto show.
The Z9 and its gull-wing doors was unfortunately never mass-produced; or was it? Anyone can easily see that the 6-Series was greatly inspired by this concept car released in 1999. Though it would have been nice to drive around in an M6 with gull-wing doors, 6-Series lovers worldwide should than BMW for not completely discarding the design of the Z9.
3 BMW Supra
For decades, badge engineering has been at the center of the automobile industry. Since commerce became a truly globalized phenomenon, car brands worldwide have entered agreements with other companies to let them use their designs, just under a different brand and name.
The BMW G29 Z4 is a great car all around. It is fast, stylish, and it's a Bimmer! However, the Z4 really is not one-of-a-kind. The Z4 shares a lot of similarities with the Toyota Supra MK5. Since BMW and Toyota partnered to manufacture the Supra, it is quite understandable that both manufacturers agreed to share some parts.
2 Not Made In Germany
The competition has been fierce among car manufacturers. As newcomers such as Hyundai and Kia have somewhat caught up with well-established companies, it became a necessity for these companies to cut costs and improve productivity however they could.
There is nothing more German than a BMW car. The cars are both astonishingly designed and powered. However, BMW exported production to other countries. The BMW Z3, for example, was produced in a BMW plant located in Graz, Austria. It may not seem like it, but Graz is the second-largest Austrian city.
1 Missing Link
There are times when much-expected cars never happen. Until today, gearheads are still waiting for an updated Nova or Trans Am. The most memorable reboots were the Challenger and the Bronco. Some brands, like BMW, just refuse to pay attention to what is being said among gearheads.
BMW produced the Z1, then the Z3. It is as if the carmaker never thought of making a Z2. Though the company went on to make the Z8, Z9, and Z4, it never wanted to produce the numbers in between. It has long been debated that a Z2 was in the making, but gearheads have yet to see it.