| Many European convertibles have been made for | | | | In 1997, this little four was complemented by a |
| the american market, for example BMW | | | | larger straight-6 engine In the North American |
| convertible. The very first mass-market roadster | | | | market, the 2.8 L M52B28. This engine, taken |
| and the one that was first assembled in the | | | | from the 328i, was especially attractive with its |
| United States by the BMW was the model called | | | | 189 hp. As the four was retired a 3.2 L S52B32 |
| BMW Z3. This BMW model was introduced in | | | | I6 engine was used in the M Roadster that came |
| 1996, just after it was featured in the movie | | | | in the year after. In 1999, the 1.9L 4-cylinder |
| Golden Eye a movie featuring James Bond | | | | engine was replaced with a 2.5L straight-6, |
| character. The production of this vehicle ended in | | | | producing as much as 170 hp. Curiously, this BMW |
| the year 2002 and before that many variants | | | | model was badged as the '2.3'. |
| were introduced. In 1999 a coupe version was | | | | Outside of North America a 2.0L straight-6 was |
| also introduced , It was manufactured and | | | | used instead of a 1.9L 4-cylinder. All of the |
| assembled in Spartanburg , South Carolina. The Z4 | | | | engines were replaced when the car was |
| model was the successor to the Z3 model in the | | | | freshened for a few years later; more precisely in |
| late 2002 in the Paris Auto Show. | | | | 2001. The range now consisted of the 2.2 L |
| The E36 platform of the BMW 3 Series was used | | | | M54B22 (available outside of North America), 2.5 L |
| to develop the Z3. The platform that resulted out | | | | M52B25, 3.0 L M52B30, and (for the M Roadster) |
| of this was referred as the E36/7 model. The | | | | 3.2 L S54B32. All three of these straight-6 engines |
| rear semi-trailing arm suspension from the E30 | | | | lasted through the end of the car's run the year |
| was used rather than the more sophisticated | | | | after. Except for the plastic window, the whole |
| multilink suspension from the E36. At first, just | | | | interiors were refurbished. |
| the 1.9 L M44B19 straight-4 engine was offered, | | | | There was seen problems like bad oxygen |
| though its 138 hp made the automobile less of a | | | | sensors were there in the Z3 model. Other main |
| performer than many buyers wanted. It was | | | | shortcomings of this model were the plastic water |
| found that the interiors of this model were not | | | | pump and a rear shock mount that failed. |
| good as it was in the other models of this | | | | Nevertheless, the retro styling was more popular |
| manufacturer. The plastic rear window looked | | | | and the Z3s have held their value fairly well in the |
| especially bad compared to the glass unit found | | | | resale market. |
| on the much-cheaper 1999 model Mazda Miata. | | | | |