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Z3 impressions (yes.. another one.. suffer thru it like I used to..)

Howdy folks, 

I have been away from the list (2 mos), since my employer complained about
the cost of my large BMW list  e-mailings.

Well, after talking to a few head-hunters and currently considering two
offers for Network Engineer/Planning Positions with other companies, I
re-subscribed to the list under my own AOL account .  

If you remember my old account was [email protected]


Anyway,

After taking my car to the dreaded VOB stealer (please dont shoot I will
explain), I asked for a test drive of a Z3 off the lot. Here are my
impressions:

Great finish and exterior looks. It DOES look like a Miata on steroids, but
why not ? Sports cars 
afficionados are brute, fearless and bold. 

Interior is a bit spartan, for a $30k car. The interior upholstery had the
"measles" look, with small dots.
This uphostery really scares me, it looks like the car has caught some sort
of skin disease , yach !

Stereo performance is adequate for Bod Dole's generation, where anything
louder than a wisper is
"that damn rock n roll garbage".

Handling was excellent. Wow ! I stepped out of an E36 M3 and the Z3 was not a
letdown. There is a little room for improvent though, in the shock/damper
area. Too much roll for Autocross use, but absolutly perfect for day to day
usage. I believe that if BMW had an ///M option suspension (E30 M3 springs
and shocks) this car would stick better than Spider Man.

Power. Well ... Stepping out of an M3, I had to put things in perspective.
Initially, the lack of torque was disappointing. I rev it up, and found not
so smooth as I would like it to be. At hi-rpm I believe the engine is not
breathing (or exhaling) properly. Throttle responce not as responsive as a
hi-rpm 16valve engine. I drove it on highways, city and curved roads. At the
end of the long drive and as I really washed  away the taste of the M3 from
my pallette, I concluded that the Z3 has enough HP for 
active driving safety and everyday driving.  Unfortunatly I expect more from
BMW. The 1.9 ltr has performance that would be adequate in the 1980's (Golf
GTI, Fiat Abarth, Renault 5 era) but not in 
the 1990's. Honda Vtech's squeeze 160hp from a 1.6ltr engine, since 1990.
There are a bunch of cars in the less than 2.0 liters class that would kick
the Z3's butt. No BMW should suffer such defeat.

Brakes. Stopping distance was impressive. I did not test for fading though.

Drivetrain: Decent clutch and gearbox (not as buttery as the ZF on the M3,
but  good enough).

Combined grade conclusion: Its a great car  in need of a competitive engine.
BMW needs to learn a few lessons from Honda on small engine output. I tryied
to be open minded about the lack of torque but it is hard to ignore.

Predictions: Drop  a E30 M3 or a E36 325/328 engine in and you got car that
is more fun than Pamela Anderson. If BMW offers a Z3 ///M3 with the current
M3 engine, buy the optional cemetery plot option. You're gonna need it. 

Sorry , I dont have enough time to elaborate on my VOB experience ... more to
come later.

Regards

Vlasis
95 Avus Blau