September 20, 1995 - First BMW Z3 roadster rolls off the production line.
November 1995 - Three months before its official premiere, the Z3 makes its screen debut in James Bond film "GoldenEye".
Neiman-Marcus 1995 Christmas Book appears, offering a limited number of special-edition James Bond Z3 roadsters, which immediately sell out.
US dealers receive showroom display models.
January 1996 - Z3 roadster - in full US trim - is shown at Detroit and Los Angeles Auto Shows.
Production of US model begins. US models utilize 1.9 liter, 16-valve, 4-cylinder engine producing 138 hp at 6000 rpm. Standard transmission is 5-speed manual. 4-speed automatic is optional. All Season Traction available as option.
February 1996 - 1996 BMW Z3 roadster available at BMW dealers. Base MSRP is $28,750.
March 1996 - BMW M roadster prototype is shown at Geneva Auto Show.
October 1996 - Model year 1997 Z3 roadster 1.9 is introduced. All Season Traction is now standard.
November 1996 - 1997 BMW Z3 roadster 2.8 debuts at US dealers. New model, powered by an aluminum block version of the 2.8 liter 6-cylinder engine that powers the 328i and 528i. The engine produces 189 hp at 5300 rpm.
October 1997 - Production of 1998 Z3 models begins. 1.9 and 2.8 models continue, now standard-equipped with Rollover Protection. Power softtop and color-keyed hardtop (dealer-installed) are new options.
March 1998 - BMW M roadster debuts as '98 model. Powered by BMW M 3.2-liter 6-cylinder engine producing 240hp at 6000rpm.
August 1998 - Closed-body coupe model , the M Coupe makes debut as '99 model. Same powertrain and basic chassis engineering as M roadster, except specific suspension calibration.
September 1998 - For model year 1999, a new base model, the 2.5-liter, 6-cylinder Z3 roadster 2.3 replaces the 4-cylinder 1.9 model. The 2.5-liter engine produces 170hp at 5500 rpm; key features include Double-VANOS. All Z3 models are now powered by 6-cylinder engines. Z3 roadster 2.8 features new 2.8-liter engine with Double-VANOS, producing 193hp at 5500rpm. Both models: side impact airbags standard; factory removable hardtop now available.
The Z3 coupe 2.8, makes its debut as a '99 model. Model is based on Z3 roadster 2.8, with completely new body from windshield rearward.
1999 M Roadster is introduced. All Season Traction is now standard.
April 1999 - Z3 roadster 2.3 and 2.8 models, as well as Z3 coupe 2.8 continue for model year 2000. All models have revisions to front trim, grill slats, turn signal lenses. Roadster models feature modified rear styling with new fenders, trunk lid, and L-shaped taillights. All models now have Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) standard.
M roadster and M coupe continue for model year 2000, with revisions to headlight rings and grille slats.
September 1999 - 200,000th Z3 is produced.
June 2000 - New 3.0-liter Z3 models debut for model year 2001, each carrying a new designation signifying its new, more powerful engine:
-Z3 roadster 3.0i: 3.0-liter with 225 hp at 5900rpm.
-Z3 coupe 3.0i: same 3.0-liter as roadster 3.0i.
5-speed Steptronic automatic transmission replaces previous 4-speed non-Steptronic.
October 2000 - Model year 2001 Z3 roadster 2.5i is introduced, with a new 2.5-liter engine, producing 184hp at 6000rpm.
May 2001 - Model year 2001 M roadster and M coupe are introduced. Both models now equipped with new M 6-cylinder engine producing 315hp at 7400rpm, driving through a 5-speed manual transmission. Dynamic Stability Control newly standard.
October 2001 - Z3 models, M Roadster and M Coupe all continue for 2002 model year with minimal revisions to equipment and features.
June 28, 2002 - Last Z3 model is produced.
September 3, 2002 - Production of new Z4 roadster series begins.
October 2002 - Z4 roadsters debut as 2003 models: Z4 Roadster 2.5i at $33,795 base price, and Z4 Roadster 3.0i at $40,945. Series is all-new except for evolutionary engines: 2.5-liter/184hp and 3.0-liter/225hp. 2.5i has standard 5-speed manual transmission; 3.0i has 6-speed. 5-speed Steptronic automatic is optional in both models. 6-speed Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) available as of April '03 production.
October 2003 - The 2004 models are introduced. 2.5i and 3.0i models continue with minor enhancements to equipment and features.
October 2004 - Z4 Roadster 2.5i and Z4 Roadster 3.0i continue in model year 2005 with changes to color availability and options. SMG no longer available.
January 2006 - 2006 model year Z4 models debut at North American International Automobile Show. Reflecting their new engines, the model designations change: the Z4 Roadster 3.0i replaces the 2.5i, while the previous 3.0i becomes the Z4 Roadster 3.0si. The Z4 Roadster 3.0i is powered by a new 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine producing 215hp at 6250rpm, the 3.0si by a new 3.0-liter with 255hp at 6600rpm.
Updates and improvements include 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions across the board, more powerful brakes, and a more advanced Dynamic Stability Control system.
For 2006, the models receive a mid-life exterior update, including a new front bumper ensemble, with larger air intake, rectangular foglights and enhanced integration with body lines; front side reflectors, formerly part of wraparound lighting clusters, now set into surface of wheel openings; new rear bumper/apron ensemble; and a new taillight design.
January 2006 also sees the debut of the 2006 M Roadster, based on the Z4. The M Roadster utilizes the 3.2-liter engine from the M3, producing 330hp at 7900rpm.
BMW Group In AmericaBMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. ROLLS-ROYCE Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand, the MINI brand, and the ROLLS-ROYCE brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, an industrial design firm in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group's global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all Z4 Roadster and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 340 BMW passenger car centers, 327 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 148 BMW motorcycle retailers, 80 MINI passenger car dealers, and 25 ROLLS-ROYCE Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group's sales headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.
Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the
Internet at:
www.bmwgroupna.com
www.bmwusa.com
www.bmwmotorradusa.com
www.miniusa.com
www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com
