There's not much inside the Z3's simple but stylish cockpit to distinguishthe 1.9 from the 2.8. We regard that as a good thing, because BMW got it
right to begin with. Major controls are exactly where you'd expect them
to be, something we reaffirmed with our curbside eyes-closed review, a
test you can conduct in the showroom. Hop in, close your eyes and reach
for something--the gearshift, for example. We'll bet your hand will make
precise contact first time, every time, and that's not something we can
say about all cars.
Obviously, the Z3 is a two-seater, and, just as obviously, two-seaters
are snug by design, the kind of car you wear like a finely tailored garment.
Even so, there's plenty of legroom and enough headroom under the beautifully
crafted soft top for drivers well over six feet.
Fit and finish are superb, inside and out, 1.9 or 2.8, and the seats
provide the kind of lateral support that's required for enthusiastic cornering
as well as the kind of contours and padding that go with all-day comfort.
If there's any fault to be found it's the plastic rear window, which