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BMW Z3 ROADSTER
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So stylish was the Z3 when launched, that it was snatched up by James
Bond as a car of choice for 1995 James Bond's movie GoldenEye. It captured that "living
on the edge" attitude in a way that a Magna wagon or Commodore just
couldn't. Originally, the Z3 came with an impotent 1.8 litre motor (perhaps why it wasn't involved in any car chases in the movie). Australians were spared the 1.8 and got a slightly up-spec 1.9 litre, but the small increase didn't live up to the Z3's styling. It was something of a sheep in wolf's clothing. So the BMW crew replaced the four cylinder with a more suitable 2.8 litre six cylinder and the equation was complete. At last the Z3 Roadster had a soul to match its appearance, which is nothing short of inspired, although several of the original options, such as Stinger missiles and rear-mounted machine guns, have since been deleted. Of course, the single-layer rag top is not state-of-the-art, but then it doesn't do the car any favours having the top up - if it's raining, stay home. Full leather interior, traction control and the 2.8 litre six make the Z3 the stuff driving dreams are made of and there's sure as hell no mistaking it for a Holden. | |||||||||||||||||||