Rob P 
1997 BMW Z3 Convertible 2.8 2dr Convertible
BMW Z3 2.8 - one of the best roadsters
 I bought the '97 Z3 2.8L with the M body style, wide tail and tires, the first year of this style.   I think this body is a classic.  The Z4 is a bit crisp for me.  I have owned my car for 10 years and have had no problems other than a minor driver's seat rail play (seat slid back/forth) which I got fixed under warranty.  In 2000, I compared this vs. my neighbor's Porsche 2.5L boxster he wanted to sell me and this vintage of the two cars didn't render a big difference.   I felt the BMW 2.8 had more power than the Boxster and handled as well when I pushed both on a very windy back road.  There is a huge difference between the 4 cyl and 6 cyl BMW.  Once I drove the 2.8L, I said no to the 4 cyl.