1998 BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) Dimensions, Size & Specs

This model has a curb weight ranging between 1375 kg and 1390 kg (approximately 3,031 to 3,064 pounds). The maximum allowable weight, including passengers and cargo, is 1660 kg (around 3,660 pounds). This relatively light weight aids in the car's sporty handling and performance characteristics, typical of BMW M vehicles.

The luggage capacity of the BMW Z3 M Coupe is 210 liters (about 7.4 cubic feet) with the rear seats up. When the rear seats are folded down, the available space increases significantly to 410 liters (approximately 14.5 cubic feet). This increased capacity allows for more flexibility, making the car practical for carrying larger or additional cargo despite its compact size.

Yes, the BMW Z3 M Coupe's dimensions allow it to fit comfortably within a standard residential garage. Considering typical garage dimensions usually start at approximately 2400 mm (7.9 feet) in width and 4800 mm (15.7 feet) in length, the Z3 M Coupe with its 4025 mm length (13.2 feet) and 1740 mm width (5.7 feet) fits well, leaving ample room for opening doors and maneuvering around it.

With a width of 1740 mm (68.5 inches), the BMW Z3 M Coupe is reasonably compact compared to other sports coupes from the late 1990s and early 2000s. Its width offers a stable stance while allowing the car to remain agile and capable of tight cornering, matching or slightly narrower than many competitors such as the Porsche 911 (996) which is around 1770 mm (69.7 inches) wide.

The Z3 M Coupe rolls on 17-inch rims, a common sport rim size offering a balance between ride comfort and handling performance. Standard tire sizes are 225/45 R17 for the front and 245/40 R17 for the rear, which are wider and lower-profile tires designed to improve grip and responsiveness, perfectly complementing the car’s sporty chassis.

The BMW Z3 M Coupe has a height between 1279 mm and 1280 mm (50.3 to 50.4 inches), which is quite low compared to typical sedans. This low roofline enhances the car's aerodynamic properties by reducing drag and center of gravity, resulting in improved high-speed stability and sharper handling, crucial for its sporty driving dynamics.

While both the Z3 M Coupe and its roadster predecessor share similar platforms, the M Coupe features a fixed roof design that adds length and height stability to the body. The Z3 Roadster is slightly shorter in length and taller due to the soft-top design, typically around 3990 mm (157 inches) long and 1280 mm (50.4 inches) tall. The coupe's 4025 mm (158.5 inches) length and chopped roofline enhance rigidity and offer different aesthetic and performance characteristics.

The BMW Z3 M Coupe stands out among sporty hatchback-style coupes of the late 1990s and early 2000s for its distinctive shooting brake design, combining the practicality of a hatchback with the performance of a sport coupe. Compared to contemporaries like the Audi TT Coupe or the Porsche Cayman (later generations), the Z3 M Coupe features a more aggressive, raw design with a focus on driver engagement. Dimensionally, its compact size and lightweight contribute to nimble handling distinct from larger or heavier rivals.