BMW Z1

The BMW Z1 was a two-seat roadster automobile developed by BMW. It was produced from March 1989 to June 1991. The Z1 featured doors which dropped down into the door sills. A total of 8,000 cars were produced. All the Z1s were left-hand drive, except the final one built. The last Z1 was hand built. It was the only 2.7L version of this car.
The first example of the Z1 was released by BMW to the press in 1986 and later officially presented at the 1987 Frankfurt Motor Show. Initial demand was so fierce that BMW had 5,000 orders before production began. However, demand dropped significantly around 1988 and BMW ended production in 1991. There is speculation that the drop in demand was due to the early inflated demand from speculative investors. In 1988, however, BMW was quoted as saying that they had 35,000 orders for the Z1.

The BMW Z1 was designed over a three-year period by an in-house division of BMW Forschung und Technik GmbH. The development of the Z1 is attributed to Dr. Ulrich Bez, not to forget the core of his team at BMW Technik GmbH. Control of the project was turned over to Dr. Klaus Faust when Bez left for Porsche in October, 1988.

The BMW Z1 was used to develop and debut several technologies. Z1 designer Harm Lagaay mentioned that Z1 production helped generate patents for BMW's high-intensity discharge lamp, integrated roll-bar, door mechanism, and underbody tray.

The instruments on the Z1 are styled like motorcycle gauges, and the tachometer on the Z1 has a red needle, whereas all other gauges have a white needle.

BMW only produced 8,000 Z1 models. The majority of these were sold in BMW's native German market. The country to receive the second-greatest number of Z1s, Italy, received less than 7% of the total sold domestically. BMW was reportedly unable to build more than 10 to 20 Z1 vehicles each day. None were initially sold in North America, although examples have been independently imported since the car's launch.

There are reports that BMW built 12 Z1 vehicles during 1986 and 1987, bringing the total to 8,012 vehicles. However, most sources report the 8,000 figure.

More than half of all Z1 vehicles were produced for the 1990 model year. Seventy-eight Z1 vehicles were reportedly used as test mules, although most were later sold without a warranty and, presumably, at a lower price.

The Z1 was available in six exterior colours and four interior colours, although the vast majority were red, black, or green with a dark grey interior. Light yellow exterior  or red interior are the rarest Z1 colours. The colours swimming pool blue and oh-so-orange were reserved for the car's designers, Bez and Lagaay.

Reportedly, some 1,101 Z1 vehicles were delivered without a factory radio installed. In these vehicles, BMWS AG installed an aftermarket Sony radio in its place.

None of the Z1 vehicles were sold with air conditioning. The vehicle's dashboard is very small and there was no room for both heat and cooling units. Some Z1 vehicles were converted using BMW E30 parts to have air conditioning, but reportedly the heater elements had to be removed.

BMW Z1 vehicles officially imported to France for sale there have yellow headlights instead of the clear ones found elsewhere.

New Z1 vehicles sold new for 83,000 to 89,000 DM or between €42,000 and €45,500. As of 2001, used BMW Z1 vehicles were selling for between FF125,000 and 250,000 in France including a 19.6% VAT. One example fetched just over £20,000 at Bonham's 2004 Olympia auction. In 2006, cars could be bought in France for a price between €25,000 and €30,000 the upper being reach for cars in perfect condition with low mileage.

German motor tuners Hamann-Motorsport, Schnitzer and Kelleners had programs for the enhancement of the Z1. The Hamann program included a 220 hp 2.7 L or a turbocharged 245 hp 2.5 L engine. Schnitzer did the 2.7 conversion with 200 bhp, delivered a five-stud conversion with bigger brakes and lower suspension in combination with their Rennsport wheels. Kelleners' included a 286–330 hp 3.0 L engine.

Alpina had a special arrangement with BMWS AG to modify BMW Z1 vehicles into the RLE. Alpina built 66 of these, although BMW notes that up to 82 Z1 can be tracked through "tuner cars". About half of the Alpina RLE were delivered to Japan. The RLE featured an upgraded 200 hp 2.7 L engine, sport muffler, new springs, 17-inch rims/tires, and assorted plaques and the typical Alpina-Stripes. The 0–100 km/h time dropped from 8.4 seconds to 7.1 seconds, top speed increased from 219 km/h to 228 km/h, and price increased to 116,000 DM. The Engine was also offered as an upgrade - and about 7-8 Z1 were upgraded by Alpina in Buchloe to the RLE-Specs. Manufacturer of the RLE is Alpina, the updated versions still shows BMW as the Manufacturer in the papers with all changes approved by the TÜV in Buchloe.

At least one Z1 has been modified with a 330 PS E34 M5 engine.

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