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| Z3 (E36/7, E36/8) (1996 - 2002) In 1996 BMW added the Z3 to the lineup. First available only with the 1.9 liter engine, the Z3 went on to carry every 6 cylinder produced between 1996 and 2002. A fun, sporty little 2 seater came both in convertible and coupe form. Being a bit of a “parts bin” car, the Z3 is part E30, part E36, but all original. |
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#1
10-24-2009, 08:53 PM
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Hmmmm... Identity Quandry.
I don't know if the answer to this question can be clear cut, but here it goes.
Are our Z3s and Z4s American sports cars with German badging or German sports cars manufactured in the US? The Corvette has always been Americas only sports car, could our Spartenburg cars now be America's second sports car? Before you answer: Are Buicks entirely manufactured in China American Buicks or Chinese? 
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#2
10-24-2009, 09:14 PM
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I'd argue that german engineering and america assembly are two different animals and don't make the car any less german. If you've ever toured the plant, you'd know that most of the assembly is automated and done by robots anyway...
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#3
10-24-2009, 09:31 PM
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I like to think that they are truly German cars, manufactured in the US. My son worked at the Spartenburg plant for a couple of years and always told me how passionate everyone was about the cars. The attention to detail, quality and all the things you expect from a good German car appears to be part of the culture there.
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#5
10-24-2009, 11:15 PM
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I'd have to say still German because of the design. Japanese cars built in America are still Japanese IMO. I think it has more to do with the philosophy behind making the cars. Even if GM and Chrysler were built in Germany...no one would buy them. Except for Corvette and Caddy that is.
I'd personally like my German designed auto to be build by a non-union American any day of the week!
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Last edited by M Pete; 10-24-2009 at 11:17 PM..
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#6
10-25-2009, 12:46 AM
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Quote:
 jk
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Signature Disabled - Check the Signature Rules... Fix your signature FIRST!
Afterwards post in the signature/avatar request thread in the forum suggestions forum.
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#7
10-25-2009, 02:02 AM
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Quote:
 Where was the E36/7 M roadster built? Like all Z3-based cars, every M roadster was assembled at the Spartanburg, South Carolina factory. The drivetrain was assembled in Germany and mated with the rest of the car at Spartanburg. Where was the E36/8 M coupe produced? Like all Z3-based cars, every M coupe was assembled at the Spartanburg, South Carolina factory. The drivetrain was assembled in Germany and mated with the rest of the car at Spartanburg.
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#9
10-25-2009, 05:37 AM
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Quote:
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#10
10-25-2009, 10:58 AM
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Ironically, everything is made in the USA but probably the drivetrain or any parts that are parts bin that also go on other BMWs. Anything new is made here.
When you buy "Euro" headlights for a huge price and then ship them in from Germany and they say "Made in the USA" on them, you just sit back and wonder WTF! One thing though, it proves that the problems in the America Car companies can't be blamed on the american work force!
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