Warning: Driving a 1996 BMW Z3 Might Make You Want One!

It builds on the previous generation model that had an eponymous name, and if you want a fixed-roof variant of the modern-day BMW Z4, then you will have to jump in Toyota's boat and pick a new Supra, which is the same car beneath the slightly different skin.

Where did it all start for the Munich auto marque? With the iconic open-top models from the early 1900s. In the 1950s, the company introduced the 507, and later on, it had additional roadsters in its lineup. The Z3 came out in the mid-1990s as the predecessor to the E85 Z4, and dare we say, it has aged very nicely.

Nowadays, one could pick up a nice BMW Z3 for pennies on the dollar, as long as it is not an M, as this model topped the lineup, featuring an inline-six with 315 horsepower (320 ps/235 kW) in the latest iteration in the United States, and slightly more for the one sold on the right side of the pond, which was also a bit torquier.

But why write about a vehicle that's been dead for over two decades? This is due to a video that we just stumbled upon, which shows a nicely preserved copy being driven in the open and filmed from the driver's perspective. Mind you, it's not your usual review filled with all kinds of (more or less) useful information, as the only feedback you'll get is from the engine's sound.

The model in question is a 1.9 made between 1995 and 1999, featuring an inline-four engine with a sufficient (for the era) 138 horsepower (140 ps/103 kW) produced at 6,000 rpm and 133 pound-foot (180 Nm) of torque. As you can see, it's not exactly a wolf in sheep's clothing, but it is decently punchy for an occasional drive on a twisty road, especially with the roof down.

This 1996 BMW Z3 features a five-speed manual transmission that channels the aforementioned output and thrust to the rear axle. It has a silver finish, a few blacked-out accents, rides on five-spoke alloys, and has a black interior with red leather seats. From what we can tell, the stereo came from the aftermarket world, but other than that, it is a stock copy and a very nice one, for that matter.

Now, this is the part where we invite you to scroll down and hit the play button, and before doing so, you should know that the video embedded below is a little over 13 minutes long. Thus, there's plenty of time to have a quick snack while watching it. That said, enjoy!