SATURDAY, JUNE , 9 7

BEHIND THE WHEEI

4OTMQM

Q * I recently inherited a Ford Mustang from my aunt. It's a four-cylinder with 39,000 miles on it and is in nice shape. I know it's not worth a lot now, but do you think it will become valuable eventually? A. One should never look a gift Mustang in the mouth, and you f a n never be completely sure about the appreciation of old cars, tut my guess is that this one will never be very valuable. (say this because I think the 1974-1978 Mustangs were the worst-looking and worst-performing Mustangs ever made. That feeble four-cylinder engine in your car develops alt of horsepower. You might be able to get from 0 in a pathetic seconds but probably only if you bribe the guy holding the stopwatch. Q. Superchargers and turbochargers normally increase an engine's horsepower about percent. Can you tell me why the engine in the Buick Riviera only goes from 5 to 0 when supercharged? A t Because the supercharger isn't pushing the fuel/air mixture into thecombustion chambers as hard as many superchargers and turbochargers do. As a consequence, the supercharger used on that 3.8-liter V-6 is said to provide mild "boost." There are typically two reasons why engine designers dial down the boost and take the horsepower hit: The engine bearings can't withstand the added- pressure created by the higher boost, or the automatic transmission isn't strong enough to take the extra power during pedakotlie^iietal acceleration. Inlhe case of the Buick (and the OIHsmobiles and Pontiacs that use the 3.8) the weak link is the automatic gearbox. Perhaps "weak link" Isnt the best term. This is a fine transmission. It just isn't designed to deal^wlth much more than 0 horsepower. I have a Ford Mustang V8 With 127,000 miles on it. This is gqlng to sound strange, but when I drive the car near a building, tike when I go down an alley, I hear a rattling kind of sound that's almost l i & breaking china. What dp you think it is? A i One or both of the universal jofrits on your driveshaft are worn. I wftuld get'that fixed as soon as ycjj can, because it's just going to get worse.
1997 BMW Z 3 : K I N G OF THE ROADSTERS
:.<., :.; the Sa.ar.nafi '.'onvrg r<e*s
In any hut, the naw BMW Z3 g f t i attention wfth lt increaM handing and.powarM an^ne.
BMW's roadster build for speed
Z3 roadster sweeps the competition with its added safety features,.2.8-liter engine.

PMteMpMa, Pa. 19101.

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9OTIGWI

ittle more than a year ago, the BMW 23 was something new a sexy roadster with no clear competition and 30,000 pre-production orders at its Spartanburg, S.C., manufacturing plant In its brief history, the 23 has already had a starring role in a James Bond movie and caused 5-series production in Spartanburg to cease so that Z3 orders can be filled. Ifs not alone anymore, but BMW has come up with something new for-its roadster. The four-cylinder version of the Z3 was introduced to broad acclaim last year and with mofe than a twinge of anticipation for a six-cylinder model to add a more substantial heart to its glitzy shell. The six-cylinder equipped Z3, which comes with a 2.8-liter straight six, is on the streets now, but it has company. Mercedes has debuted the SLK with a supercharged fourcylinder engine and Porsche* Boxster has also entered the roadster fray. The newly designed aluminum block 2.8liter engine adds 143 pounds to the Z3"s curb weight, but also adds a welcome increase of

horsepower (from 138 for the four cylinder to 189 for the six). BMWs silky smooth-shifting fivespeed manual transmission is standard and what true roadster enthusiast would have it any other way? Limited slip differential, anti-lock brakes and all-season traction are standard equipment as John Clayton BMW attempts to enhance the safety features that were nonexistent on roadsters past To accommodate the increased engine power, the Z3 roadster 2.8's rear track has been increased 2.6 inches with a corresponding body width in the rear. The result is a more supple, muscular look for the Z3. Its obvious curved lines from front to rear panels become slightly more pronounced. More than aesthetically, though, the widened rear track gives the 23 a sturdier
feel particularly when taking those turns at a high rate of speed (which I would never

1997 BMW Z3 2.8

BASE PRICE: $35,900 AS TESTED; $37,670
ENGINE TYPE; 2.8Jiter, 24vaJue, six-cylinder
The tested Z3 came in "Bright Red," which I refer to as "arrest-me red" because 6f the attention it can draw. But the thing about the 23 is that it gets attention no matter the color. The Montreal Blue four-cylinder model tested last year turned as many heads as the Bright Red 28liter version. The 1.9-liter four-cylinder got the attention of enthusiasts, who wanted more under the Z3's sexy hood. They winced at the four-cylinder's relative lack of power. This year, those enthusiasts are more enthusiastic with 189 horsepower at their fingertips and 040 mph acceleration improved by nearly two seconds. The 2.8 is rated at 6.3 seconds with manual transmission. It's top speed is 128 mph. Of course, the price also has changed. The Z3 roadster 2.8 has a base price of $35,900, which included a large package of standard equipment The tested car added a $1,200 leather interior. Thfc Z3 roadster 2.8 was priced at $37,670, compared to around $30,000 for the 231.9. Sure, admission to the Z3 club is pricey, but this is one car that may just be worth the cost
HORSEPOWER: 9 POWERTRAIN: Rearwheel drive EPA ESTIMATES: 1 9

mpg city, mpg highway

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