ROADSTER RIVALRY

The 1990s may just be the decade that everyone might want to forget; Cool Britannia, Right Said Fred, rubbish football, the Suzuki X90. But there were a few high spots, and you could argue that the Mercedes SLK and the BMW Z3 were amongst them. The Z3 is well on the way to proper classic status - particularly when it’s a six-cylinder - whilst the SLK is still regarded in the main as just being an old Merc. Both are way cheaper to buy than a very average MGB roadster and each are very different in character - the Z3 being way more traditional with a fabric hood and the tin-top SLK featuring a trick folding metal roof. Which to buy though?

BMW Z3

The BMW Z3 will doubtless go down in automotive history as one of the best marketing jobs ever. Nobody ever said it was brilliant in the way the avant-garde Z1 had been, yet it is one of the bestselling two-seater sports cars of all time. In fact, demand probably surprised BMW who