The BMW Z3 1.8 (E36) was the smallest version of the BMW Z3 Roadster and was available right from the sales launch in 1995. Approximately 29,500 units were produced at the Spartanburg Plant. The roadster was equipped with the 1.8 litre inline four-cylinder engine (M43B18) familiar from the BMW 5 Series (E34). The power plant had two valves for each cylinder and a Differentiated Intake System (DISA). The lower price was also based on the reduced basic equipment: the BMW Z3 was only supplied with a single five-speed manual gearbox. Customers did not have the option of an automatic transmission. In 1998, the BMW Z3 1.8 received a technically upgraded engine (M43TU). Up to the year 2000, it was still marketed under the designation Z3 1.8, and it was then renamed BMW Z3 1.9i. Even though the roadster had a new name the engineering remained unchanged.