2000 BMW Z3 M Coupe - The Cult of the Clown Shoe (POV Binaural Audio)

[@jeffst.hilaire7859]

There was this lady that lived up in Northern NH who dubbed herself the "Crazy Clownshoe Lady". I drove by her house one day when she was prepping all her cars for a meet. She has 8 of these. EIGHT. She has recently moved down to Virginia to experience a more involved car scene than Northern NH haha, but she took the time to show me around all her clownshoes. Cool lady. Definetly crazy, but really cool.

[@TedwardDrives]

If she had a mint on mint one that she autocrossed than I know exactly who she is haha

[@k1ssass]

There are two at the same house in Meredith, NH.

[@TheUsername55555100]

This is such a waste, she should have let other enthusiasts buy them to drive and enjoy.

[@tomtraynor5384]

We should all be so crazy. Just one here. It's perfect.

[@chrisleddy5750]

I asked her if any were available as I’m in NH too. She moved to VA before I could connect with her

[@koenigcertified]

The clownshoe is such a dream car to me, such a gorgeous, timeless, beautiful vehicle that i’ll never get tired of seeing

[@TheXan57]

you are joking right?

[@koenigcertified]

@@TheXan57 Course not, why would I be?

[@JadedsoFaded]

@@TheXan57why would he be joking it’s literally an amazing car

[@mynt253]

real

[@emixmim]

Dude you're some kind of wizard, every interesting car I start thinking about, after a week, there's a video from you on it!

[@jasonchow6475]

Cult of the Clown Shoe

[@Parrotdise290]

Tedwizard

[@houseking9211]

This car from the back straight on is just amazingly well designed, the fat tyres and deep dish rear wheels, wide rear fenders, amazing tailights, great little almost ducktail before the rear hatch, and the spoiler at the top. I just love it

[@Drscurly]

Been driving mine daily for 20 years almost. Still love it after all these years. It really is a love or hate design.

[@ulrikpedersen7791]

The BMW Z3 M Coupe is a daring blend of power and design, a unique classic that thrills with every curve and turn.

[@NAmania]

1:18 Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the car was designed by Joji Nagashima, not Bangle. He is also behind the design of the beautiful E39 5 series.

[@bearclaw5115]

You are correct. This car (convertible at least) was designed all the way back in 1992 if you can believe it. Bangle did the Z4.

[@tobias_k01]

@@bearclaw5115 You always have to keep apart individual responsibility for a model and overall design direction. The Z4 was designed under Bangle, but directly responsible was Anders Warming (among others). Same with for example the E65 (Adrian van Hooydonck) or E60 (Davide Archangeli)

[@michaeldmckenzie]

I don't know that I've ever heard a sweeter sounding inline 6. Incredible!

[@onfootbassin]

I'm so happy you reviewed this man. For whatever reason I'm not a big European car guy, but I've wanted one of these so badly since the second I saw my first one in person. Great engine and some of the most unique styling of all time in the automotive industry.

[@MrRoyck10]

Then you are not into cars, perhaps barges.

[@onfootbassin]

​@@MrRoyck10terrible take dude

[@nirfz]

The little rant about the dials and screens: Where can i sign that petition? Count me as a supporter of that!

[@edalder2000]

The Clownshoe!! All curves and no straight lines it seems. German cars have never looked this curvy and wonderfully bonkers. This car can corner and go like Hell. Nothing else like it.

[@Fatal_Inertia]

I will always maintain that this is the best BMW ever made all things considered

[@sebastianstoian6233]

I have a roadster and coupe, the coupe is by far the attention getter in the unique sense. Both drive very well even if the coupe has better rigidity. Cool cars.

[@colinsullivan3353]

5:55 so true about the rumble of those old BMW inline sixes. My girlfriend’s father has a 2003 Z4 2.5i, and I can always tell when he fires it up because the rumble reverberates through the whole house lol

[@willjam465]

Have always loved this car, and that engine as well. Recently sold my E36 M3 and totally regret it. Such great cars. Was the second one that I have owned. That era of the 90’s into early 00’s was peak M to me as well. Signed, Gen X…lol

[@edalder2000]

I am so in love with all of the analog gauges. There are plenty of electronics in the engine, suspension and elsewhere. But they seem working in the background and letting you have a tactile experience. I miss that.

[@BANDANA960]

I remember one of our family friends had one of these and took me out in it and Jesus wept! Monumental fun! Then he got an E39 M5 and a B8 RS4 after.

[@dr.albantross1686]

5:51 my dad owned multiple BMW from this era and and for me the fast high pitched cadence of the ignition is even more iconic for me in this era of BMW.

[@onespeed2624]

I only wish they made the sunroof slide open , no rear multilink like the E36 , but such a work of art if you slam gears the shift knob will pop off !

[@billylaguana2098]

I have been obsessed with these, I want one so bad

[@MrCornholios]

They are also called Elefant Shoe here in Europe. The non M versions with the normal 3.0 are also very nice and have a widebody too.

[@DEEuroworks]

What a beautiful car and color combination. Thanks for the review.

[@doomerconsumer]

whether someone likes this or not is the perfect litmus test of how "car guy' someone is! to me this car is a cult classic and such a rare gem

[@janp7882]

Day 33 of asking Tedward to drive the S60R (love the cars from that era, not a fan of those US spec bumpers they make this car slightly more awkward)

[@keithposter5543]

Absolutely love 'em. Don't like the Z3 much but these are wonderfully nuts. Great POV sir

[@ChristianC-gy1ym]

Phenomenal take on this iconic driving machine.

[@captaincrankshaft]

What a lovely vehicle

[@mevans313]

I just recently picked up one of these as my daily driver, S52 black on tan with 70k miles. It’s been such a fun car to drive on a daily basis! Surprisingly more comfortable and usable than I expected. If anyone is interested I’ll be continuing to post videos on what I do with it.

[@andrewhkim]

One of the rare BMWs w/o the Hofmeister kink 🙂

[@NIKOSPORTSreal]

I love watching your videos!

[@SVO-88]

Thanks Boooond Groop

[@aetrole4060]

Looks like a blast to drive.

[@carlosmiguel4756]

I've got to drive the Z3 M Coupe some years ago with the S50 putting out 325hp and i got to tell you: that engine is a delight!!!! powerful, fast and the sound is sick!!!

[@carguy7627]

I love the size of these and always liked how they look. I had one for a weekend but it turned out that it had been in an accident so I returned it. I really wanted one for a while. One with the S54 since I loved that engine in my E46 M3. By the time I was ready to buy one values had shot up so I decided to forgo it and got something else. For a little while I was in the minority liking these cars, I wish I had bought then but I had no idea they would shoot up in value. Anyway, I learned to get what I want as quick as I can since you don't know what the future holds.

[@ricodog3652]

Always thought this was such a neat car.

[@jv6miata]

We need another shish-box cross country road trip!

[@LetsGoBrandon_]

Still got my Z3M ... undriven and sitting in the garage for 8yrs now. Love to see it sitting there - hate to see it sitting there.

[@jehl1963]

Wow! My 3 favorite car channels all review the Z3M in the same week?!!! Maybe it's time to buy a lottery ticket!

[@RobertERensch]

It looks like a German AMC Pacer. I do like those. ✌️

[@chrisleddy5750]

Thanks for doing this video! The M Coupe is my dream car. Currently saving up for one. Would love an S54, but likely will go for an S52 as the prices are a little bit more palatable

[@Gabecmc]

Is this the only rwd manual hatchback? All I want in a car actually.

[@es9j4]

In the Z3m, the S54 actually came with a 5 speed, not a 6 speed 😉 Thanks for offering us the opportunity to get an idea of the taste of so many great cars 🤩

[@Paco_Gaepedores]

OMG What a BEAST 💪 I was in Paris today and I spotted my first ever Bugatti on the street 😍 Love from Paris, France 🇫🇷 ❤️

[@Euphorica]

S52 ftw

[@Christianfire18]

These are so goofy but I love them so much

[@phillsmith9255]

I cant believe the M3 and Z3 m of this period were so underpowered in the US in relation to the euro models.

[@Euphorica]

And yet it's right there with the euro spec to 100mph. You know all these cars, regardless of engine are slow as balls by modern standards. Even the euro spec is dog shit slow

[@AmilThaha]

Such a cool car, nothing else like it

[@redcarrot1148]

The Z3 is pre-Bangle as are the E46 an E39 and E38. Each one was at its styling peak until Bangle came along

[@TedwardDrives]

Bangle was head of design since 1992. He was absolutely part of these cars

[@ryanpatterson9526]

I thought these were so hideous looking when they came out in comparison to the roadster. Time has been good to this car because it looks fantastic now!

[@mtshark7]

Nice review Tom!

[@busterscrugs]

saw one on the highway at 3am, thought I was dreaming! same paint as the one in this video. passed him in my E39 😎

[@V6_VW]

Hello Ted from Greece . Please please make a review of an e34 BMW M5!

[@josephwayne8589]

please share more videos about how to get better at driving manual 🙏🏻

[@zach7232]

My first test drive when I was 16. I ended up getting a 2001 mustang gt manual instead but now that I’m in my 30s I’m looking for one of these to add to the garage.

[@evanpatterson7098]

BEAUTIFUL CAR!!❤❤

[@GoreTheronHD]

Hi Ted, here in Spain this car is known as The cosmic slipper 😂. Just a side note about it.

[@RichardinNC1]

I drove the S54 Z3 M Coupe 22 years ago and figured one day I'd own one. Still looking... However, Charlotte NC is the center of the Schuh Syndikat world and they recently had a gathering and set a record with 96 Clown Shoes if I recall. I know several folks that own them! I might, one of these days.....

[@waldevv]

Not that it really applies to this car specifically but I really miss the early 2000s when pretty much every cheap/affordable car brand had niche versions of their various models or just made fun models like this in general. Pretty much every cheap grocery getter had some kind of convertible or coupe version out there, nowadays it's all SUVs

[@nodical802]

3:01 Bars.

[@tscook10]

I love these and I prefer the S52 to the S54 on anything but a racetrack. IMO the s52 sound better and provide the opportunity to push it a little on the street.

[@Imoutofsalt]

Dear Tedward, I would be most grateful if you could take the Datsun 100A for a drive and offer a splendid point-of-view experience of the journey. Kindly showcase the car's unique charm and character as you navigate through various terrains, providing us with a delightful and immersive ride-along

[@Roddy_Zeh]

I still curse BMW for not selling these here in Brazil. I'd love to own one of these. I still remember watching videos on KZbin, over 12 years ago, of a Hartge example with the M5 E39's S62 V8.

[@christianelk743]

I don’t think the desirability of the drive train matters much with the clown shoe, people are frothing at the mouth just to buy one cause, let’s be honest, it’s the weirdest and most polarizing car BMW has ever produced and it makes me more excited to see one than seeing a 2.7 RS

[@RyanRoadReaper]

I think this is one of BMW's first polarizing designs. You either love the clownshoe, or you hate it because of its looks.

[@bengaltiger96]

Great fucking car, so long as you fix the weak chassis issues. Then she’s a beast.

[@1855Media]

Even a digital version of those gauges would be great (see what Ford is doing with the Mustang, or Porsche with the 911). The current BMW cluster is shockingly awful.

[@gerrywatson261]

I would have this all day long over the roadster!

[@Euphorica]

This car is a honda EG hatch that went on a bulk

[@Will-cs3yb]

Heads up, I noticed a rough cut around 50 sec.

[@mutated__donkey5840]

That thing looks hideous but my god do I want one

[@evanpatterson7098]

Did they make an Alpina version, Or an automatic version??

[@andrewhkim]

There was a Dinan-tuned version. Automatic was an option w/ the non-M, Z3 Coupes.

[@nodical802]

How is it simultaneously elegant and fugly

[@edmundoarmingol2037]

What engine inside? 321 cv??

[@adamberman9294]

Back when BMW could build a proper car

[@kevinjekyll1521]

I have a Z4m roadster, Bangle did have a small influence on them, doubt the Z3's. So should I buy one in the same colour blue, but grey import damaged from Japan, 60,000km, converted from LHD to RHD which is the norm where I live, still $39500, what would you pay for it? Please, any thoughts, anyone...

[@alexandram9477]

i had the 2000 M Roadster, I messed up and sold it :(

[@hanse81]

Did you say 3000 GBP ?!?! Where I live these are priced like classics at 35k GBP even the 2.8L is like 17k. (for nice ones) This is 1400 kg and a manual 1.8 Miata was less then 1100, so percent wise a lot of difference.

[@TedwardDrives]

I never said price. I said weight

[@jrdrager]

Ewww the throttle pedal pivots on the bottom?

[@TedwardDrives]

like every Bmw and a lot of GM

[@Euphorica]

​@@TedwardDrives also Porsches

[@694069406940]

to days cars ween you buy one thy all come free whit clown shoes. the shape and look of them to day 🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮. this bmw looks very nice 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@timorgano]

I love the Z3M shape and engine. I just absolutely hate that rear number/licence plate. Any other Z3 model would have a moulded recess in the bumper, and that's fine. It fits the styling and works. But on the M it's up on the rear panel and looks hideous (it's worse on the European roadster, where I am) and just kills the look for me, which is a shame as that side I'd have loved one. I have no idea why BMW did that. Heat from the quad and more central exhausts perhaps?

[@Durbanite2010]

It is a fantastic car, it has aged so well. However, here in England, they are all north of £20000 regardless of condition, so only the rich can afford this as a daily driver.

[@odinlarsen_]

Would love to see a video on the euro e36 m3

[@Euphorica]

Slow as shit

[@PrimaryIgnition]

Baby FF with half the cylinders and way less than half price.

[@starrdogchamp1]

M means nothing now

[@alfamonk]

80hp down on the EU S50? That's wild.

[@cjmadura]

Nice presentation, but I'd spend my money on a Z4M coupe over this awkward-looking car, rarity be damned.

[@TedwardDrives]

The 2001-2002 Z3M has the same engine as the Z4M

[@cjmadura]

@@TedwardDrives Thanks for the clarification.

[@juergenstraub]

You forgot to mention that the rear axle of the Z3 can have a sketchy behavior🙃

[@teagancombest6049]

Rear subframe mounts not the axle.

[@juergenstraub]

@teagancombest6049 Im talking about driving behavior. Better read before write my friend

[@TheCosmicGuy0111]

Noooom

[@heretogetupdated6199]

Are you single? 👀😌

[@PaulLeproux]

First

[@Kurt-LoMein]

Truth

[@stuntvist]

FYI for that era of BMW, you didn't get almost any of the good stuff, even when you got the exact same engines. Your M52's were all cast iron block instead of aluminium like the rest of the world and those aluminium ones can handle ridiculously high power no problem while being roughly half the weight of the cast iron equivalents. Plus the interior trim on all models from that time ate up way more legroom in NA than the rest of the world because of some weird "people won't wear their seatbelts" regulations you had. Also you got the annoying secondary air pump situation on some engines among other minor differences. If you want to 6spd swap those cars though you can shorten the driveshaft (or get a junkyard diesel BMW driveshaft and shorten that) and get a ZF S6-37 for less than a set of tyres and it'll probably be good for however much power and abuse you want to throw at it. The only real downside I'd say the clownshoe has is that it got the E30 rear suspension geometry instead of the multilink stuff almost every BMW model at the time had. The E30 rear suspension rides rougher at similar damping and spring rates compared to the multilink stuff and is a tad more sketchy over some bumps. Everything else about them is perfect or fixable for pennies. The Z3's could be optioned with Kyalami orange and Palmetto green though, both of which are absolutely gorgeous and super rare because people can't stop buying cars in different shades of grey (white-black).

[@Euphorica]

The iron block engines are way better than the silly aluminum blocks.

[@teagancombest6049]

That's why you just gotta use an M44 then, sorry! Aluminum ftw.

[@Person-cv9dj]

Umpopular opinion but this has to be one of the ugliest designs ever even though i still want one