BMW Z1 - Misunderstood, Unloved, but Brilliant. Why NOW is the PERFECT TIME to Buy | TheCarGuys.tv

[@scontogoulas]

I've owned a few special cars in my life (Ferrari 348tb, BMW M6 V10, Audi R8, Lancia Integrale among others), but i can safely say that my "Urgrun" Z1 is the most fun car i've ever had. And the plus side is that you can have tons of fun at low speeds... you don't need to rev the hell out of it :) Great video Damian, keep up the good work!

[@tonymoreton7166]

Been daily driving BMWs continuously since 1988. 316, 318, 328, E46 M3, E92 M3. All great for what they do & reliable. But the Z1 is a real special. Brilliant video - one of your best.

[@recalcitrant_recidivist9278]

I saw a black one of these on Old Christchurch Road in the early ‘90s….. The doors are ace!! Great video again Damian.

[@christopherhunter2892]

I remember seeing this car at Earls Court. Then late in 1990 MLG in Chiswick had one in the showroom and I would walk by desperate to have this car. My partner secretly arranged a test drive for me. I was fortunate to have an inheritance early in 1991 and used it to buy a Z1 in green with the lemon cream / dark green interior. Fabulous car. The instruments came from a BMW motorbike. Interior was beautifully done. From a time when BMW were at the top of their game.

[@gerards8930]

Cool, good to see a video on these. The 507 is a V8, not a 6...

[@freddaniali]

Damian, wow, what a blast from the past! I remember in 1986 when this car was in prototype and the Los Angeles Museum of Science and Industry (now the California Science Center) had this car displayed on its floor. The interesting thing was that all of the plastic panels were velcroed and attached to the car where the children could remove the panels from the chassis and then reattach them!

[@ozeskiman]

This is why I watch the Car Guys. Damien takes us Back to the Future with this little gem of car. The BMW Z1. It doesn't get any cooler than this little beauty. What were BMW thinking when they came up with the idea of disappearing doors? Is it pretty? Not exactly, but it is special. Damien gives a great review on the creation of the car and revels in his experience driving it. I have a german collector friend who not only has a Z1 but also the iconic 507 and a Z8..lucky man. Thanks to Jack for letting Damien take us along for the ride. Red watch (?) to match the paint too.

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Thanks, Tony - really appreciate those kind words

[@summit_detailing]

More modern classics please Damian! I also liked the background and technical info at the beginning. Cheers, Chris

[@timmy6012]

The Z1 is one of those cars that ticks all the right boxes. Innovative, classy and rare as Rocking Horse poo. If you’re lucky enough to hitch a ride in one then take the opportunity. Great review!👍🏼

[@TobyD]

Love the Z1 since I first saw one parked with doors down back in 1991. Never seen one since. Great throwback vid!

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@RevMonkey]

A good era of cool BMWs to be fair. I loved the Z8 - darn expensive now.

[@peetje28021970]

Can remember them coming out and watching it in the showroom back in 88 or 89 and drooling over it but seeing it now I can't say it has aged nicely.

[@philipguacci6452]

I have a Schabak precision model of the Z1. It even comes with a plastic lever to raise those doors. In white. Due it being left hand drive, I don't think I have seen one on our roads down under. Strange but beautiful. Cheers.

[@aeppler4life.71]

I once rode in one and I've never sat so deep in a car. really a great thing

[@tennismaroc]

Wonderful content as usual Damian! 💯

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Glad you think so!

[@robc9136]

When I was 14.. 24 years ago. There used to be one of these parked at a furniture store in maidenhead UK as I went past on my school bus. It intreged me and i always thought what bloody great doors it had. Never seen one in person since.

[@sealgrey.911]

I owned a 325 i which had the same engine, as you mentioned. When revving, it was humming and letting you hear trumpets. A "cream engine" and "dream engine". Gorgeous and a sheer fun to drive. The gearboxes were always very smooth and easy to shift in my experience. The acceleration was great in its day. Nowadays, spoiled as yourself by Porsche and Ferrari, we get the feeling it is quite slow but that's not true.

[@Steeee.Veeee.O]

First proper honest review of the z1 , cheers , always loved em' .Never seen one in person.Can imagine cruising in it with my 10yr old daughter on a hot day, she'd love it

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@911aircooled5]

Thanks for the different upload. Enjoyable and Special!

[@JohnAgustinScuderia458595]

I never knew such a BMW existed! What magnificent piece of machinery! 😍

[@markbenson7670]

Another great video guys .you smashed it again

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Thank you very much - much appreciated

[@SH-ly1uy]

What a great car. And thanks for converting your numbers for us guys from the continent

[@Gavin-oq5tt]

Thank you for the review, I remember the z1 coming out and I was always interested in it, Enjoyed your thoughts ( although I am probably not running out with my check book, the Z8 is probably the car we should all go out and buy). I am happy with my 348, just hope I can find some super unleaded this weekend….

[@charlie1832]

I forget where I first saw this ,but I’ve liked this car since because of the doors just thought it was cool and completely different than anything else

[@FunkyG3009]

Great vid. Nice to see something different. More modern classics please.

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Might be a problem if the viewing figures are all like this.

[@daveshongkongchinachannel]

Great review and I remember thinking how nice this car looked when it first came out. This is definitely a unique find amongst the various car channels and surprised others haven't picked up on this little gem.

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Thanks, Dave 👍

[@richardcarter1000]

Great review, lovely to see. I thought about getting one back in the day but LHD put me off. Good to see one again.

[@jon8687]

ah the old analogue days eh. Thanks for an interesting video Damian

[@richardm2661]

Those novelty doors are tremendous. I want a go.

[@fakereality3792]

Saw one in Munich one time. Spoke to the owner. It was as cool as 🥰

[@standandeliver8376]

I sat in one of these at the motor show in Earls Court (I think). I would have been 12 years old and I remember thinking, "yep, this is the car for me". Alas, ownership of one never happened.

[@jon.steele]

A great blast from the past and as you say likely a past unicorn moment, they don't let the special team loose anymore.

[@berttroubleyn3475]

I just sold my classic car (a manual V12) to my brother, thinking no more classic cars for me. About 3 days after the sale, I noticed how I 'accidentally' started visiting car selling websites again. And the Z1 kept on popping up when I let my finger "ouija board" the cars to search for ;) So then I started digging and virtually every review is very positive about the nice driving experience. So now I find myself Googling for known issues with the model (guess what, those doors can break down) and I fear I might very soon be visiting car sellers who have a Z1 in stock... PS: 2 small corrections: the engine is from the 325iX, which used an adapted version of the 2.5, with an altered torque curve. And the 507 had a V8, not an inline six.

[@CarvingCanyons]

Those doors are epic!

[@markhill8990]

This is a cracking review of a car that rocked the barrier. Vast improvement Well done 👍🏻

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Glad you liked it

[@PADABOUM]

For a car of this period, it is not a super quick 0-60 but it has a healthy 60-100 which makes it pretty pleasant on long GT trips

[@onkouth]

I do remember back in the 90s looking out of a nightclub window and watching 2 guys pull up and get out of one of these only to be surrounded by girls, 😂, honestly, it drew more attention than any other car I’ve seen including Lambo’s, Porsche’s and Ferrari’s. They are a very special thing and highly revered by BMW Enthusiasts. BMW Designers should revive this car in a modern form, it will need to have the doors tho or its nothing.

[@terryfenner8142]

YES, spotted this in a ‘Watchguys’ pic earlier in the week and hoped you were doing a review… seen one in a car show and loved it.. they don’t make them like this anymore ….👌🏻

[@ProfDrDrThomasJRosemann]

I owned a Z1 back in 1991. Unfortunately I sold it with just 8000 km. I often regreted it. Somethig like the Z1 will never be created by BMW again, since it was never intended to be mass produced. So I bought an i8 roadster las year, also an outstanding car with many innovations (CFK, doors, hybrid, Laser headlights). And I won't make the same mistake again!

[@thedrivebygg]

Really really funny, loving the door down comments

[@TheCarGuysTV]

👍👍👍👍

[@fishbert17]

I was completely familiar with the Z1. An enjoyable review. Have you considered doing a review of the ND2 MX5?

[@jasongreen7065]

Love this. Got a Z3 which I love and the Z1 is just badass. Thanks for the review

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Thanks for watching!

[@robertlloyd7493]

What a superb presentation enhanced by the garnish of beans 👍

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Thanks a lot

[@andrewhill9513]

What a lovely video, i throughly enjoyed that, its made me appreciate the Z1 more

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jameshilux9694]

Just watched your z1 video! Me and James loved it ! And yes you should “ pat cyclist on the bottom “ as you drive past 😂😂 love the video,, Claire xx

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Glad you enjoyed it, Claire

[@HawkMillFarm]

Never been a BMW man but enjoyed the history lesson. The Z8 was gorgeous, wasn't she!

[@owenthomas8156]

That’s a lovely quirky thing, another great video 👍🏻

[@arthurosborne2445]

Nice review .

[@anthonyharding5]

Brilliant, not just the car, but your videos and the way you make them. Especially the way you entertain us with the history of vehicles which makes me get straight on to Autotrader and find what’s about. Thank you Damien. This also applies to The Watch Guys. 👌🎥

[@markscars1069]

This is quite marvellous content 👍

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Thank you

[@niosanfrancisco]

as long as you keep the elastic band fresh (timing belt) you are good to go !!!!!

[@frankmaeder4358]

I had the privilege to drive one many times, lent to me by my gf so she could use my much bigger car to transport stuff. Never forget the feeling of driving down the Autobahn at 140 km/h with the doors down - what a feeling! like in a go-cart. the only car ever that could give you that feeling. just a once in a lifetime car and experience that i still love to think back about.

[@garyg5947]

Great review of a really quirky car!!

[@Smitlors]

Everybody knows when there are no doors on your car it's just better lol that famous German sense of humour showing up again here I think 🤣 great episode Damien would you do a series on weird and wonderful type cars?

[@jeffhall3242]

Super cool, never knew about this gem(I live in the states). Good video D!

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@SpontaneousEvolution]

Great car, great vid!

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Brepic]

This is such a cool car

[@Extremelybadpiggies]

One of the best cars I found by random 👍🏼

[@patrikjakobson4718]

Great!

[@adams7405]

Back when BMW were very innovative,had a few E30 325i 's lovely powertrain and decently quick,regret selling my H reg 325i Sport for 3k about 10 years ago.......

[@nicksmith4730]

I cannot believe you said the Z4 has no allure. It’s literally the most underrated second hand sports car on the market today. A late model e85 or 86 with the N52 engine is a peach as long as you get rid of the run flats. Try a good one and I think you’ll be surprised.

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Not for me, sorry

[@TheJk120]

Good video

[@Ztandard32]

Nice one. You seemed to enjoy that! :)

[@lukewaring2832]

Lovely day in the forest. Pigs and all.. No 0-60 time required. Driving a car from an era when driving quality and feel were key..thabks for sharing. Epic thanks.😎🤪

[@paulrogers1531]

Great video as always but one pressing question. What is that on your wrist?

[@PADABOUM]

I don’t know what you would say it was not a commercial success. They sold a lot more than they intended to produce initially. Slots were a reward to dealers which is why Germany got so many. Initially they traded above list price in the secondary market. They produced as much as they could using the equipment to the point that when the zamac mould were about to be shot, they had to stop production. The car had never been intended to be produced for profit but rather as a live test for the future and an image exercise.

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

Great little car, as used by the lovely 'Ingrid' in 'Inspector Montalbano'. Great vid, Damian, the steering wheel is like a Mclaren F1! most Interesting. 👍🏻

[@charlie1832]

The 507 is an amazing car

[@drew699]

Horrific thing. A total lash up & about as dynamic as a four poster on castors. BMW’s first stab at making a thing called a ‘sports car’ since the fifties efforts. Best forgotten. Forever.

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Ouch!

[@johnprince5931]

Great vid

[@jamesmeacock347]

Wonderful video of a wonderful car…completely ruined by the cigarette lighter icon inserted in the wrong orientation. OCD HELL. Thanks Damien

[@fh6758]

Love these ''no cheesy face'' , honest reviews, well done guys✌️💯😎

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Much appreciated!

[@cw5900]

Great video as always Damien. A note on last weeks video, will you at some point do a video focused solely on the 675LT, I think it’s one of the nicest cars in your collection, or maybe even a road trip? Also are there any plans for an F40 replacement? Cheers!

[@TheCarGuysTV]

There's a couple in the back catalogue and yes there will be a new one too

[@stevehodkinson9768]

Different enjoyed it

[@pauln0371]

Harm also designed several other Porsche's including the 993, 996 & 997. First Boxster and Cayman and most notably the Carrera GT..Other projects included the Original Ford Sierra Jelly Mould and the first Porsche Cayenne. The last one I can forgive him has a bad day at the office..lol

[@TheCarGuysTV]

I would give more credit to Tony Hatter for those - and as I wouldn’t use Wikipedia for the source I’d have to look into it further.

[@rhettcorcoran2879]

Very interesting video, a friend had one in the early noughts, spot on about the Z4, IMHO, of course!

[@ingopaul67]

Z1 always stuck in my mind since I saw one in a BMW dealership back in the early 90s. Truly different, don't make them like that anymore.

[@gbc7344]

Lovely car..great vid..thanks Damien for this.

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@platypushatstand]

So that 319 grille seems similar to today’s designs, no? I remember going on a visit from primary school to the Ardingly Agriculture Show in the late ‘70s and seeing my first Lamborghini (a tractor), but BMW had a stand and were showing the M1 sports car. It’s a testament to BMW that everything works as it should (no doubt regular fettling helps). But the thought of potentially doing 140mph with the doors down 😳

[@scottcabot5039]

What watch is that you’re wearing Damien ? Looks interesting 🤓 awesome video really enjoying these weekly releases 💪

[@michaeljordan6008]

Nice clamshell hood.

[@mattbuckley392]

Groovy .... very odd but very very cool.

[@gexpe2003]

Great

[@Andy_T79]

For some reason with the doors down it always reminded me of a larger version of the Sinclair C5 🤷‍♂️

[@saxonuk14]

The 507 was a 3.2l V8, not a straight six as claimed. I assume a mis-speak in the video, as the power output and capacity were both right, just the number of cylinders was wrong.

[@hbullock]

Z4 - “Which, to me at least, holds no allure whatsoever” lololololol

[@markplayford5836]

First car review featuring the Studio Underd0g melon, an excellent choice. When the car was launched I was instantly put off by the electric doors, I thought now there is a motor failure waiting to happen. Should have realised that it features German engineering which apparently is better than say the French electric sliding doors a la Peugeot 1007! 😱 so I should not of worried! Of course I was far too poor to afford one plus of course I thought the MX5 looked better, although perhaps not as quick (dam sight cheaper though). Suffice to say I love it too, different is good and nice to hear it drives great too. 😄

[@TheCarGuysTV]

I would still say the early MX5s are much better to drive, and better looking. Need to get one of those on the channel really.

[@markplayford5836]

@@TheCarGuysTV Now that’s a cracking idea. 👍

[@rh9583]

how dare you do my z4 e85 like that, shocking! The market definitely thinks there is allure, I bought mine for £3,500 a couple of years ago and now you won't find my example for under £8k now

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Not my cup of tea, sorry

[@adams7405]

Great engines but probably overshadowed by the Boxster. Will take a Z8 though.....

[@TheCarGuysTV]

@@R8_Jake None

[@rh9583]

@@TheCarGuysTV hahaha. I love that you’re willing to die on this hill. You’ve definitely driven a lot more cars than me. That’s it, I’m selling it today. Best car under £10k?

[@davidmcmen]

I know you said the current z4 had no allure - but could you please review the z4 m40i, i would love to hear what you think of it compared the 718 S where you said such lovely things about the engine

[@davidpriestley666]

5pm Friday’s with the car guys is joint 1 st place with the my first pint 🍺 of the week, another superb episode good work sir 👍

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Thanks 👍

[@fluffekins]

Why no shots of you getting in and out? What's the technique?

[@TheCarGuysTV]

😂😂

[@eze8970]

I think the dropped doors just spoil the lines. Wasn't a fan then, still not not now. That said, an interesting car for it's time, & adventurous for BMW.

[@flyinghedgehog3833]

Yep they blew the bloody doors off !

[@karllo9116]

Maybe I'm weird, but this has always been one of my grail cars. If only they made it in RHD.

[@kmac5849]

“And I give you”........it back🤣

[@Happy-as-Larry]

Buy a black one Damian

[@larsheydecke887]

Great 😀👍👍

[@julianadams2206]

Great review, love the consumer advice on patting passing cyclists if you own one of these cars. 😂 More modern classics please.

[@65Antonis]

And so, just like that, Jack drove away and vanished în the Horizon...! Thanks Damian

[@mattylf1]

The good times for BMW, before the cars were stuck with that ugly big grill they get now. Always liked the look of these and are quite rare to see on the roads. Would of loved to see them with pop up lights to make them super cool.