BMW Z3 Buying Guide - Cheap RWD Sports Car Investment!

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The Z3 was BMW's response to the sports car roadster trend of the 1990s, started by the Mazda MX5. Derived from E30 and E36 underpinnings, the Z3 makes for a stylish cruiser and fun sports car today, not to mention great value! Here's everything you need to know when buying a BMW Z3 or Z3M!
Thanks to WB & Sons for loan of these cars: wbandsons.com/
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Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:56 Body & Chassis
4:35 Engine & Gearbox
7:44 Suspension & Brakes
9:08 Interior & Electrics
11:26 Buying
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[@TG-pd3ft]

2.8 is the sweet spot

[@Mr_Bones.]

As a 97 1.9L Z3 owner of eight years, this video review is surprisingly very accurate. I’m impressed you know so much about these little devils. I love my Z3. You’re right about the A/C not being great, but that’s because the majority are still using their reliable but worn out factory compressors. Swap them out with a new unit for cold AC, which is mandatory in South Florida 🥵 Fun fact, Z3s don’t have cabin air filters. And I highly recommend the more expensive GAHH soft top for replacing the roof. It’s was $800 as of 2023, but it’s straightforward in installation and you can tell it’s high quality. Z3’s are heavy old slow cars. A new Camry S is faster than a inline 6 Z3M. I have the base i4 and a 2018 base Hyundai Elentra will blow my doors off. A 2016 Corolla will speed like a Skyline compared to my car. But you put this baby in to 5th gear, top down on a cool spring day, and you’ll feel like a millionaire. Z3’s are a cruising car. Everyday will feel like a Sunday drive. Put Bluetooth in it and you’ll get the same feeling of freedom and peace as a Ferrari slow cruising the Pacific Coast Highway. Plus my car only cost me $4k at purchase 😂 can’t beat that! Cheap to fix as well.

[@pmtilbury6596]

Prices are beginning to go up significantly for good ones in the UK - doubled over the last few years

[@arthurdardalis]

Good guide but you should never fold plastic rear screens without folding them in the middle first and preferably put a towel between the folds to prevent the plastic rubbing on itself

[@PatrickEvabs]

Completely agree/ I use a pool noodle/ or a folded up blanket

[@salami99]

If you clean it with vinyl window clear, it will sand away the scratches. If u neglect it they become impossible

[@flirtingdisaster]

BMW sold the car including a branded flannel to avoid this problem. It mostly got lost during different owners.

[@arminprnjavorac2084]

Right now, here in Spain the 4cyl models start at around 10k Euros which is way more expensive.

[@tonyluk112]

Put a smile on my face…. every time driving it ! 😊

[@lukieboyzlukieboyz7242]

Excellent video. He knows his Z3s thanks

[@nathancremeans5713]

Definitely all good points, however, I would definitely have added in to watch out for the infamous ‘subframe spot weld cracks’ commonly you will see spot welds in the trunk that will crack as the diff is mounted with intent of only running the 4 cylinder. The 6 cylinders will crack the spot welds separating the rear subframe from the body of the car. I would know as mine has started. Very common

[@olliesgrandad]

I owned an 'Orinoco' edition 2.8 for several years.. SRS light coming on was caused by an issue with the wiring loom under the seats . Bodyshells pulling apart in the area of the diff carrier was a known issue with the Z 3 M cars and the 2.8's which have been 'enjoyed' - check the spot welds in the boot floor area thoroughly. For many years BMW treated this as a warranty repair My 1999 orinoco edition was a very limited model and possessed the later twin vanos engine in the wide body early shell with factory fit M rear lights, clear indicators ,repeaters and nearly every extra including aircon and power hood. If you can find one i'm sure it will be a future classic. A scary issue I had with my car was one of the rear brake pads pulling apartfrom the backing - and that was a genuine BMW part. If you need a back window replacing check out how much BMW charge - they came in a £100 cheaper when I had done compared to a local coach trimmer.

[@jimmyquinn9639]

Another good video and nice car 🚘🚙🚗👍👍👍👍👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👏👏👏

[@AfaqDraw]

Love the Z3 Might get one in the near future 👀

[@64bakes]

Great video. I've seen people talking about avoiding the four pot engined Z3's in the past, but I'd say that the M44 is an absolute peach of an engine (it's what was used in the 318IS) and is a great choice, especially with the price difference compared to the six pot M52/54. Both sixes are also great, but be prepared for having to change the PCV (git of a job), oil filter housing gasket, valve cover gasket and various vacuum hoses / rubber blanking bungs on the inlet manifold. This should be done at a bare minimum unless done recently. For VANOS servicing, Mr Vanos is the go-to guy. Oil service intervals were long on the sixes, so beware of varnishing on the camshaft as well as chunks of old oil where the car wasn't serviced more frequently than every 10k miles. I also disagree that the GM auto is best avoided if you want an auto. It's much more reliable than the ZF unit and both were actually marketed as sealed for life, although that's not recommended. Parts to service the GM box are also cheaper than the ZF unit.

[@earlbigod]

Awesome and very thorough buying guide. An absolute must watch for any enthusiast.

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Thanks very much! 😁

[@PatrickEvabs]

Just bought my 2nd Zed 3 - both are 1996 / 5spd w/ 1.9 liter. Dad has the original/ silver with Hard top and Burgundy leather seats. Purchased a few years ago from the original owner for $3K … and I missed it/ so I bought myself another 1996/ black on black with 115k miles for $3k again. No hardtop / but the wheels are $$$!! Go find one of these awesome little machines

[@Hammertime_1235]

I love my 2001 5 speed manual topaz blue eith the 2.5 and i have the original hardtop but its a dream to have as your first car.

[@paulgardner560]

Have had mine for 9 years and have enjoyed hassle free motoring for the whole 9 years. Starts on the button each time. Bodywork issues as described by Joe but to be expected with a 25 year old car. Very informative video 😊

[@stoneylonesome4062]

Bro! Bro! Z8 Swap it! Okay, I kid. But if only there was a kit to put that V8 from the M5 in a Z3

[@paulgardner560]

@@stoneylonesome4062 If only I could .....

[@ReelWheelsMediaLtd]

Nicely done

[@stoneylonesome4062]

Love the styling on this thing. The ones after look ugly in comparison. Also the best Z-Series (other than the Z-8) due to how small it is. And it’s relatively analogue. Plastic and computer chips are the death-knell of Classic cars.

[@hughjass8430]

Great guide. What site are you listing all those parts and prices from?

[@MrWindsurfer2]

Thank you very much for this sharing. However, I was very confused about which engine to look for. In fact, I was scared, because it seems like everyone has serious problems. Which one would you look for in order to have fewer problems? thank you

[@noelleon2466]

I got and 1.9 1996 z3 it was leaking like crazy when I got it changed the oil pan gasket was not the problem and changed the oil filter housing gasket still was leaking i had to the the oil filter housing oil ring plug was the problem after that never leaked again

[@PompeyMatt17]

1:30.. sorry you've got that wrong..what you're pointing out is the outer sill covers..agreed they are about 180 quid.. the inner sill is what rots, that is no longer available and to chop and replace is about £5000... per side..

[@GadgetMart]

I’ve just almost ‘given’ a tidy Z4 away. It’s criminal the low prices of these cars.

[@chrismason-bailey7467]

Hi there. I stand to be corrected, but i don't think you're quite right re. the sills ... you can buy the outer panel (which is a very common rot point) from BMW and replace that easily. That is the piece on the diagram you shared (people need to beware that the outer sills of the widebody and non-widebody are different though). Behind the outer sill is the inner structural sill (what you show at 1:16 with the holes in and rot) and the repairs to this become much more tricky. I had a pre-facelift 1.9 a few years ago that i had spent LOTS of money on but sadly i got to the outer sills too late to save it. Was quoted a LOT to repair it properly (the inner sill parts from BMW if you can find them are astronomical and the rot was in a very hard spot to repair) so ended up breaking her for parts. Have a late rot free 2.2i now though (which is the pick of the bunch IMHO) and i love it to bits :)

[@DoubleDeckerAnton]

The 2.2 is a nice straight six and not too thirsty. My pick is the Z3M in Estoril Blue. I test drove one in 2007 and it was very nice. I prefer the interior in black, instead of blue/black combination.

[@MrWitmadrid]

What a prizes in UK! In Spain the cheapests are from 4000/5000€

[@jimsgarage263]

I have an e39 with the GM 4 Speed. IT IS NEVER IN THE WRONG GEAR.

[@user-pz4eh1di5t]

had one in Texas. the interior plastics will crumble if you try to take it apart. i think it suppose to naturally degrade instead of lasting forever. well, mine degraded in place. had the 1.9l and it had a flat spot at about 50mph in 5th gear; you could floor it and it would barely speed up. the hood is super expensive to replace because there is no aftermarket options. the drive train never failed. it was just everything around it failed. i never replaced nearly as many parts on this bmw than any other vehicle i've ever owned. it was like a hot girlfriend, you spend a lot of money and ever so often, you will get a smile put on your face.

[@sake4jake350]

are the 1997 2.8 4-speed GM transmissions really as bad as this video says? i’m about to buy one with 80k miles this weekend.

[@foreverknight1109]

As a yank very well-done video. thanks.

[@ColonelForkEyes]

No Nikasil issue on Z3, only 328i prior to 97

[@Isuckatgames]

Here frrom the sidemen wanted to learn more about the z3

[@DarkClosetOfTheMind]

Man, Z3 prices are waaaayyy better than in the States. I realize the numbers you are saying are in pounds, but even with the conversion they are a better buy there. :( The only exception are the M and shoe (bread van).

[@DoubleDeckerAnton]

Always liked a Z3M in Estoril Blue. Beautiful design, great sound from that screaming straight six engine and handling and ride to match. Anything after this just isn't as classic. Z4s looked like a hammerhead shark.

[@Fatal_Inertia]

Just to clarify if anyone was wondering, this car should not have an M badge on the boot lid, it is a base model.

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Indeed...

[@rzr2ffe325]

Yeah I see that a lot for some reason

[@salami99]

Replacing the soft top is a huge pain its not a couple hours work its 2 days. It’s not worth doing yourself for the z3 ask anyone who has done it before

[@salami99]

maybe its because I have the auto top.

[@markwagner4909]

We had a 1997 model We had that car for years until 2008 by a drunk driver lost control 5:17 of his Nissan Z hit our apron to the driveway went airborne into our garage hitting our Z3 pushing it into the house and master bathroom teetering over the stairwell to our basement, the cost to repair the house was over $160k It was a very sad ending to such a beautiful car

[@gameadventures1]

jesus..

[@paulstevenson7273]

Are all z3s made in Germany I have a slim body 1996 p 1.9 tc a minter in black I never use it I'm waiting for the price's to rise I can't understand why there so cheap considering far better than a mgb

[@xblinketx]

Z3 were manufactured in USA only.

[@rivaroci]

buy the metal water pump, lasts longer

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Great tip!

[@TheMunch97]

Don’t know if it’s anything like my 996, but even with a stronger metal pump it’s recommended to go with the plastic. If the metal one fails it will throw metal parts into the engine and do a lot of damage, much less damage if a plastic one fails.

[@boabie1463]

Another couple of year and you prob wont get one for less than 10k

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

All the more reason to stock up!

[@arlenburgin2392]

These prices are so bogus