BMW Z3 M Coupe Review - Worth The Weird?

[@MrRoyck10]

This from an era when BMW built M cars as the ultimate driving machine, today BMW builds the ultimate digital synthetic machine with fake sounds and pop/ bang back box. BMW you have truly lost your soul along with other German car makers!

[@mrv4063]

Agree! Though Porsche still have some of their soul left.

[@samcourt6228]

I like these. It’s a cool car and it shows how far BMW styling has fallen. That noise is fabulous.

[@Sooopa_Doopa]

And now modern BMWs have engine sounds that are broadcasted through the stereo. The Ultimate Driving Machines have become the Ultimate Posing Machine

[@ianedmonds9191]

@@Sooopa_Doopa The last good sounding BMW was the last NA engine. The E85 Z4 rev 2. An N52 and an open top. Luv and Peace.

[@ianedmonds9191]

The clownshoe is a cool car. I'd love to own one. Luv and Peace.

[@Sooopa_Doopa]

​@@ianedmonds9191 The last -good sounding- great sounding BMWs were the V8 powered E90/92 M3 and the V10 powered E60 m5/E63 M6 Find the lie

[@artysanmobile]

This is, by far, my favorite BMW of all time. Gorgeous, fast, practical, rare.

[@spainter1985]

My neighbour had one of these when they were released in black, always thought it was an interesting car - quite quirky but very purposeful. Prefer the 'breadvan' look to the convertible.

[@DjDolHaus86]

I've always loved the Z3 M Coupe, looks so much different to every other performance car of the time

[@mattevans4377]

Oh how the mighty BMW have fallen....... Make cars like this again, BMW.

[@augustortiz]

Matt Evans they really have lost their way unlike any other brand.

[@visionist7]

Please accept thirty nine flavours of front wheel drive crossover as a consolation prize

[@sjoroverpirat]

@@augustortiz mercedes had some hard hiccups, but are doing good now. Have faith.

[@guidobottazzo]

can't believe what bmw has become nowdays..imo the Mcoupe is the pinnacle of their creartivity

[@augustortiz]

Joakim Heitmann i know i know every brand has hiccups! But BMW seems to have a chronic hiccup problem lately because everything they are doing is literally shit hahaha.

[@paulconway8891]

I have always loved these cars and also have a thing about yellow cars so when my wife bought me one of these in yellow for my 50th you can only imagine how happy i was ...these cars are pure drivers cars ..i tookit to a track day ay oulton park and had a 30min lesson., the instructor said he'd seen it in the pits and was praying he would get a chance to sit in it ..by the end of the session nothing was even close to (yes the brakes are a weak spot)...that was 5 years ago and i still love it ..long live the Munich bread van

[@Altjoni]

This is the prettiest two seater ever, IMO at least. I don't like 2seaters at all due to their limited boot space but this one... Gosh I love this one since the first time I randomly saw it on the street as a young boy and had to literally rub my eyes in disbelief 😳😍

[@ravennexusmh]

That old school rear end squat is due to the z3 sharing the rear suspension with the old e30, it's a real mix up if BMW parts.

[@rencaelum4396]

It's a beautiful Frankenstein.

[@Soze75]

Oh did I worship this thing when it was introduced. Used to go down to the dealership after-hours and stare through the glass in wonder. People would say it was ugly and that would make me want it more. M2 Comp is now the only BMW I still have a flame for

[@MrJonnycm]

Love how you appear to be getting tailgated by some 116D

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Standard

[@wrayjordan7188]

Great to hear you enjoyed it. I love my 2000 M Coupe. Little less HP but don’t think it’s lacking power. Still pulls like crazy. Thanks for your review.

[@CryoCoffinVampire]

My father and I have the 2002, bright yellow, non m version of this car. As always with a 20 year old BMW we have some wear and tear issues with the clutch, the seats got a bit loose (it turned it it was really easy to fix), and we need to fix the right window which does not roll up all the way. Do I still love the car? ABSOLUTELY!!! It has a great personality, a magnificently strange exterior, and it is a wonderful drive.

[@Thettruthornothing]

I just bought my first Z3 Coupe - 99 S52 2.8 with a Manual - Ater a month of ownership and 800 miles of city, highway, and canyon driving - This car is not for sale, ever.

[@aarvin1]

The car has character, the exterior doesn't look boring at all!

[@wockhardt_user]

Dont know why, but it is such a pretty car.

[@Chief81]

I used to see one of these most mornings on the way to work, it had CSL wheels on it & it looked beautiful. This is a nice looking car, especially the back end which looks beasty.

[@BenFenner]

As an M Coupe owner who's spent a lot of time in an S2000, I think you've got the comparison spot on. Only coming from an S2000 could you think the S54 engine is torque-y, the BMW transmission action could use improvement, and find the steering response and initial turn-in lacking. Compare it to pretty much anything else and it's the opposite on all accounts. :-) Great video!

[@morgman43]

One of these, in blue, has been in my dream garage since the late 90s. Fabulous thing.

[@Billy_Street]

Great now I want one again... awesome cars. E36 platform was one of the best bmw chassis mast produced for sheer driving hooning. I’m going out for a drive now in mine because of this video!

[@jeffreysalzman1497]

I sat in one of these at a car show as a kid and I've always thought the design was weird and wonderful. Later I bought a Z4M coupe, but the Zed 3 started it all for me.

[@kleinbottled79]

Used to drive past one of these regularly in a local posh neighborhood circa 2008-9. I agree that it is a striking car in person. There is something oddly charismatic about it. I always got a good eyeful as I drove past. Future classic for sure.

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

Yet another car which has grown on me

[@ianhay2724]

reminds me of a Reliant Scimitar, "Princess Anne owns one you know lol"

[@ruicoelhoruic5678]

I was lucky to own one as my daily , back in 2002 👍

[@vinnyvsx]

Back in the day (my early 20s) a friend had an early z3M, if it wasn't trying to kill him on wet roads, it set my top speed on my satnav which for years I couldn't beat. I then lost the satnav during a house move, and to be honest, I don't think my Defender will be setting any speed records anyway lol

[@ericdanthon2]

I own the non M Z3 coupe and it is a blast to drive every Day. I just never see a review on it but I love it and it is fast to me.

[@schunkelperser1794]

How cool, well informed and honest is jayemm as a reviewer? Yes!

[@nicks9707]

I’ve owned mine for 19+ years!

[@adriandurn5903]

I have a Z3, and I've had faster, newer and firmer cars, but the Z3 is special, it's unique, and has the best turning circle and one of the fastest turning road cars I've ever driven. It won't feel as sharp as it could partly because you're sittin on the back wheels so the car feels like it's turning slower even though it isn't, but it's also got a softer very comfortable ride.

[@kanalnamn]

The five speed ZF gearbox (if the S54 didn't receive another box) should be absolutley fantastic. Perhaps the plastic bushings need replacement?

[@nakoma5]

That is a common weak point, though even with new bushings the throws are long and doesn't like to be hurried.

[@sanmarino_cs1698]

Thoroughly enjoyed this one, my Dad has an S50 version, with just 21k miles on it. It’s got such an old school feel to it. Love it. 👌

[@aviationlba747]

21k miles? Very nice! What colour is it?

[@sanmarino_cs1698]

Aviation LBA It’s silver. Can’t remember if it’s Titan silver or glacier silver off the top of my head. He’s only the second owner from new.

[@toobasaurus23]

Always loved the design of this car. The new concept model of this, the Z4 Coupe looks the absolute business!!

[@ayounghosh9218]

my dad had a BMW Z3 M coupe and a BMW Z8, I sold both of them and bought myself a Porsche 997.1 Turbo. I still miss those BMW though :(

[@ahemgee9542]

As a huge AMG fanboy, I'd say this is one of the looking and most desirable Bimmers there is.

[@davebarton9301]

Interestingly I got the chance to drive one back to back against the e46, and the e46 gave you a lot more feedback and confidence, however I just love the quirkiness of the "clowns slipper"!

[@nojustno7530]

oh God that noise, the raspy s54 is pure love

[@Tom-sc4qk]

I was sat in the car park at work this morning and somebody turned up in a launch spec Z3 with an M badge on the boot... It had me thinking of the forgotten Z3M. I arrive home and you have released a video on it! I want to believe

[@George-dk5mw]

this is my dream car. Id take one of these over any flashy exotic. They are so interesting and beautiful to look at, its so familiar but so unique at the same time.

[@stewester]

Bought the roadster version on a whim and quickly hated it. Great engine but handling was awful. Didn't help that I was coming from an Exige. Sold it after a few months and they rose massively in price just a couple of years later which caused me to hate it even more!

[@ColonelForkEyes]

Mine's had a front strut brace and a brace joining the rear shock towers with the diff mount stitch welded in - drives like a fixed-roof car even with the top down now. :D

[@adamkelsall3942]

I had an estoril blue S reg breadvan around fifteen years ago. Great engine. Uninspiring steering. BMW brakes of the era and wallowing chassis that was much improved by fitting Bilstein dampers and updated anti roll bars set up by Steve Guglielmi. Cool car but it didn't get under my skin.

[@jo05dk]

Didn't like the look of these right when launched, but i soon discovered the erros of my ways, and have been in love with them ever since. Such a cool car. So far from the Playstation interior sound current BMWs. THIS is a car i would love to own.

[@tomtraynor5384]

Surprised how feeble my M Coupe suspension was as stock. Get street-level shocks and springs and it is wicked sharp--watch that back end coming around on lift-off! So much character--all the whines, howls and intake noise and even rear diff whine--all part of the sensory experience.

[@ronaldderra4332]

Nice video. I thought the sunroof is more common among the Z3 coupes out there and Z3 coupes without sunroof are more rare. My Z3 3.0 Coupe has the sunroof. Also the 3.0 with the M54 engine with 231 PS is also fun to drive.

[@bobnine]

>Commonly known as the clown shoe FTFY

[@roberttaylor465]

A friend of mine had one for years, spent more time on ramp than on the road, phosphorus valves cost a fortune to replace. Heated rear screen is great for shifting the condensation from the exhaust during colder weather.

[@fredc9655]

this is the one that's gonna go down as one of the BMW's all time special if not one of the greats.

[@ca9968]

There are still a few of these, but either supercharged or turbo charged, running strong in South Africa...Rob Green Motorsport in Johannesburg built a few absolute beasts on this platform! I got to drive an RGM Supercharged example back in 2014 and it was a savage animal to keep under control...

[@peterbourne5926]

You seem to me to be an old school style of motoring journalist I love it very much the way you cover all the relevant facts. Thanks Pete 🇬🇧

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Cheers Pete, that was always the aim

[@jajkc]

Always loved this car, proper head turner.

[@MP_pov]

Ooooooh yes. I’m not a BMW guy but this car has literally been my bedroom poster car when I was younger. Looks wise I actually preferred the 3.0 version sold in Europe with 17 wheels with thin spokes, but the quad exhaust of the M and wider wheel arches made this one look super menacing.

[@oldmanwillyboy2786]

I always loved these! Still do!

[@skodakid1]

A Laguna Seca blue Z3m coupe is perhaps the finest modern classic BMW in existence- fantastic cars

[@seanatsnow]

I just bought one in the states... 26k$. 106k miles

[@jamiebeckf]

Place me firmly in the love the look box. Have always been a fan.

[@visionist7]

Delivering the best bread in the world

[@itsjoel]

Very much enjoyed driving one of these. Didn’t blow me away, but enjoyed the novelty of it!

[@tsoupakis]

That was a nice review. I haven't enjoy a video of yours for a log time, (i am still poping up in your channel every now and then because there are not many doing what you do) but this felt so honest and nice. I loved every single second of it and I wanted more. Good job.. Thank you for the good content :)

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thankyou very much for your kind words

[@123willbishop]

These engines are awesome, there desperately needs to be a video where it compares the z3m, e46 m3, and z4m side by side so we can determine which is the better platform... Unless anyone out there can point me to one?

[@mdcohen]

William Bishop I hope Glenn’s car collection will do that video. he owns a z3m and as of last week an E46 M3.

[@VolkerHett]

Have a look on the old 1m coupe!

[@mdcohen]

Volker Hett I’m sure it’s a great car and I hope he does that comparison as well. I was thinking of a single video with the the cars with the S54 engine.

[@toanduong8204]

One of my faves. Unique looks. Prob will never be able to own one. Thx KZbin for virtual test drive!

[@ahemgee9542]

The fitment of the 5 speed from the E36 non Evo is purely down to lack of space for the larger 6 speed in the transmission tunnel.

[@GlennsCarCollection]

As an owner of an S54 Z3M Coupe and an E46 M3, they are a blast to drive and you will never see another one (Z3M) We call them Clownshoes here in the U.S.

[@az5655]

Is there a car youve not drove ? Haha , everything i put in on youtube youve done a review! Ha. Great video as always mate. Top one.

[@tomevans5934]

Good car I prefer the z4m coupe though

[@georgeapplegate2091]

Always loved the breadvan.

[@MrGeosec]

Had one of these about 20 years ago, great fun especially on country roads. Less good on motorways/long journeys, always seemed undergeared and got a bit buzzy after a while. At the time a set of tyres cost 1/10 of the price of the car.

[@skelejp9982]

...Turns down the SUbwoofer... I love this Car, because of it's unique shape. That Phat Ass on it, fits perfect. Make sure those Headlights look brandnew ! Thank You for another neat Review.

[@BlitzkriegRap]

I always remember this car from Gran Turismo 4 lol

[@TDS981]

Enjoyed that Jay. Seems like you liked it a little more than its predecessor. I think these have aged wonderfully.

[@jaredsanda1440]

I have an 02 m coupe. I love it.

[@graemew7001]

Thank you, that's one of the 2 I hoped to see this week. I always preferred the Coupe to the roadster, it has an unusual look to it but then so do I!! The M version was a lot of money when new and less practical than an M3 but it stood our more on the road.

[@extaviation]

Someone down the road from me owned one of these and I’ve only just found out how rare they are. Now they have an E89 Z4

[@justine1816]

Great review, James. Looking forward to the rest of BMW week!

[@35deedub]

Always loved these,,,i used t o work on them bitd,,,top cars

[@InspirationSessions]

Long live the Clown Shoe! Classic example of how cars don't have to be perfect to become cult classics, indeed it's often the quirky and flawed ones that go on to achieve legendary status...

[@pistonpoweruk]

I think these are great cars. Re the 1 series, I see the e36 compact as the original 1 series.

[@SonLukifer-uy1yz]

long live the Z3 "clown shoe" ///M coupe!!!!! Smile Dog mandates every motorsports enthusiast to own an E31 850CSI and E92 335xi with 6 speed manual gearbox!!!!

[@mikkdoo]

It is even more worth, pure fun to drive

[@jwinmedia]

Maybe it's a UK market thing but the sun roof was standard and the sunroof _delete_ is a rare and desirable trait. Also, as far as I know only 98MY cars had no traction control. 99-00 had ASC (Auto Stability Control) which I guess is less advanced than the later DSC (_dynamic_ stability control). I have an s54 car with the DSC and it's not great so, whatever.

[@bmcguinness4053]

Autocar magazine voted it the best drivers car in 1999 so it's doing something right. Pretty strange looking though

[@xaviermelendez2639]

Excellent review, Sir. Excellent!

[@Pauloajm15]

I miss my MCoupe...! Honest review (I just happen to also love the looks on top of all you mentioned)

[@STse-ks5jg]

I had 3 z3m (2 convertibles and Coupe) these cars are decivingly fast, and gives you the new definition of "Tossable"... Speaking from a BMW freak (3)e30 m3's, (4) e24 m6's (sold 3), e28 m5, E46 M3 Comp, to start

[@Ashfielder]

Does it count as a shooting brake? I love a good shooting brake, and this looks brilliant.

[@jaredsanda1440]

It is a shooting brake

[@Superbayfactory]

I own an M coupe, it's ridiculous how fun this car is to drive, I would never sell mine.

[@utshwala]

How long have you had it? I'm debating to sell mine after 14 years of ownership... convince me not to...

[@Superbayfactory]

@@utshwala Half a year is not long but I've been driving it almost every day in that short amount of time. I don't think I would be in a position to tell someone who's owned one for as long as you have, but they don't make them like they used to applies very heavily to BMW these days. This is an amazing sports car, I have the luxury of driving most all newer performance cars AMG, R8, M4's from my job and some of the checks my coupe hits these cars could never come close. The M Coupe doesn't make sense to the brain because its for the heart. Side note if yours is a 2002 S54, I would say sell it, low millage examples are 70-90k right on Bring A Trailer. I paid four digits for mine and it was pristine, stock, serviced heavily, at that price its worth much more than the money I paid.

[@utshwala]

@@Superbayfactory S52 here, Are you in the USA? As same as you. I drove mine everyday for almost 2 years before parking it in a garage, never any problems. Driving it monthly to keep the fluids up. Was my intentions, got worried as years went on watching the value. then recently the value has shot up..

[@Superbayfactory]

@@utshwala Yeah I'm in San Francisco area, the s52 is really reliable mines a really early one too vin is 00048, the values on those are arnt as crazy as the s54, but they are still creeping, personally I just feel its the funnest daily driver I've owned and its only getting more unique as time goes by. The S52 has not been a hassle for me to maintain at all, adds to the overall experience.

[@davdenm]

A beautiful car indeed!

[@alanbellwood3902]

We had an X plate one in Estoril blue. The Z star alloys were staggered so wider on the rear. All had the option of ASC +T because ours had it. The earlier car IMO was better certainly the engine looked like a work of art. Gearbox's in big engined BMW's of this era were always heavy 1st to 2nd but you tended to sit between 3rd and 4th when on the twisty stuff.

[@cw205mi16]

Asc or any form of traction control was not fitted or available as an option to the s50 m z3s.

[@alanbellwood3902]

@@cw205mi16 you know I would have but my money on it having it but perhaps I am thinking of the black S plate Roadster we had before it. I do remember it having a Vanos under warranty and also the metal light switch for the headlamps breaking off twice once less than 5 mins after leaving Woodmans BMW in Blackpool.

[@jaap5398]

I wonder if they intended it to be pillarless at its inception. BMW have standing here.

[@niwouackermann8517]

Cool video. As cool as the Z3 M is, the Z4 M is the most thrilling car I have ever driven

[@VersanGetryx]

What makes the Z4M more thrilling if they both have the S54? Just curious, I love both cars, especially the styling of the Z4, but own an S52 Z3M coupe.

[@jsquared1013]

@@VersanGetryx my guess is the stiffer chassis structure of the Z4 coupled with the multi-link rear suspension are what you'd notice going from Z3 M Coupe to Z4 M Coupe. I haven't driven a Z3 Coupe yet, but I did drive a Z3 M Roadster briefly at an autocross, and I rode passenger with an acquaintance in his Z4 M Coupe on track (same day I was tracking my E36 M3, we did half-and-half for a session: he rode a few laps in mine and I rode a few laps in his).

[@VersanGetryx]

@@jsquared1013 Interesting, and thank you for the reply! Very cool that you got to experience both in such a short time period!

[@jaykimball6940]

Always entertaining and informative!!

[@rustynail6363]

What an E-Type should have been if someone had some foresight at the time.

[@rickc2102]

Do you mean F-Type? Because the E-Type was perfection.

[@Tribulation88]

@@rickc2102 The E-Type was a load of old crap, it's stunning to listen to & look at... but it overheated like crazy & didn't perform as well as Jaguar claimed. Simply fitting adequate cooling & not lying about the performance would have been a good start lol

[@StronthPL]

The most beutiful BMW ever made (in Imola Red or Estoril Blue).

[@heikkiremes5661]

Heck yes!

[@ColonelForkEyes]

Techno Violet for me please!

[@marlonandrade8006]

I have always loved these cars

[@ThunderChunky101]

I'm staggered that they only made that many. I used to see them around *all the time* in Lincolnshire. Weird. Must have been a good dealer. I noted the same thing with those Hyundai coupes with the twin lights, they're apparently really rare now but I seem to see them on am almost weekly basis. I've yet to check dales listing online but I'm willing to bet that if uptime looking for one of either, there'll be a few round here.

[@jjmcoupebmw6557]

Nice review...... I love mine to bits and I wouldn't change a thing about it..

[@robertrishel3685]

I love the clown car! One of my favorite all time cars.

[@scottcowan6798]

Clever intro!! BMW's TVR.. Great review!

[@ThrottleBody]

Dream car. Gone are the days where they manufacturers make off the cuff back room specials.

[@youngstayoung6633]

I love it it's like the old e30 they just look better yhr older they get

[@mykincadult-store1219]

Love these in blue

[@aviationlba747]

‘Estoril Blue’ really is the best colour for it. ‘Oxford Green’ and ‘Phoenix Yellow’ are quite unique as well.