The BMW Z3 Coupe Was a Weird Practical Sports Car

[@DougDeMuro]

Go BID on THIS! Z3 Coupe on Cars & Bids! crsnbds.com/z3-coupe

[@LuisUrbieta]

I thought that Doug was going to review a New vehicle. Plz reply

[@Cold_Logic]

Can you review a Renault Vel Satis?

[@dirtrider88]

no, you cant tell me what to do thats like "dont press the red button"

[@LuisUrbieta]

@@Cold_Logic I do want to see a Génesis GV80 Coupe

[@jo_nathan_nation6544]

I have a red one, and I use it for road trips all the time. I just got back from Alaska and just passed 300k miles. Still in excellent condition.

[@volvo09]

They look good in red

[@WakhiweNhlabatsi]

Your a man with taste, they're an awkward looking car but one with style. I need to buy one

[@faj2600]

What are car guys reaction? Dont you get asked about the car

[@stephengrahn9361]

Thanks for this post. I was just wondering if they were as good as the station wagons of the era.

[@paulcarmi8130]

​@beautyisontheinside no, you're right man, everynperson that watches doug demuro is wrong. Not you though, you're the only smart guy here. How did you ascend so high above the rest of us?

[@Hamsteak]

It's the mullet of cars

[@ericcarson342]

Hahaha!

[@gamblingKidd]

🤣🤣🤣

[@nobilismaximus]

I guess someone was always going to make the mullet joke…

[@arwestromen]

Reverse mullet, Party in the front....buisness in the back

[@Hamsteak]

@arwestromen 🤣, I wonder what that haircut would look like

[@joshuasanders6375]

Doug: “This car is super focused on practicality. This is a very practical car! The Z3 Coup is all about Practicality” Also Doug: Practicality 4

[@ObitoUchihaisgay]

Yes, because it's still a 2 door sports coupe...

[@damilolaakanni]

It's a two(three, since it's a hatchback)door, two seat coupe. You'll need something like the Ford Excursion to get a perfect 10 in that category.

[@travisc7506]

I gave up a long time ago trying to figure out the "Doug Score" lol. I personally think he focuses to much on tech when it comes to practicality. I mean is it more "practical" to own a car with very little tech as opposed to something with a ton of tech that costs a fortune to fix if it breaks?

[@joshua.harazin]

​@@ObitoUchihaisgayI've seen him give hypercars practicality points for having a "cargo area" that barely fits a helmet.

[@michaellawson5442]

​@travisc7506 The doug score for practicality is based on the amount of storage space in cubic inches. The criteria is on his website

[@chevymike1968]

I had a 2000 Z3 M Coupe and it was a fun car. Fastest car I ever driven as I hit the speed limiter at 149 mph out on a desert road. It was also very quiet inside, which made it hard to stay below the speed limit. I recall driving down the freeway, thinking I was just cruising and looked down and was doing 100mph. Doh!

[@andrewbungert]

Served with Doug in the oil fields back in '04. Great worker. Humble guy. Glad to see hes doing moderately better.

[@titansteelful]

😂

[@victorbaird8220]

We should kiss sometime 😘😊😁😍😘😘😘😍😍

[@michaelgriffiths7937]

@@andrewbungert 😂😂😂

[@jamesmurmurzancone4532]

Doug the type of guy who says clown shoes are practical

[@mwheelznicholas]

That's because he's a giant at 6'2 or 6'3, depending on the day

[@Scrapla1]

The first gen Viper?

[@grundewa]

Well he has like size 99 feet 🥵😩

[@haroldbeauchamp3770]

Doug is the kinda guy to urinate on your clown shoes and tell you it’s snowing.

[@volvo09]

​@@haroldbeauchamp3770 Doug is the kind of guy to urinate on your foot after you say your toes are cold.

[@Rocketman1583]

DOUG REVIEWED THE CLOWNSHOE LESSGOOO

[@diurnalall]

finally

[@christianyouse584]

waiting for clownshoe m

[@glauxde4246]

9:15 Its technically a shooting brake.

[@rafuyhhre4543]

I miss those days when bmw grilles were smaller than the headlights.

[@MrDiarukia]

At least you can argue it being a coupé, but the manufacturers currently with their 4-door SUV sportsback/shootingbrake "cOuPé" are just wrong.

[@rdsyafriyar]

Blame Mercedes-Benz behind much of this with the CLS. The CLS is basically just an E-Class saloon with a swoopier roofline for the cool factor so they decided to market it as a "4-door coupe".

[@TophMaGoats]

Most BMW owners don’t know the turn signal stalk also can be used to indicate a turn.

[@carena8478]

I had mine removed to get rid of useless weight.

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

How come Doug looks like an 80s camp councillor from a Friday 13th film since growing the beard.

[@TWOxTONE_773]

You didn’t hear they are doing another remake?

[@elbros5325]

🤣🤣🤣

[@mikebroom1866]

2 dr. 2 seater manual RWD hatchback. The dream.

[@solitivity]

If only it didn't look like that. 😂

[@volvo09]

​@@solitivityit doesn't really look bad. I thought it looked ugly back in the day, but it looks ok now. I do think it looks ugly from the front 3/4 view, the hood almost looks like it's rising up where the grille is like a clown shoe) but from the rear and side it looks fine. Even back in the day the front is what I disliked most about it.

[@danielgrudzinski9806]

those back panels in the studio are ulgy but made a great difference with the echo. thank you very much. the work with the echo is paying off thank you thank you

[@tomoxfford]

All he needs to do is cover them with fabric prints. Someone should tell him.

[@ThomasTrout-d9n]

I yearn for the day we get a review on a 5 speed Volvo 850 T-5R

[@volvo09]

Oh man, what a perfect car. Only thing more desireable to me would be a 5 speed T5-R Wagon, but I don't think we got any in the states, been a while since I looked up the stats. My friend used to have a yellow automatic T5-R. At the time i had a 93 945 turbo that I swapped a 5 speed into, I was all about the RWD Volvos and didn't care about the FWD ones, so I didn't buy his car when he sold it. It was very nice and clean.

[@IndaloMan]

I had one of the Olive Green ones here in the UK. Bought it in 97, traded in a small turbo Escort Cosworth for it as my kids were getting bigger and I needed more load space.

[@AsharadDracul]

This car looks like a kindergartener drew it and used magic to make it come to life

[@nicknuggets369]

I absolutely love bimmers and you couldn’t be more correct 😂😂😂

[@RacermanXtreme]

Nah, Cybertruck is more fitting for a "kid drew this" vibe

[@1hundredz]

I think thats the cybertruck design 😂

[@1hundredz]

@@RacermanXtremecame to for the same comment 😂

[@r4raced4doom2]

The miata with torque! Love driving Z3s.

[@haroldbeauchamp3770]

It’s like someone at BMW said “I want it to be a 2 door coupe” and another person said “I want it to be a station wagon”. The boss said, here’s your 2 door wagon folks. Enjoy.

[@DaniTheNachoPirate]

17:24 That teal / blue-green fox body he drove by really caught my attention 😮

[@TituzzzD]

I waited sooo long that Daddy Doug reviews this car. Fiiiiinally!

[@josebrito5202]

My cousin had this car when it was brand new and we told him that it looked like a clown’s shoe. Funny that that became the nick name for that car. It really like that car in the M version.

[@BandaMapper]

I owned a blue one for 11 years, sold it not long ago because I needed the money for cancer treatment, it really is a great, fun car and reliable enough

[@direktoraliby]

@@BandaMapper hope you are better now

[@thenamestevewastaken]

0:01 liking the video before Doug even finished saying “thisss” as I already know this is my jam

[@JamesM-hb2cj]

You need to review the Z4 M Roadster, one of the most enjoyable driving experiences I’ve ever had. Not as precise as boxster / cayman but way more fun IMO.

[@8HPSolutions]

As an owner of several Z3, when manufacturing the car they were a parts bin special, blend of e30, e36, and eventually some e46 parts. This is a huge benefit!

[@brwlers]

have had two M Coupes in my family for the last 20 years, both were dailies; one got up to 250k miles before being rear ended, current one is at 165k. Fantastic cars, looks so unique, and incredibly fun to drive.

[@socrates6712]

On this video thumbnail, the car looked small you would think it's a shoe 😂😂😂

[@Techjunkiero]

Yeah a clown shoe.

[@ericcarson342]

Damn, I forgot there was a non-M version. It's a cool looking car (the M version). Miss this car, the Z8, and the 850i. Such cool 90s/early 2000s cars.

[@user-lg5uh8sr3d]

Since it's the same engine, why the M version is better than a non-M aside money ?

[@tommost1]

9:45 no, the first cars off the Spartanburg line was the 318i. The Z3 came shortly after.

[@sarpyasar5893]

The m135i before m135i, bizarre yet really cool

[@jockhater2]

I grew up with a dad that was a bmw mechanic and my brother in law is a bmw mechanic. And when I first saw one of these bmws in my dad’s shop parking lot as a pre teen boy…I fell in love. I absolutely love this bmw body style and the execution.

[@honestreviewer3283]

Cars like this go over the heads of most Americans.

[@kstoner2353]

We've got Cadillacs, Corvettes and Mustangs. We're fine without that thing.

[@CollaateraL]

@@kstoner2353as an American I agree with you. We don’t need this thing we got muscle/pony cars. The bigger, the better! USA 🇺🇸

[@honestreviewer3283]

@ My point exactly; you don't get it.

[@sam.shock924]

GTC4Lusso: Temu Edition 😂

[@metropcs1099official]

😂😂😂

[@Its_Me_Romano]

This thing existed before the lusso

[@sam.shock924]

@ yes I’m well aware 😂

[@volvo09]

When I was 18 i almost got fired from my job at a used car dealer for sliding one of these around a u turn... Sales manager happened to see me! 😂 Ooops!

[@kadiryarcin]

Classic BMW feature engine fault light, no matter what year 😂 14:39

[@v_stands_for_value124]

15:24 not anymore after this video 🤣

[@WanderLensStudio]

Such a great car! Used to drive it some years ago, fantastic feel! Thanks! Respect!

[@volvo09]

Needs the echo back, and add reverb to his voice

[@DANIEL.KOSIOREK]

Ferrari must have seen this, and was... "We must make one" and the FF was born!

[@jamesengland7461]

A stylish Italian clown shoe

[@juddfyah]

11:56 the gauge bezels are also sliver.

[@romand4364]

YES! And on the models were those were not silver, to light switch was not either, so this belongs together.

[@keaeril]

I've been waiting for this review, my favorite car! Clownshoe!

[@MrGroovy87]

5 years i emailed u abt my z3 lol u said u were a bit busy But finally u a video abt it Looking forward to enjoy it

[@jeffreysalzman1497]

When I was a wee lad I sat in the first Z3M Coupe at an auto show. I was absolutly smitten by it. These cars are gorgeous.

[@1hundredz]

They called the Clown shoe car. M version of this is an Amazing car. And one the most perfect body for a professional drift car.

[@volvo09]

Funny you mention that, when I was young I almost got fired from my job at a car dealer because one of the managers saw me drift one of these around a turn 😅

[@1hundredz]

@ lol 😆

[@jamesdawson5509]

Apparently the Z3 Coupe started a BMW tradition of using the word 'coupe' to describe vehicles that were not a coupe.

[@HenrySchecker]

One of my dream cars. They have gone back up in price and are sadly out of my reach.

[@Curtis1984]

I'm still happy with my 08 135i I got used in 2016. Has all the best options that made the original sticker over 45k. Msport, cold weather pkg, 6spd and comfort access. No navigation (which is nice). I'm the third owner and did all the maintenance necessary after it hit 100k miles. It's surprisingly easy to work on once you understand it. I put some upgraded turbos on it that fit in the original manifold housings. 9 blade turbine, upgraded bullet compressor. I had to put in new wastegates so upgraded the turbo center sections while I was there. Took me 40hrs and I enjoyed it, not hurrying. It pulls hard all the way to 7k RPM now, as prior the original turbos nose over at 5k RPM. My preference is mild modifications/improvements to original equipment. Still on stock tune but run a JB+ plug in and it hits 15-16 PSI perfectly. No issues, no CELs.. I'd rather not push it too far and mess up the clutch.. I ran into a guy with a 328i (2007) that got it brand new, over 250k miles and original clutch. I want to boast that too. Taking care of what you got. 135s are nice cars, well made and not overly technical. Still have hydraulic steering too. 👍

[@HOSTILEMANE]

Ive been waiting for this moment since i subscribed in 2020. My favorite car of all time

[@crabslabbabs]

I bet there were a lot of nerds walking around the bmw office arguing is this was a coupe or a hatchback

[@James_Barr]

Love it. And love the info about the VIN. How unique

[@Yemziz]

Do the z4 coupe next!

[@Chris-ig8ml]

Z3 in General is super underrated. I bought one as my first car and its great. Fun to drive, cheap to maintain and holds its value

[@mackfisher2330]

FINALLY IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS VIDEO FOR YEARS

[@joshuasanders6375]

Doug: “This is a cool car!!” Also Doug: Cool Factor 6

[@CollaateraL]

6/7 is cool… 8/9… excellent… 10 obviously is perfection witch is pretty much impossible lmao so yea his scoring is good I’d say.

[@ayol1011]

When you want a wagon but don't want to be seen as a family guy

[@romand4364]

The sunroof button is quite cool, because the hollow side indicates the upwards direction while the left "bump" side indicates the sunroof coming down again. It just goes up and down not back and forth. Interesting: i've never seen that steering wheel on a coupe ever before. Mine and all other i saw all had the M sports steering wheel. Not only the headlight switch is silver. The rings around the meters are silver too. Some models did not have these rings in silver and they had a plastic light switch to pull out.

[@julianevans9548]

Can we put an end to the 'Doug is the type of guy...' thing? It got old years ago. Seriously, they're tedious as hell.

[@tomoxfford]

Doug’s just the type of guy to be behind all those comments. Seriously, he’s probably the only one still doing it.

[@nicknuggets369]

And it will never end

[@FrequencyORD]

if you have a problem with them, ignore them. not that hard.

[@haroldbeauchamp3770]

I always type absurdly x rated or inappropriate“Doug is the type of guy…” prompts and it pisses off the people that write them. Apparently they can’t be adult themed responses. Only juvenile and idiot prompts like “Doug is the kind of guy to eat chocolate ice cream with white sweat pants” kinda crap.

[@morstyrannis1951]

Not nearly as annoying as the lost without a life folks who think commenting “First!” Is some kind of an accomplishment. I just assume they’ve got so many participation trophies they can’t help themselves.

[@tommyduece2]

This man is simply making it impossible for me to get the cars I’m interested in because the values are going to skyrocket after the vids but I’m all for it. 😂Thanks Doug!

[@cbotten106]

One of my personal favorites back in the day. Looks like a low top boot! Classic.

[@ilyad.6878]

Listing contemporary vehicles to the Z3 while scrolling through photos of cars listed on Cars & Bids is top tier subtle marketing. Bravo video editors.

[@NicholasArmell]

The headlight knob actually is sort of a dial too because depending on which way you turn it, the brightness of the instrument cluster will increase or decrease.

[@ref498]

I've loved this car since I was a teenager. I remember being 17 and seeing these for 8k and telling myself I will get them when they get cheaper. Little did I know that was as cheap as they were ever gonna get.

[@jdm542]

POV: You work for BWM and designed a car enthusiasts refer to as the “clown shoe”

[@Phoenixette]

I love this video but damn is it painful at the same time. I just sold my Z3 Roadster. I don’t regret selling mine but reminiscing on some of the shared quirks of my car and this one is definitely having me think about the memories with my car. This car is lovely tho

[@Future-Classic-Cars]

Nice bread van mate.

[@Qlyphy]

I was wondering if some would use the UK (European?) nick name for it :-) Apparently this comes from the Ferrari 250GT.. you learn something everyday!!

[@iconindexsymbol]

I love it! I want a Gen 5 Prius that's a two door, two seater. If they can make a hybrid drive like a Miata, that'd be cool, but I just want a fun, fuel-efficient commuter.

[@Brucey77775]

It's better to be a clown's shoe than a clown's pocket I guess !!😂

[@anotherone-xp9ox]

Love this wonderful shoe / coupe

[@WolfAcer666]

Doug has been on a roll of exposing good deal cars

[@SamuelSantos_]

The VIN number detail that you mentioned is about to become a big selling point on used Z3s.

[@WrathOfEarnestJ]

Doug's favorite Sir Mix-a-lot song is "Baby Got Practical Back"

[@SiR_Froggo_III]

Funny thing is, I called this a clown shoe before I knew it was called that within the company. They’re so weird looking, I may try and own one for a little bit in the future.

[@volvo09]

Same, we had one at a used car dealer back in 03 and I always called it the clown shoe car in my head. I don't think I had heard it anywhere.

[@ronaldannas1935]

Doug putting on a clown shoe! The video we always needed to see and had not thought about.

[@CesarValencia-l7z]

First none M coupe that I see, love it!

[@claytonpanipinto]

Love these cars so much

[@David_Denali]

The M version technical review on the cars and bids channel

[@dirkcurritzki9585]

Need more of this type

[@DrThermostat]

I was just looking up the prices on these and thought to myself “that’s not half bad” and now I’m crying because Doug made a video on them with the prices sure to climb

[@2ndbestbob]

I had no idea there were other engines than the M version. Maybe they weren't available here in the UK? Anyway, thanks for the great video. 😊

[@travisc7506]

The earlier M Coupe models still had the "high performance" BMW engine. It was the 240hp 3.0L I6 from the earlier E36 M3 (MY1994-1995). I always assumed it was a matter of leftover stock from the 94-95 E36 M3 models. It was then upgraded to the 3.2L I6 from the later model MY1996 - 1999 E36 M3 which coincidentally had the same HP as the 3.0L model at 240hp just a higher displacement. Europe of course had the better versions of these engines for the E36 M3 with the 3.0L having 305hp and the 3.2L having 320hp. Then in 2001 when the E46 M3 came out they again upgraded to the current S54 M3 engine with 321hp. The engine was slightly de-tuned from the M3's 333hp I can only assume to not take away sales from the M3 and to keep it from being "faster" than the M3. which is a common tactic by BMW with other examples being the 1M, and M2. It should also be noted that there were Z3M Roadsters with the same engines. So other than the earliest model it was always equipped with the current engine of the M3. Personally these are one of my favorite BMW's. I never thought they were ugly. Back in 2001 I got to drive the S54 model when I attended the BMW Driving school in Spartanburg. It was by far IMO the most fun car to drive those 3 days I spent there although I may have been biased since I was 19 and lusting over the M Coupe which I definitely could not afford. Best birthday gift ever I might add. I also had a friend who owned a 2000 M Coupe with a twin turbo from Active Autowerke in Florida. Nobody but him drove that car however, but it was ridiculously fast. Whoever buys this car is going to love it. At least when it's not leaking oil or coolant. Sadly these are plagued with the same issues of all BMW's from that time period. The early 90's was when BMW started to replace a lot of mechanical parts with plastic to "save weight" but we all know what that means Even though the later model Z3 M Coupes are more sought after because of the coveted S54 engine the earlier models are probably the better daily drivers as they are easier to maintain and parts are generally cheaper although some of the more uncommon parts such as interior trim pieces etc. are harder to find. Mechanical parts are still out there and easy to find however. The 3.0L and 3.2L engines were more reliable than the S54 even if they didn't have that same "feel". All of these cars are old now so even the best taken care of cars are going to have issues. This one obviously either has or previously had a leaking hatch as evidenced by the corrosion in the tool kit. The seals dry out and break down over time you can also see the seals for the doors need to be replaced which isn't cheap. Last year before I sold my 2004 E46 325ci 5-spd Coupe I replaced all the door and window seals to the tune of around $1200 with the door seals actually being "used but in good condition". I can only imagine how much a new seal for that hatch costs. Looking at the engine photos in the listing it looks like most of the problematic stuff has been taken care of. The VCG isn't showing any signs of leaking and the cooling system looks relatively new. I'd be curious to see under the engine though as the Oil Filter Housing gaskets on these always leak if they haven't replaced it and its not a fun or easy job to do for a $5 part.

[@WolfyTime]

I have this exact car in the 3.0 spec. I prefer the 3.0 spec because it has almost the horsepower of the prior M version from 99 and 00. Plus, I actually prefer the side gills on the non-M and you get the same body haunch out back and the knowledge that the design was a M Division special. I purchased a used M center console to put in so that I can get the second row of center gauges. What a wonderful car.

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

The euro spec 2.8 was a sweet engine, too

[@WolfyTime]

@paulie-Gualtieri. The real doll of the lineup is the 01 M Coupe which has the S54 engine. The only downside is the rear end was not built for that horsepower so you need a rear chassis reinforcement kit. I ended up putting a dinan reinforcement kit on mine just in case.

[@mortensenvick5711]

The audi TT has always been the most pratical sportcar in this segment. 2+2 seats, awd, better NVH and fit and finish. Really the best vehicle overall. Yes, first gen understeered and had a bad 60/40 weight distribution. But you know what? Since mid 2010s, when Bmw and Mercedes started to adopt awd for their performance cars, Bmw lost his great steering wheel feeling and had a quite bad 55/45 weight distribution on their cars. So Audi of start 00s where somehow forced to drive like they did.

[@silverarrowgaming1077]

The steering feel you’re referring to comes from electric power steering and more weight. BMW has put awd in its cars since the e30 in the 80s, just not in m cars.

[@Jowurel]

You’re right, but the rear seats in the TT are unusable and therefore a burden. Would’ve been better as a bigger cargo area without the rear seats.

[@matthewelliott2213]

The mullet of sports cars...huh... never looked at it that way. Thanks Doug!

[@dylanfgarrison]

I love this car the moment it came out and I love it still. Unfortunately I had no money as a teenager to buy one and I don’t have any money in my mid 40s to buy one either :-).

[@trekkie1701e]

I had a 2.8, did a ton of work on it and made it mint. I sold it because the scarcity of coupe specific parts like window glass and small trim parts is an unfortunate reality of these low production cars.

[@mariodon941]

I had a Boston green metallic 2.8 that I sold not even 5 months ago. The junkyard was honestly my best friend. I would call occasionally and if they had one in I’d go take parts off it.

[@romand4364]

Absolutely! No new original headlights and even less on rear lights - with white indicators not a chance. The parts guy at BMW told they are trying to get someone to produce them again but nothing is certain.

[@ChristofferNelsonG]

It always reminded me of the E-Type hearse in Harold and Maude - in a good way.

[@ChristoAbrie]

the body style is called a "shooting brake". a shooting brake kinda combines a sports coupe with an estate/station wagon. Essentially you end up with a 3 door station wagon with sportscar handling. In recent years, luxury car manufacturers like Ferrari and Porsche have embraced the "shooting brake" design, Ferrari with the FF and GTC4Lusso and Porsche with variants of it's Panamera and Taycan models.

[@nicknuggets369]

I’m so amazed Doug is still at it. Still going. Feels like a decade strong by now. Much respect 🫡

[@petrsulc1168]

This body style is called Shooting Brake. 2 seater hatchback. Automakers these days use the term completely wrong, to make their station wagon/combi sound cooler.

[@Squilliam-Fancyson]

12:01 you have missed the silver lining of the tachometer gauges:)

[@rmp5s]

I always REALLY liked these...especially the M version. Clown Shoe ftw.

[@mraihan7400]

I remember some guy dissing captain crankshaft’s aston martin for having an ugly front splitter, rating it 2/10, rating his car 10/10, and threatened people if they don’t agree with his 10/10 take. But when screen cuts into his car, it’s this clownshoe mobile. 🤣🤣🤣

[@yep7734]

The mullet of cars

[@realteamme]

Z3M is my attainable dream car. Love that weirdo.

[@NZotyoka81]

It was quite a weird car back then even here in Europe. I only saw a handful of these. Nobody cared about it because everybody was after the roadster version. Audi tt was a huge success here also the Alfa Romeo spider. They were not a mass car but you could see plenty of them everyday.

[@ENDO.2000]

Doug about to have a field day with this one

[@joernpfk]

Love the look.

[@peter8333]

The turn signal stocks in BMW's feel so good because they never ever have been used

[@xrtxrsm05]

BMW’s foray into footwear. The Z3 clown shoe! Queue the circus music! 😁

[@krahnica]

Since you’ve now tested the base model, I’d love to see you test both engine variants of the M. It’d be an awesome comparison