The Next Classic BMW? Here's Why Z3 Prices Deserve To Go Up (Re-edit)

[@TheBokChoy]

I feel a need to support Jay's opinion here as a lot of commenters seem opposed to him. I myself have owned a 2.8 '98 Z3 for the last 3 or so years so I will be speaking of my first-hand experience and ownership of that, although the 3.0 is much the same car with the mentioned facelift adding an extra touch of quality and ofcourse the M54 engine. I think Jay's really nailed the car's characteristics and strenghts. Okay it might not be the most exciting 2 seater, it might not be the best looking, it might not be the most practical. But as a whole package, for a ROAD CAR, it really is something you have to drive to understand. The handling is hard to describe. It is fairly capable in stock form but it is not a corner destroying machine, however you do feel as though you are going faster than you really are and you get a feeling of flinging that heavy 6pot around infront of you which is much more dramatic and enjoyable than a lighter car of the same style, in my opinion, as you can actually feel like you're thrashing it at (or maybe a little above 😉) legal speeds. Of course there is an incredibly good aftermarket for suspension and chassis modifications due to it's close relation to the E36 and E30. Speaking of practicality, no...it's not "practical", but there is atleast a boot with some storage space, which for a second car would be perfectly adequete. The fuel consumption is pretty good for the type of engine in the car. Driving down B-roads you can comfortably cruise at 50mph and achieve 35-40MPG if you're sensible (The 30 would surely gain a few more). Motorway driving at 70 drops this down to around 32-35mpg. Town driving does suffer since this is not the lightest car at around 1,300kg if I'm not mistaken, so mileage can vary between 20-25. This is also the sort of economy you could expect out of a hard B-road bash which I feel is rather excellent. The roof can be converted to manual operation akin to the MX5 by locking out the hydraulic pump in the boot with a simple twist screw, which makes it much much quicker to drop the roof should the clouds part suddenly (You have to take what you can get in England) although raising the roof is very very strenuous whilst sitting in the driving position. 2 hands makes this easier but it is not elegant from within the car. I think the best bit about this car is, as Jay mentioned, the engine. I have always prefered the M52TUB28 over the M54B30 for it's slightly more progressive power delivery and beefier sound, but you do sadly lose out on those 40-50 horses. Both however are well suited to the car and are more than enough to enjoy thrashing the car, rowing through the gears without exceeding the speedlimit in a matter of nanoseconds; you can really work the car through a technical stretch of tarmac, pushing through corners, heel-toeing, etc without feeling like your life is about to end. But ultimately the best part about the engine is...it's a BMW I6: You get all this from an incredibly reliable, low maintenance, mass produced engine. You can slam the limiter all day, take the car sideways at any opportunity, and the whole drivetrain will take it...for decades, in most cases without ANY issues. And that's what I feel makes this car so special compared to other offerings. It's styled like a 90's sports car, it drives like a 90's sports car, it sounds like a 90's sports car, but you can get away with neglecting it as if it were any other 90's BMW. It'll take the abuse, it won't complain...

[@Kelveron]

Such a shame small/affordable sporty convertibles and coupes hardly sell any more. Driving even an old Z3 is far more enjoyable and makes you feel so much better about life than any of those bloody SUVs, taking up so much room on the roads these days.

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

Being in the market for my first fun car, it's a source of daily disappointment: my current choice of a brand new car is an overpriced MX-5, a GR86 which is not even properly sold in Germany, a TT, which is a Golf in drag, and a Z4 sold without any warranty. I wish it was 1995, and I could choose from 10 different roadsters, and 10 different sport coupes!

[@quattrorsq8558]

@@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X The TT looks amazing tho inside and out!

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

@@quattrorsq8558 Indeed!

[@jeffbizzle694]

Just purchased a Z3M Roadster in Estoril Blue with 43k miles. Its my new daily and it will be with me until the day I die

[@fizmo100]

The Murcielago £50... £60 comment cracked me up. Comedy as well as cars, great work!

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thankyou!

[@geoffhann6612]

I've owned a 2001 Z3 3.0 Roadster for 17 years and still love it! There's nothing like the first top-down drive in the spring on a winding road and when I give it some gas on a steep mountain pass I always think "why does anyone need more power than this?". Two big pluses: it's the most reliable car I've ever owned, and that includes Toyotas and Hondas, and my golf clubs fit in the trunk/boot :-)

[@markbennett6367]

I love my 2.0 Z3 Individual... Driven the wheels off it, and after buying a winter hack and garaging the Z last November, I ended up missing it and used it with the roof down a fair bit over winter.. Always puts a huge smile on your face. I've just been reading the rest of the comments, and yes, it's a far from perfect car and certainly not the quickest. But for good roof down brisk drives it's a hoot.. I was given a loan of a set of wheels fitted with err .. road legal track tyres, and it transforms the car on the twisties, but at the cost of ruining the drive when they're cold and you're pottering around. Compromise is better... There's nothing I want to replace it with at the moment, so I suppose that says a lot about the car... Loads of fun for very little money, with a decent sound track thrown in...

[@jamesbingham1081]

Great vid. I bought a 2.8 z3 a month ago, 130k but FSH and I absolutely love it. Best £3500 I've ever spent. Great to see them going up in value too. Hope to keep this car for years to come.

[@iainbagnall4825]

I see 200k+ cars for more than that all the time in the states. Mileage isn't as big a deal as people think it is as long as all maintenance is done on time. I think with most german engines the only thing you need to look out for that isn't on the service schedule is timing chains/guides/tensioners.

[@jim.bambury]

I do get why people gravitate towards the bigger engines but there is something to be said for the smaller engined variants. I bought a lowly 1.9 a few years back after initially looking for a 2.8. Given that none of them are quick - M notwithstanding - I felt the lower front end weight of the smaller engined cars improved the handling somewhat. Only use mine for evening and weekend sorties into the Sussex countryside, no wind deflector, always windows down, brilliantly charming little thing.

[@hanslubas]

The Inline Six is an experience in itself with the way it pulls, the way it happily revs, the way it cruises, and how balanced it is. Try one especially with breathing mods and a lighter flywheel and it makes a case for itself.

[@crikeymikey3691]

Very few people would bother to correct such a minor error, James. Hats off to you, sir. :-)

[@LITTEULCEVENN]

What was the error ?

[@mawaboutcars671]

I vastly prefer these to an MX5 equivalent! No hate towards MX5’s, I have 7 or 8 friends with them, but (albeit 3 or 4 years ago) you could grab a 6-cyl Z3 for the same as a 1.8L MX5. I think they’re better looking, can’t speak for driving, but the whole “fun-to-drive” saying is VERY opinionated. I can have plenty of “fun” driving a huge 700hp SUV, because it’s silly, in the same way I can have “fun” in a light, nimble FWD hatchback. Wish I’d have bought one when they were cheaper, ended up holding onto my cash instead, and then they shot up in price.

[@iainbagnall4825]

Dunno about the UK, but over here in the states they are now an absolute bargain - MX-5s values have gone up way faster than the Z3. If I did it again, I'd buy a Z3 (or Z4, or a Kappa) as they are better set up for tall drivers. Downside, if you look at hp/kg the straight 6 isnt as big an advantage as you might think, the fuel economy is worse and the fuel tank is the same size. I.e. the range on a Z3 driven enthusiastically with a big 6 is really, really poor. And the four cylinder Z3s are ... eurgh... a good source of spares for 6 cylinder cars?

[@mawaboutcars671]

@@iainbagnall4825 Interesting! I think in the UK a decent MK1 MX5 is about the same price as a decent 2.8 Z3. I’m 19, drive an E34 with a 2.0L 6 pot. currently costs £140 (about $180) to fill, it’ll get me quite far, but it does hurt the wallet lol. I wouldn’t but a 4-pot Z3 either, if that was your only budget for a Z3, just get an MX5.

[@iainbagnall4825]

@@mawaboutcars671 I drove my Dad's 2.5 325 E46 for a while; best fuel economy I ever got out of it on the trip computer was just over 30mpg. I found the secret was to set the cruise control just a hair over 85. Its a pretty slippery car aero-wise, so big saloons with torquey 6 pots will get better mpg above 80. Considering german autobahns, I can see how this would be by design. I couldn't get past 27mpg at 55mph. A clean, like nice rust-free, sub 100k miles, no paint oxidation mk1 MX5 can easily sell for $10k dollars here, you can pick up a 2.8 Z3 for half that. The Mk1s are very desirable though; mk2s are a better deal all round. If getting a mk1 mx5 get a 96 or later (i think) obd2 car, the better on board diagnostics make problem solving SO much easier. Also, CONGRATULATIONS on being able to insure that bimmer! I dont know how the UK insurance market has changed in the past 10 years since I moved, but when I was 19 I basically had a choice of anything in group 5 or lower, which meant a peugeot 306.

[@GW8419]

I've got a Z3 2.8 and a mk1 Mx5. I do just prefer the Z3's looks but the Mx5 is way better to drive, even though its a 1.6 v 2.8.

[@lordpetrolhead477]

Last August I bought a 2.8 Z3 M roadster, not the Z3M, with only 60k on the clock and a three inch thick file of service history. Apparently the Siena red isn’t that common and along with the multi hairpin type wheels, quite rare. It’s an auto, with electric everything and I’m the second owner. It goes like stink and at £5,000 a bit of a bargain. For this mileage, history and A1 condition they seem to be around £8,000 - £9,000 now. Car is a proper sports car and drives really well with the straight six engine note having a great sound for Petrolheads out there. You can easily spot them when driving along, they are the ones who turn and look when they hear the sound of the engine approaching. In the time I’ve had it I’ve only driven about 400 miles, with 190 of those being the drive back from the previous owner in the middle of nowhere in Lincolnshire. Low mileage due to a few other cars I own. I love this car it’s great to drive, roof down of course and definitely a long term keeper.

[@nornibres]

Testify brother, driving at road legal speeds, faster not necessarily better? crazy! and completely refreshing. FUN is the most important metric in my book, and I suspect yours as well.

[@Lineage2ErtheiaPvP]

The 2.8 looks The best

[@lordnovember5688]

I thought the factual error was calling Goldeneye the best modern era James Bond film... But it's still there!

[@tjk9263]

The Living Daylights was a much better Bond film than Goldeneye

[@brianiswrong]

Your all wrong,Skyfall is the best bond film to date 👍

[@grahamfrost2480]

Great car, I love my 2.8 pre face lift manual. 👍

[@TheMrFishnDucks]

One of a few that posts a correction. Keep up the good work.

[@clivefrear1784]

I’ve had my 2.2 Auto Z3 for over nine years. I love this car! It’s not quite a sports car, but looks and sounds great and for most drivers, has sufficient handling and performance.

[@eze8970]

Can be a good car for the money, need more powerful engines & options though. Thanks J!

[@bm7760]

I bought a 2.0 Z3 manual last week for, honestly, £1,000. Wouldn't take much to double that but I've enough mechanical ability to address the bits the seller would've needed a dealer for and am in no hurry. Nice wee project.

[@TroyHR123]

That z3 looks really nice 👌. Albeit it’s the scaffolding roof that seems to ruin the lines on these cars.

[@itsthatsebguy93]

I wish people wouldn't say stuff like this; at this point in mx5 is the only affordable rwd car.

[@thomaswatson9950]

You can still pick up a Z3 for a grand or 2. It’s still extremely affordable, at the end of the day it’s a sports car, it’s supply and demand. There’s still loads more mx5s available which keeps the prices down, whereas Z3s are slightly less common so that will keep prices slightly higher

[@itsthatsebguy93]

@@thomaswatson9950 Yes but for how long...

[@camilstoenescu]

Iconic roadster from a bygone era.

[@DaveMenzies]

My 2.2 Z3 has been sitting in my drive for 12 months due to the all too common water ingress/electrical death syndrome. In the 10 years I've owned it I have really enjoyed it although my previous toy a Mk1 Mx5 1.8 was a lot more fun to chuck around. That said it basically melted with rust. I'll try to resurrect the Z3 I think.

[@cameron1975williams]

You get a like for the petrol price joke. Bravo Sir.

[@deep6thisdeep6this92]

these were on my short list when looking for my first, in a long time, sports car. i ended up with an aston martin vantage, but only because these are just a bit too old. finding low-mileage, prime examples can be difficult. most, in the condition that i wanted anyway, would have needed a restoration; something i had no interest in doing. BTDT. :)

[@racecraft724]

I have a 96 1.9 over in the states. I use it as a gas saver rather than spending the same money on a Honda fit or Toyota Yaris. As you know the USA is massive and I have an hour commute to work, and it's perfect for that. It beats putting diesel in my 2500hd Silverado or 93 octane in my big cam Camaro. For a little 4-banger it's still pretty zippy and fun, especially with some coilovers and an exhaust

[@420somewhereG]

Coffee time good start to the weekend 👍🏼👍🏼

[@treeskier802]

Would you chose a Z3 over an NC Miata? One of your best videos. I always like tuning in. Keep up the great work.

[@JoeEngineer]

3:28 Impossible not to do that when you hear a good car noise

[@andrewgurney6019]

Goldeneye and Brosnam was a cluster*uck in the James Bond History, but nice car though.

[@bobojo8591]

Hi James l could be wrong but this video is giving me that feeling of De Ja Vu? Did you not post the exact same video about a week or so ago? l thought it was a different one but a few minutes in realised it was. Anyway it happens to all of us.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

I did, this is a re edit to fix an issue

[@bobojo8591]

@@JayEmmOnCars Thanks for the clarification.

[@devilsson6660]

In '98 or '99 I came upon a accident that had just happened between a z3 and a suburban, whoever was driving the z3 was laying in the middle of the highway, presumably dead, that changed how I look at those little roadsters.

[@Anirossa]

I do prefer late M20 and M30 BMW I6 engines, as they are much easier to maintain and I enjoy your sound and feel more. But I have owned M50 engines too, nothing wrong with them, their great for their time period. I just don't like them as there are so many plastics and wires on it. So it can be really cramped and frustrating to work on compared to the older engines...

[@MrMarkusmulder]

Thanks for the video and stay safe ✌️

[@Vikturus22]

Im going to quote james may here when he drove a Z3 with an auto " there is a special place reserved in hell for who ever made that crap gearbox!"

[@markgilbertson1564]

The rest of the car isn't much better. A 3 series coupe is a much better car.

[@goose4150]

Such a sweet-looking ride. I want one

[@KQKQKQKQKQKQ]

incredible review

[@seantreen4317]

As usual a great informative review however amongst all the cars you compared this to you missed one great rival which like the Z3 is currently under valued, the 916 Alfa Spider. The 3.0 Busso engine is legendary and probably makes a better sound than the BMW straight six. Personally I own the 2.0TS version which many believe is thd better engine for the Spider and I'm not dissapointed! How about a Spider review in the future?

[@neil1922]

Shame you don't live closer to Kent @JayEmm i'd love for you to review my remapped BMW 320TD compact

[@Wanderhirsch]

Nice video! When can we expect an S2000 update from you? 🤓

[@930Tony]

nice car - aftermarket exhaust for sure.

[@daraboy1973]

Golden Eye really 😂

[@evansisgreat]

6 pot, manual, LSD all in a package you can get for as low as £3k if you can find a good high mileage one. Bargain.

[@PixelVogue]

What'd it sell for?

[@Pete_1986]

Hmm, i've already seen this video... Didn't you upload it a week or so back?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Yes, there was an error in it hence this being marked as a "re-edit". There's no quiet way to do this on YT

[@dundadunda552]

Y the z3 and not the z4?

[@scotty6346]

Sorry to spoil the party but i have just bought an E86 Z4 Coupe 3.0 si manual, It's better than a Z3 in every way especially the 3.0 litre N52 engine and looks! The Z3 just looks like left overs from the E36 parts bin! IMO, Controversial! 😂

[@TheBrendonian]

I had a test drive in one of the early 1.9 litre models when it first launched. One of the least sporty cars I’ve ever driven. I’m not just talking about the straight line performance, but everything about the way it drove was laughably bad. I’m sure the 6 cylinder models are much better, but that experience put me off entirely.

[@GeorgeAusters]

3:45 Hahahaha

[@Nord_Mann]

Wasn’t the Z3 a underpowered horrible car? The M coupe was a cool one though.

[@hanslubas]

The 2.8 and the 3.0 cars hit 0 - 60 in the 5 Second Range due to good combinations of weight, torque, and a decent Manual. This was at a time when V8 GT Mustangs do similar times.

[@kristoffer3000]

Funny that Tiff LOVED it when it was new if it was so 'horrible'.

[@BagMan963]

Would love to hear what other cars you feel are under valued

[@Beer_Dad1975]

Like most car KZbinrs, anything he's trying to sell presumably - though he's better than VinWiki I guess.

[@laskos02]

How many times can you make a 0,5h video about the same car, which you don't even own currently

[@JayEmmOnCars]

It is, as the title mentions - a re edit of the last video to remove an error. KZbin doesn't give us a way of making sophisticated edits after upload

[@laskos02]

@@JayEmmOnCars well, I did realise a moment later 😬 but my point still stands, the Z3 is starting to get very boring

[@worldhello1234]

Because the more money than brains club needs to jump on the next bandwaggon. 😜

[@dorstefan]

3:47 Joe Biden: I did that.

[@laser-sj]

Hair dressers will love this video 🤣😉

[@dorstefan]

There is a strong competition with Mazda MX-5.

[@EvoraGT430]

@@dorstefan Hardly; the MX-5 is the best-selling sportscar of all time. The Z3 is.......neither of those things.

[@jeremyp-t4438]

Shame you have converted your channel into a sales pitch for one of your cars. Big devaluation....

[@quattrorsq8558]

The thing is the z3 came out nearly the same year as the Audi TT mk1! 1999 - 2000 if am not mistaken! But i have to say the z3 aged horribly but the TT still looks amazing and modern! Inside and out!

[@cdeN1ne]

I disagree and I'm a huge Audi fan and own a B7 RS4. Z3 aged much better IMO

[@KarlHamilton]

No. Just NO.

[@EvoraGT430]

KZbinr bigging up a (crap) car he is selling.......

[@550LMS]

@@EvoraGT430 Yep. Generally speaking every single 2nd hand car has gone up significantly in value, pretty much leaving only actual shit that's affordable. Here's Jay ''man of the people'' actively promoting a car that's still affordable (that he happens to be selling!) to be worth more...

[@stecozz4907]

It just wasnt very good unless you got the M car lets face it.

[@hanslubas]

The Z3 3.0 can fight a 986 Boxster S anywhere except on a Track. At the time of release, a 3.0 Z3 can match a Mustang GT in terms of acceleration to 60 without much trouble. You are seriously underestimating how fun the 2.8 and the 3.0 are and how well they respond to minor boltons.

[@julian987r4]

Looked horrendous then. Looks horrific now.

[@okboomer1340]

opinions are like assholes...everybody's got one

[@nobodyshero200]

Drove one. Really underpowered. Suspension like blumonge. Bonnet way to long. Sat way to high. Felt its age. Great for posing. Awful to drive. Oh yeah and a steering wheel the size of captain sparrows black pearl pirate ship helm/tiller. Redic u low Sus!

[@MrInovasoft]

The first Z4 is a much better car !

[@AdamDZ4]

I cross shopped a z3m with a 3.0 se z4 with m sport suspension and bought the z4 as a stop gap until the 987 3.4 s Boxster came down in price. I quite enjoyed the z4 for 3.5 years (electric steering and run flats aside) before plumping for my Z4M roadster which I have now owned for 11 years. I’m struggling to find a more modern and suitable replacement without spending 40k 😬

[@MrInovasoft]

@@AdamDZ4 👍

[@hanslubas]

It's a much more refined and stable car but the Z3s lighter and more stable. If you can handle the Rear Trailing Arms coupled with the Floppy Chassis and Short Wheel Base, the Z3s equally as good. It's like Live Axle Mustang GT Vs S550 Mustang GT, different feel and refinement but lap times aren't actually far off.

[@justinpino8115]

But it’s kind of ugly