Why the BMW Z3 M Coupe is a cult HERO | PistonHeads

It's been called every name under the sun (the breadvan, the clown shoe and even the hearse), but why is it that people adore the Z3 M Coupe? And should you buy one on PistonHeads Auctions?
A huge thank you to the buyer of this Z3 M Coupe for allowing us to film their car.
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[@mevans8646]

I just bought an M coupe a month ago! Absolutely lovely car, I’ll be uploading videos on my channel for those interested in more Clownshoe content!

[@andrewcramer7214]

Subbed

[@Jinsun202]

Also subbed. Will be in the market for one of these soon enough. Love them.

[@user-ps3qk3xl2d]

Which channel?

[@mevans8646]

@@user-ps3qk3xl2d the one I commented with!

[@anidiotinaracingcar4874]

Had one for 15 years, still love it like the first day

[@bentait7018]

Would love to see BMW put that new Z4 shooting brake thing from Villa D’Este in to production as a successor to this

[@pwillemsen1000]

I use to own a 2.8 Coupe as my daily driver, obviously not in the same league as the M Coupe but I still miss it.

[@bretthouslop5461]

Oh that's interesting, never realised they did a non-M version of the Z3 coupe 👍

[@blinkerfluid4712]

My boss had one in Estoril blue when I was 17 and i still love this car 25 years later

[@adammoonface]

One of the best arses in the business... And the M Coupe isn't bad either! The M Coupe has been an obsession of mine since I was a kid. It would definitely make my collection of old bimmers, if I had more money and an understanding wife

[@andrewcramer7214]

A non-m is half the money. And the same ass ;)

[@ZeelleyMoonMusic]

Great and interesting review. I tested a couple of S54s before buying a 2000 and felt the S50 engined model is the purist in that the original concept for the Coupe was of pure intention- just shoving the biggest engine in the smallest stiffest body; after that it could be argued an S54 is a compromise precisely because of the stuff Cam says in relation to the then current M3. The marketing budget was virtually zero too, never in stock at dealers and completely in favour of the mainstream models. Was it even intended to be a massive seller? I don't reckon so. As I understand it though, the later S54 Z3M Coupe is only geared differently due to the different engine and the slight down-tuning was necessary due to shorter exhaust pipework to that found in the M3. I find my 2000 Z3M Coupe more drivable in normal traffic because the massive power doesn't fully kick in until higher revs but it's massive torque lower down makes it easy to plod around in. (...and like a tiny train on motorways!) I suspect in a few years there will be little to differentiate the two Coupes in values; maybe the S50 even being viewed as the original and purest?

[@robertfontaine3650]

Track missile. The clown shoe S54 is a beast.

[@Hakosuka1971]

Portland - “GO KART” plate- I remember you.

[@andrewcramer7214]

Portlnd OR? what color was it? Thats a great plate!

[@Hakosuka1971]

@@andrewcramer7214 red, I was driving a silver e30 is at the time and ran into it on my commute multiple times. Back in about 2009-2010 I believe. Yes, Oregon.

[@andrewcramer7214]

@@Hakosuka1971 I just bought mine last September from the second owner and it didn't have that plate. But the 1st owner had it during that time lol. It would hilarious if that was mine.

[@Hakosuka1971]

@@andrewcramer7214 that would be fantastic. If I recall correctly the wheels had a gun metal finish.

[@machidaman]

We've got one locally and they certainly have presence and they are at least a bit different to the huge, overweight, overcomolicated, drab, all basically looks the same, German performance cars you get now.

[@carguy7627]

I had one for a weekend in the early 2000s. I traded in my 99 323i for it. Unfortunately the dealer lied and it had been in an accident so I brought it back. Then a couple of years later I bought an E46 M3 since the M Coupe was no longer for sale. I've always loved the look of the M Coupe and am dismayed with today's prices.

[@jimmypratt6450]

Very rare car not seen one in years furure classic 👍👍

[@dwn2634]

I owned an S plate one of these in Imola red (ex press car), and I still miss it every day. Fantastic car with incredible character.

[@philipbellew9645]

I too had an S plate (GAN reg press car) in Estoril Blue. Lovely fast and practical car and was surprised seeing mine on numerous studio shots and hooning it on a beach.

[@dwn2634]

@@philipbellew9645 a fellow GAN owner! Excellent. Yes, my old car (S236 GAN) featured in CAR magazine, plus a few other mags of the time. I also managed to get it in Modern Classics magazine myself a few years ago. Should never have sold it tbh.

[@philipbellew9645]

@@dwn2634 S791GAN - was used a lot for press photos. Got it from Munich Legends and ran it for 5 years and used it daily. Loved it.

[@gapho5198]

I'll say, they shape of it isn't my jam, but I could see it another time, and another place, it being an incredible car.

[@rossbethell4187]

Should have kept mine. Oh well, it got me to Monaco and back and was fun at the pay Tolls.

[@alynllewellynuu7715]

I'm on my second, ive had it 16 years now......only wish I'd kept my first one....

[@appelflapdrol]

Z4 coupe next ?

[@puristM]

Fantastic car! I reckon the M Coupe will turn out to be an incredible investment. give it another 10 years.

[@PixelVogue]

Miss my ZMCoupe!

[@scotty6346]

The E86 Z4 Coupe is so much better looking exterior and interior IMO.

[@maeranni]

The hatch is ace!

[@DontPanicDear]

I always wanted a ZMC! Such an enjoyable thing ❤

[@DailyisRaceCar]

Mostly informative review. The interior was not revamped for the Coupe. It’s identical to the M roadster. Owned two Z3M’s, both roadsters, one of which was an S54. Personally the roadster is far prettier and the lack of chassis stiffness on either car is irrelevant in this day and age so why pay a premium for an uglier rear end and loss of open top motoring. Just my opinion. Lovely cars

[@bluetitan20]

I've always been curious as to what the Z3 M Roadster is like to own. I've always loved the looks of them, the long bonnet, sitting over the rear wheels and of course having that S engine in the M model. How do you find the handling of them? I'm assuming, if you fit modern day performance tyres, they would go a long way to keeping it all in check.

[@user-ps3qk3xl2d]

S54 v S50? Big difference? Mine is a Z3M S50… thx

[@DailyisRaceCar]

@@bluetitan20 my brother still owns the s50, so it’s been in the family for 15+ years now. They are a little old fashioned handling wise, but my s54 I ran a decent set of coilovers which converted the car, very soft from stock!

[@DailyisRaceCar]

@@user-ps3qk3xl2d a bit more poke in general, more low end torque. Otherwise not much in it.

[@user-ps3qk3xl2d]

@@DailyisRaceCar thanks. Good to know.

[@armyman3666]

This was sold at the beginning on 2024, why is it already back on sale?

[@jeromeandcars4390]

Please remove the mud flaps, looks a lot better as standard....

[@rudyoviedo9258]

This is my dream car

[@lakhbirsinghpowar4542]

The Breadvan.

[@PistonHeadsTV]

💪

[@andyjohnson4767]

Prefer the cab tbh, used to own one and never had any scuttle shake either, i'd happily buy another

[@Readb2001]

Missed the boat, sadly. Esp on s54 engined one.

[@chrisflee1]

Have owned a Coupe and a Roadster. The Roadster seems to drive much better, but the Coupe has looks to die for. Thing is, they have been 'a future classic' for years. Some for stupid money, but most sit in the listings for months if not years for sale. I have also had a Z4 Coupe 3.0, they are just dirt cheap and again take ages to sell. I think the Coupes' fall into an odd category. They aren't cabriolets, they don't have the two tiny rear seats in say a 911, and they are literally 2 seat estate cars. Such a shame for a very important, unique low volume BMW which seems to have been unloved from the outset.

[@pereldh5741]

Became cult because we loved it THEN already

[@conorcreagh7872]

Great video on a great car. You say it didn't have ABS but it did.

[@tominator23]

I doubt any beemers in the 90s didnt have ABS. Or at the very least very few

[@hobbies2902]

last time i was this early BMWs werent ugly yet

[@PixelVogue]

Get the subframe checked for cracks!

[@williammorris3334]

What is a Zed three coopay? I know what aZ3 Coupe is. Is that German or French pronunciation?

[@andresadoff6762]

Did they not have abs in Europe?

[@Digiphex]

It is ungainly and awkward traded for utility. But the styling cues are better than current BMW which looks really bad at present.

[@AdamsWorlds]

I always liked them and the shape of the coupe with hardtop the convertible I don't like looks really bad imo. The Z4 coupe looks sick also especially in black. Would have one of those over a MX-5 any day. Way better cars for the money though especially with a z3 rather the z4 over it tbh and its far cheaper.

[@clownworld-honk410]

It's definitely quirky. Looks a bit wrong to me and I found the traction control way too intrusive. It's all about the engine. If it was a 2 litre turbo, it would be a £4000 car. Imo

[@user-ps3qk3xl2d]

Yummy yummy

[@twinturbine320]

When I fist saw one of these, I thought it was the ugliest car in the world. It has now been surpassed by the Cybertruck.