1998 BMW Z3 M-Roadster: Regular Car Reviews

[@georgebull-mclean3333]

The MX5 For people who know what foie gras is, and eat it anyway.

[@nathanchildress5596]

Ugh, no kidding, I don’t think I’ll ever be rich enough for that to sound ok

[@ricardosilva-xz1yt]

Try it. Its delicious.

[@seanieboi3100]

IMMA EAT IT ANYWAY

[@carlosandleon]

shits good though

[@detroitbucknut]

fois gras is the second nicest thing you can do to a goose.

[@AvenEngineer]

The clown shoe version of this car is still on my ugly hot dream car list.

[@octothorpian_nightmare]

They're so good. I got a ride in one at the autocross and it was like being hit with a hammer.

[@Yourmission9]

I had an old girlfriend who’s mom offered to sell theirs to me, but this was 21 years ago and I was working with little money, but man they’re cool

[@黒キツネ-九零二一零]

clownshoe z3: the Eileen Roberts of cars

[@mrgmc6314]

Shooting break

[@Mikeyridesit]

100% the only way I have ever wanted a Z3.

[@yam83]

"This is a '98. This is a classic car now" This statement immediately made me turn to dust, that's how old it made me feel. 😂

[@johnleo2668]

This is a reminder to schedule your colonoscopy.

[@Gobblessamurica]

@@johnleo2668sure feels like it, 😂

[@stormix5755]

1998 is 26 years ago, you can import cars that old, you can skip emissions in most places. I’m just waiting for 2000 model years to be classics so I can buy classic cars the same age as me.

[@chrisgray995]

Glad I’m not the only one that felt that. I now feel old.

[@falconphilips2420]

I wanted the hatch back version

[@architypeone8646]

The BMW straight 6's are just so silky smooth and pull in an elastic way...feels like you are being pulled by a bungee cord. You can pass without having to downshift...great torque.

[@aygwm]

You should try a TDI

[@olliewebbuk]

@@aygwm To experience the exact opposite? Especilly in a PD TDI, no bottom end, wush power, and then all over again? And that's not even going into how noisy and unrefined they are compared to petrol engines. I piss myself laughing every time I see a convertible with a TDI engine, "oh I love the sounds of the open road" TRACTOR NOISES!

[@Nightmaretyrant]

Lol everybody says BMW 6s are smooth but so are Nissan Rbs, Toyota JZs, Ford Barra, etc etc etc it's a straight 6 it's literally the smoothest most balanced engine type.

[@bassplayer2011ify]

Until the vanos pump goes or the timing chain guides fail. And god help you if you have an automatic.

[@architypeone8646]

@@bassplayer2011ify I had an '84 633CSI 5 speed manual and a '95 325i 5 speed manual so I didn't have any of the issues the new ones have.

[@Rapscallion2009]

There's a joke in the UK Car scene "What's the difference between a Z3 and an S2000"? "The BMW is neglected and the Honda is abused".

[@bassplayer2011ify]

MX5 is always the answer.

[@Mechadondada]

My most despised coworker owns a S2000 and my pettiness will not allow me to ask a single question about it even tho I have many.

[@jacquesc3166]

Most S2K owners become despicable people. First hand experience here.

[@Mechadondada]

@@jacquesc3166 I knew it!! 😂

[@user-gz1po4db9u]

There’s nothing wrong with that. Life is way too short to waste time talking to people who suck. Honda forums will give you the details from the safety of a screen.

[@aygwm]

@@jacquesc3166as someone who has accidentally damaged someone’s cherry S2000, shit got ugly real quick.

[@miketeeveedub5779]

I have the same qualms about a despised co-worker that has a Porsche Boxster. I'd like to talk about the car...but not to him.

[@throwback19841]

friend of my Dad bought one of these in the early 00s. wouldnt buy an mx5 "because its a hairdressers car". he got an s2000 first, drove it for a month, declared "its sounds like a bag of spanners and has no power" and switched to the bimmer. guess he didnt want to rev the s2000 out. boomers gotta boom.

[@diltzm]

People call the SLK a hairdressers car too without mentioning the AMG version that will make most people poo themselves.

[@Grey-x2c]

Honda gas miezer BMW drivers car

[@helxis]

I'm glad the days of people trying to shame Miatas is basically over. When I got my first one, I got such shit for it. Over and over again. By the time I got my second one, they were reasonably respected for what they were. And now, people almost can't afford to have one.

[@aygwm]

@@throwback19841 S2000s do sound mechanically soulless.

[@bvedant]

That’s a boomer thing to want? 😂 all right buddy

[@ejf5175]

"So where's the powerband in a Z3?" "Yes."

[@VirginiaRican]

Race engineer here: out of the box, the z3m is a lot more capable on a track than an S2000. This is mainly due to weight and rear suspension. The S2k's factory rear suspension geometry is almost unworkable for serious drivers. You'd have to cut and rebuild it. The Z3m on the other hand essentially has an E30 rear suspension. While this also isn't perfect for the track, you can adjust the alignment by bending the metal. Stock S2Ks aren't what they're cracked up to be on a track. They're deceptively heavy. The last time I raced, there was a near stock S2K running its first race. Interior stripped, caged, etc. I was 4 seconds a lap faster in my 1990 1.6L Miata with 97 horsepower. Yeah the S2K has a great engine that lets it pull a few lengths on the straights. But by the next breaking zone, he's done. M cars on the other hand are overall much much better. E36 and E46 platforms are far better suited for track use in stock, or near stock configuration. S2Ks require far more work to be competitive.

[@gnarshread]

I am inclined to agree with you on this. There's a reason you don't see a lot at track days.

[@nateTrh]

It's mostly an issue with the AP1 S2000's. The AP2 fixed most of the rear geometry issues and coilovers with sway bars makes it pretty good after that. I will say M cars have way better stock aero though which only makes the S2000's twitchy rear end seem worse in comparison. For a beginner driver, BMW all the way but even seasoned drivers still have to put in way more effort to get an S2000 as fast, which I guess is part of the fun.

[@VirginiaRican]

@@nateTrh yup, I concur. As BMW says "you can be a crowd pleaser, and still win"

[@VirginiaRican]

@@gnarshread when you do, where are they compared to everyone else? It's very rare that you see one that's competitive.

[@zackster1697]

Don't forget though, the Z3M's dirty secret of the subframe welds. There's no way to thrash them on track without popping them out eventually, it needs reinforcement to last. I have a 2.8 coupe, so the extra chassis rigidity and lack of power have saved me from grief thus far, but I know if I want to do anything but autocross, I need to rebuild the whole rear subframe.

[@TheUrbanEpicure]

1:44 Oh, an E63 M3, interesting!

[@dardancosovic6796]

I thought the same thing😮

[@RegularCars]

OOPS I mean to say E36. Dylysskiaaia stokies ahgenigning

[@VirginiaRican]

It is an E36 platform. The wiring diagram, front suspension, etc are identical.

[@TheUrbanEpicure]

@@VirginiaRican No shit.

[@GregoryVeizades]

The mind wants Mercedes.

[@diegoguerrero3588]

My mom has a Z3M coupe and it’s such a sick car. The way it drives the way it handles everything. I absolutely love, totally not saving up for a z3m right now.

[@poomped53]

Can I get your mom's number? 😂

[@bassplayer2011ify]

What ever you plan on paying, double it and just give the other half to your mechanic.

[@poomped53]

So happy to see this, as the proud owner of an Estoril Blue '98 Z3M. In BMW-dom, this car's driving experience really stands out as one of the best, and maybe a peak of analog BMW M glory. It has the twitchy excitement of the E30 rear end, the snick snick firmness of the Z3 short shifter, the S52 torquey-but-revvy delight, and the open-top glory of a roadster. I love that you pointed out how good it feels to rest your arm on the sill. For me, it puts my left hand perfectly against the outside of the quarter window (or on the mirror, equally satisfying). The simple interior (with laughable 90's plastics) with chrome rimmed gauges is a joy too. The torque, linearity and noise of the S52 suits it perfectly. I wonder how anyone could long for more power in this car. I have a similar intake and trust me, the stock one is even quieter 😂. Stock suspension is perfect IMO. I think an S2K would have the edge on track but for pure fun factor on the street, these are hard to beat. Your perpetual smiles in this video confirm :)

[@BigSkyJason]

9:33 We did get the 315 hp version in 2001 in the form of the S54. The Euro-spec version before that was the S50, which indeed made more power than US-spec in the 1998 to 2000 model years.

[@internet_internet]

I had a ‘00 M Coupe for a while. S52. Might be the funnest car I’ve ever owned. Traction control got turned off every time I got into the car. Very easy to find yourself tailgating others by complete accident, and very easy to find yourself forgetting to use a blinker. You’re entirely focused on driving the car, and I love that.

[@Cameron-qu8vz]

Z3 handles more like an E30 than an E36 - same rear end.

[@RegularCars]

nice

[@jensimaster]

There is a little more reinforcement in the trailing arms, but dimensionally they are the same as the E30.

[@JB-mk4ry]

​@@RegularCarsfor future reference, the Z3 is considered the "E36-7"... Not an E36, and definitely not an "E63" as you called it. :p

[@sinnombre5466]

The way it handles has it in a league of its own, because of the footprint even tho the rear is More like a e36 318i … but we know what you mean

[@xanlord2k]

"This is the S2000's only predator" Did you forget your Lotus Elise review?

[@stevemiller1626]

Front engine rear drive

[@helxis]

And the Lotus Elise was true, whereas this car is not. But, yknow, giveaway car. Gotta hype it.

[@ThaMythbuster]

@@helxis What do you mean it's not true?

[@helxis]

@@ThaMythbuster The Z3 is incomparable to the S2000.

[@blownaway421]

@@helxis except on the street, where the M roady has power everywhere.

[@feltongailey8987]

My mom got one of these when they came out. It was stoopit fast and corners like no other (that I have driven). It was pure pleasure to pilot.

[@patrickwalsh9662]

best review video in a while. The personality and quirks are on point in this one more than usual for some reason

[@TBPony]

A rule of thumb on those ford explorers is that police versions do not have roof rack mounts

[@j_bird27]

Thank you for this.

[@RegularCars]

Get Entered to WIN this awesome BMW M Roadster! go.getenteredtowin.com/regularcars DEADLINE to ENTER is 07/17/24 @ 11:59pm (PST).

[@bobhill3941]

Great review. I had a dark blue diecast model of one of these when they were new and I remember 007 driving one in Goldeneye. I love your way of analysing. I remember seeing a review of the clown shoe on car and driver in 2001.

[@UmmYeahOk]

I loved seeing these in the 90s and early 2000s. They weren’t afraid of color back then! So many different colors! And then there was the pastel Easter/spring colors! OMG! I wanted to own one in every single color. I wanted a garage that I could park them all in. But then I would ask myself, which one would I drive? I later realized that I just love adorable cute cars, so I bought a Triumph GT6 instead. Guys! Buy a Z3! Chicks will love it! I mean you. They will love you.

[@rightcoastbias]

I approve of your recent give away car selections. I owned a 1998 M Roadster before picking up an AP1 S2000 and realizing the answer is always MIATA. They’re just more fun. That s52 with cold tires and short wheel base can bite you as it shares an E30’s rear end. I enjoyed the Moadster tremendously. It felt very similar to a S5x swapped e30.

[@92c900t]

Owned 3 miatas including my beloved Miataspeed, and yeah the rear end bites in my new M, I assumed it was just due to the short wheelbase.

[@DannysGarage]

It's a common misconception that Vanos does stuff up top, when in fact it does all of its work below like 3500 RPM. Up top, it disengages and lets the cams do their thing without any help.

[@davidnorth9390]

Thank you for the imagery of motoring in a convertible roadster through the countryside on a lovely summer day! Congratulations to whoever wins and can become part of this picture

[@EvanSather]

"I changed my underwear before I left because I had a fart that was a LIAR"! "Thank you for tuning in!" Now that's how you end a car review video!

[@frj3289]

He cut himself off before he got too deep into shart humor 🤣🤣

[@falconphilips2420]

See my comment 😮

[@Kurtyburt]

Fun fact Honda had to get bmw diffs for endurance racing back in the day bc the s2000 diffs didn't hold up

[@jacquesc3166]

My cousin with an AP1 showing 250,000+ km on the clock has a rear CV vs. diff problem, something is about to let go...

[@BiggCliph]

This was my very first dream car 😌 I used to sit and listen to exhaust sound compilations everyday and I have a little James Bond toy version that shoots missiles out of the head lights. The logical part of me knows it’s not built super well, but I don’t care. This car will ALWAYS have a special place in my heart!

[@TheGeorgiaRover]

Had a 2000 model. It was a great sports car. Would have liked to owned an S54 version, but the S52 was no slouch. It handled brilliantly on mountain runs, and the sound was pretty sweet.

[@J.Gainez]

13:11 actually it's the opposite, if you wanna do it properly and get the most power gain, if you get a tune then add bolt ons you won't get the maximum potential out of your bolt ons because it'll be synced to the factory exhaust system, intake, pulley ect, if you're getting a tune and bolt ons its definitely recommended to do bolt ons first, love the channel ive been a fan for almost 10 years, probably the only channel I've kept up with for this long

[@Spikew]

pretty sure that getting boltons implied getting a fresh tune too.

[@J.Gainez]

@@Spikew yeah but he said a tune first, which implied to me he's saying that it makes more sense to get a tune before anything, which isn't a bad idea, but it just makes more sense to do bolt ons first

[@Spikew]

@@J.Gainez a bolt on without a tune is useless

[@tenkarabadger5244]

Even the non-M version of this car with the inline 6 is a respectable driver’s car.

[@sinnombre5466]

Specially the 3.0 ; )

[@jordanwidmer3561]

My mom had one of these. '99, all black. She loved that car. Had to let it go after 2007, and she wouldn't be able to drive it now, but man it was fun to ride in. Never let me drive it, though!

[@simonnim321]

I tracked my z3m. The only thing I did was to upgrade the rear bushing to one that would allow the semi trailing arms camber. It allowed for I believe up to 1 degree of additional camber on top of the stock camber. I was able to get 2.3 on the rear. I upgraded brake pads to HT-10's, threw on some RT660's staggered, and did a cooling overhaul. The car was great on the track, but with the short wheel base was very snappy. It was super intuitive and by my 3rd session I on Thunderhill West, I was pulling 1:31. My only gripe was that the plastic was brittle and everything you touched disintegrated. Also the seals on the windows were horrible and must have shrunk throughout the year giving an awful wind noise while driving to the track. I do regret selling it, since I got it very cheap. But, it was a fun experience.

[@cooperredmon3430]

God this reminds me of my e34 525i stick shift wagon I had when I got my license. Engine sounds exactly the same. I sold it to my narcissist “friend” at the time who trashed it within a year. We don’t talk anymore. Been watching your channel since 2016, congrats to you and your team for making such consistently great content!

[@bricegraham8256]

I love these cars so much. Ive never drove the m version but i have driven the ones with the inline 6 and its dope. Its hella dope.

[@kingofcabra]

Cars and Bids... I see who you're going for..

[@JBM802]

Sew fahannnncy!

[@helxis]

And I'm glad KZbin finally stopped recommending that tool to me.

[@92c900t]

Picked up a 2000 a few weeks back with just 96K miles. We did get the S54 very late in the production run in 2001/02, but they are a small percent of production and thus are worth 2-3 times as much. It's also only a 5-speed because the Z3 is something of a partsbin special of the bigger E36- and that's a good thing. I also owned a 328i, It's an excellent platform, and I actually wanted an E36M, but couldn't find a manual vert' so the M roadster was the best option. The E36 never had a 6-speed (at least USDM, might have in Europe) and the Z3/M being engineered in the early/mid 90s predates the E46/Z4 by a long while.

[@wolfofthepast]

This is the only BMW that interests me.

[@Hobotraveler82]

Between the Z3 M and S2K. I'll take the Bimmer every time. 😊

[@ryanjv]

You bolt on then you tune. When you tune you want to account for the changes, such as intake, exhaust, plug changes and whatnot. If you tune first then make those changes you need to change again

[@alexandram9477]

I had a silver 2000 Z3M for 20 years, just sold it in 2021 - like an idiot I sold it just before prices went up. It was garaged, 100% original w/ only 46K miles. I almost didn't want to watch this vid cause the regret pain. Also the updated S54 was announced right after I bought my 2000, lol - that's why the previous owner did that cold air intake, we were all feeling inferior to the 2001 version. It was a crazy little car, a bit twitchy, and you're right, there was no pussy footing with the transmission - the drive train could easily get into a nasty lurching situation on the 1-2 shift. I missed the car and got a 2022 BRZ. That's my sad tale, but happy the BRZ was there for me!

[@92c900t]

What's with the drivetrain lurch? Noticed that on my 2000 that I just purchased weeks ago. The shifter/clutch feels different than my 328i, and even an M3 that I drove.

[@alexandram9477]

@@92c900t i'm not an engineer or mechanic but I attributed it to the occasional lazy/sloppy shift which got amplified by the amount of low end torque. A sudden amount of torque in 1st, then coming off the throttle too fast would induce it into a bucking/lurching feedback loop. It was mostly when not fully warmed up and maybe the throttle was slightly sticky - I let my mom drive it once and that happened to her, she refused to drive it after, lol. She's had many stick shift sports cars so it wasn't like she didn't know what's up. Anyway, that issue was there from day 1 when I bought the car, just a high strung motor?

[@LordHolley]

BMW left the S2000 in the dust when they stuffed the S54 315hp motor in it. Goodnight sweet prince!

[@arnehurnik]

I wonder why it took a couple years for the US to get it. Maybe type certification? Or reworking it to pass emissions?

[@hanslubas]

@@arnehurnik The Z3M got it the same year everyone else. The S50B32 in 98-00 was too expensive to shove in the US Z3Ms.

[@Tappar1]

Came here to say this- can’t believe he didn’t say anything about This engine in the video.

[@arnehurnik]

@@hanslubas Ah, I see. An engine generation change during the production run.

[@hanslubas]

@@arnehurnik The 2001 and 2002 M Roadsters and Coupes had the E36 Front Suspension, E30 Rear Suspension, and E46 Engine Option.

[@pablos3563]

I’m glad that someone said it about S2000 and Z3 🎉

[@Low760]

Bentley manuals are huge. Also the z3 uses the e30 swing axle rear end unlike the multilink on the e36....

[@nakoma5]

So that's why the handling always felt a bit "archaic", interesting...

[@arealsourapple]

@@nakoma5 It does. It's sure is engaging, if not objectively "good" for the time.

[@poomped53]

Swing axle??? Bro no that's old VW beetles. It has semi trailing arm

[@robertkirchner7981]

The Robert Bentley manual for my VW Tdi is just as thick, but TWO VOLUMES! So THERE!

[@kaileysweeney4240]

I drove a 2002 Z3 M with the 315HP engine. By then the car was a generation behind in terms of handling, but that engine in that little car made it hilarious, REAR END OUT ALL THE TIME. While that isn’t the fastest way to get around, it was hella fun. The owner told me to get onto the throttle, and I did, but I don’t think they liked me driving it sideways. Anyway, it was fun for 15 seconds. It reminded me of Mustangs leaving cars and coffee, burn out with rear end out, full blast sideways into a telephone pole. Well I’d didn’t plant the Z3 into a telephone pole or oncoming traffic. It did, however, make me laugh and giggle like I just lost my car Cherry. I had driven cars like this before, old 911😮’s that are fastest when the rear end is out, just for God’s sake, don’t let off the throttle despite your fear or you’re gonna spin, and somewhat like an OP 928 from the 80’s I drove with AC delete and straight pipes, that car was hot and loud. The Z3 with that motor was the German Sunbeam Tiger, too much engine in too little car. With the Z4 the roadster became heavier, was built on a more modern chassis and adopted a modern vs a retro design. The Z3 still remains one of my favorite roadsters. I think the BMW Z8 is my favorite and if I squint really hard, the Z3 resembles that car. Plus the engine in that 1998 car is supposed to be a very reliable I-6. I’d love to have the power of the later Z3 M, but it has individual throttle bodies and is a very fiddly engine, I hear. Sometimes simple is better. While it may not seem fast compared to today’s cars, well it still has 80HP more than an MX-5. It still has more power than a GR-86. It has about equal power to the (now discontinued) Toyota Supra with the BMW I-4 turbo and the Z3 weights 50 pounds less. It’s a roaster, a 26 year old and rising roaster, it has enough power to be fun, it separates itself from other Z3’s with the wide rear end, it looks retro-cool like nothing else on the road today and it has a sewing machine smooth I-6. I expect it’s a bit of a coal cart and as you demonstrated, the manual transmission requires that you’re very deliberate, but it is very much a driver’s car. The kind that guys who wears leather driver’s gloves, Italian driver’s slip-in loafers, a chronograph self-winding watch, and knock-off Ray-ban Aviators (dude spent his wad on shoes and a watch, ok? This is an old BMW, not a new expensive one- this is the Pharmary Tech’s car, not the Pharmacist’s car, where do you think he bought the sun glasses anyway)… anyway, this is the modern TR6 or TR250, classic, great sounding inline 6, a little hairy chested, a Bear-Daddy in an affordable roadster (that dood is too chill for the damn frenetic S2000! His dog is a lazy slobbery mastiff, not some vibrating always cold happy terrier). Yeah I like my Bears and Iike em with a beard. Let me ask you, cause I want your opinion, would me driving this car get the attention of a Bear Daddy? Would he want to drive my car? Would it make him want to own me, so that he could lace up and get burly behind the wheel of my Z3…. Mmm big man, give it all she’s got, break that rear end free, oh yeah, that’s the way she likes it…

[@helxis]

Tldr

[@olliewebbuk]

I remember my friends dad getting one of these the day after test driving an S2000 and hating it - we're in the UK so we got the proper power. Was a lovely thing in Estoril Blue.

[@stevemiller1626]

I still like these in all forms. 2.3, 2.8, 3.0, and the S54 and S58. All of these are a great bargain and you can find clean ones sold by enthusiasts.

[@alexanderjones6383]

The Bond film The Man With A Golden Gun where they did the barrel roll was an AMC but it was the Matador coupe.

[@Coolalabright]

This was featured in Goldeneye

[@Coolalabright]

And can you believe it, the BMW Z3 was released with Goldeneye and the Honda S2000 was released with The World Is Not Enough and both of them were Bond films

[@alexanderjones6383]

@@Coolalabright Yes of course. It also launched the N64 into outer space with the Golden Eye game. I was referring to the 1974 film.

[@alexanderjones6383]

@@Coolalabright I think you're thinking about the BMW Z8 my dude.

[@Coolalabright]

@@alexanderjones6383 oh

[@mikieiacono8362]

Z3 is a hot lil whip

[@paulwindisch1423]

Many years ago I had a 1998 Cadillac Seville SLS. FWD Northstar powered with the 3.11:1 final drive ratio. I encountered a red light drag race with an S2000. I absolutely walked away from it in my 4000 lb Cadillac sedan. That is real, I’m not blowing smoke. Now, I have no delusions that the S2000 wouldn’t out-everything my Caddy on a track. All I’m saying is, torque matters. I miss that Cadillac. I never should have sold it.

[@DrewLSsix]

Probably not as absolutely as you assume, well, trade the SLS in for an STS and you have a surprisingly competent handler, but even the SLS will hang if the body roll doesn't spook you. As for straight line speed, I also walked one years ago in my 163rwhp (dyno proven!) 2675lb (truck scale proven!) Fwd Mazda. Like the catfish Supra, they are insulated from criticism by their assumed status as modern classics (not so modern at this point lol) and I'm reminded of a rant by Mr, Regular about potential, and the fact that these two cars have a permanent pass on ever having to prove their potential to maintain their perceived value. The supra is even funnier because there's jo shortage of TT swapped SC300 owners out there that discovered the car doesn't have the teeth it's said to have, and without the supra skin to cash in on at meets, the experience is very much lacking.

[@silasakron4692]

You probably did yourself a favor. Those Cads are fantastic... while they are new. You don't want a Northstar from that period for any real length of time. Speaking from experience.

[@paulwindisch1423]

@@silasakron4692 I am an ex Cadillac deaker tech. I replaced the head gaskets, installed time certs and resealed the whole engine. Ran great at 150,000 miles when I sold it.

[@bwofficial1776]

GM put out some sleepers around that time. The supercharged Buicks were deceptively quick for an old persons' car.

[@paulwindisch1423]

@@DrewLSsix Even my SLS handled better than it should have for its size. Mine had Stabilitrak and Magnetic Ride Control. It ran and drove beautifully. I got rid of it in 2013 because premium fuel near me was over $4 a gallon and my round trip to work was almost 50 miles per day. So, I sold it and bought a Volt. Still have the Volt, which has also been an excellent car. In hindsight I should have just stored the Caddy and held onto it. Yes, the STS had slightly lower torque but higher hp. It also had a more aggressive 3.73:1 final drive and a stiffer suspension. Both versions handled surprisingly well for their weight. The Stabilitrak would help mitigate the inherent FWD understeer to some degree, but physics gonna physic. Lol Having said that, I still don’t think they would out-track an S2000 on a road course. It would be fun to try, though!

[@danitaylor_]

Should also be noted that the Z3M also was offered with the S54 (the e46 m3 engine) which made more power, came with a 6 speed and was just a vastly better engine.

[@jwinmedia]

No 6 speed (I own one).

[@lukepatten8308]

Glad you reviewed this, I've got a 98 Z3 (2.8L, not the M). Best car I've ever owned, love these cars.

[@diablow1411]

The starter car in NFS High Stakes 🥲

[@sporeranier]

That was the base z3 2.3

[@analogdriven]

The game that introduced me as a child, to the concept of BMW Performance cars with the M5. As a kid during the 90s I had to figure out why a game filled 2-door sports cars featured a 4-door sedan that could keep up with the faster cars in the game. I spent a good deal of my youth fantasizing about a 4dr sedan instead of having the Countach and Diablo posters like all the other kids(and grown men 😂) of my generation. With the starter car being the Z3 and the starter police car being the M5, NFS High Stakes was the beginning of my love for BMWs. I also loved having the Z3 for a starter car in the game, it was good for introducing me to the concept of driving a slow car fast.

[@RandomUsername81]

@@sporeranier I can't recall the PC version but the PS1 definitely had the 3.0 I-6 (EDIT: 2.8 I-6 not the 3.0) both stated in the showcase and the sound. For a 99' PS1 game every single car sounded vastly different to one and another was quite freaking good. Play the game again with just engine noise and you can hear all the air cooled chatter of the 911 turbo. The 5 valve scream of the F50. The supercharger whine of the Aston and Merc SL230. The Corvettes LS1 iconic rumble.. It's all there for such an old game.

[@Jazzmaster1992]

​​@@analogdriveninteresting, I figured almost anyone who got into BMW performance through NFS would cite the M3 GTR from Most Wanted.

[@GRIMEYtheFATMAN]

@@Jazzmaster1992 There WERE 8 whole NFS games before MW, 2 of which featuring a fairly prominent BMW presence...

[@johnbesignano5999]

I'll definitely be entering this contest. If there's one thing I need, it's another M car to go with my E39 M5.

[@mankind8088]

AND YOU BETTER WIN

[@geofox9484]

You just wanted to tell everyone you have an E39 M5

[@johnbesignano5999]

@@geofox9484 Correct

[@poomped53]

That would be so much peak BMW in one garage I'm not sure the universe could hold together

[@giggiddy]

And anyone with 30k can buy an E39. Nice car but wouldn't get all worked up about it.

[@RattyAlphabet]

E63 you mean E36?

[@RzogL]

The Honda S2000 fears the manual Boxster S.

[@burrogrande]

The Boxster S fears bore scoring and IMS

[@ishansingh9633]

there was no boxster s without the s2000!

[@helxis]

Absolutely not.

[@planej6315]

​@@helxis Why not? About the same size, 3.2 liter mid-engined straight 6 for superior weight distribution and 260 horsepower. And it's even lighter than an S2000!

[@JarofMayonaise]

My mother and I went to 2 of the Z3 homecoming events BMW put on for BMW Z3 and then Z4 owners. She had a '96 1.9 but still fun. Blew a head gasket and it sat with the head off in shed for months until we sold it for $1,000 cash.

[@arealsourapple]

I put in my 3.0 for you guys to test if you'd wanted to, but I'm not too close to PA. Glad a z3 was eventually featured though!!!

[@Brentastrophe]

I always liked this car for no genuine reason. I'm not even a BMW person, it's just the little roadster looks like a budget bat mobile in black, and that's always cool.

[@Dynam1cDr3w]

I will always associate this car with the "Bye, Bye, Bye" music video from NSYNC. made me fall in love with it at age 4✨

[@user-eb6xi5ch9d]

Maann, look at this guy. Living the life. Shades, rooftop down, a bmw z3 and fishing shorts. If only he could get one more gear, oh the shame

[@Llggd]

Brian's explanation of car knowledge and his actual car experience is truly underrated. I myself have owned a Honda civic si and now have a Pontiac Grand Prix GTP. (I also owned a couple wrxs but that's is beside the point) his explanation of torque on the street is soooo accurate. With the Honda, I had to downshift perfectly in order to get the best acceleration. With the GTP, I just floor it and go without any thinking. And when a douche bag decides to cut me off in his PA dubber (I live near Harrisburg) gti, I move to the other lane and wave bye to him before his turbo spools up to try and catch me.

[@garythecyclingnerd6219]

These have grown on me a lot. It’s small, light-ish, and has a good engine.

[@FlymanMS]

I understand that not every car is suitable for philosophical rants or experimental humor, but I've been missing those lately.

[@540idioT]

worth pointing out that a late model Z3 3.0 with headers, a tune, and a mechanical fan delete will make 235/240 HP. only difference between it and the M will be the front bumper and sport seats 🤫

[@seththomas9105]

A friend of mine has this in the 1997 version. We trashed around in it one weekend about 15 years ago. I want this car...

[@mevans313]

I just got a 2000 M Coupe a month ago. Such a fun car! Videos will be on my channel for those interested.

[@christianleeabracadabraaci4526]

I drove one of those in 2002 when i worked at a mercedes benz dealer and was so fun!

[@andrewmazzarini2742]

My uncle got his hands on one of these for like $4k through some local charity focused on donating cars for something I can't remember. They said "We can't tak this" and sold it to him, and he loves it. I hope the winner loves this one as much as he does

[@bobimnottellin362]

I daily drove a 99 Z3 for a decade before an unexpected river in the road sent me into a guard rail. It was, without a doubt, the shiniest turd I've ever polished. I bought it cheap, and only realized after the crash that they'd gotten super expensive. I can't enter this giveaway. It will break my heart when I lose.

[@benkromphardt1916]

These (and E36 M3s) should all have some flavor of stability control. BMW called it ASC, there's usually a button just in front of the shifter, with a light on the dash right below the M symbol. ASC is a second throttle valve that tries to limit engine output in a low-traction scenario. So it's not "traction control" as we commonly know it.

[@tespenkr9924]

All the Z4 M40i needed was a manual. The Z3 M and Z4 M Coupe knew that.

[@danparker5786]

Had a 98, it was a great car. Crazy fast over the road at like 7/10 somewhere like hwy 9 or 84 into pescadero. Too bad the chassis is made of cheese, check those spotwelds. Mine was just starting to pull the welds when i got rid of it.

[@VikingArelius]

7:27 Hi, owner of an E91 3 Series wagon here, that problem still arises 9 years after this Z3 was built. It's a BMW "feature."

[@danielpope6498]

You need to checkout the Z4 M Roadster 330HP in a more rigid chassis than this one And yes, it does have an adjustable steering wheel, six speed, and an 8000rpm redline

[@dinosaurdundeeog1462]

Did I smell a TF2 reference in the intro bit

[@allangreene15ag]

came scrolling for this comment lmfao

[@sirot5561]

GOLDENEYE 🤩

[@timpulver3596]

You gotta review my Z4M. It blows the s2k out of the water. I've followed since the beginning.

[@KevinIsrael]

I love these cars and will still have one some day.

[@jayslomine4280]

Thanks again dude for the Review bro! Jay from True Food!

[@jnorris528e]

I was 10 when the first one came out in 1995 and really wanted it. And then I grew like 20 inches so now.

[@jscampz]

my guy you are SHREDDED

[@michaellevere4312]

Add two years and make it red and you have my M Roadster. Love this car.

[@zackster1697]

The 5-speed is the biggest let down of the z3. Its not like they couldn't make it work. The E36 came with a 6 speed in europe, after all. The same 6 speed in the e46. But even when they switched to the s54, the same 5 speed from the 2.3 and 2.8 stayed. I can't reconcile it with anything but cost cutting. The 6 speed E36 required an extra long transmission mount. And they made that part in europe, while the Z3 was assembled in south carolina.

[@groundedgremlinrc7005]

Have you experienced both transmissions? I see the objective “6 > 5, ergo 6spd better” but the 5spd is the far nicer gearbox imo. Having driven a few E46 M3s + E39 540is with this 6spd, it’s wretched: rubbery, imprecise gate with longer throws than they should have. It’s peak bad-BMW-shifter. The 5spd fitted to all Z3/Z3Ms is an absolute delight to use: a nice one feels like a Miata gearbox with the vibration/notchiness/effort turned down to a 7/10, so it isn’t exhausting to use all the time.

[@zackster1697]

@@groundedgremlinrc7005 Agreed that the ZF boxes feel really nice. I haven’t owned a 420g transmission car. But I did have a 6-speed 330Ci and that transmission is absolutely perfect to me. Same as the 5 speed in ratios plus an overdrive. The 5 speed has detent issues that makes the shifter stick over by 5 instead of the center while in neutral. Its awful and it makes me miss 3rd every once and a while. $250 fix and its a pain to do yourself. I would like to swap the 6 speed ZF unit in, but I’m fairly certain it would require a custom brace instead of a factory part like the getrag.

[@davidc750]

One of all time great sports car of our generation, created by group of rebellious engineers who knew what they were doing. Awesome car.

[@impierrebiyatch]

When dat VANOS kicks in...

[@sptownsend999]

My other uncle (older brother of the uncle with the S2000) has one of these, and he loves it. Even at a young age, the BMW's styling did a much better job of telling me "I go fast" than the Honda S2000 did. It struck me as very Viper-esque. I remember first riding in the Z3 M, and it left me feeling slightly nauseous -- I attributed it to the position of the seats along the length of the wheelbase, since it's much closer to the rear axle than the front axle. I've noticed that in the 3rd row of any minivan/SUV/station wagon, or in the seats aft of the rear axles on a bus -- or, perhaps I was just a little unwell that day 🙃 Anyone else experience that?

[@NSUGS]

Your motion sickness is correct. That's why I refuse to own a minivan

[@tanpreetsingh696]

That intro monologue was very Queen Kane

[@sarcasticundertones3513]

Check out high fidelity ear plugs; they're designed to filter high decibels, but still let lower decibels pass through.

[@agum820]

4loco and several bong rips make me start cry laughing at that final comment never change mr regular

[@agum820]

i cant belive ive been watching since was 15 (22 now)

[@ianray8823]

Pierce Brosnan was the greatest promoter of 90s BMWs😅

[@Towel1e]

9:28 This is something i am so glad to hear. A person from USA understands that America or the Americas is NOT a country.

[@ingineru76]

The "conspiration theory" back in the day on why the s54 variant received only a 5 speed gearbox instead of the m3 e36 6 speed was the bmw fear that especially the z3 m coupe may end up being faster which would eat up sales of the m3 which was the money maker while z3 was rather a marketing tool

[@jwinmedia]

Also the issue ($$$) of re-engineering the transmission mount and driveshaft for an outgoing car.

[@hanslubas]

Was faster anyways. The record for a Bone Stock Z3M 1/4 Mile is 12.56 which is quicker than even E46 M3s. S50B32 Z3Ms do low 13s to very very high 12s. The real crime is putting a 3.15 Rear Ratio on it.

[@pixelpoppyproductions]

@@jwinmediait pretty much bolts in. BMW used consistent mounting for transmissions for decades. If it needed any changes to mounts, it would have been extremely minimal.

[@jwinmedia]

@@pixelpoppyproductions "Pretty much" doesn't account for the reality of a production quality product passing through a long, corporate process and ultimately passing safety tests. That said, it's not as straightforward as you might think. Having looked into for my own car there are a lot more details than just swapping out a bracket.

[@kleinbottled79]

To be fair, the 6 speed in the C5 corvette has 2 (count em) TWO! overdrive gears. Ratios may actually be wider apart on the Vette. Top gear is for fuel economy only. 1500 rpm at 70ish.

[@findRED]

This honestly sounds very similar to the chrysler crossfire / mercedes slk320 in the power & driving characteristics. Though my crossfire is rated at 210ish hp, it's a 3.2l v6 that has torque everywhere.

[@TechTokOffical]

U gotta mention it has a s52/m52 which is one of the most reliable motors ever. U do the m50 intake with a tune u get the intake noises with a "stock" intake

[@duncanmn95]

okay I was waiting for bb to mention Golden Eye like how can you not

[@CaptRobthePirate]

Well shoot. Stupid NY not allowing me to enter the sweeps. This is my dream car!

[@slacker10point06]

Only people in the east coast win those car giveaways