In the middle of a 20 year marriage and a midlife crisis, my wife walked out on me. I bought me a 09 Z4 E89. Wish the nag left me 10 years sooner. Driving it puts a smile on my face better than she ever could.

@Sensei_Gaz

3 жыл бұрын

just got one myself whilst recovering from a very abusive engagement. she wouldnt of wanted me to have it so it brings me a lot of joy

@Kref3

3 жыл бұрын

Did not go through the end of a nasty breakup, but - just to live the cliche - I signed the purchase contract of a at that time 5 year old E89 35i exactly on my 40th birthday. Midlife crisis? Nooooo.

@Newfielad00

2 жыл бұрын

Cant belive u didnt get a corvette lol

@sajeelchughtai1765

2 жыл бұрын

In same boat ish, getting divorce now and am looking for a sports car, looking between the mx5 and z3

@gunnsmoke357

2 жыл бұрын

Hell yeah.

I have a 2002 3.0i Clownshoe. After 6 years of ownership , it still makes me smile every time I drive it.

@darbymcbride41

3 жыл бұрын

"Clownshoe" I like that a lot mate, idk if that's been said many times or not, funny reading that for the first time. I'm 25 I got my 96 z3 in black/5spd... s54 block sourced locally for cheap. Z3M clone someday. Wish me luck

I have the 3.0. I took it on a 3,800 mile trip this past summer from Denver-Seattle-SanFran-Denver and it was fantastic!

As a Z3 owner it is my year round daily driver! Scary at some points but it is a solid car. 20 years old and still runs smoothly

@erendyalatorre7785

6 жыл бұрын

BringIt96 same here luckily i live in san diego where it rarely rains and never snows

@foreverrafterr5870

6 жыл бұрын

Javi ayy from SD too, it rained like 3 times this year lol

@JayEmmOnCars

6 жыл бұрын

I might be in SD next year. My aunt lives in Carlsbad!

@daniellewis1962

6 жыл бұрын

Another Z3 daily driver! Top down always, am I right? If it rains the roof won't keep you dry anyways lmao

@elijahmullins3289

6 жыл бұрын

How does it do in snow?

"i want a z3 thats a two seater boi"

14:42 - typical petrol head conversation when it's raining: "What's that warning light?" "I turned traction control off."

You're a great reviewer JayEmm. There's a lot of Tubers these days who're about 12 years old and have no idea what they're talking about, and your style and manner is very professional and refreshing in comparison. What's interesting is how you're changing my perception of older cars. Having almost 0 knowledge of how to repair them, I almost want to go and get an old BMW and do it up as a project. I have a brand new 435d but almost regret paying so much, when I could have put some love, care and attention into an older one, saved money and still had a fantastic car. Thanks!

@JayEmmOnCars

6 жыл бұрын

+g9icy Happy to help :)

@moviebod

6 жыл бұрын

Good on ya. It is a labour of love. I am knocking on 60 and the temperature today was not however. I was under my 26 year old E34 M5 changing a fuel filter. I feel great for managing it, but didn't get as wet as Lawrie, just a bit damp.

@waynusp1664

6 жыл бұрын

Do you know why you like his "Style?"...Its mid to early 90's....Factual....with erm.....facts!

@JayEmmOnCars

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@waynusp1664

6 жыл бұрын

Keep it up sir, its really nice to watch honesty for a change! good job!..subscribed!

Bought a z3 last year. Fell in love with it.

@Shinkaaaa

2 жыл бұрын

I wanna know too

Respect...A man who knows his cars and respects his coffee...

if you learn to use that old 80's suspension in the rear very rewarding. Predictable oversteer, an enthusiast's rear suspension you could say.

Use mine every day in the UK, they're gorgeous little cars and very well built.

Fabby video Mr. I bought my 2.2z3 last year and absolutely love her. It was the perfect summer to enjoy. Roll on the summer of 2019

Only Jay would test a droptop sports car in a foot of water! Dryish? 😂

You guys are doing a fantastic job. Always entertaining, great presentation and a good range of different cars. Thanks for your work.

@JayEmmOnCars

6 жыл бұрын

+dartology Thankyou!

You deserved more views and subscribers than some of the others, keep up the good work!!!

@JayEmmOnCars

6 жыл бұрын

+Ryan Shek thanks!

Excellent reveiw. I love the presentation. Best of luck this channel

The sacrifices that camera operators make.....

@woodlandowl

6 жыл бұрын

Julian Carr camera operator's who don't know that's going to happen...

@888johnmac

6 жыл бұрын

well done Lawrie.. taking one for the team

Great review mate. I managed to get a 2002 Z3 with M Sport Pack in Estoril Blue last year for £1700 and it’s great in most conditions but especially with the roof down. Fitted a perspex wind deflector, well worth the £90 and definitely worth spending money on a custom fit half roof cover as they let in water at the point where the roof joins the body due to permeability of the rubber seal.

Nice review - I like the fact you judged what is after all a fairly old car these days on its relative merits and didn't expect it to be as stiff and fast as the latest generation of Boxsters etc. To me, these 6-cylinder Z3s are more in the spirit of old roadsters like the TR6 or even the Healey - I positively appreciate the fact they have the odd creak and noticeable scuttle shake, all adds to the feeling of immersion and connection with the driving experience which is too often dulled in this age of fully computer-assisted motoring. Also: BMW straight sixes (M54 in particular) are one of the engines we'll miss the most once we're all driving EVs.

A nice car, a nice review, shame not nice weather! Nice!

Excellent roadster. Its forgotten status has given it a current price tag around _a third_ of its Miata rival from the same era. Though probably because the Miata NA is considered a classic now and is appreciating rapidly.

What a great review, thank you guys!

@JayEmmOnCars

5 жыл бұрын

Happy to be of service

More reviews like this please!

An identical Z3 was at the auto shop I work at a week before you posted this video. I have wanted a pre-facelift 2.8 for quite some time now. It will replace my E36 when its time comes.

That weather is just another Wednesday in Wales.👍

@charlesglass999

6 жыл бұрын

Stephen Butler that sucks man there's great weather here in the us

@StephenButlerOne

6 жыл бұрын

Charles Glass you're just showing off now. Our current weather outlook is super dyer for the next few weeks lol

@Fee.1

5 жыл бұрын

Charles Glass there’s just about every variant of weather possible in the US

Cool video. I thought that carrying a cup of coffee the whole time is a nice touch.

I own a 2001 2.2 facelift, i had it for seven years now as a daily driver. Very reliable, i have 225 tyres at the front and 245 in the rear, and those are not cheap XD And those M54 engines love their oil when they put more mileage on, so a switch to 10w60 oil at that time is a must. And yeah, the ASC pretty much only cuts power when you're already drifting, which is quite funny, because i did manage to accidentally start a drift on a rainy saturday night, right in front of a waiting line at a nightclub, only for the ASC to kick in and gently straighten the car out. It actually made me look like a pro :)

...people loved convertibles of 323, 325 and 328 R6 engines right for their linear torque and rew range....+ at those times cars were not overwheight yet and for summer cruising were just right on money....can you remember lightweight Z1 with magic doors? It had to be quite fun!

Owned a Z3 1.8 for 3 years, great machine beside the fact that the roof leaked in the car wash, the heating system knew 89 settings of lukewarm and one of HOT (seird that didn’t come in your vid, it’s a known issue) and that the engine warning light up every damn month. Spent 130.000km in it in those 3 years, always with a smile 😀 So good conclusion from your brief experience 👍

@rubenVS100

4 жыл бұрын

Ooff dont bring your softtops through the carwash

@hjr.holland

4 жыл бұрын

@@rubenVS100 living life on the edge man 🤘😎

Got a z3 just had the body work completely restored, what a car sounds nice looks nice and for anyone out that that slags it of !remember it was in bond😉

If possible i would love to see a review of its replacement, the Z4 with the 3.0 lump. Loving to show, my new favorite car channel.

@JayEmmOnCars

6 жыл бұрын

I used to own a Z4 M Coupe. Interesting car.

@davidhammond3738

3 жыл бұрын

@@JayEmmOnCars so did I..... I remember overtaking a tractor pulling a trailer of manure. I whacked it in 2nd gear and floored it. The back stepped out, I nearly lost control.... I told my wife that the smell in the car was probably from the trailer...... it wasn’t. 🤣

The rudementary anti spinn function in the E36 generation actually makes a pretty decent job in keeping you not spinning considering what it is. You certainly won't spin from power induced oversteer, but speed induced it can't handle as simple. (Beating these several hundredsthusand kilometers (about 300kkm) and never spun on anything other than polished ice when starting in a too high gear. Then the wheels gets too mcuh momentum before the throttle is shut.)

Great video Entertaining 👍

That was an awesome shot... I was wondering how far you'd go before swerving out of the puddle, but nope! Impressive. Have owned a couple of Mk1 Mx5's in the past and these Z3's seem to be pretty overlooked, that 6cylinder sounds lovely and creamy. Have to be better as a daily driver prospect.

@woodlandowl

6 жыл бұрын

spainter1985 at the time I wondered the same thing...

Hahaha he was stood there 🤣🤣🤣 thought you were guna let him get his own back for a minute there 😁😁

why z3 isnt quite popular as the miata being a better car ?? I wish the community were bigger because I love my z3 2.8 2000

Your Hairstyle is best part of this review. Your videos are great. Cheers

I had a BMW Z3 3.0 that I bought new in 2000. It was a great car that I had many engaging hours in as a daily-style car (as a motorcyclist and bicyclist I spent more time on 2 wheels than 4). I was really sad to see it go in trade last year in very good lightly used shape with easily more than 100k miles of engine life left to go. I miss that car's straight 6 engine, very sweet.

@JoseHernandez-hx6sw

2 жыл бұрын

You lie 🤥

Have a 2002 3 litre sport with only 35k miles , mint condition. Calypso red so rarer colour , won't sell it as it's fabulous. Prices will rise in the UK soon , but 10k wouldn't tempt me to part with it

I never considered one of these but i took a 3.0 Manual in P/X and im a big fan

I m an orig owner of a 97' z3, still driving it. believe or not , I just changed out the original spark plugs just 7 months ago, people in the shop showed me the orig plugs !! I drove my car top down in -25 c cold, with a wind breaker at the back and windows up of course, the jet stream doom allowed no cold air in...and the same in the rain as long as the speed was kept at 50 km/hr, not a drop of rain came inside. still madly in love with it. And quite likely my last car as I will be 70 in 18 months

The z3 is the car that got me into cars i remember being a little kid i was playing need for speed hot pursuit and the z3 was the beginner car i would use i had forgotten i liked them so much

Hit a shed load of water in my M52 328 tonight. Only at about 40, still alive, so all is good. Mines an 18yr old coupe this year.

I just bought one last night. 1998 with the 2.3. Mechanically perfect but paint and interior a 6/10. $500.00 USD.

I have the 98 m series 3.2 these are quickly becoming collected

Nice one! Just realised the publication date... about a week or so after I bought a Z4 3.0, which is now the same age as that Z3 was in the video. I know you’ve tested the M versions, but often wondered what you thought of the non M versions of the old Z4.

Dude I'm downloading this.This is a Totally Awsome Video. How many miles does this car have?

As a BMW Z3 3.0 liter owner I have to say this car is rather amazing and quite underestimated by a lot of people. This car is fast and extremely light . I've driven a current-day Mazda Miata and they're just lacking in power as they always have been. I'd put my twenty-year-old Z3 up against any current day car and feel completely confident that my Z3 would more than hold its own if not best most of them.

Ok, now you are being original on the tests..... likey

As a previous owner of bow a Z3 2.5 and NB MX-5, the Z3 was a superior car in almost every aspect.

Will definitely reconsider an MX-5 now! More cars like this :-)

The 3.0i is the best non m engine. I have owned the 2.8, 3.0 and z3m. Best value is 3.0 as only slightly slower than the m and takes a lot less maintenance.

The rattling in the back is the rear shock mount bushings.

All z3s had some form of limited slip, either mechanical or a torsen, at least in the US. While the torsens arent as good as a clutch type LSD, they werent exactly open diffs.

Opening shot was brilliant m8 was someone stood there filming?? Hahaha

More reviews of affordable sports cars please - maybe with an MR2 roadster?

@JayEmmOnCars

6 жыл бұрын

+Lewis an MR2 review is on the cards. I was scheduled to do a proper review on Lawrie's the week he stacked it

@woodlandowl

6 жыл бұрын

JayEmm on Cars my Mr2 drives fine. Had it out today.

Great video, much prefer reviews on everyday affordable cars as opposed to rich kids with super cars

@brandonkpalmer1737

5 жыл бұрын

John J I mean I got mine for only 5 k lol and I’m not rich by any means

What i found most odd was the blind spot mirror. My z3 doesnt have ny blind spots lol dont see why it would be needed

Really nice 👍 love the colour 😀

What a noble camera man you have

You are bang on about goldeneye fella

I have a 1997 Z3 that I've owned for 11 years and it's still in mint condition. I usually take it out at the end of April in to May and put her in the garage at the end of October. I don't drive it in the rain but have been caught twice. Have to say it's pretty scary.. In fact, crap! Saying that, LOVE driving it in dry weather . Had a Porsche Boxter too but hated it. Bought as everyone who I know who has one speaks highly of them. Over engineered , very expensive to maintain and honestly, enjoy the Z3 much more as I find it sportier

I had a Mk1 MX5 1.8 for a couple of years. Before it rusted itself to death it was without doubt the most fun car I've ever had. The company car was an Audi A4 sport (the most uncomfortable car I've ever driven - fast though) The Mazda, despite its 127K miles was totally reliable and just a pleasure to drive. It would kick its back end out at the slightest encouragement but never in a dangerous or scary way. A perfect driver's car. I replaced it with a Z3 which is a far more refined, though less fun car. It's now 20 years old and has just been sorned after the immobiliser (i think) failed leaving it unable to be opened with the key button, unable to start and with the alarm going off whenever the battery is connected. It has just over 80k miles on it. The Z3 was more of a motorway mile eater than a chuck around laughmobile. Both cars are excellent but for different reasons. If you want a big smile on your face and can find one which isn't made of rust and filler the MX5 is the one.

As a Z3 owner I love this carrrrr!!!!

I bought a 1996 new, 1.9 and still today... No regrets

great video, makes me miss my e85 Z4 haha

have owned a mk2 MX5 and the mk2 tt - around the same price range - how does it compare?

As always Jay a great entertaining video. Just one question why not the 3 ltr? Same price on 2nd hand market but significantly more go and better on fuel ?????? Was just that you had this one available?

@JayEmmOnCars

4 жыл бұрын

Yup

I'm NO expert, but I too love driving two seaters since my first car, a 1973 Triumph GT6 MK III back in '75. I pick up minor collision sporty cars. I happen to own a Miata, a Z3, and a Boxster. I understand that you can make any of these from Mild (Miata) or Moderate to Wild with enough time and money. But stock: Miata: mild/sporty economy car, just plain fun, and more fun, but no kick in the pants. Under-powered engine, vent fan, A/C, defogger, noisy, difficult phone conversations. Z3, 6 cylinder: Moderate sports car. More everything, more power, more acceleration, more features, a little quieter, better engine sounds, better daily driver; just on another level/experience. Boxster: a real sports car, slot car experience. I'd need to be off the street and on a track to go wild with this one. Pick a line around a turn or a corner and it follows it. In a highschooler sort of way, the Miata is the most "fun." The more serious the driver, the better the Boxster. For in betweeners, like me: the Z3! I have two of those and looking for a coupe next! (yes, I know the z4 is "better," I just like the Z3 looks, affordability, and "funner" handling!) I find more 200+ thousand mile Z3's than Miatas or Boxsters, it's the one drivers drive more, based on personall observation of collision and salvage vehicles. BTW: the Miata parts are a little less expensive than the Z3 parts, which are less than the Boxster parts...because they ARE cheaper! Still, I just paid $149 for a smallish run of the mill battery today... For The Miata!!! Less expensive my but, same price for same same parts. Less expensive for cheaper parts.

got one. love it

had a 318ti as a stop gap once - wasn't as bad as I thought. maybe i'll try a Z3

FYI all 6-cyl z3 in the UK have 25% lock-up Torsen LSD as standard from MY 1997

@JayEmmOnCars

6 жыл бұрын

+VDBSS Yeah my mistake, got confused with the later E46 based cars where only M cars got diffs

@bowlingballmagic

6 жыл бұрын

VDBSS what do you mean by 25%lock up Torsen? Ty

I have a z3 at my house and I want to restore it because it’s a beautiful sports car and it’s just sitting in the yard

7:12" you brought C3-PO for the ride? "oh dear, it's a bad idea!"

I drive a early MX-5 and I agree with some of what you say James like interior quality, but where the 5 blows the beemer away is driver feel .the 5 uses dual wishbone suspension the BMW trailing arms and the difference is worth buying the jappa the beemer is a baby GT the 5 is a sport car

@JayEmmOnCars

6 жыл бұрын

I think that's a fair assessment. I need more time with an early MX-5.

@danielthomas2621

6 жыл бұрын

JayEmm on Cars hope to see you do a review on one one day James cheers mate

@waynesimpson2074

6 жыл бұрын

Daniel Thomas; plus one for the mx5 comment, it is the most involving/engaging most feedback-iest?! :-) car for the money. JayEmm;You need to try out the Lotus from the Spy Who Loved Me, then you'd know which is the best James Bond film?

Do another video when the weather is great

the 3.0l versions is much nicer than 2.8l. surprising difference. the 2.8 always felt like it needed just a bit more power. that 3l is close enough to s52 levels of power without needed S52 levels of maintenance cost as its just a normal 3L. loads of fun and LSD from factory too and a better traction control system though it is a bit too aggressive on cutting throttle.

@jonnyspeed

6 жыл бұрын

Agreed. Love my '01 3.0i. I swapped to a square set of Apex Arc 8's with Pilot Supersports and it is a fantastic sports car for the road. Also, the 3.O is lighter and better balanced than the S52 M cars as it has an aluminum engine.

@bowlingballmagic

6 жыл бұрын

Christian Arreguin if your doing a dyno pull on a 3.0 what do you do with the DSC? Hold it down for a certain amount of time?

@bowlingballmagic

5 жыл бұрын

Christian Arreguin hi, I have a 2001 bmw z3 roadster 3.0i (M54)and am looking at getting a VF supercharger vortech blower 6psi boost that would take it from 225 stock to 330. Although, I have a stage 3 didnan upgrade throttle body/CAI and catback exhaust. Do you you think it’s a bad idea to drop 4,500 plus 1000 into for a super charger? What additional upgrade would I need down the line if any? I know that I wouldn’t get my money back out of the Zed, but it’s low mileage and I like the idea of a sleeper. Thoughts? Ty

Hi my Z3 is S reg ,I've had her long time, I love her, then my daughter said lets test Z4, so I said ok, then I wish I hadn't , it was so nosey, I came back with headache, not for me , keeping my baby best ever,😃😍

Good review, biased here as have owned 2 Mx5s. Yes, they rot like old Alfas, yes, they are slightly underpowered, but on full chat on a twisty B-road on a summers day, they are sublime what with 'that' gearshift and excellent handling. I loved the fact that I could re-tyre the car with Toyo T5 pros for 150 quid all in. I miss her......

@JayEmmOnCars

6 жыл бұрын

+maciekthepole They're definitely great cars IF you can find a good one

@maciekthepole

6 жыл бұрын

JayEmm on Cars First one I had was more holey than Swiss cheese! Learnt my lesson and my second was an absolute peach, last year of the Mk2.5.

This car was the bomb, then the TT

Brilliant. You are getting there (like as in someone will give you a job as an automotive tv tart)

@JayEmmOnCars

6 жыл бұрын

+moviebod That would be nice

They have Pringle’s in England?? Wow these videos are educational.

I have a question... how tall are you ? I don't know if I can fit into this car...

The Miata, Z3, and MR2 Spyder are the holy trinity of affordable rwd roadsters

@JayEmmOnCars

6 жыл бұрын

+Aiden is all Knowing I would go with that

@geoffreyeustis4355

6 жыл бұрын

Don't forget the Boxster, same price range, believe it or not...

@JayEmmOnCars

6 жыл бұрын

+Geoffrey Eustis It is but those engine issues will always hang over it

@MrBaskevin

5 жыл бұрын

But the maintanance of an old porsche is not for everyone.

So to back this up on the "cheap used convertible sports cars, it's time for a 90's Boxster with the 2.5.

@JayEmmOnCars

6 жыл бұрын

+Rumblestrip.NET Good shout

Great review, only issue, 2.8 is not the best engine. 3.0 is the best z3 engine (not including the m's)

@ronaldsanpedro1976

5 жыл бұрын

the 2.8 m52tub28 on the 98-99 z3 are quiet nice. its has dual vanos like the m54. although you can feel the weight in front with that 6 cylinder. the 1.9 4 cyl z3 is also good. not as powerful but it revs up really fast. and the handling is quite nice. plus it sips fuel. everything feels faster once you put down the top.

Full speed ahead and forget the floods! Oh, and switch off the nannies.

Not bad, what's the servicing like on the Z3's.

@JayEmmOnCars

6 жыл бұрын

+Chris Litton Will be same as any other 6cyl BMW of that era. I'd recommend annual/12k mile. Lots of good specialists

@ChrisLitton

6 жыл бұрын

Fair, my knowledge of BMW's are very limited. As I currently have two cars ... I would still be concerned about how reliable it would be with minimal use. Maybe if I can get my MR2 back on the road I could swap it for one, what would you recommend?

@ChrisLitton

6 жыл бұрын

If you also know someone who specialises in 4age engines, I have some un-diagnosed noises coming from my engine bay.

@JayEmmOnCars

6 жыл бұрын

+Chris Litton They are quite different cars. This Z3 was basically abandoned for five years, a basic service and a fresh battery and she is running superb

@moviebod

6 жыл бұрын

DIY like all good old BMWs

is the car owner alex from carthrottle? since he have an e36 m3 maybe he bought this one too

@JayEmmOnCars

6 жыл бұрын

+shng sam No a different Alex

@shngsam8777

6 жыл бұрын

i guess wrongly :) anyway thx for the really nice review , looking forward for more review vid

Not sure I would have driven my car through that puddle!

@MrKeyboardCommando

6 жыл бұрын

Yeah, but it wasn't his car‼️😜

Show how the top goes up and down on a manual top!

Time to hoist the mainsail I think...

@dielaughing73

3 ай бұрын

Shame he didn't have an NC Miata

What would u choose E85 bmw z4 3.0si or the bmw z3 2.8 u just reviewed?

@JayEmmOnCars

6 жыл бұрын

+Joe Good question, I would probably go for the Z4 but I have not driven a Non M Z4

@Joe-eg7ml

6 жыл бұрын

JayEmm on Cars yea thinking about getting one of those two or a ND MX5 (if i can get a good deal)

@JayEmmOnCars

6 жыл бұрын

+Joe I'd be tempted to get the older car, a safer place to have money. I really like the ND but they're still fairly new. What's your aim for the car - daily, weekend?

@Joe-eg7ml

6 жыл бұрын

JayEmm on Cars u can get them cheap here used in USA or in my parts (seattle) were roadster arent the best sellers.

@Joe-eg7ml

6 жыл бұрын

JayEmm on Cars probably between a daily(when i dont have to drop off kids) and weekend.

...you can get an NC for around the same price tho....

Great car but only cheap in the UK. Elsewhere it's still pricy. 6 cilinders starting at 8 grand.

@JayEmmOnCars

6 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately the case with many used cars - I've seen MINIs in Europe that are 5-6x as expensive as the same car here

@becomematrix

6 жыл бұрын

JayEmm on Cars nonetheless good review :-)

What Are You Doin?!!! You Have Quattro and You're Stuck There? LMAO...

Needs the headlight glass polishing badly!

I can't fit in an MX5, so I've been looking for one.

Yes. Yes indeed.

dude you are on the wrong side of the road. tryin to gove me a heart attack?