First time watching this vid and I could not believe this was your first 1 well done sir. And I know my profile pic is a mustang but I'm a Miata owner now and I think roadsters are kinda the purest driving experiences you'll have
Mine is a ‘99 Arctic Silver M Roadster. My late husband ordered it new when he retired. I love driving the little beauty. I hope you get to 2021 ZFEST in SC in July. Oh, and your video is top notch! Thanks for sharing it. Z ya.
I just recently acquired a 02 Z3 M Roadster. Just wanted to send a big THANK YOU! I watched your videos on your 98 M, your 01 M, and the comparison video. I think you did an outstanding job on explaining things, and they helped to make choices. Keep up the great work.
Great vid Alex. I've got a 2000 M Roadster that I've had since December 1999, (Santa was very good to me that year!) She (Rosalita, in Imola Red) was brought up in Maryland, hidden away in the winters and a 'daily' driver in the Spring, Summer, and Fall. In the summer of 2019 I dragged her out to Southern Arizona where we are both retiring. She's been the most reliable car I've owned. Routine items include; she's on her third clutch, second set of brake pads and rotors (They lasted 98,000 miles!), second set of shocks and struts all around, second canvas top, second water pump, 5th or 6th set of tires, and really not much else besides the routine stuff. She now has 134,000 and no sign of aging or getting sloppy. Feels as good as the day I drove her home. When the newer one came out I was tempted but early on I had done some Dinan mods added; front tower brace, cold air, performance chip and exhaust system. I don't think it would have been in my best interest to go with a newer one, this one is too much of "Get In Trouble" car for me already. I saw the vid saying you bought the next one! COOL! KEEP 'EM BOTH! The demand and price will just continue to climb.NO other cars in its class will compare to them!
Thanks for watching Chris. Love hearing about Rosalita!- sounds like she’s living her best life ;) I’ve had both M Roadsters for about three weeks now and I change my mind every day: the blue one, the grey one, keep both... over and over! Making the “showdown” video comparing the two may help me clarify the decision!
Personally, the Bond Connection backfired spectacularly! I saw it only had a 140 bhp and put me off the Z3 for over twenty years. I saw the M coupe and thought it was ghastly. Then more recently I discovered that my friend has a Z3M roadster in Estoril Blue with 321 bhp. Never has an opinion changed so quickly. Fantastic thing! Had Bond driven a 2.8 from the start it may have been a bit different.
2001 3.0i 5spd roadie here. Love the car. Similar power to the S52 M cars but with in my opinion, the better looking tail lights ;) Also no //M fanboy tax!
Great video and it's all the same reasons I own a 99 M Roadster now for 20 years. And the colors - oh my - mine is Palmetto Green with Kyalami Orange interior. As Don mentioned below, hope to see you at a ZSCCA event some day and you should definitely plan to be in South Carolina this July for Zfest and the 25th anniversary of this amazing car!
Welcome to the BMW Z family, Alex - I have an '01 3.0i Z3 and an '08 3.0si Z4. Hope to see you on some of the ZSCCA drives. I'm in Texas, but we get together with the Colorado group pretty often.
Thanks for stopping by Donald! Apparently the 3.0 Z3 is quite similar to the M Roadster in terms of both...both in the 200hp range. My dad has a 3.0i Z4 and it's a blast...the si must feel real punchy! Can't wait to do some ZSCCA events, hope to meet you some time
I love this video and this car. Not just 'cause he's my son. I have the 2008 Z4 and Alex was part of my search back then. We actually test drove a later model M Roadster (maybe a 2003 - also in blue), which we both decided was way to fast for dear ol' Dad. My love for this car goes back to the day's of my Dad's 1967 and 1972 MGB convertibles - the classic English roadster. Alex's grandfather gave it to me after I graduated and got married and it will remain one of my favorite cars ever! So Alex and his car have great lineage. Enjoy the drive!
These cars came with housewife spec suspensions. M cars included. Loosing that stuff is an epic journey as the platform is radically transformed. Recommend Ground Control Systems.
I’m an original owner of this car out here in CA. It’s been a love/(not so much) hate relationship. I’ve changed the engine, CAT, exhaust years ago to another S52 engine (old one leaked like a sieve due to pitting on the cylinder walls). I continue to drive it (165k miles!) and love every minute of it. There’s a long list of electrical issues that have crept up (gauges not working, auto top sensor/cable bad and on-and-on). Let’s not forget about that rear window with the scuff mark down the middle and that ridiculous center speaker in the back! I’ve kept this car mainly in the garage and it’s only seen rain maybe 10 times in all those years so that means the top is down almost every time (yeah, top up creates horrible blind spots!). Bottom line - we will continue to grow old together!
After owning five Z3's I would say get the one you can afford to buy AND maintain, and the one that fits your driving style and roads. IMO if you already have a 3.0 the S52 extra 15HP doesn't justify almost double the price and higher maintenance costs. Picking an M Roadster to drive on the street over any Miata, similar price or not, is a no brainer.
As a fellow Coloradan who likes these cars, I'd like to point out a couple more viable options that sit between the anemic 1.8/1.9 Z3s and the M. BMW quickly added the well-loved M52 I6 to the lineup; my mom bought the higher-spec 2.8L version in 1999. That one put out 190bhp and I remember it was an absolute blast. Definitely not as quick as the S52 M, but in that light a chassis it still moves with authority. My mom absolutely loved that car, but it had to go after my siblings started having children and she needed to do the whole 'grandma' thing. We talked about that car off and on, and I decided to let a couple of cars go in order to find one. The final years of the Z3 came with a power bump; the M got the blistering(if slightly notorious) S54 with its amazing, high-revving nature and over 300 horses. The normal Z3 came with the M54s out of the E46; the 2.5L putting out close to the old 2.8's numbers. The new 3.0, however, put down close to 230bhp; not too far from the S52 M. I found a low mileage 3.0 about six months ago in an almost identical configuration as my mom had her 2.8, even down to the rare optional hardtop. It's been an incredible car and I know it's gong to be a very enjoyable experience over the coming years.
Thank you for this great video! I‘m looking for one too at the moment (maybe Z4M) but I prefer the Z3 😍 Have fun! Best regards from Vienna/Austria, Alex
Hey loved the video. Could you do one on the relatibility aspects of the m roadster? I know there's a subframe issue but don't know the details on diagnosis, cost of fix, etc. Thanks!
Yes! That's actually coming up next... I'm going to be discussing the most common failure-points on the M Roadsters including the subframe problems. Hit subscribe and you'll be notified when it's up
Mines at about 60K and no real problems yet either! It’s great to have a car that feels so exotic but is fairly easy to maintain... except that pesky plastic rear window, my seams are starting to tear
my dad had an S52 M Roadster back when it was new. I have always wanted an S54 version someday, in the meantime I just bought a 2.8 Z3. Quite fun, especially considering the price!!
@@alexincars2157 i have driven an e46 with the s54 and fell in love, can't imagine what it is like in a Z body. yeah man, got mine super high mileage but super cheap, but she runs good and everyone wants to trade for it lol
Awesome video! I have a 2000 M myself in estriol blue. You should’ve mentioned the color, estoril was the color bond wish he had over that Atlanta blue/green. Any more videos on the pros and cons of the S52 and S54 engines?
To my knowledge, the rod bearing issue was only in the s54 engines as well. The s52 will support enough upgrades to match or beat the s54 without killing the budget.
Guess I better hang onto my 98. Got lucky and found a hardtop for it. Still looking for where they hid the spare tire, so bought some run flat rubber just in case.
@@alexincars2157 I owned both! I had a 2000 Estoril Blue S52 I bought new in Nov. 1999 and had it for 12 years until a crash in 2012. I test drove all kinds of cars and couldn't find anything I liked as much. I was lucky to find my 2002 Estoril Blue at a dealer less than 5 miles away. The S54 is noticeably faster!
My 02 S54 has been a great friend, the last analog bmw, I’d never change anything on her... except I upgraded to spyder headlights to update with halo’s and HID’s! 😉
Can't wait to get my hands on an S54 and try it out...haven't driven one yet but hear great things. 315hp in this little car must feel intense! The S52 already feels punchy.
I have a 2000 m roadster s52 with a supercharger and stage 2 clutch, loads of torque and super fun to drive, I drove a 2001 s54 but I enjoy the low end torque on my car, no comparison
Nice presentation is very pro you are big potentiel, I like this car I have small cars collection and I have 2 Z3, one Z3 M Roadster 1998 black satin and 2.5i Roadster M pakage 2002 silver.
Nice video, Alex. And fabulous colour for your M roadster - then again, I am biased! I have an Estoril Blue, 2000 M roadster with the Euro-spec S50 (321 HP) engine. It was a Japanese export (log books and many engine bay tags are in Japanese), and now it lives in British Columba where it sees the roads when they are dry and salt-free, so basically a spring and summer ride. Here's a video I shot of my car early last year: ua-cam.com/video/5mEV9qzou2M/v-deo.html
I still have my M Roadster that I bought new in April 2000. I have about 21k miles on it. It has been kept in a garage. It even still has new car smell. I plan to keep it to my death. I sometimes call it my "Gran Torino" (referring to the car of the Clint Eastwood character in Gran Torino, how he kept it to his death).
Great take on the MR! I wonder what the real-world performance difference is between the US Spec S52 and S54 cars? 0-60 and Highway (60+) acceleration...
I would LOVE to make a video comparing the two. There's a good Z-model community out here in Colorado and I hope to find someone with an S54 to do a comparison this year.
I have the SUS z3... a first gen 1.9l but i swapped whit s52 engine. Previous owner blow the engine and buy it from less that 2k, searching on forums what can i do i decide to install that engine, well... that took me a more like 1yr and half to complete and a tons of issues catching pices to adjusting... but is totally worth seen a "1.9" speeding in track days with mid 00"/15" sports cars. And yes, tons of people says me the same "take off, buy a M3 or some more powerfull" and what I say to them? This car is from Bond, James Bond
What an awesome build! I applaud your labors!!!! Must have been a ton of work, but sounds like it paid off! Thanks for subscribing, more videos to come
Alex, I have a 1998 BMW M Roadster. I bought it with about 20, 000 miles and now have 62,000. Some interior parts are getting worn out .Is there any place where I can purchase parts besides E-Bay. It didn't come with a cassette case but rather a flip storage compartment which is designed to break easily. Can't find a decent cover. Could this be changed to a cassette compartment to make it at least more attractive than an open compartment. Great video! Thanks, Eddie
LOL at new owner of an almost 20 year old used M Roadster saying it is not a Z3. Even those that purchased brand new didn’t say that. It is a Z3 just a high performance M version PERIOD. We always knew those that bought used would not “get it”.
Weird seeing the blank gauge in the middle on the 98’s. Supposed to be the battery or oil pressure gauge. And no ASC either with a cassette deck instead of CD player. I believe the amber lights and it says roadster on the door sill was unique to the 98 as well
Funny you noticed! So on a few early 1998 models, BMW ran out of that gauge, so they ship the cars without it. Owners were allowed to come back into dealership to pick up the gauge, but this original owner must’ve just skip that and left a blank
@@alexincars2157 Can confirm. When I bought my 98 from the original owner it had the blank in there and the voltmeter in the glovebox! Lol. A cool unique thing only for the 98's. If a bit silly.
@@poomped53 Yes apparently they ran out of voltmeters in 98 and shipped some roadsters out without them. You could go get them the next year at any BMW dealer, but looks like my original owner never did!
I've owned 4 different Z3 models now! Never the 4cyl though, that's too slow haha. And I can say they have certainly hit the bottom, actually they hit bottom about 2 years ago. I was able to find Ms for well under $10k in decent "drivers car" shape! Get these cars before they turn into the next e30 M3. It's going to happen!!!!!!!
The s54 is the only M version that's really worth owning, the s52 only came with 240 horsepower. Which isn't much more than the 3.0. The 2.8 has 200 horsepower although it's 400 pounds lighter then the 3.0 and M variant. The Z3 came with multiple engines and are great candidates for engine swaps. Roadsters used to be about the ride and the experience with the top down not getting to your destination as fast as you can. The z3 2.8 also came standard with a wide body , so it wasn't just indicative of the M car. I used to own a Z3 M but I've upgraded to a Z4 M Coupe.
Thanks for the input! I agree that the 2.8/3.0 are best in terms of value: similar power as the s52 but much cheaper and lighter (the 2.8). Would love to drive an s54 sometime!
Please tell me what you have in your steering fluid reservoir. Does the cap show ATF Oil or CHF? What's in yours? Red stuff (ATF) or green stuff (CHF)? Thanks.
Hello Alex, I have a 1996 Bmw Z3, I use it every day and driving it is a very pleasant experience, I would like you to make a video driving the car perhaps touring the city where you live, greetings from Paraguay !!!
I’m actually going to get my sub frame reinforced next month. Hit subscribe because I’m going to be making a video about the entire process, explaining the issue and what you can do about it
I love that nobody likes these cars, and that makes it a little more affordable. I've had my eye on the S54 Z3 M Roadster and in one year I will buy one.
I am probably selling mine. 2000 bmw m roadster silver color with 136,000 miles clean title it’s a daily driver, so not perfect. Will be putting it up on Facebook marketplace and Monterey county Craigslist for $8,000 obo
The S52 also came in Europe, it was just much closer to the S54. See, there are two engines named S52. The US market one is dubbed the S52B30US. Its got more in common with the M52 than the euro S52. See S engines are supposed to have individual throttle bodies and crazy high flow heads. But when the E36 M3 came out, bmw thought the US didn't want it, since the E30 325i was more popular than the E30 M3. So they never got the proper S52 engine to pass US emissions rules. BMW fans petitioned BMW to sell the M3 here, but they couldn't use the M3 engine. So they took an M52B28, bored and stroked it, and fiddled with the ecu to create the USDM S52, not a true BMW S engine. Both Europe and US got the S54 when it came out. Here's the thing, the S52B30US is a disappointment in the M3, where it fails to deliver the fun of an M3, namely, an exotic engine in a regular car. But the Z3 is already more exciting with a 2.5L engine than the M3 was with the S52B30US. So when you put the mildly hot S52B30US in the Z3, there is no disappointment.
Great time to buy one! Let me know if you begin the process and have any questions. I have a video coming soon on what to look for when you’re buying one. Subscribe and it will show up for you in the coming weeks :) Thanks for watching
I tease the 1.9s a bit but I really do love all Z3s, the smaller engines includes! And you’re right: the m roadsters have more of those subframe issues and broken welds. I am getting mine reinforced this spring actually! Thanks for watching!
@@alexincars2157 Not just the M's but all Z3's with the larger engine. I just entered the fray by purchasing a 98 from a widow who was the original owner. Came with a hard top (and perfect spot welds). I need to replace the clutch and mostly just cosmetic stuff. Plan to keep it in top shape and take a lot of road trips.
I own a 2000 Z3M also. It IS a Z3. Please show me ANYTHING that says an M roadster is not a Z3. It's a great car, but dont missrepresent it. I looked everywhere and found nothing saying the M roadster is a stand alone model.
@@alexincars2157 i know awesome hey! I believe it will be on top gear aswell no doubt...........we have pretty much boycotted the bbc here in the UK though so i won't be watching it 🤣
I never understand why car enthusiasts cannot pronounce Porsche. You don’t drive a Ferrar, or a Hond, or a Toyot, or a Tesl. The unstressed schwa-e is pronounced uh. Ferdinand thanks you.
It's like 90% Z3 so it's basically an upgraded Z3 especially if you talk about the American spec which only had about 10 horsepower more than the Z3 3.0 😑😑 Oh and the every Z3 after 1997 came with wide fenders. They're both the same width. This video is so off. Lol .smh
No 1999. I do have traction control though. In theory under ideal conditions you should be able to also. Are you pegging the tac? Or are you shifting too early? I learned that the shift is smoother the higher the rpms. There is probably a technical reason for that, but I don’t build them or even fix them. I just drive it like I stole it. So I learned where the override shuts it down and go to right before that.
To say that the M Roadster is not a Z3 is absolut ignorant. It shares the same body as any other Z3 Roadster with an R6 engine, only the 4-cylinders got narrow bodies. Also the NA S52 with it's 240 hp, should not even be called an M model, only 10 hp more than a 3.0 non-M. S52 VS S54? S54 is a way better engine. Typically why people are considering a S52 it's because if color combinations, not the engine.
Why can't you admit the car is a Z3? The M modifications increase performance, but the car is still a Z3. 90% of the parts are interchangeable. I've driven the '98 Z3M, and my '98 Z3 2.8. Both are great cars, and have their advantages & disadvantages. But they are still based on the Z3. It almost sounds like you are embarrassed to own a Z3.
Sorry to tell you …..you have a Z3. You don’t even have a real Z3M ,you have the weak sauce American spec one with 240 hp as apposed to European 320hp. Even the standard Z3 3.0 produces 220 hp.
CORRECTION: S52/S54 engines are "straight six" engines, not "V6" engines. First video, script typos shall abound haha!
was about to roast
I was good for 4 minutes, how am i supposed to keep watching this poser now
First time watching this vid and I could not believe this was your first 1 well done sir. And I know my profile pic is a mustang but I'm a Miata owner now and I think roadsters are kinda the purest driving experiences you'll have
@@gotgt500 thank you!
The miatas look very fun. Never piloted one yet!
Mine is a ‘99 Arctic Silver M Roadster. My late husband ordered it new when he retired. I love driving the little beauty. I hope you get to 2021 ZFEST in SC in July. Oh, and your video is top notch! Thanks for sharing it. Z ya.
What a great car and beautiful connection to your husband :) thanks for sharing and I hope to see you there as well!!!!
I just recently acquired a 02 Z3 M Roadster. Just wanted to send a big THANK YOU! I watched your videos on your 98 M, your 01 M, and the comparison video. I think you did an outstanding job on explaining things, and they helped to make choices. Keep up the great work.
Great vid Alex. I've got a 2000 M Roadster that I've had since December 1999, (Santa was very good to me that year!) She (Rosalita, in Imola Red) was brought up in Maryland, hidden away in the winters and a 'daily' driver in the Spring, Summer, and Fall. In the summer of 2019 I dragged her out to Southern Arizona where we are both retiring. She's been the most reliable car I've owned. Routine items include; she's on her third clutch, second set of brake pads and rotors (They lasted 98,000 miles!), second set of shocks and struts all around, second canvas top, second water pump, 5th or 6th set of tires, and really not much else besides the routine stuff. She now has 134,000 and no sign of aging or getting sloppy. Feels as good as the day I drove her home. When the newer one came out I was tempted but early on I had done some Dinan mods added; front tower brace, cold air, performance chip and exhaust system. I don't think it would have been in my best interest to go with a newer one, this one is too much of "Get In Trouble" car for me already. I saw the vid saying you bought the next one! COOL! KEEP 'EM BOTH! The demand and price will just continue to climb.NO other cars in its class will compare to them!
Thanks for watching Chris. Love hearing about Rosalita!- sounds like she’s living her best life ;)
I’ve had both M Roadsters for about three weeks now and I change my mind every day: the blue one, the grey one, keep both... over and over! Making the “showdown” video comparing the two may help me clarify the decision!
Personally, the Bond Connection backfired spectacularly! I saw it only had a 140 bhp and put me off the Z3 for over twenty years. I saw the M coupe and thought it was ghastly. Then more recently I discovered that my friend has a Z3M roadster in Estoril Blue with 321 bhp. Never has an opinion changed so quickly. Fantastic thing! Had Bond driven a 2.8 from the start it may have been a bit different.
I already wanted one and now I need one! Great video!
Thanks for being the first comment on my first video! It's really a fun car and there hasn't been a better time to buy one in terms of depreciation.
2001 3.0i 5spd roadie here. Love the car. Similar power to the S52 M cars but with in my opinion, the better looking tail lights ;) Also no //M fanboy tax!
Bought my 1999 M Roadster about 9 years ago. Dakar Yellow. Love the car, always a thrill to drive, lots of looks and compliments on it.
Great video and it's all the same reasons I own a 99 M Roadster now for 20 years. And the colors - oh my - mine is Palmetto Green with Kyalami Orange interior. As Don mentioned below, hope to see you at a ZSCCA event some day and you should definitely plan to be in South Carolina this July for Zfest and the 25th anniversary of this amazing car!
Glad you enjoyed the video. What a COOL color combo!
Welcome to the BMW Z family, Alex - I have an '01 3.0i Z3 and an '08 3.0si Z4. Hope to see you on some of the ZSCCA drives. I'm in Texas, but we get together with the Colorado group pretty often.
Thanks for stopping by Donald! Apparently the 3.0 Z3 is quite similar to the M Roadster in terms of both...both in the 200hp range. My dad has a 3.0i Z4 and it's a blast...the si must feel real punchy! Can't wait to do some ZSCCA events, hope to meet you some time
Hi Donald, fancy seeing you here!
Great video and a nice car. I live in Sweden and my M is an Estoril blue, all black interior, S50 321hp.
Excellent my dude, what a unique retro vehicle...
Fun times indeed!
I love this video and this car. Not just 'cause he's my son. I have the 2008 Z4 and Alex was part of my search back then. We actually test drove a later model M Roadster (maybe a 2003 - also in blue), which we both decided was way to fast for dear ol' Dad. My love for this car goes back to the day's of my Dad's 1967 and 1972 MGB convertibles - the classic English roadster. Alex's grandfather gave it to me after I graduated and got married and it will remain one of my favorite cars ever! So Alex and his car have great lineage. Enjoy the drive!
Thanks dad! I'll have to come make a video about your Z4 sometime this year.
These cars came with housewife spec suspensions. M cars included. Loosing that stuff is an epic journey as the platform is radically transformed. Recommend Ground Control Systems.
I’m an original owner of this car out here in CA. It’s been a love/(not so much) hate relationship. I’ve changed the engine, CAT, exhaust years ago to another S52 engine (old one leaked like a sieve due to pitting on the cylinder walls). I continue to drive it (165k miles!) and love every minute of it. There’s a long list of electrical issues that have crept up (gauges not working, auto top sensor/cable bad and on-and-on). Let’s not forget about that rear window with the scuff mark down the middle and that ridiculous center speaker in the back! I’ve kept this car mainly in the garage and it’s only seen rain maybe 10 times in all those years so that means the top is down almost every time (yeah, top up creates horrible blind spots!). Bottom line - we will continue to grow old together!
After owning five Z3's I would say get the one you can afford to buy AND maintain, and the one that fits your driving style and roads. IMO if you already have a 3.0 the S52 extra 15HP doesn't justify almost double the price and higher maintenance costs. Picking an M Roadster to drive on the street over any Miata, similar price or not, is a no brainer.
I still love my 1999 M Roadster. It currently has just under 23, 000 miles on it! Always garaged and covered and has only been in the rain once.
Mine also has the "minor" Dinan mods of intake, ecm and strut tower brace.
As a fellow Coloradan who likes these cars, I'd like to point out a couple more viable options that sit between the anemic 1.8/1.9 Z3s and the M.
BMW quickly added the well-loved M52 I6 to the lineup; my mom bought the higher-spec 2.8L version in 1999. That one put out 190bhp and I remember it was an absolute blast. Definitely not as quick as the S52 M, but in that light a chassis it still moves with authority. My mom absolutely loved that car, but it had to go after my siblings started having children and she needed to do the whole 'grandma' thing.
We talked about that car off and on, and I decided to let a couple of cars go in order to find one. The final years of the Z3 came with a power bump; the M got the blistering(if slightly notorious) S54 with its amazing, high-revving nature and over 300 horses. The normal Z3 came with the M54s out of the E46; the 2.5L putting out close to the old 2.8's numbers. The new 3.0, however, put down close to 230bhp; not too far from the S52 M.
I found a low mileage 3.0 about six months ago in an almost identical configuration as my mom had her 2.8, even down to the rare optional hardtop. It's been an incredible car and I know it's gong to be a very enjoyable experience over the coming years.
3.2V6? I know it's a 3.2 inline 6.
I like your Z3M.👍👍👍
Thank you for this great video! I‘m looking for one too at the moment (maybe Z4M) but I prefer the Z3 😍 Have fun! Best regards from Vienna/Austria, Alex
Thanks for watching! I hope you find the perfect car.
Wow! I want an M Roadster now!
I can’t let you have mine, but you can drive it.
Hey loved the video. Could you do one on the relatibility aspects of the m roadster? I know there's a subframe issue but don't know the details on diagnosis, cost of fix, etc. Thanks!
Yes! That's actually coming up next... I'm going to be discussing the most common failure-points on the M Roadsters including the subframe problems. Hit subscribe and you'll be notified when it's up
i have the exact same car, a 2000 s52 m roadster in latin américa, i´m having fun, and i love it! great video!
Thanks for watching! More videos to come soon. Enjoy your car ;)
I have a similar spec 1998 Model, Estoril Blue. It's a RHD UK Model so has the S50B32 Engine. 321bhp. Great car.
Great video man! Very well put together.
You guys did great work on the car to get it in good driving shape!
I have a silver 2000 M Roadster. So s52. Sometimes I wish I had the s54, but my s52 has been so reliable. Only has 65k miles on it!
Mines at about 60K and no real problems yet either! It’s great to have a car that feels so exotic but is fairly easy to maintain... except that pesky plastic rear window, my seams are starting to tear
Mine has 150k and it runs amazingggggg
Great video!
Awesome pictures on Georgetown Lake.
my dad had an S52 M Roadster back when it was new. I have always wanted an S54 version someday, in the meantime I just bought a 2.8 Z3. Quite fun, especially considering the price!!
Hope I get a chance to drive an S54 sometime soon! The 2.8s seem like a blast. And they may the best value for the fun
@@alexincars2157 i have driven an e46 with the s54 and fell in love, can't imagine what it is like in a Z body. yeah man, got mine super high mileage but super cheap, but she runs good and everyone wants to trade for it lol
Awesome video! I have a 2000 M myself in estriol blue. You should’ve mentioned the color, estoril was the color bond wish he had over that Atlanta blue/green. Any more videos on the pros and cons of the S52 and S54 engines?
Comparing the two engines next! Stay tuned
M roadster is awesome. Fun video, good info. I’d also take a Z3 but only with a 2.8 or 3.0
Yes those z3 models have good power around 200hp!
Excellent job, on your presentation of a exclamation of a classic…
To my knowledge, the rod bearing issue was only in the s54 engines as well. The s52 will support enough upgrades to match or beat the s54 without killing the budget.
Yes, rod bearing issue is only in the S54. And I have heard the S52 is pretty amenable to turbo or supercharging
Guess I better hang onto my 98. Got lucky and found a hardtop for it. Still looking for where they hid the spare tire, so bought some run flat rubber just in case.
Fun video about a great car! I own a 2002 S54 in Estoril Blue!
Can't wait till I get to drive an S54 M Roadster. Would love to make a comparison video between S52/S54 one day. Happy driving!
@@alexincars2157 I owned both! I had a 2000 Estoril Blue S52 I bought new in Nov. 1999 and had it for 12 years until a crash in 2012. I test drove all kinds of cars and couldn't find anything I liked as much. I was lucky to find my 2002 Estoril Blue at a dealer less than 5 miles away. The S54 is noticeably faster!
My 02 S54 has been a great friend, the last analog bmw, I’d never change anything on her... except I upgraded to spyder headlights to update with halo’s and HID’s! 😉
Love it! It’s a great car.
Why on earth are there 2 thumbs down on this video? This is the first Z3 video that’s actually entertained and fun 🤩
Thanks so much! Haters gonna hate 😂.
S52/54 are inline 6 rather than V. Virtually same 3.2L displacement... S54 has a higher redline and individual throttle bodies.
Can't wait to get my hands on an S54 and try it out...haven't driven one yet but hear great things. 315hp in this little car must feel intense! The S52 already feels punchy.
Totally missed that in the script AND your comment: thanks for the correction. Inline/Straight 6, not a V6 ;)
I have a 2000 m roadster s52 with a supercharger and stage 2 clutch, loads of torque and super fun to drive, I drove a 2001 s54 but I enjoy the low end torque on my car, no comparison
Nice presentation is very pro you are big potentiel, I like this car I have small cars collection and I have 2 Z3, one Z3 M Roadster 1998 black satin and 2.5i Roadster M pakage 2002 silver.
You have quite the fleet!!!! Thanks for the kind comment :)
I miss my old clown shoe. I had a new 2001 3.0 coupe in college, it was my favorite car.
The 3.0 engine is great! Actually similar power to my S52 M Roadster. Can’t beat that clown shoe shape!!! Thanks for watching
Got a silver 1998. Great car!
Well written! Good stuff.
Appreciate it! Thanks for watching
Great presentation style and good balanced mix of info with entertainment 💪
Cool looking car. Great video
Thanks for watching!
Nice video, Alex. And fabulous colour for your M roadster - then again, I am biased! I have an Estoril Blue, 2000 M roadster with the Euro-spec S50 (321 HP) engine. It was a Japanese export (log books and many engine bay tags are in Japanese), and now it lives in British Columba where it sees the roads when they are dry and salt-free, so basically a spring and summer ride. Here's a video I shot of my car early last year: ua-cam.com/video/5mEV9qzou2M/v-deo.html
The euro-spec engine sounds like a blast! Love your video, thanks for sharing.
I still have my M Roadster that I bought new in April 2000. I have about 21k miles on it. It has been kept in a garage. It even still has new car smell. I plan to keep it to my death. I sometimes call it my "Gran Torino" (referring to the car of the Clint Eastwood character in Gran Torino, how he kept it to his death).
Great take on the MR! I wonder what the real-world performance difference is between the US Spec S52 and S54 cars? 0-60 and Highway (60+) acceleration...
I would LOVE to make a video comparing the two. There's a good Z-model community out here in Colorado and I hope to find someone with an S54 to do a comparison this year.
@@alexincars2157 Yep! I've got a 2000 that I think has plenty of power across the RPM range. I'm sure the S54's are even better!
I have the SUS z3... a first gen 1.9l but i swapped whit s52 engine. Previous owner blow the engine and buy it from less that 2k, searching on forums what can i do i decide to install that engine, well... that took me a more like 1yr and half to complete and a tons of issues catching pices to adjusting... but is totally worth seen a "1.9" speeding in track days with mid 00"/15" sports cars.
And yes, tons of people says me the same "take off, buy a M3 or some more powerfull" and what I say to them? This car is from Bond, James Bond
What an awesome build! I applaud your labors!!!! Must have been a ton of work, but sounds like it paid off! Thanks for subscribing, more videos to come
Get one while you can , especially low mileage ones are on the increase . Drivers will always be more affordable but are increasing too .
Alex, I have a 1998 BMW M Roadster. I bought it with about 20, 000 miles and now have 62,000.
Some interior parts are getting worn out .Is there any place where I can purchase parts besides E-Bay. It didn't come with a cassette case but rather a flip storage compartment which is designed to break easily. Can't find a decent cover. Could this be changed to a cassette compartment to make it at least more attractive than an open compartment. Great video! Thanks, Eddie
Nice Z3
Well done! Great video!
Thanks Tim! Glad you enjoyed it, more videos coming soon :)
LOL at new owner of an almost 20 year old used M Roadster saying it is not a Z3. Even those that purchased brand new didn’t say that. It is a Z3 just a high performance M version PERIOD. We always knew those that bought used would not “get it”.
Weird seeing the blank gauge in the middle on the 98’s. Supposed to be the battery or oil pressure gauge. And no ASC either with a cassette deck instead of CD player.
I believe the amber lights and it says roadster on the door sill was unique to the 98 as well
Funny you noticed! So on a few early 1998 models, BMW ran out of that gauge, so they ship the cars without it. Owners were allowed to come back into dealership to pick up the gauge, but this original owner must’ve just skip that and left a blank
@@alexincars2157 Can confirm. When I bought my 98 from the original owner it had the blank in there and the voltmeter in the glovebox! Lol. A cool unique thing only for the 98's. If a bit silly.
@@poomped53 Yes apparently they ran out of voltmeters in 98 and shipped some roadsters out without them. You could go get them the next year at any BMW dealer, but looks like my original owner never did!
Also no traction/stability switch!
1998 Esprit was a 350hp twin turbo flat plane crank V8. Last year of turbo 4 was in 1996. First year V8 worldwide was 1997
I've owned 4 different Z3 models now! Never the 4cyl though, that's too slow haha. And I can say they have certainly hit the bottom, actually they hit bottom about 2 years ago. I was able to find Ms for well under $10k in decent "drivers car" shape! Get these cars before they turn into the next e30 M3. It's going to happen!!!!!!!
So true! Sounds like you’ve had some fun ones over the years
The s54 is the only M version that's really worth owning, the s52 only came with 240 horsepower. Which isn't much more than the 3.0. The 2.8 has 200 horsepower although it's 400 pounds lighter then the 3.0 and M variant. The Z3 came with multiple engines and are great candidates for engine swaps. Roadsters used to be about the ride and the experience with the top down not getting to your destination as fast as you can. The z3 2.8 also came standard with a wide body , so it wasn't just indicative of the M car. I used to own a Z3 M but I've upgraded to a Z4 M Coupe.
Thanks for the input! I agree that the 2.8/3.0 are best in terms of value: similar power as the s52 but much cheaper and lighter (the 2.8). Would love to drive an s54 sometime!
I have the exact same spec but mine is estoril exterior and Nappa black interior. I love it love it love it its my daily
Please tell me what you have in your steering fluid reservoir. Does the cap show ATF Oil or CHF? What's in yours? Red stuff (ATF) or green stuff (CHF)? Thanks.
Thanks!
PLEAASE MORE M ROADSTR VIDEOS
So cool looking
the frozen lake made me so nervous
Hello Alex, I have a 1996 Bmw Z3, I use it every day and driving it is a very pleasant experience, I would like you to make a video driving the car perhaps touring the city where you live, greetings from Paraguay !!!
My parents bought a z3 1.8 I4 and it was £800 it's so fun and he uses it as his daily driver
You could get regular z3s with a variety of straight 6 configurations and they were much cheaper.
You should talk about the subframe issue....
I’m actually going to get my sub frame reinforced next month. Hit subscribe because I’m going to be making a video about the entire process, explaining the issue and what you can do about it
I have a black 98 m love the car
I love that nobody likes these cars, and that makes it a little more affordable. I've had my eye on the S54 Z3 M Roadster and in one year I will buy one.
good
I am probably selling mine. 2000 bmw m roadster silver color with 136,000 miles clean title it’s a daily driver, so not perfect. Will be putting it up on Facebook marketplace and Monterey county Craigslist for $8,000 obo
Seems like a fair price for the mileage!
Man I had a long and positive comment and it got deleted :/ I have this same car and it is the bees knees. That's the short version lol
They're so fun :)
The S52 also came in Europe, it was just much closer to the S54. See, there are two engines named S52. The US market one is dubbed the S52B30US. Its got more in common with the M52 than the euro S52. See S engines are supposed to have individual throttle bodies and crazy high flow heads. But when the E36 M3 came out, bmw thought the US didn't want it, since the E30 325i was more popular than the E30 M3. So they never got the proper S52 engine to pass US emissions rules. BMW fans petitioned BMW to sell the M3 here, but they couldn't use the M3 engine. So they took an M52B28, bored and stroked it, and fiddled with the ecu to create the USDM S52, not a true BMW S engine. Both Europe and US got the S54 when it came out. Here's the thing, the S52B30US is a disappointment in the M3, where it fails to deliver the fun of an M3, namely, an exotic engine in a regular car. But the Z3 is already more exciting with a 2.5L engine than the M3 was with the S52B30US. So when you put the mildly hot S52B30US in the Z3, there is no disappointment.
Hey I got one of those too!
Hey Nav! I’ve watched all your videos in the past about your M!
ugggh i want this car sooo bad, i own a x3 now but i am going to do everything i can to get a m roadster
Great time to buy one! Let me know if you begin the process and have any questions. I have a video coming soon on what to look for when you’re buying one. Subscribe and it will show up for you in the coming weeks :) Thanks for watching
😍
M roadster ? its Z3M same body wide as 2.8
You guys in the US really got stiffed with that S52. I didn’t know they put it in the Z too, lame. S54 for life!
Saying it’s not a Z3 is pretty silly as it would not exist without it and it is a Z3 with a bigger engine and a better suspension
You guys really got screwed with this generation of M cars. S52 in the E36 and Z3 has 320ish hp everywhere else.
Beautiful car but nothing matches the beauty of a perfectly intact spot weld. Stuck with the 1.9. I plan to tour, not race.
I tease the 1.9s a bit but I really do love all Z3s, the smaller engines includes! And you’re right: the m roadsters have more of those subframe issues and broken welds. I am getting mine reinforced this spring actually! Thanks for watching!
@@alexincars2157 Not just the M's but all Z3's with the larger engine. I just entered the fray by purchasing a 98 from a widow who was the original owner. Came with a hard top (and perfect spot welds). I need to replace the clutch and mostly just cosmetic stuff. Plan to keep it in top shape and take a lot of road trips.
I got mine for $8000. Still have it.
you mean 3 engine options. Euro S50, US S52 then the S54
I own a 2000 Z3M also. It IS a Z3. Please show me ANYTHING that says an M roadster is not a Z3. It's a great car, but dont missrepresent it. I looked everywhere and found nothing saying the M roadster is a stand alone model.
Cassettes?.....isn't that going backwards?
It has an INLINE 6
no V at all
I know I know haha, first video, script typos abound. Thanks for watching!
3,2 is a STRAIGHT SIX not V6
How does a car guy not know the difference between a V and an inline engine?
🤣 dude you need to check out colin furze here on UA-cam
Wow. Headlight flame throwers!
@@alexincars2157 i know awesome hey! I believe it will be on top gear aswell no doubt...........we have pretty much boycotted the bbc here in the UK though so i won't be watching it 🤣
Need the S54
Chassis is old and clunky, still E30 tech
Boxster is superior in every way.
Nice looking car though….
nightmare in repair cost.
I never understand why car enthusiasts cannot pronounce Porsche.
You don’t drive a Ferrar, or a Hond, or a Toyot, or a Tesl. The unstressed schwa-e is pronounced uh. Ferdinand thanks you.
It's like 90% Z3 so it's basically an upgraded Z3 especially if you talk about the American spec which only had about 10 horsepower more than the Z3 3.0 😑😑 Oh and the every Z3 after 1997 came with wide fenders. They're both the same width. This video is so off. Lol .smh
A V6 ? Chrome around the gearbox ? Credibility lost.
What is your instagram?
Not five seconds, 4.2 also you forgot to say. MADE IN AMERICA!!!
You’re getting 0-60 in 4.2!? Maybe you’ve got the S54? I can’t get under 5 seconds (maybe I’m a slow shifter haha!)
No 1999. I do have traction control though. In theory under ideal conditions you should be able to also. Are you pegging the tac? Or are you shifting too early? I learned that the shift is smoother the higher the rpms. There is probably a technical reason for that, but I don’t build them or even fix them.
I just drive it like I stole it.
So I learned where the override shuts it down and go to right before that.
I don’t palm the shift, but slap it.
To say that the M Roadster is not a Z3 is absolut ignorant. It shares the same body as any other Z3 Roadster with an R6 engine, only the 4-cylinders got narrow bodies. Also the NA S52 with it's 240 hp, should not even be called an M model, only 10 hp more than a 3.0 non-M. S52 VS S54? S54 is a way better engine. Typically why people are considering a S52 it's because if color combinations, not the engine.
Why can't you admit the car is a Z3? The M modifications increase performance, but the car is still a Z3. 90% of the parts are interchangeable. I've driven the '98 Z3M, and my '98 Z3 2.8. Both are great cars, and have their advantages & disadvantages. But they are still based on the Z3. It almost sounds like you are embarrassed to own a Z3.
Not a V6… 🤦♂️
Sorry to tell you …..you have a Z3. You don’t even have a real Z3M ,you have the weak sauce American spec one with 240 hp as apposed to European 320hp. Even the standard Z3 3.0 produces 220 hp.