Hahahahah this is great! I had to sell the Z3 though - nobody wanted to ride with me. My son said to stop picking him up from school in it cuz he says it's loud and didn't like riding with the top down. Man...what... I'm looking for my next midlife crisis car - I might get a Lexus GX470 and take it more remote camping.
Nice car! I’ve own mine 2001 2.5l. It’s been great. It’s been 3 years now and I love it. All I’ve had to do to it was valve cover gasket kit. Took out all the stock suspension and upgraded it to adjustable. The old one needed to go. Drives great now and no oil leaks. I would drive it anywhere now.
Thanks! Check our your motor mounts too - made a huuuge difference for me. From the weight balance to shifter/transmission it did wonders. Sadly after only a few months I sold the Z3. My kids REALLY want me to get an RV so 1 car had to go. Now in search for an RV...
Aww man that’s sucks. Gotta do what you do for family JU. I will work on that mount for sure. My kids are all grown up so i don’t really have to deal with things they want anymore lol. But good luck searching for the RV. Shit is crazy right now on prices not just that but hard to fine good deals as well. Live well brother n take care.
I just got one too! 2000, 2.5l, manual, 140k miles. We're like living the same life! Great driving feel and experience. It's also my cheap midlife crisis car too, haha. Though my kids are actually loving it!
Why go out and spend big money on a Porsche (other than to show off), when I can have 7/10ths the fun in a little roadster? It's the perfect mid life crisis car, it really is.
@@labjujube I think it's typical e36 stuff. Make sure the water pump is good. The car itself is mostly mechanical and parts are cheap. As long as you avoid the $tealer$hip it's really not bad at all. I wouldn't hesitate to take it cross country.
I disagree! I recently purchased a 1997 BMW Z3 1.9 in original mint condition with 39K miles and absolutely LOVE it. It is a joy to drive here in California. But, I agree the Z3 puts the lackluster Miata to shame.
Hahaha the 1.9 is sweet, but the 6 cylinder really wakes up the car. No need to rev it up like the 1.9. Plenty of torque!! 39K miles is incredible! The best mod I ever had on a Miata was a lightweight flywheel. Even thought it was a buzzy little 4 cylinder, the shifts came super quick and it was sooo fun to drive.
I have the exact same car, but green. Does anyone have any tips on cleaning the drain tubes for the top? I get water in the trunk after a rain. There are many videos, but they all say something different. How do you remove the carpet below the rear window to access the drain tubes? Thanks
Hahahaha thanks. Well, if you catch any footage of me driving it's crazy windy. LOL. I try to remove some of the wind noise through Audacity noise reduction. I really just need an external mic if I want to make more videos like this. I'm just using a cheap suction cup mount I found on Amazon. It came with a bunch of pieces and some came broken in the package. LOL
Love my 1.9 Z3. wait until you have to work on a 6 cylinder Z3 that had the engine put in with a shoe horn. You'll wish you had a 4. My brother-in-law is a great mechanic and said the 6's are a nightmare to work on.
Check out my first z3 video: ua-cam.com/video/0VGPa1z7ZpE/v-deo.html It wasn't bad at all. In half a day my mechanic did the following: 1. Valve cover gasket, grommets, spark plugs 2. Water pump, belts, coolant 3. Both engine mounts 4. Front brake pads 5. Fuel filter It was a breeze to work on. We had to use mirrors to make sure the valve cover gasket fit correctly in the back. Other than that, everything was easy to reach.
If you have a good independent mechanic I say go for it. I wouldn't take it to the $tealer$hip because it won't be worth it. Parts are cheap and widely available, it's typical BMW E36 stuff, and you don't have expensive electronics to worry about. My mechanic said the car is really straightforward and easy to work on. He's an Audi guy but said this is a good one.
Nice one sir❗️im trying to get one for myself. 1999 2.5. With 50k miles on it. Q. How expensive is it to maintain a 26yold z3 and how reliable is it? The vehicle is in Arizona and im planning to drive it back here. Your thoughts. Ty
Because these cars are so reliable I came across a lot of neglected examples that are still running but could use a lot of little things. The main thing you want to look out for with only 50K miles is the water pump. If it hasn't failed yet, it probably will, and it can be catastrophic. Because the car is an older BMW, and common E36 chassis, parts of plentiful and cheap. Not a lot of electronics to go wrong, it's mostly mechanical stuff that's pretty easy to work on. I plan on keeping the Z3 a long time, so I went crazy and did the following: 1. Motor mounts 2. Metal impeller water pump w/BMW coolant 3. All belts 4. All brake pads 5. Valve cover gasket + all grommets 6. NGK Platinum spark plugs 7. Fuel filter 8. Redline Transmission and Diff fluids (shifts super smooth) 9. Oil change with Mobil1 Synthetic 10. Air Filter 11. Trunk struts 12. New oem shift knob 13. Detailed with ceramic coat
Wow thank for this info. I was able to get 1.9 z3 manual with 110k miles. Its in excellent condition but im going to take it to a bmw service center and fo thru a multipoint inspection. Thoughts?
@@Edcrisworldfit to be honest I wouldn't bother with a 1.9. The 2.5 is that much better. I've driven both, the torque from the 2.5 is worth it. The entire list from my reply cost me $1,100. I sourced my own parts and paid for labor at a small shop. The work was done by an Audi certified tech; he went through the entire car when I purchased it and we put the list together. He says it was his first E36, but the car was easy to work on. I have maintenance records for my Z3 and it was serviced at the BMW dealer and the prices are insanely high.
Nice ! Im going to do the same thing as you did. Im going to find a bmw mechAnic and have hime inspect the cAr. I think im good with 1.9. Im not so much into speed and power of car. I cruise and if i can drive this vehicle out of state without any problem i would be very happy😁
I wouldn't call this a midlife crisis purchase. Aside from it being a two seater and a convertible, they are very reliable and you didn't pay much for such a cool car.
Thanks Christopher. They are indeed very reliable with the appropriate preventative maintenance and the 6 is silky smooth. I ended up selling it to a very enthusiastic buyer and hope he's enjoying it.
Man it's crazy my kids said it was too sunny and windy. They didn't want to ride with me so I ended up selling it. I don't really go out by myself with our busy family schedule. If the kids aren't willing to ride, that means it's never gonna be driven. :(
I love my mint 1997 1.9 Z3. It drives beautifully! And the engine is outstanding for a very comfortable casual driver.
Yea I had a 318ti back in the day and beat the crap out of it. Nice motor but the 6 is sweeter!!
So much joy watching this video man, I also have mid life crisis!
Hahahahah this is great! I had to sell the Z3 though - nobody wanted to ride with me. My son said to stop picking him up from school in it cuz he says it's loud and didn't like riding with the top down. Man...what...
I'm looking for my next midlife crisis car - I might get a Lexus GX470 and take it more remote camping.
Nice car! I’ve own mine 2001 2.5l. It’s been great. It’s been 3 years now and I love it. All I’ve had to do to it was valve cover gasket kit. Took out all the stock suspension and upgraded it to adjustable. The old one needed to go. Drives great now and no oil leaks. I would drive it anywhere now.
Thanks! Check our your motor mounts too - made a huuuge difference for me. From the weight balance to shifter/transmission it did wonders. Sadly after only a few months I sold the Z3. My kids REALLY want me to get an RV so 1 car had to go. Now in search for an RV...
Aww man that’s sucks. Gotta do what you do for family JU. I will work on that mount for sure. My kids are all grown up so i don’t really have to deal with things they want anymore lol. But good luck searching for the RV. Shit is crazy right now on prices not just that but hard to fine good deals as well. Live well brother n take care.
@@makaikhounsavat4849 hahaha yea it was a bummer to sell but I do it for the kids. I don't mind doing it for them.
I just got one too! 2000, 2.5l, manual, 140k miles. We're like living the same life! Great driving feel and experience. It's also my cheap midlife crisis car too, haha. Though my kids are actually loving it!
Why go out and spend big money on a Porsche (other than to show off), when I can have 7/10ths the fun in a little roadster? It's the perfect mid life crisis car, it really is.
How bad is the reliability?
@@labjujube I think it's typical e36 stuff. Make sure the water pump is good. The car itself is mostly mechanical and parts are cheap. As long as you avoid the $tealer$hip it's really not bad at all. I wouldn't hesitate to take it cross country.
I disagree! I recently purchased a 1997 BMW Z3 1.9 in original mint condition with 39K miles and absolutely LOVE it. It is a joy to drive here in California. But, I agree the Z3 puts the lackluster Miata to shame.
Hahaha the 1.9 is sweet, but the 6 cylinder really wakes up the car. No need to rev it up like the 1.9. Plenty of torque!!
39K miles is incredible! The best mod I ever had on a Miata was a lightweight flywheel. Even thought it was a buzzy little 4 cylinder, the shifts came super quick and it was sooo fun to drive.
Nice. Paid 2.2k for my 2000 2.5l z3.
Has some small dings on the exterior and interior needs work but its a sweet car for the price.
For $2,200 you're going to have a lot of fun. Great great value. You can hardly find a beat up Miata for that price today
I have the exact same car, but green. Does anyone have any tips on cleaning the drain tubes for the top? I get water in the trunk after a rain. There are many videos, but they all say something different. How do you remove the carpet below the rear window to access the drain tubes? Thanks
did you ever have any clunking sounds coming from the rear at all?
Love the go pro set up, what type and mount is it? Any wind cancellation mod on it?
Hahahaha thanks. Well, if you catch any footage of me driving it's crazy windy. LOL. I try to remove some of the wind noise through Audacity noise reduction. I really just need an external mic if I want to make more videos like this.
I'm just using a cheap suction cup mount I found on Amazon. It came with a bunch of pieces and some came broken in the package. LOL
@@junbox618 lol, hey it works pretty well tho 🤣
Love my 1.9 Z3. wait until you have to work on a 6 cylinder Z3 that had the engine put in with a shoe horn. You'll wish you had a 4. My brother-in-law is a great mechanic and said the 6's are a nightmare to work on.
Check out my first z3 video: ua-cam.com/video/0VGPa1z7ZpE/v-deo.html
It wasn't bad at all. In half a day my mechanic did the following:
1. Valve cover gasket, grommets, spark plugs
2. Water pump, belts, coolant
3. Both engine mounts
4. Front brake pads
5. Fuel filter
It was a breeze to work on. We had to use mirrors to make sure the valve cover gasket fit correctly in the back. Other than that, everything was easy to reach.
Would you buy one for $6,200? It's got 130K miles, feels good, rides good, but I'm just worried about maintenance costs on a used BMW.
If you have a good independent mechanic I say go for it. I wouldn't take it to the $tealer$hip because it won't be worth it. Parts are cheap and widely available, it's typical BMW E36 stuff, and you don't have expensive electronics to worry about. My mechanic said the car is really straightforward and easy to work on. He's an Audi guy but said this is a good one.
Nice one sir❗️im trying to get one for myself. 1999 2.5. With 50k miles on it. Q. How expensive is it to maintain a 26yold z3 and how reliable is it? The vehicle is in Arizona and im planning to drive it back here. Your thoughts. Ty
Because these cars are so reliable I came across a lot of neglected examples that are still running but could use a lot of little things. The main thing you want to look out for with only 50K miles is the water pump. If it hasn't failed yet, it probably will, and it can be catastrophic. Because the car is an older BMW, and common E36 chassis, parts of plentiful and cheap. Not a lot of electronics to go wrong, it's mostly mechanical stuff that's pretty easy to work on.
I plan on keeping the Z3 a long time, so I went crazy and did the following:
1. Motor mounts
2. Metal impeller water pump w/BMW coolant
3. All belts
4. All brake pads
5. Valve cover gasket + all grommets
6. NGK Platinum spark plugs
7. Fuel filter
8. Redline Transmission and Diff fluids (shifts super smooth)
9. Oil change with Mobil1 Synthetic
10. Air Filter
11. Trunk struts
12. New oem shift knob
13. Detailed with ceramic coat
Wow thank for this info. I was able to get 1.9 z3 manual with 110k miles. Its in excellent condition but im going to take it to a bmw service center and fo thru a multipoint inspection. Thoughts?
@@Edcrisworldfit to be honest I wouldn't bother with a 1.9. The 2.5 is that much better. I've driven both, the torque from the 2.5 is worth it.
The entire list from my reply cost me $1,100. I sourced my own parts and paid for labor at a small shop. The work was done by an Audi certified tech; he went through the entire car when I purchased it and we put the list together. He says it was his first E36, but the car was easy to work on.
I have maintenance records for my Z3 and it was serviced at the BMW dealer and the prices are insanely high.
Nice ! Im going to do the same thing as you did. Im going to find a bmw mechAnic and have hime inspect the cAr. I think im good with 1.9. Im not so much into speed and power of car. I cruise and if i can drive this vehicle out of state without any problem i would be very happy😁
@@Edcrisworldfit good luck to you! 50k miles must be really clean, might be worth it just for the low mileage.
I wouldn't call this a midlife crisis purchase. Aside from it being a two seater and a convertible, they are very reliable and you didn't pay much for such a cool car.
Thanks Christopher. They are indeed very reliable with the appropriate preventative maintenance and the 6 is silky smooth. I ended up selling it to a very enthusiastic buyer and hope he's enjoying it.
Have you replaced suspension parts at all?
Nope, stock original suspension. The shocks were pretty beat but was still OK. Not too floaty and dampened OK.
you need sweatshirt to protect your skin from the sun!
Man it's crazy my kids said it was too sunny and windy. They didn't want to ride with me so I ended up selling it. I don't really go out by myself with our busy family schedule. If the kids aren't willing to ride, that means it's never gonna be driven. :(