1997 BMW Z3 Review - A Reliable German Classic?

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  • Опубліковано 29 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 105

  • @AAzraelontop
    @AAzraelontop Рік тому +13

    Mine has 300,000 miles and has some new engine parts, but other then that its a mint car with only exterior and interior problems.

    • @HighMileageReviews
      @HighMileageReviews  Рік тому +1

      Now THAT'S impressive!

    • @UnseenSpirit
      @UnseenSpirit 7 місяців тому

      There's a 2.8L for sale at a dealers. It has 262k miles and is from 1997. Worth looking at or too high mileage really? It has service history (I will assume not full). It's £3250

    • @AAzraelontop
      @AAzraelontop 7 місяців тому

      @@UnseenSpirit I would look at it, but my car has been babied since birth, so just beware.

    • @Aeroswine1776
      @Aeroswine1776 4 місяці тому

      ​@@AAzraelontop
      Maintenance makes all the difference

  • @btube9202
    @btube9202 Рік тому +6

    I got a 97 Z3 1.9 137k miles pristine condition and still running strong

  • @ChrisPkmn
    @ChrisPkmn 2 роки тому +12

    That intro transition was so clean

  • @Dominator775
    @Dominator775 Рік тому +9

    This video was amazing, great production quality and effort without the nicest equipment. I really appreciate the outro, leaving some good old driving and exhaust without any commentary. I keep coming back to this video to get me hyped, highly considering buying one myself. My biggest struggle is a z3 vs a high mile brz. You can get a brz for around the same price and put some TLC into it.

    • @HighMileageReviews
      @HighMileageReviews  Рік тому +1

      Thanks for the kind words! I might be biased, but if I were you, I'd get the z3 (6 cylinder preferred). Might not have the ginormous aftermarket of the BRZ, but there's still plenty of options for upgrades if you desire. Add to that the fact that any money you put into the car, you're more likely to get back, since their values are rising to some degree. I also think the design of the z3 is far beyond that of the BRZ. Really timeless and beautiful in my opinion. Just my 2 cents

    • @sussolus
      @sussolus Рік тому

      A manual garaged z3 is still like 4-5k cheaper than the worst automatic BRZ you can find here in California. BRZ has a significantly more balanced and robust chassis but the z3 with the m52 has a better reputation for being reliable and makes 50ib-ft of torque more than the BRZ. There are obviously some needed reliability mods but there's no catastrophic common drivetrain issue like the frs valve springs.

  • @JazzKybds78
    @JazzKybds78 Рік тому +4

    This is one of the most amazing videos I've ever seen. Absolutely well done. I just picked up my Zed 3 snd glad i found your videos. Subscribed snd cant wait to see more!

    • @HighMileageReviews
      @HighMileageReviews  Рік тому

      Wow, thank you for the compliment! I'm glad you liked the video so much, and I know you're gonna love your Zed!

  • @marius.mp4
    @marius.mp4 Рік тому +5

    the number plate is just awesome hahahah

  • @bjornzek
    @bjornzek Рік тому +3

    man this is my dream car and i’m only about a week away from purchasing one but this video has made me go from 100% certain i wanted it to a bit less than 100

    • @HighMileageReviews
      @HighMileageReviews  Рік тому +3

      Sorry for that, but if it makes you feel any better, I can safely say you won't regret it! Just like any used car, you'll second guess yourself the more you dig into their dirty secrets...just go with your heart, you'll be fine!

  • @ron8566
    @ron8566 11 місяців тому +2

    Nice looking car. These older cars are actually very easy to work on and the parts are relatively inexpensive and in abundant supply. The only other trouble spots that you did not mention is the valve cover gasket and the oil filter housing gasket. Keep on enjoying this beautiful and fun car.

    • @HighMileageReviews
      @HighMileageReviews  10 місяців тому

      Good points. I have not encountered problems with those things yet

  • @alepepperoni2563
    @alepepperoni2563 Рік тому +4

    Since I bought a 2000 2.5l z3 in February, theres been so many new videos on the z3 and its status. Makes me glad I bought it seems like a good investment now.

    • @HighMileageReviews
      @HighMileageReviews  Рік тому +1

      I've noticed that as well! Z3 values definitely seem like they've been appreciating somewhat over the past couple years

    • @alepepperoni2563
      @alepepperoni2563 Рік тому

      @@HighMileageReviews Man, local dealerships are overpricing them lol
      Thanks for the reply, happy holidays stay safe!

    • @spaceexplorer6636
      @spaceexplorer6636 Рік тому +1

      Nice!
      Some skilled driving at end !
      Edit, Some Good driving at end,
      Edit again, Decent driving at end
      Sorry edit again, you drove the car at end of video.

    • @HighMileageReviews
      @HighMileageReviews  Рік тому

      @@spaceexplorer6636 Thanks!

  • @bricegraham8256
    @bricegraham8256 2 роки тому +6

    Also thay intro for the video was so cool. We had one at the shop. It's such a fun car to drive. The one that was at the shop was an 2002 in black with a black on black interior. The front end looks the same but the rear end looks a bit different. We had to do an oil pan gasket on it. Unfortunately since I'm not as skilled of a technician yet they wouldn't let me do the job. Later on it did come back becuase the lead tech that worked on it did tighten some bolts on the lower control arm so once I tightened them back up that gave me an excuse to drive it again. Since I'm 5'10" I have to have the seat all the way back, but recline it forward a bit so I can move it back even further and then I can fit in and rather comfortably too.

    • @HighMileageReviews
      @HighMileageReviews  2 роки тому +1

      Thanks! They really are fun. And yeah, the rear end was redesigned in 1999. Personally, I preferred the pre-facelift design. Also, a friend of mine is over 6' and was still able to drive it relatively comfortably, so they're quite spacious for a little car!

    • @bricegraham8256
      @bricegraham8256 2 роки тому

      @@HighMileageReviews lol I was half asleep when I was making that comment and I didn't complete one of my sentences correctly. Lol that makes sense, you own the preface lift one therefore you'll be biased towards that. Are are pretty spacious but you gotta tweak with the recline settings a bit.

  • @arlenburgin2392
    @arlenburgin2392 Рік тому +3

    Despite its many minor issues, super great to drive

  • @gamerrap23
    @gamerrap23 Рік тому +2

    I love your plates man! Love your car, I’m planning to get one by the end of next year.

    • @HighMileageReviews
      @HighMileageReviews  Рік тому

      Thanks! Get the nicest one you can afford and you'll have a great time

  • @MarkGivens-b2p
    @MarkGivens-b2p 4 місяці тому +1

    ....I have a 98 Z8 1.9l ...very high mileage...she runs great with no probs !!!

  • @CoolcatTerri
    @CoolcatTerri 2 роки тому +4

    The editing on that intro was great

  • @ThingsandStuffchannel
    @ThingsandStuffchannel 2 роки тому +4

    He's right...Green over tan is the best color combination!

  • @lordbutler482
    @lordbutler482 2 роки тому +19

    I wouldn’t call 108,000 high mileage

    • @HighMileageReviews
      @HighMileageReviews  2 роки тому +2

      You're right. However considering the age of the car, and the fact that it's had many of the common issues that these cars can experience, I felt that it would still provide useful information for anyone in the market for this car. Also it's my car, so I wanted to make a video about it. I also made a "high mileage review" of my grand marquis with less than 100k and nobody seemed to care. It's really about the car's story in the end

    • @KaiserVonKrieg
      @KaiserVonKrieg 2 роки тому +6

      True but 100,000 miles in a Japanese car is 100,000 miles. 100,000 miles in a German car is 200,000 miles 😂

    • @HighMileageReviews
      @HighMileageReviews  2 роки тому +1

      @@KaiserVonKrieg my point exactly

    • @barryscott4829
      @barryscott4829 Рік тому

      Very low indeed considering age

    • @adorablecenturion8436
      @adorablecenturion8436 6 місяців тому

      ​@@KaiserVonKrieg 100k to a BMW M52/M54 BMW is nothing at long as you have coolant and oil lmao

  • @ferrettankror1
    @ferrettankror1 Рік тому +2

    I am in arizona too, my dad has a 300,000 mile WRX, I have a super modded 200,000 wrx, an over million mile toyota hilux, and hmmm a 340,000 mile legacy turbo :D.

    • @HighMileageReviews
      @HighMileageReviews  Рік тому

      I would be very interested to review all those cars, especially the Hilux! Send me an email or message on Facebook or Instagram to discuss further if you're interested

  • @28761d
    @28761d Рік тому +3

    Top class commentary, top class car❤

  • @salvadorfonseca7
    @salvadorfonseca7 22 дні тому +1

    Wish more car enthusiast content was like this. What kind of gem did I discover?? Freud mentioned lmao

    • @HighMileageReviews
      @HighMileageReviews  21 день тому

      Welcome. You've discovered my channel. A small but growing club for cool people

  • @bamwa
    @bamwa Рік тому +1

    Where can I catch you comedy act? Great job. Awesome footage. Where was this filmed?!

    • @HighMileageReviews
      @HighMileageReviews  Рік тому

      My stand up career ended after a few open mic attempts in college 🥸 this was filmed on AZ-88 northeast of Phoenix. My favorite driving road!

  • @blainenolan6488
    @blainenolan6488 Рік тому +3

    Great video! I have the same car with 93000 on the odometer.

    • @HighMileageReviews
      @HighMileageReviews  Рік тому

      Awesome, keep it nice! They're slowly becoming quite collectible

  • @carlseiler6441
    @carlseiler6441 2 роки тому +3

    At first, was thinking it was too nice for the channel...then all that cracked plastic!

  • @bricklampost4245
    @bricklampost4245 7 місяців тому +1

    i have the same green w tan combo on my z3 but tan soft top

    • @HighMileageReviews
      @HighMileageReviews  7 місяців тому

      Awesome, if I ever get a new top, I'd definitely consider a tan one instead of black. I like that look

  • @FraxinusExelsior
    @FraxinusExelsior 4 місяці тому

    Cracked plastic is nothing compared to cracked welds in trunk floor... what happed with that *major* issue?

    • @HighMileageReviews
      @HighMileageReviews  4 місяці тому

      I have 2 cracked spot welds in the trunk that were there since I bought the car. I've since used the car for autocross events a handful of times, in addition to the occasional canyon road sprint, and have yet to have any more crack on me. Recently I replaced the very worn differential mount bushing with a genuine BMW replacement in hopes of reducing chances further. So far so good!

    • @TheJNASTY864
      @TheJNASTY864 3 місяці тому

      @@HighMileageReviews

  • @dwd2568
    @dwd2568 2 роки тому +2

    I have the same machine, Boston Green over Black!!! 😄It's the best!!!

  • @philclark6418
    @philclark6418 11 місяців тому +1

    Can you see over the steering wheel?

  • @philipraphael5188
    @philipraphael5188 Рік тому +6

    Nice review. Well shot video. I simply love the Z3, ever since they were first released for sale in 1996. Always wanted to own one and finally got my hands on the keys six years ago. Here's a short video I made of my 2000 M roadster, a Japanese export with the S50 Euro-spec engine rated at producing 321 HP: ua-cam.com/video/5mEV9qzou2M/v-deo.html

  • @boabie1463
    @boabie1463 Рік тому +2

    Beige and black interior timeless. Those m versions would make your eyes bleed

    • @HighMileageReviews
      @HighMileageReviews  Рік тому

      Can't go wrong with it! And yes, the colorful M interiors are not for everyone

  • @justinpino8115
    @justinpino8115 Рік тому +1

    Sweet car but black with red leather interior is the best combo

  • @string2155
    @string2155 Рік тому +2

    How bout the plastic pipes under the manifold? You will have to address that at 150k.

    • @HighMileageReviews
      @HighMileageReviews  Рік тому +1

      Did those too

    • @string2155
      @string2155 Рік тому

      @@HighMileageReviews my back hurts whenever I think how I did mine hahaha. Plastic fantastic!

  • @JorkinDepeanus
    @JorkinDepeanus 9 місяців тому +1

    Video starts at 7:40

  • @iiirip3794
    @iiirip3794 2 роки тому

    Careful holding the wheel that way. The force of a collision could break both your thumbs. It’s wild they don’t teach these things anymore.

    • @HighMileageReviews
      @HighMileageReviews  2 роки тому

      At no point during the drive were my thumbs in the path of the airbag. Watch videos of Jason Cammisa driving canyon roads and you'll see that his hand/thumb position is nearly identical, and he's somewhat of an expert in that field. Where else would you recommend I place my hands/thumbs instead?

    • @BenFenner
      @BenFenner 2 роки тому +1

      There is no reason to complain about your thumb placement. In the event of an imminent collision, you can do what you've been trained to do. Remove your hands from the wheel. That will prevent any broken thumbs, etc.
      This is also why Jason Cammisa (whoever that is) is likely also not concerned.
      However, the risk of breaking your thumbs has nothing to do with airbags, airbag placement or activation. Your thumbs are resting up against the spokes of the wheel. In the even of a collision where one wheel/tire (or both) is forced to turn left or right violently because of hitting a curb or embankment or similar, the steering wheel will rotate fast enough to break your thumbs if they are inside the wheel rim and particularly if they are up against a spoke. If you're lucky the steering rod will snap instead, but that's not often the outcome.
      Where you should place your hands/thumbs instead? Well, the designers of that steering wheel clearly assumed a 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock placement, but that still places your thumb inside the wheel and against a spoke. No doubt the OP is expecting you to just keep your thumbs out of the inner rim of the wheel, regardless of hand placement. Personally I feel this is outdated advice, as you have to balance every-day control versus the risk of thumb damage in a rare collision. I think most of us prefer to teach drivers to remove their hands from the wheel entirely a split second before an imminent collision. This keeps normal driving comfortable and controlled, and saves your thumbs in those rare cases.

    • @HighMileageReviews
      @HighMileageReviews  2 роки тому +1

      @@BenFenner that's good advice considering just about every car steering wheel has it's spokes at 9 and 3 where it is most comfortable for spirited driving and also allows for the best control. On a side note, Jason Cammisa is a relatively famous automotive journalist with exceptional driving skill who used to make video reviews with motortrend, but has since moved to the Hagerty channel. Many of his videos feature POV driving on canyon roads in the cars he reviews. Highly recommend his stuff. Very entertaining and informative!

  • @o0lunchboxxx0o91
    @o0lunchboxxx0o91 Рік тому +2

    I just recently got a z3 but I got a m roadster lol it’s amazing

    • @HighMileageReviews
      @HighMileageReviews  Рік тому

      Very nice! Wish I could've gotten an M but unfortunately out of my price bracket

  • @peterpoynter3442
    @peterpoynter3442 Рік тому +2

    The z3 is not German but built in USA.

  • @BartoszXIV
    @BartoszXIV Рік тому +2

    I'vw had really good time watching this! Thanks! Your Z3 ist worst :D :D :D

  • @craigsievewright8003
    @craigsievewright8003 3 дні тому +1

    Spot welds - another achelliez heel

  • @boabie1463
    @boabie1463 Рік тому +2

    80k on mine and not a crack or blemish to be seen in my z interior. Small owners i hear

    • @HighMileageReviews
      @HighMileageReviews  Рік тому +2

      Lucky! The hot and dry Arizona weather certainly hasn't helped mine.

    • @boabie1463
      @boabie1463 Рік тому

      @@HighMileageReviews I’m Scotland bro, 4 month of sun and a kick up the arse is what we get. This summer is rust proofing summer for my z cos of the salt etc

  • @kairikkola
    @kairikkola 3 місяці тому +1

    I have '96 Z3 with same specs and 196000 km on clock. Like new, no rust, no cracs. Garage car, northern European. Idiots owned your car.

    • @HighMileageReviews
      @HighMileageReviews  21 день тому

      The guy who owned the car before me actually took decent care of it. Arizona sun is not kind to plastic. 25 years of UV exposure took its toll. Not much you can do about that

  • @sterlingarcher813
    @sterlingarcher813 2 роки тому +3

    typical BMW driver. not a single blinker usage.

    • @HighMileageReviews
      @HighMileageReviews  2 роки тому

      Ahem... 0:47 (used in real world traffic, not needed on an empty canyon road)

    • @sterlingarcher813
      @sterlingarcher813 2 роки тому +1

      @@HighMileageReviews ok I missed that one lol. Hey one is better than most I've seen!
      Love the videos btw.

    • @HighMileageReviews
      @HighMileageReviews  2 роки тому +1

      @@sterlingarcher813 Thanks haha and I do my best to use signals as much as possible in the real world so as to avoid the stereotype, I promise!

    • @jimmyk6336
      @jimmyk6336 5 місяців тому

      BMW drivers need to throw everyone on the road a curve ball and use hand signals while changing lanes, turning or stopping...

  • @nick_be9159
    @nick_be9159 Рік тому +1

    I just bought a Z3 Schnitzer yesterday. I don't have all that cracking whatsoever...
    What a car!

    • @HighMileageReviews
      @HighMileageReviews  Рік тому

      Wow, what a rare beast! Which engine does yours have?

    • @nick_be9159
      @nick_be9159 Рік тому

      @@HighMileageReviews The engine got replaced with a 1.9l because it's very expensive to drive in Belgium and Holland. (the car came from Holland).
      But the 1.9 is a reliable engine so I'm happy with that. I only do like the small townroads so it's perfect for me.
      The car itself has 167.000km on it (103.000 miles).
      Going to upgrade the mechanical fan with a Mishimoto Electrical Race fan. upgrade most of the old parts so the car is perfect.
      put some nice wheels under it, lower it, redo the interior, All the leather in the doors...
      And in the summer it must be done so I can do some tuning meetings :)