Should you buy a BMW Z3? (Test Drive & Review)
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- Опубліковано 6 вер 2024
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Today, I'm in Bermuda with this BMW Z3 that I've shipped from the UK, and today I'm going to try and answer the question 'Should you buy it?' … Let's see what it's like...
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It’s a hard life for Matt. Having to travel to Bermuda to review a Z3. Next he’s off to Bora Bora to review the fiat punto 😂
Haha I took one for the team with this, you’re welcome
No it's Italy 😂
Shouldn't Matt go to Bora Bora, to review a VW Bora?
@@londospark7813you are just being ludicrous now 😂
The bloke living in the flat upstairs to me went to Bermuda for business. He was supposed have been there for six months and hated it so much he resigned and came back within three weeks! I don't think it's all beautiful ladies in grass skirts and coconuts. It's a tax and insurance haven.
What's special about its appearance in Goldeneye is that the car wasn't released yet, it was introduced through the movie. Best advertising ever
My first car was a Bond car. Well, it was a Ford Ka, but it was in a Bond movie so I'm counting it.
Haha valid point
So was the 2CV and the Mondeo. Not all Astons in 007 films 😂
Would rather have a Alfa Romeo brera ❤
What's a ka? So technically a crummy hornet is a bond car too.
I had a 1999 'Orinoco' edition Z3 2.8. Bought it privately down in Essx. It was one of only a handful of cars sold in the UK with the 2.8 engine and had originally been the personally owned car of a BMW Dealer Principle when new for 2 years.. It had the early widebody bodyshell but with the later twin vanos 2.8 engine. Every conceivable extra was factory fit including Z3 m style rear lights and clear side repeaters, chromeline body trim a/c and biscuit nappa leather interior piped dark green like a classic British sports car.. The paint colour had previously been used on a limited edition E34 M5. Since I sold the car around 2010 I see it has only covered around 2,000 miles and is ultra low miles at around 41,000. It will soon be an appreciating classic I'm sure. I only sold it because I needed a bigger car to transport grandchildren in the summer (it was a toy car). It was brutally quick but used the old E30 abs system which was rubbish. If you pulled away hard on a dry ride you could put it sideways. Not in the least bit forgiving on a damp road. It looked so good with the fat arse bodyshell and was a hoot to drive.
I really like this car. I once drove one back in the days with the 3.0 engine. It handled beautifully and the sound was addictive. I’d buy one in a heart beat
Not many left in the UK now and tipped to go up dramatically in value
Main reason i bought a 2.8 back in feb this year
My 88yr old uncle has just stopped driving and has gifted me his second car - exact same model/colour as Matts (picking it up from Essex next month).
The car hasn't been driven since before Covid, so getting it serviced at a BMW specialist before driving it back up to Cheshire - the car has been garaged and covered for its 27yrs and just needs a good detailing - looks nearly new as it is....and has covered less than 13,000 miles (it also comes with a colour matching hardtop).
Looking forward to enjoying driving and owning it.....I'm having to insure for my daughter (and granddaughter) to enjoy before Labour take the fun out of it!!!
"Well, .... we're here ... and I can already see ... that Bermuda looks better than Romiley."
I thought this was filmed in Skegness, at first
That's when he has a modded Corsa
I just recently picked up a 1996 1.9L Z3 with 51k miles here in the US. It is silver with the red leather interior 5 speed manual and I love it. No major issues, paint and interior look amazing, the original stereo with cassette and cassette organizer in the console as well as the 6 disc CD changer in the back. But it does have the sagging glove box and the bad seat bushings as well as a missing front BMW emblem all of which I have parts ordered to repair and replace. I bought it for a steal, $6,500. I still can't believe I finally have this car. Still looking for a compatible cigarette lighter. I ordered a "compatible" cigarette lighter but it is too small.
Definitely, especially the 2.8 wide body.
" I love the steering. You can feel everything " that's because it's hydraulic, not a tedious electric power steering system, now fitted to every car.
Today we only talk about steering weight. Weight and feel aren't the same.
I currently own a 3.0 manual and it's one of the best cars I had, super fun to Hussle very reliable and gorgeous to look at.
I’ve got a 3.0 too and they are great cars with the M54 engine.
I allways wanted one of those Z3s , cracking looking car .
Becoming a classic .
“With an opening of just 56cm, Bermudas Somerset Bridge is large enough to accommodate the mast of a sailboat. Yet the bridge which links the southern tip of Somerset Island to sandy’s parish on the south western shore of the mainland once saved Bermudas residents up to 3 hours in travel time..another one of those same time tomorrow..
Hahaha
We used to sell a lot of the Z3's to people that kept them at their beach front homes. The only issues I remember was on the 4 cylinder models there was a head gasket issue (profile gasket) that caused a coolant leak w/overheating. Also the seats were notorious for sliding back and forth a little as the bushings in the rails wore. The convertible top motor going out was common although most just disengaged the motor and used it as a fully manual top since it's semi-manual already. The 4 cylinder 5-speed combo could be a little peppy but wasn't the same performance as the E30 it came out of, that car was a ball to drive.
7:32 that water 😍
Clearer than the swimming pool!
Great stuff Matt, car looking right at home out there. I have a 1999 2.8 Z3 with all options fitted including the better sports seats (heated and electrically adjusted) it has really impressed me for raw speed and handling and ride - even though it is running on 18 inch wheels. Fully recommend them and agree with your assessment - if u want one get a 6 cylinder - 2.8 or 3.0 - superb
It definitely deserves to be in Bermuda.
Delighted to see you made it over to Bermuda. In the mid 1990s, I was an SLK fan, not least given the weather here and that folding roof. Also it had a decent auto box. That BMW really is a minter, though. Thanks for the review.
A nostalgic point is the coin holder in the door for toll boths
I still keep 45 cents in there as a reminder of the ol days
Stockport never looked better. Knew we were by the sea and the sun finally came out. With the roof down Mat this reminds me of the Bond Z3 scene
Ive had a 2.2 Z3 since new in 2001 - never been out in the wet and like the day I picked it up from the showroom. Fantastic car and sublime to drive.
Bought one as soon as I passed my driving test. Of the 4 cars I've owned in the 3 years since, it was definitely the most fun. Very communicative chassis.
I've hankered for one for years. But like a lot of hankered after cars, well I have too many!! Great shots from Bermuda Matthew, well worth the watch!!
Thanks 👍
I loved the Z3 when Goldeneye came out. I was 10 years old and told myself I would get one someday. I’m 37 now and I own two! A 97 2.8 roadster and a 99 Z3 Coupe 2.8. They have both been great cars.
Good excuse to get a Bermudan hol!
The MPG on the big engined ones is a bit painful innit.
And if you want 2-seat open-top sports car fun, wouldn't a nice MX5 be better? I bet it would handle better (lightweight and 50/50 weight distribution with fully adjustable multi-link high quality suspension). Water tight soft top, much better MPG, much cheaper to run, and 100% Mazda reliability.
Just slower🤣🤣🤣
@@PB200559 Not so. 185bhp is more than enough for such a light car. You need to drive one.
It's no dragster, but in the twisties or a B road or A road , it'll beat anything this side of an Elise.
And with the everyday practicality the Elise totally lacks.
It does so at a fraction of the buying and running costs, of the Lotus, and with total lifetime reliability.
And it will live outside for years without the hood leaking. As mine all have.
This BM is a non starter, really. Get an Elise for ultimate handling if you can live with its extreme characteristics, or an MX5 for most of the Elise fun but with total everyday practicality.
I thought I was going to get a Miata for a while. There are a few issues though, first was size. The Z3 just has a bit more room in the drivers seat, and at 6'3" that was a big deal in my case. Secondly, the Z3 is much more unique. I see probably 3 Miatas a day - nobody cares when they see a Miata. With the Z3 complete strangers will go out of their way to let me know how much they love it. I've had wonderful encounters with everyone from teenagers to octogenarians; men and women; bicyclists and fellow motorists. The Z3 is considered a Miata in a Tuxedo for a reason, it's classier. One is driven by James Bond the other is driven by, like, Paul Blart - or some other random guy no one really notices.
Great video Matt. Prefer the Z4 personally. I bought mine from new, ordering from Halliwell Jones in Wilmslow. They said you can track it from Greer, South Carolina (where it was made and being shipped from). Annoyed the hell out of me when it took 2 months to arrive and was shipped to Germany first to be “prepped”! 🤬🤬🤬🤬
@@watchthis7620 Z4 looks miles better, and drives much better! No comparison
Driven both and basically Z3 was ancient when it came out...what they could cobble together from the parts bin. BMW threw a lot at Z4 and largely it shows
6:40 - Actually the Z3 comes in 2.3 and 2.5 liter, so it is legal in bermuda if you get that model :D
I always preferred the Z8 and Z4 over Z3 but it has aged pretty well I admit. Probably better than the others.
Always liked the Z3, the 6 cylinder cars are the ones to go for.
Bermudan looks fantastic
Great follow up vlog watched the first one and nice to see it in its new home. A great looking car 🚘👍
Thanks 👍
I can’t agree with your view about the Z3’s styling. The front and rear ends look like they were designed by completely different teams before being mashed together to form an incoherent mess. I’d nominate that the S2000 won the styling honours in the 90s. In 2024, the Porsche Boxster of that period looks most resolved with classic styling elements from the 550 and 718RSK.
Think the Z4 looks 10 x better tbh
Wouldn't a Mazda MX-5 make a sensible alternative? Nice new one.
I'd love to see more videos abroad, Matt! Really enjoyed this little Z3 series 🔥
Just a thankyou for being you.. a great sunshine video, crystal dreamy scenery and 007 flashbacks. keeping your promise too.. what’s not to like.. My wife and I are Brit’s living in Italy (property developers from a very early age, currently restoring an ancient farm and farmhouse) and have followed since your early YT days. We feel we’re ‘old souls’ and from a car choice perspective at least feel you are too, just confirmed by your own love of stuff we love and observe.. but we’re a bit older older but no Worthers originals wrappers in the ‘glove’ box just yet 😂
Genuinely we promise.. your so good at this and get better and better.. a big thanks and love from afar ❤️♥️🇮🇹🇬🇧
Thank you
I had one in (James Bond) blue, and absolutely adored it - I've got some really great memories with that car!🙂
A friend had a Z3 and I was surprised how roomy it felt inside. I genuinely think the Z3 feels more spacious (At least from the passenger seat) than the Z4, which is something I did not expect. I do think Matt is spot on; for a while in the mid-00s to mid-10's these were just old-looking cars but as cars have become more angular and ugly, and gotten ridiculously large and heavy, the Z3 has aged beautifully.
Silver is not generally a colour that excites me, but that Z3 with the red leather is an absolute stunner, it definitely looks like it belongs in Bermuda.
I absolutely love my '96 1.9, such a joy to ride. Looks good, drives good and it's not too fast so you can bash it at high revs without that many occasions for a speeding ticket. Quite cheap to run as well
2:35 all the competitors look far better. The Z3 has a face made for radio.
I thought it looked bad then and it looks bad now.
However, when driving it, you don't have to look at it but you won't look cool unless it has air-con.
I agree that these have aged really well, even the interior. With a 6 cyliner engine it's probably a nice 'experience' to have as a weekend car.
Loving the shots of Bermuda. The Z3 ain’t half bad too.
*Bermuda ! Driving on the island is on the left, British-style, and the maximum speed limit is 15 mph in Hamilton and 21 mph on the rest of the Island. Under Bermudian law, non-residents are not allowed to own, rent, or drive four-wheeled vehicles. !*
What a Waste !
*Be like that in the UK soon with Stirpot with Cameras Everywhere and Pay per Mile !*
Been watching your channel for about to years and moved to the UK 3 years ago from Bermuda. When the video started, I was so confused lol. "Hey that looks like dockyard." Then kept watching and realised you were in Bermuda.
Haha no way! Why did you leave??
Was born and raised there, lived there for 35 years, and am starting to ask myself that same question now, lol 😅.
@@Tommy-ee4zw I was born and raised there too and I’ve just turned 35. Where did you go to school?
GET THEM NOW. I bought 4 of them and they sell like hotcakes. I love driving them
Hope your mate/customer bought you a nice meal out and a strawberry daquiri to say thanks for such a nice Z3, and remind you of Wimbledon in the rain Matt!!Cheers Peter.
Matt great content as per. I've been waiting ages for this part 2.. awesome cars i do miss mine. Bermuda looks incredible
The Z3 Looks fabulous in that setting. Great production.
That's another one added to my car journey - next swap? Currently on a Mk5 GTi and loving it.
Much prefer the latest Z4 model and if it wasn't for it's width not fitting in the garage ,I would have bought one.
Z3 far more aesthetically pleasing than the Z4. A future classic roadster, the slot the MGB once occupied. Once drove a mates new Y reg 3.0 automatic from Lancaster onto the M6. To this day an exhilarating experience.
I have always loved a Z3 M Coupe in blue with a red leather interior.
Nice clear video Matt and don’t just mean the water. Z’s suffer from inner sill corrosion but they are very easy to work on with removable body panels. True ‘modern’ classic. We took our 1.9 on French Tour from UK and ended up at Venice! Same spec as 007’s it’s a defo keeper. I have original dealership sales pack which is hilariously Bond themed ‘targeting’ intended customer base. I’ll put something up soon.
Wow what a stunner that car is! Bermuda isn't that shabby either 😎 great review 👍
Good day;
The only thing "Hot" of the movie Golen Eye, was the Tina Turner, song.
I'm a hugh, Sean Connery fan.
All the very best
Shaun🦉 of NYC🗽☕
Mat is living the life!!!
So glad the “should you buy reviews” are back. Great stuff
Glad you like them!
us market has a straight 6 2.5L .. last auto trans was a 5 speed steptronic ..hardly clunky
Had one when they first came out and loved it, bought myself an early 2.8 18 months ago (the one I couldn’t afford at the time!) absolutely fully loaded with every option, rust sorted and resprayed - £2000. Probably worth closer to £1500 now, if I’m lucky. They made a lot of them so still plenty around, but prices are insanely cheap. Yes you can see them advertised at more, but they aren’t selling unless they are absolutely mint, and most aren’t. Great fun to pootle around in top down, or to drive fast - no, not the best handling car in the world, but that’s part of the fun - a car that sticks to the road like glue is boring. The 2.8 makes for a very loose rear end! £120 for the insurance, bargain!
I had one enjoyed it 3.0 6, it didn't like corner's or going over 3 figures in Germany of course
Had one in 1998. Great little car but, my Miata was better in every measurable way.
Nope. I had both cars as well and the Miata felt like a cheap can of tuna compared the the Z3. The Z3 has more power, more torque, higher quality body panels and paint, better insulation and a better interior. No comparison.
@@bigmacdaddy1234 Not sure what planet you live on but I do wish you the best. 🤡
I’ve owned two Miata’s and a z3. Just different cars but the z3 is more solid. Miata is more flying in the corner.
I liked the beautiful BMW engine and the tiny kidney grille, reminiscent of late pre war BMW's
Wow Matt, you were a lucky guy growing up in such a beautiful place, I have to say though the Z4 was a massive improvement on the Z3 especially the way they drove and dare I say and how they looked.
Great review Matt, I was recently looking for a 6 cylinder, Manual 2 seater, I wrote off the Nissan 350Z because the V6 engine has it's problems and the fuel consumption is dire as well as Nissan rust issue's, I looked at Z3's but you tend to sit on top of it instead of in it and i do not like it's rear end styling, I settled on a 2006 Z4 E86 3.0si manual coupe, What a car! It looks great from any angle IMO and the 265 BHP, N/A N52 3.0 mated to the ZF 6 speed is just perfect and sounds epic when you wind it up to it's 7K redline! You climb into it and sit so low, It feels like a proper drivers car 👍
I got mine for £1800 just over a year ago, would highly recommend
I have a 1.9, it recreates my fun from 40 years ago in my midget😊
Looks very similar to Stockport 😂 taking one for the team there Matt
Stunning Car - Stunning Location. Great video .
Bermuda's nice but its no Stockport carpark with a WonderGrip van.
😂😂😂
Good review Matt and what a stunning location. I remember when these came out that they had an unusually glossy paint finish as did the new Daewoos which came out at the same time. Different brands and customers but it was noticable.
Matts got the best job ever but for the video should have a pair of colourful Bermuda shorts. 😊
She's looking good in the sun Matt!
I miss mine but was a poor example and was a bottomless pit always something going wrong was very damp too the roofs aren’t the best and the boots can fill with water also if you go for a big engine model check the boot floor the welds can break as engine too powerful for the bodywork really
Z3 styling was influenced by the 507, I believe... a retro masterpiece
These have definitely aged well, like you say. Also, I'd love to see more videos from Bermuda!
A VW Scirocco mk2 is the car Ive been wishing for years that you'd do a review on!
Great second car (I have a 2.2 after owning 2 x 2.8s and a 3.2 M coupe). But I am missing the Wonder Grip van.
How does the 2.2 handle compared to your 2.8’s ?
@@reduitman It feels a little lighter on its feet. Not hugely but enough to notice. Also revs a lot higher and has [surprisingly] a much nicer, burbling OEM exhaust note on the overrun.
@@dwn2634 Thanks. I was supposed to see a 2002 2.2 sports auto today. How do you find the acceleration ?
@@reduitman great from a standing starts. Not as instant in the middle gears as the 2.8 or higher, but if you use the gears it’s definitely sufficient for most scenarios. I’ve been really surprised by it. Feels like the right size engine and power for the roadster chassis. For me it feels closest to an old school roadster that you can rag around enough and not lose your license. Don’t know how the auto would hold up, but def worth trying.
@@dwn2634 Thanks. I will try the 2.2 auto.
Love the video car looks amazing in the sunshine and must of used a drone for some of that .
Bermuda and a Bmw Z3
What's not to like here ....
Pretty Z3....check
Stylish car dealer and enthusiastic car nerd ..... check
Beautiful Bermuda where Mark Twain said he'd rather be than Heaven .... check
Stunning video & loved the draw bridge quote next to my partners home on Bethell's Island for 18 years ❤
That car will ooze pose ability outside the Hamilton Princess 👍👌😁
Just bought one on a whim a few weeks ago, love it.
I took the the plunge in January. Absolutely love it👍
Suits you Sir!
Great review.
Yes, I should buy a BMW Z3. When I move to Bermuda.
I've been waiting for this, any excuse for a holiday on the company 😂
Am now going to look at holidays to Bermuda ! Normally end up on autotrader after your videos but not this time !
Can’t watch the latest video Audi Q7 says it’s Private 🤔
Is a great looking car was looking at it on front street Sunday at the show which was a lovely day
I’ve got a Z3 & love it!!
As a bmw z3 owner, buy it.
Can you make a video of a Vauxhall Astra 2021 griffin edition
but WWWHHHHYYYYY did you ship it to Bermuda?
Only just come this channel. Excellent 👍 videos. Thank you 🏁🏁🏁
Glad you like them!
Hey Matt, looking sharp right there - almost like Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up vibes - love it! 😀
no offence to the car, but I was much more interested in the the beautiful Bermuda surroundings. A video showing us some of the local sights and maybe food/drink would be nice.
5'11"?
In which case you probably look bigger in real life than on my phone screen. 😅
Great Video, content, and review. Lovely country.
The colour of an ocean ❤
My brother bought one new in 99 never used it put it in a lockup garage . Then sold it years later.
That water.. ❤
Your one does have a weapon behind the wheel though!
Haha only kidding, couldn't resist. It was an open goal! Great video as always!
Quite a pretty little car and much better looking than the Z4. Rare sight these days, I would still take a Boxster but would the BMW be cheaper to run?