BMW Z3 M Coupe Review - Worth The Weird?

BMW are generally a company that likes to play it safe, but their history is littered with examples of them going a little bit off-piste. The 1990s was a golden time for this, and one of the madder creations they came out with was this - the Z3 M Coupe. Designed in-house as a project aimed to "fix" the Z3's less than brilliant handling, BMW created a legend - albeit one that never sold well.

Now, with prices climbing - are they that good, or are they just plain strange?

Looking for a new car or commercial vehicle?

Follow us on Social Media:

LOVE MY CRAZY SHIRTS?

Need oil for your car?

Enter "jayemm10" in your basket at Opie Oils for 10% off your next oil order!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[MrRoyck]

This from an era when BMW built M cars as the ultimate driving machine, today BMW builds the ultimate digital synthetic machine with fake sounds and pop/ bang back box. BMW you have truly lost your soul along with other German car makers!

[samcourt]

I like these. It’s a cool car and it shows how far BMW styling has fallen.

That noise is fabulous.

[DjDolHaus]

I've always loved the Z3 M Coupe, looks so much different to every other performance car of the time

[artysanmobile]

This is, by far, my favorite BMW of all time. Gorgeous, fast, practical, rare.

[spainter]

My neighbour had one of these when they were released in black, always thought it was an interesting car - quite quirky but very purposeful. Prefer the 'breadvan' look to the convertible.

[mattevans]

Oh how the mighty BMW have


Make cars like this again, BMW.

[paulconway]

I have always loved these cars and also have a thing about yellow cars so when my wife bought me one of these in yellow for my 50th you can only imagine how happy i was ...these cars are pure drivers cars ..i tookit to a track day ay oulton park and had a 30min lesson., the instructor said he'd seen it in the pits and was praying he would get a chance to sit in it ..by the end of the session nothing was even close to (yes the brakes are a weak spot)...that was 5 years ago and i still love it ..long live the Munich bread van

[Altjoni]

This is the prettiest two seater ever, IMO at least. I don't like 2seaters at all due to their limited boot space but this one... Gosh I love this one since the first time I randomly saw it on the street as a young boy and had to literally rub my eyes in disbelief 😳😍

[ravennexusmh]

That old school rear end squat is due to the z3 sharing the rear suspension with the old e30, it's a real mix up if BMW parts.

[MrJonnycm]

Love how you appear to be getting tailgated by some 116D

[wrayjordan]

Great to hear you enjoyed it. I love my 2000 M Coupe. Little less HP but don’t think it’s lacking power. Still pulls like crazy. Thanks for your review.

[Soze]

Oh did I worship this thing when it was introduced. Used to go down to the dealership after-hours and stare through the glass in wonder. People would say it was ugly and that would make me want it more. M2 Comp is now the only BMW I still have a flame for

[aarvin]

The car has character, the exterior doesn't look boring at all! <3

[CryoCoffinVampire]

My father and I have the 2002, bright yellow, non m version of this car. As always with a 20 year old BMW we have some wear and tear issues with the clutch, the seats got a bit loose (it turned it it was really easy to fix), and we need to fix the right window which does not roll up all the way. Do I still love the car? ABSOLUTELY!!! It has a great personality, a magnificently strange exterior, and it is a wonderful drive.

[Chief]

I used to see one of these most mornings on the way to work, it had CSL wheels on it & it looked beautiful. This is a nice looking car, especially the back end which looks beasty.

[Billy_Street]

Great now I want one again... awesome cars. E36 platform was one of the best bmw chassis mast produced for sheer driving hooning. I’m going out for a drive now in mine because of this video!

[morgman]

One of these, in blue, has been in my dream garage since the late 90s. Fabulous thing.

[jeffreysalzman]

I sat in one of these at a car show as a kid and I've always thought the design was weird and wonderful. Later I bought a Z4M coupe, but the Zed 3 started it all for me.

[BenFenner]

As an M Coupe owner who's spent a lot of time in an S2000, I think you've got the comparison spot on.
Only coming from an S2000 could you think the S54 engine is torque-y, the BMW transmission action could use improvement, and find the steering response and initial turn-in lacking.

Compare it to pretty much anything else and it's the opposite on all accounts. :-)

Great video!

[kleinbottled]

Used to drive past one of these regularly in a local posh neighborhood circa 2008-9. I agree that it is a striking car in person. There is something oddly charismatic about it. I always got a good eyeful as I drove past. Future classic for sure.