1999 BMW Z3 M Roadster - POV Ownership Review

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[bradkramer]

I miss this era of BMW, which is when I was in high school. I had a friend with one of these and it may be one of the best cars they've made for pure driving enjoyment. Nearly everything they were making in the late 90s was a home run. 25 years later, I don't have that excitement at a BMW showroom.

[frankvee]

I have the same car. Mine is a 1998 M Roadster in black. It has been a phenomenal car. I’ve owned it almost 25 years and it has been super reliable. Common issues are the glove box, take it apart and remove the 5 pound weight in the glove box door, it’s easy to do. The seat bushings are also easy but a bit more involved than the glove box, if you get the polyurethane bushings they will permanently resolve the issue. The top tear will mean a new convertible top, unfortunately. Don’t put the top down in temperatures below 50 degrees or you can risk cracking the window. The Achilles heel of the M Roadster is it’s cooling system. Keep an eye on it and you should be fine. If you keep yours long term consider replacing the radiator with an all aluminum, a Stewart water pump, and an electric fan. Coil overs will take the M Roadster to a whole new level. I have TCKline dual adjustable coils on mine and the performance improvement is mind blowing. I also have 265/18 rears, up from 245 and 225/18 up front. I still love my M Roadster after all these years. Best car I’ve ever owned. It’s a true joy to drive.

[natebarry]

The older I get the more i hate modern cars

[TonyKimtheamusementparkfan]

You can't go wrong with a BMW inline 6-cylinder engine~~ What an amazing sound this car has

[Xartes]

13:53 - "Sometimes life is all about being optimistic".
I like this attitude toward life. Sometimes sh*t happens, and you can't do anything about it.
I really like your videos, and I'm waiting for the next one with the Volvo 850 R.

[alexandram]

I had an S52 2000 M Roadster I bought in 2002 with 10K miles, I regretfully sold it 2 years ago with only 46K miles - almost couldn't bare to watch this video!! I did end up getting a 2022 BRZ which I like more in some ways but that car was such a little beast!! I miss it!!

[aroundomaha]

These are intersting cars but I stayed away due to not wanting to chase gremlins. I have autocrossed in a six cylinder BMW of this era and did fall in love with that engine. So smooth. Thanks for sharing this!

[sebfriday]

I got my 1997‘ Z3 Roadster for almost 3 years now. Man I love this car so much.

[theodor]

This and the Z4M Roadsters are around the top of my dream car list. I currently have a Z4 2.5i manual and I love it!

[ZondaF]

The S52 M Roadster/Coupe is one of the all time great sports cars. Anyone who loves these should try early Gen 1/2 Vipers. Vipers are an M Roadster with the engine we always wanted it to have. Early Vipers are still tops on my list for a pure driver's car. They love to slide around and have fun yet the chassis is pure race car. Love the vids

[motaz]

i had a 2000 m roadster. loved the car. never felt i was missing anything without the s54 engine. my only gripe or wish for the car is i always thought it needed a 6 speed.

[VirtualGuth]

Just as with sports cars in general, fewer and fewer drivers are into roadsters these days. (One big reason behind the success behind SUV's and pickups is how safe people feel siting up high with a lot of steel around them). Of course roadsters have always been more of a niche vehicle. But for those of us who aren't daunted by them, driving doesn't get any better than when behind the wheel of a capable roadster with the top down.

[gettcouped]

Once you get the mechanical stuff sorted. Definitely get a paint correction and a headlight restoration. This car definitely looks like it can pop once you put a little TLC! Congrats on the car. I hope it can get decently reliable for you!

[heissiseissen]

I have a 2000 MR that I bought 12 years ago for $4500, 77k. Silver / black (converted interior to Estoril blue / black). It needed a top, seats were ruined from leaking top. Owner thought the clutch was going out, needed SS hydraulic line. It now has 185k, drives better than the day it was born. Still has original clutch, feels like new (I know how to drive). B8's and polyurethane bushings.
Some comments in your video:
Shifter - needs bushings, trans probably will need detent springs and pins. I have always used Red-Line in my transmission, have not experienced the detent pin issues.
Seat bushings - Driver seat was loose when I bought the car. I used valve cover seals, probably from an M50. 108k miles later they are just starting to get a little loose.
My S52 has software from an eastern European tuner that was supposed to deliver an additional 36hp. Also has cold air intake and Megan Racing exhaust, very sweet tunes. Definite boost in power, soon almost ripped the differential subframe out of the car. Big job.
I've restored and owned many high performance cars in my life (67 E Type, Fiat Dinos, 64 Corvette cpe, Lancia Scorpion, at least 30 Alfa Romeos, 88 M3. The M Roadster is my favorite.

[e_lad_ireland]

Love
Love
Love
It!

I speak as an owner of a Z3 3.0 that was rolled out of an assembly line on 18 June 2002! ❤

[CuriousGeorge]

"They always punch you when you're down." 😆

Thanks for the ride along, ST, it was fun.

Enjoyed being able to hear the surroundings with the top down and earmuffs on. All the best. 👍🤙

[gothops]

Get an alignment and get that steering wheel centered. My OCD is off the charts with this one 😂

P.S. always check your steering wheel is set straight after getting an alignment bc those techs don’t always do a good job 😡

[realitycheck_]

3.2L Inline 6?! love this sound!
I'm dreaming to have late 90s era M car. Such a joy to drive

[jeffbizzle]

I got a 98 Estoril S52 M Roadster as a daily, best car I have ever owned. Picked it up with 43k miles now has a healthy 56k miles

[GreekCarFreak]

Back when BMWs were actually good. My dad's '84 E30 went to almost 400K miles and his '91 E34 to like 250K (both manuals). Good luck trying that on these newer BMW nightmares.