1998 BMW Z3M Roadster

Highlights

• Drop-top fun just in time for summer

• Fantastic colour combination

• Launch-spec interior

• An unmodified example

• Will have a fresh MOT prior to sale

Overview

BMW’s M division has a long history of producing one-off or concept ‘skunkworks’ cars, but few make it to production, much to the dismay of enthusiasts. Thankfully, every once in a while one such project will get the green light, and we get to enjoy the lunacy of M division at its best.

The Z3M Roadster was one such project, boasting near-perfect weight distribution, a wide body and - most importantly - an M50 engine, taken straight from the E36 M3. Couple this with a short chassis, snappy 5-speed gearbox and an electronically limited 250km/h top speed, and the Z3M Roadster was an instant hit, with a total of 15,322 built between 1997 and 2002 (including the later S54-engined cars).

This particular example is an early S50-engined Roadster, finished in a striking - though much-loved - colour combination of silver bodywork over the launch-spec red/black leather interior. In the care of our vendor for the last 3 years and stored for the last year, this Z3M Roadster has enjoyed a gentle life as of late, covering only just shy of 3,000 miles since 2021. 

History and documentation

• Registered 17 Mar 1998

• Stamped service book with services as follows: 13 Mar 1998 (PDI), 24 Aug 1998 @ 2,473 miles, 27 Apr 1999 @ 4,284 miles, 25 Jan 2000 @ 4,852 miles, 18 Jul 2000 @ 15,122 miles, 13 Mar 2001 @ 25,229 miles, 04 Jul 2001 @ 31,293 miles, 13 Dec 2001 @ 38,610 miles, 10 Oct 2002 @ 46,137 miles, 14 Apr 2005 @ 66,796 miles, 28 Apr 2007 @ 68,380 miles, 05 Aug 2008 @ 75,517 miles, 03 Feb 2021 @ 87,729 miles, 26 Apr 2022 @ 88,037 miles, 25 Mar 2023 @ 88,725 miles (Vendor service), 26 Jun 2024 @ 89,226 miles (vendor service)

• Service booklet (duplicate) and handbook

• Collection of invoices and old MOT certificates

• Two keys

• First aid kit

• Toolkit

• V5 present in owner’s name

• In storage for the last year

• HPI clear

Interior

• Black and red leather interior in generally very good condition, showing only light wear consistent with the car’s age and mileage

• Light wear to high traffic areas such as the centre console switchgear, steering wheel and shifter

• Upgraded Alpine stereo

• Wind deflector present 

• The speaker grilles in the doors are worn

• Up above, the inner lining of the roof looks to be in good order throughout

• Slight wear visible to the outer drivers seat bolster

• Red footwell mats are tidy and contrast well with the black carpets

• Boot space is tidy and clean

• Under-floor toolkit is present and largely complete

• No reported electrical faults or issues

Exterior

• The paint and bodywork on this Z3M look to be in good order throughout, with the seller stating there are no dents or dings to note

• Slight corrosion visible on the side intake fins, along with light patination to the various badges on the body

• Stone chips and inconspicuous marks on the front end consistent with the car’s age and mileage

• Various small abrasions on the wheels, most notably on the nearside rear wheel

• Avon ZR-1 tyres on all four corners

• Small scuff on the lower offside sill aft of the front wheel

• Fantastic wide-body profile, particularly notable from the rear

• The folding fabric roof is said to be in full working order, though being particular we do note some creasing to the rear window

• Overall, a smart example of the millennium-era M Roadster

Mechanical

• 3.2-litre S50 straight-six engine, producing 321 bhp

• Five-speed manual gearbox

• Rear-wheel drive

• We’re told that the car has been stored for the past year, but still starts easily and runs well

• No reported modifications from factory spec

• The seller notes that an occasional heat shield rattle can be heard, but otherwise there are no known faults

Summary

The Z3M Roadster is a cult classic among millennium-era petrolheads, and with good reason - it has all the fun of the roof-down Z3, but with everything turned up to 11, thanks to the M3-sourced powertrain and lively chassis, making this Roadster a true driver's car.

Presented for sale in smart condition and benefitting from an attractive colour combination, this Z3M roadster offers a tantilising prospect for those looking for some top-down summer fun, with a raucous M engine under their right foot; what’s not to like?

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Leeds, Yorkshire.