Thursday 3rd December 2020

BMW Z3 M Coupe | Spotted

Perhaps not the best M car ever, but the Z3 M has proved a shrewd investment...

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While its compact footprint might suggest otherwise, it was technically easy for BMW to shoehorn the 3.2-litre straight-six from the facelifted E36 M3 into the Z3 M. The two cars shared a platform after all. But the Z3 M three-door was lighter and nimbler than the M3, and was no less potent. It was a true pocket rocket yet it had a silky six-cylinder voice.

It was hard not to notice the Z3 M Coupe’s inherent agility because there were no nannying electronics in the way. We need not explain the potential for on-throttle ‘adjustability’ in a rear-driven, 2.4-metre wheelbase shooting brake. In the years since the 1997 launch, plenty cars have met their demise while travelling backwards, but plenty more have provided endless entertainment for dialled in custodians. With a 5.4-second 0-62mph time and 155mph top speed the coupe is still a quick car even by modern standards. 

The model’s slightly bulbous rear hasn’t always been to everyone’s taste, but, like Marmite, those who like the three-door love it. We’re firmly in that camp; the fact this car neither offers the practicality of a traditional hatchback nor the space of a proper estate is of no concern. The car you see hear highlights it: the Z3 M Coupe has a timeless silhouette that to some is BMW design at its best. It’s muscular, but not at all try hard.

Very obviously it's a model from the previous century, too, its four-metre length and 1.74-metre width giving it the dimensions of a modern supermini. The fitment of a five-speed manual gearbox and the aforementioned lack of stability systems affirm the old school approach – as does the way it goes about its business. Anyone familiar with BMW’s old S50 block will concur; this is a car that is at its best when worked hard, while being respected in less-than-ideal weather conditions.

This mix of yesteryear charm and late nineties usability means the Z3 M has long been destined for modern classic status. Now, with the final decade of new petrol and diesel car sales upon us, its status ought to be elevated further – along with the average asking price. Today’s Spotted is a brilliant example of the breed, with only 25,000 miles on the clock and an appropriately discreet specification, which contrasts Titan Silver paintwork with a red and black leather interior. It’s enjoyed a good life by the looks of things and is still in totally standard trim; even the factory-supplied first aid kit remains unopened.

The only query we have relates to the gap in this car’s service history as the paperwork takes a breather between 2004 and 2011, although it only covered a couple of thousand miles in the period. One to check for sure, but the car certainly looks the part. And while £40k is certainly not cheap, there's arguably investment potential in the increasingly rare Z3 M Coupe. 

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SPECIFICATION - BMW Z3 M COUPE
Engine: 3,246cc, inline-six
Transmission: 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 325@7,400rpm
Torque (lb ft): 258@4,900rpm
MPG: 25
CO2: 268g/km
First registered: 1999
Recorded mileage: 25,000 miles
Price new: £40,595
Price now: £39,995

Click here for the original ad

[don logan]

The later S54 cars had swichable traction control

Standard cars aren’t great / focussed drivers cars at all, BUT they are great to drive below 6/10ths

Build quality isn’t quite full BMW either

And I think they look fantastic and felt a lot faster than the figures quoted, I think Autocar’s 0-60 was in the 4s

[don logan]

Filibuster said:

Lotusgone said:

golds44 said:

I've always loved these in a weird way. The stance is great and tho the styling is awkward they have a strange appeal. Underated at the time perhaps. Always thought they would hold/increase in value due the above

What he said. Turned a (cliche alert) hairdesser's car into a bonkers breadvan, the price of which was always a bit more than I wanted to spend.

My sentiments exactly.

In 2004 I bought a low mile 2002 car from a main dealer for £32k

I would like another but in my mind / heart I wouldn’t want to pay more than £25k maximum, so I won’t be having another one unless it’s done PLENTY of miles and like I said, build quality isn’t full BMW

[don logan]

Water Fairy said:

Remember years ago seeing one of these parked up in a lay-by on the A14/M1 interchange with all its corners knocked off. Driver sat in car looking less than happy. Reckon he had come off the roundabout with a foot full and got it wrong.

Sideways in a Z3MC is TOTALLY different to an E46 M3, the transition back to traction / grip isn’t the same at all, the M3 is so much smoother

[don logan]

sidesauce said:

I don't care if anyone disagrees with me but that is one hideously ugly car. It just looks awkward and all kinds of wrong proportionally.

I actually laughed when I read that you don’t care! :-) why should you? We are a load of strangers! :-)

My Dad used to call mine the shovel!

I don’t know if I ever thought it was good looking but I loved the way it looked

[don logan]

s m said:

Tiff Needell certainly liked them

https://youtu.be/dqBG4ZQpD_8

TG Best Drivers Car 2000


Mark Higgins and him also picked the soft top as Best Handling Car

https://youtu.be/6q5SVHpN_CU

Interesting choice when you see the other cars in the comparison like Evo, Ferrari etc

Best “fun” I can understand, better “handling” than an EVO is laughable for the Coupe, let alone the Roadster.

[don logan]

Carlton Banks said:

Here is mine




I have performed a few modifications including recaro spg’s

Fantastic

I’m never drawn to red cars but this is REALLY nice, great move with the seats too, my seat used to rock just enough to drive me mad, could never seem to be tightened up.

[don logan]

I’ve got the horn for another one, it’s crept up on me, I think this has made me remember them / mine more vividly

I only have one short video clip of it, no actual proper pics of it, I hate that I’ve had gaps with no camera in the past and it was before I had / used my phone camera all the time

Edited by don logan on Friday 4th December 23:23

[don logan]

athol said:

I’ve had 2 of these - an Estoril blue one and a silver one.

I loved them both. Quirky, challenging to keep fast pace, annoying to look after.

Loved them.

However, i then bought a z4mc and it pissed all over the z3m. So, so, so much better in so many ways. And cheaper today at 20-25k for good ones. I then owned an M3 CSL. I’d have a sorted z4mc first, with some CSL wheels and a couple of choice mods. It’s the best of the bunch for me.

Z4MC with CSL wheels does look fantastic!

I had Z3MC, E46 M3 then CSL, I loved the Z3MC but when I changed for the M3 I didn’t regret it at all at the time, I loved aspects of the CSL but the gearbox upset me beyond belief

The £5k manual conversion for the CSL sounds like a bargain but the car is too expensive now, in 2007 I paid £32k for an 11k mile car, I would have kept it if I could have converted to manual, I spoke to Thorney at the time and I remember them saying it would be cheaper to make a regular M3 into a CSL than to swap the gearbox due to electronic issues, guess people have overcome all of that now.

[don logan]

Ziggycol said:

Loved my S54 for the several years I had it and regret selling. Reliable as anything, relatively cheap to run and always a joy to drive. Hardly ever saw another on the road so it always turned heads and attracted interest.

My S54 was black / black / red, I’d rather a silver / black one if I ever had another, the Laguna looks mental but that’s for someone else, I liked the dark green and there was at least one graphite metaliic, I saw a white one on on the internet years ago too that did look good

I actually prefered the regular plain silver wheels of the S50s