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

[Fishy Dave]

I still love these and would have bought one had my Elise not taken an age to sell some years back. In the space of a summer the prices spiralled out of my price range, so I bought a Z4M instead (which was superb). I remember a memorable passenger ride up the Stelvio Pass in a silver Z3M Coupe, as part of the first Furball 5000 trip, I'd had one hours sleep and was shattered (left my suitcase in Bologna and had to drive back, long story), but this drive certainly woke me up.
Being picky, the advert cc says 3246, but this was for the later S54 model.

Edited by Fishy Dave on Thursday 3rd December 09:57

[dpop]

While I have always loved the look of these, my overriding memory of one will forever be on a holiday to Cape Town in 2002, where I drove past one pulled over on the side of the road near the Waterfront, hazard lights on and lots of smoke coming out of the exhausts. Certainly didn't feel like a 40k car that day....

[golds44]

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

[Lotusgone]

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.

[Filibuster]

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.

[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

[urquattroGus]

Bought my S50 about a year ago, and I love it.

Doing a lot of work to refresh the suspension etc at the moment.

Always wanted one but what I have found good is that it's raw and fun to drive whilst being somewhat civilised, comfortable and usable. Most parts are available and they are not over complicated to work on.

Those whom think it "has" to be an S54 should know what a peach the S50 is, and thank god we didn't get the us spec s52 instead.

Cable throttle, no driver aids apart from ABS and a peachy engine and gearbox, it's a joy to own

They don't have to cost 40k either.

[shalmaneser]

I think these are great.

I've also owned an S50B32 (E36 M3 Evo) and an S54B32 (E46 M3) and I maintain that that S50 is the sweeter engine with a better exhaust note and crisper throttle response - no doubt due to the cable throttle of the older engine.

Would love to have a steer in one of these one day!

[Water Fairy]

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.

[daveco]

shalmaneser said:

I think these are great.

I've also owned an S50B32 (E36 M3 Evo) and an S54B32 (E46 M3) and I maintain that that S50 is the sweeter engine with a better exhaust note and crisper throttle response - no doubt due to the cable throttle of the older engine.

Would love to have a steer in one of these one day!

+1 was the S50B32 under rated by any chance?

I always thought the E36 EVO felt quicker than the E46 M3!

[zorba_the_greek]

Test drove a few of these back in 2008 when looking for a fun B road blaster to also do the odd track day.

They were at circa 13k back then... great power delivery

Decided to play safe and bought a Honda DC 2 (totally different i know) which i still have to this day.

There prices of these Coupes have absolutely rocketed! Still love the look of them.

[urquattroGus]

I think the consensus is that the S54 more reliably makes its stated power and has a slightly better mid range.

In the Z3M they state 321 for the S50 and 325 for the S54 (VS 343 for the E46 M3).

In the Z3M the S54 has a lower rev limit and did not get the big end bearings recall the E46 M3 did as a result.

I think it's 7600 for the S54 Z3M and 8000rpm limiter for the E46 M3. Rated power at 7400 and 7900 respectively.

Anecdotally on the Dyno it seems a fit S50 makes about 300bhp and a fit S54 about 320-335 bhp.

The thing is, the M Coupe always troubled the E46 M3 as it's lighter at something like a kerb weight of 1420kg vs 1550kg.

Edited by urquattroGus on Thursday 3rd December 11:43

Edited by urquattroGus on Thursday 3rd December 11:43

[Quadcamboy]

The resale silver really helps show the curves of the arches off nicely, methinks.

Back in the day was parked at the Buxton end of the Long Hill road which I always rated better than the nearby Cat and Fiddle road and three development hacks with German plates went past. Big ups for some proper UK development I remember thinking

[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

[urquattroGus]

don logan said:

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

I think that's somewhat true in period, although with modern day tyres and the rear subframe etc located with stiffer bushing it's all quite controlable. The E30 Swingarm suspension at the rear is nowhere near as technically good as the E46 M3 multilink, but that's part of the appeal, makes it more raw and fun Afterall if it was good enough for the E30 M3 it can't be that terrible

[Carlton Banks]

I bought my Imola Red Z3M Coupe in 2006 after getting rid of an e46 m3.

I had the clown shoe for over 2 years and used it daily and took it on track, I absolutely adored the car but the temptation of a well price M3 CSL made me sell it.

Roll on 8 years and in 2016 the same imola car became available through a work colleague who owned it and a deal was done - the car required some work to get it up to my levels of OCD so it had a vanos rebuild, suspension and bush overhaul and a full repaint.

I can safely say that this car still delivers on the performance and enjoyment front and has so much 'soul' whatever that can be interpreted as. In my case, I always take it out for a special occasion or a sunday drive and it always gets some positive attention.

There is some debate about the merits of the S54 vs the S50 motor and also having an M3 CS tucked away, I can assure you that the performance levels are very similar albeit for a negligible difference in throttle feel between the throttle cabled S50 vs the fly-by-wire S54.

There have been mentions about build quality etc but I see these as quirks of the car and the build quality is no better or worse than my e46 CS.

Are these cars worth the £25K+ price tags? I would say yes due to the rarity and overall package.

Great cars.

[Dave Hedgehog]

don logan said:

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

yet another car i should have bought, i played safe and bought another ST205 as stock was due shortly and the BMW in the colour i wanted was build to order

its an absolute thug of a car, for people who like to live sideways and hate rear tyres

[urquattroGus]

Carlton Banks said:

I bought my Imola Red Z3M Coupe in 2006 after getting rid of an e46 m3.

I had the clown shoe for over 2 years and used it daily and took it on track, I absolutely adored the car but the temptation of a well price M3 CSL made me sell it.

Roll on 8 years and in 2016 the same imola car became available through a work colleague who owned it and a deal was done - the car required some work to get it up to my levels of OCD so it had a vanos rebuild, suspension and bush overhaul and a full repaint.

I can safely say that this car still delivers on the performance and enjoyment front and has so much 'soul' whatever that can be interpreted as. In my case, I always take it out for a special occasion or a sunday drive and it always gets some positive attention.

There is some debate about the merits of the S54 vs the S50 motor and also having an M3 CS tucked away, I can assure you that the performance levels are very similar albeit for a negligible difference in throttle feel between the throttle cabled S50 vs the fly-by-wire S54.

There have been mentions about build quality etc but I see these as quirks of the car and the build quality is no better or worse than my e46 CS.

Are these cars worth the £25K+ price tags? I would say yes due to the rarity and overall package.

Great cars.

That sums them up well! Mine is Estoril but sometimes wish it was an Imola or even perhaps the weird evergreen colour

The CSL is one of the few cars that I would trade the Z3M against, how do they compare? I'm put off by the SMG but otherwise in a different league?

[sidesauce]

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.