BMW Z3M Roadster

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In 1998 BMW’s M-Division boffins decided to drop the magnificent M54 321bhp 3.2-litre straight-six engine from the E36 M3 Evo into the lightweight Z3, topped off with beefier suspension, staggered fitment alloys, quad exhausts and aggressive styling.

Interior upgrades included additional gauges in the centre console, illuminated ‘M’ gear knob, chrome bits throughout the cockpit, an electric roof and heated, electric leather sport seats and useful windbreak. The result was a serious hooligan car that could scorch to 60mph in 5.2 seconds on its way to a top speed limited to 155mph.

Supplied new through Ingolstadter Autohaus BMW of Germany in June 1997, this early LHD Z3M Roadster is finished in Cosmos Black metallic with Imola red and black electric heated leather seats, Imola red centre console and door cards with a manual roof. The original buyer was a savvy individual buying in Germany to save a chunk of money compared to the UK list price who promptly hot-footed it back to Blighty, no doubt enjoying an epic road trip along de-restricted autobahns on the way!

Registered here on 2nd July 1997, it was initially maintained by Sytner of Leicester with the service booklet showing they carried out the running in service at 2,458 miles in August ‘97, oil service at 6,130 miles in July 1999 and then an inspection 1 service in June 2001 at 13,314 miles.

This fine car shows just 29,940 miles and has had only three keepers, the first until December 2001, the second exactly a year and then our vendor from December 2002 at which time the car had covered some 21,200 miles. Due to work commitments abroad, the car has been unused and in storage since 2007 although it has been kept on a trickle charger and started every so often.

Documentation includes a V5C, owners pack and service booklet, original German ‘Fahrzeugbrief’ document, purchase invoice for £15,500 in December 2001, four old MOTs and sundry invoices. Due to have a new MOT and a service in time for the sale, this is a rare opportunity to acquire a low mileage, low owner Z3M in super condition throughout that’s spent much of its life tucked up in a dry garage protected from the pot-holed farm tracks that masquerade as our road system these days…