BMW Z3 M Roadster

BMW Z3 M Roadster

Make no mistake, while based on the same 4-cylinder convertible that US college kids wanted for graduation, the BMW M department completely transformed the Z3 into a genuine junior supercar.

Priced at no less than $137,000 when released in 1999 – the BMW Motorsport engineers stuffed the M3's magnificent 321bhp, 3.2-litre, straight-six into a smaller and lighter convertible and created the M Roadster.

The result? 0-60mph in 5.2 seconds and a limited top speed of 155mph. 

More than enough to get the best from the Z3's fine chassis. The chassis easily coped with the immense power and, sat almost on top of the rear axle, which meant you could feel exactly what was going on underneath. The short wheelbase meant it could get snappy if you took liberties, but otherwise the handling was nicely neutral. Many commentators went so far as to call it the best handling car in the world.

Really the closest car you will get to riding a motorbike – I remember reading at the time how journalists questioned how on earth BMW was prepared to take the risk and make such an uncompromised car – but all were grateful and agreed cars like this would never be made again.

Rare and increasingly hard to find away from the dust-covered collections nowadays, this throwback German Muscle Car with a high-end and very expensive finish when new is a truly unique vehicle and already a collector special - not the "next big thing", already there.

This Example

Opportunities to own a BMW M Roadster and now becoming rarer and rarer. Owners are sitting on appreciating assets and truly unique driving experience and unfortunately, most examples now sit little used in collector garages.

Car is located in Coffs Harbor region of NSW - maybe a great excuse for a road trip?

This Australian delivered example with the following specification and low miles is a deceased estate and offers an exception entry point for this very special car.

The PPSR does show a repairable write-off status in 2011 which would have been about the bottom of their depreciation curve so understandable how insurance companies would have written off given the cost of repairs versus values back then. But repaired professionally at the time and since been the weekend ride of an older couple, this car now represents a highly unusual opportunity to acquire such as a special car at a reasonable price. The damage was not water but mostly front & passenger side panel.

Other highlights of this example

• AU delivered
• Low KMs
• Heated Seats
• Harmon Kardon sound

A genuinely special car and rare opportunity to own before prices most likely go higher as this mix of high power naturally aspirated engine, manual gears and low kms is everything The Collector Garage values

See photos for stamped service records up to 108,00 and since then maintained by owner. 

Full original delivery spec

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What the Experts Say:

We encourage you to review recent sales in the UK and US of this quickly appreciating modern classic – our preferred reference site is https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/z3/z3-roadster/z3-m-roadster/

Here you can see eve in the UK and US prices are now around AUD $50,000 and Australian delivered cars with similar mileage are quickly head toward and even above AUD$100,000

Richard Hammond

OK – so this is a Coupe not a Roadster review but a great period review from our favorite Top Gear presenter and plenty of background information on the Z3 M product development - "all about the potency of the straight-six"

Men and Motors

Richard Hammond is with IT consultant Paul Scullion, who is looking for a car to have fun in. He takes a BMW Z3 M for a test drive to see if it's the sports car he's after, plus Ian Royle has more information on the Z3 M.

 Car Magazine April 1997