The letter M in the world of BMW is reserved for their highest-performance models. Older, more classic M-model BMWs such as the M3, M5, and M6 have become serious collector cars over the past few years, with their prices rising and the supply of good cars dwindling. The prices of second-generation E36 M3 cars have just about doubled in the last two years, and the third-generation M3 is also coming up fast as a collector car, with prices rising accordingly. BMW fans completely understand the reason for this: The M designation does not just mean higher-horsepower engines shoehorned into an existing model, but instead represents a complete reengineering – with suspension, brakes, interior, exterior and chassis all improved.
However, one true M-model car seems to have been largely forgotten – and what is surprising is that it is one of the most fun-to-drive M cars BMW ever built: the Z3M Roadster. Depending on the year, these cars use the BMW S52 or S54 inline 6-cylinder engines. Yes, the later S54-powered cars are faster, but both received all the suspension and chassis magic that BMW could throw at the cars. They are also the least-expensive entry into classic BMW M-car ownership – and, in addition, the top goes down!
Our Pick of the Day is one of these cars, a 2000 BMW Z3M Roadster offered by a dealer located in Lutz, Florida.
The seller describes this Roadster as one of only 326 Dakar Yellow examples produced for North America in 2000.
The car has covered a total of only 60,000 miles from new and looks to be in truly excellent condition. In my opinion, the Dakar Yellow paint makes this one especially desirable, as it is one of those signature BMW colors you don’t see every day.
The two-tone black and gray leather interior looks to be in excellent condition and the entire cockpit has a sort of jet fighter feel to it. The BMW sports seats are incredibly comfortable. The quality of materials in these cars is quite good – much better than, say, a Porsche Boxster of the same generation.
Being a 2000-model-year car, this Z3M is powered by BMW’s S52 inline 6-cylinder engine. It may not offer the extra horsepower of the later S54-powered Z3M but still delivers 0-60 times of 5.4 seconds and has all the extra suspension modifications: the wide body and huge fender flares needed for the staggered 225/45X17 front and 245/45X17 rear tires.
This tire combination, combined with tons of factory M chassis mods, gives the car incredible grip – and the short wheelbase of the Z3M means it rotates better than any other sports car of the period. Feed too much power to the rear tires on the exit of a corner and you will find it can over-rotate; you might end up facing the cars behind you! This, to me, makes it a super fun car to drive and the very essence of what the BMW M cars stand for. Due to its somewhat tail-happy nature, it’s also a car that is liked by many Porsche 911 fans. Don’t think this is true? Well, my friend Ray Schaffer – formerly of Porsche Classic and now at Broad Arrow Auctions, a Porsche fanatic once birth – bought one last year.
Now, I am a Z3 owner myself, having just bought back my 007-edition Z3 last fall. Since making that purchase, I have had the opportunity to drive four different Z3M roadsters, and I have recently found myself thinking about adding another Z3 to my garage, this time with an M badge. With an asking price of only $21,995, this car makes a compelling argument for adding another fun car to the garage, especially one with such low mileage and in such a rare color.
If you love BMWs, you might want to seriously consider this specific Z3M Roadster. It looks like the right example to get before everyone else wakes up to just how cool these cars are.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
