Description

1997 BMW Z3M Roadster

Rare 3.2 M3 engine'd rag top in desirable Estoril Blue from long term ownership; a proper muscular & collectable Modern Classic

An early example of this muscular car dating from late 1997 and registered in September 1998.  Featuring the potent S50 3.2 straight-six as found in the E36 M3 of the same era, developing 316bhp driven through the rear wheels via BMW's sweet 5-speed manual transmission. Considered to be a hairy car to drive, given the meaty power output of the Z3M in a featherweight body and no traction control other than your right foot - but, equally, LOTS of fun!

Finished here in desirable Estoril Blue the spec features dark grey, two-tone Nappa leather Sports seats/interior with electric up/down and fore/aft adjustment, two-stage heated seats, electric black mohair hood and air conditioning (it blows cold!), factory anti-theft system, headlamp washer system, cruise control, graduated tint windscreen, BMW original Harman Kardon radio cassette sound system with boot mounted 6x CD changer, first aid kit, zip-out wind deflector and fire extinguisher under the front seat.

The car has been in the current ownership since 2007 covering apporoximately 50,000 miles over the 13 years, an average of just 3,800 miles per year. The car presents well in its beautiful hue of Estoril blue, the leather inside showing only limited signs of wear on the driver's seat bolster, the wheels smart and tyres good.  The electric hood functions as it should although the rear screen stitching has come adrift on a few places - not uncommon.  The vendor was due to have this rectified in Cheshire on a 'while you wait' appointment with a Z3 soft-top specialist who repairs it in situ at a very reasonable cost of just £175 but the latest lockdown prevented this being done in time for the sale.  Details of this excellent service are in the history file.  The car had been wearing a colour coded Estoril Blue hard top until recently, which is available by seperate negotiation but not included in the sale.

The history file is considerable, and includes the V5C, owner's pack (x2) and replacement blank service book to accompany a ream of invoices from both main dealers and independants dating back to at least year 2000 and was owned by a Mrs Loveridge of Shipston on Stour at 6,299 miles. Most recently, the car has been treated to a pair of new front coil springs and top mount assemblies in July 2019, service in November 2020 including a pair of rear stabliser links, new brake pipe, ball joint and handbrake adjustment plus fitment of a pair of new OE Sachs/Boge front shockers at a cost of £501 in January 2021.

Historic works of note include a £664 spend in April 2013 at 72,594 miles on rear brake pipe renewal, new O/S seat belt tensioner and repair kit for O/S airbag wiring by an independant BMW specialist who carried out regular maintenance on the car from purchase in 2007 also later that year replaced an ABS sensor and all the belts at a cost of £311 at 75,791 miles.  A new alternator was fitted in February 2016 and a further £597 was spent in April 2018 on a welding repair to the OSR, fitment of new brake hoses and new front discs and pads at 91,266 miles.

In addition to the ream of invoices, we see confirmation of a Tracker installation and an impressive 18 old MOTs dating back to 2001 supporting this bolshy Roadster's modest mileage of 96,852. A current, clean MOT ticket runs until December 2021 without advisory. A further bonus is the inclusion of the private plate pictured 'M33PSD'

A rare car that has risen in value alongside its Z3M Coupe stablemate, and widely considered to be one of the most desirable M-series cars from the end of the analogue and naturally aspirated high-revving 6-pot era (E36 M3/Z3M/E46 M3/E34 M5) with a proper manual 'box and here at an enticing estimate. We like these brawny and muscular little Roadsters - they are proper, old-Skool fun.