One to Buy: 3500km Cosmos Black Met. 1999 BMW Z3 M Coupe
Despite having been blessed with a chassis capable of handling far more power than it got, BMW ultimately resisted calls to offer a more potent iteration of its first modern two-seat roadster: the Z1.
However, when it came to the Z1’s successor, the Z3, the Munich firm had no such reservations and, at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1996, BMW unveiled the highly anticipated Z3 M which effectively featured the same 3.2-litre straight six as found in the contemporary M3 Evolution.
Around this time, the engineers in Munich also began work on a Z3 Coupe which made a surprise debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1997. Most excitingly, in addition to the regular fixed head Z3, BMW also launched a Motorsport-tuned version to sell alongside the Roadster: the Z3 M Coupe.
Z3 M Coupe production was split into two categories: early cars with the S50 engine built between 1998 and 2000, and those with the later S54 motor manufactured between 2001 and 2002.
Most of these cars were pressed into service as everyday modes of transport, but currently on offer at the Schaltkulisse showroom in Munich is a remarkably preserved early S50-engined Z3 M Coupe with just 3500km on the odometer.
Configured in Cosmos Black Metallic with two-tone Black and Kyalami Red upholstery plus an array of optional extras to include an electric glass sunroof, BMW Business RDS audio system and air-conditioning, chassis ‘55675’ was delivered to its first owner in December 1999 via the AHG BMW main dealer in Calw, Germany.
Today, this immaculate machine is offered in showroom condition throughout complete with its original book pack that confirms them miniscule mileage covered.
Reprinted below is Schaltkulisse’s description:
Mileage: 3,500km
Year of Manufacture: 1999
Colors: Cosmos Schwarz
Location: Munich, Germany
Price: 150,000 EUR, Taxes paid
Time-capsule example with original tires from 1998
Originally delivered in Germany
Our BMW M Coupe was delivered new through AHG Autohandelsgesellschaft mbH in Calw, Germany, in December 1999 to its German owner. The M Coupe was specified in the stunning color combination of Cosmosschwarz Metallic over a Reptile leather Kyalami interior, and sporting the following options:
303 Cosmos Black Metallic
Q6KY Leather Reptile/Kyalami
0530 Air Conditioning
0669 BMW Business RDS
0260 Side airbag for driver/passenger
0403 Electric sliding glass roof
0413 Luggage compartment partition net
0676 Hi-Fi active speaker system
0441 Smoking package
0690 Cassette holder
Our example is unique in the fact that over the span of 25 years, it has only accumulated a total mileage of 3,500km from new. The BMW presents in showroom-new condition, with every panel being obviously in first paint and the interior not showing any signs of wear. A truly unique opportunity to add a time-capsule condition M Coupe to a BMW Collection. The tires fitted are the first tires with which the car was delivered new, still wearing their 1998 DOT tag.
The M Coupe comes with a wealth of documentation, including TÜV reports, invoices, and the original service book, all documenting the originality of the mileage:
TÜV report August 2003 – 2198km
Service offer September 2004 – 2750km
TÜV report July 2006 – 2804km
Service July 2006 – 2878km
Service September 2015 – 3114km
All manuals, including the leather pouch, and the new purchase contract and invoice, and all the keys, will be handed over with the car.
