One to Buy: 3500km Cosmos Black Met. 1999 BMW Z3 M Coupe
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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.
