1999 BMW Z3M Roadster

Description

• Full Service History 
• Extensive document file 
• Super rare Boston Green example 
• An appreciating Classic

Two-seater roadsters have been part of the British psyche since the motorcar was born, we have loved and driven them with gusto even though the British weather is generally not exactly in fitting with top-down driving. But we Brits are made of sterner stuff and won’t let that stop us buying, driving and enjoying these fantastic cars.  The British market for this genre is still absolutely booming, especially now, with summer just around the corner.   

So, are you one of those that are looking for a usable roadster that won’t rust, break down, is fantastic to drive, and with top notch parts availability? Then you’ll be needing a BMW Z3, preferably with the iconic M badge on the back.  Equipped with a slick gearbox, beautifully weighted steering and anti-lock brakes which were just one part of a suite of safety features to keep things shiny side up, these Bavarian beauties tick every box. 

This particular 1999 BMW Z3M Roadster has come to auction due to our vendor not being able to use it as regularly as it should. Originally purchased during Covid, he fully expected he would be out and about daily in it, but unexpectedly that did not quite work out and the mileage is just not going upwards.   

The documents pack that will be supplied with this Z3M will include the two fully stamped original service books, owner’s manual, plus an extensive amount of history including loads of invoices and a handful of MOTs. The most recent being carried out in March 2022 at the same point it received its last service, the only thing that popped up during the service and check was the headlights needing re-aligning and some wear to a brake hose, both were rectified there and then. The car is also supplied with both keys, without the original spare you would expect a spiteful bill to replace it, so that’s not a worry. 

Exterior 

The classical proportions of the M Roadster design are complemented by elegant curves, handsome chrome accents and quad exhaust tips, and tasteful aerodynamic bodywork. The overall result is a timeless shape that looks fresh even compared to contemporary sports cars.   

The very rare Boston green paintwork, very few in this colour were produced, looks absolutely stunning in the sunlight and on close inspection you would be hard pressed to find any issues other than some slight scuffing to the lower front section of the passenger door which the vendor believes was created by an errant football. He is extremely confident it will easily polish out, there is also a very minor stone chip on the front bumper, the history pack and invoices explain why the bodywork and paintwork is so spectacular, a few years back it benefitted from a full respray whilst the outer sills were replaced.   

The eagle eyed of you will spot the four plugs in the bootlid that allow for the sports rack to be fitted, this will be supplied with the car so you can choose whether or not to refit it, the roof operates as it should and has no splits or tears and is in remarkable good condition apart from the usual fold mark in the rear window, it will even come with a tonneau cover.   

All in all, a stunning car, literally all it needs doing is, as previously mentioned, a small amount of polishing and for you to then stand back and admire the beauty of this wonderful looking car. 

Interior 

Open the door and you will immediately see how clean and tidy the contrasting green and black leather seats are. They have a very minor area of wear on the drivers bolster, so minor it’s a struggle to see it in the images.  Slide in and you’ll find yourself sitting low and snug inside the M Roadster like all the great sports cars of yore.  And like those vintage roadsters, the beltline (which is the bottom edge of the windshield, side windows, and rear window) is nice and low, so you have awesome visibility as well as plenty of room to hang your elbow out of the side window while you cruise along in the sunshine. 

Once comfortably seated, it’s easy to admire the beautiful simplicity and functionality of the BMW Z3M Roadster’s interior. 

The uncluttered dashboard features all the vital gauges a driver would need, no fussy navigation screens, no confusing network of buttons, just the essentials. BMW also clad all the important touch points in sumptuous leather or soft-touch plastics to impart a sense of luxury and occasion.  Our vendor felt the aftermarket stereo that came with the car just did not suit so he sourced a refurbished Blaupunkt radio cassette player that was appropriate to the age and style of the car. 

Engine 

The M3’s magnificent 321bhp, 3.2-litre, straight-six slotted in under the Z3s bonnet easily. 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. And boy, could you. 

Despite being a German high-performance sports car, this BMW Z3M Roadster is mechanically straightforward—its silky-smooth straight-six cylinder engine produced prodigious power without the aid of a turbo or supercharger, and a five-speed manual is the only transmission offered. 

As we shared earlier this particular car has benefitted from a service and MOT in March.  As we all know these sweet straight six engines are pretty much bullet proof and the 149k mileage has not even touched the sides, especially when coming with a full-service history.  It even has an invoice showing that the Vanos Unit has been rebuilt so that common problem shouldn’t raise its ugly head.  So again, this is ready to enjoy immediately on collection, we hope the winning bidder takes our advice and gets that roof down and drives it home, they won’t be disappointed as many commentators went so far as to call it the best handling car in the world. 

Wheels Tyres Suspension and other 

That last comment leads us nicely into the chassis and running gear, starting with the original M sport “Roadstar” 17 inch 5 spoke alloys that, described by our vendor as “immaculate”, are wrapped in matching Pirelli 225/45 R17s on the front and matching Pirelli 245/40 R17s on the rear, all showing plenty of tread to keep the Z3M planted properly. 

Compared to the base models, the Z3M Roadster had a standard limited-slip differential, a wider rear track to accommodate aggressively-wide tyres and was fitted with fairly straightforward, Macpherson struts in the front and a trailing arm system used in the rear.  

Being developed by the BMW M unit you would expect it to handle well and as alluded to earlier you are right to expect that as the chassis easily copes with the immense power and, sat almost on top of the rear axle, means you can feel exactly what was going on underneath.  The handling is nicely neutral so you could understeer safely round a corner, or paint massive, rubbery arcs on the tarmac. A truly wonderful handling car that deserves all the plaudits it has received since its inception. 

Our view  

The BMW Z3M Roadster is a rare sight these days with only 2000 ever brought to our shores and even less in this rare Boston Green. You really will be winning a quickly appreciating, what some would call future classic.  We would argue that the “future” tag needs to be dropped as, in our opinion, it is a classic in its own right; with low numbers available, a rare colour, that iconic badge, being one of the best handling cars, let alone roadsters, and with prices rising as we speak, we would ask, are we wrong?   

With bags of history and looking just as good as it runs, we ask you to find another in this condition, we doubt you will, so don’t miss out, get bidding now. 

 

Vehicle Location: East Lothian, EH32 – it’s the responsibility of the winning bidder to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendor

Have a question about this vehicle? Please contact the Evoke team at auction@evoke-classics.com and we will speak to the vendor on your behalf. 

Guide Prices?

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Well, everyone knows the broad value of classic, let’s all be honest. So we don’t need to tell you what you already know, do we.

The ‘market’ decides and the old cliché that ‘it’s are worth what someone wants to pay’ is no less true. So why kid everyone!

But, because we are different, if it really does matter to you, that’s fine, we want you to be happy. Just drop us a line at auction@evoke-classics.com and one of us will be delighted to ring you back and discuss, it’s what we do.

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