BMW Z3 (1999)

BMW M Coupe

The BMW M coupe always had a lot to live up to. Conceived by five engineers working overtime and undercover, it set out to be a no-holds-barred return to the enthusiast-focused philosophy upon which BMW once built its reputation. Back in 1998 this was the car for those who found the M3 too soft, too understated, and the M roadster too fragile.

In other words “the ultimate driving machine” was back and begging to be driven.

Without traction control or drivers aids, this was a return to proper old-school sports cars that demanded the drivers full attention as the wonderful straight 6 soared to 7,400 rpm. With monster tyres and oversized arches the styling was far from discreet. The concept was all about fusing the relatively conventional sportscar design of the standard Z3 with a heavy dose of outright aggression and the added torsion strength that a tin top coupe provided.

Still beloved by many of M’s senior engineers today, there is no getting away from the fact this particular masterpiece from Munich is a pedigree Rotweiler – not one cross-bred with a poodle.

Specification

Cosmos Black paintwork with Black Nappa Leather interior
71,000 miles with full BMW and specialist service history
Original BMW Business RDS with BMW 6 stack CD player and first aid kit
Standard factory specification without modifcation or further tuning.
S50 M Coupe – Built January 1999
6 Cylinder – 3201 cc3
321 bhp at 7,400 rpm; 258 lb/ft of torque at 3,250 rpm
5 Speed gearbox
Limited Slip Differential
Top Speed 155 mph (limited)
0 – 60 5.4 seconds
0 – 75 7.2 seconds
50 – 75 5.3 seconds (4th gear)
Weight 1445 KG (with driver)
Fuel Economy Urban 17 MPG
Extra-Urban 35.8 MPG
Average 25.4 MPG
Boot Capacity 205 litres
Fuel Tank Capacity 51 litres
Insurance Group 20
History and Maintenance

The standard list price of an M Coupe back in 1999 was a hefty £40,595 and for this you got Porsche 911 levels of performance and spare change of £25,000 back in your pocket. An added and often forgotten benefit was that exclusivity was also guaranteed, as just 821 right hand drive European specification S50’s were produced by BMW making it one of the last low volume specials produced by M.

This particular M Coupe has been loved from new and the first lady owner kept the car until January 2001 and the second lucky owner until early 2009.

We sold the car to the third owner who is a longstanding customer of ours in March 2009 and it is now being sold by him as it is surplus to requirements. The car comes with all the original books and service manuals, extensive documentation and original spare keys.

6,000 miles ago we gave the car a detailed inspection and undertook a thorough programme of protetective maintenance. The work included the following items :

Inspection I service and annual check
New vanos unit and bolts
Gearbox detents cleaned and refitted
New abs sensor
Alloy wheels refurbished and tracking check
New battery, new outside temperature sensor
New near side seat switch
New air conditioning condenser and receiver dryer
New illuminated gearknob and new Motion pack
New CD changer
The water pump was replaced in 2008
The car has been thoroughly re-inspected by us and and will benefit from an oil and safety service, Pre Delivery Inspection and a new MOT before leaving us.

Service History:
Full BMW and specialist.

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