West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely exceptional "clown shoe" example of this very desirable and eminently collectible year 2000 BMW Z3 M Series 6 cylinder 5 speed manual transmission Coupe with only 7,959 original miles!
The BMW M Coupe and BMW M Roadster were high performance models of the Z3 and Z4 models produced by BMW M. Today these are highly desirable and collectible sports cars from the ultimate driving machine! Cutting edge performers in the revered tradition of the original GT 'Gran Turismo' sports cars. Right out of the gate the M Coupe attained 'Car & Driver's' "10 Best Cars Status" and 'Automobile Magazine' named it as both "Best Sports Car of the Year" and "Design of the Year" in the year 1999!
With potent engines and unparalleled responsiveness both the M & Z3 2.8 Coupes delivered both head-turning looks and supreme driving pleasure. The original Z3 roadster was introduced in 1995 with the prototype featuring in the James Bond movie of that year but the rarer Coupe version with a chassis stiffening rear hatchback was introduced to much acclaim in 1999 with the Z3 Coupes only available with the largest 6 cylinder engine offered, the 2.8L in 1999 and 2000 and the 3.0L in 2001. The 2.8L straight six was primed to deliver true GT performance with 193HP which pumped out 0-60 in just 6.2 seconds! It was replaced in 2002 with the BMW Z4.
The first generation was based on the Z3 and was produced between 1998 and 2002. The second generation was based on the Z4 and was produced between 2006 and 2008. Almost every BMW to bear the M3 moniker has served as a benchmark for driving excellence, but the E46 generation M3 is widely considered the pinnacle of the model's lineage. The E46 M3's high-revving inline-six, better known as the S54, also found its way under the hood of the Z3-based M Roadster and M Coupe.
Despite its name, the latter model is better described as a hatchback or shooting brake, and its shape earned it the nickname "Clown Shoe"for its distinctive styling.
The M Coupe E36/8 manufactured from 1998 until 2002, was developed with increased torsional and structural rigidity to the Z3 roadster's chassis with the majority of the body panels shared with the M roadster, meaning the doors and everything from the A-pillar forward are interchangeable between the coup? and roadster, as are most interior parts.
The M-Roadster E36/7 was introduced in 1997 as the high performance version of the Z3. The most significant cosmetic difference between the M-Roadster, including the M-Coupe, is the substantially flared rear quarter-panels ("fender flares") and the correspondingly offset rear wheels. Additional external differences compared to the standard Z3 models included front and rear bumpers, gills, quad exhaust, trunk, and mirrors.
For BMW enthusiasts and collectors, few modern day Bimmers are as desired or as collectible as the Z3 coupe and Z3 M coupe community reflected by the low build numbers and rarity of these "clown shoes". Rare colors and options add to the value whilst the lack of a desirable sunroof can hurt. According to the 'Z3 M Coupe Buyers Guide' and 'Z3 Coupe Buyers Guide' websites, 2,858 M coupes were produced, of which 678 were from the last years of 2001 and 2002 with the S54 engine. A total of 458 came without a sunroof.
Options for the M coupe were limited, as the entire package was comprehensive. While the 1999-2000 Z3 coupes M52B28 engine was arguably one of BMWs most reliable, the later M54B30 engine closed the gap on the S52-powered M coupe with only a nine-horsepower difference (240 horsepower in the S52 vs. 231 horsepower in the M54).
At its launch in 1997, the very appearance and design was both progressive and markedly independent. The long bonnet, coupled with a compact rear and wide wheel housings, was untypical for a sports car of this format. For the press, first tests made clear that if there was anything the BMW Z3 M Coupe stood for, it was pure driving pleasure.
The design by Chris Bangle, former design head at BMW was planned to be independent from the very beginning. The BMW Z3 Coupe and the M Coupe were planned to be real eye-catchers. The design of the Z3 M Coupe consciously echoes one of the great BMW historic sports cars - The line of the roof is reminiscent of the BMW 328 Mille Miglia from the 1940s.
Besides the wider track and four-pipe exhaust, the top model had exclusive, characteristic accents like oval overtaking mirrors, chrome gills that recall the legendary BMW 507 Roadster, and special air intakes in the front spoiler. The powerful, unmistakeable appearance of the M Coupe was underlined by its proportions: long wheelbase, long bonnet, wide track and short rear end. Introduced by a striking line at the rear and arching towards the back, the roof left a strong impression.
With an exterior length of just over 4m, the BMW Z3 M Coupe is one of the most compact M automobiles of the brands history. The four tailpipes under the rear spoiler are a clear statement about maximum performance and the power concealed beneath the compact sports cars hood.
At its launch in 1997, the Z3 M Coupe was equipped with the engine from the updated M3 E36. Developed by the M Motorsport specialists, the straight-6 cylinder engine with 3.2 litre capacity had an output of 321 hp at 7,400rpm. For the first time, it produced more than 100 hp per litre. The engine, also known as S50B32, catapulted the rear-wheel drive M Coupe from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.4 seconds which was extraordinarily for the time.
From 2001, the further developed 6-cylinder engine from the BMW M3 E46 appeared under the long bonnet of the Z3 M Coupe. With 325 hp, the S54B32 slightly further improved the driving performance of the two-seater and brought it into the vicinity of much more expensive sports cars.
The Z3 M Coupe also posted top results in the 36m slalom and the ISO slalom test in comparison with competition from Zuffenhausen and Maranello. With its acceleration, the M Coupe left its competitors standing as confirmed by the test crew from the German car magazine 'Auto', Motor und Sport'.
Using the already torsion-resistant chassis of the BMW Z3 Roadster as a basis, the engineers had given the Z3 M Coupe other characteristics which had a positive influence on the cars handling. The frame of the windscreen was strengthened, with further stability coming from two quarter-lights. Additional door braces, a fixed roof and special reinforcements to the basic chassis guaranteed not only optimal handling, but also an extremely stable passenger compartment. The brake system was developed to serve both safety purposes and driving pleasure in equal measure and had compound discs with radial friction bearings. This system allows the brake disc to freely expand and ensures consistent, excellent braking power even under enormous strain.
Low seating position, three-spoke M steering wheel, stubby gear stick and all instruments directly in the drivers view this cockpit makes no bones about being focussed on the perhaps most enjoyable minor matter in the world: driving. Under high lateral acceleration, the sports seats, fitted as standard, offer ideal lateral support. The seats were upholstered in leather and available in several colors, while chrome trimmings in the entire interior gave additional emphasis to the cars sporting aspirations.
Today, the BMW Z3 M Coupe is one of the most desired "youngtimers" of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Its unmistakeable design and suitability for everyday use, coupled with the extremely powerful power train of the BMW M3, appeals equally to both sports car and GT fans. And ultimately the low number of vehicles produced also makes the Z3 M Coupe a rare sight on the road and very collectible.
Recently purchased from its most recent southern California owners with a clean CARFAX report to confirm both its low mileage with no history of any accidents! An obviously always babied and pampered example if there ever was one! The all original factory 'Imola Red' color paint is in absolutely beautiful condition and the gorgeous 'Dark Beige' Leather interior is also in beautiful condition throughout with virtually no signs of any wear and all the options are working as they should including the ice-cold A/C!
The car drives exactly like such a well maintained and babied low mileage model should and must be seen and driven to be truly appreciated! The engine is extremely strong and as new with no oil leaks, the transmission has a very smooth transmission through all the gears and the temperature always remains cool!
You will surely look long and hard to find a finer example of this very rare and extremely low production 2000 BMW Z3 M Coupe with only 7,959 miles for the ultimate BMW driving experience and collectibility available anywhere else!
