1999 BMW Z3M Coupe

The car that you see here is a pre-S54 example, evidently well-maintained, and with not too many miles considering its age. At a little over 86k miles, it has had seven former keepers, a well-detailed full-service history, and overall condition that fans and M enthusiasts would happily swap a brand new M car for. Considering it’s available at a fraction of the cost, it’s going to be a great bargain, if not an outright steal.

While it’s true that BMW managed to sell more S50-engined M Coupes, and the market tends to favour the rarer S54 model, it can be easily argued that this has a lot to offer. Despite the absence of driver aids and drive-by-wire tech, an early car like this S50 model has been appreciated by fans around the globe. It’s got a clean MoT history as well, and the latest certificate is valid for another month or so.

This car has had its current plate since 2012, and in the last decade and a half, it’s only done, on an average, less than 2000 miles every year. Since 2012, the use has been fairly limited, with only 5,000 or so miles covered during the period. The vendor mentions that under his ownership the car has always been in dry storage and used only for leisurely drives to occasions like Goodwood, etc.

The BMW Z3 M Coupe was (and still is) one of a kind vehicle in BMW’s portfolio of highly capable cars. Based on the Z3, it benefitted from unconventional design, better chassis rigidity, and of course, a rarity. While the looks weren’t appreciated by fans or critics, its appeal can’t be downplayed now, when a large percentage of new cars are either mimicking rivals or have such convoluted and poorly executed designs.

The cabin pushed backwards with a long bonnet ahead of it does give the M Coupe a shooting brake appearance. And while not as rounded as, say something with Zagato branding on it, it stands out from the crowd without resorting to large grilles. That way the Z3 M Coupe is a conventional BMW with a pretty assertive face. Its ‘stance’ is further established with the wide-body (that was previously standard only on larger-engined Z3s) and the ‘bread van cabin.

This particular example, albeit more than two decades old, makes for a refreshing sight, even in a simple colour like silver. The body though is far from spot-free, with signs of ageing, scratches, and tiny bits of paint fade present. A return to showroom spec or concours-ready condition will require some work, although the bodywork is clean and there’s no damage to the panels. The alloys paint a similar story, with very light kerb damage, and with no immediate requirement for a wheel refurb.

If Ian Fleming made James Bond a person of good taste in left-field cars, he’d have swapped the Z3 in GoldenEye with one of these. Okay, Natalya’s dream of travelling the Caribbean wouldn’t have looked as nice from the confines of a car with a proper roof, but she’d have enjoyed the well-appointed cabin of the M Coupe a touch more. Because despite having a roof, it’s still spacious for the two occupants and has a lot of luggage space in the boot, too.

The 2000 example has aged rather well, with only small imperfections that can be dealt with. The radio needs a code and one of the screw caps is missing. The electrically adjustable seats do appear a tiny bit tired, the steering and gear knob are okay, the carpet and roof lining both are in top form, and the door cards aren’t bad, either. As the condition of the car elsewhere, the interior shows very few deviations from what would be the perfect shape, after more than two decades of use.

Depending on the year of production, the Z3-based BMW M Coupe could be had either with an engine shared with the E36 M3 or one from the E46. Of course, the M Coupe wasn’t as practical or as well-equipped as the M3, but that’s beyond the point of this discussion. If you’re looking at one right now, you do know that the M Coupe has fewer seats, fewer doors, and since these had a limited run, getting an M3 might be easier than this. But the M Coupe, to a lot of people, is more special. And for the right reasons, too.

The S50-engined car had no drive-by-wire and no traction/stability control. The torque band wasn’t as widespread as on the S54, too. The raw appeal of the former is what some people appreciate more over the slightly smoother throttle response of the latter. Opt for either, and you wouldn’t be making the wrong choice.

This regularly serviced S50-engined M Coupe here appears clean for the most part. The previous MoT records are good, too. The vendor mentions that the car is quick and handles excellently. It makes a nice noise, and even with the stock suspension, it’s sporting and holds the line well.

Accompanying this rare BMW M car is a full-service history, carried out mainly at BMW dealers and specialist garages. Registered in March 2000, this car has seen a total of eight keepers (including the vendor), two registration plates (the current one is from 2012), and a clean MoT record, too. It’s seen limited driving since 2014, which is when the vendor got it, and it has been in dry storage when not in use.

Apart from periodic service, the car also got replacement tyres, a new clutch kit, dual-mass flywheel, tyres, brake discs, etc. as part of the maintenance schedule. The report, and all the invoices are attached and can be accessed in the photo gallery below.

Some cars deserve more attention than others like this one here. And while the M Coupe isn’t bespoke or built-to-order, it was as Marmite as it could get, especially when it was new, and you could have more conventional alternatives like the M3. Now, it’s a very different story. A junior M car that performs as wonderfully as an M3 of its era is more likely to be cherished than ever before. And at an estimated £23,000 - £28,000, this represents a quick, bonafide BMW M product that isn’t any lesser than other, more celebrated models but is available at a fraction of the price.

Finished in silver with a black interior, this 2000 Z3 M Coupe is a fairly understated spec, although, with those wide arches and equally wide wheels, you wouldn’t mistake it for anything else. And its unique character will be more apparent when you get behind the wheel. Even as something you’d want to improve by upgrading, the M Coupe makes for a great base. And did we mention it looks rather nice, too?

Viewing is always encouraged and this car is located at our Abingdon headquarters. we are open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm and to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.