2001 BMW Z3M

With what's thought to have been just 168 right-hand drive Z3M Coupés produced with the very desirable S54 engine,  makes this somewhat of a very rare car. The Z3M has covered just over 89,000 miles and has been with the vendor since 2022 and the previous keeper since 2003 who was the current vendors uncle, so is a well known car to the family. The car has been in storage for the past two years, both sides sides of the car have been repainted to rid it of the minor dings and scuffs from its life in the capital during the previous owners long ownership. The result is a beautiful and very fresh-looking Z3M, ready to be enjoyed by the new custodian.

The BMW Z3 is undoubtedly a great-looking car with an excellent chassis, but its M version gives the model a more purposeful stance, enhanced by its wide body and huge hips, which is just part of what makes the Z3M stand out from the standard Z3. 

Finished in Black Sapphire Metallic, the paintwork presents very well, having been brought back to its former glory. Looking around the Z3M, there are no noticeable dings or dents, and the panels align well with an equal gap. Stone chips on the front end are minimal and the Bi-Xenon headlights are free from any splits or cracks. There are some light age-related scratches to the lenses, but these could easily be polished out with one of the headlight restoration kits available to buy. 

All the windows appear in good condition with no noticeable scratches or chips. The famous Z3 wing vents are in good order with no tarnishing spotted on the chrome, and the M emblems have not faded. 

The rear is where you can appreciate the car's entire width, enhanced by the four Supersprint tailpipes, which tell you that this is something quite special. The lights are in good condition, as are the chrome handle and M badge. 

Fitted with the standard M-Sport five-spoke alloy wheels, these are all in excellent condition and shod with Pirelli tyres, all with a good amount of tread remaining.

Opening the door of the Z3M, you are faced with an appealing full black leather interior. The seats are in excellent condition with minimal creasing for the vehicle's age. The door cards have a couple of minor scuffs, which could be reduced with some leather cleaner. 

The leather steering wheel is in good order, and the dashboard is free from damage. The instruments illuminate as they should, the car runs with no warning lights displayed, and the odometer shows 89,148 miles. The centre console and the Blaupunkt head unit have auxiliary gauges installed as standard. These, along with the switchgear, appear in good order and are said to be working correctly. There is a small amount of wear to the leather gear knob in keeping with the age and mileage. 

The carpets are in good condition, and they have been protected with a set of BMW mats. The driver’s side does have some wear to the heel pad, but an easy item to replace. 

In the rear is clean and tidy. The roll-out blind and net work as they should, and under the boot floor is the tool kit that looks to be complete; there is also a BMW first aid kit in place.

Lying at the heart of the BMW Z3M is the fantastic and very desirable S54 engine, which is also fitted to the legendary E46 M3. The 3.2-litre 24-valve straight-six produces approximately 325bhp and 258ib-ft of torque, providing an exhilarating driving experience. As we mentioned, this has covered just 89,148 miles, which is relatively low for the car's age. 

The car fires up without hesitation and sounds fantastic courtesy of the Supersprint exhaust system fitted, and the vendor has reported no issues with the BMW's running. 

The manual five-speed gearbox has a smooth, precise change with no untoward noises coming from the transmission or drivetrain. 

The shock absorbers were replaced in 2019, and since then, the car has covered less than 3,000 miles, so the ride and handling are excellent, obviously helped with the almost perfect 50/50 weight distribution. When it comes to stopping, this is done in a straight line and with no issues reported.

Looking in the engine bay, everything looks in good order. No leaks have been spotted, and the under-bonnet soundproofing is free from damage. The underside is also in very good condition, with minimal signs of corrosion and surface rust on the suspension components.

Looking through the paperwork for this Munich classic, It appears to have been well maintained over the years. Several service invoices and a service book holding nine stamps show work carried out by main dealers and independent specialists. A service was performed in January 2022, just 521 miles ago, and another was carried out in February 2024, leaving it ready to go. 

The BMW comes with two keys, and the V5C is present, showing just two previous keepers. The car has an MoT, which expires on the 9th February 2025, and it’s also worth mentioning that no advisories were present when the test was carried out.

Being one of 168 S54-engined Z3Ms produced in right-hand drive makes it one of the more desirable M-cars to own, and finding one with a nice history and just two previous keepers are even more plus points for this Munich classic. 

The superbly well-engineered Z3M doesn’t disappoint on the road. Thanks to the lack of electronic controls, it has more of an analogue feel, which entices the ‘drivers’ among you to appreciate this fantastic piece of German engineering. 

We estimate that this 2001 BMW Z3M (S54 engine) will fetch between £32,000 - £40,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, 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, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.