BMW called it "Progressive and markedly independent"
Others dubbed it the Breadvan, the clown shoe, and other things too rude to write
BMW said it best itself:
“The very appearance of the BMW Z3 M Coupé polarised both Motorshow visitors and journalists alike.“.
It literally divided the crowd. Here was a car that totally defied its original intention yet was inherently raunchy, lusted for, and borderline taboo. Love or hate it, it’s said that Chris Bangle’s design was planned to be independent from the very beginning.
However, its design partially stemmed from product improvement. After spending some time sideways on its test ring, BMW’s in-house performance division, BMW M, came to the conclusion that its Z3 Roadster wasn’t inherently stiff enough.
Simply put, it was floppy; and floppy enough to not cut the mustard with BMW’s best-and-brightest hoons.
The plan—with BMW’s divisive design chief Chris Bangle on the pencil—was to give it a roof, turn it into a GT-cum-shooting brake, and then shoehorn BMW’s best and most-powerful M-division six-cylinder—the S50—under its huge bonnet.
With 3.2-litres of displacement, individual throttle bodies per cylinder, and exotic valve control systems, this engine has gone down in history as one of BMW’s best. Its powertrain is a masterful exercise in beefy and buttery-smooth straight-sixes, but also a quintessential example of BMW’s ‘ultimate driving machine’ philosophy.
Couple it with the exotic and wild styling truly get something special. This example was imported from the UK and has been pored-over by its previous keepers, and is the also the only example in Australia finished in Estoril Blue over an Imola Red interior.
It’s a colour combination that makes this fruity car even more juicy. The total production figure for the BMW Z3 M coupe was just 6,291.
The car pictured -1998 BMW Z3 M Coupe
This BMW Z3 M Coupe was built in August 1998 and delivered new by Synter BMW to Mr & Mrs Woodword of Banbury, Oxfordshire.
The vehicle was ordered with the following optional extras: Estoril Blue paint, Imola Red leather, Harmon/Kardon premium audio, electronic anti-glare sunroof, and optional side airbags.
The vehicle remained in the care of the Woodword’s for some time before being sold to another Oxfordshire local. Legendary British BMW workshop Munich legends were responsible for the bulk of its maintenance during the latter part of its life in the UK, and the car comes with an extensive dossier outlining maintenance and repairs from day-one to present.
It also comes with its original log books, owner’s manual, spare key and dealership keyring. It was shipped to Australia in 2022 where it was once again put through a major service before being commissioned for use on Australian roads.
The vehicle has been complied in NSW and comes with a Vehicle Compliance Certificate and full NSW registration. It presents in above average condition and remains largely original.
Quick facts
- 1998 BMW Z3 M Coupe
- 3.2-litre ‘S50’ straight-six (from the BMW M3)
- 236kW / 350Nm
- Five-speed manual / rear-wheel drive
- 126,000km
- One-of-one in Australia in this config (Estoril Blue over Imola Red)
- Huge history file with recent maintenance
- Rare sunroof + Premium audio options
- Original and never modified
- Heated sports seats
- Two keys
- One of 6,291 examples ever made
This vehicle won’t be everybody’s darling, but it’s a BMW through and through: sporty, powerful, dynamic.Dr. Wolfgang Reitzle, former board member, BMW AG
