BMW Z3M Roadster 'Pre-Production Press Car' - 1996
E36/7
Bonhams
Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris
The Grand Palais Éphémère
Place Joffre
Parijs - Paris
Frankrijk - France
February 2023
Estimated : € 35.000 - 45.000
Sold for € 57.500
A brilliant exercise in 'retro' styling that recalled its fabulous '328' sports car of pre-war days, BMW's Z3 was introduced in 1996. The original four-cylinder 1.9-litre Z3 was more of a stylish boulevard cruiser than out-and-out sports car, a successful concept, and would prove equally appealing to both men and women drivers. The arrival of the 2.8-litre six-cylinder engine in 1997 transformed the Z3, endowing it with a level of performance that at last matched the promise of its looks. Six-cylinder cars enjoyed a lengthier equipment list than the 'fours', which included an electric hood (roadster), leather upholstery, and 16" alloy wheels.
The first M-Power Z3 appeared in January 1997. Built until February 2001 when the model was revised, the first-series Z3 M Coupé and Roadster were powered by the 3.2-litre S50 engine producing 316hp and 236lb/ft of torque - figures that translated into a tyre-smoking 0-100km/h time of 5.2 seconds and a top speed of 248km/h. The fastest-accelerating BMW ever at the time of its introduction, the Z3M boasted a generous specification that included electric windows, ABS, PAS, air conditioning, heated seats, driver/passenger air bags, six-speaker stereo system, alarm/immobiliser, heated exterior mirrors, 17" alloy wheels, and a limited-slip differential as standard. Combining outrageous looks and performance with impressive practicality, the Z3M was not replaced within BMW's line-up after its deletion in 2002 and is surely destined for 'highly collectible' status in the future.
This Z3 M Roadster was built in October 1996 (official production would not start until 1997) and is one of only 25 pre-production press or test cars. Only seven of this batch were finished in 'Evergreen'; most of them were 'Imolarot' or 'Estoril Blau' (nine were red, seven green, and nine blue). Boasting two-tone Walk Nappa/Evergreen leather interior, chassis number 'LD20069' is believed to be the first 'Evergreen' Z3 M Roadster built. As a special option in the list we find 'Sonderkontrolle Pressefahrzeuge', referring to the special inspection for press vehicles that was carried out at BMW. The BMW Archivist has confirmed in an email the production details of this 'pre-production' example, which include a 25% differential lock.
This car was registered new to BMW M GmbH on 6th November 1996 with the registration plate 'M-RC1584' and was reregistered only a month later to Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft (BMW AG) on the same registration plate. The car remained with BMW up to 2000, when it was sold to Sweden with 15,000 kilometres recorded.
A printout of the BMW service history shows that the car was regularly serviced, and that since it moved to Sweden covered between 10,000 and 15,000 kilometres per year. By 2015, when it moved to the current owner in Belgium, the BMW had covered 86,000 kilometres. Since then it has scarcely been driven but regular servicing has been maintained: 2016 (90,033km) up to 2021 (94,509km) by a BMW specialist. Clearly well looked after, the car is in lovely condition both inside and out.
BMW's proven S50 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine in an extremely light car makes for an exciting combination. Magnificent, strong, reliable, light and fun, this beautiful BMW Z3 M is certain to delight the fortunate next owner.
BMW Z3M Roadster 'Pre-Production Press Car' - 1996
E36/7
Bonhams
Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris
The Grand Palais Éphémère
Place Joffre
Parijs - Paris
Frankrijk - France
February 2023
Estimated : € 35.000 - 45.000
Sold for € 57.500
A brilliant exercise in 'retro' styling that recalled its fabulous '328' sports car of pre-war days, BMW's Z3 was introduced in 1996. The original four-cylinder 1.9-litre Z3 was more of a stylish boulevard cruiser than out-and-out sports car, a successful concept, and would prove equally appealing to both men and women drivers. The arrival of the 2.8-litre six-cylinder engine in 1997 transformed the Z3, endowing it with a level of performance that at last matched the promise of its looks. Six-cylinder cars enjoyed a lengthier equipment list than the 'fours', which included an electric hood (roadster), leather upholstery, and 16" alloy wheels.
The first M-Power Z3 appeared in January 1997. Built until February 2001 when the model was revised, the first-series Z3 M Coupé and Roadster were powered by the 3.2-litre S50 engine producing 316hp and 236lb/ft of torque - figures that translated into a tyre-smoking 0-100km/h time of 5.2 seconds and a top speed of 248km/h. The fastest-accelerating BMW ever at the time of its introduction, the Z3M boasted a generous specification that included electric windows, ABS, PAS, air conditioning, heated seats, driver/passenger air bags, six-speaker stereo system, alarm/immobiliser, heated exterior mirrors, 17" alloy wheels, and a limited-slip differential as standard. Combining outrageous looks and performance with impressive practicality, the Z3M was not replaced within BMW's line-up after its deletion in 2002 and is surely destined for 'highly collectible' status in the future.
This Z3 M Roadster was built in October 1996 (official production would not start until 1997) and is one of only 25 pre-production press or test cars. Only seven of this batch were finished in 'Evergreen'; most of them were 'Imolarot' or 'Estoril Blau' (nine were red, seven green, and nine blue). Boasting two-tone Walk Nappa/Evergreen leather interior, chassis number 'LD20069' is believed to be the first 'Evergreen' Z3 M Roadster built. As a special option in the list we find 'Sonderkontrolle Pressefahrzeuge', referring to the special inspection for press vehicles that was carried out at BMW. The BMW Archivist has confirmed in an email the production details of this 'pre-production' example, which include a 25% differential lock.
This car was registered new to BMW M GmbH on 6th November 1996 with the registration plate 'M-RC1584' and was reregistered only a month later to Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft (BMW AG) on the same registration plate. The car remained with BMW up to 2000, when it was sold to Sweden with 15,000 kilometres recorded.
A printout of the BMW service history shows that the car was regularly serviced, and that since it moved to Sweden covered between 10,000 and 15,000 kilometres per year. By 2015, when it moved to the current owner in Belgium, the BMW had covered 86,000 kilometres. Since then it has scarcely been driven but regular servicing has been maintained: 2016 (90,033km) up to 2021 (94,509km) by a BMW specialist. Clearly well looked after, the car is in lovely condition both inside and out.
BMW's proven S50 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine in an extremely light car makes for an exciting combination. Magnificent, strong, reliable, light and fun, this beautiful BMW Z3 M is certain to delight the fortunate next owner.