2000 BMW Z3 M COUPÉ
ENGINE 3201cc/6-cyl/DOHC POWER 316bhp@7400rpm TORQUE 258lb ft@3250rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 155mph 0-60MPH 4.7sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 15-29mpg TRANSMISSION RWD, five-speed man MoT 12 months form sale ODOMETER 87,818 miles
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
It feels solid and planted out on the road and there are no suspect noises from the engine or drivetrain. Handling is superb and power delivery from the big, six-cylinder engine is urgent. The gearbox feels tight and changing gear is an assured experience. The clutch pedal has quite a long travel but the clutch itself feels good. Steering is precise and direct and the car is very controllable. The brakes operate exactly as they should, stopping the car in a straight line.
BODYWORK CHECK
The Estoril metallic blue paint is in great shape and has a lovely, deep shine to it. There is no rust anywhere on the car, nor are there any stone chips or road rash to the bumper or bonnet. Shut lines are all straight and an inspection underneath reveals no discernible evidence of any crash damage. The factory five-spoke alloy wheels are in excellent condition and the matching Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres are all well-treaded and evenly worn. The glass and light clusters are all good, too.
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
The classic black-on-black leather interior is in great condition throughout. The bucket seats are firm and supportive, the carpets are clean, dry and in fine fettle and the steering wheel, handbrake and gear knob show few signs of wear. All of the electrics, gauges and switchgear work perfectly and the boot space has been well maintained and comes complete with the original toolkit, wheel wrench and fire extinguisher. The slightly weak tailgate struts struggle to maintain the weight of the door, however.
UNDER THE BONNET
The 3.2-litre straight-six is exceptionally clean and looks impressive with its individual throttle bodies. The bay is quite crammed but we could see no leaks or deteriorated parts. Hoses, pipes, wires and connections all look to be in good condition and the oil, coolant and brake fluid levels are exactly to the levels they should be. The brake discs are wearing well with only slight scoring to the rears and there is plenty of meat left on all of the pads. The original service book has regular stamps all the way up to this year (an Inspection II) from both BMW and specialist garages.
THE CCW VIEW
It is patently obvious that this is a well cared-for example, from the way it looks and drives to the comprehensive service record. Only 821 of these S50-engined models were produced in right-hand drive so it’s also a bit of a rarity. With few driver aids to speak of and a limited-slip differential out back, this really is a proper driver’s car that has lost none of its original charm or dynamism. It’s an exciting and involving experience from behind the wheel. It’s not exactly cheap, though.