T
102 MODERNCLASSICS
ADS ON TEST
SP ECIFICATIONS
Engine 32 01cc,6-cyl,DOHC
TransmissionRWD,6-speedmanual
Power 32 1bhp@7400rpm
Torque 25 8lb-ft@3250rpm
Weight 14 50kg
PERFORMANCE
0-60mph 5.4sec
Topspeed 155mph
Economy 25mpg
BMWZ3M(S50)
Year 1999
Mi leage 37 ,000
Onsaleat CambridgeMotorCo
ca mbridgemotorcompany.com
CHOOSEYOURBMWZ3MCOUPE
19 97:Z3MCoupeis revealedat
th e FrankfurtMotorShow.Soon
af ter,BMWMotorsportbegins
shippingassembleddrivetrainsto
Spartanburg,SouthCarolina.
19 98:TheBMWM’s running
ge ar is matedto modifiedZ3
ro adsterandcoupébodies.The
32 1bhphot-rodwithno driver
ai dsentersproduction.
19 99:Chromeis addedto
th e ‘kidney’frontgrilleand
he adlightsurrounds.
20 01:TheS50enginemakes
way fortheupdatedS54motor.
Poweris up a littleto 325bhp,but
to rquedeliveryis spreadwider.
Tr actioncontrolis alsoadded.
20 02:Z3 productionends
in Julywiththearrivalof theZ4.
INSURANCEQUOTE
Policy £350, with £350
excess. Free legal coverand
agreed value available.
Quote based on a 39-year-old
se lf-employed male, nopointson his
licence, living in Peterborough.
Car is garaged, 3000 milesper year
and with comprehensive cover.
Call 0800 085 5000 for your quote.
BMW Z3M
Stunning performance, service history and a
great colour – you’ve just got to like Marmite
errifically different –
that’s the appeal of the
Z3 M. Sometimes its
scarcely believable that BMW
ever said yes to the idea.
It’s a controversial car – one
that you really either love or
hate, mainly due to the
eye-popping looks. It’s an
acquired taste, but it’s one we
like to savour – especially in
Estoril Blue, like this one. Even
more so when you get up close
to it in the flesh.
We looked hard for any
imperfections in the paintwork
and the body of this example,
and we came away with very
little to report. Apart from a very
minor nick in the passenger
door and some minor
touched-in stonechips, it looks
like it’s just rolled out of the
original dealer’s showroom.
The alloy wheels are
unmarked, and each one wears
Pirelli P-Zero tyres with plenty of
tread left to exploit. And you will
be free to exploit it immediately,
because there’s nothing that
needs fixing in the interior that
would delay it. It’s absolutely
perfect, aside from some light
seat bolster wear and minor
leather creasing. Everything
works, and all the control
interfaces look and feel brand
new. It’s still got the original
head unit, and it also comes with
a tracking device.
This Z3 M has had just two
previous owners, and they’ve
looked after it well. There are 15
stamps in the service book, all
from main dealers and
recognised marque specialists.
A look at the detailed receipts
folder reveals much has recently
been spent; highlights include a
new door locking actuator, plus
a rear shock absorber top
mount as part of a £600
servicing bill. It also comes with
all of its original booklets.
If you’ve never tried an S50
Z3M, driving one is a real treat
- the engine’s pulsating, heart
rate-rising scream allied to a
short-throw gearbox wills you
forward on a wave of adrenalin.
The steering is meaty yet sharp,
and there’s enough grip to make
you feel you’re pushing the laws
of physics to the max.
We didn’t experience any
strange rattles or vibrations
during our time with the Z3, and
neither did we encounter any
mechanical complaints on what
was a very warm day.
This Z3M has clearly been
doted on by its previous
custodians and is absolutely on
the button. You could even enter
it for concours events, but we’d
rather spend our time at the far
end of the rev range. You
probably will too...
COST NEW
£40,595
PRICE
£39,995
