SUPER RARE ORIGINAL LOW-MILEAGE 1998 BMW M ROADSTER

ESTORIL BLUE WITH BLACK AND BLUE INTERIOR

Engine = 3.2 Liter BMW Motorsport Inline 6-Cylinder (BMW Internal Code S52), 4 valves per cylinder aluminum head with 2-stage VANOS variable intake valve timing, 240 bhp @ 6,000 rpm, 236 lb-ft @ 3,800 rpm, 6,800 max rpm. Cylinders are 86.4 mm x 89.6 mm (undersquare) with 10.5:1 compression ratio.

Transmission = ZF Type C 5-Speed Manual (Gear Ratios: 1st=4.21:1, 2nd=2.49:1, 3rd=1.66:1, 4th=1.24:1, 5th=1.00:1). Differential = 3.23:1 final drive gearing with standard BMW Motorsport Differential Cooler Fins and mechanical Limited Slip.

Brakes = 12.4" vented front discs, 12.3" vented rear discs. Original BMW Motorsport front brake cooling ducts. Anti-Lock Brakes.

Dimensions = 158.5" length x 68.5" width x 49.8" height. Wheelbase = 96.8". Track Front/Rear = 56.0"/58.7". Weight = less than 3,100 lbs.

Tires: Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole Position (Classification: Max Performance Summer Tire) -- Front = 225/45-17, Rear = 245/40-17. (Almost the entire tread is remaining.)

Wheels: original BMW Motorsport RoadStar wheels -- Front = 17"x7.5", Rear = 17"x9". Original BMW locking nuts. Neither nicks nor rashes.

Standard original equipment includes BMW-Harmon/Kardon Audio System with cassette, weather channels & dual driver subwoofer and 4 speakers per side (10 speakers total), Air Conditioning, Cruise Control, Power Windows, Power Locks, Power Seats, Heated Seats, Lined Trunk, BMW 12-volt Tire Sealant/Inflator-Compressor (never used), Locking Gas Cap. Equipped with sole factory option of Side Airbags for a total of four (including front driver and front passenger airbags). Equipped with dealer-installed BMW Alarm System.

Convertible Top: The multi-layer fabric top is power operated and all original. The plastic rear window is as clear as when new and regularly cleaned & polished in 2-steps with Meguiars Mirror Glaze (Professional) Clear Plastic Cleaner #17 and Meguiars Mirror Glaze (Professional) Clear Plastic Polish #10.

Unique M Roadster items versus the standard Z3 (BMW Internal Code E36/7): engine, transmission, drivetrain, finned differential, fluid coolers, frame reinforcements, suspension (springs, shocks, anti-roll bars, semi-trailing arms, geometry, lower ride height by 1.1”), rear center mount longitudinal battery, 4 exhaust tips, wheels, tires, brakes, wide body, front and rear fascias, side gill vents, side mirrors, rear view mirror, rocker panels, roll bar, interior (BMW Motorsport signature tri-color stitching, lighted shift knob, seats, door trim, steering wheel, center console, chrome & Nappa leather trim pieces, gauges – clock, volt, oil temp), emblems, interior colors, exterior colors, relocated rear license plate, chrome-ringed instruments, lined trunk, BMW 12-volt Tire Sealant/Inflator-Compressor.

Interior: Black & Blue Nappa Leather Seats with power adjustments and heaters.

Exterior: Estoril Blue (metallic)

One flaw: There is a cut on the back bumper to the left of the tow cover. See photo. With the exception of this flaw, this is as clean as they come.

Other: 1998 is the first production year of the “M Roadster” model designation and was the first to introduce the now signature BMW Motorsport 4-tips rear exhaust. Per the manufacturer’s plate (see photo), this particular car was built in April 1998. This vehicle is original and not customized (a rarity as most others listed for resale have been modified). It has always been garaged and never driven in the rain. This is a California weekend car and not used as a commuter. This is evident on the low 26,032 miles on this 14-year old classic. The emblems are original and the “M” tri-color stripes are not faded. This car is ideal for collectors of classics. I am the second non-smoker owner and purchased it from Peter Pan BMW (San Mateo, CA) in 1999 (less than 1 year from production) with 9,000 +/- miles. All services have been performed at a BMW dealer (and documented). Pride of ownership (e.g. replacing the original battery with a difficult-to-find Bosch battery) and it shows. I am selling to make room in my garage.

Prior owner: Retail price when new for this particular car was $42,700. The first owner paid a $5,000 premium since these were highly sought after and paid a total of $47,700 from Peter Pan BMW (San Mateo, CA). The first owner sold it back to the same dealer after less than one year due to family health reasons.

Production Data ( Source: www.mroadsterbuyersguide.com )

Total Production E36/7 M Roadster (1998 thru 2002) = 10,501 units

Total Production in 1998: 2,763 units

Estoril Blue & Black Nappa (1998 thru 2002) = 1,719 units (no data is available on units produced in model year 1998)

Other references: www.wikipedia.com – “BMW M Roadster”

Magazine Test Data:

Road & Track: 9/99 Issue, 1998 model tested, 0-60 mph = 5.0 sec, ¼ mile = 13.7 sec, ¼ mile Trap Speed = 102.0 mph, Top Speed = 137 mph (computer limited), Curb Weight = 3,070 lbs, Weight Distribution = 50/50, Skid Pad = .84 G on a 200 ft pad, Braking from 60 mph = 122 ft, Slalom = 64.7 mph over a 700 ft distance, EPA mileage estimate city/hwy = 20/27.

Motor Trend: 10/99 Issue, 1998 model tested, 0-60 mph = 5.1 sec, ¼ mile = 13.7 sec, ¼ mile Trap Speed = 101.4 mph, Top Speed = no data, Curb Weight = 3,086 lbs, Weight Distribution = no data, Skid Pad = .91 G on an unspecified pad size, Braking from 60 mph = 115 ft, Slalom = 68.7 mph over a 600 ft distance, EPA mileage estimate city/hwy = 19/26.