2001 BMW Z3 M Roadster
Imola Red 2 Exterior (405)
Black Nappa Leather Interior (Q6SW)
63,100 Miles
6-Cylinder S54B32 Engine
5-Speed Manual Transmission
Limited-Slip Differential
Black Power Soft Top
Imola Red Hardtop
M Leather Steering Wheel
Heated Sport Seats
JVC KD-AVX77 Head Unit
BMW Harmon Kardon HiFi Sound
Aftermarket Subwoofer and Amps
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
Cruise Control
Heated Windscreen Washers
Rollover Protection System
Rear Window Protector
Wind Deflector
Mason Engineering Strut Brace
All-Weather Car Cover
Style 40 Chrome Shadow Roadstar Wheels
Michelin Pilot Super Sport Tires
California / New Mexico / Colorado Car
Clean Carfax

Background

The BMW M Roadster was the M variant of the BMW Z3. The Z3 made its public debut in 1995 in the Bond film GoldenEye with a young and dashing Pierce Brosnan behind the wheel. The scene with 007 and Natalya (Izabella Scorupco), her hair blowing in the wind, was the picture of top-down motoring—except for the dirt road, the Cessna 172, and the villain’s evil lair in Cuba. Nonetheless, if you were 18 years old (as I was) and you saw that movie, you wanted a Z3—and Natalya!

Initially, Z3 sales followed suit, but it soon became apparent that a more aggressive iteration was in order. BMW M GmbH solved this problem in 1998 with the M Roadster. For the first few years of production they were powered by the E36 M3’s 245-horsepower S52B32 inline 6-cylinder engine. Then, for the final two years of production, the engine was upgraded to the E46 M3’s 330 (315 in the Z3M) horsepower S54B32 engine. Other additions included Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and the E46-style M instrument cluster. Power reached the ground through a manual gearbox (the only option), M-tuned suspension, and a limited-slip differential. When it was time to stop, M3 brakes made short work of the job. The exclusive exterior kit featured a bold front splitter, M badges, staggered Style 40 Roadstar wheels, and a quad-tip exhaust—the first BMW M car to get one. Inside, the exclusivity continued with M Roadster lettering on the doorsills and instrument cluster, an illuminated gearshift knob, and chrome ringed gauges, including an oil temperature gauge. The end result was one of the best retro-classic roadsters ever made. It had the fluid and graceful lines of a proper British sports car, with the raw power and driving dynamics that can only be found in a BMW M car. And, because it was based on the Z3, it was produced right here in the good ‘ole USA in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Summary

This 2001 Imola Red over Black Nappa Leather interior is a great example of a low-mileage Z3 M Roadster. It is in excellent condition and blissfully stock, with the exception of a Mason Engineering front strut brace and aftermarket stereo. Along the other features that have made the Z3 so popular, this example includes a factory hard top in matching Imola Red. When installed, it aids in chassis rigidity as well as adding year-round practicality—not to mention the looks! It was originally delivered in California in 2001, and then went to New Mexico in 2004, where it spent thirteen years before coming to Colorado in 2017. The Carfax is clean and it has clearly always been very well maintained. We have records detailing the work that has been done under the last owner’s tenure, notable maintenance including an S54 valve adjustment, valve cover gasket, Rogue Engineering rear shock mounts, a fresh battery, and a fresh oil change. During our inspection, we found nothing that needed to be addressed. As a past Z3 M Roadster owner, current Z3 M Coupe owner, and long time member of the M Coupe community, I love Z3 M Roadsters and am very excited to have this example in our quiver. It’s available just in time for convertible season in Colorado!

Exterior

Imola Red is one of the most desirable M Roadster colors. It always looks good, even when dirty, and it does an excellent job of accentuating the M Roadster’s long hood, side gills, and short trunk. The paint on this example is in good condition. There are no significant dents or dings, and none of the significant rock chips that Colorado cars get. There is some light scuffing along the lower edge of the front bumper cover. There is no failed clear coat, zero rust, and all VIN tags are in place. The convertible top has no rips or tears and the rear window is clear; not yellowed or cloudy as is often the case. All trim and black-work are present and not UV faded. 2000 and later model year M Coupes received chrome rings around the headlight lenses, and the outer lenses are clear and translucent. There are no burn marks in the projector headlights. All indicator lenses and taillight housings are clear and crack-free. The Style 40 Roadstar staggered wheels (17 x 7.5 front and 17 x 9 rear) are clean besides some minor curb rash. The chrome shadow finish is excellent and they have no bends. They are wrapped with Michelin Pilot Super Sport Tires with 80% tread remaining.

Interior

The interior is one of the M Roadster’s most striking design features—and you can never go wrong with Black Nappa Leather. The point of a roadster is an undiluted driving experience. The interior is well appointed but unapologetically simple. Chrome-ringed analog gauges and HVAC controls are a tribute to the great British roadsters (think Jaguar E-type). The center console is unfettered by iDrive or excessive technology—just heated seat buttons and the DSC traction control button for when hooliganism is in order. The carpets have no stains or tears and are protected my M factory floor mats. The floor mats are in good shape. The seat leather is in excellent condition with no tears, stains, or failed seams. The seat motors and seat heaters function properly. The 3-spoke steering wheel has only minor wear. The instrument cluster has no blown out pixels and all gauges work correctly. The JVC KD-AVX77 head unit sounds great through the Harmon Kardon sound system with an aftermarket amplifier and subwoofer. The center HVAC panel and gauges have no burnt out bulbs. The lower switch panel has no cracks in the switch backing plate (a common issue). The factory shift knob is in good shape. The glove box does not sag (another common issue). The auto-dimming rearview mirror has no fluid leaks. All interior functions work correctly; power windows, power door locks, cruise control; the heat blows warm and the air conditioning blows cold. The factory wind deflector is present and in excellent shape. The convertible top headliner has no tears and does not sag. The trunk tool kit is complete, the mobility kit is present, and it comes with all owners’ manuals.

Mechanical

This is a turn-key M Roadster; all major and preventative maintenance is up to date. It has clearly been properly owned and benefitted from regular oil changes and routine maintenance for all of its life. The S54 valve adjustment was recently completed. The engine idles smoothly, pulls strongly, and has no VANOS rattle or lifter knock. It does not leak, drip, or spot. The clutch and shifter are crisp and precise. There is no 5th gear shifter lean. The brakes are firm, the suspension is compliant, and there is no driveline or wheel bearing vibration or whine. The suspension bushings are solid. The rear trunk floor has no failed or sunken spot welds and the rear differential ear has no tears. Like any M Roadster, it will need and deserves the preventative care and maintenance that all BMWs of this vintage do, but at present it is properly sorted and ready for its new home.

BMW M Roadsters are one of the best buys in the M car market. They are the last of the old-school recipe, that is, a normally aspirated engine routed through a manual gearbox powering only the rear wheels. The M Roadster’s Z4 successor that followed had none of the grace and fluid classic roadster lines thanks to Chris Bangle’s flame surface design language. Bang for the buck, you can’t beat an M Roadster. We would like to find an owner who will continue to care for it and appreciate it as much as we do.

VIN Decode

Vehicle Identification Number: WBSCL93481LJ890134
Type: CL93
Model: M Roadster - USA
Development Code: E36 (7)
Chassis: Roadster
Steering: LL
Doors: 2
Engine: S54
Displacement: 3.20
Power: 315 Horsepower
Drivetrain: Rear
Transmission: Manual
Color: Imola Red 2 (405)
Upholstery: Black Nappa Leather (Q6SW)
Production Plant: SPARTANBURG
Production Date: 04-26-2001

Options:

209 Limited-Slip Differential (25%)
210 Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
243 Airbag For Front Passenger
260 Side Airbag For Driver/Passenger
314 Heated Windscreen Washer Nozzles
354 Green Stripe Windscreen
388 Soft Top Black
395 Roll-bar Protection System
398 Power Soft Top Operation
481 Sport Seats F Driver/front Passenger
494 Seat Heating F Driver/front Passenger
530 Air Conditioning
540 Cruise Control
658 Radio BMW Business CD RDS
674 Hifi Loudspeaker System Harmon Kardon
692 Cd Changer I-bus Preparation
710 M Leather Steering Wheel
785 White Direction Indicator Lights
818 Main Battery Switch
845 Acoustic Fasten Seat Belt Reminder
853 Language Version English
992 Number Plate Attachment Management

Glen Shelly is a low volume auto brokerage focused only on the highest quality vehicles. We are airline pilots, mechanics, and auto enthusiasts who bring a high level of professionalism and attention to detail to the automobile business. Our philosophy is to keep our inventory small so that we can focus on thorough mechanical and cosmetic preparation of the vehicles we select. We have over 20 years of experience restoring and repairing automobiles and are intimately familiar with our cars. We do the inspections, service, detailing, and corrective maintenance using only OEM parts and service manuals. We offer an informed and low-pressure sales environment resulting in a premium buying experience. Find out more about us at www.Glenshelly.com.