2002 BMW M Roadster
Steel Grey Metallic (L0400)
Nappa Leather Black / Black (PQ6SW)
1 of 66 Steel Grey / Black Nappa M Roadsters
55,500 Miles
S54B32 Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
5-Speed Manual
ZHP Illuminated Shift Knob
KW V3 Coilovers (recently aligned and corner balanced)
Powerflex Control Arm Bushings
Powerflex Front Swaybar Bushings
Rouge Rear Shock Mounts
M Leather Steering Wheel
Sport Seats
Heated Seats
BMW CD43 Business Stereo
Harmon Kardon HiFi Sound System
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror (recently fixed by Radar-Mirror)
Limited-Slip Differential
Roll Bar Protection System
Power Soft Top (recently replaced rear window)
Air Conditioning
Cruise Control
17-Inch Style 40 Roadstar Wheels
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S Tires (freshly mounted)
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. Initial Z3 sales were strong, 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 2001 model year, BMW upgraded the powerplant to the newly released E46 M3’s S54 engine, slightly detuned to 315 horsepower. 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 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. Because it was based on the Z3, it was produced right here in the good ‘ole USA in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Summary

This 2001 BMW M Roadster is finished in one of the best and most desirable color combinations, Steel Gray over Black Nappa Leather. Steel Gray perfectly suits the classic lines of the Z3 Roadster and changes its hue depending on the lighting. 2002 model year M Roadsters featured late-model chrome headlight trim rings and were the last year of the S54 engine, as well as the final year of the M Roadster. With only 52,200 miles this example is in excellent condition, with a few very tasteful modifications including: KW V coilovers, Powerflex control arm and front sway bar bushings, and Rouge Engineering rear shock mounts. Inside the stock shifter has been upgraded with an illuminated weighted ZHP shift knob. The Carfax shows solid ownership history with regular and frequent services. There is also a receipt for a significant round of maintenance in June of 2020. It shows a brake fluid flush, a fresh fuel filter, spark plugs, a new driver door handle and lock, seat rail bushings, a valve cover gasket, four new Michelin Pilot Sport P4S tires, and an alignment. Shortly thereafter, the previous owner set about installing the KW V3 coilovers, OEM front control arms, Powerflex control arm bushings, Lemforder tie rods, OEM strut mounts, Powerflex front sway bar bushings, and Rogue Engineering rear shock mounts. The result of this suspension refresh is a tight M Roadster with notably upgraded handling from stock, without compromising the ride comfort. In preparation for sale, we replaced the creased rear window in the convertible top with an OEM BMW piece, replaced the driver’s side shoulder belt clip, replaced a damaged center console, and replaced the A/C switch. As it sits, it is a turn-key Z3 M Roadster in a very desirable color ready to be enjoyed by its new owner.

Exteriors

Steel Grey Metallic is one of those colors that always looks good, even when it’s dirty, and even better when it’s clean! The paint on this example is in very nice condition; the majority of it has been repainted, but the quality is very good, and it presents very well. The VIN tags are present on all panels. It is glossy with very few imperfections. There is an impression on the passenger rear of the trunk lid that is approximately 5cm long and 0.5cm indented. For most, it is a livable imperfection. The rest of the car is very straight, with few dents or door dings. The top is in excellent condition with no rips or tears, and we just replaced the rear window with an OEM BMW piece. All trim is present and in good shape. The passenger side bumper reflector has a chip on one corner; the side markers and taillights are clear and crack-free. The windshield is crack-free with good glss. The Style 40 Roadstar staggered wheels (17” x 7.5” front and 17” x 9” in the rear) are nice with no curb rash; the front right has some cracking in the paint from a previous refinish. The tires are fresh Michelin Pilot Sport 4S with 2018/2019 date codes with 85% tread remaining.

Interior

The interior is one of the M Roadster’s most striking design features. The carpets have no stains or tears. The dashboard is clean with no cracking or warping. The seat leather is in excellent condition with no tears, stains, or failed seams; there is moderate wear on the driver’s bolster. The seat bushings do not rock. All seat motors work, as do the seat heaters. The seat belt guides are not broken; we replaced the driver’s side one in preparation for sale. The 3-spoke steering wheel has no notable wear or failed stitching. The instrument cluster has no blown out pixels and all gauges work correctly. The CD43 stereo has a good volume rheostat knob and the front Harmon Kardon speakers work, but the subwoofer is blown. The lower switch panel has no cracks in the switch backing plate; the HVAC controls are in great shape. The glove box does not sag and the auto-dimming rearview mirror works properly (the internals have been replace with solid state components). All interior functions work correctly; the power windows, power door locks, cruise control. The heat blows warm and the air conditioning blows cold. The door cards are clean with no peeling leather; the driver’s side has slight shrinkage on the front top corner. The convertible top headliner is excellent, and the top functions correctly. The trunk tool kit is complete, and the owners’ manuals are present.

Mechanical

This is a well-sorted M Roadster with notable recent maintenance as detailed in the summary paragraph. The S54 engine fires on command, idles smoothly, and pulls strongly to redline. It does not leak or spot. The VANOS is quiet. The valve adjustment is due at 60,000 miles, we can do it early for extra if desired. The clutch and shifter are crisp and precise. There is slight 5th gear lean when the gearbox is cold, but it still re-centers under 3rd gear as soon as it warms up. The shift detent pins can be deferred for a long time until a clutch is due. The brakes are firm, the suspension is compliant, and there is no driveline or wheel bearing vibration or whine. The KW V3 coilovers are set to a very reasonable ride height and are a very notable handling improvement over stock. The suspension is tight, thanks to the addition of fresh control arms and bushings when the coilovers were installed. The rear trunk floor has no failed spot welds and the rear differential ear has no tears. We ensure it passes and pay for emissions in the State of Colorado. 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, being 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: 5UMCL93412LJ82280
Production Date: 12.5.2001
Model: M-ROADST
Series: Z3
Generation: E36
Body Type: Roadster
Type Code: CL93
Engine Code: S54
Power: 315 horsepower
Fuel Type: Gas
Displacement: 3.20
Drive Type: RWD
Steering Side: Left
Color: Steel Grey Metallic (L0400)
Interior: Nappa Leather Black/Black (PQ6SW)
Transmission: Manual

Options:

209 Limited Slip Differential 25% Locking
210 Dynamic Stability Control (DSC III)
243 Airbag for front passenger
260 Side airbags for driver and front passenger
314 Heated windscreen washer jets
354 Windscreen with green shade band
388 Softtop black
395 Roll-bar protection system
398 Soft top operation, electro-hydraulic
442 Cupholder
494 Seat heating for driver and front passenger
530 Air conditioning
540 Leather-covered steering wheel with multifunction keys
658 Radio BMW Business CD RDS
674 HiFi loudspeaker system Harman/Kardon
692 CD changer I-bus preparation
710 M leather steering wheel
785 White direction indicator lights
818 Battery master switch
845 Acoustic seat-belt warning
853 Language version English
992 Control of number-plate attachment

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.