Doug's Take

The BMW Z3 M Roadster is a fun convertible that boasts timeless styling, a mandatory 5-speed manual transmission, and a great soundtrack from its sporty S52 6-cylinder engine. This particular M Roadster touts some great factory equipment, including 17-inch Style 40 wheels, a limited-slip differential, and a Harman/Kardon sound system – along with several nice modifications like a Dinan cold air intake, an electric fan conversion, and H&R springs. Plus, this Z3 M comes with a clean, accident-free Carfax report – and it's offered with the added thrill of no reserve!

Highlights

THIS... is a 1998 BMW Z3 M Roadster, finished in Cosmos Black Metallic with a black soft top and a black and gray interior.

• This M Roadster features a 5-speed manual transmission.
• The attached Carfax vehicle history report shows no accidents or mileage discrepancies in this Z3 M’s past.
• According to the build sheet provided in the gallery, notable factory equipment includes 17-inch Style 40 wheels, a limited-slip differential, a power-retractable soft top, Nappa leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a Harman/Kardon sound system.
• Notable modifications reported by the seller include a Dinan cold air intake, an electric fan conversion, H&R sport springs, Bilstein sport rear shocks, a Clutch Masters lightweight flywheel, and a PowerflexUSA polyurethane rear differential bushing.
• Based on the Z3, the M Roadster made its debut in 1998 with a more powerful engine shared with the E36 M3, a sportier suspension system, and wider wheel arches, among other changes. It was immediately hailed as one of the best driver's cars on the market.
• Power comes from an S52 3.2-liter inline-6, rated at 240 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. Output is sent to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission.

Equipment

A build sheet is provided in the photo gallery, and a partial list of notable equipment reported by the seller includes:

• 17-inch Style 40 wheels
• Limited-slip differential
• Power-retractable soft top
• Nappa leather upholstery
• Power-adjustable and heated seats
• Harman/Kardon sound system

Modifications

Notable modifications reported by the seller include:

• Dinan cold air intake system
• Stewart Components water pump
• 80ºC thermostat
• Spal electric fan conversion
• NGK spark plugs
• H&R sport springs
• Bilstein sport rear shocks
• Clutch Masters lightweight flywheel
• PowerflexUSA polyurethane rear differential bushing
• Black kidney grilles

Known Flaws

• Chips, dings, and scratches around the exterior (some are touched up)
• Curb rash on wheels
• Some wear on seats and seat bushings (spare bushings included in the sale)
• Wear on interior touch points and trim panels
• Some corrosion on underbody components and under the hood
• The seller reports that the radio volume control functions intermittently and the analog clock is inoperative.

Recent Service History

Service documentation in the photo gallery indicates that the following maintenance has been performed:

• June 2024: Battery replaced
• May 2024: Tires replaced

The seller reports that the following services have been performed:

• May 2025: Passenger-side front wheel hub replaced, engine oil and filter changed, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and differential fluid flushed
• April 2024: Differential bushing replaced
• September 2023: Spark plugs and valve cover gasket replaced
• April 2023: Rear main seal, pilot bearing, clutch, pressure plate, throw-out bearing, clutch pivot pin, water pump, radiator, radiator hoses, and thermostat replaced

Additional service history is detailed by documentation pictured in the gallery and in the attached Carfax report.

Other Items Included in Sale

• 2 keys, 2 fobs
• Owner's manual
• Service records
• Assorted spare parts
• Bavarian Autosport diagnostic code reset tool

Ownership History

The seller reportedly purchased this Z3 M in August 2013.

Seller Notes

The seller reports that paint protection film has been applied ahead of the rear wheels.

Previous Listing:
Thank you for checking out my 1998 M Roadster which currently has 63,669 miles.

My M Roadster (WBSCK9337WLC85509) is finished in Cosmos Black Metallic over gray and black Nappa leather and is powered by a 3.2-liter S52 inline-six paired with a five-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. Equipment includes silver-finished 17" Style 40 wheels, a power-operated convertible soft top, an alarm system, AM/FM/CD stereo, air conditioning, cruise control, power-adjustable and heated sport seats.

The silver-finished 17 Style 40 wheels are wrapped in new Kumho ECSTA PA51 tires measuring 225/45 up front and 245/40 out back. Braking is handled by four-wheel ventilated disc along with StopTech brake lines. My M roadster is also equipped with H&R sport springs and Bilstein sport shocks in the rear.

Notable improvements include:
-Dinan intake system
-Stewart High performance water pump
-New OEM radiator plus upper and lower hoses
-80 thermostat
-16" Spal electric fan conversion
-ClutchMasters FW-140-AL lightweight flywheel
-New Sachs clutch and pressure plate
-New rear main seal, pilot bearing, throw-out bearing, bronze clutch pivot pin
-New Powerflex polyurethane rear diff bushing
-New Duralast Gold battery
-New Kumho ECSTA PA51 tires
-New NGK spark plugs
-New valve cover gasket

I would consider this car to be in excellent condition for its age. The S52 motor pulls hard, and it truly is a blast to drive. I have done plenty of routine maintenance and included tasteful modifications that make this car a real gem. The paintwork is in great shape although there is normal wear on the front bumper which is to be expected. There is a small ding on the passenger side door as well as the driver side, side skirt. I have touched up small paint chips on the hood with a paint matching kit from Dr. ColorChip (recommended by my friends at Buffalo Car Care). The radio volume control does have a mind of its own and adjusting the volume level is a bit tricky. The driver seat and passenger seat bushings are starting to wear however, I do have these parts to fix this issue if needed. The soft top works great and is surprisingly quick folding up and down.

My M Roadster is offered with the owner's manual, service records, two sets of keys and a clean New York title.

I have always changed oil with Mobil 1 full synthetic plus Mann filters regularly. I have never had any major mechanical issues. Although this is a 27 year old car it still turns heads and one that you don't see quite often!

The Carfax report shows no accidents or other damage. Lists history in Tennessee, North Carolina, and New York.

I am asking $17,500, or best offer. Serious buyers only please.