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1998 BMW Z3M Roadster 5-speed manual
Here we have a 1998 BMW Z3M Roadster. A US market car, it has been in Canada since 2015. It was brought north of the border to be the late importer’s “baby” and is now on offer as the estate is settled. Its US history is primarily in the southern and western US – Florida, Arizona, Oregon, Washington – and it has spent the summers since in the Ottawa area. The car was imported in 2015 at 58,000 miles and has been driven under 5,000 miles since – to its current odometer reading of 62,500 miles. Ontario residents will be happy to know that the car comes with and Ontario Safety Standards Certificate.
The E37 came to market in 1995 as BMW’s first two-seat roadster offering since the quirky Z1’s short run ended in 1991. All ‘95s came with a 1.9 litre four-cylinder engine while in 1996 an optional 2.8L inline-six was offered, pushing output to 189 horsepower. This car should not be confused with either. With the 1998 model year came the ability for Z3 enthusiasts to opt for the Z3M Roadster, the car at hand, with its inline-six S52 engine of 3.2 litres of displacement and 240 peak horsepower at 6,000 rpm. This is the same engine as that in the period M3 (E36). When new, torque checked in at 236 lb.-ft. This car pushes the power to the road via a 5-speed manual – developed and built by ZF – all to the rear wheels.
The S52 has an aluminum cylinder head with four valves per cylinder. This engine employs BMW’s VANOS variable valve timing system. Special M components in place are the ported and polished cylinder head, re-tuned VANOS system to ensure greater power output at higher rpm, heavy-duty valve springs, valve lifters/springs/spring lifters reduced in weight and free-flow intake and exhaust systems.
This M-Roadster is finished in Arctic Silver Metallic with contrasting upscale Nappa black leather interior and black soft top. All are in very good condition. Paint is free of major defects and there are no tears in either the roof or interior upholstery.
The original BMW style 40 wheels are also in nice condition, free of scrapes and curb rash. They are a staggered 17” set-up – 7-1/2” up front and 9” in the rear. They are wrapped in 225/45- and 245/40-sized tires, respectively – Toyo Proxes up front and 2019-dated Michelin Pilots in the rear. The low offset on the rears give them an aggressive, deep-dish look.
The Z3 has a tidy cockpit, their surroundings hug both driver and passenger. Each of them is protected by an individual roll bar, fixed in place behind each seat.
The underside of the car presents as one which has spent most of its time in the southern U.S. and stored in the winters since its importation to Canada in 2015. The seller has supplied extensive photos of the underside and no rust of substance can be found.
This Z3M Roadster comes with its original manual and is available in Ottawa, Ontario. Please use the “Contact Seller” button at the bottom of the “CCC Vital Info” box to arrange a showing with the seller.
