2008 BMW Z4M Roadster

Highlights

• 338bhp, six-cylinder S54 engine
• In current ownership for 16 years
• Enthusiast owned and tastefully upgraded
• Eventuri intake
• Genuine CSL wheels

Overview

Putting a 300+bhp, inline-six ‘S’ engine into a two-seater roadster or coupe was nothing new for BMW by the time the E85 Z4 rolled around in 2006 - the iconic S54 had already been shoe-horned into the Z3M (get it? The ‘clown shoe’ had an engine ‘shoe-horned’ in? I’ll see myself out) as far back as February 2001, albeit in slightly less-powerful 321bhp form.

The E85 aimed to build upon this slightly bonkers marriage between drivetrain and body style, maintaining the soundtrack and characteristics of the S54 engine, but upgrading the bodywork and interior to bring it in-line with the Bangle-penned design language of the day, along with making it far more user-friendly for everyday use.

Produced for only two years between 2006 and 2008, the Z4M roadster offers roof-down motoring with genuine M pedigree at a far more wallet-friendly price point than its Z3M predecessor.

This late-production example has been tastefully upgraded by the current owner, including fitment of the all-important Eventuri carbon air intake, which unleashes the intoxicating intake noise from the S54 engine. With better weather surely just around the corner here in England, could this be your ticket for some open-top thrills once the weather warms up?

History and documentation

• Registered 27 Mar 2008
• Purchased by the seller 16 years ago as a BMW Approved Used vehicle
• Stamped service book with services as follows: Aug 08 @ 1,635 miles, Apr 2010 @ 11,277 miles, Apr 2012 @ 18,651 miles, Dec 2013 @ 23,360 miles, Dec 2015 @ 26,466 miles, Nov 2017 @ 33,404 miles, Nov 2019 @ 35,950 miles, Oct 2021 @ 36,940 miles
• Full document pack including marketing brochure
• Valve clearance check document from marque specialist Redish Motorsport at 36,940 miles
• Current MOT expires 02 May 2025 with advisories for defective front wiper blades, a ‘noisy’ exhaust, damaged/cracking or perished tyres on all four corners, corroded front springs, play in the OSF steering rack joint, corrosion on the front subframe, and corrosion on the rear subframe
• V5 present in owner’s name
• HPI clear
• London ULEZ compliant

Interior

• The cabin of this 2008 BMW Z4 M Roadster presents in fantastic condition, and is testament to years of limited usage
• The seats are in excellent shape, with no rips, tears or damage, nor any pronounced outer bolster wear that so often plagues M cars of this era
• High-traffic areas such as the steering wheel, shifter and switchgear are in good order with no heavy wear
• The inner door sill covers display a few small marks and nicks
• There are a number of small marks on the outer edge of the steering column around the ignition barrel
• For ease of maintenance, the roof motor has been relocated into the boot, with its own access panel
• Roof operation can now be carried out remotely using the key fob
• The seller reports that there are no known faults or issues, nor any warning lights illuminated on the instrument cluster

Exterior

• This E85 Z4M Roadster presents well overall, and benefits from aesthetic modifications in the form of a set of genuine CSL wheels and a 10mm suspension drop
• All four of the CSL wheels are in excellent condition, wrapped in matching Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres
• The seller notes that all four tyres retain plenty of tread, but are beginning to crack and are due replacement due to their age
• Looking closely, there are a number of age-related marks on the Carbon Black paintwork, most notably on the nearside front bumper, offside bumper splitter/lip, offside bumper, mirror caps, stone chips to the front bumper, a few small marks on both doors, and a small scratch below the petrol cap
• Elsewhere, there are signs of use commensurate with the car’s age, such as stone chips / road rash on the rear edges of all four arches, and stone chips along the lower half of the bodywork
• Aluminum skidplates have been fitted to the underside of the front bumper
• The offside headlamp washer is missing
• The seller notes the rear clear middle brake light has peeled away slightly from its original position

Mechanical

• 338bhp, six-cylinder naturally aspirated S54 engine, sending power to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission
• The seller reports that new brake discs and pads were fitted in 2022 on both the front and the rear
• An Eventuri carbon airbox has been fitted to amplify the intake noise from the S54 engine, and is widely regarded as a ‘must have’ modification for any Z3M, Z4M or E46 M3 owner
• The suspension has been lowered by 10mm
• Upgraded braided front brake lines have been fitted
• The owner has had the engine mounts upgraded to Vibra Technics road engine mounts which he found made a big difference in the handling of the car
• The engine bay presents well, with no signs of any major leaks or issues that we can see
• The seller tell us that the car drives well with no known mechanical issues

Summary

Picture this - the sun is shining, the roads are clear and you have an S54 at your disposal, playing wonderful six-cylinder music through its carbon airbox, individual throttle bodies and crisp exhaust. That dream could be your reality if you’re the next owner of this E85 Z4M Roadster.

Sure, there are a few cosmetic blemishes - testament to a life well-lived, in our view - and there are a couple of MoT advisories that need some attention, but all the right ingredients are there for a summer full of roof-down adventures at the wheel, and that sounds like a good time to us.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Shirenewton, Chepstow.