1998 BMW Z3

Property of a Gentleman.

Mainstream success in the early 1990s favoured those who accepted that a cultural shift towards modesty was coming. Naturally, the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini cared not a jot for political correctness but mainstream manufacturers had to be careful when it came to the launch of an all new sportscar. Ironically it was the phenomenal success of Mazda’s little MX-5 that prompted the development of many new roadsters and BMW could see a market for a reliable and modestly handsome mid-priced alternative. When the Z3 Roadster was launched in 1995 the deal that BMW made with the producers of the first James Bond film in six years was intended to be a cross-promotional enterprise, giving kudos to the first non-British car provided by Q-Branch, whilst EON Productions hedged their bets with a new Bond and a major marketing saving. Three BMW models followed, and although Pierce Brosnan spent more time in a Soviet T-55 tank in GoldenEye than in the two Z3 prototypes used for filming, sales spiked as the film sat at number one at the box office and it is said that the entire 1996 BMW Z3 roadster production run of more than 15,000 was sold out for that year.

For those who wanted a touch less modesty, the Z3M Roadster was launched in 1997 and was only in production for five years. Developed by BMW's M-Sports division who installed the magnificent 321bhp, 3.2-litre straight-six engine from the contemporary E36 M3 Coupé, along with that car's beefed up suspension, limited-slip differential, brakes and 5-speed manual gearbox. The package was topped off with massive alloy wheels, quad exhausts and a more aggressive front spoiler and side skirts. There were also interior upgrades with additional gauges in the centre console, M-Sport gear knob, various chrome bits throughout the cockpit, and leather sport seats as standard equipment. The result was a proper sportscar that could scorch to 60mph in 5.2 seconds on its way to a top speed limited to 155mph. Only 15,375 were built in total but of these only 3,557 were to full power European-spec (American cars only had 240bhp) and only 997 were right-hand drive.

UK-supplied on 30th September 1998 in Estoril Blue with matching Nappa leather under a dark blue electric hood, the car's detailed maintenance history shows it was no stranger to a BMW main dealer workshop and the historic MOTs, service receipts and prior Bills of Sale indicate the car has travelled an average of a thousand or so miles a year, for a current odometer reading (at the time of cataloguing), of 28,456 miles. It was last serviced on 31st August 2020 at 28,193 miles by John Clark Aberdeen BMW and is presented to auction with an advisory-free MOT valid until 2nd April 2026, a well documented history file, dealers book pack, stamped service handbook and spare key with fob.

The modern classic market is a numbers game and buyers want low but useable mileages, limited production runs and dozens of pages of history, which is exactly what we have on offer here.