Price: SOLD
Mileage: 135,500 Miles
Engine: S52B32 Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Transmission: 5-Speed Manual Transmission
Exterior color: Arctic Silver Exterior
Interior: Imola Red/Black Nappa Leather Interior
Additional features:
Black Soft Top
Arctic Silver Hard Top
TC Kline Coilovers
Camber Plates
H&R Sway Bar
Strong Strut Brace
Billy Boat Exhaust
Randy Forbes Dual-Ear Differential Mount
Rouge Differential Cover
M Leather Steering Wheel
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror
Sport Seats
Heated Seats
Harmon Kardon HiFi Sound System
Limited-Slip Differential
Roll Bar Protection System
Power Soft Top
Air Conditioning
Cruise Control
100% Stock
17-Inch Style 40 Roadstar Wheels
Michelin Super Sport Tires
Clean Carfax / No Accidents
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 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. At its heart was the E36 M3’s 245-horsepower S52B32 inline 6-cylinder engine. 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. And because it was based on the Z3, it was produced right here in the good ‘ole USA in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
This 1998 BMW M Roadster is finished in one of the most desirable Z3M color combinations, Arctic Silver over Imola Red and Black leather interior. In addition to the standard M Roadster kit outline above, it also features TC Kline Coilovers and camber plates, an H&R sway bar, a Strong strut brace, and a Billy Boat exhaust. The combination of suspension and chassis upgrades adds considerable athleticism to the M Roadster. Factory additions are a color-matched hardtop and late-model S54 Chrome Shadow Style 40 Roadstar wheels. Notable maintenance includes a Randy Forbes dual-ear differential mount with a Rouge differential cover, clutch kit, shift pin detent bushings (to address 5th gear lean), cooling system overhaul, and tons of other preventative and routine maintenance. The Carfax is clean, and the records are thorough. It is in exceptional condition, presenting as if it has a fraction of its 135,500 miles. It’s also an example that proper care and maintenance are more important than mileage, having the ten grand in the maintenance and issues addressed that cars with half of its mileage will need. Add the hardtop, upgrades, and the dual-ear subframe kit, and you couldn’t build this car for the asking price. As it sits, this is a turn-key M Roadster in a desirable color combo, with a considerable build and upgrades ready to be enjoyed by its new owner.
This Arctic Silver paint is in excellent condition, especially considering its age and mileage. Imperfections consist of a small scratch on the passenger quarter panel, a chip on the driver door, two pea-sized on the passenger, and a few tiny pits on the front of the hood. The paint gauges around 5mils throughout the car, with the exceptions being on the hood, which gauges close to 20, and a deeper section in the passenger door. The front bumper has clear bra that has done an excellent job of stopping any pitting or other imperfections. The rear bumper has a two-inch dent, but no other issues. The convertible soft top is in great shape, with no sag, tears, or stains on any fabric surface. The rear window is in great condition. The hardtop is also in great shape, although the rubber seals let some wind noise in at high speeds. All VIN and warning stickers are present. There are no panel gap inconsistencies, and all trim is accounted for and in good condition. The glass is in great shape, with only a few small pits in the windshield. The headlights are functional, with light scratches and some yellowing. The taillights and indicators are also functional and in good shape. The Style 40 Roadstar wheels have only minor imperfections and no notable curb rash. They are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires measuring 225/45 ZR17 (tread depth of 10/32”) in front and 245/40 ZR17 (tread depth of 7/32”) in the rear with DOT dates of 2017 and 2015, respectively.
The interior is in amazing shape. The two-tone Imola Red and Black leather is iconic and quintessentially M Roadster. There are no odors other than that wonderful Z3 leather smell. The door cards are both functional and immaculate. The steering wheel has been re-wrapped, and the only flaw is a tiny scratch on the leather on the horn. The dashboard is crack and fade-free. The instrument cluster is also functional and in great shape. All interior power switches work and are undamaged and unfaded. All HVAC controls work; the heat blows warm, and the air conditioning blows cold. The BMW Business CD43 stereo system is functional and sounds great, but the volume knob is finicky. The center console is also in excellent condition, with hardly any fade to the shifter or handbrake. We replaced the cracked center console trim in the photos. The shifter has light wear. The seats have typical creasing on the outer bolsters, and the seat belt guides are functional. All trunk components are accounted for, and there are no foul odors, stains, or rips to the carpet. There is no tonneau cover. Two keys and the owner’s manuals are present.
This is a turn-key M Roadster; all major and preventative maintenance items are up to date. It has clearly been properly owned and benefitted from regular oil changes and routine maintenance. The most recent maintenance items are listed in the summary paragraph. The S52 engine is one of BMW’s reliable power plants, having none of the rod bearing issues or needing the valve adjustments that later S54-powered M Roadsters did. The engine idles smoothly, pulls strong, and has no VANOS issues. It does not leak, drip, or spot. The clutch has been replaced, as have the shift pin detent bushings, so there is no 5th gear lean. The brakes are firm, the TC Kline suspension is incredible, and there are no driveline or wheel bearing vibrations or whine. The suspension bushings are firm. The rear trunk floor has been addressed with the Randy Forbes dual-ear differential mount and the Rouge finned cover. 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.
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