2001 BMW Z3 M Coupe (S54) |

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2001 BMW Z3 M Coupe (S54)

This vehicle has now been sold - click ‘Register Similar’ below to get notified when we consign a similar vehicle.

Sold Price

£29,000

Mileage~78,993
TransmissionManual
Engine3.2L
LocationWorthing

SOLD

2001 BMW Z3 M Coupe (S54)

I WANT ONE

Introduction

Alan Stuart

Professional Consigner

One of the M-Division's best creations, a rare modern classic with the brilliant M-Sport 3.2L straight-six.

Originally launched in 1996 after appearing in the James Bond film GoldenEye, the Z3 quickly became a hit with over ~15,000 orders placed before it even hit the market. Designed by Joji Nagashima, the legendary car designer for BMW, the Z3 was the first modern mass-market BMW roadster and the first new BMW model assembled in the United States.

Building on the success of the S50 platform from the E36 M3, the Z3 M Coupe earned its "legend" status with the introduction of the S54 engine in 2001, which brought more power, traction control, and improved brakes. This version transformed the driving experience, delivering exceptional torque, superb cornering ability, and precise driver feedback. The Z3 M Coupe is a rare and highly desirable two-seater that perfectly blends style, performance, and practicality.

As one of only ~165 right-hand-drive models ever produced (only 123 for the UK market), this car is powered by the legendary ~325BHP S54 engine, accelerating from 0-60 in ~5.1 seconds through the same high-revving 3.2-litre straight-six that made the M3 a world-beater. Despite only a small increase in horsepower on paper from its predecessors, the S54 engine made the car dramatically smoother, torquier, and more responsive, cementing its place as the ultimate choice for driving enthusiasts.

This example comes to market after ~12 years ownership with our vendor, it has a clean MOT valid until 6th February 2025, and is supplied with a Harman Kardon stereo system, 6CD changer and two sets of keys. Additionally, the BMW has a handmade stainless steel exhaust fitted. The car has had oil servicing completed less than ~1,000 miles ago, new sill panels and discs and pads were replaced under ~2,000 miles ago. If you're in the market for something quick, sporty, and considerably rarer than most other cars out there, take a closer look at the BMW Z3 M Coupe.

This listing was written from information supplied by Alan after meeting John the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

My pride and joy for the past ~12 years, BMW worked wonders with this Z3.

John, the current owner, told us he's always liked the Z3 M Coupe since it launch, he said, "it has distinctive brawny looks matched with its performance from the S54 engine".

John adds, "The car has been well maintained and serviced by a local specialist whom I trust. I've used the same person for servicing for ~12 years, so it's been in good hands". John loves the rarity, handling and the Estoril Blue paint. From a docile drive in town to a blast in the country the M Coupe is sublime. With an addictive fierce raspy exhaust note sharpening to a howl, it has such an engaging drive.

John has another car project lined up so has decided make the difficult decision to sell the M Coupe with us; will be happy to answer any questions about the car in the comments section below.

John

Vehicle Owner

John saved £5,220* when they
sold their BMW with us.

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EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

The M Coupe is the perfect for the summer, boasting thrilling performance and sporty looks with its flared arches, bigger wheels, and sleek splitter.

Wheels and Tyres

Fitted with 17" BMW 5 spoke alloys finished in "Shadow Chrome", the wheels show in excellent condition, with no signs of any concerning damage during our visit having been previously refurbished.

The M Coupe is fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport tyres 225/45 to the front dated from 2019. To the rear, Goodyear Eagle F1's 245/40 from 2020. These appear to be in good visual condition, with a good amount of tread remaining.

Bodywork

While looking over the BMW during our visit, we found that the car maintains good visual panel gaps, and the doors, bonnet, and boot open and close smoothly.

We did not observe any major scratches, dings on the panels, or obvious signs of corrosion. We did, however, notice a slight mark on the offside of the front bumper that you'll see in the images.

Our high-resolution images and videos provide a detailed look at these observations, so please take the time to review all the media files to assess the car's condition for yourselves.

Paint

The smart Estoril Blue paintwork has a smooth and even finish across all the panels, overall showing in great condition and complementing the BMW beautifully. John mentioned that there are some very minor scratches around the paintwork, as to be expected of a car of this age, he also pointed out some visible corrosion on the base of the driver's side mirror.

The blue tone is a truly eye-catching colour for the car, especially in the sunshine.

The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there yourself. Please take the time to fully assess these high-resolution images and videos of the car to form your own opinion about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

The glass sections on the M Coupe were in great condition, consistent with the car's age; we didn't notice any cracks or discolouration during our visit. The trim and window seals also looked excellent. The BMW front and rear badges, along with the 'M' logos on the sides and rear, appeared smart.

The sunroof glass was in great condition and presented no major concerns. Both the front and rear lights were in good shape, although they could benefit from a minor refurbishment. A nice touch were the side bonnet vents, which added to the car's sporty appearance.

Check out the exterior gallery and review video. We guide you through all areas of the car as if you were standing there yourself, so you can see in greater detail how the car is presented.

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

A striking M-Sport interior featuring split-tone leather sport seats and sleek leather accents.

Seats and Carpets

The seats are in great condition with no major damage; only minor nicks to the finish in the cabin section. The two-tone colour split on the seats looks great inside the car. The rear netting area is in good order, dividing the front and rear sections.

The main carpet in the interior is in lovely condition, and the carpet in the boot also looks great. Underneath, the carpet sections showed no issues with the bodywork. We cover the cabin area of the BMW in more detail in our interior review video.

Dashboard

The black dash looks to be in great condition, free from any significant marks. The dashboard presented really well, with no visible cracking or warping when we visited the car and showed ~78,993 miles on the clock when starting it up. All the numbers and dials on the dash appeared clear and legible.

The gauges, switches, and controls all appeared to be in great condition, with surfaces free from fogging or scratching. Our interior gallery section offers a closer look at the M Coupe dashboard.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The black BMW steering wheel is in excellent condition, with no signs of major damage or wear. A nice touch is the colour-matched blue side sections, which complement the cabin interior. The gearstick is also in good condition, showing only minor signs of use.

Additional images of the cabin area, including the steering wheel, are available in our "Interior Gallery" section for more details on what the M Coupe has to offer.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

This special Z3 M delivers ~325BHP from its 3.2L straight-six, blending classic style with powerful performance through a 5-speed gearbox.

Engine and Gearbox

The car features the sought after S54 engine, optimising the Z3's enhanced chassis with the same power plant that propelled the BMW M3 to global acclaim.

The engine appears to be in great visual condition, and during our cold start video, you can see and hear the engine start up smoothly, with no issues, smoke, or unusual noises. While out on the road, the engine performed flawlessly.

The BMW is fitted with a handmade stainless steel exhaust, which sounded beautiful on the road. Take a look at our "On the Road" video, where we cover the engine start-up and take the M Coupe around the local area to learn more about the car.

Suspension and Brakes

We noted no knocks, bangs, or other issues with the suspension while on the road, and it gave us no concerns regarding its performance or handling. During our drive, the firm suspension was forgiving enough to absorb dips in the tarmac without disrupting the ride. The brakes felt great and were easily able to bring the M Coupe to a stop.

We cover the underside of the car in our 'Mechanical Gallery' section. Head over to our video section, where we've summarised our visit in more detail for you to view. We take you through the mechanical elements of the car and give you an overview of what's on offer.

The Drive

BMW's S54 engine may always be synonymous with the E46 M3, but the German automaker's legendary inline-six truly shines in the more compact M Coupe.

John, the current owner, shares his experiences with us, "I love the low stance, the engine and exhaust note, and sunny day drives with the roof down. Powerful yet smooth - truly brilliant German engineering!".

Our 'On the Road' video provides an overview of the car and its performance while driving.

Electrics and Other

All switches, dials, and gauges appear undamaged and in good condition. John mentioned that he has an intermittent issue with the CD changer but everything else is working correctly to his knowledge.

The sunroof was working well when we visited the BMW, as was the air conditioning - both great for the warmer weather. Please note that the private number plate is not included in the final sale, and will revert back to the previous registration.

The M Coupe has an original BMW tape player fitted to a Harman Kardon stereo system. In the boot, a first aid kit, toolkit, and 6-CD changer were also present.

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History and Paperwork

With fewer than ~3,000 miles travelled in the last ~5 years, and only ~123 ever made for the UK market, this Z3 M is something a bit special.

These kinds of cars don't come around very often - rare, well-maintained and in lovely condition, after ~12 years ownership with John. This example has benefited from a new stainless steel exhaust upgrade, refurbished wheels, and sill replacements with a partial respray to colour match the completed works, John tells us the inner sills were good and have been treated with wax oil.

It comes complete with two sets of keys, an owner's book, service book, stereo operating manual, and accompanying BMW portfolio. The personalised number plates featured on the car are not included in the final sale and will revert to its original registration.

The BMW has had its driver's door lock repaired, and the sill and section paintwork completed in September 2023. The cam cover gasket, spark plug tube seals, and new front and rear discs and pads were replaced in November 2021, and the rear wiper motor was updated in July 2011.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and actioned a HPi check on the vehicle.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, and as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment on the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bid/s, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History

Date	Type	Mileage
31.01.2024	MOT	78,762
25.09.2023	Oil Change	78,403
07.02.2023	MOT	78,441
17.11.2021	MOT	77,768
15.11.2021	Inspection I & Brake Fluid Change	77,793
28.11.2020	MOT	77,007
09.10.2019	Brake Fluid, Oil and Coolant Change	76,424
08.10.2019	MOT	76,400
17.10.2018	MOT	75,271
04.10.2017	MOT	73,966
09.08.2017	Inspection II & Brake Fluid Change	73,657
30.09.2016	MOT	72,848
29.09.2015	MOT	69,191
03.10.2014	MOT	65,906
21.10.2013	MOT	62,428
01.10.2012	MOT	58,492
26.06.2012	Oil Change	57,076
05.10.2011	MOT	56,210
18.10.2010	Brake Fluid and Oil Change	54,171
05.10.2010	MOT	54,144
28.09.2009	MOT	52,326
06.10.2008	MOT	50,618
08.10.2007	MOT	48,982
17.10.2006	Inspection II	46,367
29.09.2006	MOT	45,926
05.10.2005	MOT	43,057
10.06.2004	Brake Fluid and Oil Change	34,339
30.01.2003	Inspection I	19,001
18.03.2002	Oil Change	7,539