Production of the coupe based on the Z3 started in January 1998, but the first buyers had to wait until July. Mentions that BMW was planning to produce such a car appeared in the press as early as 1996. Pictures of a camouflaged prototype accompanied texts stating, for example: ‘It will be more than a coupe, however. The new car has a large third door and one may use it as a small estate car. It would be a car in the style of the Volvo P1800 ES, produced between 1971 and 1973.’

It is not sure whether the Germans really meant to create a car identified as a ‘small estate car’. Most probably, they wanted to expose the car’s sporting qualities. The utilitarian ones were at best only in second place. BMW made no secret of the fact that, in developing a roadster-based coupe, it was drawing on noble and proven models. The official interpretation was explicit: the Z3, with its closed body, was referring to the Triumph GT6. It is worth recalling that BMW already owned this British brand at the time. The silhouette and the major features of the car can also evoke associations with the Jaguar E-Type and the MG B GT. Wherever you look, the notable ‘ancestors’ themselves.

Manufacturing took place at the factory in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The feisty car just begged for the upgrade with the M package, which it received.
Under the bonnet of the M Series was a 6-cylinder, 321‑hp engine, which must have commanded respect even from drivers of cars such as Porsche. It could not have been more different, since it only took 5.4 seconds for the massive BMW to reach one hundred. The top speed, according to the rules that are now familiar to us, was electronically limited to 250 km/h. The car was only available with a 5-speed manual transmission.

However, what we see in the pictures is not a regular Z3M (as far as  Z3M can be regular). Under the bonnet is an engine from an M3 E46, making it one of only 269 such examples. The unit develops 325 hp, which means it has been weakened slightly. In the E46, it was 340 hp. The mileage display shows just over 50000 km. The authorised survey shows that this vehicle is in excellent condition. It came to Europe from Japan.

– From Japan, it was imported by a manager from BMW headquarters. The downside of collector cars imported from Japan is that their low mileage will be less valued than the same on an identical car from the European market. On top of this, even the best-documented car will have documents that only very few people outside Japan will read.

Although the owner is objectively right, this does not in any way detract from the uniqueness of the car shown in the photos. This is one of those vehicles that guarantee enjoyable driving and are fun to drive. In the case of the version bearing the coveted ‘M’ letter, the pleasure is wild.