2000 Bmw Z3 M Roadster Review

The facelift of 2000 brought more chrome here and there, some special colours and the inclusion of the fuel filler flap on the central locking system. Oh, and the new 321bhp S54 3.2-litre straight-six engine from the E46-generation M3. On paper, it's a little torquier and more powerful but the real improvement lies in its wider spread of torque and punchier mid-range. It also has a drive-by-wire throttle for smoother responses. Dynamic stability control keeps it all pointing in the right direction.

The Z3 M Coupé has been accused of being a little softly sprung at the rear, which is why you're sure to encounter cars with aftermarket springs and dampers. AC Schnitzer offered two types of suspension kit, the road one using Bilstein components. Just make sure it's sitting correctly and tracking straight. After all, a Z3 M Coupé was made for the road and not the garage.

How to get one in your garage

An owner's view - Jack Hargreaves, BMW Z3 M Coupé owner: "I've owned my car for five years. It was registered in 1999 and has done 158,000 miles. To be honest, the previous owner did most of them. It was his daily driver. Even so, I've done around 10,000 miles and it has never put a foot wrong. It's my forever car. I certainly can't imagine selling it. It was my first BMW. I'm a bit of a petrolhead and always promised myself one. I love the looks but the engine's the best bit: it feels like it'll rev forever. The car has a kind of squashed shooting brake look and it's practical, to a point. But who buys a Z3 M Coupé for its loadcarrying abilities? For me, it's all about the driving experience."

Buyer beware:

ENGINE -Oil changes are every 7000 miles for the S50 and 11,000 for the S54. A ticking sound at idle could indicate valve clearance issues. A 'tractor' sound, especially on the S50, may be the Vanos unit playing up. Oil leaks here may be failed solenoid O-rings. Disintegrating bearing shells can be an issue on the S54. (Some owners fit a later version of the engine that didn't suffer the same problem.) The S50 can suffer from a stretched throttle cable but it's easy to replace.

TRANSMISSION -A sloppy gearlever that leans towards fifth may be a weak return spring but it's an expensive fix. Difficult first- and second-gear selection may be due to low hydraulic pressure caused by the clutch hose getting hot. Check the diff mounts are secure because they can flex and crack the boot floor.

BRAKES & SUSPENSION -Listen for loose suspension top mounts thumping over speed bumps. They fail every 60k miles or so. Look for seized disc calipers, a common problem. Check if the suspension has been overhauled or, more likely, uprated with Bilstein shocks and that you're happy with the results.

BODY -Serious corrosion is likely to be accident related. Even so, check rear wings, sills and where the bonnet meets the bumper. Check the rear screen is secure and the rear wiper works.

INTERIOR -Look out for rocking seats, sticky power windows (grease the mechanism) and a failed main light switch.