The perfect counterpoint to the pristine Golf Cabriolet from earlier is this E85 M Roadster. Now, the M Roadster – in either guise – is not the favorite German convertible, nor is it the favorite M product. Heck, we barely have ever covered the model, either – I wrote one up 3 years ago, but this may be only the second time we’ve looked at an E85 M Roadster. Critics detest the Bangle-era styling among other things, and some will point out it wasn’t even built in Germany, as the final assembly point was the Spartanburg plant in South Carolina. Excuse that for a moment and let’s consider that the E85 M might be one of the best values going in the used performance BMW market. There’s the classic Roadster recipe; two seats, front engine, rear drive. There’s the legendary S54 inline-6 under the hood, and it’s mated to a 6-speed manual. They’re rare, too as they ran only two years with some 3,041 sold in the U.S., which makes it one of the least frequently seen Ms. While not a market darling at the moment, it wasn’t terribly long ago that buyers ignored the E36/7 so there’s a reasonable expectation that they’ll appreciate. Pick up one in a great color and with low miles and it’s just about a sure bet:
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2006 BMW M Roadster on eBay
Year: 2006
Model: M Roadster
Engine: 3.2 liter inline-6
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Mileage: 26,082 mi
Price: No Reserve Auction
2006 BMW Z4 M Roadster
Rare Interlagos Blue on Black Leather
6 Speed Manual
26,082 Miles
We Can Handle Easy Importation Into The U.S. All Duties, Paperwork and Brokerage costs are included! There are no hidden fees! Vehicle will be located in Champlain, NY at our affiliated storage facility and we can arrange/connect you with the best transporters to ship the vehicle to your door, with that cost being the buyer’s responsibility.
No Accidents and Clean AutoCheck report! Ultra Low Mileage ~ Driven Less Than 3K Miles a Year! 1 Adult Owner and 100% Adult Driven! Maintenance and Service Up To Date! Summer Performance Tires! 100% Non Smoker! Rare BMW Blue ~ Only 118 Ever Made In This Color Combination! Always Garage Kept With Car Cover (Included) With Great Body Condition!
Option Packages
PREMIUM PKG ($2500.00) Seat Memory Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror Power Passenger Seat Cruise Control Power Driver Seat Premium Sound System Telematics Bucket Seats
HEATED SEATS ($500.00)
BMW ASSIST W/BLUETOOTH ($750.00)Key Features and Equipment
Rare Interlagos Blue on Black Leather
Award Winning and Famous 3.2L Inline 6 Cylnder Engine / 6 Speed Manual Transmission / 8 Way Power and Heated Driver and Passenger Sport Seats with 3 Way Memory Driver’s Seat / Power Soft Convertible Top with Heated Rear Window / Premium Sound System with 10 Speakers / Auto Dimming Interior and Exterior Heated Mirrors / Keyless Entry / 18 Inch Performance Summer Runflat Tires / 18 Inch Alloy Wheels / Tire Pressure Monitor / Dynamic Driving Control with Sport Button / Dynamic Stability Control / Xenon Headlights with Auto-Leveling / Original owners Manuals and Booklets with original BMW Leather Case and 2 Keys
Edmunds Consumers’ Most Wanted Convertible Under $35,000. Edmunds.com explains “In nearly all performance aspects, the Z4 shines. Acceleration, braking and handling are all excellent. The Z4 is in its element on lightly trafficked roads when one can push the car toward its limits and enjoy the engine’s sonorous exhaust note.”
Performance Highlights
S54 I6 3246cc
330hp @7900rpm
262 ft-lbs torque @4900rpm
0-60 mph: 4.9 sec
Top Speed 155 mph
Weight Distribution: 49.3%/50.7% front/rear
Curb Weight: 3197 lbs
Vehicle Condition
Overall Condition is excellent, both cosmetically and mechanically. There is no odor inside the vehicle, no scratches or tears to the leather, no damages to the interior and all switches and controls function as new. The exterior has no dents or dings, and no significant scratches. The only minor blemishes are 2 very small scrapes on the lower front sill typical for a low ride height vehicle, and a few minor rocks chips on the hood. The overall appearance is stunning and can be attributed to the car being garage kept with a car cover on (which is included). The engine runs extremely smoothly and powerfully. The transmission shifts smoothly and crisply, and the clutches engages strongly. The ride is tight, and the steering is accurate. The brakes have over 80% remaining and bite strong.
Please feel free to call us at 1-855-978-7369 or 514-637-1692 with any questions. A member of our sales team will be happy to help!
Though many don’t, I’ve always loved the E85/6. They’re great looking cars that still look fresh a decade on, and to me that’s a sign of a great and unique design. Interlagos Blue is a great match for the M bits that make this special, too, and help to make the Style 224 M Double Spoke wheels stand out, along with the signature quad exhaust. But its the light shadows that help to distinguish the many character lines that draws my eye and not in a bad way. You could call it fussy, but I really do think looking back that this car will be considered a great and to me looks better than the refreshed E89 Z4 model and the Z3. There are some condition issues but they’re overall quite minor, leaving a low mile and relatively clean classic M product for the next driver to enjoy. But herein lies the kicker; with E36, E39 and even E46 M products heading upwards in price (especially for low mile, original and clean examples) this E85 is currently priced at $22,300 on the no reserve auction with a day to go. For $3,000 more wouldn’t you rather have this than the Golf?
-Carter
