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When it was introduced, the BMW M Roadster quickly caught the attention of those who thought the non-Motorsport variety Z3 Roadster was a bit weak in the knees. Even though the US version was initially short on horsepower versus its Euro market counterpart, 240 horsepower was nothing to sneeze at in such a small package. Then the M Coupe arrived on the scene. Still a two-seater, this sports car with a breadvan profile was a bit misunderstood at first. Now, however, it’s popularity is eclipsing that of the M Roadster, leaving prices for the open roofed version lagging a bit. This M Roadster for sale in Florida is a lower mileage example, wearing the rare Evergreen hue that at times polarizes opinions.
The Z3 Coupe is an oddball in the history of the BMW range. Sure, we’ve seen some intriguing cars like the M1 and Z1 come and go, but these vehicles had a definite purpose. While this car’s sibling, the M Coupe, is revered for its unabashed performance, the slightly softer Z3 Coupe seems like it would have limited appeal. Or would it? After taking a trip up north to see family over the Thanksgiving holiday, I was thankful for my R53 MINI Cooper S and it’s ability to hold a folding bicycle, multiple suitcases, grocery bags and sundry other things (with the rear seats folded flat, of course). While the cargo hold is a bit smaller in the Z3 Coupe, you still have more practicality than the Z3 Roadster offers, with unique styling to boot. This Z3 3.0i Coupe for sale in Florida has the desirable 5-speed manual gearbox and has covered under 70,000 miles.
I feel kind of bad for the Z3 Coupe. The M Coupe of the same period has become a cult icon, but in the process, its sibling with less horsepower seems to be on the outside looking in. The Z3 Coupe, however, is a perfectly capable car in its own right. It might lack the Motorsport edge, but you can still get plenty of thrills out of this machine and have a decent amount of space in the back for that quick weekend getaway. Head still spinning from that expensive, low-mileage M Coupe we featured on our Facebook page yesterday? This Clownshoe is a little bit easier on the wallet.
As Wagon Week comes to a close, we’ve got a little halfling. If you were to ask a layperson if a shooting brake was a wagon, they might say yes, and the hatch certainly taps into some of the same styling cues. Can we at least count them as longroofs? Regardless, I’ve made my love for the clownshoe known, and it’s looking like I better consider them a little more seriously as even S52-engined years are climbing in value. This is a clean example in Texas, but it’s not extraordinary and is a bit weak on description.
S54 M Coupes are quickly appreciating, as the top-performing clownshoe’s rarity and ability are realized. I’m certainly not immune to their unique draw, and an example like this is right up there with the E39 M5 as the first car built in the last 20 years that I would actually consider putting in my garage. Today’s is a beautiful example, looking positively sinister in black on black lightweight Fikses. It has a litany of effective and attractive (and reversible) modifications. The S52s may be a better value proposition, but one quick daydream about raging the redwoods in this 315hp shooting brake and the price starts seeming more reasonable.
