Throughout the years, German auto manufacturer BMW has been a go-to in the performance sedan market, thanks to legendary monikers like the M3 and M5. But, that certainly doesn't mean this is all the brand is good for. For the past 30-odd years, the ex-aircraft maker has worked on smaller, nimble sports cars bearing the Z badge.
Starting with the Z1, a quirky open-top, wedge-shape model with doors that folded into the chassis, the BMW Z car has come along way since the late 1980s. Front engine, rear-wheel drive, two-door, short wheelbase, often convertible models. This sounds like the recipe for success and indeed, BMW has had great success in recent times with the most recent model to follow this formula, the Z4.
Though one of their older Z models is still a very good offering, especially in its most enhanced form. The BMW Z3 M Coupe is certainly a legend among hardcore motoring enthusiasts, but definitely doesn't get the appreciation it deserves from the wider world. Here's exactly why you should pay more attention to the BMW Z3 M Coupe.
The BMW Z3 M Coupe's Styling: AKA The Clown Shoe
Aside from performance and the shear cool factor of the car, its looks are what grabs attention anywhere it goes. From almost any angle, the BMW Z3 M Coupe looks gorgeous. From the mean front bumper assembly comprising the headlights and kidney grille to the curvaceous and elegant wheel arches that extend further than those on a Liberty Walk bodykit.
Elsewhere, small details on this car throwback to other models in the BMW range of the time. The taillights are pretty much taken directly from the E46 3-Series to fit with the hatchback trunk. The gills behind the front wheels also evoke plenty of sporty 3-Series models from the early 2000s.
Though overall, the real distinguishing factor of the Coupe variant of Z3 M has to be its shape. Back when it came out in 1998, it brought back the Shooting Brake body shape that hadn't really featured on the market since the 1960s. As such, the Coupe name maybe isn't the best word to describe this legend of German engineering.
It's the car's shape that gives it the fun nickname, 'clown shoe'. If one were to imagine the shape of a long clown shoe, the outline would very much resemble that of the Z3 M Coupe. A long bonnet housing the engine leads to a rather short cabin and flat rear end. Be it a worker's boot, the shoe found on a clown's foot or a simple sneaker, the Z3 M Coupe certainly has foot-like qualities to it. Perhaps that's why some like its styling a little too much.
The BMW Z3 M Coupe Offers A Worthy Performance Even Compared To Modern Sports Cars
The BMW Z3 M Coupe may share visual design cues such as the rear lights and gills with the E46 M3, but it also takes the performance sedan's engine. Sat under the long, flowing bonnet hides either an S50 or S54 engine depending on the model year. In fact, both the Z3 and M3 received a facelift in the year 2000.
One of BMW's most popular power plants, the later S54 is a 3.2-liter straight-six which, in the Z3 M, produces a whopping 315hp in the US. European models got a slightly more powerful tune approaching the 330-horsepower mark, though it's fair to say anything over 300 in a naturally aspirated, lightweight, rear-wheel drive coupe is plenty.
The performance figures speak for themselves. Weighing in at just 2,800 lbs, it could reach 60mph from a standstill in 5.4 seconds and would top out at an electronically limited 155mph.
Unfortunately, its performance stats led to the Z3 M Coupe's downfall. Not wanting to compete with the E46 M3 which had similar figures, BMW put little to no time or money into marketing the small model. As such, no more than 1,112 models featuring the more powerful S54 engine ever sold.
The BMW Z3 M Coupe: One Of The Best BMW Driving Experiences Ever?
The BMW Z3 M Coupe certainly attracts the motoring community for its looks, but it also hides a little secret. Many say that this car is a tricky beast to drive well. The Z3 chassis was never designed to handle so much power and so when you can get it right, the M Coupe is supposedly one of the most rewarding and raw driving experiences you can get.
Though that consensus does depend on the model year. Later cars had firmer suspension and a 50/50 weight distribution which reviewers said helped the car in the corners making for a more tameable vehicle to attack roads in.
Under the shell, the Z3 M Coupe distances itself even more from the standard BMW roadster of the time. The E46 M3 S54 engine connects to an enthralling six-speed manual transmission which sends the power to the rear wheels. The rear axle has a limited slip differential, so sliding the vehicle shouldn't be too difficult. Though due to the shorter length of its wheelbase, catching slides most certainly is difficult. Finally, the brakes come directly from the E36 M3. That's correct, 1998's hottest BMW featured brakes from a model born nearly 10 prior.
Gearheads around the world adore the BMW Z3 M Coupe because it does demand respect when driven close to the limit. Furthermore, out of the ordinary styling and a scarcity that many feel is unfair makes for a very desirable model. Nevertheless, those not in the know often look at the BMW Z3 M coupe and see a hairdresser's car with one too many modifications. And we think that's sad.