Despite being someone who considers himself an enthusiast, the list of cars that I get truly excited about driving is shockingly small. I’m not sure if it’s a combination of having limited time to drive for fun or simply the result of having the same hobby for over 30 years, but most of the time, driving is just a way to get from Point A to Point B. One exception, however, is my 2001 BMW Z3 M Coupe, which is hands-down one of the best cars I’ve ever owned. This is a 2000 model equipped with the S52 inline-six cylinder and listed here on craigslist for $19,500.
It’s hard to capture exactly what makes every drive a hoot, other than just looking at how goofy this little car is. The proportions are zany to say the least, with a roof grafted onto what was once a convertible. The fenders are enormously wide, and they still struggle to hide the massive staggered wheels. There is no backseat, just two buckets and a small area for overnight luggage. The build quality is borderline laughable, but the only laughing you’ll be doing is when you’re dumping the clutch and feeling the whole car rush forward with your body simply along for the ride.
Now, I will say the sensation is enhanced slightly in my car, which sports the more powerful S54 inline-six engine that truly makes for a raucous good time. However, this is a small car with a powerful engine no matter which era of the M edition you buy, so they’re all generally quick (the S52 car shown here will eclipse 60 in safely under 6 seconds; my car, with the S54, will sprint to 60 in about 5 seconds flat or just under if you’re a particularly skilled driver.) The S52 shown here is good for 240 b.h.p. and 236 lb.-ft. of torque. Curiously, the seller mentions that it needs transmission work but doesn’t elaborate as to why, so you’ll want to find out more about this potentially expensive fix.
Inside, you’ve got a wild two-tone interior that had some alignment with the exterior color. This Z3 M Coupe, affectionately called the Clownshoe by its acolytes, wears Estoril Blue paint with matching interior inserts and is generally considered one of the more desirable colors. The seller’s car is also quite unique in that it is a so-called “slicktop,” which means it came without a sunroof. Most of the Z3 M Coupes came with a hole cut in the roof, so finding one that didn’t lose any of its structural rigidity by way of this popular option is truly a case of a needle in a haystack. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Barney for sending in this rare find.
Interesting car. Curious, why do you say “The build quality is borderline laughable”?
Had a 98 M Roadster and I miss it every day. Check for subframe issues. Google it. Once you get it do an M50 manifold swap and swap gears for a real good time.
Does nothing for me. No interest at all, what a weird shaped little car.
Given this is an M-3 one can only assume it “needs” a new transmission given what these cars are going for on the auction block today and what the seller is asking for this one. I’ve owned two of them along with my fleet of E-36’s and the build quality has always been marginal.
I had two roadsters, a 97 and a 2000. fun cars. this one is rather “used” with 136M miles on the clock. I think the price is rather aggressive. pass.
I thought ‘looks weird’ when it came out (previous & current totality of all cars). It still does but less reject-able to my eye now.
Beemers are fine cars the 1st 5 yrs or so. They seem to require an inordinate amount of attention thereafter. I’d geta 2002, 507 or M1 model (yeah, right – wid MY money?).
I had a silver 2000 M coupe in 2003 for 3 years. The coupe look is infinitely better than the roadster to me, and I never liked the look until I had one. Fortunately my interior was solid black . It needs more power to match its handling.
I sold it before the rear subframe cracked and made $20k on it and I haven’t seen one in the wild since!
Fancy shoe..
Buddy had a Dinan equipped one. It was ludicrous.
Part E36, part E30. All fun.
Back when BMW still built fun cars. Now they just wanna build Toyota’s.
I own a BMW Z3 M Coupe, a Z4 M Coupe and a BMW 700 antique car.
Have owned a M3 Coupe, the BMW is far superior to a Corvette I owned in performance, and less maintenance and cost than a 911 Porsche I had.
If you work on a BMW you would see the superior craftsmanship,and high quality of the parts.
I think a lot of people comment on the internet are not very intelligent, and have never actually worked on their cars.
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Wes I agree. I had a 2000 E46 I drove for 19 years and I wrenched on it myself. I only stopped driving it because someone t-boned me and totaled it. It was pretty easy and fun to work on. Not everything was quality made eg power window regulators, pulley tensioners, and expansion tanks but it was well engineered. Some parts were not cheap but nothing was excessive. Also I never was cursing out the engineers when replacing a part or doing maintenance.
What model 700, Wes? I had a Sport Coupe that had been raced. 50 HP and cornered on rails. I wish I had never let it go.
Ok, one of these was part of one of my best weeks in the car business. As I have explained before. I was a service manager at an Oldsmobile, Volvo, BMW dealership. One day my GM service engineer came to visit for a visit. When he came into my office he tossed a set of keys on my desk. “These are for a Corvette I’m testing driving from R&D. I was told to break it! (I have known thus guy since he was 14 years old. So he knew I could be trusted AND would appreciate the car!) I had my computer rep in my office at the time and asked her if she liked fast cars. “She said let’s go! ” I would never abuse someone else’s car. But this was different. We hammered that car around corners, did burn outs and generally had fun without caring about the vehicle. The very next day, my BMW rep shows up with one of these. What is that? “It’s here for test and to gauge dealer reaction to it. It’s a German spec. for Autobahn useage.” Here’s the keys, go have fun.” So off I go again blasting around corners and having fun!
It took a month to get the smile off my face!
I have always thought this car looked cartoonish and I also thought it was just so damned cool
Love the Estoril Blue, it really pops.
I had a 2000 in Dakar yellow, another rare color, was license plate sunny ZM. The persistent annoyance was the seatbelt/airbag switch on the passenger side, we had to get in to it about 3 times to get a good fix.
Despite the small hatch area we managed to get a week’s worth of stuff, drove from the SanFran Bay Area to Vegas. A sixth gear would have been nice, but cruising the Strip brought a lot of thumbs-up (I think they were thumbs) from other folks.
I bought mine used on AutoTrader, flew down to San Antonio and drove it back over 2 days, so lots of seat time.
Arriving back here I stumbled on and was fortunate to attend DorkFest2, a gathering of Z3 coupes, quite a treat. the photo is from DorkFest3, a gathering that was recreated on the East Coast a few years ago.
I had no subframe issues but did not track or autocross the car, just street enjoyment, sold it at about 70k miles and downsized to a 318ti (Love those E36s).
The posted “transmission” issues is kinda unusual, especially with the S50 engine so more detail would be needed from the buyer.
I had a 318ti after my zm coupe also!
In addition to being called the “clown shoe”, I also recall a writer from a period review (Car and Driver, no doubt) calling it “an unholy union between a sausage and a shoebox.”
clown shoe says it all.
I bet HAIRYOLDS68 has never driven one !
i would want to. these were built for small people
I love the Dakar Yellow on our old M3.
Had a friend Tony when I lived in Kenosha WI – red – almost new – selling because he realized too small for 6fters – IMO – but like my dad’s Boxster close.to.the ground and runs like stink.
Parts for my Fords are reasonable in my opinion. These? If you do your own wrenching, you save a lot, but expensive parts still add up quickly. Just buy a nice low mile Mustqang V8 with a stick at a small percentage of the price of any Bimmer, you won’t be sorry. Plus, I bet my Stang would whoop the a** of this one. When I am going through the gears on a winding country road, I could care less what someone else outside of my car judges me as by what I drive, I just like to feel all the wonderfulness from inside my machine. It is just me, the road, and my steed…no one else.
Having owned many Mustangs (Fox body types) a couple of BMWs and having driven many. (And servicing BMWs supported my family for many years ) I find your remark short sighted. I love my Mustangs (still have 2) and I love the feel of a BMW and have driven some VERY FAST BMWs. Although not stock, a couple were faster than any Mustang I ever drove. (and I have driven some very fast Mustangs) I’m drawn to BMWs becsuse of my familiarity with them. But I doubt I will ever own another. Just like Toyota and Honda. They take advantage of their customers by their ” we have them now, screw ’em” parts pricing attitude. Those 3 manufacturers In my opinion need a serious attitude adjustment. And those thoughts are not from someone on the outside looking in. I have many years of experience dealing directly with their factories/distribution. Each makes good products AND each made (past tense) Great products. But all three have slipped quality wise and other manufacturers have caught and past them.
Who ever wrote this column and call a BMW M3 A “CLOWN SHOE”,please kick him in the nuts for me !
I have a Rouse Mustang and love it ! Also have owned a 1966 Mustang,great collector car.
Had several Honda, a Pralude,and a few CRX, Raced a CRX in SCCA .
Both Honda and Ford build great cars !
Took one of these out for a long test drive a number of years ago. A fun car, and I was struck by how old- school it felt. A heavy mechanical feel- steering, clutch, acceleration. I was testing it for an out-of-state friend. He decided not to buy it but I got a great kick out of it!
My Rouse Mustang, and BMW M Coupe are the two cars that I would buy again !