1999 BMW M Roadster

Description

Sparked by the runaway success of the venerable Mazda Miata, Germany’s major performance manufacturers — Porsche, Mercedes, and BMW — each introduced their own small, two-seat roadster to the market in the late 1990s. Contending with Porsche’s Boxster and Mercedes’s SLK230 was the BMW M Roadster, a new, more powerful version of the Z3 roadster, powered by the firm’s most powerful six-cylinder “S52” engine from the M3. The 236-horsepower mill was paired with a five-speed manual transmission, and the new sports car could launch from 0 to 60 mph in about 5.3 seconds.

The M Roadster's design included several distinctive features, such as flared wheel arches, a wider track, and quad exhaust pipes, setting it apart from the standard Z3. The car's suspension was also upgraded, with stiffer springs and shocks, as well as larger brakes to handle the increased performance. Inside, the drop top featured sport seats, unique M badging, and a more driver-focused cockpit.

This rare and well-maintained triple-black 1999 BMW M Roadster on offer has been driven fewer than 65,000 miles in 25 years.

Highlights 

• Finished in Black paint with black power-operated soft convertible top over black interior and leather upholstery 

• Powered by a 3.2-liter DOHC, 24-valve inline six-cylinder engine rated at 240 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque 

• Five-speed manual transmission 

• 17 inch, five-spoke silver aluminum wheels 

• Clean CARFAX Vehicle History Report  

Features 

• New clutch 

• New Continental tires: 225/45 ZR17 front, 225/40 ZR17 rear  

• Quad exhaust 

• Bucket seats 

• Air conditioning 

• BMW AM/FM/Cassette stereo with six-CD changer in the trunk 

• Dash instrumentation: 160 mph speedometer and odometer, 8000 rpm tachometer, and fuel level, coolant temperature, voltage, and oil pressure gauges 

• Analog clock 

• Dual heated rearview mirrors 

Known Imperfections 

• Minor wear and tear in interior 

• Passenger seat is torn 

Ownership History

According to the accompanying CARFAX Vehicle History Report, this four-owner 1999 BMW M Roadster was purchased new on 26 February 1999 in Dublin, Ohio. It has also spent time in Michigan and is currently in North Carolina. The M Roadster is said to be garage-kept and regularly serviced.