BMW M Roadster 1999 Imola Red Excellent Condition Motorsport Z3

1999 BMW M Roadster & Coupe ///M Description

Yes, this description is HUGE but if you are serious, please do read it in it's entirity. There is some really good information and surprises to be found in here! Thanks!!

This auction is for one amazing dream carJust a quick note about myself to perhaps give you a good understanding of the vehicle. To date, I have owned 45 BMWs and am a true enthusist. As such I know how to take care of them and always give them the proper attention, maintenance, care and enthusiasm that they deserve.

Anyway, this stunning automobile is an 1999 BMW M Roadster. If you're shopping for an M Roadster, I'm sure you know what they are and their lineage. If not, I'll give you a quick history lesson. The BMW Z3 Roadster (body code E36/7) debuted in 1996. Sometime between 1996 and 1998 some genius at BMW wondered what would happen if you stuffed an M3 engine and transmission into a Z3. The result? The M Roadster! Yup, this is mechanically an M3 but with reduced weight, aiding performance.

These cars were somewhat limited production due to their price and limited market. They are definitly something unique and rarely seen on the road. In fact, even here in sunny San Diego, I average seeing about two M Roadsters per year. They really are quite unique. I often get thumbs up and very kind compliments about the car.

OK, lets actually discuss the vehicle now!

Lets start with the exterior! The Imola Red paint is super glossy, deep and bright. This is no small part due to the fatc that this M has had only truw enthusiast owners and has been garage kept since new. Anytime a the smallest chip appeared, it was touched-up immediately. Now, I'm not saying this finish is Concours de' Elegance ready or anything but it does look very, very nice. There ar eno dents, dings or body damage. The previous owner had the hood repainted due to small chips scattered about the front, near the kidney grills. The soft top is just like brand new and the rear window is crystal clear. All chrome and trim pieces are prestine as well.

The supple Napa leather interior in basically perfect condition! Immediately upon my purchase, I did a deep clean of the interior. I even removed the seats to vaccum and shampoo the carpets! I did leather conditioner to the whole interior and have done so five times within two months. As I said before, I am an enthusiast and want nothing but the best for by car stable. The leather is all soft and has no splits, rips or tears. As uyu may know, the seatbelt clips in these cars (and Z3s) always break and are costly to have replaced. I have replaced both and they look great! The carpets are perfect and have no rips, wear or stains. The car came with it's original M floor mats but I wanted everything perfect, so I ordered a set of brand new mats from my BMW dealership. They really add to the 'new car' look of the interior. The interior has no cracks, sun damage or other defects. It's all complete and looks beautiful!

This M has the following standard features:

Air conditioning

Leather seats

Power windows with one-touchup & down feature

Power central door locking

Power side view mirrors

Power canvas convertible top

Power seats (driver & passenger)

Heated seats, 2-level

Traction control system

Leather-wrapped shift knob

Leather-wrapped steering wheel

Harmon Kardon sound system

Cruise Control

Dual front air bags

Aggressive stance front bumper with built-in diffuser and induction inlets

Smooth rear bumper (no cut-out for license plate

Widened rocker panels

Tear drop style side view mirrors

Unique trunk lid with top mounted roundel and license plate built-in

M unique chrome trimmed fender 'gills'

Chrome trunk opening aid

///M exterior badging

Quad tip exhaust

Napa leather (much softer and more smooth then that found in the Z3)

Full leather center console

M sport seats

M floor mats

Chrome interior door handles

Chrome shifter surround trim

Chrome climate control rings

Chrome gauge rings

Gauge cluster with ///M emblem and red needles

Three chrome ringed, console gauges (not found on any Z3)

Uniquely shaped rearview mirror

Remote keyless entry / security system

Between myself and the previous owner, a few very nice and high-end upgraded items have been added to this beautiful M Roadster. Here is the short list of everything that done / upgraded on this car, to make it into the stunning Roadster that you see in the photos.

OZ Racing Wheels

The previous owner added these. I'm normally not a fan of aftermarket wheels but somehow on this car, I think they work. That's why I never bothered to change them out. I did a bit of research and it looks like these were about $1,500 alone, without tires.

LeatherZ Armrest Console

One huge short coming of the Z3 / M Roadste ris that they didn't come with any form of armrest! A fantastic company called LeatherZ offers unique options and accessories for us Z3 and M owners! I ordered their hinged, leather armrest and it is awesome! It hunges open to allow full access to the storage section on the center console and it's dual cupholders. This is a must have!

LED Headlights

I simply hate the old, outdated 'technology' of halogen lighting. The first thing I did upon purchasing this car was to upgrade the headlights to LED. I did not just buy cheap bulbs on eBay. I went to an Automotive LED specific company and bought a whole conversion kit. It was new wiring, ballasts and bulbs. It carries a full warranty and is of excellent quality. The difference in apperance and functionality is staggering! The headlights shine so much clearer and offer a wider field of vision!

LED Upgrades

Like I said, I hate halogen lighting. So, I also converted the interior lights, lecense plate lights and even reverse lights to LED. The reverse lights being LED offer a unique feature. Since they boast much better brightness, it acts as an aid for resersing at night. They quasi light the path behind you. It's an excellent and unexpected feature!

Factory Navigation & stereo upgrade

You read that right, I added factory navigation to this car! I bet you didn't even know that existed, most people have no clue. It was only offere din Europe and parts of Asia. I imported one, obtained updated navigation discs and had it operational. It took a handful of other parts to get it going but it functions flawlessly, looks original and has a TON of upgraded features of the regular standard headunit! It has full navigation (with memory log, points of interest and realtime traffic updates), AM/FM radio, in-dash CD player and even an Aux Port to play music from your phone!!! All beutifully mounted and completely original!!

Upgraded Sound System

This car's stereo now boasts top of the line Infinitly speakers (all of them) and runs through a trunk mounted amp. This gives the OEM head unit a bit more power for listening to tunes with the top down on the highway.

European Alarm LED

The US-spec keyless entry LED (the light that flashes when the car is locked) is so cheap and ugly. In Europe, they got a sleek, intigrated unit. So, I ordered one and wired it in, in-place of the ugly American version. It works perfectly.

Aluminum ///M Pedals

I installed aluminum pedals into the car for a more sporting look. They are brushed aluminum and have the ///M logo engraved (in full color) on them. These are not cheap, generic, screw-on pedal covers. They are made for this car specifically and are drilled into place.

Vintage Chrome Exterior Door Handles

I appriciate a slight classic look. So, I added chrome exterior door handle caps for a slightly sporty/vintage apperance. These pop right off if you don't care for them.

Chrome Door Lock Trim

Simple and understated, chrome rings around the interior door lock pins.

Chrome E-Brake Button

Again, just a simple yet elegant touch!

ZHP Shift Knob

This is a must have item! This factory BMW Knob is shorter then the standard unit and it is weighted for more short and precise shifts. It almost gives the feeling of having a short throw shift kit! It does bear the M emberm as well and a sporty silver collar at the bottom!

K&N Cold Air Induction System

This unit adds a modest horsepower gain and is completely smog/inspection legal.

Varex Exhaust System

Varex is an industry leader in unique, customizable exhaust systems. They do not offer a system for an M Roadster, this one was custom made for this particular car! This car is even featured on the company's web site! The exhaust (quad tip, just like OEM) looks nearly stock but with one distinct difference. It comes with a remote fob that allows you to control the sound it makes. You can go from sounding totally stock and a nice, rumpling roar. All at the press of a single button!

There are probably a handful of other things, but that's all I can think of for now.

This car drives like an absolute phenonenon! That, and it's exotic car good looks were the primary reason that I had to have it. The engine runs very strong n' smooth and the Transmission shifts flawlessly (very short throw and precise). This car handles like the tight sports car that it is, but offers up a smooth ride and top-notch luxury features. There are ZERO faults or flaws in the way this vehicle drives. All services are fully up to date, with paperwork to accompany the car. There is a reason people covet and love these cars so dearly and there is a reason that I have owned so many of them. They just can't be beat. The are economical, spirited, amazing handling sports cars that are one of the most enjoyable experiences on the planet!

I have always had this car in a garage and under a cover.It was purchased strictly to be driven as a weekend toy and that is exactly what happened. It never was a commuter or used for work. It resided in the garage alongside my other sports cars. It saw the road very little actually.

As for mechanical condition. All I can say is that it is top-notch! The engine pulls very strong, the transmission and clutch are precise as can be. The car has no cooling issues. The suspension is tight and crisp as well. The tires are top of the line and have pleanty of tread left, so no worries there!

Pretaining to operational condition of the car's various features.......it's the same story. All features work just fine. This includes but certainly no limited to Air Conditioning, power soft top, power windows, cruise control and all lighting. Again, every-single feature works perfectly!

I suppose you all might be wondering what this car needs to be basically perfect. The answer is basically nothing. If I were keeping it, I really only had a list of goodies to add to it. Not repairs or fixes. It runs, drives, handles and performs amazingly! I have zero complaints with it.

Also, ask yourself when you last saw an M Roadster on the road. This beauty certainly stands out! You will most certainly have a true one-of-a-kind one with this car!! I have put a ton of love into this car and I think it really shows!! As for it's rarity, I have actual production numbers from BMW and this is fefinitly a low production car! The total of 1999's in Imola Red over Black interior is only 148 vehicles, world wide. This car is #98 out of that 148 produced. I will furnish the buyer with these numbers as well.

I believe that just about sums it all up. Please read the details I have posted above and look at the many pictures. This really is a beautiful M and I will miss it greatly. The only reason for my selling it is that I have nine automobiles and just bought a new Porsche. I refuse to put the M outside, so I decided to sell it. Until it sells, it will stay in the garage.

A side note, I have the title in hand and it is perfectly clear (no salvage).

While I certainly prefer someone to pick this vehicle up, I am willing to make myself availble to meet shippers here to see it off to its new home, wherever that may be. The shipping costs and obtaining quotes will be the buyer's responsibility. I will not ship the vehicle until it has been paid for in full and the payment has 100% cleared my bank and proven to be good. I will also not ship the vehicle unless the shipping has been paid in full. I will not take personal checks of any kind, no money orders......cash or a Cashier's Check drawn from a major bank (Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Chase Bank, Union Bank, etc) ONLY! I have had issues in the past with people trying to use money orders, personal checks, cashier's checks drawn from small, unknown banks and things of that nature. I will ONLY accept the two types of payments listed above!!! Sorry, but that's just how it's gotta be.If you have any questions about this rule, please ask BEFORE bidding and don't just assume that we will take any ol' type of payment after the auction closes!! Upon receiving the payment, I will furnish the buyer with an actual and official receipt from the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

Good Luck To Everyone!!!

On Apr-18-17 at 15:11:16 PDT, seller added the following information:

Hi everyone! I'd also like to add that the car will come with the original Sales Brochure Book from 1999, Factory Imola Red touch-up paint AND the complete, original OEM exhaust system. As Ithink of more things, I will add them here. Thanks so much!