BMW M Roadster

M Roadster

Manufacturer	BMW
Also called	Z3 M Roadster, MZ3
Production	1998–2002
Assembly	United States
Successor	Z4 M Roadster
Class	Roadster
Body style(s)	2-door convertible
Layout	Front-engine, Rear-wheel drive
Platform	E36/7
Engine(s)	3.2 L S52 inline-6 (1998-2000) 3.2 L S54 inline-6 (2001-2002)
Transmission(s)	5 speed manual
Wheelbase	2459 mm (96.8 in)
Length	4025 mm (158.5 in)
Width	1740 mm (68.5 in)
Height	1266 mm (49.8 in)
Curb weight	1399 kg (3084.3 lb)
Related	BMW Z3
Designer	Joji Nagashima

M Roadster

Manufacturer	BMW
Also called	Z4 M Roadster
Production	2006–
Predecessor	Z3 M Roadster
Class	Roadster
Body style(s)	2-door convertible
Layout	Front-engine, Rear-wheel drive
Platform	E85
Engine(s)	3.2 L S54 inline-6 (2007-)
Related	BMW Z4
Designer	Anders Warming

The BMW M Roadster is the BMW M performance model of the BMW Z3 and BMW Z4 convertibles. It was produced between 1998 and 2002 and again beginning in 2006. All models were produced in the Spartanburg, South Carolina manufacturing facility, though the complete M engine was imported from Germany.

Z3 M Roadster (1998-2002)

The BMW M Roadster was designed to be the performance version of the BMW Z3, but there were significant differences between the two models. The body of the M Roadster had slight differences throughout. Amongst others, a quad pipe exhaust system exited the back, wider tires, typically with larger rims, were used and in general, the whole car was laid out to cope with the increased performance. Its brakes (with cooling vents in the front section of the car) had larger dimensions, the gearbox was different and the whole body's aerodynamic shape was paying tribute to the higher speeds possible. Furthermore, the interior has a different look, starting with the M-version steering wheel and including a different instrumentation such as oil temperature gauge. Finally, the car came in particular colors, some of which have not been available for the regular Z3, at least in the early production years.

Production Numbers

In the 5 years, from 1998 - 2002, only approximately 15,000 M Roadsters were produced for both European and North American markets. This is compared to the several hundred thousand standard Z3s produced in the same time frame. This makes them very rare, and highly desired by car and performance enthusiasts.

Type	Spec	Engine	Dates	Production
CK91	European LHD	S50	09/1996 - 06/2000	3,557
CK92	European RHD	S50	11/1997 - 06/2000	918
CK93	North American LHD	S52	02/1998 - 06/2000	8,938
CL91	European LHD	S54	02/2001 - 05/2002	283
CL92	European RHD	S54	02/2001 - 04/2002	79
CL93	North American LHD	S54	02/2001 - 05/2002	1,600

Engines

North American

North American M roadsters built from 1998 to 2000 had the 3.2L S52 engine (based on the regular M52 engine) with 240 hp (179 kW) and 320 Nm (236 ft·lbf). In 2001 BMW revised the M Roadster with the 3.2L S54 engine. This was the highest specific output naturally aspirated production engine ever made by BMW (not including the S70/2 GTR LM engine from the McLaren F1 LM) when it was applied in the M3. In M Roadster form it produced 315 bhp (320 hp) and 353 Nm (261 ft·lbf) of torque. BMW only produced the S54-based M Roadster for two years, discontinuing it after the 2002 model year. The BMW M Roadster based on the 3.2L S52 engine did 0 to 60 in 5.1 seconds, while the S54 model was clocked as low as 4.8 seconds. Transmissions for years 1998–2002 were 5-speed manuals.

Europe

European M Roadsters built 1998 to 2001 had the same engine (S50) that powered the 1995 to 1999 M3 Evo with 321 bhp (239 kW) and 350 Nm (258 ft·lbf).

Z4 M Roadster (2006-)

BMW introduced an M version of the Z4 in late 2006. Called the M Roadster, it's powered by the same 3.2L, 8,000rpm, S54 inline-6 engine as the E46 series M3, delivering 330hp through a manual gearbox and a new 6-speed manual transmission. Other go-faster parts borrowed from the M3 include the CSL's compound (aluminum hubs, iron floating rotors) brakes and most of the M3's suspension components. Other changes include a hydraulic steering setup which provides better feel than the electric system in standard Z4 models. Weighing 3197 lb (1450 kg), the M Roadster has been tested by major U.S. car magazines to accelerate from Zero-60 mph in 4.7 seconds, which is slightly quicker than the Porsche Boxster S. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph (249 km/h).

A new six-speed manual transmission is used since the M3's original six-speed doesn't fit the Z4's chassis. The six speed is the only transmission available in the M Coupe/Roadster; its final gear ratios are virtually the same as those of the M3. It is widely reported on owner forums that the 6-speed gearbox in the 2006 & 2007 M roadsters and coupes is prone to grinding when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear at high rpm. According to reports, there has been mixed response by BMW dealerships to this issue, some owners claiming to have received entirely-new gearboxes and others claiming their dealer calls the grinding "normal".

The M Roadster's MSRP is $52,100. A fixed-roof version (the M Coupe) is also available, though marginally heavier.

-- Richard Hammond (Top Gear) called it "A Monster"

Around the Top Gear test track, the BMW set a time of 1:26.0 which is only .2 of a second slower than the Lamborghini Gallardo.