Z3 M Coupé
The unmistakable M Coupé. Compact, muscular and six-cylinder.
1998 European S50 specification · Factory source
Every figure, in one place.
Performance
- Power
- 321 PS · 317 hp · 236 kW
- Torque
- 350 Nm
- 0–100 km/h
- 5.4 s
- Top speed
- 250 km/h · limited
- Power-to-weight
- 4.28 kg/PS
Engine and drivetrain
- Engine
- S50B32 · Inline-six
- Displacement
- 3,201 cm³
- Induction
- Naturally aspirated
- Gearbox
- 5-speed manual
- Drivetrain
- Rear-wheel drive
- Powertrain
- Petrol
Body and dimensions
- Production
- 1998–2002
- Body
- Coupés
- Length
- 4,025 mm
- Width
- 1,740 mm
- Height
- 1,305 mm
- Wheelbase
- 2,459 mm
- Kerb weight
- 1,375 kg
- Fuel tank
- 51 L
Where this car ranks across all 93 cars in the catalogue.
Why you’d want one
- A distinctive compact classic with a rear hatch.
Know before you buy
- Rear subframe mount cracking
- VANOS rattle and cooling system ageing
- Soft-top and window regulator wear (roadsters)
Commonly reported ownership points, not a guarantee of faults. Always get an independent inspection.
The roadster’s unusual closed-roof relative.
The Z3 M Coupé combines the compact Z3 platform with a fixed roof and rear hatch. This early European record uses S50B32 rather than the later S54.
A distinctive compact classic with a rear hatch.
Identify the engine version and inspect the body carefully.
The Coupé and Roadster have different body shapes despite the shared Z3 M name.
S50B32 · Inline-six
The early European Z3 M Coupé uses the 3.2-litre S50 straight-six with 321 PS and 350 Nm. Its fixed roof and distinctive rear hatch separate it from the open M Roadster.
S50B32 museum engine in Munich. Family reference rather than a Z3 M engine-bay photograph.
S50B32 · Petrol
The early European Z3 M Coupé uses the 3.2-litre S50 straight-six with 321 PS and 350 Nm. Its fixed roof and distinctive rear hatch separate it from the open M Roadster.
Naturally aspirated power
Air enters without a turbocharger. Cylinder capacity, valve timing and engine speed shape the engine’s torque delivery.
Rear-wheel drive
A five-speed manual gearbox drives the rear wheels. The early US S52 model and later S54-engined cars have different factory specifications.
1998 European S50 specification
These figures describe the selected specification and engine output. PS is metric horsepower. Equipment, power ratings and homologation can differ between markets and model years. Open the BMW source to inspect the original factory information.
The full specification.
Related cars
Photo credits
- 1999 BMW Z3 M Coupe 2.jpg — Calreyn88 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Original