Introduced in 1995 as a rival to Mazda’s MX-5, the BMW Z3 was initially launched with a modest 136bhp four-cylinder engine. In 1997, its appeal was boosted by a 2,793cc six-cylinder model; muscular, flared fenders helped the 186bhp new model stand out. Despite being quicker, the 2.8-litre car was more of a road trip car than a road beast. Fortunately for thrill seekers, BMW’s Motorsport department had envisioned a beast at the top end of the segment.
The radically designed M Coupe seemed crazy at first, but it was brilliant. Twice as rigid as its open-top cousin, it had a tauter, more precise chassis, less friction and more driving pleasure. It had the same 24-valve twin-cam engine as the M Roadster, M3 brakes, a widened track and 17-inch wheels, and it was even better to drive. This rarity and the car’s cult status make the Z3 M Coupe harder and harder for collectors to find.