1998 Z3 M Roadster - Rare: 1 Of 231 ***low Reserve*** on 2040-cars

1998 M roadster

Imola Red / Imola Red and Black interior, Black soft top

Production Date: 5/98

3-owner, Southern California car

91,950 miles

Clean title

All VIN tags on original body panels (pictured in gallery at link above)

Includes side airbags (not found on early ’98 cars)

Factory CD changer

Factory alarm

Dinan strut brace (1998 design) added to keep chassis tight

OEM (Canadian/Euro market) daytime running light module installed

Meticulous preventative maintenance program with OEM parts, unless otherwise noted

Zero track time or autocross

All maintenance records available under my ownership (and a few from the first two owners)

Nearly $7k spent on maintenance in last two years

Maintenance Highlights:

-        Soft top replaced just before I purchased from second owner in 2012 (69,500 miles)

-        Replaced cooling system (water pump, thermostat, aluminum thermostat housing, temp switches, radiator, fan clutch, fan blade), all fluids (Amsoil in transmission and differential), power steering lines, control arm bushings (Powerflex – no squeaks or harshness), belts, pulleys, and fuel filter in 4/12.

-        Replaced shifter bushings in 6/12 and original worn shift knob with a ZHP knob (original knob will be included with the sale).

-        Replaced original suspension with TC Kline single adjustable coilovers in 12/12 at 78k miles (spring rates: 400lb front, 500lb rear). Feels similar to stock suspension, but more composed with better control and damping. New factory M strut hats were installed in front, and Rogue Engineering shock mounts in the rear.

-        Rogue Engineering spacers installed, 12mm front and 15mm rear. These are not required with the TCK coilovers, but I prefer the look and the car seems more planted with the slightly wider track. Original stock black bolts will also be included with the car (these are shorter than the spacer bolts).

-        New Michelin Pilot Super Sports in factory sizes (225/45/17 front, 245/40/17 rear) in 5/13. Approximately 10k miles on these.

-        Rebuilt VANOS unit, replaced top chain tensioner (head was already removed for VANOS rebuild), and oil separator in 12/13.

-        New OEM transmission mounts in 3/14.

Car is in very good condition and drives well. Limited slip differential works as it should, transmission is smooth, clutch is strong, and brakes are solid. AC and heat work very well, as does the power top. The car isn’t perfect and has the following flaws:

-        When the transmission is cold, the shifter sticks in the fifth gear detent (in neutral it doesn’t center when cold, but instead sits to the right). This is a typical problem with these transmissions that is easily fixed by replacing the shift pins. The service requires removing the transmission and I was waiting until it needs a new clutch to do both, simultaneously. I quickly acclimated and shifts are easy. Once the transmission is up to operating temperature, shifts are normal.

-         The previous owner pulled too far forward and scraped the bottom of the front bumper on a parking block. I’ve touched this up with factory touch-up paint.

-        All wheels have some curb rash (also courtesy of the previous owner(s)).

-        The paint looks excellent but there are a few door dings. I routinely park in end spaces and away from other cars, no further dings have occurred during my ownership.

-        Specialty Car Craft (Los Angeles) professionally refinished the rear bumper (9/13), after a minor incident (car, when parked, was bumped from the rear and sustained two small gouges from a license plate bracket). This is a well-regarded shop that typically works on exotics – they did a nice job and paint matches. The car is accident free besides this parking mishap. I have included photos of the damage to show how little was sustained.

-        Factory alarm has a sensor that that needs to be replaced, likely under the hood. I use the key out of habit to lock/unlock (my coupe, owned since 2006, doesn’t have this option).

Additional:

-        Factory tonneau cover included.

-        Factory windscreen and carrying case included. Leather has a small tear in the center support between the roll hoops, but an upholstery shop should be able to mend. I’ve never used the windscreen – turbulence isn’t bad with the top down (windows up or down).

-        Two sets of keys and alarm key fobs. Flashlight in driver key works perfectly.

-        Original owner’s manual included.

-        New OEM car cover purchased in 12/13.

-        OEM Imola red II (paint code: 405) touch-up paint included (purchased 7/13).