2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe Is Today’s Bring a Trailer Find
The often-forgotten second-gen M Coupe packed M3 performance in a unique shape.
bmw z4 m coupe
Courtesy: Bring a Trailer
Often overlooked, the BMW Z4 M Coupe is like the distilled essence of E46-generation M3.
It features an M3 powertrain (manual only) and quicker steering.
This example has barely been driven.
The BMW Z4 M Coupe is a modern classic that you may have completely forgotten about—or maybe never knew existed. The Z3-based first generation of the M Coupe, the so-called “Clown Shoe,” is the car most enthusiasts remember. The second-gen, Z4-based model? Not so much. And that’s a shame, as they’re really quite excellent to drive, and their styling has aged quite nicely.
Courtesy: Bring a Trailer
This 2007 Z4 M Coupe is up for sale on Bring a Trailer (which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos). With only 5000 miles on the odometer, it’s barely been run in. It has a clean accident report, a six-speed manual gearbox (the only transmission available in an E86-generation M Coupe), and a 330-hp straight-six that loves to rev.
Courtesy: Bring a Trailer
Essentially the same inline-six you got in the E46 M3, this engine hits peak power at 7900 rpm and redlines at 8000 rpm. It’s a long cry from the effortless torque of BMW’s modern turbocharged era, and extracting the maximum from this motor requires you to be on your heel-and-toes.
Tested: 2006 BMW Z4 M Coupe vs. Porsche Cayman S
2001 BMW M Coupe
Lots of other M3 parts are found through this era of M Coupe, including the brakes, bits of the suspension, and so on. The steering rack is worth a mention, as it’s the quickest you could get on an M car of this era, quicker even than the Euro M3 CSL.
Courtesy: Bring a Trailer
Finished in Interlagos Blue over black, this car has a classic long-nose short-tail silhouette. The 18-inch wheels have a split five-spoke look that’s a bit reminiscent of the gorgeous Z8. It’s a ducktailed little two-seater with M3 bits mixed in—what’s not to like?
Courtesy: Bring a Trailer
A rev-happy six out front, a limited-slip differential out back, a six-speed manual in the middle. A classic Bavarian recipe for a peak BMW driving experience. Clown Shoes are a bit collectible these days, as is the E46 M3. This generation of M Coupe, on the other hand, is rare enough to be special, but not the kind of car that should be tucked away and not driven. With such low mileage, it’s ready for some summertime back roads, stretching that inline-six’s legs.
The auction ends on August 13.
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The 2001 BMW M Coupe Lives Up to Its Legendary Status
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Brendan McAleer
Contributing Editor
Brendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels.
