BMW M Roadster
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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.
[edit] Z3 M Roadster (1998-2002)
This car is based on the BMW Z3 and the M Coupe. European M Roadsters built 1998 to 2001 had the same engine (S50) that powered the 1995 to 1998 M3 Evo with 321 bhp and 350 Nm (258 ft·lbf). North American M roadsters built from 1998 to 2000 had the 3.2L S52 engine (based on the regular M52 engine) with 240 hp 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 counting S70/2 GTR LM engine from the McLaren F1 LM) when it was applied in the M3. In M Roadster form it produced 325 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. Transmissions for years, 1998 - 2000, were 5-speed manuals. Transmissions for years 2001-2002, were 6-Speed manuals, borrowed from the E46 M3.
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. Among others, a quad pipe exhaust system exited the back, wider tires, generally 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 cars, at least in the early production years. In the 5 years, from 1998 - 2002, only approximately 15,000 M Roadsters/M coupes were produced as compared to the several hundred thousand Z3s produced in the same time frame. This makes them highly desired by car and performance enthusiasts.
[edit] Z4 M Roadster (2006)
BMW introduced an M version of the Z4 in 2006. It uses the same 3.2 L S54 straight-6 engine as the M3. It has a 6-speed manual transmission. The top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. The redline is 7500 rpm. Other changes include a hydraulic steering setup. With 330 hp and weighing 3197 lb (1450 kg), the M version of the Z4 hits 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, close to archrivals, the Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG and Porsche Boxster S.
The M Roadster's MSRP is $51,300. A hardtop version (the M Coupe) is also available.
