Beautiful Blue: 2000 BMW M Roadster – Sold?

February 11, 2022 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

January 3, 2022 Update – We just came across a new Craigslist ad that replaced the original listing we found for this 2000 BMW M Roadster in November. The description, pictures, and firm $20,000 asking price all remain the same.

Estoril Blue. As far we’re concerned, it’s one of BMW’s finest colors ever offered.  Finding a Bimmer painted in this color is just about always a find, and this 2000 BMW M Roadster originally listed in December 2021 on Craigslist in Belleville, New Jersey (New York) packed with a matching two-tone interior and a five-speed manual does not disappoint, even with the odometer reading 131,000 miles traveled.

Currently offered for a firm $20,000, comparing this price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms this private seller has his M Roadster priced between the #3 “Good” appraisal of $18,800 and the #2 “Excellent” estimate of $29,200. Like it or not, prices of these M Roadsters, while not as crazy as the rare “Clown Shoe” coupe version, have been on a steady rise just in the short time we’ve been running GuysWithRides.com.

The E36 M3 powertrain stuffed into the svelte lines of BMW’s sexy Z3 roadster using the E30 M3 front suspension in a good ole American manufacturing facility in South Carolina – it didn’t get much better than this at the Bavarian Motor Works during the turn of the century.  In typical BMW fashion, the company launched a high-performance “M” version of its popular Z3 Roadster in 1998. In addition to adding the 3.2L 240 hp S52 straight-six engine connected to a five-speed ZF manual, flared rear fenders housing massive 245/40R17 tires and a quad exhaust design were the most notable visual cues between the base Z3 and the M version.

M Roadsters featured upgraded interiors over the standard Z3 which included M-badging, additional gauges, and two-tone leather available in M-Specific colors. Luckily U.S. market cars from 1999 feature ASC traction and stability control to handle all of the available horsepower.

The British Car TV Show Men & Motors have this vintage review of a 2000 M Roadster posted on their YouTube Channel:

If you can sort out the rear light electrical issue, you’ll have access to one of the last truly good BMWs made that earned the company their reputation.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“Wow. Cleanest DRIVEN M roadster you’re going to find. Yes, this is the limited edition true M roadster, not a regular z3 with “m” badges on it. This thing drives like new. It’s been lovingly cared for since new, spotless carfax, and most importantly USED REGULARLY and it shows. The Interior is nearly immaculate, paint is very good on most of the car, you could eat out of the engine bay. The car has Dinan strut tower brace and cold air intake. STICK SHIFT (5 speed).

In the last 30 days it has had: All new tires, fresh Mobil 1 and filter, new conical cold air filter, fresh caliper paint and a full detail. Stunning car. No smoke, no leaks, no BS. Everything is tight and right – steering, suspension, brakes, everything. Starts right away, purrs, pulls when you hit the gas, stops on a dime.

Only issues with the car currently: the instrument backlights just died on me randomly, its not the bulbs or headlight switch, I just replaced them thinking it would be the problem. I suspect a ground wire somewhere. Other than that, the paint is from what I can tell all original except for maybe a bumper respray, that said, as a 20 year old car that’s actually been driven, there are a fair amount of rock chips on the front of the hood. You don’t see it from more than 10 feet, but if you wanted a perfect car, all you’d have to do is paint the hood and address the instrument backlighting. That’s it.

I just drove this car in September on a 300 mile round trip with heavy stop and go traffic as well as highway driving in 90 degree temps. Car ran cool and comfortable the whole way. Sits safely in the garage on a charger.

These cars are EXTREMELY collectible and are becoming rarer and rarer, look it up on Hemmings or one of the other classic car sites ranking new desirable ‘vintage’ cars. I would NOT SELL this car if I weren’t physically too big for it. I bought it at first sight because I always loved them and thought they were beautiful machines, but ergonomically it’s not ideal for me at 6’3” as you may understand.

No low-ballers, no tire kickers. Don’t need to sell and will hang on to it as an investment if I don’t get a fair price.”

Show or go: what would you do with this 2000 BMW M Roadster?  Comment below and let us know!