Sexy Clownshoe: 2000 BMW Z3 M Coupe – Sold?

May 5, 2022, Update – We just confirmed the listing for this BMW Clownshoe “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.

Everyone points to the 993-era Porsche 911 as the textbook example of a collector car that almost instantly went from a used-up sports car to an overnight collectible. Today, you can’t get into a 993 for less than $50,000 that’s worth having, and the same thing is happening to the BMW Z3 M-Coupe, affectionately known as the “clown shoe.” Even though the shape was panned at first by some enthusiasts, it quickly found its way into enthusiasts’ hearts and today is one of the more collectible models from the company’s lineup made in the last 25 years. This 2000 BMW M-Coupe was originally listed in April 2022 on Craigslist in Tustin, California with 109,000 original miles with lots of recent maintenance and some subtle upgrades for $37,000. Comparing that price against the Hagerty Price Guide shows us that the seller is asking just above the “Good” condition price of $36,700, and well below the “Excellent” condition price of $59,200.

The Z3 may seem commonplace now, but BMW really did wake a lot of people up when the base model roadster was introduced. We first saw it in a James Bond film as a light blue roadster with a humble four-cylinder engine. The lineup expanded to include more robust engine choices, and then the hardtop coupe was introduced. The “clown shoe” moniker stuck almost immediately, and while the design isn’t what you’d call beautiful, it is incredibly distinctive and those wide rear fenders are downright sexy. The larger six-cylinder engine from the convertible eventually found its way into the coupe, and then BMW Motorsport got their hands on a Z3 and did what they do best to the popular roadster (and now coupe) models: they stuffed a big, honking engine under the hood, added some staggered wheels with more aggressive rubber, upgraded the suspension, and gave it some visual enhancements in the form of a front air dam and side skirts (and some very comfortable and supportive sport seats). Needless to say, it was an instant collectible, and cars like this one have always been sought after.

Richard Hammond reviewed the 2000 M Coupe while still a host on the British TV show Men and Motors back when the car was new:

The problem is that the coupe is so capable right out of the box that it’s become a popular track car, or at the very least, a weekend warrior on the autocross circuit. Because of this, we see many M Coupes show up with a variety of modifications that aren’t the end of the world but are generally unwelcome on a model deemed a collectible. Fortunately, the seller of this M Coupe hasn’t gone overboard and has simply upgraded the suspension with some tried-and-true H&R lowering springs with Bilstein shocks. Recent maintenance includes new spark plugs, valve cover gasket, air filter, secondary air injection control valve, Bendix rotors, and brake pads, clutch master and slave cylinder, and UUC stainless steel brake lines. The M Coupe has the venerable S52 engine under the hood, and will likely be a strong performer for years to come with routine maintenance. This one would look significantly better with the deep window tint removed, but that’s purely subjective and may be appreciated in warmer climates. A good M Coupe is a hard car to find, and with a reasonable asking price, we expect to see this one sell quickly.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“2000 BMW M Coupe, 109k miles
Cosmos Schwarz Metallic Black, S52 In-line 6, 5-speed Manual Transmission, Clean title in hand. Car is clean and perfect running order. No mechanical issues in tip-top shape. S52 Engine is very strong and solid. No oil leaks or water leaks. Original paint with minor wear over it’s 21-year lifetime.

This lconic BMW has become a classic that has earned a true car enthusiast following. It was an unapologetic, BMW engineer that changed the course in many ways. By adding the hard top, the attributes of the roadster were enhanced with a much stronger and more ridgid chassis that made curve carving a blast to be enjoyed by real enthusiasts. With the already proven S52 M motor the combination was a balance of power and grace.

Engine: S52 240 hp @6,000 rpm and 236 lb⋅ft torque @3,800 rpm. The S52 has a redline of 7,000 rpm
Car well maintained with TLC. New spark plugs, valve cover gasket, air filter, secondary air injection control valve, Bendix rotors and brake pads, clutch master slave cylinder with UUC stainless steel line. Fresh LiquiMoly oil changes.

Transmission: 5-Speed Manual Transmission, Redline MT90 for the gearbox, and Redline 75W-140 for the rear diff.

Interior: Black, new floor mats, a/c blows ice cold
Exterior: Black – Cosmos Schwarz Metallic Black (303/9). New front kidney grills, Tinted windows and tinted sunroof.

Suspension: H&R springs with Bilstein shocks. New tie rods and Turner Motorsport rear swaybar reinforcement plates. CHEWERKS alignment, handles real well, steering is tight and drives straight.
Wheels/Tires: Front 17×7.5 ET41, Rear 17×9 ET8. Front tires Sumitomo 235-45-17 @80%; Rear tires Sumitomo 255-45-17 @80%

Open to serious reasonable offers so contact me if you’re serious or have any other questions. I’ll make sure to update the ad with more info and photos as I go through my records. I can be available on the weekends or during the week after 6pm. Thanks for looking!“

The classic clown shoe: do you prefer your M-powered Z3 in coupe or convertible form?