BMW M Roadster
It all started in 2003 in Gilroy, CA with a pizza order from Mountain Mikes. My father and I had spent several hours searching for the right first car for me. We had looked at and even test driven a couple Porsche 911’s, early 80’s models. It was on that fateful evening that a Steel Grey BMW Z3 was parked on First Street in Gilroy with a for sale sign on it. A Z3 wasn’t really entertained as an option because most were out of the price range for a 6cyl model (dad knew what to look for). But here it was, a highway cruiser with 94k miles on it already but clean as could be only 4 years old at the time.
I was active on bimmerforums learning all I could about this new car / project / freedom I got. There was a member on there that was tracking his Z3 and really showing the Porsche’s out there who’s boss. The owner had created a custom duck tail for the back of the little m roadster that really balanced the car and I fell in love with it. He was racing at Road Atlanta at the time and felt a world away from California, CARB, and the regulations necessary to even entertain a car like his on the public streets.
I owned the “The Zed” until 2017 when I was forced to part ways with it and gave it to a good friend who had always admired it. I had put over 150k miles on my car, won my class for a season at BMW CCA autocross, and taken it on countless trips, drives, adventures. The way one can control a BMW Z3 is nothing I’ve ever felt in another car. It inspires you with confidence behind the wheel, you’re exposed to the elements, and really connected with the world around you. The low window line on the door means you can reach out uninhibited and you almost feel the car wrap around you getting into it. I also had not interacted with any other brands/model owners that I connected with as well as the Z3. In an age where cars were beginning their angular transition the Z3 stood out as one of the first throw back designs that actually worked. Smooth flowing lines over the wheels and a long hood, it’s a modern AC Cobra.
This Silver BMW M Roadster was built with a Euro E36 2.8L Iron block and 6 speed transmission. It has a custom forged crank shaft to the 3.2L S52 configuration, forged con rods and forged pistons. The heads are also reworked for flow and volume. There is a Garrett turbocharger on it that helps it to produce 510hp to the wheels! There are Porsche Front brake calipers fitted on all 4 corners of the car and it will accept the widest rear tire I’ve seen on a factory rear end, 315’s!
I ended up keeping in contact with the owner of this very special M roadster and after my first real MAD Garage project, EFI on a 1970 Superbird, I was able to purchase my dream. The car had been sitting for a bit but, to my surprise ran and was able to get itself on the trailer. I didn’t really think about registration but it ended up working in my favor being just considered a classic car and exempt from emissions regulations in Georgia. It needed an extensive MAD Garage detailing but now is absolutely wonderful, 43k mile, OEM++ build. Now I have a road legal, licensed, rocket ship, just for fun rips on the backroads.
