When the BMW Z3 M Coupe first arrived, it completely shattered expectations. Born from the brand’s in-house motorsport division, it took the lightweight, playful Z3 platform and transformed it into a genuine athlete—a funky looking one to say the least, butcompetitive nonetheless. With its distinctive long-nose, sloping hatch, and muscular haunches, enthusiasts quickly nicknamed it the “Clownshoe”.

Developed alongside the legendary E36 M3, it received the same high-revving, naturally aspirated S52 inline-six engine. But, unlike its larger sibling, the Z3 M offered an entirely different experience to the S52 power plant. Its unique shape resulted in a rather proprietary weight distribution, offering a dynamic edge over just about anything else on the market.

This particular example has been meticulously well-kept and remained with its original owner until last year. Finished in Alpine White over a Black & Grey leather interior, it is one of only three Clownshoes to come in this specification. It is also sports an incredibly rare option, Sunroof Delete, earning it another nickname, a “Slick-Top". Having gone only 57k miles since new, both the exterior & interior are exceptional. Under the second owner’s care, TC Kline double-adjustable coil-overs with adjustable camber plates and H&R front & rear sway bars were installed. The subframe was professionally dropped, cleaned and coated—addressing a common concern amongst the model. Cross-drilled brake rotors were fitted along with a stud conversion allowing for easier wheel changes.

Overall, this is a collector grade example of one of the most visually captivating sports cars of the era.