History & character

Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in spring 2006, the Z4 M Coupé carried forward the idea launched by the Z3 M Coupé: a fixed roof grafted onto a compact roadster, for markedly greater rigidity and character. Under the bonnet, the 3.2-litre S54 straight-six delivers 343 horsepower at 7,900 rpm, paired with a six-speed manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive free of intrusive electronic assistance.

Built from 2006 to 2008 in a run of just over 4,000 examples, it borrowed its perforated floating discs and much of its running gear from the M3 E46 CSL. Long overshadowed by the M3, it is now sought after as one of the last naturally aspirated M coupés with a manual gearbox, free of turbos or forced induction. Its rarity, its silhouette—much debated at the time—and the S54's reputation have made it a closely watched youngtimer.