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This car is based on the [[BMW Z3]] and the [[BMW M Coupe|M Coupe]]. European M Roadsters built 1998 to 2001 had the same engine (S50) that powered the 1995 to 1998 M3 Evo with 321 bhp and 350 Nm (258 ft·lbf). North American M roadsters built from 1998 to 2000 had the 3.2L S52 engine (based on the regular M52 engine) with 240 hp and 320 Nm (236 ft·lbf). In 2001 BMW revised the M Roadster with the 3.2L S54 engine. This was the highest specific output naturally aspirated production engine ever made by BMW (not counting S70/2 GTR LM engine from the McLaren F1 LM) when it was applied in the M3. In M Roadster form it produced 325 bhp (320 hp) and 353 Nm (261 ft·lbf) of [[torque]]. BMW only produced the S54-based M Roadster for two years, discontinuing it after the 2002 model year. The BMW M Roadster based on the 3.2L S52 engine did 0 to 60 in 5.1 seconds. Transmissions for years, 1998 - 2000, were 5-speed manuals. Transmissions for years 2001-2002, were 6-Speed manuals, borrowed from the E46 M3.<br />
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The BMW M Roadster was designed to be the performance version of the BMW Z3, but there were significant differences between the two models. The body of the M Roadster had slight differences throughout. Among others, a quad pipe exhaust system exited the back, wider tires, generally with larger rims, were used and in general, the whole car was laid out to cope with the increased performance. Its
Finally, the car came in particular colors, some of which have not been available for the regular Z3 cars, at least in the early production years.
In the 5 years, from 1998 - 2002, only approximately 15,000 M Roadsters/M coupes were produced as compared to the several hundred thousand Z3s produced in the same time frame. This makes them highly desired by car and performance enthusiasts.
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