BMW Z3

The BMW Z3 was an instant hit when it launched for the 1996 model year, boosted by a prominent role in the James Bond film GoldenEye. It was BMW's first modern mass-market roadster and its first car built exclusively outside of Germany at the Spartanburg, South Carolina plant. Early cars used a 1.9L 4-cylinder, but the lineup soon expanded to include the more desirable inline-6 engines.

Collectors prize the high-performance M variants, the M Roadster and the quirky M Coupe. These models received engines from the contemporary M3, first the 240 hp S52 and later the 315 hp S54, turning the Z3 into a serious performance car. The M Coupe, nicknamed the "clown shoe," is the most sought-after model due to its rarity, chassis rigidity, and unique styling.

The Z3 market is diverse. Non-M roadsters with 4-cylinder or smaller 6-cylinder engines remain very affordable, offering a great entry into classic roadster ownership. The average price of $21,365 reflects the high volume of these standard models. However, M Roadsters and especially M Coupes command significant premiums, with the best S54-powered examples selling for over $100,000.

Prices range from $679 for project cars to $109,000 for top-spec M variants.