Jay's BMW E36/7 M Roadster
Photography & Words By Wynn
2001 BMW Z3M
Many would agree in saying BMW is a manufacturer that creates spectacular automobiles. With their dynamic handling, impressive and smart technology, decent amounts of engine grunt and of course the gorgeous styling, BMW continues to prove their motto "Ultimate Driving Machine" time and time again. Now although every BMW is certainly special in it's own right, every so often BMW creates what many would call a timeless classic. Models that come to mind are the infamous E30 and the classic 2002. Cars that were massed produced and have now become classics in their own right.
The M Roadster is becoming one of those classics, with its iconic shape and aggressive styling the M Roadster has become a rare creation to see in today's car scene. Fortunately there are those that aren't shy in strutting these beauties around town and to various automotive events. Jay is one of those humbling owners, I was introduced to Jay the same way I've met most of the BMW owners I know, the friendly and welcoming car community. He's a big contributing member to the growing forum resource known as Maxbimmer. A forum I use on the regular to research various things for my own E36 build. He's also Co-Owner of StanceFactory which happens to be one of the more respected and reputable BMW specialist shops in Ontario.
So when it comes to Bimmer's, Jay pretty much knows his stuff. The M Roadster is of course not his first venture into the BMW world, having owned both an E30 and an E36 M3 in his past he's collected a great amount of knowledge on the German brand. This knowledge and taste is definitely on display with his Z3M build. The M Roadster is an already gorgeous car but Jay has taken it a few steps further with a useable stance and a set of gorgeous 3-piece Shelby Series 1 Speedline America wheels, this Z3M is a beauty.
Attaining this car was a journey onto itself. "I wasn't looking for one.." Jay states referring to the Z, but as with many stories, sometimes the right car finds you. After casually looking through the Z3 section on Bimmerforum, Jay spotted this clean S54 engine variant in Ohio. After various road trips back and forth from Ontario to Ohio, the Z was finally at it's new home. Apart from the flawless wheel set up, Jay has updated the cars suspension all around. Purchasing coilovers, front camber plates and rear adjustable control arms to give it an aggressive yet still drivable stance.
In addition to the stance, Jay has installed a Dinan Intake and a Dinan Strut Brace, he's also added a Limited Slip Differential as well as a full custom exhaust. The sound the Z's straight six produces is utterly unreal. Inside Jay has completely redone the sound system as well as added a few interior touches such as the matching arm rests which make this cabin very unique.
Future plans are pretty big for the M Roadster with Jay just recently picking up a 6-speed transmission that he's planning on swapping in. He's also planning on tuning it and finally throwing it on the dyno to figure out what sort of numbers this humble beast is putting down.
Throughout the whole journey Jay and his Z have gone through, one thing remains, this car is stunning and Jay has put in some serious wrench time into it. It's one of those creations that will stand the test of time no matter what the automotive scene is into at the time. Jay has turned this already stunning car into a timeless classic.
