From January 1998, the BMW Z3 Roadster was also joined by a coupé version with the two most powerful six-cylinder engines from the E36 product range. In mid-2000, the introduction of the new M54B30 engine finally replaced the BMW Z3 Coupé 2.8 with the BMW Z3 Coupé 3.0i. This coupé enjoyed better driving performance, a revised interior and exterior visual appearance, and an improved automatic transmission (optional). Only just under 4,000 examples were produced at the Spartanburg Plant and today this makes the BMW Z3 Coupé 3.0i a rare and much sought-after classic car.