BMW Technik's drop-door roadster — composite skin, multi-link rear, M20 inline-six.
Developed by BMW Technik and produced from 1989 to 1991, the Z1 was a small-series roadster that introduced the company's first multi-link rear suspension (later adopted across the E36 3 Series) and used a polymer-skin body with retractable doors that slid vertically into the sills. Power came from the M20B25 2.5-litre inline-six producing 168 bhp, shared with the E30 325i.
8,000 cars were built before production ended in 1991 — the Z1's hand-assembly cost and limited usability (no soft-top headroom for tall drivers, the famous open-door driving) capped demand at the time.
Re-launched BMW's open-car programme and laid the engineering foundation for the Z3, Z4 and the multi-link rear adopted across BMW saloons.
| Variant | Years | Production | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Z1 | 1989–1991 | 8,000 | Standard form. |
Start with identity, paperwork and originality. For the BMW Z1, the strongest cars have continuous ownership history, matching numbers where applicable, original books and tools, factory build documentation and evidence of work by manufacturer-approved specialists. Originality of composite body panels and paint, full service history.
M20 inline-six is straightforward; verify cooling system, head gasket history and underbody composite-to-chassis bonding. A proper pre-purchase inspection includes cold-start behaviour, ECU diagnostics and fault-code history (where applicable), leak-down or compression testing, underbody photography, suspension and chassis inspection, brake condition and a long enough road test to expose heat-related faults. Deferred maintenance on a car of this class is almost always more expensive than buying a better-sorted example.
Use a paint-depth gauge, lift access and a specialist familiar with the model's factory panel gaps and finish standards. Collector value is dramatically affected by structural repairs, refinished panels, poor paintwork and missing factory trim or option content. Documented cosmetic refresh is acceptable; concealed accident or fire damage must be priced severely.
Original paint, original body panels (composite), full service history. Specification, colour, options and limited-build variants move values significantly. Buy the best-documented example in the most desirable specification you can justify, rather than a tired example of a rarer derivative that will need years of corrective work.
| Date | Auction | Car | Mileage | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-10-18 | RM Sotheby's Munich, Lot 113 | 1990 Z1 | — | €80,500 Sold |
| 2025-05-24 | Broad Arrow The Villa d'Este Auction 2025, Lot 116 | 1991 Alpina Z1 RLE | — | €115,000 Sold |
| 2024-02-02 | Artcurial Rétromobile 2024, Lot 111 | 1990 Z1 | — | €116,816 Sold |
| 2023-03-04 | Broad Arrow The Amelia Auction, Lot 166 | 1991 Z1 | — | $128,800 Sold |
Limited production, design icon, foundation of modern BMW chassis engineering.
Our view, not advice. This section is Car Collector International's editorial judgement on where this model sits in the collector market, based on the production, specification and market data set out in this guide. It is not a recommendation to buy or sell and it is not investment advice. Values can fall as well as rise.
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The valuation figures in this guide are for research purposes only and do not constitute financial or investment advice. See our full disclaimer.
