hey everybody. im thinking about getting an m coupe (the hatchback bmw based off of the z3 convertable). i know alot of people dont think its good looking, but i need peoples opinions of the performence of the car. Being that its very difficult to get a test drive on an m bmw that isnt made any more, id basiclly be buying the car blind.

any advice (other than go get an 8)

 

If you can overlook the butt ugly styling, the M-Coupe is a great drivers car.
It goes like the proverbial and the handling isn't too bad seeing as it was based on the flimsy Z3 chassis.

Personally I would be a bit reluctant to get one since besides being quite rare and the performance offerred, the resale's not too great, it looks crap and everyone of them would have been thrashed.

 

you are crazy if you think they look bad.

they definitely look better than 8's.

 

You saying that this car looks better than this one?

And you're saying I'm crazy?
I suppose not everyone liked every garment Versace designed, so different strokes for different folks I guess.

 

i remember one day one of those pulled up to me at a light and i laughed cause it was so ugly. It was an old man driving and when the light turned green he spun his tires and took off... that only made me laugh more.... those things are butt ugly... i saw a convertible m the other day it didnt look to bad though

 

I think they are very cool and very unique looking, pretty rare as well. Many prefer them over the M3 from the same time period when it comes to handling and power. I say go for it if you can afford the maintenance.

 

The M coupe could beat the hell out of a RX-8 in virtually everything. You have to get the '02, it was the last year of production and they put the 8,000 rpm M3 Inline 6 in it. They restricted it to 315 bhp compaired to my m3's 333 bhp. This was done by having a highly restrictive intake, you can get back that 20 bhp very easily. The other M coupes had a 240 bhp i-6 that is still peppy, but the 3.2 I-6 that is in my m3 is BMW's bread & butter engine. BMW build quality trumps Mazda 4-times.

Troy J.

 

Funny this should come up because my favorite car of all time is a 2002 BMW M Coupe. I was about to buy one beofre I bought my 8.


Buy one. You won't regret it. I think its beautiful and so raw. They say it is a very tricky car to drive so make sure its not your daily driver.

 

it would be my daily driver, but i dont mind rough. i like it.

 

I've always thought they kind of look like a shoe. :p Just wondering, why not a regular M3 (used)?

-Rupes

 

Number one these cars ARE NOT ugly. They look great in person. It isn't a beautiful car, but I don't think the 8 is either...sorry. But the car just oozes power, those fender flares...ugh I love it. I suppose it is a lot like a yellow car, not everyone can pull it off. Pinkos need not apply

 

I think they look great and are an excellent drivers car. I've never driven a BMW tho so I don't really know for sure about driving.

 

It's one of those cars that you'd call interesting. Not a classic beauty but not at all ugly and certainly unique in design. If you like the styling, go for it, as performance-wise it's well above the 8's.

 

Looks like a Pinto to me. :D

 

It's a...different looking car. I love the engine though (240hp, 236lb/ft). It's quite balanced and tractable in daily driving. The fact that it pulls even from 1500 rpm in top gear is rather impressive to me. I think the 8 might be a better looking car...but it's hard to top the performance of the M. And another thing...my friend has a '99 M3 which shares the same engine...and he is averaging 25mpg over the life of the car. On a 90 mile trip from the NJ shore to outside of Philly, we averaged 31 mpg. Without a doubt, that is one reason why I am strongly considering a used M3 over a lightly used 8. Even if the upkeep of an 8 is minimal compared to the BMW, the gasoline costs will slowly add up. Not that that should matter in the long run. Besides, the coupe and the 8 are both performance cars, so go with what you like. I'm having trouble weighing the pros and cons between the two...or in my case, between the m3 and 8. Good luck. It's a great car.

 

if you are a poor college student you're gonna have trouble with those $700 oil changes that the m3 requires, beauty of a car though

 

It should read "Frugal College Student". I've saved up a good deal of money for a car...it's just a matter time. I'm a huge fan. Got a poster of one in my dorm room for motivation. Haha, that and a McLaren F1 LM poster. Though obviously one of them is just a bit out of my league...

 

sweet well go for the M3 then and since you're in philadelphia let me get a gander at that car .

 

$700 oil change, WHAT! I never had to spend anything like that for my M3. I have to say BS here.

I say the M Coupe is a great car and only if you are after the 2002 with the higher hp and that fantastic M series I-6 engine. It's bulletproof!

I will get another M3 within the next 2 years. I am going to keep my 8 but it is going to become a project car and the M3 will become my daily driver. They are just too nice not to have once you've felt the torque all the way through the rpm band.

 

thats the exorbitant price i heard quoted from 3 different M3 owners im just repeating what they told me...they may have been embellishing. how much did it cost you?

 

speaking from experience,

1 2003 porsche carrera purchased new.................................$95000 +tax
1 30,000 mile oil change............................................ .............$1400 +tax
1 effortlessly going 0-140 mph, without breaking anything.... priceless

 

hows that for rediculious prices for an oil change?

 

well thats what you get if you cant change your own damn oil.

 

I read somewhere that the M3 requires a specific oil that is $9 per quart as opposed to the $5 per quart of Mobil 1. I guess if you can't change your own oil and have to have it serviced at BMW then it might be $700. That figure seems a little subject though...I mean, common it's only an oil change.

Back on topic. I love the M coupe. As someone else pointed out, there is the rare coupe with the 315hp engine. Certainly a car to look for since it will probably hold it's value very well.

 

Oil changes were right about $50.

$700 might have included the 75k mile complete service. BMW offers a 5 year/50k mile complete maintenance on there new M3s. That includes free oil changes, all fluids, windshield wipers, and any other part except the clutch and tires (from what I remember). I doubt they would be giving away a $700 oil change every 5k miles for free. What profit would they make?