andrewdelvard

At the moment I'm enjoying that fun time of actually saving up (can't be bothered with a loan AND mega insurance) for my next car. I've pretty much always considered that my next car will be an RX7 (understand the mega insurance bit?) but for some reason I've recently been drawn to the BMW M Coupe.



Saw one of these in the flesh a few weeks ago and more recently at my local BMW dealership. Have no clue at this time what it's like to drive but in the flesh (or metal so to speak) it's real quality and far from being the hairdressers car it's little brother is.
Anyone own or had any real experience of this car?
At the moment it's doubtful I'd buy one but it has got me intrigued a little.

andrewdelvard

One more point is that you can pick up a nice 2nd hand one up for about 18.5-20K. An awful lot of car, so it seems, for the money.

andrewdelvard

Here's some performance Data....

Drivetrain
Gear Ratio Overall Ratio RPM MPH
1st 4.21:1 13.59:1 6900 38
2nd 2.49:1 8.04:1 6900 62
3rd 1.66:1 5.36:1 6900 96
4th 1.24:1 4.01:1 6900 129
5th 1.00:1 3.23:1 5860 137 *
Final drive ratio 3.23:1
Engine rpm @ 60 mph, top gear 2550
* Electronically limited


Acceleration
Time to Speed Sceonds
0-30 mph 2.0
0-40 mph 3.1
0-50 mph 4.2
0-60 mph 5.5
0-70 mph 7.6
0-80 mph 9.4
0-90 mph 12.0
0-100 mph 14.7
Time to Distance

0-100 ft. 2.9
0-500 ft. 7.8
0-1320 ft. (1/4 mile) 14.3 @ 98.7 mph


Braking
Minimum stopping distance

From 60 mph 125 ft.
From 80 mph 217 ft.


Handling
Lateral accel (200-ft. skidpad) 0.87g
Speed through 700ft slalom 62.3 mph

image doctor

I thought it was quicker than that to 100.

Evo mag has it in the 11's I think.

wilf

Theres some threads on this just down the page

andrewdelvard

Must have had a porker driving the car in the results I found

So there is. Don't know how I missed it. Thanks.

7 Foot

I love these cars. Unfortunately I offer this opinion having never driven one.

I think they look the danglies - a male Z3.

The reviews in the motoring press seem to contradict themselves. I remember Stiff Needle loved both of the Z3 Motorsports when they were released but since then people claim the handling feels dated and possibly clumsy.

Go for a couple of test drives and make up your own mind, should be a laugh if nothing else.

Fastest breadvans in the world.

ScoobySnack

For the older engined car:

BHP 0-30 0-60 0-100 1/4 Mile Terminal
BMW M Coupe 1998 321 1.9 4.9 11.7 13.5 106
BMW M Roadster 1997 321 2.1 5.1 12.0 13.6 106


J

andrewdelvard

Lol! Had to laugh when I read that mate. Yeah so true. A male Z3.

dominicm

My brother had a M Roadster which was very quick in a straight line, we regulary timed it at around 11 sec to 100 using the AP-22!

Remember Tiff voted the M Coupe the best handling car of the year a couple of years ago!!!

Also they have one the all time great engines stuffed in the front and they do have BMW build quality...IMHO these cars are great value sports cars!

Dom.

andrewdelvard

Few more nice pics...

andrewdelvard

I think you are right. I found those figures on an American forum but they use a different engine I think, to the european car.

H7

US version is only 240bhp, UK version originally 321bhp, latterly 325bhp.

Lord Of The Bling...

just get one!!!

i had a mate who had one and now they are going for around 20k, over half the price they were to buy when new!well it was totally awesome, 330bhp, and very aggressive looking, with those huge rear rims.....a total monster, and total donut action 24/7

get one you wont be dissapointed

andrewdelvard

How roomy are the back seats?

[Edited by andrewdelvard - 2/25/2003 10:03:02 PM]

scrappydoo

I just hope you can drive mate if you do decide to get one as they are death traps in the wet especially around roundabouts.

davyboy

Death traps, yeah right.

So all high powered RWD cars are death traps in the wet?

Do they just let go for no reason?

Do I not have control over my foot?

Rich B

I had one a couple of years back. Probably the best car I've ever owned and really regret getting rid of it now. I kept finding I was going far to quickly racing motorbikes etc.

It could be a handful in the wet if you drove like a tw*t but if your progressive with the throttle you'll have no problems. It feels like a dragster when you nail it, back end squats down and the front rises up. Third gear was absolutely fantastic!

Does about 25Mpg day to day on SUL.


Chicks loved it!

andrewdelvard

From the descriptions so far, well, I had no idea they are this good. Really got me thinking now.

andrewdelvard

....Went and booked a test drive Today! Local BMW dealer should have one in, end of May.

dominicm

It doesn't have any back seats!!!!

Dom.

andrewdelvard

It doesn't? Well you learn something new everyday. I thought part of the definition of a coupe was a 2 door car with 2 seats at the front and 2 at the back. Oh well friends will have to walk! Still confused though.
What is the correct definition of a coupe?

Rich B

You can get girls in the boot!

M3 Evo

The pics of the black one with the red leather remind me of mine (same spec) i really miss mine at times!

It really is a great car and an absolute beast in a straight line and great fun in the bends! Get one! It replaced an M3 evo and it was a better steer but less comfortable and not as practical to live with....

I'd reccommend one of the later cars though with the E46 M3 engine (detuned to 325bhp) as it comes with DSC traction control - comes in handy on a wet night when are tired you just want to cruise home.

scrappydoo

Davyboy,
It is a well known fact that the M coupe is a handful in the wet.But like i said only if you cant drive, otherwise its a great, fast car with slightly weird styling which some people like and others dont.

I'll stick with my AYC, ACD and AWD anytime as opposed to RWD. Far safer around corners methinks.

AFR

Used to have an M Coupe - great fun cars and very good value for money at £18k plus used. Think of it as a German TVR ie. hairy *but* reliable. The engine dominates the experience and third gear is addictive from low down to red-line.

Plenty of grip in the dry and no probs in the wet if you are sensible and don't drive like a bull in china shop.

Speed limiter removed and it'll do about 170mph.

ascender

There's some info you might find useful on the car here:

http://www.z3mcoupe.com

Its a UK-oriented site I started last year.

Certainly one of the more interesting and truly "sporty" BMWs they've made in recent times.


-Mike.

[Edited by ascender - 3/2/2003 5:41:09 PM]

[Edited by ascender - 3/2/2003 5:41:44 PM]

andrewdelvard

Fantastic. Just what you need when looking into a purchase of one. Thanks very much.