M Coupe

[Seb928S@af]

There are sports cars with sheer, inexhaustible engine performance. There are sports cars with breathtaking design. There is a vehicle that unites both uncompromisingly: The M coupé from the BMW M Series. Its shape expressively shows how BMW has brought classic sports car values back to life. The M coupé drives in the tradition of the "Grand Tourismo" era: The long hood and distinguished tail reflect the values of the epoch and allude to the extraordinary power and excellent handling of the M coupé. A unique statement in style and performance.


Lines that are not quickly forgotten. Classic and yet excitingly contemporary. Clear and yet richly sensuous. Light, graceful, agile - yet laden with the promise of power. The unique contours of the BMW M coupé communicate the essence of a sports car: the beautiful combination of style and performance. From the deep air dam at the front, over the stretched hood, through the expressively rounded cabin to the muscular curves of the rear end, the BMW M coupé is an extraordinary pleasure for all the senses.

The engine of the M coupé was developed by the BMW M motor racing specialists. They built a powerful 236 kW, 3.2 litre powerplant with outstanding sports car characteristics. Its torque at 3250/min is a breathtaking 350 Nm. That means a reservoir of thrust, available in any situation. The M coupé has a power-to-weight ratio of 6.0 kg/kW. Low weight, high energy: from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds. This is a car that defines the pinnacle of sports car performance. It is the embodiment of a unique sports car philosophy.

What is the use of power if it can't be used on the street, if it is uncontrollable? These are important questions for all vehicles, and essential in the case of the M engine due to its immense power. BMW M has developed technical concepts which make the M chassis the solid backbone of its sports cars. The core of the chassis is the patented central link rear axle. This works with the Macpherson front suspension to provide excellent driving stability, outstanding cornering and exceptional bmwe response even at high speed.

The graceful, strong bodyshell of the BMW M coupé represents the beginning of a complex system of sophisticated safety features, carefully designed to protect the occupants in a range of situations. The BMW Fully Integrated Road Safety Technology (FIRST) programme means that safety is never an optional extra: it is fundamental to the essence of every vehicle. Active measures - such as twin front and side airbags – are integrated with passive measures such as the precisely constructed crumple zones and bodyshell rigidity.

The technical data given refer to the German version. Due to certain legal regulations in different countries, deviations in the technical data described here can occur.

Wheelbase 2,459

Vehicle length 4,025

Vehicle width 1,740

Vehicle height 1,280

Track, front 1,422

Track, rear 1,492

City (ltr/100 km) 16.6

Highway (ltr/100 km) 7.9

Combined (ltr/100 km) 11.1

CO2 emissions (g/km) 268

Tank capacity ltr 51

No. of cylinders/valves per cyl. 6/4

Displacement acc. to ECE Reg. in ccm 3,201

Stroke/Bore in mm 91.0/86.4

Nominal power (kW) at 1/min 236/7,400

Max. torque (Nm) at 1/min 350/3,250

Tyre size front 225/45 ZR 17

Tyre size rear 245/40 ZR 17

Wheel size front 7.5 x 17

Wheel size rear 9 x 17

Drag (cw) 0.37

Top speed km/h 250

Acceleration 0-100 km/h (in s) 5.4

Acceleration 80-120 km/h (s) in 4th/5th 5.3/7.0

Unladen (EU) 1,465

Max permissible 1,660

Permitted load 270

Permitted axle load, front/rear 850/890

You can more stuff out about bmw at www.bmw.com

[Bean Bandit]

I can only say your totaly right this car is amazing there for a big w00t. (hope I used this term correct as we still wait for a proper explanation of it)

[Adam]

this should be the article up front...

the M Coupe is thought ugly by many people, but to me it is a master design

[NissanZ@af]

I agree with Adam. Almost all of my friends think it's ugly, but I think it's a automotive masterpiece.

[Seb928S@af]

Yes the M Coupe is a masterpiece. If you like those civics you have to like this because its a 100 times better. This car looks and drives great and its fast. I love the body on it. What else can I says just that it's a great german car.

[matt]

My friend thinks it looks like a rollerskate, but I think its a really sweet car. It's got BMW styling, although I would like to see a face lift to the Z3/M coupe/roadster platform as it is getting old. Overall, its a sweet car.

[Heep]

I've actually got one as my desktop wallpaper right now; beautiful car.

To me, the M Coupe is the absolute ideal car for a young couple without kids. Much more than fast enough for the young guy (or girl, for that matter). They don't need more than 2 seats, for now anyway. Plus, with a hatchback and only two seats, it can hold all the groceries they need.

All the magazines say it looks like nothing else on the road. While being much more muscular and better looking, it reminds me of the old Geo Storm hatchbacks (not the fastbacks...anybody remember those???).

[Heep]

BMW M Coupe:



Geo Storm hatchback:

[matt]

The M coupe has a lot better styling and way more class than the Geo storm, oviously, but I guess they kind of look a like.

[911guy]

Oh my gosh!

I absolutely LOVE the M coupe! A few years ago when I first started getting in to cars, my favorite car was the Z3, but then I discovered the M coupe. Then I started liking Porsches (hehe.) But the M coupe is still one of my alltime favorite cars. It is so unique, and looks amazing not only on paper, but in real life. I've only seen a couple in real life, and every time, I'm amazed at how low, wide, and small they are! And now all the M coupes and roadsters get the M3's new engine. Yee haw! What a great little car!

[PookJP]

My father has an MCoupe and absolutely LOVES it. I've had the privelege of driving it a few times...WOW. It's like a shifter cart, only full scale. I cannot imagine finer handling or a sweeter engine.

[gang$tarr]

My neighbour has a cherry red one, it's sweet, i've driven it...... it feels sooo nice

[M Coupe]

I will wholeheartedly endorse what you all said. I have the M coupe, and I love it. 23k+ miles in less than a year. Yes, single, a dog, and no bills! The storage space is incredible for a sports car of this caliber, the handling is unbeliveable, and the acceleration is god like. I would love some more above 100, but I rarely see that speed, even on the track,(most tracks keep you under about 110-130). I race it at least once a month, sometimes twice,(local PCA time trials every month here in Corpus Christi). To say it does well would be an understatement. Visceral would be a term to describe how it drives. The M3 is fast and fun, but the M coupe connects with the driver. You feel the road more, and while it is faster on paper, that doesn't quantify the feeling of acceleration and speed,(it was geared for acceleration under 100, the US car that is). With the new M motor, the over 100 shouldn't be an issue anymore. I have too much invested in mine to switch to the new motor, and that is really the only change. It really needs more springs and shocks as well as a better stereo,(subjective, I already replaced mine). The windows don't go down all the way,(carry over from the convertible, taller roofline on the Coupe, hence taller windows, stick about .5 in above the sill - you quickly get used to it, but doesn't belong in a 45k car).
Yes, it does look like a civic from the waist up in back, and yes I love it. I drove a 1930 Model A to high school, and have owned a 67 mustang and a 65 fastback,(still own) as well as other notable cars. No car I have ever driven garners as much attention as this one. Nearly every time I stop, someone comes up and asks what it is, what it is called, or how fast it is. Rarely is it negative. To be honest, when I first saw it , I thought it was the ugliest car around. However, once I drove it, I have loved it ever since.
-M coupe

[Jay!]

No offense, but so far I just think it's ugly. But, like you said, the car itself can change your mind for you. I wonder if I'll ever give it that chance...

[Porsche]

I think the BMW "Z" series cuopes are the best! Lots of people either love or hate it, but I think it is the best Cuope BMW has ever made.