Has anyone on here owned an M-Coupe?
Discussion
[Moved from BMW General!]
Vaguely toying with the idea of getting one as a daily driver. Can someone tell me how they stand up to daily abuse and high mileages? What are servicing costs and fuel economy like?
Most importantly, does anyone know if you can get a mountain bike (minus the wheels) in one?
Vaguely toying with the idea of getting one as a daily driver. Can someone tell me how they stand up to daily abuse and high mileages? What are servicing costs and fuel economy like?
Most importantly, does anyone know if you can get a mountain bike (minus the wheels) in one?
Not exactly an answer to your query, but my brother owned an M Roadster for three years that he bought with about 85,000 miles on the clock and it didn't give him any headaches. He did purely use it as a weekend toy, though (his wife did take it to work a mile or two down the road on rainy days) so they didn't put any significant mileage on it. And I think the Vanos had already been sorted on his car.
Lovely things I must say - as close to a Bavarian TVR as you can get, and I've always liked the Breadvans...
Lovely things I must say - as close to a Bavarian TVR as you can get, and I've always liked the Breadvans...
Best to ask the question at http://www.z3mcoupe.com/
I've only had mine for four months, but daily driving/high mileages don't seem to be a problem. I get 28mpg on a run (later S54), 22 to 24 hooning or around town.
I've not tried to get a bike in one, but you might have a chance. Otherwise, there is an official fitted BMW set of roof bars available for a bike carrier.
I've only had mine for four months, but daily driving/high mileages don't seem to be a problem. I get 28mpg on a run (later S54), 22 to 24 hooning or around town.
I've not tried to get a bike in one, but you might have a chance. Otherwise, there is an official fitted BMW set of roof bars available for a bike carrier.
It's a daily driver when I'm home and I've done about 18k miles in a 18 months (or 9 months if you only count the time I'm at home). No real issues as yet apart from needing new coil packs at 90k miles.
It just needs the usual tinkering that any car of that age and mileage needs.
The roof rack is available through the dealers and I think there's a bike attachment for it if you want.
It just needs the usual tinkering that any car of that age and mileage needs.
The roof rack is available through the dealers and I think there's a bike attachment for it if you want.
Hello,
This might help you.
I owned an MCoupe for 2 years and it was used as a daily driver.
I managed to put on 20k miles with no problems other than wear and tear items such as brakes and tyres, but even these lasted a long time. The car itself is very easy to work on and is a real head turner and makes a boring commute into something a lot more enjoyable.
Low 20's MPG is a given but 30 can be seen if you drive like miss daisy or are doing a long motorway run. Stone chips are also another issue due to the angled front end. Random compliments from the fairer sex regarding the car seem to occur more often when in the car than other cars, so it obviously has something that stands out - mayeb the looks, can't think its the driver!
The car handles well enough in standard form but KW coilovers are something that really transforms it as well as racelogic traction control. Ignore people who say the car is a handful in the wet - all rear wheel drive cars can be a handful in the wet, you just need to tailor your right foot, especially if it is made of lead. Racelogic just adds that bit of safety IMO.
The Vanos issue is less of a problem than it is made out to be and the real issue with the ZM is the boot floor issue, where the diff mounts pull the floor apart. Sounds drastic but BMW still fix it under goodwill.
As people have said, check Z3MCoupe.com for more info
My old one is actually for sale at the moment - http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/561991.htm at a local trader. The car is strongly priced but then again its a brilliant car which wants for nothing! I traded it for the CSL that this dealer had - just to clarify that I have no ulterior motives by plugging my old car!
HTH
This might help you.
I owned an MCoupe for 2 years and it was used as a daily driver.
I managed to put on 20k miles with no problems other than wear and tear items such as brakes and tyres, but even these lasted a long time. The car itself is very easy to work on and is a real head turner and makes a boring commute into something a lot more enjoyable.
Low 20's MPG is a given but 30 can be seen if you drive like miss daisy or are doing a long motorway run. Stone chips are also another issue due to the angled front end. Random compliments from the fairer sex regarding the car seem to occur more often when in the car than other cars, so it obviously has something that stands out - mayeb the looks, can't think its the driver!
The car handles well enough in standard form but KW coilovers are something that really transforms it as well as racelogic traction control. Ignore people who say the car is a handful in the wet - all rear wheel drive cars can be a handful in the wet, you just need to tailor your right foot, especially if it is made of lead. Racelogic just adds that bit of safety IMO.
The Vanos issue is less of a problem than it is made out to be and the real issue with the ZM is the boot floor issue, where the diff mounts pull the floor apart. Sounds drastic but BMW still fix it under goodwill.
As people have said, check Z3MCoupe.com for more info
My old one is actually for sale at the moment - http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/561991.htm at a local trader. The car is strongly priced but then again its a brilliant car which wants for nothing! I traded it for the CSL that this dealer had - just to clarify that I have no ulterior motives by plugging my old car!
HTH
My mate's run an M Coupe for the last year or so and loves it - much more interesting (and quicker) than a Boxster, more useable and refined than a TVR, but with a healthy dose of nuttiness and a truly pedigree engine. He's had a couple of aircon issues, a broken coil spring, and routine replacement of consumables. He gets a little over 20 mpg. Handling doesn't seem to be an issue compared to his previous car - an Elise 111S which spun like a top a couple of times.
The fact that you can strap a roof rack on makes it a genuine all-purpose classic.
The fact that you can strap a roof rack on makes it a genuine all-purpose classic.
I've previously has 2 MCs, both we S50 engines and were excellent cars! However the first one had it's VANOS done once (up to 75k miles), the second one had it done 3 times (up to 55k miles).
A very rewarding car to drive, but many have now been molested. No chance of getting a big framed bike in the back.
Quite honestly they are wonderful cars & I still ponder on whether or not to get a Z4MC now that they are looking good value.
Good luck with you search and check out z3mcoupe.com for futher information.
A very rewarding car to drive, but many have now been molested. No chance of getting a big framed bike in the back.
Quite honestly they are wonderful cars & I still ponder on whether or not to get a Z4MC now that they are looking good value.
Good luck with you search and check out z3mcoupe.com for futher information.
I don't use mine as a daily driver, but do commute to Canary Wharf from Surrey occasionally, not that enjoyable, the car needs to stretch it's legs. A non town commute is much more fun.
As for a bike in the boot, wheels off, saddle out, wrap the rear stays and mech in a cloth, and rest it on the brace behind and between the seats. Wheels fit in the boot, bag on top! But only one goes in.
But as said you can get roof bars and a top rack if you wanted to take a friend.
As for a bike in the boot, wheels off, saddle out, wrap the rear stays and mech in a cloth, and rest it on the brace behind and between the seats. Wheels fit in the boot, bag on top! But only one goes in.
But as said you can get roof bars and a top rack if you wanted to take a friend.
Well I have/did. Bought a 2001 S54 from a dealership with 29000 miles on the clock for a reasonable sum and have added an extra 30, 000 in 12 months.
The first drive was a nightmare as the brake caliper froze and we had to be recovered. After that, barring the tyre warning pressure light that comes on every 5 minutes for some reason (never showed as a fauly yet at BMW) the car has been faultless. Average 25 MPG a mixture of motorways and short blats. I have just extended the BMW warranty as a failsafe but i would recommend the car as a daily drive to anyone.
We bought it after being burnt badly with Alfa 147 relaibility issues and have never looked back.
Car now having a well deserved rest as I am in darfur for 6 months.
Happy hunting.
The first drive was a nightmare as the brake caliper froze and we had to be recovered. After that, barring the tyre warning pressure light that comes on every 5 minutes for some reason (never showed as a fauly yet at BMW) the car has been faultless. Average 25 MPG a mixture of motorways and short blats. I have just extended the BMW warranty as a failsafe but i would recommend the car as a daily drive to anyone.
We bought it after being burnt badly with Alfa 147 relaibility issues and have never looked back.
Car now having a well deserved rest as I am in darfur for 6 months.
Happy hunting.
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