should i buy an m coupe?
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 23
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From: Santa Monica
Geez, the new M coupe,... I 'd have to think about it for two nanoseconds. 321 hp,... and they're so ugly they're beautiful. 
I love how they look from the back. I realize the looks aren't for most, but that's what makes the car all the more desireable in my opinion. Sold an M3 for my S2K. I still miss the fun torque of that straight 6 in the M3. Great motors, great transmissions, well behaved. Like mentioned above, the S2K and the Ms of BMW are just different. Both great, but very, very different. Choices like this are great problems to have!
I love how they look from the back. I realize the looks aren't for most, but that's what makes the car all the more desireable in my opinion. Sold an M3 for my S2K. I still miss the fun torque of that straight 6 in the M3. Great motors, great transmissions, well behaved. Like mentioned above, the S2K and the Ms of BMW are just different. Both great, but very, very different.
Choices like this are great problems to have!
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 244
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From: Wayne
I went through the same thing. I would have bought the 2001 M Coupe but during the wait for an allocation (I was #1 at the dealer in Chicago but very few of these are being made) I tested the S2000. What swayed me to the S2k was;
1. It's a bargain at 35k (out the door) versus 50k (out the door)
2. It gives 90% of the performance of the M Coupe
3. Open air driving, hard to beat.
4. The S2000 is fun at legal and illegal speeds because of its very raw personality and wonderful exhaust note. The M Coupe, in part because it is a coupe, will require higher speed to achieve a similar feel.
5. Technology, the S2k is cutting edge where it counts, race suspension (only Ferrari uses a similar set-up), wonderful engine, extremely ridgid body, best tranny on the planet.
6. Personality, it oooozes fun when driven even reasonably hard.
What I think the M Coupe has over the S2k is;
1. Speed it is hands down a faster car (referring to 2001 model), this will be true staight line or on the track.
2. It has an engine that is an equal to the S2k, one of my favorites.
3. Storage, it has a hell of a lot more.
4. Unique, at its final production it will sell as many total cars as S2ks are sold in one year. Also, there are no other cars on the road that look anything like it. Unlike the S2K which has styling cues of more than a couple roadsters out there.
5. Style, I love the look of the car (except the lights, they are poorly styled to integrate with the rest of the car) and for that reason it will be a classic probably never imitated. (Some would say for good reason but I disagree whole heartedly.)
6. Better car for winter climates, traction control, DSC and of course it's a Coupe.
I think you just need to priorize what you want from a car. They are both great and the M Coupe suffers from few of the handling problems of the M Roadster as it is much stiffer.
Open air, can you enjoy the car as much without it?
Near exotic status, (The S2k will loose this at some point the M Coupe probably never will)
Price, the 2001 in my mind is the car to get if you get one, but it is about 15k more than a good used M Coupe from 2000 or 1999, or the S2K.
Storage, is the S2k always to small?
Interior space, the M Coupe is significantly tighter than the S2K.
Neither one will satisfy all of your needs so keep it in perspective. Just drive them and have a good time. There will always be something faster, cooler, newer. . . . .
Hugh
1. It's a bargain at 35k (out the door) versus 50k (out the door)
2. It gives 90% of the performance of the M Coupe
3. Open air driving, hard to beat.
4. The S2000 is fun at legal and illegal speeds because of its very raw personality and wonderful exhaust note. The M Coupe, in part because it is a coupe, will require higher speed to achieve a similar feel.
5. Technology, the S2k is cutting edge where it counts, race suspension (only Ferrari uses a similar set-up), wonderful engine, extremely ridgid body, best tranny on the planet.
6. Personality, it oooozes fun when driven even reasonably hard.
What I think the M Coupe has over the S2k is;
1. Speed it is hands down a faster car (referring to 2001 model), this will be true staight line or on the track.
2. It has an engine that is an equal to the S2k, one of my favorites.
3. Storage, it has a hell of a lot more.
4. Unique, at its final production it will sell as many total cars as S2ks are sold in one year. Also, there are no other cars on the road that look anything like it. Unlike the S2K which has styling cues of more than a couple roadsters out there.
5. Style, I love the look of the car (except the lights, they are poorly styled to integrate with the rest of the car) and for that reason it will be a classic probably never imitated. (Some would say for good reason but I disagree whole heartedly.)
6. Better car for winter climates, traction control, DSC and of course it's a Coupe.
I think you just need to priorize what you want from a car. They are both great and the M Coupe suffers from few of the handling problems of the M Roadster as it is much stiffer.
Open air, can you enjoy the car as much without it?
Near exotic status, (The S2k will loose this at some point the M Coupe probably never will)
Price, the 2001 in my mind is the car to get if you get one, but it is about 15k more than a good used M Coupe from 2000 or 1999, or the S2K.
Storage, is the S2k always to small?
Interior space, the M Coupe is significantly tighter than the S2K.
Neither one will satisfy all of your needs so keep it in perspective. Just drive them and have a good time. There will always be something faster, cooler, newer. . . . .
Hugh
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 279
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From: NW DC
I had a similar problem. I was driving my brother's M3 for a while until he decided he didn't want to sell it. Since I loved the engine but didn't want to start all over on another M3, I started looking at M Coupes. I've wanted one for a very long time. I had a hard time finding one for a good price, especially with the fact that I was looking at the 240 hp one (didn't have money for new one). I wasn't really interested in taking the depreciation hit on buying an older one either at the time, and you know it would have been huge since there are basically no differences between the newer and the older except for the engine (not even much of an increase in price).
Anyway, I got kind of interested in the S2000, becuase the price was so right. I test drove one, and as soon as I pulled out into traffic I knew it was the car for me. If it hadn't been I probably would have waited a few months for prices to drop and then S/C the older model.
So my advice is test drive the BMW (to be honest I still haven't driven an M Coupe yet). I know if I could afford it I would still be interested in buying one of the new ones.. as long as I could keep the Honda as well.
I believe another member sold his S2K for an M Coupe just a few months ago. Try the archives for his opinion.
Anyway, I got kind of interested in the S2000, becuase the price was so right. I test drove one, and as soon as I pulled out into traffic I knew it was the car for me. If it hadn't been I probably would have waited a few months for prices to drop and then S/C the older model.
So my advice is test drive the BMW (to be honest I still haven't driven an M Coupe yet). I know if I could afford it I would still be interested in buying one of the new ones.. as long as I could keep the Honda as well.
I believe another member sold his S2K for an M Coupe just a few months ago. Try the archives for his opinion.
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 101
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From: Cary
I like it!!! It reminds me of the R5 Turbo II from the 80's... Originally it was supposed to have 3 seats (3rd facing backwards between driver and passenger). I would have jumped on that if they brought it out, since having my 1st kid.
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,444
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From: Los Angeles
The M Coupe is a nice car. Engine is smooth like any BMW inline 6. Tons of power from all points in the rev range. Luxurious, and nice Harmon Kardon sound system. Only thing, it is a bit dated now, and the new model with a new suspension as well as the redesign isn't far off. For the price of an M coupe, I'd look into the BMW M3 instead. Dare I say the BMW 540i with a Six speed is also nice. If not quite the fastest thing out there. It's also hovering around the 50 grand mark.
