First Generation BMW M Coupe - Jalopnik Comments

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Chip48 — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 22:03:40 EST

I liked the looks before I drove the car - that said, I don't care what anyone thinks about the looks, if you drive it you will get out with a huge smile. I own a 2002 M Coupe as well as an M1 and I would rather drive the coupe any day. One is pretty one is amazing. The coupe is a life sized go cart.

Chip48

First Generation BMW M Coupe

a007map — Mon, 21 May 2007 04:26:39 EDT

I remember the people who lived across from us got one of these (an 2001, because i was 11 at the time). Something about that car acted like a magnet to me. i would walk across the street and just stand in their driveway staring at it. Id think it was ugly, yet so cool. I now realize that is what triggered my love of obsucre (controversial) high performace coupes. Love that ass! And those Tires!!

a007map

First Generation BMW M Coupe

LimeRocker — Fri, 11 May 2007 17:18:03 EDT

The funniest thing about an M Coupe is that no one knows what it is. People just stare at it and guess. And, it is fun to give people really foolish answers. I told one overdressed women that it was a Mini Cooper. She seemed satisfied. But, show up at any place that has Valet parking, and they know the M Coupe. And, they always put it right in front which drives my buddies with their mega dollar sleds crazy. In the end M Coupes are not about numbers, they are about fun. Drive one and you will get out with a smile on your face. And, after five years, I still like seeing it in the garage. Took me a while to buy one, glad I did. And, if you like track days, M Coupes with a set of sticky tires and some track day pads will get it done.

LimeRocker

First Generation BMW M Coupe

nephron — Wed, 09 May 2007 13:14:59 EDT

The M coupe "Shoe" is an awesome car. I drive one daily and the comment about the wet performance is absolutely true. You can swap forward and backwards instantly with a little juice and the stability nanny turned off.

That said the car incompletely safe in the snow because it will get stuck in an inch of the white stuff.

I used to see a number of Shoes in Chicago but only a couple here in Detroit.

nephron

First Generation BMW M Coupe

ravana — Wed, 09 May 2007 11:15:54 EDT

It's gotta be Estoril Blue

ravana

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Downtown Joe — Wed, 09 May 2007 10:31:13 EDT

@Turboner: The housing market is for shit. If you buy now, you'll likely be upside-down on your mortgage in no time.

On the other hand, the M Coupé will likely only appreciate at this point... Though I don't think tracking the car will be good for its resale value.

Downtown Joe

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Al Navarro — Wed, 09 May 2007 08:18:53 EDT

@Turboner:
S2000s are cool and all, but are seriously lacking Bruce.

Once you bought an S2000, you'd want to Vortech and Spoon it all up. With the M Coupe, you would probably wait a few years before calling up Dinan or Turner. Just a guess.

Al Navarro

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Joepel — Wed, 09 May 2007 08:09:26 EDT

Pretty much the most recent shooting brake in regular production unless I'm mistaken. It's a rough-looking beast, like an inflated Hot Wheels toy car with a Z3 nose welded on. Wasn't there a regular Z3 coupé as well?

There was a rumour that Mercedes were going to slavishly follow BMW's lead and make a similar version of the Mk1 SLK, obviously they thought their fancy roof was too much of a selling-point.

Joepel

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Turboner — Wed, 09 May 2007 04:15:23 EDT

@jonnylieberman: I was talking about my garage... The S2000 isn't near as cool/sexy/otherworldly as the M, just maybe easier to find.

Turboner

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Turboner — Wed, 09 May 2007 04:01:00 EDT

@dculberson: I'm gonna vote yes until I see a car unworthy. Haven't yet. When the garage is full, we can start kicking out the lesser gods of auto erotica.

Why do so many fellow car lovers think the M is ugly? It looks like a brilliantly intelligent, classy stripper with wheels to me!

Turboner

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 09 May 2007 02:57:14 EDT

Let me answer your question this way --- I can say with great certainty that the S2000 will not be making it into the Fantasy Garage.

Jonny Lieberman

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Turboner — Wed, 09 May 2007 02:43:35 EDT

Oh, yeah. My wife already said it was the sexiest car she'd ever seen, and said we could get one after hers is paid off. She likes it better than the S2k :)

Turboner

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Turboner — Wed, 09 May 2007 02:42:06 EDT

@jonnylieberman: I have lusted after this car from the day I whipped my head and said, "What in holy fuck IS that thing?" I hadn't heard of it then, and haven't much since, but I have read alot about it. There was even a wrecked one (with the weaker motor, a 2000 MY) at a local wrecker when I was in to get some stuff, I had to stare, peek under, over it, smell it, etc.

I am torn, should my next car be an S2000 or this baby? I know that you can still pick one up for ~$20k, only a couple thou more than a comparable MY S2000. I have two great, fun cars now (2000 A6 2.7TQM & 1995 AWD turbo Talon), but they are too practical. Not to be stealing Fantasy Garage thunder, but what do you fellow jalops think? It's either buy a dedicated track car or a house...

Turboner

First Generation BMW M Coupe

KingRoyale — Wed, 09 May 2007 00:24:43 EDT

Yes and in black please.

Such a pretty bootay to behold, always poised and ready!

KingRoyale

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Mokers — Tue, 08 May 2007 23:39:48 EDT

When I was but a wee intern back in the heady days of the internet bubble, I had planned out how I was going to buy one of these. I would work hard at my internship, get paid way too much money right out of graduation, and live with my aunt in Mountain View so I could afford the payments (too bad for me that little internet bubble had to happen) I have always had an affinity for small cars with engines that rev high. I have never particularly loved red cars, but there was a red M coupe that I would sometimes get a look at on the 280 as I was driving into work. I really wanted that car.

So obvs, an emphatic yes.

Mokers

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 08 May 2007 23:12:29 EDT

@bzr: Puny Dorkfest?

Jonny Lieberman

First Generation BMW M Coupe

bzr — Tue, 08 May 2007 23:02:42 EDT

Car and Driver put it best (the last time they did, too) when they said it looked like "the unholy union between a sausage and a packing crate." And for that reason, I love it.

"Dorkfest" is a bit harsh, though. What are they going to call the 318ti festival then?

bzr

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Gromit — Tue, 08 May 2007 22:57:39 EDT

In black, please. With dark tinted windows.

And it's not ugly. Its appearance is a textbook example of function winning the battle with for. And let's face it, the Coupe's infinitely easier on the eye than the misshapen little Z3 that spawned it.

Gromit

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Mischif — Tue, 08 May 2007 22:31:38 EDT

While the car may be bruce's reincarnation, whenever I look at that car, I scream. And cry a little on the inside. It's just... so ugly...

Mischif

First Generation BMW M Coupe

junkman — Tue, 08 May 2007 22:23:14 EDT

Heck yes! This is the last true enthusiast car offered by a major German manufacturer. No pretense about styling for the masses and totally unusable in other than ideal weather conditions, the M Coupe defined Bruce the same way the original Porsche Turbo did twenty years earlier.

junkman

First Generation BMW M Coupe

AxisVonOversteer — Tue, 08 May 2007 22:19:01 EDT

Oh and yes I'm one of the luckier bastards with the 315hp engine..:)

AxisVonOversteer

First Generation BMW M Coupe

AxisVonOversteer — Tue, 08 May 2007 22:16:13 EDT

you want MCoupe videos? I got yer MCoupe videos right here!

http://axisofoversteer.blogspot.com/search/label/MCoupe

Thank you for featuring this great little car.

AxisVonOversteer

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 08 May 2007 21:23:14 EDT

@cyclopticgaze: More like this!

Jonny Lieberman

First Generation BMW M Coupe

cyclopticgaze — Tue, 08 May 2007 20:48:29 EDT

Now that I've cleaned the premature ejaculate from my shorts and read the article, I guess I can actually comment.

The M Coupe has always been my absolute one "I WILL own that someday" car. Ferraris, 911s, whatever. This is the car I need to have. The styling is just so . . . wrong. It's an "I shouldn't exist" wrong. But it's so RIGHT!

Phallic hood aside, I dare any car lover to look at this thing from the back and not gawk. Wide wheels, with respective deep arches, lead up to a narrow roof as if designed to show off how ungodly wide the back end is. If you're behind one in traffic, you can't help but stare.

And the power, egad. The E36 M3 has savoir faire; it shows up at the party and makes the rounds, tells a few jokes. The M Coupe crashes and leaves with the hot chick, nevermind he looks like Lyle Lovett.

cyclopticgaze

First Generation BMW M Coupe

skierpage — Tue, 08 May 2007 20:33:23 EDT

all Z3 Coupes never had anything but child-barers

Please fix to "child-bearers" before FBI shuts Jalopnik down for kiddie porn.

skierpage

First Generation BMW M Coupe

racerx — Tue, 08 May 2007 20:26:34 EDT

Fuck the naysayers, this thing looks awesome!

racerx

First Generation BMW M Coupe

joelja — Tue, 08 May 2007 20:03:19 EDT

Yes take it... the M-coupe is the jaguar e-type coupe you've always wanted but it doesn't leak oil and the suspension is modern.

We just need to get bud court to drive one over a cliff (yeah I realize the hearse was made out of an e-type convertible).

joelja

First Generation BMW M Coupe

cyclopticgaze — Tue, 08 May 2007 19:45:31 EDT

Now that I've voted Yes, I'll go back and read the write-up. Excellent choice!

cyclopticgaze

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 08 May 2007 19:38:31 EDT

@Exnilo: next time you see one stare at its rear-end for five minutes and tell me it doesn't look muscular.

Jonny Lieberman

First Generation BMW M Coupe

MikeHerbst — Tue, 08 May 2007 19:35:42 EDT

For the folks saying "I'll take a Cobra".

I'm sure you mean, I'll take a Fiberglass bodied REPLICA, right?

'Cause a Real 427 Cobra is going to cost something like 10 to 20 TIMES what a really clean M-Coupe' is going to cost...

Also, lets remember that most "Real" Cobras have that funky single transverse leaf-spring front suspension... Basically rockin' the Model-T front-end there guys...

Just to be clear, we're talking about the pinnacle of Ameri-Deustche Skunkworks engineering, versus a kitcar...

MikeHerbst

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Exnilo — Tue, 08 May 2007 19:34:21 EDT

Quote: "no car since Shelby's Cobra has looked as muscular and purpose built as the M Coupe"

Um no and what a silly silly thing to say. You said "looked" Muscular? no its odd and rather anabolic in a bad way... kinda like that muscle head to only worked his upper body. "looked" Purpose built? A TVR is purpose built, an Aston is purpose built, a Koenigsegg is purpose built. Why look purpose built and not BE purpose built. The coupe did have an interesting result to its "purpose" though - laughter.

Exnilo

First Generation BMW M Coupe

madderhatter — Tue, 08 May 2007 19:16:59 EDT

I'd take the Cobra any day. I'd bet the closeness of 0-60 times is due to the "severe" lack of traction on the Cobra's part, same for the quarter. A Cobra is still spinning the rears at the 1/8th mile mark. Now, I'd like to see the two go head-to-head from an 80 mph punch.

But you do have to love the ugliness.

madderhatter

First Generation BMW M Coupe

fjork_duf — Tue, 08 May 2007 17:54:33 EDT

I actually had a 2002 M Coupe with the S54 engine. I have to say without a doubt this car is the best BMW I've ever driven or been in. It is a purpose built sports car, and it drives like nothing else. If you drive the car properly you're rewarded, but if you disrespect it, the car will let you know that you fucked up. The short wheelbase and the suspension make for a car that can snap around on you with a small mistake at 9/10s. Even with that the car looks awesome, and is awesome to own. Here are some questions people asked when I had it:

-Is that a civic?
-Is that the new bmw mini cooper?

I also worked with a girl that called it a baseball cap, another guy I knew called it the batmobile. Cool car. I really miss it.

Oh and you can drive it in the rain just fine, you just need to make sure you drive like a grandma.

The new Z4 is a serious step in the wrong direction. I just recently drove the car.. While the suspension may be better, the overall package is just more sterile and less of a pleasure to drive.

fjork_duf

First Generation BMW M Coupe

T-Comm — Tue, 08 May 2007 17:21:40 EDT

i thought i was the only one with stained shorts because of that BMW. nobody i know would give it the time of day.

i've heard nothing but horror stories from unsuspecting drivers about losing control of that beast.

and that's when i decided i'd buy one given the chance (and the change).

great add.

T-Comm

First Generation BMW M Coupe

F_munk — Tue, 08 May 2007 17:08:55 EDT

@laughing_guitarist:

You need to get Ireland Engineering subframe bushings. It will cure those mid corner bump induced self-wetting.

F_munk

First Generation BMW M Coupe

F_munk — Tue, 08 May 2007 17:06:39 EDT

To all the nay-sayers: you truely have to drive one of these (especially the S54 powered '01 & '02 examples) to understand this car. The experience is more addictive than any form of narcotics.

I own the roadster version. There is nothing like the roar of a S54 at 7k RPM.

F_munk

First Generation BMW M Coupe

my favorite car is a motorcycle — Tue, 08 May 2007 16:40:23 EDT

@d-a-n-i-e-L:

The Audi RS4 was/is great, but too much understeer, understeer, understeer. Not an intuitively nimble chassis. It trades tractive grip for handling poise. Perfect for fast autobahn cruising, not autocrossing or mountain twisties.

Until recently, BMW always seemed to have the upper hand over Audi in the handling department. But now since Porsche "owns" VW/Audi, things are a-changin'. When it comes to German hardware, you just can't beat the handling of a Porsche. Period.

The M-coupe was one of the best cars that BMW ever built. Awesome job, considering the limited development it was allowed. Strange, too, because the Z3 roadster that shares so much with the M coupe was a horrible little thing.

After suffering with Banglification for so long, this old M Coupe looks fresh and new to me. I'd take it if the Cayman hadn't upped the ante.

my favorite car is a motorcycle

First Generation BMW M Coupe

I.V.B — Tue, 08 May 2007 16:34:25 EDT

@Al Navarro:
Got that right. Last year while visiting Nürburgring I saw an M Coupe with twin superchargers, carbon fiber hood and trunk plus all sorts of other upgrades in and out. Owner told me it had about 590 horses on rear wheels and suddenly my own upgraded 375 rwhp M Coupe didn't seem so powerful anymore

I.V.B

First Generation BMW M Coupe

SwatLax — Tue, 08 May 2007 16:24:36 EDT

@Downtown Joe: Unfortunately, that one has only 240hp under the hood.

Still, $14k for one with 30K miles - seems like a deal to me.

SwatLax

First Generation BMW M Coupe

damnelantra™ — Tue, 08 May 2007 16:21:34 EDT

@Vintage Racer: if it were all in cabin motorcycle footage i would believe it as real. but givin all the standing on the side of the road watching the car drive past camera views i dont think this is a real get away... unless there is some strange get away show in europe that i dont know about

damnelantra™

First Generation BMW M Coupe

no_slushbox — Tue, 08 May 2007 16:20:23 EDT

@laughing_guitarist: Watch the video above, the trailing arms represent well.

I've heard that the bigger problem in the high power applications is that the differential mount, which is welded to the spare tire tray sheet metal, rips off the spare tire tray at its spot welds, but this is a cool enough car to work around that problem.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2037288<...

no_slushbox

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Al Navarro — Tue, 08 May 2007 16:14:16 EDT

@laughing_guitarist:
"I suspect 300+ hp would be a wrestling contest"...I suspect that there are some Dinan and Turner packages that up that figure substantially.

Al Navarro

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Vintage Racer is out taking pictures — Tue, 08 May 2007 16:12:53 EDT

So. What's the story on the video? Watched the whole thing - did they ever actually snag the guy?

Vintage Racer is out taking pictures

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Downtown Joe — Tue, 08 May 2007 16:04:43 EDT

Okay, which one of you lucky bastards just bought this one?

Downtown Joe

First Generation BMW M Coupe

laughing_guitarist — Tue, 08 May 2007 16:01:23 EDT

For everyone that thinks that this car is ugly and hence a sales failure - that is *exactly* why the car is sub-zero. If it was a sales failure because of its performance, handling, reliability etc. - then it would be avoidable.

Personally, I love the looks and love the upbringing. The only thing that keeps me from seriously considering getting one (and I'm on the lookout for another Bimmer) is the semi-trailing suspension. I have an e30 which I maintain and love dearly. However, I realize what its shortcomings are. With 150hp at the wheels, the suspension already shows its weaknesses in handling mid-corner bumps - especially while on the loud pedal. I can only imagine what 300+ hp will do to the car. While my car (especially while on its current 14" wheelset) dances very light-footedly, I suspect 300+ hp would be a wrestling contest. I should just go test drive one.

As a counterpoint, some of the most desirable Bimmers have semi-trailing arms: 2002, e30 m3, e28 m5, e24 m6, e34 m5 etc.

laughing_guitarist

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 08 May 2007 15:56:17 EDT

@squablow: Yawn

Jonny Lieberman

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Al Navarro — Tue, 08 May 2007 15:49:11 EDT

I posted this whole deal about belle-laide cars (belle-laide anything, actually) and it seems to have gotten lost in the interwebs.

Oh well...I voted Yes, btw.

Al Navarro

First Generation BMW M Coupe

squablow — Tue, 08 May 2007 15:47:04 EDT

By a wide margin the ugliest BMW ever built. I'm sure it handles really good and is fast, blah blah blah. Give me 400+ cubes of engine in a midsize 1970 anything over this any day.

squablow

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Chairman Kaga — Tue, 08 May 2007 15:19:07 EDT

Any car that willfully tears itself asunder during hard cornering deserves to be king, possibly emperor, of the dream garage.

Chairman Kaga

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 08 May 2007 14:46:34 EDT

@I.V.B: So. Frigging. Jealous....

Jonny Lieberman

First Generation BMW M Coupe

GameBreaker — Tue, 08 May 2007 14:46:33 EDT

When I was finishing up college I worked at a BMW dealer and was fortunate to drive all the greats when they first arrived. The then new E39 M5s, followed by the E46s, then the Z8s. The M coupe/roadster was a fun car, but when they finally brought over the E46's M engine in 2001 is when this truly became a great car. It is still one of my favorite cars and among the M cars is still one of the top performers.

GameBreaker

First Generation BMW M Coupe

I.V.B — Tue, 08 May 2007 14:39:09 EDT

I've owned a imola red M Coupe since 2004 and it's one car I will never sell. As a huge fan of those shooting-brakes and racing it's the perfect combination and everything about it is just so right - the nasty-yet-sexy looks, loud voice, staggering performance and tight cabin. And after I had some modifications done, it reached 184 MPH too which is not bad at all. IT'S LOVE

I.V.B

First Generation BMW M Coupe

the_Finn_294 — Tue, 08 May 2007 14:33:49 EDT

oh HELL YES!!! big motor small car... whats not to like

@Fitty7lax:
a-men sir... a-men

the_Finn_294

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Frost Face — Tue, 08 May 2007 14:32:13 EDT

Hell yes for the best ace and gary car out there!

Frost Face

First Generation BMW M Coupe

seanaron — Tue, 08 May 2007 14:28:27 EDT

I love this car. I *almost* bought one, but I had to tuck my elbows in to close the doors, so I got an M3 4-door instead. Stealth baby!

The styling was actually inspired from that weird 70s movie Harold and Maude. In that movie the kid (who was sort of goth before the word existed) insisted on driving a hearse. His upper class parents wanted that thing gone, so they bought him a Jaguar E-type. He put a fastback back on it and turned it into a hearse, which eerily resembles the M-coupe of today.

http://sbiii.com/ssjagpix/jaghears.jpg

seanaron

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 08 May 2007 14:08:28 EDT

@lascauxcaveman: ditto that on the shooting-brake

Jonny Lieberman

First Generation BMW M Coupe

lascauxcaveman — Tue, 08 May 2007 14:04:20 EDT

I love it, and it's not a Civic hatchback during a full moon, it's my old MGB GT after a bionic rebuild. Weird-looking? Yes, but in a sexy, down-to-business way.

And besides, "shooting brake".

lascauxcaveman

First Generation BMW M Coupe

d-a-n-i-e-L — Tue, 08 May 2007 13:59:11 EDT

Flush the M coupe, a much more deserving car was the first RS4, wagon only and bi-turbo 6 cylinder pumping out 380 hp. With quattro it eats M coupes for lunch.

d-a-n-i-e-L

First Generation BMW M Coupe

no_slushbox — Tue, 08 May 2007 13:55:28 EDT

I'm tired of people saying "[t]his is such a great car, but why did they have to make it look like that?" That is looks like it does IS WHY it's such a great car.

This car isn't some butherface fat girl or some girl with crooked teeth. This car is the cute girl next door (the Z3), but all tatted up, with crazy highlights in her frizzed hair, nipple rings poking through her shirt, fish nets, stilettos, a couple of shots of Jack in her system and a Lucky Strike hanging out of her mouth. I'm quite fond of her new look.

no_slushbox

First Generation BMW M Coupe

SebringMGB — Tue, 08 May 2007 13:43:10 EDT

Loved this car since day 1. You can put it in the Jalop fantasy garage, so long as you purchase it like socks, and give me one.

SebringMGB

First Generation BMW M Coupe

MarionCobretti — Tue, 08 May 2007 13:40:59 EDT

@DeeJayQueue:

I had no idea 93 Civic Hatchbacks were lycanthropic. Interesting.

I have to vote yes, but not as enthusiastically as some of the rest of the commenters. While I appreciate the M, it was never a car I lusted for. If I were to have an ungainly, rare BMW, I'd want a grey-market Z1.

MarionCobretti

First Generation BMW M Coupe

LyonKing — Tue, 08 May 2007 13:37:56 EDT

HELL YES. Jalopnik + Hatchback = match made in heaven. Also, I had the pleasure of driving behind one for a while just the other day

LyonKing

First Generation BMW M Coupe

offyatindy — Tue, 08 May 2007 13:35:46 EDT

Butt Ugly. NO!

offyatindy

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Tomsk the red-nosed reindeer — Tue, 08 May 2007 13:32:15 EDT

Oh yes. Not homely enough to be ugly and stupid fast to boot.

Tomsk the red-nosed reindeer

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Fitty7lax — Tue, 08 May 2007 13:28:42 EDT

@dculberson: but once it's filled, that's when the fun starts! I can't wait to kick the phaeton out.

Fitty7lax

First Generation BMW M Coupe

dculberson — Tue, 08 May 2007 13:25:10 EDT

@Bumblebee: I think you'll find this a much more livable car, while being much faster around a track. The Cobra isn't exactly on par with this thing, handling-wise.

@jonnylieberman: I can't wait. Ugly cars are great cars.

One thing I'm concerned about is the acceptance rate of the fantasy garage submissions. At this rate, the garage will fill once there have been fifty (is that it?) submissions! Ahh well, I guess it shows you that the Jalops-that-be are just that good at nailing the perfect cars.

dculberson

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Seth L — Tue, 08 May 2007 13:17:34 EDT

Love, loce, whatever...

Seth L

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 08 May 2007 13:16:23 EDT

@iamjames: There will be much uglier cars.

Jonny Lieberman

First Generation BMW M Coupe

InitialGLI — Tue, 08 May 2007 13:15:17 EDT

I just started working for BMW in South Carolina in testing, everytime one of the New M-coupes roll up i get super excited even though its not quite the same.

InitialGLI

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Fitty7lax — Tue, 08 May 2007 13:14:37 EDT

this is a no brainer. yes.

while we're on thetopic of M's, can I also nominate the original, the God Father M1?

Fitty7lax

First Generation BMW M Coupe

iamjames — Tue, 08 May 2007 13:14:32 EDT

for all those saying "no", just watch the video for 1 minute. Watching the car drift around the highway on-ramp is a thing of beauty ;)

That said it's definitely going to be the ugliest car in the fantasy garage and, sad to say, I'm a guy that likes sexy cars and the M Coupe just aint one of them so no, I wouldn't want one, unless it was dirt cheap.

iamjames

First Generation BMW M Coupe

damnelantra™ — Tue, 08 May 2007 13:09:08 EDT

yes yes! YES!! for the love of god YES!!!

damnelantra™

First Generation BMW M Coupe

eastaboga — Tue, 08 May 2007 13:07:34 EDT

Oh Hell Yes....

Shooting Brake and the quickest 0-60 car BMW had ever made at the time of its release, the Z3 was a chick car, but the M Coupe was all Bruce (and I don't even like most Beamers)

eastaboga

First Generation BMW M Coupe

FishingCrue — Tue, 08 May 2007 13:07:21 EDT

As far as th styling goes, if you get it, you just get it. If you don't, it can't be explained to you. My vote is yes, though I have to say I'm completely in love with the current gen Z4M Coupe (it just looks so damn good and is such a pure sports car)

FishingCrue

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Seth L — Tue, 08 May 2007 13:06:17 EDT

Loced it since I first new it existed. The ugly only makes it more loveable.

Seth L

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Bumblebee — Tue, 08 May 2007 13:00:42 EDT

I had to vote against it because I kept asking myself, "Why not just have a 427 Cobra?" It's only 3/10 of a second to 60 slower, looks worlds better, and has a better backstory.

And I think another reason Audi or M-B never bothered to offer any competition is becuase they knew the M Coupe was too ugly to sell well. And they were right.

Bumblebee

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Mr4speed — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:57:36 EDT

I've always had a hard-on for one of these. Hard to believe it shares anything with the pathetic Z3.

This is the car Wolverine would drive.

Mr4speed

First Generation BMW M Coupe

DeeJayQueue — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:54:18 EDT

I used to always say about these cars that they looked like a 93 civic hatchback when the moon is full. It's for that reason that I want one.

DeeJayQueue

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Buckster — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:50:48 EDT

The FACT that most women think they are ugly makes them that much cooler. This is a pure drivers car.

@jonnylieberman: I've seen that video 67 time, and it keeps getting better every time I see it.

Buckster

First Generation BMW M Coupe

ThnderbltDoherty — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:50:45 EDT

The world's fastest bread van? Hells yes.

ThnderbltDoherty

First Generation BMW M Coupe

MikeHerbst — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:49:09 EDT

YES YES YESSS!!!!!

I love the chassis, but I'm a working stiff so I "settled" for the 224hp 3.0 Coupe'. (Black & Dream Red...)

Everyone who knocks it for its ugly looks is secretly just afraid of their own inadequacies.

Damn right its Ugly, but its ugly with purpose!

MikeHerbst

First Generation BMW M Coupe

zoomzit — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:43:40 EDT

Hell yes. I've always thought I was one of the only gearheads in love with the original M. It's nice to be in good company on this one. I've always seen it as the bastard love child of a Viper and a Jag E-Series.

It's sort of like a pug. It's not pretty, but it's damn hard not to smile when you see the thing.

zoomzit

First Generation BMW M Coupe

harumph — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:42:32 EDT

@TPSreports:
aww, now you're just being mean. looks wise it is the girl whose teeth aren't perfect, but that somehow makes her more alluring.

harumph

First Generation BMW M Coupe

akier — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:42:23 EDT

by Odin's beard, by all that is Teutonic and Bruce, by the Power of Greyskull ..... YES!

if you had to only put one car in your garage, it's this. let me rephrase: if you can't fit your entire family into a M Coupe, you may have to give up your children for adoption. or tell your spouse to get on a treadmill. screw evolutionary impulses to pass on my genes and give me a Coupe.

akier

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Mad_Science — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:35:02 EDT

I love this thing. Mostly because of the horrified looks it got at carshows from people who buy BMWs for all the wrong reasons.

This is not the ultimate status symbol, this is the Ultimate Driving Machine

Mad_Science

First Generation BMW M Coupe

TroutDeep — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:29:56 EDT

Last summer, I purchased an S54 M Roadster. While it lacks the rigidity of the coupe, it shares that wonderful engine. Torque is plentiful from 2,000 RPM, yet the engine loves to rev. Grip is abundant, due largely to the 225/245 tire combo, but the handling lacks precision, as you'd expect from that ancient suspension. However, it makes a great hoonmobile :)

I would rather have purchased the Shoe, but prices were $10k higher for a similar spec machine. They're also very rare and becoming collectible as we speak.

TroutDeep

First Generation BMW M Coupe

danio3834 — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:26:25 EDT

I gave it a yes for performance, not looks.

But still a yes, performance is what counts.

danio3834

First Generation BMW M Coupe

tmpoirier — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:25:24 EDT

My friend had one (sold it for a lotus). I've always liked them. Especially because it's ugly.

tmpoirier

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Capt.Insano — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:25:17 EDT

@ted striker;

Ace and Gary thank you. +1

Capt.Insano

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Capt.Insano — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:21:13 EDT

It looks like a Pacer with great wheels. No thanks.

Capt.Insano

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Papercutninja — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:15:53 EDT

Sold. Now i want one.

Papercutninja

First Generation BMW M Coupe

UCBert — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:11:05 EDT

If, by purpose-built you mean butt ugly.

UCBert

First Generation BMW M Coupe

TPSreports — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:10:41 EDT

That thing is probably like a butter-faced, knobby-kneed, big-booty girl who will deep throat, swallow, do the wild thing for hours, and leave you exhausted and wanting more.... except for the fact that you'd never want to be caught out in public with her.

TPSreports

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Gabe Balch — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:09:26 EDT

I too have always had an irrational draw to this arguably aesthetically challenged Bought My Wife mini wagon.

Here are two playing at Buttonwillow a few years ago:
http://www.balch-autoworx.com/gb-design/portfolio/Racing/p...

I am a convertible/roadster guy myself when do we get to add something a little more sporting than the Double Six Drophead to the sunny day side of the stables? 32' Ford Roadster perhaps?

Gabe Balch

First Generation BMW M Coupe

supermike3 — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:08:02 EDT

plus, thanks - of course - for the MOONROOF!!! a must.

supermike3

First Generation BMW M Coupe

supermike3 — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:07:34 EDT

yes. i would love to just drive one for a (dry) weekend...

supermike3

First Generation BMW M Coupe

MurderMitten — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:03:44 EDT

There isn't a BMW more "ugly/beautiful" than that. It has my vote, though I would rather have this: http://www.m2bmw.com/

MurderMitten

First Generation BMW M Coupe

dculberson — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:00:13 EDT

Absolutely bonkers car, I love 'em. I completely concur on the comparison to a Cobra. If I wasn't such a cheap ass, I'd own one. (No car loans for me, and too many cheaper toys beckon..)

@thefizzle: Probably IP address related; the site might think it's multiple votes coming from the same person.

dculberson

First Generation BMW M Coupe

no_slushbox — Tue, 08 May 2007 11:58:31 EDT

This is the kind of BMW that makes having an overpriced arrogant mechanic replace/repair this car's achilles heal items like the front ball joints or rear differential mount worth it.

A solid yes, and probably the only BMW I would consider for my garage in the future.

no_slushbox

First Generation BMW M Coupe

dmcspeedy — Tue, 08 May 2007 11:56:39 EDT

One of my neighbours has one in highlighter yellow, black 5-spoke rims and smoked tail lights, which further enhance its air of malevolent absurdity.

It'd be great to see manufacturers' tuner divisions producing more skunkworks projects like this and the old Audi RS2 -- seems that the current AMG and M-cars are more automotive status-symbol than focused Brucemobile.

dmcspeedy

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Downtown Joe — Tue, 08 May 2007 11:55:23 EDT

A resounding "yes"... I love this car.

Downtown Joe

First Generation BMW M Coupe

PatFromGundo — Tue, 08 May 2007 11:54:01 EDT

Yes Yes Yes Yes a thousand times YES! I actually think that its shape is quite lovely. That's right. I said "lovely."

I echo BrandonValentine's sentiment about the M1.

PatFromGundo

First Generation BMW M Coupe

ljcabrera — Tue, 08 May 2007 11:51:35 EDT

I love the M Shoe I'd love to get one of the 300+ hp ones. You guys should put the e30 m3 up in your fantasy garage as well.

ljcabrera

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Shenanigans Was Taken — Tue, 08 May 2007 11:50:09 EDT

I will probably only come as close as the 135ti to owning one of these. Provided they ever get arround to officially announcing it.

Shenanigans Was Taken

First Generation BMW M Coupe

HypnoMike — Tue, 08 May 2007 11:47:56 EDT

Yes yes yes! Not only for the Jalop Fantasy garage but I've been looking to ad this to my real garage.

Damn you, dozerslobber! That's the color/mileage I've been looking for.

HypnoMike

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 08 May 2007 11:42:32 EDT

@thefizzle: We hate you

Jonny Lieberman

First Generation BMW M Coupe

brandonvalentine — Tue, 08 May 2007 11:40:59 EDT

I had to vote yes, because I've always irrationally loved these cars. Every time I see one I grin like a little boy. But, as for being more M than all the other Ms? I think we need to put the OG M1 on the voting block too, because seriousy, that's one hot Beemer.

brandonvalentine

First Generation BMW M Coupe

Ted Striker — Tue, 08 May 2007 11:40:55 EDT

Best car to ever resemble the Ambiguously Gay Duo's ride.

Ted Striker

First Generation BMW M Coupe

harumph — Tue, 08 May 2007 11:40:44 EDT

i have always loved this car despite it having a certain awkwardness to the styling. were i a richer person i would be an owner. thumbs up also to not just nominating a bunch of obvious choices.

harumph

First Generation BMW M Coupe

thefizzle — Tue, 08 May 2007 11:40:01 EDT

I've previously posted about my appreciation for the driving and distaste for the aesthetics of this vehicle. Anyway, I work among some other Jalopnik readers, and most of refer to this as the Gremlin. My main point in posting is that 4 of 5 of us voted "no" on our machines while the tally it gave us was static at 2 votes for "no" the entire time... What's up?

thefizzle

First Generation BMW M Coupe

dozerslobber — Tue, 08 May 2007 11:39:34 EDT

Pure Nirvana.

Just put a deposit down on a 2001, Estoril, M Coupe with 9700 miles.

I am personally one step closer to filling my dream garage.

PS thanks for the read Jonny.

dozerslobber

First Generation BMW M Coupe

nweaver — Tue, 08 May 2007 11:30:56 EDT

To me, it looks like the bastard lovechild between a Z3 and a Civic hatchback.

nweaver