M Coupe review

[Eccentric]

Hey guys, heres my initial review of the M Coupe- it drags on a bit, sry haha i just love the car!


To start off my first impressions, I will say that there are many cars that are faster, lighter, and more nimble than the M Coupe. It’s six speed transmission, and naturally aspirated straight-six engine have quickly become inefficient technologies, and are detriments to the cars performance. However, with that said, there are few available luxury sports cars that more embody the spirit of a vintage, focused, driving machine. Hopefully the car will be able to outlast its technologies, and provide the purist car fans a car to take them into the future.

The first time driving the Coupe I was a little shaky using the transmission. The leather wrapped shift knob requires a firm hand, and serious confidence. While the last standard transmission car I drove was an Audi R8, by comparison the tranny in that car seemed soft and easy. I had heard the gear lever felt firm, and masculine in the Z4 Ms but to make the Audi supercar feel almost girly by comparison sets the M on a whole different level of cool. I loved the hard feel of the transmission, but for the first few hours driving the Z4 M, I could not always prevent it from grinding into second gear under hard acceleration. This wasn’t good. Supposedly the M Coupe does this because it is fitted with the standard Z4’s transmission -rather than an upgraded one from the e46 M3- and mechanically tries to prevent you from putting too much strain on the clutch and driveshaft. After 250 miles of driving the car from Wilbraham Auto down to my house, I was appalled that BMW had gotten away with such dirty play in an M car. However, after reaching the one thousand mile mark on day five I realized that I had only ground the gears once in the last two days. I guess subconsciously I’ve learned to drive the car a more proper way. It seems that like all truly great cars, the M Coupe will constantly be improving the driver’s talents.

On night two of owning Natasha (my pet-name for the ///M. I’m not a slave owner) I decided to pick up my gearhead buddy to go for a nighttime drive down to the beach. After I pulled up to his house, we bench-raced for a little, then set off on our thirty minute road trip. Though we planned on heading straight to the highway for the beach, we decided that it was the perfect time to test the car’s burnout capabilities. As we pulled up to a red light on an empty street, a small group of middle school kids walked past Natasha, checking out her flashy Interlagos Blue paint scheme. Because I had the windows down, I heard a brief part of their conversation. None of the kids knew it was an M. In fact, one of the kids said that it was “just a Z4.” I turned traction control off, and as the light turned green i dumped the clutch at about 4k rpm. As the tires screamed and scrambled for traction, a hazy gray cloud was born behind my rear tires. All the kids pointed at the car, cheering and smiling. Everyone was happy. Maybe it’s just me but there is just something thrilling about impressing someone younger than yourself. We then continued down the suburban road, which would eventually lead us to the beach’s connecting highway.


Shortly after, we encountered another red light where a busty twenty-something in a Lexus IS250 had her windows rolled down. “Hey, sexy car!” she yelled. I never had that happen before. I’ve driven 911 Turbos, Audi R8s, XK8s, and plenty of other cars, but never had some random (attractive) woman tell me that she liked my car. I found this strange, but she had probably never seen an M Coupe before. So I waved, and thanked the woman, and got back to the drive. Actually, much to my passenger’s amusement I even put my driving gloves on. With the clutch depressed, and my foot on the break, I made sure I was in 1st gear. Then when the light flashed green, I floored it all the way to its screaming 8000 RPM redline, before shifting into second. The six individual throttle bodies of this last ‘true’ M Car howled and cried into the night. As the entrance to the highway approached, I slowed and took the ramp at around 40 mph. The ramp curled tighter than expected and I felt my foot hover nervously over the brake pedal. To my surprise, the car handled the ramp without any drama, pushing my buddy and me back into the supportive, leather M seats and we continued on our way. This car feels like a spaceship. Whether it is the very long hood, the placement of occupants toward the back, or the cozy interior with a large dashboard, the Z4 M Coupe feels like it should have a button for warped-speed. If it does, I still haven’t found it yet, but I do know where the Sport button is. Unlike some other M’s the Sport button’s sole purpose is to drastically increase the sensitivity of the throttle. To be frank, at casual acceleration, the car is too sensitive, and bucks back and forth if the driver is unsure of how fast he wants to go. I rarely use this feature, but if there was ever a moment to engage the button on public roads, it was on the way down to the beach under total acceleration. As I pushed the little circle, the car instantly increased its speed. It was as if because i subconsciously wanted to go fast, the car knew this. I was at one with the machine. Those of you who have experienced this divine feeling understand having total confidence in your car’s abilities, and knowing where your own limits as a driver exist. I completely depressed the gas pedal, and as the cylinders pumped faster and louder, my heart did the same. I looked at the seemingly size 8 font in the speedometer, and the needle rotated nervously quick. It looked like a clock with time in fast-forward. With smooth gear changes I ripped the car down the deserted road, which was now right on the beach. As I reached about 80, I slowed down, blipped the throttle, and downshifted. Never have I smoked a cigarette, but this is as close to having a physical addiction as I ever will be. The car feels faster than the R8 I recently drove, and is considerably more fun to drive. Sure, even a eunuch could get laid driving the R8, but when you’re in the Z4 M, you don’t care because you’re having more fun spinning the tires, wagging the tail out and rev-matching the engine. Also, if you need $120g exotic cars to get you laid, your cheaper route would probably include hiring hourly escorts.

As long as driving is the owner’s main focus, the M coupe will never fail to make him (and sometimes a really cool ‘her’) smile. That is what sports cars are made for. Whether sitting in the drivers seat, the passenger seat, or just standing on the sidewalk, seeing my car seems to make people’s day. At least, until they realize that I’m 18 years old. Anyway, the trunk is moderate, and the fuel milage isn’t great, and the adjustable cup-holders aren’t perfect, but this is a car that you don’t mind sacrificing for. You’ll pack your bags lighter, sacrifice dinner for gasoline, and put your children up for adoption. Some say that it’s the last of a dying breed, but all we know is, fun never goes out of style.

Hope you liked it- Please no driving lectures

[SCHMOUPE]

good read. I thought you were much older (than 18) until the end. No lectures here since I do the same shit as you do on the streets. One thing I gotta say is "damn I miss my car, I have been without her for almost 2 weeks now" BTW, where in NY are you from? I am from north Jersey.

[AWM3]

Not a bad writeup for an 18 year old. When I was 18 I couldn't afford any car, much less one like the Z4M. Unlike most of the other cars you named, yours is irreplaceable and represents a piece of BMW history. Try to preserve it if you can.

[Hawkeye]

No kidding. I couldn't afford a nice car until I got my first real job at 23! Nice writeup, reads more like a novel than a auto blog though, haha.

[Erhan]

Originally Posted by Eccentric

To start off my first impressions, I will say that there are many cars that are faster, lighter, and more nimble than the M Coupe. It’s six speed transmission, and naturally aspirated straight-six engine have quickly become inefficient technologies,

Good write-up.

I have a question though, which car is faster, lighter and more nimble than M Coupe (in the same price range)?

I believe the engine in this car is really efficient. I didn't do an extensive research, but for 330hp, I don't think you can get better mileage from an NA engine.

[ShakyDog]

I owned a 1985.5 Honda Prelude Si, not since that car have I owned a car that has attracted as much attention as my new Zed. I have people at stop lights asking me what year it is? or just about anything to strike up conversation. Twice now they have been very attractive hotties :-)

I feel the same way, I only have the bottom-of-the-line Z4 3.0i and I just can not stop...

She may not handle like the Boxter, but I really don't want her too, I really enjoy the way she drives. Like no other driving experience I have had.

My sister just got an R8 (V10), I have sat in the car, but have yet to drive it, I am hoping for track time for both.

Steve

[007MCoupe]

This is really the first nice car I've ever owned. I've been overseas for most of my career so far, and since being back stateside, i've been driving an 85 ranger.

[esqu1re]

Good writeup. This car invokes emotion for sure.

[mhughett]

Originally Posted by erhanh

Good write-up.


I believe the engine in this car is really efficient. I didn't do an extensive research, but for 330hp, I don't think you can get better mileage from an NA engine.

Cayman S has very similar 0-60 numbers, 320bhp and gets 20-25% better fuel economy. It's more expensive but seems to be more efficient as well. Coming from the 3.0si, I'm noticing the increase in fuel consumption to be significant. I got 23mpg on average in the 3.0si and I'm only getting about 18.5 so far in the M.

To add to the OP's original thread, I'm finding the handling of the M to be very sharp-which is probably much to do with the better hydraulic steering assist (vs. the electric). The only regret I have so far is that I haven't found too many situations where the extra power has been useful or where the opportunity has been there to take advantage of it. However, in 6 weeks I get to take it to the big boy track and find out what it's all about

[jnkhan82]

Fun read.

[crfine88]

Very fun to read!

This was my favorite part....."but to make the Audi supercar feel almost girly by comparison sets the M on a whole different level of cool."

I was with you the whole way during your drive

[Finnegan]

Seriously, you're 18? That's some damn good writing my friend! (I spent a good portion of my college career as a TA and writing tutor...I can't recall reading a better piece from someone your age.)

Aside from the age-related compliments, it's simply a damn good piece and I enjoyed reading it tremendously. Of course, it didn't hurt that I was in agreement with a lot of the points that were in there amongst the flowing narrative.

BTW, I'm sure my wife will appreciate the "...sometimes a really cool ‘her’) smile." since I just borrow the Z4M now and then (it's her car not mine). And it never fails to put a smile or her face when she drives it.

To expand on the attention the Z4M gets, I've never driven anything that gets are much happy attention as this car. Not jealousy, not hate, but simply smiles and folks chatting me up about the car. Same thing happens to the wife--never fails that she doesn't come back every day or two with some story about a great 30 minute conversation she's had with some random person (enthusiast or otherwise). There's something about this car that just has an effect on people.

[Tonybest]

Wow, When I see a post that is that long, I almost never finish reading it... But not this one. Very good write-up, very precise. Everybody that owns this car has experienced what you have so well described. I looovvve my car.

Take care of it. Treat her right. Bring her to the track, forget the dragstrips.

[007MCoupe]

HA. I just re-read it. great read, had to read it twice! i do love the , "hey, sexy car!" part. lmao! when i first read it, it read like she was calling you sexy car.

[jragan]

Great write up, but I have to ding you on one point "As I pushed the little circle, the car instantly increased its speed" -- This, technically, can't happen. After the Sport Button has been pressed, throttle input has to go to zero before Sport mode will actually kick in.

[Tonybest]

Originally Posted by jragan

Great write up, but I have to ding you on one point "As I pushed the little circle, the car instantly increased its speed" -- This, technically, can't happen. After the Sport Button has been pressed, throttle input has to go to zero before Sport mode will actually kick in.

I have to agree... But when it's on, and you switch it off, you do experience a loss of speed.

[ShakyDog]

Originally Posted by jragan

Great write up, but I have to ding you on one point "As I pushed the little circle, the car instantly increased its speed" -- This, technically, can't happen. After the Sport Button has been pressed, throttle input has to go to zero before Sport mode will actually kick in.

I think he is talking about how when the little button is pressed, it may not be physical, but it sure is mentally faster

Steve

[Eccentric]

Thanks for the really supportive reviews, guys! I'm still new to the forum, and im not sure how to quote multiple people but I'm from long island.. and as for the gas milage, my previous owner averaged 20.7 mpg in 18k miles, and now with 21k miles the car averages 19.2 lol so i guess it all comes down to the driver. Also by comparison, the Stang GT has 415bhp and averages 26 on the highway, which i'm jealous of. And, when i said that there were cars that were faster and more nimble than the mcoupe, i didnt necessarily mean for the same price, my point was that despite the car having flaws, everyone who owns it loves it, because it offers something to the driver that cannot be measured in test figures. And Finnegan, you must have the coolest wife of all time! haha My girlfriend likes to talk cars, because I'm obsessed with them, but i cant imagine her driving an M Coupe on the track- Anyway, thanks again for the support! Also, if you were wondering how i got the car, i have extremely generous parents and a car obsessed Dad.

[Ubermensch]

Originally Posted by ShakyDog

My sister just got an R8 (V10)

Is she single?

[ShakyDog]

Originally Posted by Ubermensch

Is she single?

Nope

[Eccentric]

Originally Posted by ShakyDog

Nope

That explains her having the R8 haha just kidding

[LHB]

One thing I really like about this forum is that nobody lectured the OP on "Saving for Retirement," "The Financial Irresponsibility of Buying a Depreciating Asset" or even "Always Using a Condom."

Enjoy your Z4M, little bro'. Anybody who understands one should have one.