M Coupe Buyers Guide

First off I want to say this site is really helpful!

Did the m coupe ever come in that Forrest green that the M roadsters did?

I was thinking of the more faded green, evergreen perhaps?

Thanks for the info, looks like i could be waiting for a while!

Just wanted to know what your thoughts were on this coupe. I haven’t really seen this color and would like to know how rare it is as well. I have had several M roadsters (1998, two 2000’s and a 2001) and am looking for a nice coupe to add to the garage. This site is awesome for all the market updates as well as added information. M Coupes Rock!!!! I love the Shoe! Thank you for all your hard work and knowledge.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/3132657438.html

@Jon Martin
That’s what I thought as well. Such a good color on the coupe but I’m not totally fond of the light interior.

Luv the site Cant buy right now, but will one day. Had any opportunity 5 or 6 years back to buy a beautiful Dark Blue, not estoril . do you have any idea how many dark blue are out there and what is color name?. TIA and please keep this site going Great work and congrats on finding your own car. Bill

Hi, you still haven’t found your perfect MC??
I am European and it’s amazing the number of S54 MC you can find in the states. Currently in all Europe they might be 2 or 3 for sale. Lucky guys!!

If only there was a similar website for europe!!
BTW your website is GREAT nice job

Jon Martin :
As far as M Coupes, there are 0 dark blue ones from the factory. There is a Montreal Blue that the Z3 Coupes came in. I haven’t come across very many of them. There is also one special ordered Carbon Black M Coupe as well. It is technically black, but definitely has a blue tint to it so if it was an M, it could have been that one.

a friend of mine in Spain has an estoril repainted in Montreal Blue. It is stunning.

Hi Jon,

Love your website–hugely impressed by all of the M Coupe information you’ve amassed over the years. Sorry to clog up your comments section but I searched everywhere for a “Contact” or email address for you and couldn’t find one. I’m about to put my beloved M Coupe up for sale and, seeing as you are probably the world’s #1 expert on used M Coupes, I wanted to ask your opinion on a few things. If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, could you possibly shoot me an email whenever convenient for you?

Thanks a million and, again, great site!

greg

Hey Jon,

I just bought this car….built it for a customer a while back, he decided to sell and I bought it. I saw it in Purgatory and decided that’s not a nice place for it. We did a TON of work on that car. It’s immaculate and very, very special(complete with a very slick backup camera)….

GREAT website! Might be one of the most informative ones out there…I’m blown away.

Here she is:

http://www.mcoupebuyersguide.com/listings/listing.aspx?ListingID=616

@Jon Martin

It has a black interior. Sunroof car. Really nice ride…just about as perfect as perfect can get. 23,500 on the clock now. Car is going to stay in my family I think. I’ll probably do some shots of it on my website….they may be on there now….can’t remember. http://www.c2dusa.com

Thanks again and when the car comes up for sale, I’ll make sure to list it here.

Hi Jon!
your website is well done! I have a 2000 coupe, 58,000 miles, estoril blue/black interior,
that I wondered if I could post on your site. I am the second owner, 50+ so I treat and
drive the car very carefully, I love it but need to sell. I had a Dinan chip, cold air btox, and
strut brace installed — the ‘tweaks!
I’m located in Westchester County, New York.
Also appreciated your thoughts on where I should price — $21,995 ??
Appreciate your feedback!
with kindest regards,
Doug

Hi Jon!

I’ve been in a little contact with the seller of the Steel Gray 2002 S54 M Coupe here in Vaughan, ON, Canada. I was supposed to see the car yesterday but he got really busy and couldn’t make it. Instead he was kind enough to make a video of the car and I thought I would share. I hope to go see it soon in person. I haven’t really decided if I want an S52 or S54 coupe yet, but I wanted to take a look at local coupes. I also saw the Imola Red S52 that just sold in Downtown Toronto, very nice looking coupe.

Cheers

P.S. Here’s the link to the Video.
http://youtu.be/KGCr_GKGEgo

@Jon Martin
Very true Jon,

I was much more impressed with the video than the photos, although the diamond plate in the trunk threw me for a loop, don’t know about your reaction to that.

How does one contact the owner of posted vehicle, when no POC info is provided?

Jon, great site and content reflects uniqueness of the Z3 M’s! Good job!

I am in Canada and have not be too successful with the M’s which I have looked at. Would it be possible to have the contact info for sellers listed on this site? I like the 2002 from Indianapolis but can’t seem to contact the owner.

Is there anyone accessing this site that has experience bringing an M to Canada from the USA?

Thanks!

Please send me info on the 2001 M coupe/South bay, Ca.
Are there any green coupes close to Iceland green BMW 535i ever made?
I’m guessing British green is close. Any thoughts? Thanks.N/A

Hey so I bought a z3 coupe, not an m 🙁 but was wondering how many non m’s were made compared to m’s. And apparently the made automatic ones? just curious if you had any of the production numbers because i can’t find them anywhere. thanks.

Hey Jon,

Great work you’re doing here and totally appreciate it. I’m looking at a couple that’s listed here and wanted to know your thoughts. The 2000 titanium silver 104000 miles at 15k. Is that price a good price? Condition seems pretty good. Pretty high miles, is this a good buy?

Also, The 2000 black for 15k, which the seller seems all over with what he wants for it. Same questions for this one. If you had to choose, which one would you go for?

Thanks for any guidance

Ratha

This is a longshot, but I’m curious if you know of any M Coupe owners in eastern Washington or northern Idaho. I’m considering these cars, but need to know if they’re even worth my time. I’m 6’4″ w/ a 36″ inseam and online research suggests I’m near the red zone for fitting. Trying a car out seems to be the only way to be confident moving forward, as I don’t want to spend more time searching if the car is a non-starter (no pun intended) for me. Thoughts?

Great site!

Hey Jon. I’m the one who bought Craig’s pseudo-track coupe and my current one is now up for sale. I figure you’ll find it quick enough, but thought I’d pass it your way. I’m happy to answer any questions for any prospective buyers.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/3261197518.html

Hi Jon, Great site! Was wondering if the 3 ratings that appear next to the cars for sale are your ratings or those of the sellers? Also i would like to hear your perspective on the whole bearing issue debate between the two engines offered in the coupes. Thanks Robert

@Jon Martin
For what it’s worth, I checked one out… it’s cozy, but I fit. And I must have one.

Jon:

This site is incredible, great job, I have been a fan of M Coupes for a long time, ready to buy another soon. You have displayed two of my previous ones here that I sold, a 2002 Phoenix Yellow and a 2001 Laguna Seca Blue.
Looking for a white this time out with a interesting color interior.

Thanks for all the info.
Gary

Jon Martin :
Awesome! Just let me know what you’re looking for.

I’m looking for a car in “the sweet spot.” Not necessarily bone stock, but not heavily modded w/ 3 set of extra wheels, etc. Aftermarket suspension is cool, but I prefer to not have a bunch of aftermarket panels, spoilers, rocker panels, etc.

I’m flexible on color. I love Laguna Seca Blue, and think I would like Imola Red, Phoenix Yellow, Estoril Blue, Alpine White, etc. But I’m not hung up on this.

I think I’m not looking for a 20k mile garage queen (unless it’s priced right), but I’m not looking for a high-mile beater… 50-75k miles sounds about right. And well maintained, obviously.

I need the sunroof… I’m tall.

And I think I need the S54.

So… whatcha got? 🙂

I think this is a listing you don’t have yet.

http://www.trucks-cars.com/cars/view_details.php?stock=10667

OK, thanks!

Thanks again for this site.. Can you check this listing…. And let me know your thoughts?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200819256887#v4-41

Ok, yeah. Seems like a pretty decent buy. Thanks Jon

@Jon Martin

Hi Jon,
I saw an M Coupe for the first time on the road a couple of months ago. I knew then I had to have one. I’ve been doing research on them since then, and came across your website, which, is awesome. I have some questions and was wondering if you wouldn’t mind emailing me when you have a chance.
Thanks again for a great website!
Olesia

Hi Jon: Words can’t convey how much appreciate your site(s). I log-in more often than I should admit and more than is healthy. I have been a lover of the Bread Box (eventually understood to be a clown shoe rather than a bread box) since I was a young waiter in school without cash while many of them sat unsold on BMW dealership lots into subsequent model years. You can move the 25K mile Estoril Blue Roady in Rochester Minnesota without a photo from Purgatory to Sold. I stumbled onto it while looking at coupes and sent an email to the vendor, which led to a longer email conversation and a flight to Minnesota. It immigrated to Canada a few weeks ago and is currently getting Canadian Daytime running lights installed to enable Canadian registration. It needed tires and we’re working on airbag error messages but it is otherwise in great condition. The Minnesota vendor, who was the original owner, was a real gentleman and a pleasure to deal with; the transaction was seamless. The Rochester BMW dealership (Park Place) BMW Service Manager (name: AJ) was also terrific with pre-purchase inspection arranged from a distance and fluid changes on the day of sale before I hit the road etc). My unicorn is a low mileage S54 Coupe (but I’d jump at one of two white S52’s with Kyalami interiors if they surfaced with low mileage) but I’m currently looking for a daily summer driver MCoupe at a decent price. Accordingly, my question is whether you’ve actually seen the 83K mile Colorado Silver/Black Shoe currently for sale and if so please contact me. Lastly, are you able to guarantee to me that a finders-fee donation to your site for the Roady purchase will be used to take your wife out for a lovely dinner as a thanks for your time dedicated to the site? Many Thanks, Robert in Halifax.

Love your site. I’ve always been in love with the M Coupe. Many folks think they look funny, but I think they look awesome!! I recall seeing one many years ago that was a kind of rust/metallic/orange color. Do you know what that was called? Looking forward to your updates… Early next year my search will begin for my own M Coupe!!

I am wondering if you know of any oxford green/with tan interior M Coupes for sale. I have seen the 2.8’s and the 3.0’s but the dealers are still asking $16K for them and they don’t want to budge. The non-M Coupes are valued at around $9K wholesale–whats the deal? I would like either an M Coupe or the non M version and preferably an automatic as I am getting older. Any suggestions on how to deal with some of the price gougers?

Jeff

@Jon Martin
Jon: I’m back in the game, again thanks to your site otherwise I wouldn’t have found what I was looking for. The Imola Red you moved to sold from Arkansas is on its way to me in Florida.
So excited.
Gary

I have a line on a 2001 3.0 M coupe with 72,000. It is an automatic and the Carfax reads clean with a small hit to the right rear 10 years ago. The sell price is $9,500/private and I haven’t seen one this price yet in two months of looking. Are the autos just not worth the investment? Great site and I just look to soothe my nerves before bed…LOL!

Jon,
This is the top resource in my quest for an MCoupe. Let me know how and I will make a donation.
Best,
bruce

Hey John huge m coupe fan really truly love these cars been searching for almost two years now, I was wondering if you could Clarify somthing I see there an imola red then there’s an imola red 2? I can’t seem to find any info on the Difference between them?

@Jon Martin

Thanks Jon

Jon, If you here of anyone selling a Dinan Exhaust let me know thanks.
Gary

Great site, Jon!

I noticed on the charts of price vs. mileage a lack of S54 coupes with over 100K miles. Does that suggest a problem with S54 longevity? The charts show many S52 coupes have sold with 100K+ miles.

Pete

Hi! I own this car now

http://www.mcoupebuyersguide.com/listings/listing.aspx?ListingID=530

Purchased for $20,000. Has 60,000 miles on it now.

It’s in mint shape. Subframe/rear diff mount is all stock and shows no signs of wear. Compressions & Leakdown test done on car and all cylinders ~205psi.

Awesome site!

Cheers,

anthony
co-founder of MadWhips.com & CarZi.com

Jon, love the site. I’ve been considering buying an M Coupe for some time and have been looking at your site ever since I found it 3 or 4 months ago. In the past week or two I have not been able to find the list of cars for sale area of the site. Can you email me the url of that feature?
Larry

@Jon Martin I own from new 2000 M coupe -it is a one of a kind auto ,may be the best M-in the world as it is my child .

Hi Jon:
This is not only a great service for Shoe Fans but a really well designed and well-run site. Had my eye on these little buggers for years and may finally be in position to consider acquiring one. I had some specific questions relative to one of your listings. Do you accept offline dialogue?
Again, great job and thanks,
Henry

Hi,Jon I checked the # and there was only 1 auto produced as I ordered before my wish list,I had original BMW fog lamps installed and have not seen on others, as I recall labor was more than lights . It is nice to have all work done several years ago and never had to sort out as all was top notch plus was given advice by real pro.FYI Thanks

Hello Jon,

I asked an earlier question about the automatics and have a second question, has anyone swapped one of these couples with a stick? I would imagine it would kill the value but some of these autos are great deals an in excellent shape! I would be daily driving the hell out of a coupe if I buy one as I travel the country for insurance work to disasters. let me know the feasibility of this if you have any information and thanks!

@Jon Martin Ok, so if I find an automatic that is an excellent buy and locate a 5 speed transmission/clutch assembly, it can be done reasonably? A coupe might be in my future!

Hi, I have a 2001 MCoupe. The car is bone stock. I have owned for a year and its been a real pleasure. I recently purchased a set of BBS CH Silver wheels 8.5 X 18 to put on the car. The rears fit but are little in-set and the fronts rub the shock tower and will not install. I thought your experience would possibly be of use in terms of what options I have with the wheels. I know rear spacers will be needed (likely 20 MM). What about the front tires? Do I need to buy wheel spacers also for the front? The tires are 245/45/18. Maybe need to go to a 235 / 40 tire? 225/40 are a little small for the 8.5 wide rim in my eye. I have seen a lot of cars with coil overs with the larger wheel size. Do I need to get rid of the shock tower and put coil overs to get the fronts on? Any help would be appreciated.

BTW you have a great site and I used it to find my car that I ended up buying from Enthusiast Auto and which was a good experience.

Just checked the wheels. They are a 35 MM Offset.

Thanks Jon. Looking for the spacers on-line.