M Coupe Buyers Guide

Just purchased a 99 Black M coupe!! Took awhile for the right opportunity came along. Site was very helpful. Prolly paid to much, but serendipity makes it hard to haggle.

Just wanted to thank you for the awesome site! I found (and purchased) my M Coupe because of the site! I was looking into a s2000 at the time and my buddy, after a conversation about M Coupes, stumbled on this site and sent it over to me.

Now, I’m the happy owner of a 2000 BMW M Coupe (purchased in October, out of Philly, ~80k/miles).

You might not hear it enough, but awesome job on the site! I’m sure there are many more out there who now have a coupe only because of this awesome, awesome resource.

Hi, Jon. We’ve corresponded a couple of years ago. I was wondering if you might have an update on the 2000 Estoril/Oregon coupe in Pittsburg. I’m a little confused since it appeared to be sold but then is on again in, I think, November. Thanks for any info.
Geoff

Hi, Jon…I’m the owner of a silver/black 2000 M convertible, located in the Bay Area California. It has only 8700 miles on it. I would like to upgrade to a similar low-mileage coupe. In other words, I will have to get rid of the convertible in order to buy the coupe. Are you aware of any owners out there who would be willing to do a trade (with additional cash), or will I have to sell my roadster first and look for a coupe later? Thanks, Roland

Jon, please email me. I have a question for you. Thanks.

Jon,
i totaled my 2000 m two weeks ago. Purchased only 5 months ago with 77,000 miles, for $16,000. excellent condition in and out, I thought it was a great deal.. I just received the settlement offer from State Farm in the sum of get this “$13,895” I obviously declined their offer. They said if I provided comps., they’d re-evaluate . The only guideline they used to determine the price was N.A.D.A., nothing else. This confirms that nada is not current on their pricing. I explained the rarity, comparing the production numbers of my production year to 7,500 Ferrari 383 Spiders, 33,000 corvettes produced same year to give them a better understanding. thought you might like this info.

Also, I contacted the dealership in San Antonio about the newest listing for the ’99 coupe you posted today, and had them email a few photos. Looks very nice, and I’d be happy to forward you . Lastly, if you know of anyone in the San Antonio area that may be available to inspect this car for me, please put them in touch with me, as i’m in the market for a replacement, but live outside Philadelphia and cannot do this myself. Thanks, Mark

Jon, I read on one of the forums what you are thinking of doing with the site and I just want to tell you your plans are incredible. The 99 Imola Red on Imola Red that I purchased from Arkansas over the phone without seeing it has proved to be a great buy. I purchased the car for $11500.00 if you want to update your records. I have now performed the following, Belts, Complete fluid change, Tires, Seat Bushings, New Steering Wheel, New factory Gear shift lever, Clutch Pedal Bushings, Complete Suspension replaced with Bilstein Sports, Control Arms, shock tower mounts, Tie Rods, Bushings etc etc, repaired the small dent in rear quarter panel, painted front bumper, painted and repaired the wheel scuffs, new mats, switched back radio to stock bmw cd player, installed a Pax bluetooth ipod system that operates through the bmw stereo, valve cover gasket, windshield wipers, rear trunk struts, clutch, flywheel and all the remaining clutch parts and new tint. Needless to say this has brought the car up to the average sale price, but I have enjoyed doing the work and now practically have a new car that runs and drives like new. Although initially I was not looking for a red coupe I am so happy I purchased it as I recently found and bought my next project a Imola Red on Imola Red 2000 e39 m5 so they match. If there are any events coming up this year towards Florida let me know would love to meet you. Thanks for an incredible site that sounds like its just going to get better.

Newly listed ’02 Titanium Silver coupe @ BMW of The Woodlands, TX is sold. I went to inspect it today for a possible purchase, but I was too late. I think it is going to Enthusiast Auto, but I could be wrong. Interior is blue, not gray. Needs detailing. No scratches on bumpers, just dirt and stains. One wheel has bad curb rash; the rest are just dirty. New Kumho tires all around.

Jon I have a car fax of the 2000 Oxford green m coupe with black leather the place a better way wholesale autos our scam artisti put a 1000 down to hold the car as I’m from New York and its in Connecticut ,then the salesman won’t return my calls and when someone does pick up there very nasty and say they don’t know where the salesman is even though he faxed me a bill of sale less then two minutes ago, won’t allow me to have PPI on car …I strongly suggest anyone who looking at this car to go look in person and bring a mechanic! So sad Jon I’ve been looking for two years now ill never get one…I hate to see someone get taken for a ride the car looks so great too I just can’t risk it…

Salesman called me back to explain something’s then told me that they never inspected the vehicle them selves which is a load of crap I’ve never heard of a dealership not doing there own PPI on the car before taking it on a trade in, and said his guys were checking over it as we speak said the right window doesn’t work A/C needs work etc.. I only suggest people who are absolutely in love with the color combo who are willing to take the good and the bad with this vehicle the salesman said he had two other men waiting to see if I bought it i told the salesman let them have it as they are local and get judge for them selves

Jon, great site. I NEED NEED NEED a coupe. I have a timeline to pick one up around late fall, 2013. Gives me plenty of time to get educated! Any chance you can e-mail me privately and I can pick your brain about some questions I have? Thanks in advance, I probably visit your site twice a day!

Hi Jon, I am going to be getting a low milage (24k miles) white coupe, I would like to talk to you as this car is like new and I may not be keeping it. Do you have a # i can call you to get more information?

MIke

Hi, sorry for what may be a silly question but how do I post my M coupe for sale on this site. I could not find a link anywhere to do that…Thanks. I have a dakar yellow 2000 with 43K miles

Wow that will be three Dakar Yellows for sale this month nice……

I am a bit confused about your site. If I find a car how do I find the seller to buy it? The car that looks good to me is:
1999 BMW M Coupe Rare

These cars are incredibly rare.
Wake Forest, NC

Please help, Neil McCord

Wow, sure glad to have found your website, Jon. I’ve finally decided to sell my car, and just started to do research about how best to sell it. I remember the good old Roadfly days when the Cartel just got started, and it’s great to know that some are keeping the flame alive. So keep your eyes open for an Auto Trader ad for this: 2002 M-Coupe; Estori Blue; black/gray interior; sunroof delete; 16,500 miles. What would the Cartel price be for that, LOL?

Thanks for keeping this site current!

Jon, I really like this site and am glad that I stumbled upon it. I was fortunate enough to purchase an Imola Red 2002 M-Coupe brand new, but had to part with it back in 2006. While doing a random search, I found a sales listing for my car on your website where it was listed and sold in a private sale last August. I am very interested in buying the car back, but am wondering what is the best way to contact the current owner and if this can be accomplished through your site. Let me know what your thoughts are. Thanks.

Hi Jon, I replied to the Craigslist listing for the 2002 M Coupe, Mileage: 51,978, from Ridgewood, NJ, but have not heard back from the owner. I sent two emails, over the last week. I’m not sure if they are getting them. Do you have another way of getting in touch with them?

Hi Jon,

I have a question regarding a Z Coupe — would you please email me when you have a chance?

Thanks for your help!

Hi Jon,

I clicked on the link in this listing and it gave me an error message. Is there a way to see it without being a signed up member?

http://www.z3coupebuyersguide.com/listings/listing.aspx?ListingID=2126

Thanks.

Hi Jon,

I came across your website as I’m at the beginning of the learning curve of understanding and working towards (hopefully) purchasing an M coupe in the not too distant future. I had a couple of rookie questions and was wondering if you didn’t mind answering when you had time. #1 – is the rear structure cracking (shock towers/diff area) that I’ve been reading about, a common problem and is it easily noticeable, expensive to fix, come from driving the car too hard? #2 – are there any other issues you’ve come across that should be carefully looked at before purchasing.
Excellent website and thanks for your time.

Rod

Found this on a local forum and didnt see it listed on your listings

http://www.vadriven.com/forums/import-europe-67/2000-bmw-z3m-coupe-467744/

Many thanks. I’ll stay in touch and keep you up to date on my search.

Rod

Hi Jon – A complaint from one of the Ungrateful!!

On your Sales Listings > Search Listings tool, if I click on SubFrame Reinforcement = Yes (without specifying anything else), the full list of all 56 cars is returned, even though there are only 6 cars meeting the criteria. Seems that particular filter isn’t hooked up ….. the filter might need some “reinforcement” 🙂

Great site; you’re a great public servant for the M Coupe lover. I’m waiting to get a “Yes” back on an offer I made on one of these beauties.

best,
Dan

Hey Jon….just put my baby up for sale. Thought I’d pass it along. Price is high but they don’t get much better than this car.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281097443998#ht_1721wt_1182

Hello!

I thought you might like my most recent blog post. I finally found my “unicorn” after being a regular reader of the site. Thank you for all your hard work.

Neil

http://discommon.com/2013/04/my-eleanor-the-z3-m-coupe/

Jon, double post away! If you don’t mind linking to mine, that would be great. Your site is fantastic, thank you for the effort, I loved my hunt.

Fantastic amount of information made available. Somewhat simplistic question. Been searching for s54 with low miles. Under 25k. I am guessing that I shouldn’t even think about finding an unmolested one for under $30k. Thanks, McKim

Dark but flexible. Is a sunroof really that much of a negative?

Thanks very much. I will let you know how I do. Great site. McKim

Just spoke with the owner of the Estoril Blue coupe on craigslist and he told me it is no longer for sale and sold this weekend at the asking price of $11,900. That coupe is also mentioned in the questions section of the ebay listing for the Topline Auto Cosmos Black car (77,000 miles). It appears that they were offering a car that sounds like the same car this week for $12,900.

I’m about to list my 2000 coupe on eBay. Before I did, I thought I’d confirm what I believe to be true about your site. By appearances, you do not actually accept listings, but rather, you scour listings from other places (eBay, Craigslist…) and aggregate them here for the convenience of your readers?

Do I have that right? Or, do you actually accept listings from sellers? If you do, I’ll submit mine directly to you before going to eBay.

Thanks,

Bob

Jon, first off…FANTASTIC site. I visit the site everyday, just can’t get enough of staring at M-Coupes. 🙂 I’m also starting to get back into the market to pick up another M-Coupe. I’ve been out of my ’99 for 8 years now which is WAY too long! Anyway quick question for you (or anyone else on here really).
Being that the M-Coupes are now at least 11+ years old, how are people financing these vehicles? Or is everyone just paying cash? Seems unlikely people are forking over $30k+ cash. From my research, used car auto loans generally only will be extended to a buyer on cars up to 10 years old. And even if they do give you a loan, it will be restricted to the NADA retail value of the car. I looked up the NADA value of a 2001 M-Coupe with 35k miles and it comes in at ~$14k-$15k.
Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated!

Hi, I am just starting to look at a replacement for the old 92 G-Wagen I’ve been driving for a dozen years. It was a great vehicle. I’ve always loved the look of these but really don’t know that much about them. When you are rating these on rarity, what exactly is the criteria for what makes them rare? I will probably have 20-25k that I could put towards one. I’d appreciate whatever advise you have. What a neat little car.

This website is pretty amazing, been on here the last two months now trying to find my unicorn.

hey john
I have been watching this sight every say for months and have a question about the rarity of a 2000 m3 coupe in Dakar yellow sunroof delete with Imola red interior.

Thanks Jamie

I have been a 911 guy for 20 plus years owning about 2 dozen air cooled 911’s in that time. The prices on them have gotten silly at this point. I started looking around at M Coupes. The last BMW I owned was the last car I bought brand new, a 1990 E30 M3, and I still regret selling it.

Fantastic site I really appreciate the work you have done here, it’s been a huge help. I do have a couple questions if you have the time…

1) What’s with the Pac North West? Why so many cars there?
2) I have a 7 year old and I noted that one seller listed his car as having a disable switch for the passenger airbag. Do most, many, all or few of these S52 Coupes have that feature? Is there a simple remedy so my son could ride up front?

Thanks again for such a fantastic job!
Sincerely,
Howard

I found out about your site about 3 wks. ago! Just a fabulous site (service) you provide ! I loved why you set it up ! I too , decided to find a cpe. , having had facial cancer removed a few wks. ago. I now own a 99 Dinan M3 convert. with 60,000 mi. (like new) that the doctor said I shd. sell due to my 77yr. old face . Soooo, that’s how I got intersted in purchasing a cpe. Gotta ask you a question about the next to the last listing . I could not figure out how to contact the seller, in Summerlin , NV. , if his cpe was still avail. I imagine not , since the last update you have posted is 4/13 . I wld. appreciate any infor. etc. you might have on this owner . Thks. again for your good work! Hope it pays off for me , Bruce 919-724-1313

hey john, found these M coupes around my area. thought you should know. 🙂

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/ctd/3925944458.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/ctd/3937853348.html

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/3939086661.html

Way out of my price range, but thought you’d want to know.

My wife and I took delivery of a 2000 Imola Red Coupe this past weekend. We purchased it from a dealer in Eugene, OR and had it shipped to Atlanta, GA. It has 97K mi, the body is exceptionally clean and the interior (all black) is maybe very good. It’s basically stock with a moon roof. The previous owner pretty well hacked in a iPod interface without too much damage to the interior. It came with a cassette player – only- and – of course – no code. Any ideas on the best way to get a code? Seems like there are a lot of theories floating around. The rear view mirror is wack so I am going to try out the service found on the site to get it repaired. The power seats also have some issues – the cable on the drivers seat to adjust the tilt is out of sorts and the passenger seat will not raise or lower. It seems like the motor is getting juice but is frozen. My mechanic is going to look at it next week. I would be happy to provide a picture and purchase details for the site. I also am going to reluctantly put my 98 M3C on the market soon. Great site! Thanks for making it happen.

Hi Jon, do you have the contact info for the newly listed 2002 BMW M Coupe in Steel Gray from Fall River, MA?

I bought an M coupe from this young man last year. It is a real dog, not at all as advertised, I could not even register it this year because of all the undisclosed problems. Do your homework! I was in so in love with this car that I did not do the smart thing and have it really checked out, I trusted the seller. Buyer beware.

Have a question for ya ? I have a opportunity to buy a 2002 BMW z3 coupe for 5k. Hasn’t been started since 2006 Been sitting in the driveway outside. Is this a good deal ? Never have worked on a BMW before

Jon: Hope all is well, wondering if you can offer some assistance, purchased a factory radio from ebay great condition and installed worked great. Then I had to replace battery and of course radio required a code. Went to dealer and they tried to put in the code and it wouldnt work and the unit locked. Anyway I figured out the radio I purchased was from Europe and only requires a 4 digit code. The unit is now unlocked via leaving key in ignition for an hour but now the unit is in the USA mode and requires 5 digits. Does anyone know how to put the radio back to European mode so that It displays only 4 digits to enter?

Jon: I am sure you heard but might help other buyers, we discovered that the sub frame was cracked on my Coupe along with the differential bracket so were putting a Randy Forbes kit on it with the Rogue Engineering two mounting bracket diff cover. We are taking pictures of the damage and the whole process so anyone interested can look at it. Bottom line is if your car feels loose on the rear end it shouldn’t and its a good idea to check the diff hanger which from the factory is welded in one place only. Due to the power this tends to crack and pull the spot welds from trunk floor. As Jon knows this is my third coupe and the only one it has happened to although the previous two were very low mileage models.

Thanks for your help. I bought the Roadster that was listed in Vegas. I would like to find a mechanic in the Malibu area that can help me take care of the car. Also I think it can get off the line a little bit faster then it is. Any ideas on what might be holding it back speed wise? I am still looking for a coupe. I think I want a 2001 or 2002. Do you think it is worthwhile to pass on earlier models because of the bigger engine if you are looking for speed?

Hey Jon, hope all is well! Just a quick heads up that I noticed that the “Sale Listings” and “Research” tabs no longer appear on the home page. If I click a listing on the homepage, then those 2 tabs show up on the listing page. Seems to happen in both IE and Firefox.

Good morning Jon, I have a entrepreneurial concept that I would like to bounce off of you as I consider you the the most informed expert on the Z -3’s please give me a call at your earliest convenience, I am not looking for money. I think you may find this interesting look forward to speaking with you Mark 435-901-8165

I want to make a contribution to your site for my own information is your entity a nonprofit Thanks for doing a wonderful job. I am full of questions this morning you can see what I have been spending time on, due to the fact that the prices are finally going up faster than the used car evaluation books. I have been looking at insurance which they refer to it as Agreed Value it appears to be the best way to ensure fair compensation if the cars get totaled what is your opinion,plus suggestions do you have. Thanks again Mark