///M Coupe purchase

Alberto · 27th September 2002, 08:52

Hello Group,

I’ve been out of contact here lately, please excuse. Busy with work and play. Here’s the thing. I’m nearing final decision on buying an S54 ///M Coupe. I’m hoping some of you have gone through similar debates, and may have a perspective and advice to help the process.

I’ve found a few of the remaining new coupes, mileage varying between 14 mi and 300 mi. Colors to choose from are Titanium Silver, Black Sapphire, Steel Grey, Alpine White, and Imola Red, all with black interior. Price for a new one is going to be near $45.5k, with security system and 4yr/50k mi warranty , then add tax, lic, and bs.

As an alternative to a new car, I’ve found a used Imola Red exterior, red/black interior, with 3000 miles on the clock. This was one of the first S54’s. Production date was 04/01 with ser # WBSCN93491LK60018. The owner bought it new, but it had been a BMWNA executive car with 1400 mi on it at the time of initial purchase. The new car 1200 mi service was done with the change to 10-60 synthetic oil at that time. Some of the extras the extras on the car are, cd changer, remote key, ///M floor mats, window tint, and some leather Z Imola red accents with center arm rest. Sounds like it’s immaculate too. All, for 39.5k. Save $6k, plus cost of mods.

Here’s some of the questions I have:

· How does red paint hold up? Does it attract the coppers more than other colors?
· Do the BMWNA exec cars get abused? The current owner has had three ///M cars, this being his third, first was a ’93 ///M5. I think he’s babied the Coupe for the last 1600 mi.
· Is it worth the risk of not knowing how the first miles were put on the car in favor of saving about $8k?( Just writing it out, I’m screaming “YES!”)

So, if I can make the deal, I may be the happy, proud new owner of one scream’n slightly used hot rod. Unless you all have a good reason to get brand new one.

Thanks for the comments. I hope everyone’s doing well.

Alberto
’91 Dinan M5 Alpine White
Porsche brakes

chunpng · 27th September 2002, 18:41

Alberto,

I know looks are purely objective. But what do you think about the looks of the M Coupe?

CP

Alberto · 27th September 2002, 19:47

The rear 3/4 view is best and one of the sexiest cars on the road. To make that even better, the driving experience in the Coupe is one of the most rewarding. Then coupled with the new M3 S54 motor, it is a bargain of high performance sports cars. You see, I'm in deep lust, that will evolve into repect and love. I must have that car. Looks like I will.

Cheers,

Alberto

Kevmmm · 27th September 2002, 20:00

Alberto,
How long do you plan to keep the car? Something to consider if you purchase a new M Coupe is that the first three years of basic maintenance is included, plus the full extent of the factory warranty is in effect. Not to mention, you know first hand the history of the car. Just my .02 cents. Good luck in your decision.
Regards,
Kevmmm

greg · 27th September 2002, 20:26

When I first saw the M coupe, I thought it was the ugliest car I'd ever seen. But over the years, after seeing it more and more, and knowing how it can perform, I've done a 180. I now love the way it looks.

This isn't the first time this has happened to me with BMW designs. Form follows function - and function imparts a certain beauty back to the form. Along thse lines, having now seen many 745i's in motion, I have to say that even that design is growing on me. From many angles that car is drop dead gorgeous, and the weird trunk line looks less and less weird to me the more I see it.

Now then - the used car may have been tracked - but so what? All the guy could really wear on the car would be tires (which you can see) and clutch, synchros and brakes. You could easily put in a new clutch and brakes for well under $8K, and I seriously doubt the synchros would be much worse for wear.

But does red get more tickets? Absolutely, postiively, without a doubt, supported by research, YES !!!

chunpng · 28th September 2002, 02:08

Quote:

Originally posted by greg
When I first saw the M coupe, I thought it was the ugliest car I'd ever seen. But over the years, after seeing it more and more, and knowing how it can perform, I've done a 180. I now love the way it looks.

Greg,

That's exactly how I feel. After driving the Coupe in the M5 Driving Experience, I was totally turned on by the car. It is so much more rigid than the raodster, and handles much better. In addition, the trunk is real useful as a daily driver. I can just toss my brief case and drawings into the back.

However, if I was gonna do it, I'd go for the 01 MY, BEFORE it takes on the current 315 hp M3 engine. I'd then throw a Dinan SC on it and viola....384 hp.

That could be a great every day car AND a great weekend toy.

CP

robert47 · 28th September 2002, 02:27

Alberto - good to hear from you! I love the coupe! I picked it to drive while at the "Driving Experience" and really enjoyed the car very much. I have liked the styling since I first saw it but the style seems to draw only two opinions - you love it or you hate it! I understand production will end or has ended?? Go for it and enjoy - I know it will be the "Cleanest" coupe in the state!
Robert

Richard in NC · 28th September 2002, 04:16

I also picked an Imola Red M Coupe to drive at the M5 DE. The new 315hp motor makes that little car scream. Its not a comfortable daily driver like the M5 but is a blast to drive.

I wouldn't worry about the miles unless the car looks abused. I would avoid November '01 build dates (because of the M3 motor issues) but 04/01 should be fine.

chazzy · 28th September 2002, 05:06

Hi, Alberto --

I recall seeing your messages on Roadfly and I hope you'll join the very tight community of M Coupe owners. With only 660 S54 M Coupes built for the US market, it's even tighter.

I responded to your last query about colors and I think my recommendation stands: Imola Red is an excellent choice. Don't pick it because you have to and don't not pick it because of tickets. The M Coupe has curves on it like no other car and, on an IR one, every one of them drips with the deep, liquid color. I never thought I'd ever really WANT a red car, but it's just stunning. It is truly a classic ///M color.

This is a photo of a Roadfly member's car and my own (I have the black one in the background) on a rainy Saturday evening. He keeps his car spotlessly clean and was detailing it to remove the few spots of rain it got on the way over! Mine was rained on all day -- I had just come back from an autocross school.

On to other things: the S54 engine is an incredible engine, but it pays for it in its high maintenance. It demands proper attention, proper operating temperature, and doesn't seem to take abuse very well -- a true ///M engine! That being said, I would exercise caution when buying a used one, particularly with low miles on it and the previous owner(s) knew that they wouldn't have it for long. I would recommend a leak down test and a DME printout of its time at or above redline.

Also, as a general note to other members, the M Coupes and M Roadsters don't seem to have the same problem which is affecting some M3 owners, regarding blown engines. In fact, there has not been a confirmed case that any RF members can document of an S54 that blew in a Z3. There's some speculation as to why this may be, but possibilities include: slightly different parts, lower redline, lower production, and different owner demographics. Since we don't know why the M3 engines are going, it's almost pointless to try to come up with a reason why the MC/MR engines aren't. But most owners take great comfort in that none of them has fallen to a blown engine.

Good luck with your hunt!

A_Train · 28th September 2002, 05:26

Quote:

Originally posted by Alberto
a used Imola Red exterior, red/black interior, with 3000 miles on the clock.... the owner bought it new, but it had been a BMWNA executive car with 1400 mi on it at the time of initial purchase... for 39.5k... Save $6k

It's not saving $6K; it's paying about $6K too much, actually. Should be $33K-34K.

Avoid looking at the car how the dealer wants you to ("Put $6K in your pocket by saving with a used car"). That's flawed. Rather, is the price worth it in the context of the used car market, your alternatives, and your personal situation (value of your time to obtain a different one, willingness / ability to overpay relative to market for immediate gratification, etc.)?

From an objective viewpoint, relative to other similar used M S54 coupes, it is priced too high. (This of course takes into consideration how many were made. If BMW could have sold thousands more M Coupes, they'd very likely have made thousands more M Coupes.)

Regardless, keep the revs up and the car is a ton of fun. Always been a big supporter of it as a true driver's car - just check out my posts on the car the last couple of years.

- A-Train