eurorides420

i have a c43 right now and im thinking of getting a c32, how do the two cars compare. brad @ evosport im wondering what you think, you were in my car at the track a few weeks ago, i am debating between m coupe, e46 m and a c32 both would be used, if i got the m3 it would be manual not smg. what do you think? i want a car that feels very balanced and more of a race car than a sedan, am i barking up the wrong tree with a c32>??

jswedberg

It really sounds to me like you ought to get an M3.

The C32 is certainly faster than your C43, and as fast (or faster) as an M3 on the street.

But if you are looking for a "race car" feel, the M3 is the way to go.
The C32, while quite fast, is biased more towards a "super GT sedan" feel.

What you do get with a C32 (as compared to an M3) is more of the hot-rod "muscle-car" torque.

And in my opinion it is much more comfortable, but it sounds like that is lower on your list of priorities.

eurorides420

yes comfort is about as important as the size of the cupholders for me i think i will be getting an m coupe, but im test driving an slk32 today just to make sure i want to stray from the mb now.

av2

Trading your C43 for an M coupe is not worth it, unless you were refering to the M3. For race, get the M3 and you won't regret it. The M coupe is literally "butt" ugly.

eurorides420

the m coupe i am referring to has the new m3 motor in it, it a a 2002, and has 315hp. yes the looks are not loved by all but it is a well done car, and is very fast. the thing that i want out of my car is wonderful balance and stiffness, the c43 isnt the car for that, its a high speed cruiser. i do doubt i will regret trading the c43 for an m coupe

dfc

Doesn't the new M3 engine have 343hp? I remembered seeing some megazine review saying that the M couple (or was it the roadster), has a sub-par chassis. Comparing to others like, boxsterS, S2k, etc the editor's word was something like "the M's chassis really shows its age..." I guess the stiffness you demanded will show up better on the E46 M3. Beside, don't sit in a car that looks like a shoe from the site :p .

eurorides420

it has the same motor...they just lowered the rev limit so it wouldnt be faster than the e46m3. the car is very stiff compared to mb which has very soft chassis compared to others, thats why im selling my c43 for a sports car

Pierre32///AMG

The M coupe (315hp) has not the 343hp as the M3 due to exhaust restrictions, I guess headers.

eurorides420

yes i also think the header or intake manifold design is different, but the rev limit is lower i understand as well. maybe somone who knows for sure can chime in??

Pierre32///AMG

The only problem that I see eurorides420, is the depreciation of the M coupe.
The BMW has already replaced with the new Z4 the old Z3, and the coupe is under the same way too, I do believe.
If so, it will be based in the new Z4.... on the other hand, the C32 will have more time on the street.
eurorides420, I had the same issue comparing the M5 and C32, but the bimmer in 1 year will change.

eurorides420

i agree that the m coupe may lose some value, but if i get the 2002 it will hold alot more value than the 2000 model (240hp) but the same is with my c43....it is a limited production car that few people know about, respect or want. this makes it not as valuable as it should be. the c43 is a great car, but im ready to step up to the next level of enjoyment in my car

dondi

although the mcoupe will or has been discontinued after this year, it still is a very nice car, both in looks and performance. i know, tastes/opinions vary. i had a 2000 m coupe and i traded it in for a 2003 c32. although i like the c32, to me it does not handle as well as the m coupe. both cars are different, so probably that's why. when my fiance's lease is up on her audi next year, i will be giving her the benz. i'll be looking for a pre-owned m coupe after that. the z4 is out and the soon to be mz4 may be more powerful but isn't the point finding a car that pleases you both in looks and performance? it does not have to be brand new. so, if you want the m coupe, go for it. you'll save a few bucks and love the car. if you don't mind the stares and the constant questions (what the hell kind of car is that?), go for it. i'm not an mb hater/bimmer lover. i got the c32 because it was the perfect compromise car and in anticipation of giving it to my fiance. i just prefer the m coupe. you know how it is when you fall in love...
no haters please.

dakarMcoupe

Honestly the 01-02 probably wont hold their value any better then the 99-00. I've been tracking the prices and 01-02 are deprecating (selling) at about the same price as the 99-00s were after 1 year.

BTW if you do get a 01-02, there were less then 1K sold in the US Truely a rare car, even when compared to the Z8 I believe


I agree, as a current 2000 M Coupe owner I can tell you if you want a "real" sports car then M Coupe is the only "real" sports car from the list.

The last month to order your own M Coupe was September I believe. New one will be difficult to come by. However, you can get a great discount on a used 2001 or 2002 M Coupe. If you find one at a dealer and they wont deal then just wait or look else where.

I've seen 99-00 M Coupe with (S52 engine) 240hp sell for under $25K with minimal milage (under 35K). Most 01-02 (S54 315hp)will go for about 10-8K above that.

I plan on getting a C32 or Lotus Elise II but either way I will still keep the M Coupe.

Also, test drive a 99-00 M coupe because the factory rating is 240hp at the crank but most M coupes have +5-10% more then that. My M Coupe was dynoed at 220+hp at the rear wheel.

The 01-02 are faster but upto about 100mph, they are nearly dead even.


EDIT: I like my M Coupe so much I plan on buying a Steel Gray 01 or 02 in about 2-3years.

IanPooley

Hi all,

I drove a M coupe for a test drive [over the weekend] two years ago. This car is a real sports car but it has some small performance problems. First of all the engine is not the new E46 M3 engine, believe it or not
It´s got the 321 HP M engine.
The car has rear wheel drive (like all BMW cars) but the rear axle has less weight on it. So the traction of the car is very bad. Believe me, I kmow what I´m talkin about: my friend had an eccident with that car. If you wanna ride it as fast as it is then you should be a very good driver Otherwise you´ll crash.

All the M3 BMW engines have insufficient torque.

FrankW

it's the same engine from the E46 M3, but with the difference in exaust restriction the M roadster/coupe can only makes 315 hps.

btw, i'm having DeJaVu with this thread. it seems like i have posted the exact word some months ago. it's either that or i can predict the future in my dream.

IanPooley

Hi frank,

it´s not the same engine! It´s got 321 HP.
Me knows that GG

av2

Hi Euroride420,
After hearing all these good things said about the M coupe, I feel like test driving one. Sorry to sound so bland, but everyone has different perceptions of things. If you are looking to buy a sports car and use it for the track, have you considered the 350Z Track Version? For the ultimate track car, the Evo 8 is or WRX Sti are probably worth the wait.

FrankW

european horsepower rating is different than the north american horsepower rating.

either way, like i said. the SAME engine in the M roadster/coupe is making less horsepower because of the exaust restriction is different due to the shorter overall length of the car. Horsepower difference does not mean it's not the same engine. Both 3.2L i-6 has the same tuning from the factory except they have different exaust pipe causing the difference in horsepower.

IanPooley

Ok peoplez,

let me tell you:

the M coupe has the same engine like the old M3. 321 HP. Maybe you got another HP-system in the US, but the engine of the old models is the same 3,2 liter, 6 cylinders in a row.

BMW made a lot of promotion that the new BMW M3 has "a new R/6 engine which is totaly different from the old one. Its the only R/6 in the world with the highes rpm."

But I postet the question in another BMW forum. Maybe the know some mo´.

FrankW

the European version E36 M3's 3.2 liter engine is called S52/B32 which makes 321 hps and you are partially correct. It was used in the pre-2001 European version of the M roadster/coupe (the US version had the 3.2L 240 hp engine before mid 2001). In mid 2001 the S50 engine was replaced with the S54 engine found in the NEW E46 M3.

Hope this will clear up the confusion and your stubborness.

IanPooley

hey frank,

ok, now it´s right
Seems like there are more different versions of the same model in the US and Europe....


Anyway the M coupe can only be moved fast if you are a really *good* driver. Otherwise your rear will blow off....

IanPooley

Ok, now I got replies from german BMW forums.
The new M3 engine is based on the old one but it´s got new technologies and is totaly revised.

So you can´t say it´s the same engine. That would mean that the W124 320 engine is the same like the W203 320 only with another exhaust system.

I´m a real bullhead

eurorides420

i assume both blocks are the same, but are all the internals identical to the e46 m3? what i was told was they lowered the rev limit and changed the exhaust system, so if thats true, chip and exhaust would bring it up to the new m3 specs. ne ways, its a great car my me, and im 99% sure im getting one...now i just have to decide, estoril blue, or the steel grey. either way i will enjoy the car, the c43 is a fantastic car in many respects, it is easy to drive has good power and is a rare car in every respect. the amg is staying in the family so i will still have it at my disposal.

av2

It's nice to hear that you are still able to keep the C43. As for the color on the Coupe, I like the Steel Grey. That's a powerful looking color on a BMW.

JustinTRW

Frank is right. The coupe has the current M3 engine, but with a lowered rev limit and different exhaust system. The BMW I-6 has been in development for YEARS, they just keep upgrading and making it better.