Assume lease: 2006 M Coupe Imola/Black Carbon Fiber

[SARAFIL]

Originally Posted by PersonaNonGrata

Hi Chris!

I'm kind of surprised you're over it so quickly. I know you're a huge BMW enthusiast and love trying many so maybe that's where you're coming from and you're ready for a new flavor, plus you have quite a few others to keep you busy. Can you shed a little light on your experience with the M Coupe?

Not exactly the same thing, but I've had my M roadster for about 3 weeks now and I absolutely love this car! The ride is actually more forgiving than a regular Z4 (probably because this car doesn't have run flats), but it handles much better. The power is terrific, though I haven't pushed it too hard because it isn't broken in yet. As for the style, it's still controversial but I think it's great for a specialty vehicle like this. This type of style wouldn't work too well on a more mainstream sedan or SUV, but it is fine for a roadster.

[inlacal]

Originally Posted by streetsoffire

inlacal: You fell out of love with that puppy kinda quick? When you first got it, I thought you were gonna make it a collectors item......

...I gave that some thought...And given the fact that I'm barely driving it, it was well on its way to that status.

That being said, I currently own 13 BMW's...This was a luxury. Not a need. Merely, a 'want'.

My wanting to get rid of it isn't an indictment, at all, on this car. It's one of the best, if not the-best performing BMW's I've ever driven.

Chris

[inlacal]

Originally Posted by SARAFIL

Not exactly the same thing, but I've had my M roadster for about 3 weeks now and I absolutely love this car! The ride is actually more forgiving than a regular Z4 (probably because this car doesn't have run flats), but it handles much better. The power is terrific, though I haven't pushed it too hard because it isn't broken in yet. As for the style, it's still controversial but I think it's great for a specialty vehicle like this. This type of style wouldn't work too well on a more mainstream sedan or SUV, but it is fine for a roadster.

It's such a phoenomenal car...Regardless of soft-top or hard top. I can't say it has a flaw...Unless you are planning on driving it across country in which case, I wouldn't give the seats that much long-term credit.

Ingress/egress is difficult until you get the hang of it. I'm 5'10" 200lbs. The trick is not using the side bolster to shoe-horn your way out...I can see that doing that, over time, would wear the seats pretty good (READ: e36 M Coupe).

By far a better handler than my previous e30 M3 & e36 M3's. The best brakes, hands-down, of any BMW I've ever driven.

The steering is so neutral that it is go-cart like in precision. Without resorting to hyperbole, you will be hard-pressed to find a better performing car after you've given this car (convertible or coupe) some seat-time.

Chris

[inlacal]

Originally Posted by PersonaNonGrata

Hi Chris!

I'm kind of surprised you're over it so quickly. I know you're a huge BMW enthusiast and love trying many so maybe that's where you're coming from and you're ready for a new flavor, plus you have quite a few others to keep you busy. Can you shed a little light on your experience with the M Coupe?

I just replied to someone's post about the way the M Coupe performs. The closest any other BMW has ever come to my experience in this M Coupe, is the e36 M Coupe. I made some e30/e36 M3 comparisons in the handling department, but in the end, this car wins. Braking: No comparison of any BMW. Period. The gas mileage is an achilles heel at this point...The engine is still breaking in, but on the freeway, in cruise, the car will get about 24 mpg. My e39 M5 gets this and slightly better on long stretches!

This is disappointing to me, due to the cars' weight (lighter than an M3 and most other e90's/e46's). I can't say I've ever driven a BMW that 'felt' as tight and as nimble as this one--the closest to this would be the aforementioned e36 M Coupe.

One thing stands out about this motor in this chassis: It feels more visceral than the e46 M3 of which I've owned four. I've also owned four e36 M Coupes (2001-2002) and two M Roadster convertibles (2001-2002)...All of which share the S54 with this M Coupe. None of them feel as powerful and I suppose they shouldn't as this variant has another 15 horses on the M Coupes/Roadsters. The e46 M3 crowd always felt irritated that the e36 M Coupe performed better. It was easier to laugh/poke fun at the styling cues on that car to reinforce that given-owners self esteem with their M3. This M Coupe is no different in that department. It will easily lap any stock M3 on any circuit. True, it is deficient by 13 horsepower, but it is also lighter by 200lbs or more.

This car is neutral in handling unless you have the traction control off and you are approaching the limits (which is extremely hard to do). At that point, it steers just like you would want it to: Oversteer. With the traction control on it (thankfully) never goes to understeer.

In no other BMW, now that I think about it, have I felt like I was "wearing" the car. In the e36 M Coupe your shoulders are nearly always above the door sill. In this car, they are rarely there and so you get the feeling of being wrapped up in the car. I know this sounds like hyperbole and is probably hard to assimilate until you drive it.

Lastly: Best damn steering wheel I've ever put my hands around.

I'm almost talking myself out of letting it go.

Chris

[blondboinsd]

Yeah The Z4 (or M Z4) is one fun to drive car, I had mine for 3 months and 3,500 ish miles, It in the end simply was not practical for me or the type of car that fit me really, I was a little off on the lack of luxuries or certain cheap plastics, and those cup holder, blech, but I agree it does drive amazing!

[master_jcp]

Nice!
Will you buy a new car for that car???