A Few M-Coupe Questions

rmani · #1 (**permalink**) 04-26-2003, 11:32 AM

I know the styling is quite controversial, but I've always had a fondness for the m coupe, especially after driving an m roadster. I did a search and found some answers but not all that i was looking for. First off in my search i saw people saying the 99-00 m coupe has the older e30 rear suspension, which I don't understand. WHy would the e36 m3 have a more advanced suspension setup when it's an older car? What is so bad about the e30 rear end anyway?

Also, I've been looking at some mods for an m coupe, but can never find any 1/4 times and top speed numbers. What kind of times and speeds does a supercharged coupe run? What about if it just had an exhaust/intake/chip (i.e. any other small goodies)? Also they're limited to 138 stock correct? If the limited were removed how fast would they go?

Finally on the highway would an m coupe beat an e36 m3? I know the m coupe is lighter but isn't the m3 more of a highway car?

Ok sorry for the long post and all the questions, but any replies would be very appreciated. Thanks again.

-rmani

SG_M3 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-26-2003, 12:07 PM

All e36/8 (M coupes) have the e30 semi trailing arm rear suspension. I think the reason the M coupe didn't get the multi link rear suspension was there was not enough room in the rear for the multi link. Nothing is bad about the e30 rear suspension, its just not as sophisticated as the e36 multi-link.

A stock m coupe will run just a bit faster than an e36 m3. I'd say 13.8-14.0 1/4. Yes they are limited to 137, with out the limiter its probably redline limited at 160.

As for a race between the 2, the M coupe is faster. Why would a ligher car with similar gearing and same motor, loose to a heavier car?

rmani · #3 (**permalink**) 04-26-2003, 02:01 PM

well from overall experience I've found that weight isn't as important as aerodynamics on the highway, and the m coupe doesn't appear (I don't know for sure) to be as aerodynamic as the m3. Thanks for the replies though, any idea on 1/4 times with a few bolt-on mods?

Hedoniste · #4 (**permalink**) 04-26-2003, 03:51 PM

It doesn't really matter... The MCoupé is simply a monster. In my country it has 325HP and too the E30 rear suspension. But it's a small car that likes a Kart!!! I have an E46 M3 but I don't know if it's really a big difference between the M coupé and the E46 M3 Coupé.

Rob ITR1035 · #5 (**permalink**) 04-26-2003, 03:53 PM

I'd say the M coupe is just (if not more) aerodynamic as the coupe/sedan...i may be wrong of course.

rmani · #6 (**permalink**) 04-26-2003, 04:51 PM

I'm interested in the pre-2002 models which only hada 240hp. I'm hoping that with some reasonable mods pushing 280 will be possible, now I'm just wondering if that's at all possible without forced induction, and if so...what kind of times would the car run?

Necrobic · #7 (**permalink**) 04-26-2003, 05:17 PM

I know AA has a nice turbo

http://www.activeautowerke.com/turbo/OBD2-MZ3Turbo.asp

Cranks up to 430HS

No 1/4 mile times though

///ms_mcoupe · #8 (**permalink**) 04-30-2003, 07:22 PM

i recently got my m coupe a couple months ago. and ive encounted the same problems as to modifications. so far i changed the deck because adding the cd changer would be too much of a hassle for me. i love music so im running an rca wire myself and connecting a bazooka tube. (just to experiment how it will sound). i probably will take it out in the future.

when i first drove the m coupe i was very surprised of how much torque it pushed from primero decir and trecir. i was actually expecting that it was no comparison to the mighty m3. however i find it a good and bad thing that there is not much information on mods for this car. bad because of limited drivers with knowledge. good because it gives me a chance to experiment.

vodomagoo · #9 (**permalink**) 04-30-2003, 07:43 PM

its an awsome car, pretty much one of the stiffest cars bmw has made besides the z4

onefastm · #10 (**permalink**) 04-30-2003, 07:59 PM

Hey man i have a 99 m coupe and have run in to the same kinds of problems but if u search ebay and a couple of aftermarket companies you can find some pretty nice mods. Though they are not as boosting as all the m3 mods they still offer better then stock. Good Luck in the future!

rmani · #11 (**permalink**) 04-30-2003, 09:37 PM

onefastm that's a nice looking car. i'm seriously contemplating buying one soon, I drove an m roadster back when they firsts came out and loved the way it felt and drove. Are there any particular years that are better to purchase than others as far as problems go? I'm basically looking at either a 99 or 2000 since those are the only years in my price range. Does the 2000 model offer any extra goodies over the 99? Thanks

Vitolo · #12 (**permalink**) 04-30-2003, 09:42 PM

what are you guys complaining about? there are plenty of mods...its the same motor.

www.mz3.net

vodomagoo · #13 (**permalink**) 04-30-2003, 10:27 PM

acs has some nice body stuff if thats your kinda thing

rmani · #14 (**permalink**) 04-30-2003, 10:54 PM

honestly i like the body, the only thing i'd do is lower it and mayb get bigger wheels/tires. thanks for the link vitolo; i thought the same thing but very few places i've researched specify that the same aftermarket parts available for the m3 wilil directly transfer to the m coupe as well.

///ms_mcoupe · #15 (**permalink**) 05-01-2003, 06:06 PM

how much bigger were you planning for the tires? you know that the front and back are different? In the front theyre 225/45ZR-17 and 245/40ZR-17 for the rear. theres no spare tire either. however theres a tire pump in the hatch. as for lowering, im actually satisfied. i wouldnt put ground control because i like how the m suspension on the car.

if anything my plans are to buy a high flow cold air intake thats carbon fiber, most likely used and just buy a new filter.

also and new ecu. i really love this car and baby it so much.