While BMW saloons have become progressively more bloated the M Coupe is blessedly
While BMW saloons have become progressively more bloated, the M Coupe is blessedly lithe and slender. That does mean, though, that corners can be taken at great speed, at least in the dry, with only pronounced understeer to slow you. It is terrific fun and, apparently, every motoring journalist who has borrowed this car has asked to keep it a little longer. This is a Porsche 911 for pounds 25,000 less, and with just 200 promised for the UK market, it is certain to be an instant classic.Luckily, bearing in mind all that power on tap, the Coupe is twice as rigid as the roadster (hardly a significant achievement – the convertible flexed like an Access Card), but while its suspension is not quite denture-rattling, it is firm.
That’s not unprecedented among companies like TVR, but for a manufacturer as German as BMW to produce a car as brazenly irrational as this is akin to the Bundesbank printing Deutschmarks with Mickey Mouse’s face on them.But I’m jolly glad it did. With one half of a McLaren F1 engine under the bonnet, the two-seater M Coupe is inordinately fast, reaching 60mph in under five seconds. Its straight six-cylinder engine revs thrillingly to over 7,000rpm, howls exhilaratingly as you race up through the five gears – a chunky change that exudes mechanical integrity. Floor the pedal and the exhaust vapour from the fat drainpipes signals the car’s intent by instantly misting up the rear screen. Never has it produced a car quite as determinedly frivolous at the M Coupe.Derived from the ostentatiously retro though rather lily-livered Z3 roadster, the M Coupe is an unadulterated driver’s machine, dreamed up by five BMW designers working secretly and for fun in their own time. For the last 50 years or so, BMW has toiled Teutonically to expand production from austere bubble cars to prosaic small saloons to high-minded executive bahnstormers. I don’t think it would be very practical, but it is comfortable, and you get a good view out.
It feels very nippy and responds very well, but the ride isn’t as hard as I expected. If I had spare cash doing nothing I wouldn’t mind one as a second car, but otherwise you’d have to have money to burn.”o BMW’s designers are human after all – either that or they’ve got hold of some very good drugs lately. Currently drives a Mazda 323″I like the styling, but the back is a bit staid,” reckoned Delma. “Overall, it’s not at all BMW-like – except for the price, which is too much I’d want a few more features for the money Personally, I don’t like the retro look. Currently drives a Ford MondeoJames found the BMW’s cabin a little too cramped, particularly the footwell. “My feet (size 11) keep catching on the trim, which is a little dangerous I must try not to drive too fast.
It has got a bit more acceleration than my Mondeo – it’s like a bloody aircraft taking off It feels very firm and safe on the road, though. I’d expect the people who buy these to be in their forties and male, but I might like one. It looks great, it’s thesort of car for long Sunday drives in the country.”Delma Moore, 50, housewife, from Orpington, Kent. Currently drive a Ford Escort cabriolet”I think it looks a bit strange – chunky,” pondered Mandy. “There’s certainly a lot of power, though it seems very easy to drive But I wouldn’t ever want to spend that much on a car. I’d prefer a two-bedroom cottage in Ventnor!” Roger was far more enthusiastic: “The brakes are really responsive and it sounds nice, almost like a V8.
Amazing power, very smooth ride and there’s pretty good vision all round, too.”James Donovan, 29, barrister’s clerk fromWelling, Kent. Otherwise you’re just in Mondeo-mode.”
Mandy Hurrell, 35, lecturer, Roger Ayrton, 36, architecture student from Woolwich, London. I’ve got my licence to worry about so I don’t think I’ll go too fast. But you’ve really got to work this fast through the gears, that’s the whole point of it. The steering is very positive, I’m used to a bit of play in mine.