BMW M Coupe
Encyclopedia
The BMW M Coupe is a Shooting-brake
styled high-performance automobile
produced by BMW
. As of February 2009, two generations of the M Coupe have been manufactured, one based on the E36/8 Z3
Coupe and the second off of the E86 Z4
Coupe. Both generations have a "sister" Convertible/Roadster model available. Though a second generation E89 Z4
has been released for the 2009 model year, no official announcements have been made regarding the third iteration of the BMW M Coupe/Roadster.
The car is based on the BMW M Roadster
. The semi-trailing arm rear suspension was not modified from the M Roadster. The coupe is 2.7 times stiffer than its convertible
counterpart, resulting in superior handling.
The M coupe was developed under the leadership of engineer Burkhard Göschel with the intention of adding increased torsional and structural rigidity to the Z3 roadster’s chassis. The development team had a hard time convincing the Board of Directors to approve the model for production, but it was eventually given the green light as long as it remained cost-effective to produce. To achieve this goal, as many body panels as possible had to be shared with the roadster, thus the doors and everything from the A-pillar forward are interchangeable between the coupe and roadster, as are most interior parts. The Z3 coupe, which mates the M coupe's body with the standard Z3 drivetrain, chassis and cosmetics was approved for production at the same time.
.
The US models were fitted with the S52, a 240 hp
(176 kW) and 320 Nm
(236 ft·lbf) 3.2 litre inline 6 cylinder engine.
European models were fitted with the S50B32, a 321 hp
(236 kW) and 350 Nm
(260 ft·lbf) 3.2 litre inline 6 cylinder engine.
engine from the E46 M3. This was the highest specific output naturally aspirated engine ever made by BMW when it was fitted to the E46 M3: in M Coupe form it produced 325 hp in European form and 315 hp in North American form. (242 kW) and 354 Nm (261 lbf.ft) of torque.
Despite the well-documented tendency of the 2001-2002 S54 to suffer connecting rod bearing failure in the E46 M3, the M Coupe was not included in the recall to correct the issue in E46 M3s. BMW assert that the recall is not necessary due to the fact that the S54 M Coupe is limited to 7,600 rpm, 400 rpm lower than the M3's limit. BMW added a 100000 miles (160,934 km), 6 year warranty in North America to all S54 Coupes affected by, but not included in the bearing recall on the M3. Although some S54 M Coupes have reached in excess of 170000 miles (273,587.8 km) on their original engines, bearing shell failures are possible on all S54 M Coupes.
In South Africa only 40 right hand drive S54 models were imported and all were equipped by the local importer with AC Schnitzer suspension, exhaust, short shift kit, shift knob and 18-inch wheels.
BMW released a limited production, new redesigned, M Coupe based on the Z4
. The first cars were delivered right after the North American introduction on May 27, 2006.
It has a 3.2 litre inline 6 cylinder engine and produces a SAE rated 330 hp. It shares many components with the Z4 and with the E46 M3. Other components come directly from the M3 CSL like the cross drilled 13.7" floating front rotors, even though it continues to use the same brake pads as the original Z3 M Coupes.
The second-generation E89 Z4 (a retractable hardtop) was announced on December 13, 2008. The E89 retractable hardtop is not available in an M version; nor is it known as the 'Z4 coupe', as the term 'Z4 coupe' refers to the fixed hardtop model (E86).
Shooting-brake
Shooting-brake, shooting brake or shooting break is a term for a car body style that has evolved through several distinct meanings over its history....
styled high-performance automobile
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
produced by BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
. As of February 2009, two generations of the M Coupe have been manufactured, one based on the E36/8 Z3
BMW Z3
The BMW Z3 was the first modern mass-market roadster produced by BMW, as well as the first new BMW model assembled in the United States. The Z3 was introduced as a 1996 model year vehicle, shortly after being featured in the James Bond movie,...
Coupe and the second off of the E86 Z4
BMW Z4
The BMW Z4 is a rear-wheel drive sports car by the German car maker BMW. It follows a line of past BMW roadsters such as the BMW Z1, BMW 507, BMW Z8, and the BMW Z3. The Z4 replaces the Z3. First generation production started in 2002 at BMW USA's Greer, South Carolina plant, with production of both...
Coupe. Both generations have a "sister" Convertible/Roadster model available. Though a second generation E89 Z4
BMW Z4
The BMW Z4 is a rear-wheel drive sports car by the German car maker BMW. It follows a line of past BMW roadsters such as the BMW Z1, BMW 507, BMW Z8, and the BMW Z3. The Z4 replaces the Z3. First generation production started in 2002 at BMW USA's Greer, South Carolina plant, with production of both...
has been released for the 2009 model year, no official announcements have been made regarding the third iteration of the BMW M Coupe/Roadster.
First generation E36/8 (1998 - 2002)
BMW M Roadster
The BMW M Roadster is the BMW M performance model of the BMW Z3 and BMW Z4 convertibles. It was produced between 1998 and 2002 and again during the 2006-2008 model years...
. The semi-trailing arm rear suspension was not modified from the M Roadster. The coupe is 2.7 times stiffer than its convertible
Convertible
A convertible is a type of automobile in which the roof can retract and fold away having windows which wind-down inside the doors, converting it from an enclosed to an open-air vehicle...
counterpart, resulting in superior handling.
The M coupe was developed under the leadership of engineer Burkhard Göschel with the intention of adding increased torsional and structural rigidity to the Z3 roadster’s chassis. The development team had a hard time convincing the Board of Directors to approve the model for production, but it was eventually given the green light as long as it remained cost-effective to produce. To achieve this goal, as many body panels as possible had to be shared with the roadster, thus the doors and everything from the A-pillar forward are interchangeable between the coupe and roadster, as are most interior parts. The Z3 coupe, which mates the M coupe's body with the standard Z3 drivetrain, chassis and cosmetics was approved for production at the same time.
1998-2000
M Coupes built between 1998 and 2000 are fitted with two different engines, depending on the destination market. These engines are the same ones used in the 1996 to 1999 BMW M3BMW M3
The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M. M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46 and E90/E92/E93 3-series, and sold with coupé, sedan and convertible body styles...
.
The US models were fitted with the S52, a 240 hp
Horsepower
Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the...
(176 kW) and 320 Nm
Newton metre
A newton metre is a unit of torque in the SI system. The symbolic form is N m or N·m, and sometimes hyphenated newton-metre...
(236 ft·lbf) 3.2 litre inline 6 cylinder engine.
European models were fitted with the S50B32, a 321 hp
Horsepower
Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the...
(236 kW) and 350 Nm
Newton metre
A newton metre is a unit of torque in the SI system. The symbolic form is N m or N·m, and sometimes hyphenated newton-metre...
(260 ft·lbf) 3.2 litre inline 6 cylinder engine.
2001-2002
From October 2001, the M Coupe reappeared worldwide with the new 3.2 litre S54BMW S54B32
The S54B32 was a high-performance engine used in BMW M vehicles. The block was made from grey cast iron rather than aluminum to achieve greater rigidity from the same dimensions. It is a 3.2 L engine; bore is and stroke is...
engine from the E46 M3. This was the highest specific output naturally aspirated engine ever made by BMW when it was fitted to the E46 M3: in M Coupe form it produced 325 hp in European form and 315 hp in North American form. (242 kW) and 354 Nm (261 lbf.ft) of torque.
Despite the well-documented tendency of the 2001-2002 S54 to suffer connecting rod bearing failure in the E46 M3, the M Coupe was not included in the recall to correct the issue in E46 M3s. BMW assert that the recall is not necessary due to the fact that the S54 M Coupe is limited to 7,600 rpm, 400 rpm lower than the M3's limit. BMW added a 100000 miles (160,934 km), 6 year warranty in North America to all S54 Coupes affected by, but not included in the bearing recall on the M3. Although some S54 M Coupes have reached in excess of 170000 miles (273,587.8 km) on their original engines, bearing shell failures are possible on all S54 M Coupes.
In South Africa only 40 right hand drive S54 models were imported and all were equipped by the local importer with AC Schnitzer suspension, exhaust, short shift kit, shift knob and 18-inch wheels.
Production figures
Due to the unique styling of the M Coupe, dealer sales were slow, and dealerships sidestepped the M Coupe to sell the more practical and more profitable M3 models to performance enthusiasts. As a result of their relative rarity, M Coupes retain more of their value than any other BMW since the E30 M3.- European left hand drive S50 engine: 2,178 built from 04/98 through 06/2000
- European right hand drive S50 engine: 821 built from 08/98 through 06/2000
- North America S52 engine: 2,180 built from 07/98 through 06/2000
- European left hand drive S54 engine: 281 built from 02/2001 through 05/2002
- European right hand drive S54 engine: 168 built from 02/2001 through 05/2002
- North America S54 engine: 690 built from 02/2001 through 05/2002
Second generation E86 (2006-2008)
BMW Z4
The BMW Z4 is a rear-wheel drive sports car by the German car maker BMW. It follows a line of past BMW roadsters such as the BMW Z1, BMW 507, BMW Z8, and the BMW Z3. The Z4 replaces the Z3. First generation production started in 2002 at BMW USA's Greer, South Carolina plant, with production of both...
. The first cars were delivered right after the North American introduction on May 27, 2006.
It has a 3.2 litre inline 6 cylinder engine and produces a SAE rated 330 hp. It shares many components with the Z4 and with the E46 M3. Other components come directly from the M3 CSL like the cross drilled 13.7" floating front rotors, even though it continues to use the same brake pads as the original Z3 M Coupes.
The second-generation E89 Z4 (a retractable hardtop) was announced on December 13, 2008. The E89 retractable hardtop is not available in an M version; nor is it known as the 'Z4 coupe', as the term 'Z4 coupe' refers to the fixed hardtop model (E86).
Production figures
- 2006 North America Production beginning with Vin# 6LLxx000: 380 built from 05/2006 through 09/2006
- 2007 North America Production beginning with Vin# 7LLxx380: 1187 built from 10/2006 through 09/2007
- 2008 North America Production beginning with Vin# 8LMxx567: 248 built from 10/2007 through 09/2008
External links
- http://www.mcoupe.com BMW M Coupe / Z3 & Z4 Resource Network
- http://www.zpost.com Official Z3/Z4 Enthusiast website and forums.
- Official Z4 M coupe website
- 368S.com BMW Z3/M Coupe Enthusiast Site.
- mz3.net M and Z3 Roadster and Coupe site with many user contributed articles on maintenance and upgrades.