With the M Coupe fresh from its first service it seemed a shame to leave it languishing in Stansted's long-stay car park for a week while we all headed for Italy and our annual eCOTY extravaganza. So it was all the more impressive to discover that despite spending prolonged periods in 500bhp+ supercars like the Zonda, Ruf and Murci©lago, when I returned to the Bee-Em it still felt genuinely fast.
The contrast with the M3 was also fascinating. Though slightly down on power compared with the 3-series, the M Coupe feels more urgent (probably largely because it weighs 150kg less), but the engine also feels gruffer and more aggressive. Not quite sure why, but it certainly makes the M Coupe more of a sheer event to drive than the exceptionally talented but rather less in-yer-face M3. I wonder how the M Coupe would have faired at eCOTY?
I've commented before on the slow-reacting traction control system, and as the mornings and evenings become increasingly cold and damp, the M Coupe takes an increasingly steady right foot and an alert pair of hands to keep on the straight and narrow. You certainly don't feel free to squeeze more than half throttle out of a corner unless you're in fourth gear. Even Chee, evo's most timid and feather-footed wheelman, has had the Coupe's tail out of line (unintentionally).
Fuel economy continues to impress, with 25mpg easily attainable if you reserve the adrenalin-pumping rush from 6000-8000rpm for very special occasions. Even if you drive with a lead foot you'll be unlucky to get less than 22mpg. Amazing.
Sadly, I think I'll be returning to Sycamores in the near future as the air-conditioning system is finding it increasingly difficult to demist the windows. A quick feel around the vents revealed that those directing air onto the screen don't appear to open. I fear a dashboard-out fix is inevitable, but if anyone can effect a fix it's Sycamores. I'll let you know next month.
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