When was the last time you saw a BMW M Coupe? I bet it was a while ago, as they’re much rarer than you might imagine. Just 821 examples of the original 321bhp M Coupe were made in right-hand drive, plus another 168 of the revised version, with the upgraded 325bhp ‘S54’ engine from the E46 M3. That makes the M Coupe one of the rarest models BMW has ever produced and partly explains why good ones still fetch reasonably strong money on the second-hand market.
This particular car dates from 2000, so it’s one of the original versions with the 321bhp in-line six-cylinder, and its main selling point is that it’s covered just 28,450 miles in the past nine years. We went to the Hairpin Company’s exquisitely stocked converted-barn showroom to take a closer look.
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Unsurprisingly, the car’s condition is excellent. It’s had three owners from new and has just returned from a £1600 ‘Inspection 2’ service at the local BMW dealer where all the brake discs were renewed, the fluids changed and the front suspension top links replaced.
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To drive, it feels as fresh as you’d expect; just a minor hesitation at 2400rpm spoils the wonderful flood of M power as the revs soar to the 7600rpm maximum. I’ve always been a sucker for the more intimate driving experience of the M Coupe over the regular M3, even though it’s what I’d call an ‘eight-tenths car’ – if you want to experience more controllable on-limit handling then you should go for the M3 Coupe. If you fancy something a little different, however, then this M Coupe feels like a wonderfully mechanical, modern-day throwback to when E-type coupes were all the rage.
With thanks to vendor: The Hairpin Company, Compton Bassett, Wiltshire (01249 760686)
SUMMARY
• Exterior Original metallic blue paintwork in good order, just a few stone chips around the grille. Wheels unmarked• Interior Driver’s seat has minor scuffs (easily repaired)• Mechanicals Excellent – car has covered just 4000 miles in the last four years• Should I buy it? BMWs tend to cover higher-than-average mileages, so this is a great opportunity• FOR: Good colour; just serviced; rare• AGAINST: A regular M3 is much more practical, and cheaper too
Specifications
| Price | £17,995 |
| Year | 2000 |
| Engine | In-line 6-cyl, 3201cc |
| Max power | 321bhp @7400rpm |
| Max torque | 258lb/ft @ 3250rpm |
| 0-60mph | 5.2sec (claimed) |
| Top speed | 155mph (limited) |
