The M Coupe is averaging about $50k on the used market right now. About $5 k more than what they were new. I think it's safe to say that these are well passed the "next big thing".
Not for the S52, in general. It would have to be a very rare color (i.e. Evergreen, Oxford Green, Steel Gray or Bright Red), extremely low miles and in pristine condition. None of these describe the car shown.
@@fmonk As you said. I have a "bright" Imolia red--but with the tan "ostrich" leather with 50,000 miles which MAY be a more rare example. It is funny how something like interior leather color can change the value LOTS.
I wonder if they filmed this series 5 years ago and just didn't release it. Because almost every episode is on a car that has already seen a significant increase in value.
All these car channels are doing the same thing. Donut Media is especially a huge offender with helping drive prices up. “The 240sx and E36’s are cheap drift cars you can thrash and not feel bad about wrecking”. Get bent, Donut.
@@HawaiianKong I got less than halfway through one episode of Donut’s videos before realizing I can’t stand that style of videography and turning it off.
Magnus excelled at cutting Rob off mid sentence, dominating the conversation, and making Rob cringe as he wringed out his M Coupe to 6k RPMs. How about giving Rob the program, he's more interesting and likeable?
Were these ever cheap? Because even in the late 2000s, these were coveted more than any M3, at east where I grew up. These were extremely rare when I was growing up.
@@joshuakhaos4451 I've owned 13 BMW so far in my life and yes these boots have always been coveted from the get go. And no I have never owned one i think they are grotesque lol
@@joshuakhaos4451 Yes, they were far more affordable until recently. Finding an S52 in the teens with some miles was easy. The non-M Coupes could be found for less than $10k. I've owned a Z3 Coupe for 15 years and have often been tempted to pick up another Coupe because they often turned up at very attractive prices.
The highest prices are for garage queens. Most seem to stay that way, which is a shame. I've put a lot of miles on mine... I bought it to enjoy it, not wipe it off and keep it for the next guy.
@@truantray What do you mean Good luck? I did it and mine had no issues, so can others.. maybe not in the current market though. It was an S52 motor, not S54. These cars are reliable and all the known issues are well-documented and easily worked on, all parts accessible.
@@lukathegarlic it doesn't bum me out TOO much -- I was never going to buy one. It also means that my E36 M3 is now worth way more than the $5500 I paid for it 10 years ago
@@HawaiianKong I have to be honest: my dream was the e46 m3 and I saved towards it and bought it 4 years ago. Today I would swap my M3 for a Z3M S54 coupe in a heartbeat. Z3 platform, especially old-school semi-trailing-arm rear suspension is much more engaging to drive, more raw and pure compared to the newer ones, but also less refined. It's definitely more of a driver's car than the E46 is.
I’m in the minority but I’ve always preferred the S52 over the S54. The S52 is creamy smooth and sonorous whereas the S54 is blatty and corse sounding. 315 hp is better than 240 hp but the latter is plenty powerful enough.
Having driven both, I couldn’t tell much of a difference between the two. Also considering an s54 costs almost twice as much, I’m perfectly happy with my s52 m coupe
People who "drive" these on paper would probably disagree. Likely many of the same who'd recommend not even considering non-M versions. The internet's full of bad advice.
I agree, owned E46 M3 and now '99 M Coupe with S52 - the torque curves are almost the same to 4500 rpm and the Coupe is lighter anyway to make up for it. S52s always sound good. Also no need for valve adjustments or VANOS fixes...
Worth pointing out that the Euro spec Z3M Coupe has the S50 engine which develops about 320bhp. The extra torque of the last two years' S54 is noticeable but they are not without their problems, esp. bearing shells...
The open top Z3 suffered from quite some body flex due to being based on a mixture of E36 and E30 architecture. Adding the roof increased torsional rigidity by a factor of 2.6 which puts it in a whole different category handling-wise.
I have owned a 97 BMW Z3 1.9L for five years. If you’re saying the Z3M handles better than that by almost 3 times, that’s insane! The Z3 chassis paired with BMW’s legendary perfect steering has been one of the best handling cars i have ever driven, and I rent a lot of sports cars for fun. My Z3 isn’t the most comfortable car ever made, but when that roof comes down and put on my Hotline Miami playlist, I feel like a millionaire i look forward to test driving a Z3M 😍 I’m also wishing my 1.9L M44 engine would die, but at 160K miles, the baby still purrs with preventative maintenance 👌🏽
I had a 2001 with the S54 engine, black in black with tinted windows, wheels and exhaust. Turned heads where ever I went. Most common question, “what is jt”. Everyone shocked its was a BMW. Mine went way in value so I sold it, but I should have kept it
The weird thing is for me almost every kid under 10 yells "cooollll caaaaaarrrr". I always give them a thumbs up. It's much rarer for adults to say anything but usually the kiddos want to see it up close. Second to that is teenagers.
i had a 3.0i z3 coupe before my m coupe and it was funny how i also got the "what is it? who makes that??" questions at red lights while they were beside the car. Keep in mind the non m models had full sized bmw logos right on the side of the car lmao.
@@TR4G It's a funny question when you consider how many BMW logos are on the car: Hood hatch two side grills four wheel center caps Eight full sized BMW logos. Subtle. I've had people of all ages approach me, the coolest was a tricked out X5 M version driver that tracked me down on the interstate, followed me to a gas station and got pics of my car, with and without his car. Nice guy, very cool car.
I hung on Rob's every single word from his columns. One of my role models and I truly admire him. Glad to see he's still doing his hack mechanic thing!
This was my dream car back then due to it's uniqueness. Got to sit in a new one on the showroom floor and the cabin hugged you perfectly. Awesome reference to 202 BTW. Route 2 to 202 was my old route from eastern mass to UMass
I so love Rob Siegel! From my early BMW days, the Hack mechanic was the best column for me in Roundel Magazine, which I stole from the local BMW independant service shop until I could afford a membership! Rob tought me (and gave me the courage to) change out a master cylinder in my E21 in the 80's, as well as so setting K-Jet with a 3mm tool and other fantabulous tuning tasks for the M10. Plus...Code Monkey. He gave me that....
I loved my regular Z3 Coupe! The front bumper could have used a few styling improvements to match the fat rear end, but how can you not love a RWD hatchback with a manual?!
I think this car is a good example of how something can be cool and ugly at the same time, they do grow on you and if I could fit my big 6 foot three self into one comfortably I would definitely on one, and possibly with the second criteria being that I would need to know a good independent BMW mechanic because that era of BMW was not known for fantastic long-term reliability.
Magnus is a legend and its only a UA-cam comment, but I wasn't convinced with his presentation. The video was dry and quite unconvincing despite the specialness of that car. Our car world has become so played out with all these videos and talks about everyone knowing what's going on
S50 for the EU spec version with 321 HP, while the EU S54, had 325 (I owned an S54 for 9 years). The S52 was never available in the M Coupe, here in EU.
Spot on. The S50 was arguably the better car from in factory spec. The S54 was deliberately detuned from factory so it didn't smoke the then-new E46 M3. It was easily fixed with a tune though. We ran an S50 coupe as a race car for a few years, what a car!
@@steve_troy I sampled a Stock EU S50 (a friend had one) before I went after the S54. I got the impression that the S50 was even smother, thru the rev range but a little less aggressive at the top end. The difference in power was not disceneable...well maybe when doing in gear accelearations but otherwise, not much in it.
Mechanically it’s a BMW greatest hits. Behind the windshield it’s an E30 M3. In front it’s an E36 M3, and in 2001/02, you get the E46 M3 engine. The first 3 M3’s wrapped up into 1 wacky looking coupe.
This is great, i live literally a block away. I had known i would have love to meet Magnus and show him my 72 Alfa Gt veloce and my 4C! I have seen the Europa and the 2002 countless times and even spoke to the owner! Pretty cool!!
I've always liked these and wondered why many others didn't. I would get it with either engine and enjoy the drive. Thank you for raising the value of these. LOL.
First saw this car at the driving range hitting golf balls in the early 2000’s. It was love at first site! Loved how the back end squatted down and that it had just enough room for a set of clubs…a totally selfish & impractical car…Bucket List! Would love to get one when I retire in two years, throw in a set of clubs and drive around the country hitting my Golf Course Bucket List!
Simply not true. There was heavy depreciation. When I started looking in 2005 S52's could easily be found in the high teens and S54's for around $25k and stayed that way for a long time. They had a small following fifteen years ago and crept up in value. The MSRP was around $45k, my Z3 Coupe's MSRP was $40k. The cars brand new were a sales failure. Original owners who sold theirs often lost a lot of money. Apparently many who insist on only considering garage queens ignore cars that have been driven. That seems like a BMW. Porsche owners tend to put miles on theirs. I think a lot of people don't realize how soft the market was. I was tempted to pick up a 996 when they were available in the low teens but decided not to add to or sell my Coupe. Still happy with that decision... Coupes are pretty unique IRL and that era 911 was pretty run of the mill around here. I did come close to pulling the trigger on an early Cayman S for well under $20k. Those days are gone now, maybe not for good though. Patience can pay off.
@@Brad5161 That's kind of my point. Like you said a half way decent S54 car was never below $25k and S52's were high teens. Look at E36 and E46 M3's by comparison, they were a lot cheaper during the same time frame. When a high milage S52 M coupe was $15,000 you could grab a E36 M3 automatic for less than half of that. Most BMW products from the late 90's and early 2000's depreciated into oblivion, and original owners of most M Cars lose a lot of money when it comes time to sell. I was always waiting for the day the M Coupe suffered similarly and one could be had for $10k but that day never came. It's a cool little car with a cool story and there are too many people out there that shared the same opinion for it to have ever reached that mark. I think you made the right decision to pass on the 996 and keep the M Coupe. A 996 is a great sports car but nothing as rare or special as the M Coupe and I say that as a 911 owner.
@@KyleOAAA You're right, other BMWs depreciated more during that time, I guess the way I'm looking at it is if I was an original owner and my $45k car was worth $20k four or five years later I would not be happy. Even five years ago it wasn't clear that there'd be this much of an upturn. It was tempting not to pick up a couple more at their most affordable prices. I've talked to people who seem to think that money is somehow different depending on what you spend it on. So a $30k Camry wouldn't be seen as as expensive a purchase as a $20k Coupe. That's why I let original owners take the depreciation hit and I buy used. Saved me a ton of money on several cars. There was a time when you could find S52 cars in the mid to low teens... typically rode hard and put away wet. My Z3 Coupe had some miles but was in great shape, not abused and I didn't go crazy with the mods. Dropped it with Eibachs, larger staggered SSR GT3 style wheels, Magnaflow muffler and it's a real head turner because the basic lines were already there.
The S50B30 and S50B32 are the "euro" M3 engines, not the 3.0 and 3.2 versions of the 328 2.8 straight six, which didn't have individual throttle bodies and both made 240hp, the 3.2 making slightly more torque. This is because the American market wouldn't pay enough for the proper engine, sadly. The S50B30 and S50B32 made 280hp and 320hp respectively. I had a Dakar Gelb (yellow) S50B30 3.0 coupe with advanced inlet cam and an M3R chip, and replaced all the bushes and suspension parts using polyurethane and M3 control arms orders from America because they were cheaper than from countries where the E36 M3 is worth more. It was glorious. The story of the 15 M3R S50B30 coupes ordered for an Australian racer to compete with making it the rarest BMW is an interesting read. In 2014 an M3R won the production championship at Bathhurst against 6 litre V8 Holden Commodores and Lotuses
These are neat little cars. I remember the first time I saw one in Atlanta when I was teen back in 1999. A black guy in a business suit was driving it down Courtland street by the Hilton with the sunroof open and I nearly broke my neck trying to keep that magnificent looking Le Mans blue beauty in my sight as it disappeared into downtown.
I still remember the Motor trend article about this car when it first came out. The analogy they used was, "Dance 10, looks 3", which was a reference to the musical, "A Chorus Line"... Can't remember if Peter Egan, Angus Mackenzie or Ed Loh wrote it.
I have an extremely personal relationship with the Z3. I learned to drive manual on my grandpa's '96 1.9L and he made me a deal to graduate top 10 in my high school class and he would gift me the car. I made #3 and loved the car for years, but eventually I had to get something with rear seats and a roof that didn't leak in the Florida rain. If I ever hit that Powerball, an M coupe is going to be my first purchase
Rob is AWESOME! Reading Ran When Parked changed my life, and started my journey of getting into older cars instead of modern ones. I'm currently working on a '86 Gti, and it's directly related to Rob's wisdom, stories, and excitement for older machinery.
I saw one of these in washington dc in 2000 on a busy weekend night. It was silver like this one. I thought wow that is just fugly. Then saw the license plate...CEO STYLE. Dude thought he was so cool.
Bread van is the official term I believe. The euro versions had more power across the board but all of them unzip their boot floors just like their 3 series conterparts.
I watched this just because of Magnus Walker. Quite the entertaining character who generally knows his stuff. Especially Porsche and I’m not really a Porsche or a BMW guy, who’s primary involvement with those brands has been watching Corvette Racing beat them on a fairly regular basis over the past 20 years. Take no prisoners Jake.
Son bought a Z4 M Coupe. Non-grenading engine. He let me take a spin chasing me in my 997 GTS. It’s a sweet ride. Like the form better than “Clown” version. The utility is awesome. I had my cart bag and he his Ping stand up bag. They fit in the boot. Makes delicious noises when hustled. She’s a “keep’r”. Agree “M Coup’s are kind of a big thing”.
There's a mistake in the explanation about engines : the video talks about the S52 engine while showing a picture of a S50 engine, together with German M3's... The S52 was a US only, pretty sad engine compared to the original S50 from the European cars that came on the E36 M3 and the Z3's. In the world outside the US, the S54 in the M Coupe brought nothing to the car as it is having pretty much the same power output as the S50B32 (325 instead of 321).
Loved seeing the Rt. 202 chute. I grew up out that way and have driven that road countless times in all types of cars. I also kinda of like the BMW - Funky and cool.
I'm gonna go ahead and agree with half the comments here saying that this already was the big thing a little while ago, but it's still really cool. I find it's a bit funny how prices for cars that are truly enjoyable to drive keep soaring as we're currently losing out on some of the authentic driving experience in our modern cars. It really does sound like there is an incentive for automakers today to build the absolute most enjoyable driving machine to cater to that market. This is why I really don't think the manual trans is going to be lost any time soon. Mind you, the biggest hurdle will be the electrification of our cars which I hope automakers will be given just a tad bit of leniency for the fun cars so they can continue to innovate and deliver some more gas-power manual cars in an electric future.
I had the same MOMO shift knob in my Mazda MX-6 he has in that coupe. Eventually I wore the leather off of it and bought a solid round metal MOMO knob which was a bad idea living in Alabama. It would get real hot.
Black or red exterior color, Black or red interior, some good polishing job and clear coat, some Dark Gray or Black new wheels and that is one of the most beautiful and creative cars.
Dear Mr Walker, Please, PLEASE stop telling people that my all-time favorite cars are The Next Big Things... at least until I buy them. First E39 M5, now this... Prices are already creeping up. Let's just keep it between ourselves for now and not talk about how awesome these cars are, ok? Thank you.
I love these car nuts with long, or VERY long hair! I also like the fact that they're Bostonians, because I live near Boston, a very tough place to own classic cars, because of salt on the winter roads. I'm guess I'm going to have to buy a beater to drive in the winter, so I can preserve my mint '97 Miata and (now, since I drove it in the winter) near mint '13 BMW 128i. Cars were not cool in my milieu in the 70s and 80s, but I guess I'm a car guy!
Not long after this car was released top shelf tuning company in South Africa called RGM Motorsport did a supercharger conversion on the M Coupe, drove one with an added NOS kit many years ago...that thing was THE Devil in a BMW skin!
This is Rob Siegel, the other guy in the video. The comments that M Coupes are $50k are a bit misleading. Certainly low-mileage need-nothing 2001 and 2002 S54 M Coupes fetch those numbers and higher on Bring a Trailer, but driver-quality 100k to 150k S52 cars like mine are much more affordable, more like in the $20k to $30k range depending on color and condition. The S52 doesn't have the ferocity of the S54 at high RPM, but it is still right quick. If you want a clownshoe, as the expression goes, don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
Well - as you can see well when magnus sits inside - just not enough head space so I (6f2) never bought one. My recommendation is the e36compact with the 6 cylinder engine. Better seating position - lot of space - fast enough even for german autoroads and hillclimbs in Austria and Switzerland. probably not as stylish but a fraction of the M-coupes price tag. cheers
DUN (like everyone else said). In 2011, I sold my 1998 (therefore, only S52) Estoril Blue M Coupe with 72k in 2011, which was in just good (not in near mint or anything), for $24,000 after buying the car for $25,500 in 2006. Basically, besides insurance and routine maintenance/wear and tear parts, the car was free due its classic status. This guy doesn’t even know model years and this car has been going up in value FOREVER and everyone knew because of its small build numbers, super unique looks,
I have BMW's w the S52 and S54 engine. While both are great engines, I drive the S52 the most. Nothing wrong with the S54. But the S52 engines are so engaging, easy to maintain, and pair so well with the ultra smooth ZF transmission. The S54 came with the 6 Speed Getrag trans, which is nice, but it is a bit more on the notchy side. Not bad, but not as smooth and easy to row through the gears as the ZF. Overall great engines!
I always loved the Clown shoe. When I worked at Lexus of Marin in 2006, our service manager bought the one that came in on trade. It was MINT and she paid like $6k for it !!!
Theres no way... These were not cheap even in 06. These were just about to begin their rise to collectable status. I saw the same dudes who traded muscle cars around for money, looking and fawning over these. Maybe that lady got a hell of a deal, because these were far from cheap when I was a teenager
Believe it or not, that exact clown shoe BMW is my grandpa's old car. He sold it around 2007 I think, and he recently saw this video and recognized it. A lot of the details are the same.
Not sure where that idea comes from, what is a regular guy's budget? And what do you think they're selling for? People say stuff like this as if they're all low mileage S54 cars. With patience good deals can still be found.
I have a Imolia red/tan ostrich interior S52 over here in Grand Rapids "better than new", with 50,000 miles, TC Kilne/Bilstein suspension (Could not believe how mushy factory M suspension was coming from a prepped GTI) and the old Eurosport cam kit/Supersprint full header/de-cat/exhaust. Runs as it should have before de-smogging for USA. I'll lookup Detroit CCA and take a look at joining.
I must have misread the title of this series I thought it said the next big thing not Captain obvious. Next episode Honda S2000 followed by the fox body mustang these are cars are already skyrocketing in price. Tell us the hidden gems, shock us and say Lincoln towncar
I had a 2000 a few years ago. 156k miles. Drove it from Austin to Denver & back just 9 days after buying it. I miss how that car drove, but if something went wrong it would’ve been very expensive to fix. & I had a bad experience with the guy I both bought it from, & sold it back to.
Tons of parts available for clownshoes. The benefit of being a parts bin car. For example, I replaced the MAF in mine for $17 a couple of years ago. Five minutes to swap.
@@Brad5161 Nice name. I am also Brad. True, but I was speaking in terms of more serous engine issues, whether it be VANOS, valve train, or maybe the transmission, electrical, rear subframe, etc… & the interior on mine had seen better days. Overall for me, it was too expensive for long-term ownership. If I were to have another in the future, I would start with project & build it up.
People overlook the roadster though. The roadster is much more stylish and the engine sounds really good with the roof off. And everyone who has driven both a 911 and an M Roadster/Coupe says that the BMW is better. In addition, there are not 2 different versions, there are 3 versions. Because Europe got the S50 from the M3 Evo instead of the S52
The M Coupe is averaging about $50k on the used market right now. About $5 k more than what they were new. I think it's safe to say that these are well passed the "next big thing".
I guess that makes the M Coupe the “next big thing” for car collectors, not average Joes…those that usually spend upwards of 6-figures on a new toy.
Well kept S54s go for that usually. S52s like this typically go for around $30k
Not for the S52, in general. It would have to be a very rare color (i.e. Evergreen, Oxford Green, Steel Gray or Bright Red), extremely low miles and in pristine condition. None of these describe the car shown.
@@fmonk true
@@fmonk As you said. I have a "bright" Imolia red--but with the tan "ostrich" leather with 50,000 miles which MAY be a more rare example. It is funny how something like interior leather color can change the value LOTS.
I wonder if they filmed this series 5 years ago and just didn't release it. Because almost every episode is on a car that has already seen a significant increase in value.
All these car channels are doing the same thing. Donut Media is especially a huge offender with helping drive prices up. “The 240sx and E36’s are cheap drift cars you can thrash and not feel bad about wrecking”. Get bent, Donut.
They are out of touch.
@@HawaiianKong I got less than halfway through one episode of Donut’s videos before realizing I can’t stand that style of videography and turning it off.
@@samsonian Donut Media is a car channel for kindergarteners
@@HawaiianKong Donut is pretty cringe that's for sure.
Magnus excelled at cutting Rob off mid sentence, dominating the conversation, and making Rob cringe as he wringed out his M Coupe to 6k RPMs. How about giving Rob the program, he's more interesting and likeable?
@@bponthemove-photography3012 Came here to say this.
@@itstheterranaut I have been trying to reach you to talk to you about your car's extended warranty
@@bponthemove-photography3012 :) :) :)
LMAO usually I love your content Hagerty but jesus christ this car WAS the next big thing like 15 years ago.
Were these ever cheap? Because even in the late 2000s, these were coveted more than any M3, at east where I grew up. These were extremely rare when I was growing up.
@@joshuakhaos4451 I've owned 13 BMW so far in my life and yes these boots have always been coveted from the get go. And no I have never owned one i think they are grotesque lol
@@joshuakhaos4451 Yes, they were far more affordable until recently. Finding an S52 in the teens with some miles was easy. The non-M Coupes could be found for less than $10k. I've owned a Z3 Coupe for 15 years and have often been tempted to pick up another Coupe because they often turned up at very attractive prices.
@@geemanbmw They are polarising. I love the way mine looks.
I bought my Imolia Red with tan "ostrich" interior and just 13,000 mile for $25,000 in 2005. It is worth maybe $30,000 now with 50,000 miles.
Please no, the prices of these cars are already astronomical
You can find a good, used S52 for around 24-26k, depending on color and miles, etc. I got mine for 19 a year ago with 90k miles.
The highest prices are for garage queens. Most seem to stay that way, which is a shame. I've put a lot of miles on mine... I bought it to enjoy it, not wipe it off and keep it for the next guy.
This is because they only made a matter of Thousands of these Z3M Coupes... And there's hundreds in the USA. Good Luck, BMW fans
@@VersanGetryx $19K for a BMW with 90k miles? Good luck with that.
@@truantray What do you mean Good luck? I did it and mine had no issues, so can others.. maybe not in the current market though. It was an S52 motor, not S54. These cars are reliable and all the known issues are well-documented and easily worked on, all parts accessible.
“The next big thing” is already priced out of the average guy’s wallet
The secret to making money on these things is to buy them before the price goes way up.
This was the next big thing 3-5 years ago. I remember seeing S54 ones floating around for 15k and not selling. All of a sudden the prices skyrocketed.
@@lukathegarlic it doesn't bum me out TOO much -- I was never going to buy one. It also means that my E36 M3 is now worth way more than the $5500 I paid for it 10 years ago
@@HawaiianKong I have to be honest: my dream was the e46 m3 and I saved towards it and bought it 4 years ago. Today I would swap my M3 for a Z3M S54 coupe in a heartbeat. Z3 platform, especially old-school semi-trailing-arm rear suspension is much more engaging to drive, more raw and pure compared to the newer ones, but also less refined. It's definitely more of a driver's car than the E46 is.
These journalists aren't average people.
I’m in the minority but I’ve always preferred the S52 over the S54. The S52 is creamy smooth and sonorous whereas the S54 is blatty and corse sounding. 315 hp is better than 240 hp but the latter is plenty powerful enough.
Having driven both, I couldn’t tell much of a difference between the two. Also considering an s54 costs almost twice as much, I’m perfectly happy with my s52 m coupe
People who "drive" these on paper would probably disagree. Likely many of the same who'd recommend not even considering non-M versions. The internet's full of bad advice.
I agree, owned E46 M3 and now '99 M Coupe with S52 - the torque curves are almost the same to 4500 rpm and the Coupe is lighter anyway to make up for it. S52s always sound good. Also no need for valve adjustments or VANOS fixes...
Worth pointing out that the Euro spec Z3M Coupe has the S50 engine which develops about 320bhp. The extra torque of the last two years' S54 is noticeable but they are not without their problems, esp. bearing shells...
Was already pricey … now its in uffff nvm territory - ty again magnus
I've been following Rob's column for a while I'm so happy to see this here!
The open top Z3 suffered from quite some body flex due to being based on a mixture of E36 and E30 architecture. Adding the roof increased torsional rigidity by a factor of 2.6 which puts it in a whole different category handling-wise.
M3 Z Roadster still fun, small & lightweight, used to call it when Cobra met rollerskate.
I have owned a 97 BMW Z3 1.9L for five years. If you’re saying the Z3M handles better than that by almost 3 times, that’s insane! The Z3 chassis paired with BMW’s legendary perfect steering has been one of the best handling cars i have ever driven, and I rent a lot of sports cars for fun. My Z3 isn’t the most comfortable car ever made, but when that roof comes down and put on my Hotline Miami playlist, I feel like a millionaire
i look forward to test driving a Z3M 😍 I’m also wishing my 1.9L M44 engine would die, but at 160K miles, the baby still purrs with preventative maintenance 👌🏽
I had a 2001 with the S54 engine, black in black with tinted windows, wheels and exhaust. Turned heads where ever I went. Most common question, “what is jt”. Everyone shocked its was a BMW. Mine went way in value so I sold it, but I should have kept it
The weird thing is for me almost every kid under 10 yells "cooollll caaaaaarrrr". I always give them a thumbs up. It's much rarer for adults to say anything but usually the kiddos want to see it up close. Second to that is teenagers.
i had a 3.0i z3 coupe before my m coupe and it was funny how i also got the "what is it? who makes that??" questions at red lights while they were beside the car. Keep in mind the non m models had full sized bmw logos right on the side of the car lmao.
@@TR4G It's a funny question when you consider how many BMW logos are on the car:
Hood
hatch
two side grills
four wheel center caps
Eight full sized BMW logos. Subtle.
I've had people of all ages approach me, the coolest was a tricked out X5 M version driver that tracked me down on the interstate, followed me to a gas station and got pics of my car, with and without his car. Nice guy, very cool car.
The rare Laguna Seca Blue Z3mC is my dream spec…..
I hung on Rob's every single word from his columns. One of my role models and I truly admire him. Glad to see he's still doing his hack mechanic thing!
This was my dream car back then due to it's uniqueness. Got to sit in a new one on the showroom floor and the cabin hugged you perfectly.
Awesome reference to 202 BTW. Route 2 to 202 was my old route from eastern mass to UMass
I so love Rob Siegel! From my early BMW days, the Hack mechanic was the best column for me in Roundel Magazine, which I stole from the local BMW independant service shop until I could afford a membership! Rob tought me (and gave me the courage to) change out a master cylinder in my E21 in the 80's, as well as so setting K-Jet with a 3mm tool and other fantabulous tuning tasks for the M10. Plus...Code Monkey. He gave me that....
I’ve ALWAYS LOVED the M Coupe. To those who are just coming around now... bug off!!! Lol
I second that!
I loved my regular Z3 Coupe! The front bumper could have used a few styling improvements to match the fat rear end, but how can you not love a RWD hatchback with a manual?!
Good to see Rob, and hear him... Funny as I'm finishing his excellent book (collection of all hack mechanic columns)
I think this car is a good example of how something can be cool and ugly at the same time, they do grow on you and if I could fit my big 6 foot three self into one comfortably I would definitely on one, and possibly with the second criteria being that I would need to know a good independent BMW mechanic because that era of BMW was not known for fantastic long-term reliability.
So happy Gandolf found a new hobby
I'm a coupe guy.
But always loved the M Coupe since its inception, quircky brute attractiveness to it.
It's called the clown shoe for a good reason.
Everyone always complains that now the cars are going to go up in value. All the people who were going to buy one already knew about them
These have been coveted since I was in high school, which was 10-15 years ago
@@joshuakhaos4451 exactly no surprise... move on people nothing to see here
Quite an an interesting taste this hack guy has, but I'll be honest, there is some sort of charm in this BMW!
Hack?
@@astronmr20 yeah the guy he's interviewing goes by the hack mechanic
Great to see Rob and his cars on the channel! The Clown Shoe is a love-it-or-hate-it thing among the BMW crowd (count me as a hearty "Love it!")
Magnus is a legend and its only a UA-cam comment, but I wasn't convinced with his presentation. The video was dry and quite unconvincing despite the specialness of that car. Our car world has become so played out with all these videos and talks about everyone knowing what's going on
i feel like a solid quarter of the video isnt even about the m coupe lmao
S50 for the EU spec version with 321 HP, while the EU S54, had 325 (I owned an S54 for 9 years). The S52 was never available in the M Coupe, here in EU.
Spot on. The S50 was arguably the better car from in factory spec. The S54 was deliberately detuned from factory so it didn't smoke the then-new E46 M3. It was easily fixed with a tune though. We ran an S50 coupe as a race car for a few years, what a car!
@@steve_troy I sampled a Stock EU S50 (a friend had one) before I went after the S54. I got the impression that the S50 was even smother, thru the rev range but a little less aggressive at the top end. The difference in power was not disceneable...well maybe when doing in gear accelearations but otherwise, not much in it.
Great video, starting with that beautiful 3.0CSi!
I have my eyes on it for 20 years or so and never got the chance to buy one. That Z3 is definitely the next big thing
Love the s52 clownshoe. Great car and very reliable and plenty quick.
Kept waiting for the scene where you two got pulled over.....should release it as an outtake! Great Content and Rob Seigel FTW!
In 99 I loved the BMW 3. I bought an 87 Porsche 911 instead. Still have it, still love it!
Mechanically it’s a BMW greatest hits. Behind the windshield it’s an E30 M3. In front it’s an E36 M3, and in 2001/02, you get the E46 M3 engine. The first 3 M3’s wrapped up into 1 wacky looking coupe.
I have a 99' manual z3 coupe and you would have to pry it from my cold dead hands. I love everything about it!
I actually appreciate the fact that all the cars they feature have appreciated, gives the regular car enthusiast a chance to go after whatever hasnt.
This is great, i live literally a block away. I had known i would have love to meet Magnus and show him my 72 Alfa Gt veloce and my 4C! I have seen the Europa and the 2002 countless times and even spoke to the owner! Pretty cool!!
BMW Z4M Coupe E85 would now be a relevant "next big thing" as well
I've always liked these and wondered why many others didn't. I would get it with either engine and enjoy the drive. Thank you for raising the value of these. LOL.
First saw this car at the driving range hitting golf balls in the early 2000’s. It was love at first site! Loved how the back end squatted down and that it had just enough room for a set of clubs…a totally selfish & impractical car…Bucket List! Would love to get one when I retire in two years, throw in a set of clubs and drive around the country hitting my Golf Course Bucket List!
Allways been a clown show fan.
Good to see some others still love it too
This car has always been a thing. They never depreciated the way other BMWs, especially //M cars did. I’ve wanted and watched them from the beginning.
Simply not true. There was heavy depreciation. When I started looking in 2005 S52's could easily be found in the high teens and S54's for around $25k and stayed that way for a long time. They had a small following fifteen years ago and crept up in value. The MSRP was around $45k, my Z3 Coupe's MSRP was $40k. The cars brand new were a sales failure. Original owners who sold theirs often lost a lot of money.
Apparently many who insist on only considering garage queens ignore cars that have been driven. That seems like a BMW. Porsche owners tend to put miles on theirs.
I think a lot of people don't realize how soft the market was. I was tempted to pick up a 996 when they were available in the low teens but decided not to add to or sell my Coupe. Still happy with that decision... Coupes are pretty unique IRL and that era 911 was pretty run of the mill around here. I did come close to pulling the trigger on an early Cayman S for well under $20k. Those days are gone now, maybe not for good though. Patience can pay off.
@@Brad5161 That's kind of my point. Like you said a half way decent S54 car was never below $25k and S52's were high teens. Look at E36 and E46 M3's by comparison, they were a lot cheaper during the same time frame. When a high milage S52 M coupe was $15,000 you could grab a E36 M3 automatic for less than half of that.
Most BMW products from the late 90's and early 2000's depreciated into oblivion, and original owners of most M Cars lose a lot of money when it comes time to sell. I was always waiting for the day the M Coupe suffered similarly and one could be had for $10k but that day never came. It's a cool little car with a cool story and there are too many people out there that shared the same opinion for it to have ever reached that mark.
I think you made the right decision to pass on the 996 and keep the M Coupe. A 996 is a great sports car but nothing as rare or special as the M Coupe and I say that as a 911 owner.
@@KyleOAAA You're right, other BMWs depreciated more during that time, I guess the way I'm looking at it is if I was an original owner and my $45k car was worth $20k four or five years later I would not be happy. Even five years ago it wasn't clear that there'd be this much of an upturn. It was tempting not to pick up a couple more at their most affordable prices. I've talked to people who seem to think that money is somehow different depending on what you spend it on. So a $30k Camry wouldn't be seen as as expensive a purchase as a $20k Coupe.
That's why I let original owners take the depreciation hit and I buy used. Saved me a ton of money on several cars.
There was a time when you could find S52 cars in the mid to low teens... typically rode hard and put away wet. My Z3 Coupe had some miles but was in great shape, not abused and I didn't go crazy with the mods. Dropped it with Eibachs, larger staggered SSR GT3 style wheels, Magnaflow muffler and it's a real head turner because the basic lines were already there.
The Hack Mechanic! What a great series you have here.. anxiously awaiting every episode. Keep it up!
The S50B30 and S50B32 are the "euro" M3 engines, not the 3.0 and 3.2 versions of the 328 2.8 straight six, which didn't have individual throttle bodies and both made 240hp, the 3.2 making slightly more torque.
This is because the American market wouldn't pay enough for the proper engine, sadly.
The S50B30 and S50B32 made 280hp and 320hp respectively.
I had a Dakar Gelb (yellow) S50B30 3.0 coupe with advanced inlet cam and an M3R chip, and replaced all the bushes and suspension parts using polyurethane and M3 control arms orders from America because they were cheaper than from countries where the E36 M3 is worth more.
It was glorious.
The story of the 15 M3R S50B30 coupes ordered for an Australian racer to compete with making it the rarest BMW is an interesting read.
In 2014 an M3R won the production championship at Bathhurst against 6 litre V8 Holden Commodores and Lotuses
These are neat little cars. I remember the first time I saw one in Atlanta when I was teen back in 1999. A black guy in a business suit was driving it down Courtland street by the Hilton with the sunroof open and I nearly broke my neck trying to keep that magnificent looking Le Mans blue beauty in my sight as it disappeared into downtown.
I still remember the Motor trend article about this car when it first came out. The analogy they used was, "Dance 10, looks 3", which was a reference to the musical, "A Chorus Line"... Can't remember if Peter Egan, Angus Mackenzie or Ed Loh wrote it.
WHOOoaaaa I must have missed this episode of my friend Rob the "Hack" Mechanic.
I have an extremely personal relationship with the Z3. I learned to drive manual on my grandpa's '96 1.9L and he made me a deal to graduate top 10 in my high school class and he would gift me the car. I made #3 and loved the car for years, but eventually I had to get something with rear seats and a roof that didn't leak in the Florida rain. If I ever hit that Powerball, an M coupe is going to be my first purchase
Rob is AWESOME! Reading Ran When Parked changed my life, and started my journey of getting into older cars instead of modern ones. I'm currently working on a '86 Gti, and it's directly related to Rob's wisdom, stories, and excitement for older machinery.
I saw one of these in washington dc in 2000 on a busy weekend night. It was silver like this one. I thought wow that is just fugly. Then saw the license plate...CEO STYLE. Dude thought he was so cool.
Bread van is the official term I believe. The euro versions had more power across the board but all of them unzip their boot floors just like their 3 series conterparts.
the final years of the Z3 M in the states got the real deal s54
lol
Magnus, you're from Sheffield mate. It's a "Zed Three", not a Zee Three".
I watched this just because of Magnus Walker. Quite the entertaining character who generally knows his stuff. Especially Porsche and I’m not really a Porsche or a BMW guy, who’s primary involvement with those brands has been watching Corvette Racing beat them on a fairly regular basis over the past 20 years. Take no prisoners Jake.
Son bought a Z4 M Coupe. Non-grenading engine. He let me take a spin chasing me in my 997 GTS. It’s a sweet ride. Like the form better than “Clown” version. The utility is awesome. I had my cart bag and he his Ping stand up bag. They fit in the boot. Makes delicious noises when hustled. She’s a “keep’r”. Agree “M Coup’s are kind of a big thing”.
Being picky, the photos are of the Euro S50 321bhp engine and then the 360bhp M3 CSL engine (with carbon airbox), not S52 and regular S54.
These videos are great. I'd love to see Mr Walker review a Honda S2000. Those seem to be "the next big thing". That would be an interesting video.
I’ve always thought this was one of the best looking cars ever. Love them!
ROBBBBB!!!!
So cool to see you and Magnus together. Awesome
There's a mistake in the explanation about engines : the video talks about the S52 engine while showing a picture of a S50 engine, together with German M3's... The S52 was a US only, pretty sad engine compared to the original S50 from the European cars that came on the E36 M3 and the Z3's. In the world outside the US, the S54 in the M Coupe brought nothing to the car as it is having pretty much the same power output as the S50B32 (325 instead of 321).
First time I saw that at the unveiling at Lime Rock...
Loved it.
still need a 80's 911 and one of these...
Good video, thanks for showing us some love. Those that know, know
Loved seeing the Rt. 202 chute. I grew up out that way and have driven that road countless times in all types of cars. I also kinda of like the BMW - Funky and cool.
Always loved these. I'm a sucker for the shooting brake design.
I'm gonna go ahead and agree with half the comments here saying that this already was the big thing a little while ago, but it's still really cool.
I find it's a bit funny how prices for cars that are truly enjoyable to drive keep soaring as we're currently losing out on some of the authentic driving experience in our modern cars. It really does sound like there is an incentive for automakers today to build the absolute most enjoyable driving machine to cater to that market. This is why I really don't think the manual trans is going to be lost any time soon. Mind you, the biggest hurdle will be the electrification of our cars which I hope automakers will be given just a tad bit of leniency for the fun cars so they can continue to innovate and deliver some more gas-power manual cars in an electric future.
I had the same MOMO shift knob in my Mazda MX-6 he has in that coupe. Eventually I wore the leather off of it and bought a solid round metal MOMO knob which was a bad idea living in Alabama. It would get real hot.
I'm in love with the clown shoe, have 2 of them, one just a 2.8ltr auto for daily driver & a proper M coupe for track days, Rj in Oz
Black or red exterior color, Black or red interior, some good polishing job and clear coat, some Dark Gray or Black new wheels and that is one of the most beautiful and creative cars.
Dear Mr Walker,
Please, PLEASE stop telling people that my all-time favorite cars are The Next Big Things... at least until I buy them.
First E39 M5, now this... Prices are already creeping up. Let's just keep it between ourselves for now and not talk about how awesome these cars are, ok?
Thank you.
I love these car nuts with long, or VERY long hair! I also like the fact that they're Bostonians, because I live near Boston, a very tough place to own classic cars, because of salt on the winter roads. I'm guess I'm going to have to buy a beater to drive in the winter, so I can preserve my mint '97 Miata and (now, since I drove it in the winter) near mint '13 BMW 128i. Cars were not cool in my milieu in the 70s and 80s, but I guess I'm a car guy!
Agree with the reviews. Really enjoy my 2000 M Coupe that looks exactly like his 99.
I freaking love these. Found a nice example S54 with under 35k miles at a decent price.
This was my favorite BMW, I had one 20 years ago. I still miss it.
Not long after this car was released top shelf tuning company in South Africa called RGM Motorsport did a supercharger conversion on the M Coupe, drove one with an added NOS kit many years ago...that thing was THE Devil in a BMW skin!
This is Rob Siegel, the other guy in the video. The comments that M Coupes are $50k are a bit misleading. Certainly low-mileage need-nothing 2001 and 2002 S54 M Coupes fetch those numbers and higher on Bring a Trailer, but driver-quality 100k to 150k S52 cars like mine are much more affordable, more like in the $20k to $30k range depending on color and condition. The S52 doesn't have the ferocity of the S54 at high RPM, but it is still right quick. If you want a clownshoe, as the expression goes, don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
Really enjoyed this one. Car history is the best
Well - as you can see well when magnus sits inside - just not enough head space so I (6f2) never bought one. My recommendation is the e36compact with the 6 cylinder engine. Better seating position - lot of space - fast enough even for german autoroads and hillclimbs in Austria and Switzerland. probably not as stylish but a fraction of the M-coupes price tag. cheers
Remember when they first came out here in the UK. Loved them then and love them now. ZMCoupe 🤩
DUN (like everyone else said). In 2011, I sold my 1998 (therefore, only S52) Estoril Blue M Coupe with 72k in 2011, which was in just good (not in near mint or anything), for $24,000 after buying the car for $25,500 in 2006. Basically, besides insurance and routine maintenance/wear and tear parts, the car was free due its classic status.
This guy doesn’t even know model years and this car has been going up in value FOREVER and everyone knew because of its small build numbers, super unique looks,
I have BMW's w the S52 and S54 engine. While both are great engines, I drive the S52 the most. Nothing wrong with the S54. But the S52 engines are so engaging, easy to maintain, and pair so well with the ultra smooth ZF transmission. The S54 came with the 6 Speed Getrag trans, which is nice, but it is a bit more on the notchy side. Not bad, but not as smooth and easy to row through the gears as the ZF. Overall great engines!
Who cares what it looks like when every drive in it puts a smile on your face 😁
I always loved the Clown shoe. When I worked at Lexus of Marin in 2006, our service manager bought the one that came in on trade. It was MINT and she paid like $6k for it !!!
Theres no way... These were not cheap even in 06. These were just about to begin their rise to collectable status. I saw the same dudes who traded muscle cars around for money, looking and fawning over these. Maybe that lady got a hell of a deal, because these were far from cheap when I was a teenager
@@joshuakhaos4451 maybe it was non-M, automatic, 100k miles?
Believe it or not, that exact clown shoe BMW is my grandpa's old car. He sold it around 2007 I think, and he recently saw this video and recognized it. A lot of the details are the same.
My dream car!!! In Portugal, that car was never attainable. Still costs less than what it did new, but not by far. Oh well...
I kid you not, on my way back from the post office, I saw just one of these beauties. The exact color, year and everything!!
Scary stuff!
Cool, been waiting for this episode with the Hack Mechanic.
The interest in these cars kinda went and passed already. Now is just a pricey classic. Still cool, but no regular guy is buying one.
Theres one down the street from my job, its been on the lot for 3 months and has not moved. Their time was a decade ago
I bought one recently and I would consider myself regular. S52 models aren't that expensive depending on mileage etc.
Not sure where that idea comes from, what is a regular guy's budget? And what do you think they're selling for?
People say stuff like this as if they're all low mileage S54 cars. With patience good deals can still be found.
How about a re-do of this video in your home state of Michigan Hagerty. There are two far nicer S54 Coupes through the Motorcity CCA...
I have a Imolia red/tan ostrich interior S52 over here in Grand Rapids "better than new", with 50,000 miles, TC Kilne/Bilstein suspension (Could not believe how mushy factory M suspension was coming from a prepped GTI) and the old Eurosport cam kit/Supersprint full header/de-cat/exhaust. Runs as it should have before de-smogging for USA. I'll lookup Detroit CCA and take a look at joining.
Old is gold that car is the legecy of that word 💕💓😉😎
I read at one point that the M coupe was Michael Schumacher‘s daily driver.
Along with a 456 Ferrari. He loved the M BMWs. He also had a Bugatti EB110 SS
Mine is a 2.8 coupé M52 and it is great.
I've never seen you guys before in my life and if I seen you drive that car I would have thought you was for a rock band from the 70s awesome review
I must have misread the title of this series I thought it said the next big thing not Captain obvious. Next episode Honda S2000 followed by the fox body mustang these are cars are already skyrocketing in price.
Tell us the hidden gems, shock us and say Lincoln towncar
Most people know nothing about Coupes. More often than not when I'm out someone will approach me asking what it is.
Magnus was not at all enthusiastic about this M Coupe. But his genuineness is one thing I like about him.
He's not exactly excitable.
Love my 2000 M coupe, probably more than my 2015 911... :)
I have had my 2000 MCoupe for 13 years. This video is clueless about this car.
have same car/year. What's so clueless about this--genuinely interested.
I had a 2000 a few years ago. 156k miles.
Drove it from Austin to Denver & back just 9 days after buying it.
I miss how that car drove, but if something went wrong it would’ve been very expensive to fix.
& I had a bad experience with the guy I both bought it from, & sold it back to.
Tons of parts available for clownshoes. The benefit of being a parts bin car. For example, I replaced the MAF in mine for $17 a couple of years ago. Five minutes to swap.
@@Brad5161
Nice name. I am also Brad.
True, but I was speaking in terms of more serous engine issues, whether it be VANOS, valve train, or maybe the transmission, electrical, rear subframe, etc…
& the interior on mine had seen better days.
Overall for me, it was too expensive for long-term ownership.
If I were to have another in the future, I would start with project & build it up.
Yeee the Walnut Creek to LA trip had my laugh I do it almost every year 🙌
I saw this car first from salomondrin channel.
Great video by two of my favorite car guys. The clown shoe is unbelievable.
Speaking of e39 m5. I’m swapping the powertrain out from my 2000 m coupe with the s62 motor and getrag 6 speed from a 2001 m5 I just acquired.
Keep up the great content love this series
People overlook the roadster though. The roadster is much more stylish and the engine sounds really good with the roof off. And everyone who has driven both a 911 and an M Roadster/Coupe says that the BMW is better. In addition, there are not 2 different versions, there are 3 versions. Because Europe got the S50 from the M3 Evo instead of the S52
I have a 1999 S52 M-Roady. Not nearly as desirable as the clown shoe, but I like the convertible and it was a great value at $10K over 10 years ago.