CD Article: 2006 BMW M Coupe

[CD_Editor]

First Drive:

A day of driving the new BMW M Coupe at Road America race track and on the country roads around Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin left Managing Editor Grant Yoxon with the impression that this attractive coupe "can provide the three-season driving enjoyment most enthusiasts desire." The $68,900 BMW M Coupé goes on sale in Canada in July.   More...

[The Mighty Duck]

Too much about the looks of the car...  we all know by now that this is entirely subjective.  That said, one good looking machine.  And with the M3 engine, well...

I might just have a new dream car candidate. 

[G0dspd]

That engine will get "old" real fast when the new M3 comes out.  A 400+ HP V8 (that mother is gonna fly) with a SMG 3 (one of the only paddle thingies I would consider) ...  now that's dream car material. 

Gotta to go buy some lottery tickets ... be back soon! 

[Wolfe]

Would the V8 of the upcoming M3 fit in the M coupe? Even if it did wouldn't the extra weight in the front compromise the balance and handling characteristics?

mmmmmm 3.2L Inline 6, six speed (we don't need no stinkin' paddles)   

When a car inspires you to go buy lottery tickets that's a good sign!

[tpl]

I think that the 6 cyl M engine is enough for this car and for the M roadster version... the Z4 chassis was designed around that long and slim 6 cylinder.  330bhp is plenty to get one locked up in some dank and unpleasant OPP cell

[Bullet Blue]

mmmmmm 3.2L Inline 6, six speed (we don't need no stinkin' paddles)   

  to that and to this awesome machine.

[safristi]

I don't see the "beauty" in it that Grant does...looks like a TVR somewhat and those colours UGH(other than that pewter/bronze ?? one)..there was an old Triumph that had that profile too (TR5??)  .....
          Yup the underpinnings are superb and it is $10K less than a Cayman...but ,personally If I was capable of buying in that stratosphere I'd PONY up fer the CAYMAN.........

   So Grant was in KOEHLER...looks like the weather was in the TOILET TOO!!!!!! .............time ta pull the plug on Bangle and let that baby out with the bathwater.........

[y2chuck]

Performace aside and, yes, looks are subjective, but that is gotta be one of the ugliest cars, inside and out, I've ever seen.  Viper meets batmobile with a Civic interior.....BLEEEEEEEECH.  Nice front end, horrible rear end and side profile.

If I was rich enough for that type of car, I'd pay the 15K premium for the Cayman S over that thing any day of the week.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

OMGosh, I'm in LOVE with this car! It is absolutely stunning and somewhat minimalist yet liveable. 

It looks great in all the colours, especially in the silver, brown (as you noted Saf), and red.

When I see one, I'm going to persuade the owner into giving me a ride.

[a4_tom]

M Coupe's pricing will get lots of Cayman 2.7 customers, even S ones when they are looking for better performance vs value ratio!

[AVToller]

Performace aside and, yes, looks are subjective, but that is gotta be one of the ugliest cars, inside and out, I've ever seen.  Viper meets batmobile with a Civic interior.....BLEEEEEEEECH.  Nice front end, horrible rear end and side profile.

If I was rich enough for that type of car, I'd pay the 15K premium for the Cayman S over that thing any day of the week.

  And here I thought I was the only one who didn't like the gross over-styling. 

[mdxtasy]

I think the M coupe is sexy...the Z4 does nothing for me.  I am still not a big fan of the front end, but the new back end in hatch format looks much more finished.

[Arthur Dent]

I don't see the "beauty" in it that Grant does...looks like a TVR somewhat and those colours UGH(other than that pewter/bronze ?? one)..there was an old Triumph that had that profile too (TR5??)  .....
          Yup the underpinnings are superb and it is $10K less than a Cayman...but ,personally If I was capable of buying in that stratosphere I'd PONY up fer the CAYMAN.........

   So Grant was in KOEHLER...looks like the weather was in the TOILET TOO!!!!!! .............time ta pull the plug on Bangle and let that baby out with the bathwater.........

GT6 you thinking of? BMW owns the Triumph name too.

[Oz]

I looked at the price and almost spat out my coffee. Damn!!

A winner for sure. I was iffy about the looks, but saw some more pictures. Its a very agreeable car. Some corporate climbing on Bay St and just maybe. 

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Also

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1147989015306&call_pageid=968867497088&col=969048871196

http://www.globeauto.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060525.wwh-mcoupe0524/GAStory/specialGlobeAuto/

http://www.globeauto.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060524.wwh-bmwdesign0524/GAStory/specialGlobeAuto

[safristi]

Ta ARFUR...yup the GT6......brain fartin' this a.m...I haven't had the requisite 5% alcohol in my FUEL......
  Cawfee beans..........................wot say U on the M3 Coupe?........vs wot the Vette the Cayman the Merc.......seems incredible the price they are arskink fer a wee sporty beast these days.....

[BJB]

YUCK, that has to be one of the ugliest cars on the road, just like the previous generation was, it looks odd, kinda like ace and gary's car from the SNL cartoons

[mrthompson]

 

[JSCC]

Mechanically the Z4 M Coupe will out run the base Cayman.
But for me I would still go for the Cayman as 1st choice, for both the looks and badge. 
2nd choice would be Elise.

Haven't seen the new TT in flesh yet, but if they put the 3.6L FSI VR6 with DSG for less than $60000, then that might be on the list too.

[Arthur Dent]

Ta ARFUR...yup the GT6......brain fartin' this a.m...I haven't had the requisite 5% alcohol in my FUEL......
  Cawfee beans..........................wot say U on the M3 Coupe?........vs wot the Vette the Cayman the Merc.......seems incredible the price they are arskink fer a wee sporty beast these days.....

I recommend an ethanol blend.

Impressive cars indeed but the prices asked are nutty. One has to wonder if the Germans will price themselves out of market like the Japanese did with their sports cars a decade ago.