I dont know if you have read any of the comparisons with the coupe v. the Cayman S, but you will see that they say the MCoupe is really brutal to handle at the limit, I can attest to that as it was wet out yesterday and I took the DSC off for a bit. Everything goes fine as long as you dont let it get past a certain angle of slide, then it starts to come around fast.

But there are some differences between the M3 and the Coupe powertrain. First off, the clutch is much loser and not as hard to push in as the hydraulic clutch in the M3 (I imagine the clutch in the Coupe is also hydraulic, but it has a big difference in resistance).

The shifter is shorter as well, I'm not sure if the throw is shorter but the shift knob is a tad shorter than the M3 and it makes a difference when shifting.

Second of all, the exhaust note is more throaty in the Coupe; I suppose since it is a smaller car, the exhaust baffles are a different design and therefore lose the famous 'rasp' of e46 M3s. On a side note, the exhaust should a bit louder because the cabin of the Coupe us open and will let the exhaust below reverberate into the cabin.

The handling is similar to the M3 as well, but its actually smoother. When you go over a dip in the road in the M3, the front dives down then the back; the M Coupe is more solid and the whole car drops equally. And there seems to be less body roll than the M3.

As for the engine, the M Coupe seems to be more responsive and crisp. You dip on the throttle and you get immediate response just like the M3, but you also get immediate response when you drop off the throttle. It's very quick responding. The car does feel like it is quicker as well because it's a small car, but it's hard to gauge since it's not broken in and I only went up to 5250rpm.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c14/Chaseisme/M%20Coupe/n14002867_30392073_7194.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c14/Chaseisme/M%20Coupe/n14002867_30392069_6013.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c14/Chaseisme/M%20Coupe/n14002867_30392070_6301.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c14/Chaseisme/M%20Coupe/n14002867_30392071_6621.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c14/Chaseisme/M%20Coupe/n1282410027_30030585_6394.jpg

Nice write up. :thumbsup:

Nice write up. Are the inside halos the only ones that turn on?

I thought they both come one, but I'd have to check.
Different lights work when the engine is shut off. So I'm guessing the outside halo will light up when the car is running.

Hellllllllllllllo

Hellllllllllllllo
Interesting first post.

Nice write up. Are the inside halos the only ones that turn on?

OK...I checked tonight and the inside halo is on when the driving lights is on,
The outside halo lights up when the low beams are on.
And they dont both turn on at the same time.

I'm thinking of selling my 2004 M3 Coupe and picking up an M Coupe Lease. What options did you get on yours, and which options do you regret or now wish you had? Thanks for your time.

I'm thinking of selling my 2004 M3 Coupe and picking up an M Coupe Lease. What options did you get on yours, and which options do you regret or now wish you had? Thanks for your time.
Sorry for the late response but...

This is not actually my car...it is my dad's but the options list on it follows...IIRC:
Sound package
Winter package

What is NOT on it:
Navigation system

What does not have options:
The wheels; the wheels only come in one style and one size, no wheel package like the 19inch package on the M3.

In short, the options list for the Coupe is very slim.

But if you do like a clean looking interior, stay away from the built in Nav system because it is the flip up kind ontop of the dash...IMO..it looks ugly.

The heated seats are awsome in winter (this car heats up incredibly quick because of the small cabin)

As for this car being a daily driver, the low seating position, only 2 seats, small cabin space, small trunk and difficulty of seeing out of the quarter-panel makes it a bit tough, but in all, it's a much more solid car than the M3 was.

Interesting first post.



:rofl2:

Thanks Chase. I'm much closer to buying a Cayman S right now than the M Coupe. I just like the looks and the driving position better. We'll see though, there's about a 10 grand difference!

thats a beautiful car man...the guy i bought my car from in the summer had just bought one of those

Good write up. Thanks! I am thinking of picking up a lease also with the recent incentives.