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David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
6/8/17 2:57 p.m.
feature_image

This one features some of our favorite things: more power, a funky body shape and those big flares. A friend of ours is selling it, too. We hate to see it leave, but we hope that it goes to another great home. He’s asking $17,000 for the supercharged 1999 BMW M coupe. How much would it cost to dupl…

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racerdave600
racerdave600 SuperDork
6/8/17 3:17 p.m.

I do need that!

Ed Higginbotham
Ed Higginbotham Associate Editor
6/8/17 3:24 p.m.

Yes you do.

captdownshift
captdownshift PowerDork
6/8/17 3:28 p.m.

I need that as well. That's a near perfect everyday sportscar for 20% of the cost of entry when compared to a Cayman. And as much as I love the Focus RS, I'd take this over one, even if the price were comparable.

xflowgolf
xflowgolf Dork
6/8/17 3:36 p.m.

Love these. Great package for the money there.

4cylndrfury
4cylndrfury MegaDork
6/8/17 3:46 p.m.

Oh...oh my...well, hello there

STM317
STM317 Dork
6/8/17 4:25 p.m.

Nothing tempts me to break my 'No German vehicles' rule quite like a clown shoe, and that seems like an excellent price for a nicely modified example, even if it's just 'driver' quality rather than a concours car. I see no way that that car can be anything but a good time. At least while you're driving it...

kabel
kabel Dork
6/8/17 4:39 p.m.

In reply to STM317: >>> It is a thrill to drive

mr2peak
mr2peak Dork
6/8/17 5:50 p.m.

I'm surprised that it still makes less power than an S54

Strike_Zero
Strike_Zero UltraDork
6/8/17 5:57 p.m.

Even Mrs. Zero is drooling over this . . .

MattW
MattW Reader
6/8/17 6:25 p.m.

I saw one not too long ago slithering it's way through highway traffic jam.

Classic lines.

Robbie
Robbie UberDork
6/8/17 7:05 p.m.

That thing is old enough to buy cigarettes and go to war.

JoeTR6
JoeTR6 HalfDork
6/8/17 7:32 p.m.

I want mine back, but with the supercharger. It's the only car I wish I hadn't sold.

kabel
kabel Dork
6/8/17 10:02 p.m.

In reply to mr2peak: strange right? but doing 130-135 approaching Sebring T17, it's all just fun :-) BUT that is kinda why I am looking to move to an E46 M3, 300+ hp NA.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
6/10/17 10:03 a.m.

So, anyone here buy it yet?

wspohn
wspohn HalfDork
6/10/17 11:53 a.m.

Only down 30 bhp and 2,000 rpm on the S54.....

Always liked the stubby brutish look of the Z3 coupes, but hate the black hood vents on that one.

buzzboy
buzzboy Reader
6/10/17 12:17 p.m.
mr2peak wrote: I'm surprised that it still makes less power than an S54

Less power, but a way broader and more usable torque curve. S52s aren't high revvng screamers like the S54 but the broad mid-range makes them way more fun for in town driving.

JoeTR6
JoeTR6 HalfDork
6/10/17 7:28 p.m.

In reply to buzzboy:

I believe the S52 was a more solid motor that was less likely to E36 M3 the bed. Plus, I prefer the sound of the S52 over the S54. Even in stock form, it could cook the oil and have cooling issues, but that can be addressed. I never wanted for more power with my '99 M Coupe. The low-end torque was fantastic.

kabel
kabel Dork
6/15/17 11:04 a.m.

The torque + the supercharger + the wide fitment make this car a thrill to drive. I know I will miss that. While I know a miata would be a more practical and efficient car for the occasional track and autocross weekends, I have been spoiled by the feeling of driving this car and I am trying to stay away from FI for a while.

Ricky Spanish
Ricky Spanish Reader
6/15/17 11:06 a.m.

These things can't even keep themselves straight with the stock engine - I can't imagine what driving this is like.

kabel
kabel Dork
6/16/17 11:56 a.m.

In reply to Ricky Spanish:

the 18" x 10.5" wheels with 285's on all four corners helps ;-)

Randy_Forbes
Randy_Forbes New Reader
7/7/17 7:40 a.m.

I just so happen to have a '99 M Coupe already, but mine uses a Eurosport Twinscrew Supercharger (positive displacement ) and I expect it has about 125 bhp more than my '01 M Rdstr (S-54 engine). The real glory of the ES/TS example is access to full boost, right off idle__no waiting for RPMs to build boost like with a centrifugal compressor.

I built this particular example for a customer in 2006, and had the opportunity to buy it for myself a few years ago. I recently just built a clone of it for another customer; same Estoril Blue paint, same ES/TS setup, even Racelogic traction control, like my own Coupe has.

killeen_john
killeen_john New Reader
7/7/17 8:53 a.m.

Master Yoda has spoken.

Nice to see you over here Randy.

racerdave600
racerdave600 SuperDork
7/7/17 10:46 a.m.

Someone please tell me this is not still for sale.

dyintorace
dyintorace PowerDork
7/7/17 11:15 a.m.

Love Estoril!

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