01 · Überblick
The car nobody wanted — except everyone
The M Coupé was developed half in secret: the M engineers wanted to drastically increase the torsional rigidity of the open M Roadster and fitted it with a fixed roof and fastback rear. The nickname ‘bread box’ stuck quickly — and the slow seller became one of the most sought-after BMWs of the nineties.
Until 2000, the S50B32 with 321 PS worked up front; after a pause, the S54 from the M3 E46 with 325 PS arrived from 2001 — today the most valuable version. In the US, the weaker S52 ran in parallel.
02 · Historie
Einordnung
- 1998 Market launch after internal persuasion — the Coupé was considered a gamble by the board.
- 2000 Production pause: the S50 is phased out, the S54 is integrated.
- 2001 Relaunch with the S54 and 325 PS — only around 1,100 cars are built.
- 2002 Ends with the model line; there was never a direct successor.
03 · In Detail
In Detail
Coupé ('bread box')
Fastback with tailgate, drastically stiffened at the rear — more dynamic to drive than the open M Roadster.
04 · Motoren
S50B32 / S54B32 geprüft
Until 2000, the 321 PS S50 from the M3 E36; from 2001, the 325 PS S54 from the M3 E46 — with its well-known rod bearing issues.
Technische Daten anzeigen
| Hubraum | 3.201 cm³ (S50) / 3.246 cm³ (S54) |
| Leistung | 321 PS or 325 PS |
| Drehmoment | 350 Nm (S50) / 354 Nm (S54) |
| US-Version | S52 with 240 hp (until 2000) |
| Getriebe | 5-speed manual |
Wikipedia EN, BMW Z3
05 · Technik
Technik
Hinterachse
06 · Kaufberatung
Buying Advice in Brief
S54 cars: rod bearing history. All: check the differential mount in the boot floor for cracks — the well-known weak point.
07 · Die Konkurrenz
Die Konkurrenz
Porsche Cayman (later)
The compact M Coupé concept remained without competition until the Cayman in 2005.
08 · Quellen