[Mcrowl21]

Hey all,
I was just wondering how the Elise compares to an M-coupe? I am still planning on getting an Elise however it will not be for several months and i'm not sure i will be able to wait a year if i have to order. Always liked how the M-coupe looked, and i'd imagine it would be fairly close performance wise, what do ya guys think?
Thanks

Mike

 

[Surferjer]

M's are beautiful sedans. sedans. not exotic looking. I'd much rath go with the style and pizazz of the Elise, performance being close.

 

[Mcrowl21]

I'm talking about the '00-'02 M--Coupe.. like the M-roadster cept hard-top

 

[Evl]

My uncle has one of these... in something awful close to aztec bronze no less. regardless, from my little bit of experience in it, its an amazing car. I considered one along w/ the z4 (M{roadster,coupe} are still more fun than the z4) as a easier to acquire alternative to the elise, but I think for me it came down to the fact of having less weight making the elise more fun in the corners, so I decided it would be worth the wait.

 

[MickOpalak]

Last year at the Amelia Island Concourse I saw a red one with the license plate that read: 'BUTTUGLY' Really.

 

[Tpup]

Hey all,
I was just wondering how the Elise compares to an M-coupe? I am still planning on getting an Elise however it will not be for several months and i'm not sure i will be able to wait a year if i have to order. Always liked how the M-coupe looked, and i'd imagine it would be fairly close performance wise, what do ya guys think?
Thanks

Mike

Compaire in what way? I've tracked my Exige against M Coupes and was not impressed with them at all. Ugly and not very fast...

Roy

 

[Genjuro]

Funny you should ask. I am driving my old M coupe right now... which, when not at work, sits right next to my Elise. The guy that bought my coupe from me in Dec 03 is out of the country, and my payment for taking care of his cats for 2 months is driving my old 00' coupe. The initial thought is... damn the coupe is a huge floaty thing with a HUGE steering wheel. But in truth... I still would prefer to own both. The coupe is a great daily driver. The low end power of the coupe is always fun, and the car is a blast to drive. However, it doesn't even come close to the feeling of driving the Elise. The Elise is just so connected. Your senses are always receiving input as to what the car is doing.

I really miss my stereo in the coupe. I had replaced all the speakers with Boston Pro's, a rockford head unit, two JL Amps, and a 2 JL 8" subs in the back. The Elise on the other hand has a crappy stereo.

Just be warned, if you think the coupe was in any way impractical or uncomfortable.... the elise make the coupe look like a spacious mini-van.
The funny thing is that the design of the Elise actually allows me to stretch my legs out more than I even have been able to in the coupe.

In summary.. I still sold my coupe, and I'd do it again for the Elise.

 

[EdHahn]

Well, the Elise looks like a race car. The M-coupe looks like a racing shoe.

All you need is three stripes, or the Puma or Nike swoosh for the sides.



ed

 

[grudkin]

M's are not that fast on the track unless modified -- more if a 'point and squirt' muscle car than a sportscar. Also prone to engine failure, as I have personally experienced (s54's are well-known to grenade, but there are plenty of s52 failures too). I had a role in that, but I just dont think the cars are built well enough to be pushed

Consumer Report just out on reliability also has BMW among the worst manufacturers - they have fallen a long way since their peak.

Finally, my experiences with BMW customer service have been horrendous for the two cars I have owned. Frankly, they suck.

I will never buy another BMW product, and I'm back to tracking Porsches. It'll be interesting to see how the Elise fares on the track.

 

[Mcrowl21]

I have a fair amount of experience with BMW's.. its the only car my dad will buy (M's) have driven all the modern M's.. (except for the coupe/roadster lol).. only ever had 1 problem and it was the guy who sold him his M5.. just a dickweed salesperson.
My dad loves the sport+practicality of them.. i'm not too concerned about the practicality aspect.. I Definatly Want an Elise, but if there isn't one on the lot in several months when i am able to buy it, not sure i will physically be able to wait a year (am in the military, so don't know where i'll be etc.)

 

[Genjuro]

s52 failures? Really? I was tightly involved in the community for almost 4 years.. and I NEVER heard of an s52 failing. The only thing I've heard of is head gaskets leaking every now and then.
The s54 problem is pretty much known.

I'm lucky, my BMW dealer is great. I know most of the service department on a first name basis. One of the techs even works on my Honda for me afterhours.

 

[grudkin]

Look around on the net -- I found more than a few s52 failure stories

I know there are a lot of people who love their BMWs -- they are great for what they are, but my experiences have not been good

 

[Mcrowl21]

I think there was a recall in Germany.. people blowing up on the Autobahn.. but as far as i know it wasn't too serious in the states.

 

[Surferjer]

Well, the Elise looks like a race car. The M-coupe looks like a racing shoe.

rotfl rotfl rotfl

 

[LITEW8CRAZY]

A good friend of mine had a yellow M-Coupe. I'm barely 6'1" (170lbs) and I did NOT fit in the car. I couldn't find a comfortable seating position. I LOVE the car, but the interior room was lacking. I couldn't get the seat back far enough and to look out the side window, I had to tilt my head so I could look out the window and not at the roof meeting the door.
Also, there wasn't much grip with the stock 17" wheels. When going around a nice long sweeping turn, I'd feather the gas and instantly the ASR light would come on. (My friend also spun the car quite nicely into the grass doing about 65mph)
VERY smooth engine. You didn't even know you were reving it, only by watching the tach did you know.

If you fit, I think it could be fun. I definitely have more room in the Elise.

 

[shay2nak]

Well, the Elise looks like a race car. The M-coupe looks like a racing shoe.

All you need is three stripes, or the Puma or Nike swoosh for the sides.



ed

LOL. looks like a Batmobile to me.

 

[The Stig]

Apples and seedless grapes...

Elise = speed boat
M coupe = yacht

Ask majorboner (Scott)... he owns an S54 M coupe and a Elise.

Neil

 

[Mcrowl21]

ok, let me rephrase my question lol... What would be the next best thing to an Elise that I can buy from a dealer ect... for about 50k$ or less.. and i realize there is nothing close to the Elise but work with me a little lol

 

[Mcrowl21]

oh, forgot to add.. That is also good around the track.

 

[The Stig]

ok, let me rephrase my question lol... What would be the next best thing to an Elise that I can buy from a dealer ect... for about 50k$ or less.. and i realize there is nothing close to the Elise but work with me a little lol

Caterham 7... closest thing... IMO.
Or Mistu Evo 8

Neil