It’s Christmas Eve here in the US and I hope you’ve got your holiday plans set and have your tree looking as fancy as possible when you decide to celebrate. Like many enthusiasts, I would like to take a road trip tomorrow in lieu of a white Christmas — although that honestly seems unlikely here in the Pacific Northwest. In any case, it’s the perfect time to celebrate one of the greatest gifts BMW has ever given an enthusiast: the BMW M Coupé. Or as you may know it, the “clown shoe.” And in fact, this particular shoe is my own 1999 BMW M Coupe.
About my BMW M Coupe
Never seen an M coupe? You’re not alone; My car-loving father also had no idea what he was seeing when I sent him pictures. In fact, some people probably won’t see an M coupe in their entire lives. After all, the car is exceptionally rare. My M Coupe is one of 1,076 cars manufactured in 1999; Only 2,858 cars were made for North America over the five model years (1998-2002). My M Coupé is painted “Boston Green” and is therefore one of 73 examples that were produced in total. Its dark beige Oregon upholstery – the most common upholstery choice for Boston Green cars – makes it one of 61. Being a US car, it comes with the S52 engine – a bit neutered compared to the Euro S50 or the later S54 engine that BMW fitted to the car – but a real treasure in its own right. Having previously owned an E36, I was largely happy with the purchase of the S52.
Experience as an M Coupé owner
While I was buying the car sight unseen, I was lucky enough to sit in another M Coupe for a short while (funnily enough, same spec). I looked at the local car because I was ready to buy but wasn’t sure about the seating position. A special feature of the M coupés is the fixed, non-adjustable steering wheel. Since it is also a two-seater, the seat adjustment options are limited. Anyway, driving leads me to the point I want to make. The M Coupe has the distinction of being the most striking car I’ve ever driven, let alone owned. I was waved off in traffic and approached in parking lots by curious onlookers – some who knew exactly what they were seeing, others who were desperate to find out.
Driving is not an exotic experience. However, there are a few differences that make the M Coupe feel a little “better” as a driver’s car compared to the standard E36. It’s lighter and has a shorter wheelbase, and both aspects are immediately apparent when you start driving the car. Less immediately obvious is the old E30-based rear suspension geometry; While the front suspension is made of E36 M3, the rear suspension is made exclusively of E30 semi-trailing arms. While this opens the door to takeoff oversteer – hardly a thought when piloting an E36 M3 – the car is quite capable of staying well planted through an apex. The interior is now much more cramped and generally perhaps a little louder than in an E36. However, the glass roof is a big win and helps alleviate claustrophobia.
I didn’t do much except drive. The coupé is not an everyday vehicle. So I’ve only put on a handful of miles in the five months I’ve owned it. I installed the car’s original radio, and a text message to a dealer friend gave me the code within a few minutes. There are no leaks at the moment, although the car could probably use a cooling system refresh. Probably a project for next year. It helps that the original owner serviced the car at a dealer for almost 20 years.
Why I bought an M Coupé
When I left my E46 M3, I was looking in two completely different directions: an N55-powered M2 or an E36 M3. Both would have been a return to familiar platforms. Then I noticed that the prices for M coupes weren’t too far off from those selling really nice E36 M3s. The decision to switch to an M Coupe was easy; I have loved them since I became aware of their existence. It’s different enough from the E36 to feel like something new. But familiar enough to be a known quantity thanks to the largely shared riding equipment.
So for the price of a well sorted, higher mileage E36 M3, I got myself an exponentially rarer car that runs… well, that’s what I’ll say. Better, although objectively it is more “different” than “better”. BMW (or any other automaker) will almost certainly never make anything like the M Coupe again. At least not for people in my tax bracket. The E36 3 Series was my introduction to BMW and has made me a lifelong fan of the brand. The coupe is a logical bookend.
Every day new cars deviate further from the natural demands and connectivity on the asphalt. But perhaps naively, I believe I have found the Holy Grail. For nearly three decades, the M Coupé’s distinctive proportions have been luring new fanatics to the church of the “clown shoe.” You will be hard-pressed to find a single specific model that has this kind of appeal. Within the BMW brand or elsewhere. Excellent driving dynamics don’t hurt either. Owning one is a gift and joy that transcends time, let alone season. If that isn’t timeless, I don’t know what is.
