Looking to buy an M Coupe. Want advise

kevjandon · 09-30-2004, 05:44 AM

This is long, but I'm looking for sound advise.

I found a 2000 M Coupe for Sale.

Dakkar Yellow with Black interior.

Original owner with only 9900 miles.

He's asking 33K.

I'm new to BMW land and know a little about the M coupes.

Questions:

1) Is this the right price? I know he'll go lower, I was thinking more like 30K. Is that an insult?

2) How rare is this Dakkar Yellow? He's telling me only 10 were made in 2000?

3) The car is now out of warranty and BMW will not sell me an extended warranty. Is this an issue? Does this car have many problems? He told me the only problems he's had is the rear electronic latch has been replaced twice under warranty.

4) I've read articles about the 2001 cars and how they got more HP. But they really didn't seem to get much more torque hence an 01/02 isn't really that much faster. Is it worth waiting for a nice 01/02? Do they hold their value any better? Are they really noticably faster?

Thanks for your help

jmillet · jmillet's Garage

Even though this 2000 M Coupe you are considering has extremely low miles on the odo it is overpriced at $33,000. I don't know what the market is in Tulsa but I can tell you that Seattle is a high priced place and this M Coupe would go for no more than $26,000 as a private party sale. Check out KBB, Edmunds, and NADA Guides for private party pricing in your ZIP code.
There are many TSB repairs covered on the 1999-2000 M Coupe but since this vehicle is out of warranty you are out of luck getting any of these items done for free.
So far I've had the fuel sending unit replaced to cure the erratic fuel gauge problem, the driver seat rails replaced, the rear sway bar links replaced, the hood insulation and fuel rail cover replaced, the engine management software modified to eliminate the cold start hesitation problem, valve installed in the rear window wiper washer system to eliminate fluid leaking, air conditioner compressor replaced, clutch pedal arm and bushings replaced to eliminate squeaking, guibo replaced due to cracking, transmission catch pins replaced per SIB 23 03 02.
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/z3-coupe/forum.php?postid=3325796
Here's a good fixit website: http://www.waycoolinc.com/z3/essentials/fixit/
http://www.edoghouse.com/cbishop/skin/bushing.htm Seat rail bushings.
I had the driver seat rails replaced under warranty then took the driver seat apart and installed Doug Whalen ABS bushings. I had the bushings but BMW wouldn't install them under warranty because they're not a BMW part.
Good general info
http://www.lumenique.com/Cars/mcoupe/mcoupe%20pg1.htm
I've got 70,000 miles on my 2000 M Coupe and it's going strong.

bmdublu · 01-11-2005, 10:41 AM

That's a lot of problems for a BMW to have so young. I've never heard anything like it. I was thinking of looking into one this summer and now I realize I should do more research. If I'm paying 25-30K for a car I don't want to have to fix until it's paid for.