If you’re a fan of the E36/8 BMW M Coupe, you’re in luck this week. Here’s a Dakar Yellow example to compliment the Estoril Blue example we featured at the beginning of the week. This example comes to us from our reader Colby who is seeking a more practical daily driver. Many would balk at the idea of giving up an M Coupe, but with these cars squarely in the crosshairs of collectors and investors alike, using one on a daily basis is a consideration one doesn’t take too lightly these days. With under 60,000 miles on the clock, this is one that would certainly benefit from some preservation, but could be enjoyed regularly, as well.
Click for details: 2000 BMW M Coupe on M Coupe Buyers Guide
Year: 2000
Model: M Coupe
Engine: 3.2 liter inline-6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 55,040 mi
Price: $26,000
Well, after 2 and a half years of bliss, it’s time to part with my pride and joy. Ultimately, I don’t drive the car much at all, and if I’m going to own two cars, I’d like something a little newer and more comfortable that I’m not afraid to drive in cold temps, rain etc. Not sure what will come next, but I’m not in a rush to sell, so this may sit in my garage for some months. That’s ok by me, I will be back to the M coupe, probably after I can’t afford them anymore and thus I will ultimately regret selling. I’ve been contemplating this for months and I just can’t justify holding onto the car.
I’ve focused on keeping the car as nice as, or nicer than when I bought it. It has a fresh coat of Sonax Polymer Net Shield on it and shines like new. Some light polishing would remove any hints of wash marks, but it’s incredibly nice. I get compliments every time I take it out. Hopefully some of my old friends will chime in with their opinions of the car, but many frequenters here have seen and driven the car and can attest to its condition.
I purchased the car in 2012 from the original owner and have since put about 12,000 miles on it. It has never been in snow, rarely in rain and has seen 4 BMW CCA HPDEs (2 weekends). I’m obsessive about how I drive the car, where I park it, how my passengers enter and exit it. I have the Carfax from when I bought it and it will show an odometer discrepancy, more on that later. I have every service record from when it was shop-serviced. Since my ownership I’ve done most of the work myself and have most of the receipts in the records folder. Immediately upon purchasing I did a full inspection I and II at a fellow forum member’s house. Since then it’s seen annual (or more) oil changes and regular upkeep (brake flushes etc). I wash it far more than I drive it.
About the car:
-2000 M Coupe, Dakar over Black (yes, it has a sunroof)
-55,040 miles (will increase slightly, but not much at all)
-2nd owner (since late July 2012)
-Title in hand
-1 of 51 Dakar Yellows, 24 of them made in 2000 with black interior (making this one somewhat rare)Modifications:
-TC Kline S/A Coilovers (450F/500R) with about 5,000 miles
-Ground Control Street Camber Plates with about 5,000 miles
-Strong Strut front strut brace because racecar
-ECIS intake with Amsoil oil-less filter
-ANSA catback exhaust (the only modification that I do NOT have the stock parts for)
-LeatherZ illuminated ZHP shift knob
-LeatherZ arm rests (door and center)
-LeatherZ sun shade (not yet installed)
-Rogue Engineering 18mm front and 15mm rear spacers
-OEM BMW Chrome Shadow Roadstars in near-mint condition
-UUC Clutch stop
-UUC Clutch line
-UUC Clutch pedal bushings
-Hardwired valentine 1 (hardwire kit will stay with the car, V1 will not)
-DICE iPod integration
-Magnetic Stone Guards
-OEM BMW front mudflaps
-Custom rear mudflaps
-Thule 753 Roof rack (rails modified and shortened to fit and look superb)
-Optima Red Top battery
-Spare track brakes (Brembo Blanks + Hawk DTC 60 pads)I am sure I’m forgetting some stuff, but that’s what the car has off the top of my head.
In the interest of full disclosure, I’d like to share with you everything “bad” about the car. Nothing is truly bad, but you should know about it if you’re looking to purchase it
-The odometer was replaced in 2002 (at 17,139 miles) while BMW was searching for what ended up being a fuel sender. They did not swap the coding plug from the original cluster, so the odometer reads 37,909 miles. There is a sticker in the driver’s door jamb indicating this was done and I have the service record to prove it. The title does NOT reflect this and is free and clear of anything bad that might affect the insurance or value significantly.-In the same operation to replace the senders, BMW saw fit to cut a circular flap in the carpet behind the passenger’s seat. I’ve never noticed it because the seat covers the flap, but this should be made clear
-There is a tiny cut in the outside of the driver’s seat. It’s been in the same condition since I bought it and hasn’t gotten worse (it’s nowhere near where you would touch the leather). This was done by a mechanic according to the PO.
-A few rock chips up front, but nothing Dr. Colorchip wouldn’t make invisible
-Car was backed into many moons ago and repainted on the RR fender. The match is pretty good and the finish is perfect, but in the right light, if I point it out to you, and you’re inches from the paint, you can notice it. Doesn’t bother me in the slightest. Besides that the paint is original with all VIN tags.
That about does it. Please let me know if you have any questions. It’s an awesome car and deserves to be safely driven by an enthusiast like myself and the previous owner.
Email Colby at colby.gregory@me.com
Like the 2004 BMW 330i ZHP we looked at yesterday, this M Coupe is one of those cars that makes you sit up and take notice. Advertised on an enthusiast website, fastidious ownership and little left for questioning. While I prefer Estoril Blue on the M Coupe, I can appreciate the rarity of some of the more off the wall color combinations that were offered. Besides, crack open any dealer brochure these days and it’s hard to find a wide color spectrum, unless you dip into some of the programs of the higher end marques that let you tailor things to your liking…for a fee. This particular car has almost identical mileage to the one we featured at the beginning of the week and is priced similarly too. While I stated that anything in the low $20k range would be a good buy, perhaps we are moving on to the mid $20k as the new norm. Time will tell as we see more of these change hands.
-Paul
