2000BMWMBMW M2000 BMW M CoupeCoupeCoupeRWDUSAThe M cars carry over for 2000, save for two new exterior colors. Prices remain unchanged.This may be the ultimate two-seater in terms of performance, luxury and fun.Risky styling of M coupe may not appeal to everyone.One thing BMW knows how to do is build sporty cars. The company released its M roadster, a heavily breathed-upon version of the Z3 roadster that was designed to compete head-to-head with the Porsche 911, as an early-1999 model. Then, BMW made headlines with the introduction of its funky-looking M coupe last year. By now, both M cars have established reputations as the cool, good-looking, fast, fun sports cars that everyone wants to have parked in their driveways. These high-performance versions of the Z3 roadster and coupe make 240 M-power ponies. They are propelled by a potent 3.2-liter inline six, and can reach 60 from zero in less than 5.4 seconds. Developed by BMW's M division and based on the M roadster, the M coupe has an upgraded engine, suspension, brakes, wheels, tires and interior. BMW launched its M coupe last year with a completely new shape from the A-pillars back. The roof blends into the top of a rear hatch with spoiler, a third brake light and new taillights. With chrome-trimmed gills, four exhaust tips, and a huge rear-end that arches and swells out to house 9-inch wide rear wheels, the M coupe has achieved a modern, beefy look. Just as tasty, however, is the M roadster, with its more conservative yet swoopy styling. Open-air travel is always a pleasure, but few convertibles are as entertaining as the BMW M roadster on a twisty two-lane or a flat stretch of deserted highway. With stunning thrust and a potent revving capability, the cars exhibit excellent performance and handling. The gear shift lever feels tight, the torque band is wide and the brakes are confidence-inspiring with a progressive feel to the pedal. Rack-and-pinion steering is razor sharp and responds more crisply to inputs than does the Chevrolet Corvette or the Acura NSX, and the BMW's steering wheel is perfectly sized. The M coupe's suspension is similar to the roadster's, with struts and arc-shaped lower arms in the front and semi-trailing arms in the rear, but the coupe boasts stiffer springs and a larger anti-roll bar. With the coupe's perfectly balanced 50/50-percent weight distribution, its body feels solid -- even around the sharpest corners. Inside, the cars both offer seating for two in comfortable, sporty, two-toned leather bucket seats with integrated headrests. Instrument gauges on the dash and center console are ringed in classy chrome and there are enough of them to tell you what the car is doing at any given moment. Unlike most two-seaters, the M coupe also provides a practical cargo space behind the seats for luggage or two full-size golf bags. Rear storage areas are accessible through a hatchback rear door and a cargo cover can be rolled back for privacy. Standard equipment on these sportsters includes alloy wheels, traction control, ABS, limited-slip differential, heated windshield wiper jets, cellular phone pre-wiring, power heated door locks with two-stage unlock, side airbags, a/c and six-way power seats. A stereo with CD player or power sunroof are options. For 2000, consumers can also choose two new colors: Titanium Silver or Oxford Green. Acura NSXChevrolet CorvetteDodge ViperPorsche 911450,000450,000450,0006Unlimited5.4 sec.125 ft.0.8863.2 litersInline240 hp @ 6000 rpm236 ft-lbs. @ 3800 rpm158.5 in.68.5 in.50.4 in.3131 lbs.96.3 in.36.7 in.NA51.7 in.NA54.1 in.NA41.8 in.NA9 cu.ft.StandardStandardNot AvailableStandardNot AvailableStandardNot AvailableRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot Tested13.5 gal.19 mpg / 26 mpg257 mi. / 351 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$37,780$41,8007.35%$570N/ANo HoldbackM COUPE (5M): 3.2L I6 DOHC SMPI 24-valve engine with variable valve timing (requires premium unleaded fuel); 5-speed manual transmission; 115 amp alternator; rear-wheel drive, limited-slip differential, traction control, 3.23 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust with chrome tip; sport-ride suspension, front independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, gas-pressurized front shocks, rear independent suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs, gas-pressurized rear shocks; rack-and-pinion power steering, engine-speed-sensing assist; 4-wheel antilock disc brakes; 13.5 gal. capacity fuel tank; rear lip spoiler, side impact bars; front and rear body-colored bumpers; rocker panel extensions; metallic monotone paint; sealed beam halogen headlamps with multiple headlamps; driver's and passenger's power remote body-colored heated folding outside mirrors; front 17" x 7.5" silver alloy wheels rear 17" x 9" silver alloy wheels; P225/45ZR17 BSW front performance tires;245/40ZR17 BSW rear performance tires; air conditioning; premium AM/FM stereo radio, seek-scan feature, cassette player, CD changer pre-wiring, in-dash CD pre-wiring, 9 performance speakers, premium amplifier, theft deterrent, fixed antenna; cruise control; power heated door locks with 2-stage unlock, remote keyless entry; cell phone pre-wiring, front cigarette lighter, 1 power accessory outlet, driver's foot rest, smokers' package; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temp gauge, volt gauge, clock, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, water temp, battery, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, service interval, brake fluid; driver's and passenger's front airbags, driver's and front passenger's door-mounted side airbags; ignition disable; tinted windows, power front windows with driver's and passenger's 1-touch down function, fixed rear windows; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers with heated washer fluid jets, sun visor strip, rearwindow wiper, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 2, heated-cushion driver's and passenger's seats with fixed headrests, driver's and front passenger's seats include 10-way adjustment (4-way power); seatbelts with front pretensioners; leather seats, leather door trim insert, full carpet floor covering, leather-wrapped gearshift knob; interior lights include dome light with illuminated entry and fade; leather-wrapped sport steering wheel; vanity mirrors; day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, locking glove box, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, cargo cover, cargo net, cargo light; chrome grille, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and black door handles.
M ROADSTER (5M) (in addition to or instead of COUPE (5M) equipment): Power convertible roof with lining, rollover protection; 10 performance speakers, full cloth headliner.