Ultimate Muscle Car
Ultimate Muscle Car on 06/26/2010
Performance: 5
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
The 2001 and 2002 M roadsters are unique in their absolute driving performance. The engine is sublime and the car can out run just about anything on the road. From a roll, from a launch, or on the freeway it just runs away. Most everyone underestimates the car and I have yet to see a car (even new models of corvette, SRT8s, camaros, etc) that can even keep close. The car can break the tires free shifting into any gear but is so balanced that there is no loss of control or fishtailing. If you think your current car is fast and handles well you should drive one of these to compare.
Things you don't know...
willconltd on 05/17/2009
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 5
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
Amazing car. BMW did not include the M differential or the sport mode button for political reasons. You can install the sport mode with just a wire and a button. The diff can be replaced for under $100 from a breaking yard to bring up to the pace of the E46 M3. Try a launch with sport mode on and then you will not believe it. It's a rocket ship. 12.51 quarter, bone stock.
Fast and fun
RoadieWNC on 11/03/2008
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
Built for winding alpine touring the S54-equipped M roadster is the best car I have ever owned in terms of raw thrill, performance and head-turning good looks. The only (minor) design flaw is non- functional shark-gill side air vents (unlike its lesser cousin the Z3). Odd in a car where every aspect of driving is optimized for the purist from analog instruments to race-quality seat bolsters and an unnerving lack of roll in the fastest corners. It will take anything except a Z06, Viper or Turbo Porsche in a straight, and in the mountains it's virtually untouchable - truly a keeper for the enthusiast and if you find one in mint condition it will be close to 2X the "suggested" online prices.
Monster Power
gravis8000 on 03/29/2006
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
If you are considering buying this car, good luck finding it for the dealer retail or private party value on Edmunds. If you do find it at that price, it's a lemon. These cars are rare and worth the premium! Mine is a Laguna Seca w/13K miles. Build quality issues not yet encountered but I did previously own an 00 M Roadster and a 2003 M3 Conv and agree the M Roadster did have more quality problems (last one had 70K miles). M3 did not have such problems. It's funny watching Porsche Boxter S's disappear in the review ;-) Gorgeous, rare, stunning appearance, gobs of power at high revs (downshifts needed @ high speeds, could use a 6sp but still a fantastic ride) - grab one if you see one!
love this car!
Scott on 10/09/2005
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
I haven't experienced any of the build quality issues yet. The issues with the S54 engine are always in the back of my mind. Other than that, this car is just so enjoyable to drive. I love it. BMW will never build another car like this. Ever.
Love & Hate
newyorker on 03/04/2005
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 4
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 2
Reliability: 1
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 1
I fell in love with this car the day I saw it, and I am still in love with it. However, I did encounter as well endless quality problems... anything from door locks, seat belt, noises to fuel pump and main computer... Have been in and out of the dealership every month and had to tow 3-4 times. Having this car out of warranty can kill you. On the other hand, the shape of it is unique: I am sure a few years down the road it will become a classic, especially considering the small number of 2001/2002 produced.
Glad to be rid of it
mitchm on 06/29/2004
Performance: 5
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 4
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 3
Reliability: 2
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 2
Performance is outstanding but quality
issues plague this car (and everyone
else I know with the Z3/M has issues
too). Don't know why no BMW owners
will step up to the workmanship &
quality issues. My son's Hyundai was
bought at the same time, has twice
them miles on it and never sees the
dealer. I was a regular. Glad the
lease is over and it's gone. Going
back to Japanese sports car or
Corvette.
Yeah Baby, yeah!
WT on 02/19/2004
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
From a price/fun ratio this is THE
perfect car. What can go faster,
quicker for $35K? Nothing without
nitrous. The car fits like a glove and
flies like a fighter jet. First time
drivers of the M will drop their jaws
at the performance.
Love The "M"
Beemer Dude on 02/12/2004
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 5
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
I had a 2.5 Z3 for a few years and put
everything Dinan on it for more power.
I asked the dealer what was the best
year. they responded with "the 2001 M
Roadster". I have been looking for over
a year for one ( I see once people get
one, they won't let go) I finally
picked up one at a Volvo dealer (of all
places) I LOVE this car!!!! it has to
be the best ride I ever had. I just hit
40 and will never grow up. I wanna be
burried in this car (ha-ha).
best Roadster made.
steve A on 09/08/2003
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 5
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
This is a very fun car. the stability
control is Very good, acceleration is
outstanding.
Ultimate Traditional Sports Car
M Roadster Driver on 07/15/2003
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 5
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
If you like the traditional British
style of small roadster sports car, but
would like reliability and modern
supercar performance, this is your car.
This car has been everything the specs
promised. The car and straight six 315
hp engine is so smooth, the speed can
be deceptive except that other
performance vehicles disappear in the
review mirror.
I like its relatively conservative,
traditional appearance and it's limited
production numbers vs. ten of thousands
of Corvettes.
Turn the traction control off and it
can switch ends very quickly.
Recommendation: leave it on on the
street or your favorite curvy road!
This one is a keeper!
Ride the rocket
Tom Carroll on 03/03/2003
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 5
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
I drive this car year round in Western
Upstate NY., and back and forth to
Maine...obviosly people think I'm nuts,
but I love this car. I have the hard
top and blizzak snows on all four
wheels, and it never let's me down.
This car has 315 horses draggin you
around and it's like having a 4 wheel
motorcycle. On the highway you can
drop out of 5 to 4 or 3 depending on
how aggressive you feel and dust
anything short of an exotic. I would
recommend this car to any enthusiast.
It might be a little tricky for a
newbee, but with the DSC on it's hard
to break it loose. Buy one. You won't
regret it.
2001 M-Roadster
caseykev on 02/26/2003
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
This is a very fun car to drive. It can
be a handful if you disengage the
stability control. Very good
acceleration. Only drawback is plastic
rear window and minor exhaust rattle
until exhaust system is warm.
AWESOME M COUPE
DATOGUCH on 06/22/2002
Performance: 5
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
THE M COUPE FITS THE DRIVER LIKE A
GLOVE. THE SPORT SEATS ARE FIRM AND
KEEPS THE DRIVER LOCKED IN PLACE. THE
EUROPEAN SPEC. ENGINE CAN ONLY BE
DESCRIBED AS RACE CAR LIKE WITH ITS SIX
INDIVIDUAL THROTTLE BODIES AND INSTANT
ACCELERATION. THE STARES I GET WHEN
DRIVING THIS LITTLE ROCKET IS AMAZING.
YOUNG AND OLD ALIKE ASK ME QUESTIONS
ABOUT MY M COUPE SUCH AS " I'VE NEVER
SEEN ONE OF THESE BEFORE". I AM
COMPLETELY SATISFIED WITH MY
PURCHASE!!!
Vehicle specifications
