Monday 22nd January 2007

BMW M Coupé gets makeover

AC Schnitzer adds individuality

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BMW M Coupé by AC Schnitzer

BMW tuner AC Schnitzer's done its inimitable job on the BMW M Coupé.

It takes off faster than the standard model thanks to a shortening of the rear axle ratio from 3.62:1 to 3.91:1, plus it boasts new rear silencers made completely of special steel with chromed tailpipes, they're said to "provide a more sonorous note" than the standard system.

Suspension is upgraded with new parts including a anti-roll bar kit and strut braces, sitting above Type IV and, Type III alloy and racing rims. The M Roadster and M Coupé are fitted with 9.0J x 20-inch and 245/30 R 20 on the front and 10.0J x 20-inch with 285/25 R 20 on the rear.

The new aero package consists of carbon front spoiler elements that optionally can be joined to the front spoiler with chromed aluminium supports. In addition, the new chrome front grille meets air flow demands from the 3.2-litre engine. The rear end gets a fully integrated carbon rear diffuser, available with two different versions of the special rear skirt edge frame, depending on which exhaust is fitted. There's a new three-piece wing available too.

Inside, there's a shorter gearstick for faster shifts, sitting next to carbon interior trim in silver, aluminium accessories in silver or black anodised finish. There is also a pedal set with matching foot rest, a handbrake handle and a selector knob for manual cars.

• AC Schnitzer

[richards 7]

No info on any particular performance advantage to the carbon bits.

Ultimately makes an ugly car even worse and more expensive, I suspect the BM die hards will drool over it for the badge just the same.

[landy_girl]

and the price of this car?

[mini_ralf]

richards 7 said:

No info on any particular performance advantage to the carbon bits.

Ultimately makes an ugly car even worse and more expensive, I suspect the BM die hards will drool over it for the badge just the same.

I rather like it.. But then I drive a new Mini and I've been reliably informed that I have no taste so maybe you're right.

[Andrew D]

I'm not wild about it, looks a little bit too "Halfords Special" for me. And, as far as I can discern from the article, the look is the only difference from the standard car.

richards 7 said:

Ultimately makes an ugly car even worse and more expensive

Not sure about "ugly", avant-garde perhaps.

[landy_girl]

its not ugly but I am not a big fan of BMW's

[james f]

im not a fan of bmw styling but that i like the look of

[romanymagic]

mini_ralf said:

richards 7 said:

No info on any particular performance advantage to the carbon bits.

Ultimately makes an ugly car even worse and more expensive, I suspect the BM die hards will drool over it for the badge just the same.

I rather like it.. But then I drive a new Mini and I've been reliably informed that I have no taste so maybe you're right.

Likewise, I quite like this too. Sadly not in a position to do anything other than look at pictures at the mo, thanks to a rather expensive Xmas!

[heppy]

I like it but i do drive a Z3, don't much care for the colour though, could have made it look a lot better. Don't know which Halfords you shop at mate but let me know and i'll be popping in for some new bits for mine !!!!

[Beefmeister]

I love the look of the standard Z4 M Coupe, but this really spoils it IMHO....

Way too 'add-on' visually.

I'd have the exhaust though...

[apache]

A completely 'tasteless' thumbs up from me too.

[fatboy b]

The rear 3/4 looks OK (and that's something coming from an avid Bangle hater!), but the front must make it one of the (if not the) ugliest cars on the road today. It has all the flair of a punctured football.

[richards 7]

Ok I'm definately in the minority. Oh well perhaps that's why my friends think I'm strange!!!

Happy motoring all

[n3il123]

I think it looks ok make it a nice dark blue or black.. get rid of that back spoiler and it'll look fab

[ShaunDTVR]

very nice indeed! wouldn't mind that on the drive.

[SlimJ]

Looks fab in white!

Wouldn't say it looks ugly at all, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder I guess. I'd quite happily have one on my drive, better than my Pug 406 anyway! lol

[john_r]

Probably commenting 'into the wind' so to speak; but I think it looks terrible. Chav'd is the term I think my son would use!

I like the fact that performance BMW's are understated and fairly anonymous - it adds to the fun!

[derin100]

I'm a big BMW fan and actually think the new Z-Coupe is actually visually one of the best things to come out from BMW in recent years and that's despite the fact that I'm not normally a huge fan of small sports cars.

HOWEVER...I have to say I think just about everything Schnitzer touch turns out as an almost (sometimes not even 'almost) embarrassment! This I'm afraid is IMHO a case in point!

Where Alpina almost invariably succeed; Schnitzer invariably fail!

[mafioso]

Let's hope that white is the new black!!

[Al Up North]

Looks sooo much better than all these Z4 thingys you see all over the place.

Quite impressed!!

[m3evo2]

derin100 said:

I'm a big BMW fan and actually think the new Z-Coupe is actually visually one of the best things to come out from BMW in recent years and that's despite the fact that I'm not normally a huge fan of small sports cars.

HOWEVER...I have to say I think just about everything Schnitzer touch turns out as an almost (sometimes not even 'almost) embarrassment! This I'm afraid is IMHO a case in point!

Where Alpina almost invariably succeed; Schnitzer invariably fail!

Unfortunately I have to agree, but it's only since ACS has has to work with Bangles designs, before, their mods looked great. (I would say this as I have a ACS modified car, E36)