The BMW M Coupe could be considered as a fraternal twin of the M Roadster. It was developed by a BMW M/Motorworks team headed by Burkhard Göschel, with the end in view of improving on the structural and torsional rigidity of the E36/8 Z3 roadster’s chassis. The BMW board approved the idea but on the condition that the M Coupe production would be as cost-effective as possible. Thus, many body panels of the BMW M Coupe are the same in design as those of the Z3 version of the M Roadster, including the A-pillar forward, the doors, and most interior components.

Parts designs from the Z3 coupe versions were likewise adapted in the M Coupe like the chassis and drive train. Additionally, the M Roadster’s semi-trailing arm rear suspension design was also incorporated in the BMW M Coupe. But to give credit to the Göschel team, they were able to produce an M Coupe that delivers superior handling despite having to adapt many features from the M Roadster.

Estimated Price Range for Used BMW M Coupe: $5,500-$96,000
Estimated MPG for BMW M Coupe: 19 City/26 Hwy
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BMW Z3 M coupe vs. Ghostrider

BMW M Coupe Introduction Video

Citizens of Spartanburg, South Carolina, can take pride in having one outstanding BMW convertible, the BMW M Roadster, assembled in their county. With its engines imported from Germany, the M Roadster was produced as the performance model of the convertibles BMW Z3 and Z4 between 1992 and 2002, and later again in 2006. The BMW M Roadster could be distinguished from its stable mates by slight variations in rear and front bumpers, grilles, mirrors, boot and rear wings.

Many internal components of the M Roadster were also beefed up with several taken from the BMW E36 M3 Evo and the E30 M3, such the brakes and suspension. The BMW M Roadster has also its platform based on the BMW E36’s design. The car sports wider tires and wheels, as well as flared wheel arches, enabling the vehicle to run a wider track to complement its increased power. The M Roadster likewise boasts of pioneering a quad exhaust that has become one of the signatures of the BMW M/Motorsport division.

Estimated Price Range for Used BMW M Roadster: $5,500-$96,000
Estimated MPG for BMW M Roadster: 19 City/26 Hwy
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BMW M Roadster Review

BMW M Roadster Accelerating

The colorful history of Willys-Overland Motor Company all began in the 1900s. John North Willys bought the Overland Automotive Division of Standard Wheel Company, which he renamed Willys-Overland Motor Company.

As war unfolded in Europe in the 1930s, the US Military hankered for a lightweight, four-wheel-drive, general-purpose vehicle. In the later part of 1940, Willys was one of the companies that obtained a contract to build “jeeps,” and went on to produce hundreds of thousands of units from 1941 to 1945. The jeeps were reliable, rugged and robust. In 1949, Willys Wagons – the grand daddy of modern-day sport utility vehicles become available.

Willys-Overland registered for a trademark for the word jeep after World War II. Motors eventually bought out Willys-Overland and changed the name to Willys Motor Company. In 1963, Willys reverted back to Kaiser-jeep Corporation. The company became known as American Motors Corporation in 1970, and in 1987, the jeep trademark was acquired by Chrysler Corporation, which was passed on to DaimlerChrysler AG following the buyout of Chryslers in 1998.

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Say the brand name Suzuki and one immediately thinks of motorcycles. Suzuki’s business, however, spans a wide array of motor vehicles. Founded in 1887 by Michio Suzuki, who hailed from a small, central seacoast village in Japan, the Suzuki company originally concentrated on the textile loom business. When the business prospered, Suzuki turned his sights on an industry that would provide another important necessity – an affordable and reliable means of transport.

Suzuki lost no time in developing a prototype vehicle. However, manufacturing was stalled by the war. It was Michio Suzuki’s son, Shunzo, who later on designed a unique motor that could be attached to a bicycle. It was an ingenious idea that set the stage for further research in motorcycle engineering.

The Suzuki company eventually became officially known as Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. By 1955, the first lightweight mass-production automobile called “Suzulight” was born.

Succeeding generations concentrated on expanding the business. Recent years have seen the arrival of Suzuki product breakthroughs – including sport utility vehicles.

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From wheelbarrows for mining to military wagons to electric cars – these were the main businesses ventured into by the Studebaker brothers – Clem, Henry, J.M., Peter and Jacob.

Studebaker introduced an electric car in 1902, which was followed by the gasoline-powered Studebakers in 1904, which were marketed under the name Studebaker-Garford. Seven years later, Studebaker decided to merge with the Everitt-Metzker-Flanders Company of Detroit to form the Studebaker Corporation. Automobiles under the EMF and Flanders names were sold until 1913. Studebaker introduced the first gasoline powered automobiles in 1913. Production of wagons continued until1920.

In 1927, Studebaker introduced a small car designed for the European market, and purchased luxury automaker Pierce-Arrow. Tough times followed, yet the company survived.

Studebaker and Packard merged in 1954, a time when all the American “independent” car companies were on the brink of decline, and some of the top car makers were having a price war. Studebaker Corporation eventually bid adieu to the automobile business in 1966.

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