Thinking of buying an E92 M3
Discussion
ratty6464 said:
I've just got back from a week in the Scottish highlands and it cemented why I love my e92 M3 after 2 years of ownership. I had a bit of a love hate relationship when I first got it (documented on here and M3 Cutters) but persevered.
Anyway, back to Scotland - it was a close run thing whether we should take my wife's company car which is a 120d with the great 8 speed auto, as it is miles cheaper to run and she's not insured to drive theM3 at the moment. But I couldn't bring myself to do it. So we took the M3 and averaged 30.3 mpg according to the trip computer for the 400 mile journey at a steady cruise. It's such a relaxed and comfortable distance machine (it's a manual btw).
Up In the highlands it turned into another machine altogether, with the quiet and beautiful well sighted roads the majority of stretches are corners at the top of 3rd gear with a few straights getting into 4th and a few slower 2nd gear corners, but you can keep the engine in the fantastic 6k-8.4k Rev band for miles on end. And here it really screams, with the induction roar filling the cabin and the almost elastic power deliver with razor sharp throttle response. And the chassis digging in with the diff finding traction and blasting out of corners. These are the roads the car was designed for, where you can keep in the sweet spot for miles rather than having to dip down to the 3-5k revs mid range.
I've totally fallen for the car and feel I've finally completely gelled with it. My work commute is fun but it's nothing like the opportunity to have clear open roads and warmed up tyres where you can sustain those sorts of revs for long periods.
On the way back home the 8 hr motorway drive was bearable and comfortable - with a few stops for fuel and food - and there isn't a car this side of an M6 I would have preferred to do the long journey in.
For anyone considering a v8 M3, go for it. Don't be put off by a manual, but make sure you buy on condition and get a 2nd years warranty if going for a BMW AUC car. Don't be put off by a mediocre test drive - my test drive was rubbish and it takes a while to learn the car.
They don't make cars like this anymore, bar the exotics like the 911 GT3 and the naturally aspirated engine whilst challenging is ultimately supremely rewarding (plus it sounds incredible).
Go for it.
Well said I agree completely. Anyway, back to Scotland - it was a close run thing whether we should take my wife's company car which is a 120d with the great 8 speed auto, as it is miles cheaper to run and she's not insured to drive theM3 at the moment. But I couldn't bring myself to do it. So we took the M3 and averaged 30.3 mpg according to the trip computer for the 400 mile journey at a steady cruise. It's such a relaxed and comfortable distance machine (it's a manual btw).
Up In the highlands it turned into another machine altogether, with the quiet and beautiful well sighted roads the majority of stretches are corners at the top of 3rd gear with a few straights getting into 4th and a few slower 2nd gear corners, but you can keep the engine in the fantastic 6k-8.4k Rev band for miles on end. And here it really screams, with the induction roar filling the cabin and the almost elastic power deliver with razor sharp throttle response. And the chassis digging in with the diff finding traction and blasting out of corners. These are the roads the car was designed for, where you can keep in the sweet spot for miles rather than having to dip down to the 3-5k revs mid range.
I've totally fallen for the car and feel I've finally completely gelled with it. My work commute is fun but it's nothing like the opportunity to have clear open roads and warmed up tyres where you can sustain those sorts of revs for long periods.
On the way back home the 8 hr motorway drive was bearable and comfortable - with a few stops for fuel and food - and there isn't a car this side of an M6 I would have preferred to do the long journey in.
For anyone considering a v8 M3, go for it. Don't be put off by a manual, but make sure you buy on condition and get a 2nd years warranty if going for a BMW AUC car. Don't be put off by a mediocre test drive - my test drive was rubbish and it takes a while to learn the car.
They don't make cars like this anymore, bar the exotics like the 911 GT3 and the naturally aspirated engine whilst challenging is ultimately supremely rewarding (plus it sounds incredible).
Go for it.
Edited by ratty6464 on Friday 24th July 09:25
R33FAL said:
Nice looking car. Best time to be getting into a convertible as well
Thanks for that, I suppose it should be, but as usual I have probably jinxed it by buyi a convertible, because it has done nothing but pour with torrential rain ever since we picked he up!Still had the roof down as often as we possible can though!
We feel like teenagers again!
cerb4.5lee said:
That's identical to my brother in laws and he loves his and I agree with the roof down they sound brilliant and so much different to how they sound in the Coupe and when I took him out it my old Coupe he thought they had forgot to put a V8 under the bonnet of mine because the difference was so great, enjoy it. 
Thanks for the feedback.Yes we are very pleased with the way it looks, both roof up and down too!
The photos never seem to do the Silverstone II paint any justice, it's a proper ice petrol blue in some lights, and look just fantastic!
I am also pleased to say, that so far no one has treated me like an arrogant BMW owner and we have even been waved out courteously at junctions.
Also seem to have had quite a few people wonder over when filling up with mega expensive She'll Optimax and comment that you don't see many M3 V8s as convertibles, and statements like " Nice V8, wish I could afford the petrol bills! "
Although considering I am having lots of fun, and not exactly driving gently (!?) she is averaging 23Mpg on the computer, and I am pretty happy with that!
nigelpugh7 said:
Well guys, I but the bullet this week and finally picked up my 2013 M3 Cabriolet.
Here is a quick snap of her roof down at Curborough Sprint tack this week.
I will post a more detailed post about the whys and what nots of the buying and thought process later.
But for now I am loving this car, the noise it makes is just epic, and every drive becomes a fun trip.
For the first time in many years,,I have been getting up early and just going for a blast around my local lanes, it's that much fun, I feel like a teenager again!
Happy to be back in the land of M Power ownership!
That looks like Curborough Nigel! I nearly popped in on Thursday but forgot it was on...Here is a quick snap of her roof down at Curborough Sprint tack this week.
I will post a more detailed post about the whys and what nots of the buying and thought process later.
But for now I am loving this car, the noise it makes is just epic, and every drive becomes a fun trip.
For the first time in many years,,I have been getting up early and just going for a blast around my local lanes, it's that much fun, I feel like a teenager again!
Happy to be back in the land of M Power ownership!
RossP said:
That looks like Curborough Nigel! I nearly popped in on Thursday but forgot it was on...
Indeed it was Ross! Perhaps you missed the comment at that start of my post " here's a pic of my car at Curborough?," We shall be back there next week too on Wednesday, care to join us then?
ashway said:
ratty6464 said:
I've just got back from a week in the Scottish highlands and it cemented why I love my e92 M3 after 2 years of ownership. I had a bit of a love hate relationship when I first got it (documented on here and M3 Cutters) but persevered.
Glad you stuck with it and grew to like it. I took delivery of mine within days of you and they were both in at DDB the same week.Edited by ratty6464 on Friday 24th July 09:25
I've started to look at the F8X M3/4 but still not financially viable yet given the 0% finance deals we got. I also had MPE fitted and I would miss that noise
With the current deals on the M4 etc I just can't justify changing the M3 at the moment. So I've not even driven an M4 yet, although even the standard 4 series seem very big. Next step in a couple of years may be a Cayman GTS or maybe an F type coupe or M2 depending on the deals about.
All very valid points. I had a DCT coupe with the new 2009 idrive for 2yrs and around 18k miles. Drove it everywhere, wales, peak district, Sardinia Italy, French Riviera. 2 very light trackdays. Bought it used with 1yr and 12k miles on the clock from what must have been an old chap who didnt drive it very hard as was on first set of CSP3 and very low fuel consumption average
- My throttle actuators went around 6-12 mths into the ownership. Car went into limp mode and made it to the dealer who changed them.
- My rear diff was leaking as soon as I bought it. Detailer found the oil when was working on the car.. warranty replacement. Mine was never noisy.
- DCT auto-mode on mine was absolute garbage and I had the software updated to the latest (back then) version but was still crap, REFUSING to change down gears when slowing down.. would remain in 4-5th gear until stationary and then go in a panic and for a good few seconds before selecting second gear. By contrast my 2009 VW GTI run-around has a better software and that says everything you need to know... my Porsche PDK are on a different planet. In manual mode though I found it perfect in the middle settings, the harshest ones best left alone as they just unsettle the car. Down-blip shifts are glorious. And it DID leak.. so that was a big scare as happened 1 month out of warranty.. BMW Dealer in Chigwell was fantastic in getting BMW to agree to help with the repair as had had FBSH and they contributed largely to the repair (from memory 1k somth i added 300).
- the Engine... ah that engine.. it felt like CREAM was pouring through its internal parts.. it was just wonderful. So elastic, so willing to rev and sound absolutely fantastic. I just loved it.. yes it lacks a bit of punch down low.. but you just flick the paddle and drop a few gears and you are ok.. I still miss that engine to this day despite having Stuttgart flax-6 finest. For me was lacking just a touch of volume on the sound front so you are better off changing the back box with either the BMWP one which does just volume or many others which pretend they give more power (not needed anyways). Or go the full 9yards and get Akrapovic full system which are now and then available for sale for 2-3k used and just tranform it into a symphonic orchestra on wheels.
- I loved the shape of mine. Just loved it. Black, menacing but elegant. Beautiful. And that boot with folding seats would swallow everything. Build quality was decent too, I didnt really have any issue with the inside and leather quality was really good and held up well to daily use. I took care of it but looked like new when I sold it with 30k miles on. Not like that crap Nappa something Audi uses that looks like your jacket from when you were 16 after 2months of use.
- Did I mention how good the engine is and never to use the DCT auto ?
- I found the chassis very good. I had EDC and 19' (mandatory for looks) and in comfort I can't say I found it harsh.. but was coming from a Mini Cooper S and on broken surface and european trips I found it perfect.
- Brakes are notoriously weak point for the car. Forget track work without upgrading. I went to 1 evening light BMW event at Bedford and the standard cars had to give-up after less than 2 laps full on. 2 laps ! At the time I had upgraded front discs to Performance Friction 2 piece quality items together with RS29 pads and fluid. That upgrade lasted all of 2 months as the RS29 were so noisy I wanted to abandon the car in the high street and run away in shame. Some will say they need proper bedding etc etc.. but I think most people just find them too noisy for daily use which doesn't involve a Touristfharten on the way to work.
- I did lose my licence with it. Caught cruising at a speed which was deemed to high for the nanny state we live in. I think I was in complete control and in total safety as was down a major A road with no traffic.. no different than an autobahn really. But somehow in this country you become a criminal for doing it whilst in Germany nothing would happen. And the M3 will tempt you to do that. It's so stable, sure-footed and able that it will lure you into higher speed. Even more so than a Gt3 given how comfortable and quiet it is. SO WATCH IT.
The new M4 looks incredible but I just fail to get excited by its Dyson engine. People didn't "get" the V8 M3 when it came out.. they are only now starting to. I sold mine with 3y and 30k miles, perfect condition (I even had orange peel paint removed by my detailer) full service and maintenance done with no expenses spared for 27.5k. And this was 3yrs ago now ! So price seem to have bottomed BIG TIME.
- My throttle actuators went around 6-12 mths into the ownership. Car went into limp mode and made it to the dealer who changed them.
- My rear diff was leaking as soon as I bought it. Detailer found the oil when was working on the car.. warranty replacement. Mine was never noisy.
- DCT auto-mode on mine was absolute garbage and I had the software updated to the latest (back then) version but was still crap, REFUSING to change down gears when slowing down.. would remain in 4-5th gear until stationary and then go in a panic and for a good few seconds before selecting second gear. By contrast my 2009 VW GTI run-around has a better software and that says everything you need to know... my Porsche PDK are on a different planet. In manual mode though I found it perfect in the middle settings, the harshest ones best left alone as they just unsettle the car. Down-blip shifts are glorious. And it DID leak.. so that was a big scare as happened 1 month out of warranty.. BMW Dealer in Chigwell was fantastic in getting BMW to agree to help with the repair as had had FBSH and they contributed largely to the repair (from memory 1k somth i added 300).
- the Engine... ah that engine.. it felt like CREAM was pouring through its internal parts.. it was just wonderful. So elastic, so willing to rev and sound absolutely fantastic. I just loved it.. yes it lacks a bit of punch down low.. but you just flick the paddle and drop a few gears and you are ok.. I still miss that engine to this day despite having Stuttgart flax-6 finest. For me was lacking just a touch of volume on the sound front so you are better off changing the back box with either the BMWP one which does just volume or many others which pretend they give more power (not needed anyways). Or go the full 9yards and get Akrapovic full system which are now and then available for sale for 2-3k used and just tranform it into a symphonic orchestra on wheels.
- I loved the shape of mine. Just loved it. Black, menacing but elegant. Beautiful. And that boot with folding seats would swallow everything. Build quality was decent too, I didnt really have any issue with the inside and leather quality was really good and held up well to daily use. I took care of it but looked like new when I sold it with 30k miles on. Not like that crap Nappa something Audi uses that looks like your jacket from when you were 16 after 2months of use.
- Did I mention how good the engine is and never to use the DCT auto ?
- I found the chassis very good. I had EDC and 19' (mandatory for looks) and in comfort I can't say I found it harsh.. but was coming from a Mini Cooper S
and on broken surface and european trips I found it perfect. - Brakes are notoriously weak point for the car. Forget track work without upgrading. I went to 1 evening light BMW event at Bedford and the standard cars had to give-up after less than 2 laps full on. 2 laps ! At the time I had upgraded front discs to Performance Friction 2 piece quality items together with RS29 pads and fluid. That upgrade lasted all of 2 months as the RS29 were so noisy I wanted to abandon the car in the high street and run away in shame. Some will say they need proper bedding etc etc.. but I think most people just find them too noisy for daily use which doesn't involve a Touristfharten on the way to work.
- I did lose my licence with it. Caught cruising at a speed which was deemed to high for the nanny state we live in. I think I was in complete control and in total safety as was down a major A road with no traffic.. no different than an autobahn really. But somehow in this country you become a criminal for doing it whilst in Germany nothing would happen. And the M3 will tempt you to do that. It's so stable, sure-footed and able that it will lure you into higher speed. Even more so than a Gt3 given how comfortable and quiet it is. SO WATCH IT.
The new M4 looks incredible but I just fail to get excited by its Dyson engine. People didn't "get" the V8 M3 when it came out.. they are only now starting to. I sold mine with 3y and 30k miles, perfect condition (I even had orange peel paint removed by my detailer) full service and maintenance done with no expenses spared for 27.5k. And this was 3yrs ago now ! So price seem to have bottomed BIG TIME.
TheBanjo said:
The good and bad from my first 12 months' ownership of a 2009 E92 M3
Positives:
- Good engine with excellent driving dynamics. To get better, e.g. M4, you'd have to shell out quite a lot more
- M-DCT is quick
- Rear seats can be used
- Boot is spacious
- Seats are very comfortable
- Can be used as a daily driver
- Even the default sound system is a good one
- The sound of the V8
- Second hand prices are falling and I believe the E92 M3 will become a "future classic"
- The 2009 iDrive isn't bad
Negatives
- Actuators are a weak spot
- M-DCT can be as stupid as a bag of hammers in stop-start traffic, and as loud
- While body and engine re-worked by the M division, interior is mainly from a cheaper 3 series complete with rattles
- The novelty of the belt handover wears thin quickly, particularly if the spring goes and it doesn't actually hand you your belt
- Despite the transmission being "sealed for life", some DCT boxes weep oil and need to be resealed and refilled. The pentosin oil is milked from golden goats on a mythical Greek island -- or so you'd think so from its price
- Voice recognition is frustrating. "Jones" "Dialing 'home'" "No, damn you, Jones. I said Jones."
- Every speed bump's your enemy and be careful approaching curbs
- Even on comfort setting, the hard suspension can make long journey's awful, particularly on the neglected roads out yonder
- Doors open quite wide, so parking in tight spaces can make life interesting
- Keeping to the speed limit
Overall
For me, the positives outweigh the negatives. Driving it rarely fails to put a smile on my face. How I've still got my licence is beyond me. I've got to the point where I could, with some juggling of finances, purchase an M4. However, despite the M4 being a better car in most respects, I've decided to stick with the M3 because it's still exciting to drive; the annual depreciation on an 2015 M4 is less than my current annual maintenance budget of an M3; and I'm unsure if I've the driving skill to extract the most from an M4, let alone my current M3.
Positives:
- Good engine with excellent driving dynamics. To get better, e.g. M4, you'd have to shell out quite a lot more
- M-DCT is quick
- Rear seats can be used
- Boot is spacious
- Seats are very comfortable
- Can be used as a daily driver
- Even the default sound system is a good one
- The sound of the V8
- Second hand prices are falling and I believe the E92 M3 will become a "future classic"
- The 2009 iDrive isn't bad
Negatives
- Actuators are a weak spot
- M-DCT can be as stupid as a bag of hammers in stop-start traffic, and as loud
- While body and engine re-worked by the M division, interior is mainly from a cheaper 3 series complete with rattles
- The novelty of the belt handover wears thin quickly, particularly if the spring goes and it doesn't actually hand you your belt
- Despite the transmission being "sealed for life", some DCT boxes weep oil and need to be resealed and refilled. The pentosin oil is milked from golden goats on a mythical Greek island -- or so you'd think so from its price
- Voice recognition is frustrating. "Jones" "Dialing 'home'" "No, damn you, Jones. I said Jones."
- Every speed bump's your enemy and be careful approaching curbs
- Even on comfort setting, the hard suspension can make long journey's awful, particularly on the neglected roads out yonder
- Doors open quite wide, so parking in tight spaces can make life interesting
- Keeping to the speed limit
Overall
For me, the positives outweigh the negatives. Driving it rarely fails to put a smile on my face. How I've still got my licence is beyond me. I've got to the point where I could, with some juggling of finances, purchase an M4. However, despite the M4 being a better car in most respects, I've decided to stick with the M3 because it's still exciting to drive; the annual depreciation on an 2015 M4 is less than my current annual maintenance budget of an M3; and I'm unsure if I've the driving skill to extract the most from an M4, let alone my current M3.
Coming from an E46 M3 I initially found the E92 quite dull.
After 6 months or so this feeling has mostly worn off and I can appreciate the car as being better in almost every other respect as the E46.
I find that DCT auto is absolutely fine for me but I did have SMG before, which was awful in auto mode.
Overall, I'm struggling to think of a better all rounder for the money.
After 6 months or so this feeling has mostly worn off and I can appreciate the car as being better in almost every other respect as the E46.
I find that DCT auto is absolutely fine for me but I did have SMG before, which was awful in auto mode.
Overall, I'm struggling to think of a better all rounder for the money.
ratty6464 said:
ashway said:
ratty6464 said:
I've just got back from a week in the Scottish highlands and it cemented why I love my e92 M3 after 2 years of ownership. I had a bit of a love hate relationship when I first got it (documented on here and M3 Cutters) but persevered.
Glad you stuck with it and grew to like it. I took delivery of mine within days of you and they were both in at DDB the same week.Edited by ratty6464 on Friday 24th July 09:25
I've started to look at the F8X M3/4 but still not financially viable yet given the 0% finance deals we got. I also had MPE fitted and I would miss that noise
With the current deals on the M4 etc I just can't justify changing the M3 at the moment. So I've not even driven an M4 yet, although even the standard 4 series seem very big. Next step in a couple of years may be a Cayman GTS or maybe an F type coupe or M2 depending on the deals about.
ratty6464 said:
I've just got back from a week in the Scottish highlands and it cemented why I love my e92 M3 after 2 years of ownership. I had a bit of a love hate relationship when I first got it (documented on here and M3 Cutters) but persevered.
Anyway, back to Scotland - it was a close run thing whether we should take my wife's company car which is a 120d with the great 8 speed auto, as it is miles cheaper to run and she's not insured to drive theM3 at the moment. But I couldn't bring myself to do it. So we took the M3 and averaged 30.3 mpg according to the trip computer for the 400 mile journey at a steady cruise. It's such a relaxed and comfortable distance machine (it's a manual btw).
Up In the highlands it turned into another machine altogether, with the quiet and beautiful well sighted roads the majority of stretches are corners at the top of 3rd gear with a few straights getting into 4th and a few slower 2nd gear corners, but you can keep the engine in the fantastic 6k-8.4k Rev band for miles on end. And here it really screams, with the induction roar filling the cabin and the almost elastic power deliver with razor sharp throttle response. And the chassis digging in with the diff finding traction and blasting out of corners. These are the roads the car was designed for, where you can keep in the sweet spot for miles rather than having to dip down to the 3-5k revs mid range.
I've totally fallen for the car and feel I've finally completely gelled with it. My work commute is fun but it's nothing like the opportunity to have clear open roads and warmed up tyres where you can sustain those sorts of revs for long periods.
On the way back home the 8 hr motorway drive was bearable and comfortable - with a few stops for fuel and food - and there isn't a car this side of an M6 I would have preferred to do the long journey in.
For anyone considering a v8 M3, go for it. Don't be put off by a manual, but make sure you buy on condition and get a 2nd years warranty if going for a BMW AUC car. Don't be put off by a mediocre test drive - my test drive was rubbish and it takes a while to learn the car.
They don't make cars like this anymore, bar the exotics like the 911 GT3 and the naturally aspirated engine whilst challenging is ultimately supremely rewarding (plus it sounds incredible).
Go for it.
Glad you persevered, Matt.Anyway, back to Scotland - it was a close run thing whether we should take my wife's company car which is a 120d with the great 8 speed auto, as it is miles cheaper to run and she's not insured to drive theM3 at the moment. But I couldn't bring myself to do it. So we took the M3 and averaged 30.3 mpg according to the trip computer for the 400 mile journey at a steady cruise. It's such a relaxed and comfortable distance machine (it's a manual btw).
Up In the highlands it turned into another machine altogether, with the quiet and beautiful well sighted roads the majority of stretches are corners at the top of 3rd gear with a few straights getting into 4th and a few slower 2nd gear corners, but you can keep the engine in the fantastic 6k-8.4k Rev band for miles on end. And here it really screams, with the induction roar filling the cabin and the almost elastic power deliver with razor sharp throttle response. And the chassis digging in with the diff finding traction and blasting out of corners. These are the roads the car was designed for, where you can keep in the sweet spot for miles rather than having to dip down to the 3-5k revs mid range.
I've totally fallen for the car and feel I've finally completely gelled with it. My work commute is fun but it's nothing like the opportunity to have clear open roads and warmed up tyres where you can sustain those sorts of revs for long periods.
On the way back home the 8 hr motorway drive was bearable and comfortable - with a few stops for fuel and food - and there isn't a car this side of an M6 I would have preferred to do the long journey in.
For anyone considering a v8 M3, go for it. Don't be put off by a manual, but make sure you buy on condition and get a 2nd years warranty if going for a BMW AUC car. Don't be put off by a mediocre test drive - my test drive was rubbish and it takes a while to learn the car.
They don't make cars like this anymore, bar the exotics like the 911 GT3 and the naturally aspirated engine whilst challenging is ultimately supremely rewarding (plus it sounds incredible).
Go for it.
Edited by ratty6464 on Friday 24th July 09:25
Agree with everything you have said, they are the end of a line, and that engine will never be beaten.
And a manual, too!
I have owned my E92 M3 for 18 months.
The DCT gearbox is a great unit and there is no reason why it should be jerky in traffic or not shift brilliantly in auto or manual. My car is an 08 and the auto shifting wasn't perfect when I got it (on 08 software), particularly when compared to my wife's 2013 Audi Q5 with DCT.
However, I had all the software upgraded to latest spec by my dealer (can take a bit of persuading or business their way - or call around) and it made a huge difference - particularly the engine and gearbox. Latest software is 2012 as I understand And there are benefits to updating any earlier car, obviously diminishing somewhat with newness.
Alternatively check on m3cutters for people who will provide their own updates or sell the M3 GTS map.
Also, consider getting the oem exhaust mod to let the engine sing as it should have from the factory (again, check cutters for contacts and / or check YouTube for sound clips).
Other than that - enjoy!
And wTch out for cerb54lee who is guaranteed to patrol this forum saying exactly the same thing in any e92 m3 post for evermore!
The DCT gearbox is a great unit and there is no reason why it should be jerky in traffic or not shift brilliantly in auto or manual. My car is an 08 and the auto shifting wasn't perfect when I got it (on 08 software), particularly when compared to my wife's 2013 Audi Q5 with DCT.
However, I had all the software upgraded to latest spec by my dealer (can take a bit of persuading or business their way - or call around) and it made a huge difference - particularly the engine and gearbox. Latest software is 2012 as I understand And there are benefits to updating any earlier car, obviously diminishing somewhat with newness.
Alternatively check on m3cutters for people who will provide their own updates or sell the M3 GTS map.
Also, consider getting the oem exhaust mod to let the engine sing as it should have from the factory (again, check cutters for contacts and / or check YouTube for sound clips).
Other than that - enjoy!
And wTch out for cerb54lee who is guaranteed to patrol this forum saying exactly the same thing in any e92 m3 post for evermore!
Edited by five50 on Monday 27th July 22:25
I am 5 months into ownership, and think it is a keeper. Mine is EDC and DCT equipped, which IMO makes it a great allrounder, happy to do the fast long haul motorway trips in great comfort, and to entertain on smaller roads.
The engine has a truly epic top-end and a fantastic induction sound, while the nonsense about lacking low-end torque simply is not an issue, even more so with the DCT. Also, the linear power delivery also gives it great traction and very predictable limits (unlike the F8X M3/4) even on wet surfaces (did 1000 km in pouring rain last weekend, averaging 141 kph).
The one issue that could make ownership somewhat tiresome is the obvious fuel consumption, or rather the lack of range due to the smallish 63 litre fuel tank, which means that 400 km/250 miles is realistic at fast motorway speed.
Finally, the well-documented 2 pipe mod to the exhaust, is an extremely cost-efficient way to make it sound the way it should from the factory.
The engine has a truly epic top-end and a fantastic induction sound, while the nonsense about lacking low-end torque simply is not an issue, even more so with the DCT. Also, the linear power delivery also gives it great traction and very predictable limits (unlike the F8X M3/4) even on wet surfaces (did 1000 km in pouring rain last weekend, averaging 141 kph).
The one issue that could make ownership somewhat tiresome is the obvious fuel consumption, or rather the lack of range due to the smallish 63 litre fuel tank, which means that 400 km/250 miles is realistic at fast motorway speed.
Finally, the well-documented 2 pipe mod to the exhaust, is an extremely cost-efficient way to make it sound the way it should from the factory.
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