Thinking of buying an E92 M3

[gixermark]

I bought an immaculate E90 M3 last november.. its an awesome car - made extra special by the fact it has an evolve exhaust system too - LOVELY !!

i'd wanted to scratch the V8 itch for years... always fancied the E46 M3, but so happy with the E90..

[ratty6464]

Tony B2 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.

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

Glad you persevered, Matt.
Agree with everything you have said, they are the end of a line, and that engine will never be beaten.

And a manual, too!

Yep, it was definitely a slow burner. But heal and toe'ing into corners and feeling the diff dig in for traction with a bit of slip with the traction control off - followed by blasting out with that engine screaming - it really is a joy!

I think the keys to unlocking its potential were getting to trust the chassis with traction control off (or at least in MDM) and being comfortable keeping the revs right in the top of the powerband, realising that this is what they were designed to do and nothing is going to break.

[nigelpugh7]

Here's a quick video of our fun at Curborough!

http://youtu.be/pVSwlbPALGo

This is with MDM set to sports mode for everything, seems to be the best for most fun, and sideways without overlooking it!

[ratty6464]

nigelpugh7 said:

Here's a quick video of our fun at Curborough!

http://youtu.be/pVSwlbPALGo

This is with MDM set to sports mode for everything, seems to be the best for most fun, and sideways without overlooking it!

Looks really fun. I think Curborough is near me - what do you need to do to go there? Do you need to be a member? When do they do open events?

[nigelpugh7]

ratty6464 said:

Looks really fun. I think Curborough is near me - what do you need to do to go there? Do you need to be a member? When do they do open events?

Hi Ratty,

Nope it part of the sprint and trackday events.

They run at least one a month, its just £60 for the whole,day, as many runs as you can fit in. Just a helmet required, but they usually have loan ones spare too.

Info here, ask to,speak to either Dan or Rich.

http://www.sprintandtrackday.co.uk/

[cerb4.5lee]

nigelpugh7 said:

Here's a quick video of our fun at Curborough!

http://youtu.be/pVSwlbPALGo

This is with MDM set to sports mode for everything, seems to be the best for most fun, and sideways without overlooking it!

That looks great fun! I showed the photo you posted to my brother in law and he wants to do that in his now!

Good to see you really enjoying the car and thanks for sharing the video.

[nigelpugh7]

cerb4.5lee said:

That looks great fun! I showed the photo you posted to my brother in law and he wants to do that in his now!

Good to see you really enjoying the car and thanks for sharing the video.

Thanks for that!

Here's the other video from the other angle!

http://youtu.be/d_gYKkbIwCQ

[cerb4.5lee]

nigelpugh7 said:

cerb4.5lee said:

That looks great fun! I showed the photo you posted to my brother in law and he wants to do that in his now!

Good to see you really enjoying the car and thanks for sharing the video.

Thanks for that!

Here's the other video from the other angle!

http://youtu.be/d_gYKkbIwCQ

Great stuff!

[bosshog]

Anyone gone from a 335i to the M? I had a 335i and the steering and general feedback was so dead, I ended up selling and have been driving around in an E46 M which I love. Just wondering if the E92 M really drives much better than the 333i?

[M888SXY]

I went 335i to M just over 2 years ago and have no complaints.

I had the 335i for three years from new and thought it an exceptionally good car.
I bought the M new just over two years ago and think it an exceptionally good car.

Was it worth an extra 20k (50%)? Dunno but I don't regret it.
My family preferred the 335i.
Is the 335i a rarer car? Possibly.

[bigtime]

Boss hog - I came from a 2009 335i dct that I owned for 2 years and have now owned a dct M3 for just over 3 years. I share your sentiments about the 335 as the only thing I thought was ok was the engine. Mine also had run flats that were terrible. I had a test drive in the M3 and thought it was ok. I later had a longer rest drive where I grabbed it by the scruff of the neck and fell in love with it. Do it you won't regret it.

[RossP]

I went from a 335i touring to an M3. They are night and day in my opinion. The 335i is a quick competent car. The M3 gets under your skin.

[anonymous-user]

It's the last naturally aspirated M car. If you have the opportunity own a bit of history.

[Wills2]

cerb4.5lee said:

TheBanjo said:

- Even on comfort setting, the hard suspension can make long journey's awful, particularly on the neglected roads out yonder

I thought mine with EDC set to comfort rode excellent but that might be because I was used to the run flats and M sport suspension I had on other BMW`s.

I have to agree the ride on my old m3's was excellent firm but well damped which is how I like it, I wonder if people should look to put new dampers and springs on these cars after all some are 8 years old now.

[MaxA]

I'm thinking of an E92 M3 as well - I'm thinking that the time has come for a big NA engine, even if you only have a 400km range (that's a bit crap frankly; what would you get on a track day, 100km?)!

What are the weaknesses to look for in pre-puchase inspection, and what are the main mods to look out for? I understand that rear diffs can weap/leak, and throttle actutaors fail. The former can presumably be resolved with inspections and fresh oil, but are there upgraded replacement parts available for the actuators? And I've always understood that BMW & M cars were underbraked, so what are the popular solutions? Fresh pads or full BBKs? Best tyres?

And lastly, any particular forums out there other than PH for me to start researching on?

Any help much appreciated.

[bigtime]

Max you won't regret it as the engine is a screamer . Throttle actuators are the main problem but touch wood mine have been fine. Get yourself over to M3 Cutters forum.

[Smuler]

MaxA said:

I'm thinking of an E92 M3 as well - I'm thinking that the time has come for a big NA engine, even if you only have a 400km range (that's a bit crap frankly; what would you get on a track day, 100km?)!

What are the weaknesses to look for in pre-puchase inspection, and what are the main mods to look out for? I understand that rear diffs can weap/leak, and throttle actutaors fail. The former can presumably be resolved with inspections and fresh oil, but are there upgraded replacement parts available for the actuators? And I've always understood that BMW & M cars were underbraked, so what are the popular solutions? Fresh pads or full BBKs? Best tyres?

And lastly, any particular forums out there other than PH for me to start researching on?

Any help much appreciated.

for forums, I would think M3cutters a uk site or look within the many sections of e90post which has a M3post. US, mainly, but UK subdivisions; although the US would still be useful.

[MaxA]

thanks fellas!

[CRB14]

Just as a mini hijack how are you guys financing the M3 purchases? It's something i'm considering.