I've sold my m4 and bought an e92 m3
Discussion
Well... been reading this thread for a few weeks now with much interest.
I sold my beloved E92 M3 Competition Pack on Friday - for a tidy sum - I wanted to scratch the V8 itch - the steering feel on the E92 is very good as other people have commented on and the interior leather is very nice and will be missed.
I sold it with the intention of replacing it with a F80 M3 or F82 M4 and I have driven the M4 variant albeit in the convertible guise (which I did not like) but I understand the F80 M3 does not suffer from the issues that I found so disagreeable in M4 convertible - SO I am hoping it will live up to expectations.
Anyway, I am rambling a bit here but here is my point... the E92 M3, sublime as that engine is, was only really exceptional when it was up in the 6-8k revband and that just becomes anti-social - the motor was designed this way and whilst I marvel in its engineering excellence the end-result is a bit underwhelming if you are not properly on it.
I can't be alone with regards to this point, can I?
It does get under your skin though - and as the new owner drove away up the road, I did have a pang of regret of that epic sounding engine (from the outside) as he gently made progress up my road.
The F80 M3 sounds a bit, well pants actually, but I also loved the grunt of that engine due to the vastly higher torque across the rev range - and I cannot remember ever haven driven a BMW with a more accurate front end (the M4 convertible was excellent in this regard and I can only assume the M3 is superior)
I hope to acquire a F80 M3 with the options that I desire for a half sensible price....
Who knows, perhaps I will succumb to another E92 M3....
Just my 2p of rambling...
I sold my beloved E92 M3 Competition Pack on Friday - for a tidy sum - I wanted to scratch the V8 itch - the steering feel on the E92 is very good as other people have commented on and the interior leather is very nice and will be missed.
I sold it with the intention of replacing it with a F80 M3 or F82 M4 and I have driven the M4 variant albeit in the convertible guise (which I did not like) but I understand the F80 M3 does not suffer from the issues that I found so disagreeable in M4 convertible - SO I am hoping it will live up to expectations.
Anyway, I am rambling a bit here but here is my point... the E92 M3, sublime as that engine is, was only really exceptional when it was up in the 6-8k revband and that just becomes anti-social - the motor was designed this way and whilst I marvel in its engineering excellence the end-result is a bit underwhelming if you are not properly on it.
I can't be alone with regards to this point, can I?
It does get under your skin though - and as the new owner drove away up the road, I did have a pang of regret of that epic sounding engine (from the outside) as he gently made progress up my road.
The F80 M3 sounds a bit, well pants actually, but I also loved the grunt of that engine due to the vastly higher torque across the rev range - and I cannot remember ever haven driven a BMW with a more accurate front end (the M4 convertible was excellent in this regard and I can only assume the M3 is superior)
I hope to acquire a F80 M3 with the options that I desire for a half sensible price....
Who knows, perhaps I will succumb to another E92 M3....
Just my 2p of rambling...
As someone who is considering buying an M3, I can't help but wonder, having read so many comments about the engine, is the car worth the high running expenses if you only get the thrill and anger from that V8 when driving it hard? As someone who won't track it, and will use the car as a DD, is it special enough to justify the costs or would a 335i do virtually the same job give or take, for a fair few quid a month less expenditure? Subjective I know, but curious to see if it develops much more thought...
nbetts said:
the end-result is a bit underwhelming if you are not properly on it.
Doesn't that apply to most any high performance car?At least in terms of driving enjoyment.
As a total package and at the price there really isn't much else around to beat it for a DD and as a weekend fun car...especially not the new M3/4 - what a disappointing car.
Benzo26 said:
As someone who is considering buying an M3, .... is it special enough to justify the costs or would a 335i do virtually the same job give or take, for a fair few quid a month less expenditure? Subjective I know, but curious to see if it develops much more thought...
A 320D will do the same job if you break it down like that... 
The 335i, whilst a fine car in its own right, is not a M3 and I believe it is probably worth the extra costs personally - best thing to do as others have said is drive both and make your mind up which best suits you.
Max Maxasson said:
Doesn't that apply to most any high performance car?
No, not necessarily. As an example the B7 RS4 has some involvement and quite a bit of extra grunt (perceived anyway) much lower down the rev range and is quite enjoyable when short shifting - as is the C63 AMG even though it has a slushbox for a gearbox. Both of those examples in my opinion are more enjoyable just surfing the extra power of the engine at lower RPM's. The Porsche GT3 has a tremendous top end too - but you can thoroughly enjoy the car by leaving out the top 3k revs and just making excellent progress by riding the grunt that this motor produces too.Max Maxasson said:
As a total package and at the price there really isn't much else around to beat it for a DD and as a weekend fun car...
Now this I do agree with, I am finding it very hard to replace the E92 M3 with a nice all rounder car. I am hoping a nice example of F80 M3 or F82 M4 will fill those big shoes of the E92 M3.Max Maxasson said:
Doesn't that apply to most any high performance car?
At least in terms of driving enjoyment.
As a total package and at the price there really isn't much else around to beat it for a DD and as a weekend fun car...especially not the new M3/4 - what a disappointing car.
Me and 3 mates have just been away for a weekend power-boating in Wales. Got 4 of us and all our stuff in my M4 in comfort. Even 4 up with luggage it still shifts. It's a great car. I think anyone who doesn't get this, needs to have one for an extended period and use it.At least in terms of driving enjoyment.
As a total package and at the price there really isn't much else around to beat it for a DD and as a weekend fun car...especially not the new M3/4 - what a disappointing car.
Nbetts, the car in standard guise is quite muted at the lower end, feels even more so with dct but as mentioned the mpe or similar makes driving the m3 at lower rpm far more of an event. It's a shame they weren't all a little louder as standard but there are options to remedy that even offered by Bmw themselves.
daz05 said:
Nbetts, the car in standard guise is quite muted at the lower end, feels even more so with dct but as mentioned the mpe or similar makes driving the m3 at lower rpm far more of an event. It's a shame they weren't all a little louder as standard but there are options to remedy that even offered by Bmw themselves.
Yes I am aware of that, I did toy with the idea of this and I have heard that it makes a big difference.I would not rule out another E92 M3 and I am very happy that I owned one as it was a very compelling car - it just did not get my juices flowing 100% - it was, however, a very nice place to sit and in Competition Pack Spec looked very handsome to boot.
Benzo26 said:
As someone who is considering buying an M3, I can't help but wonder, having read so many comments about the engine, is the car worth the high running expenses if you only get the thrill and anger from that V8 when driving it hard? As someone who won't track it, and will use the car as a DD, is it special enough to justify the costs or would a 335i do virtually the same job give or take, for a fair few quid a month less expenditure? Subjective I know, but curious to see if it develops much more thought...
For me it didn't make sense as a DD, limited over taking opportunities on my commute and very low mpg while stuck in traffic so it just didn't add up for me. Very little theatre when driving it steady and a cabin that's pretty much identical to a 318d left me a little flat.
On clear open roads at over 6k rpm was fun though for sure.
jon- said:
Drive both, answer it yourself.
Personally they're like chalk and cheese to me.
I have driven an M3 already and really loved it, just putting it out there as a flip side to things. Hard to make a definitive decision with test drives and just wondered what people with more experience thought. Personally they're like chalk and cheese to me.
I've had a 335i, then an E92 M3, then an M135i and now an M4.
The full-fat M Cars are in a different league. The M135i was more like the 335i. The latter two just don't feel as dialled in as the E92 and M4. Of the four, the M4 is by far my favourite.
Don't compromise with a 335i if you can afford it. They are very different cars.
The full-fat M Cars are in a different league. The M135i was more like the 335i. The latter two just don't feel as dialled in as the E92 and M4. Of the four, the M4 is by far my favourite.
Don't compromise with a 335i if you can afford it. They are very different cars.
RossP said:
I've had a 335i, then an E92 M3, then an M135i and now an M4.
The full-fat M Cars are in a different league. The M135i was more like the 335i. The latter two just don't feel as dialled in as the E92 and M4. Of the four, the M4 is by far my favourite.
Don't compromise with a 335i if you can afford it. They are very different cars.
Cheers Ross. I am pretty sure I could afford to run one without too much drama, and I suppose the sense of occasion makes the M cars special regardless of the speed. It's the emotional petrol head v the financial business sense side of things that sometimes causes me conflict.The full-fat M Cars are in a different league. The M135i was more like the 335i. The latter two just don't feel as dialled in as the E92 and M4. Of the four, the M4 is by far my favourite.
Don't compromise with a 335i if you can afford it. They are very different cars.
RossP said:
I've had a 335i, then an E92 M3, then an M135i and now an M4.
The full-fat M Cars are in a different league. The M135i was more like the 335i. The latter two just don't feel as dialled in as the E92 and M4. Of the four, the M4 is by far my favourite.
Out of those four the M4 would be my favourite too. The full-fat M Cars are in a different league. The M135i was more like the 335i. The latter two just don't feel as dialled in as the E92 and M4. Of the four, the M4 is by far my favourite.
Bigman1981 said:
Had the car now for 3 weeks ,
It's absolute motoring perfection . The seat position , the old school feel of dials , the paddles are perfect weight and size and do we really need to go on about what a triumph this engine is ??? The way it revs can only be compared to a Ferrari and it sounds amazing as well .
I've had some serious cars in my time including r8 , f430 , 997 2s , 997t Gen1 , 991s , and before the m4 a c63 .
Without doubt the m4 was bottom of that list
The m4 was a disaster , I really wanted it to be the best car ever but just could not love it , sterile fake engine noise and jumpy handling .
The e92 without doubt is a future classic and I urge any petrol head to to go out and buy one because u will not ever regret it for one second ..... Ok maybe the fuel economy will cheese u off .... But for circa 30 k for a car if this quality and almost certain appreciation the next 5 years for the right car ..... Who gives a monkeys !!!
Well done bmw
"Jumpy handling" Finally we get to the truth. Another M4 / M3 owner who's previous car ownership is devoid of anything with torque has scared themselves with some low down grunt. The V8 M3 will be perfect for you. Personally I hated the complete lack of grunt from my V8 M3, and of course love my current F80 M3's delivery. It's absolute motoring perfection . The seat position , the old school feel of dials , the paddles are perfect weight and size and do we really need to go on about what a triumph this engine is ??? The way it revs can only be compared to a Ferrari and it sounds amazing as well .
I've had some serious cars in my time including r8 , f430 , 997 2s , 997t Gen1 , 991s , and before the m4 a c63 .
Without doubt the m4 was bottom of that list
The m4 was a disaster , I really wanted it to be the best car ever but just could not love it , sterile fake engine noise and jumpy handling .
The e92 without doubt is a future classic and I urge any petrol head to to go out and buy one because u will not ever regret it for one second ..... Ok maybe the fuel economy will cheese u off .... But for circa 30 k for a car if this quality and almost certain appreciation the next 5 years for the right car ..... Who gives a monkeys !!!
Well done bmw
I just don't understand why people slate the current car instead of admitting it is a bit too manly for them and moving on quietly.
"Jumpy handling" - I really don't get this. My F82 is very securely planted to the road and doesn't jump about at all, even on bumpy Welsh roads. Oversteer on demand too with all that lovely torque 
I think there was a problem with the earlier F8X cars which was resolved with a damper change?
I think there was a problem with the earlier F8X cars which was resolved with a damper change?
The JM said:
"Jumpy handling" Finally we get to the truth. Another M4 / M3 owner who's previous car ownership is devoid of anything with torque has scared themselves with some low down grunt. The V8 M3 will be perfect for you. Personally I hated the complete lack of grunt from my V8 M3, and of course love my current F80 M3's delivery.
I just don't understand why people slate the current car instead of admitting it is a bit too manly for them and moving on quietly.
I have never driven an E92 M3 but have just driven an F80 and I loved the engine as it had lots of torque, I hate gutless feeling engines. I currently have an F30 335D.I just don't understand why people slate the current car instead of admitting it is a bit too manly for them and moving on quietly.
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