RE: BMW M3 (E90): Spotted
Discussion
I was always skeptical of what the DCT box would be like, being an ardent fan of manual boxes but it really works with the engine. There is barely a drop in revs when blasting up through the gears and the 'auto' shift is nice enough that you'd actually use it. Only downside to that is it gets into high gears quite quickly but most auto's do that now.
They are just such fast cars though that I still prefer my E46. You can have fun at much lower speeds in an E46 whereas the E90 only starts to shine at silly speeds. Great fun as a point and squirt machine and silly fast in a straight line but its chassis is so capable that you'll find yourself taking liberties on the public road to provoke the same experience you get from an E46 at safer speeds.
They are just such fast cars though that I still prefer my E46. You can have fun at much lower speeds in an E46 whereas the E90 only starts to shine at silly speeds. Great fun as a point and squirt machine and silly fast in a straight line but its chassis is so capable that you'll find yourself taking liberties on the public road to provoke the same experience you get from an E46 at safer speeds.
JohnGoodridge said:
Baz Tench said:
Krikkit said:
Manual with CDV delete, yes please! Always admired the E90 M3.
I don't want to reopen the manual vs dct debate, but I've been looking at a manual one of these. My mate, who owns a dct version reckons I shouldn't bother as the dct is so good. I've only ever driven a manual one - which I really enjoyed, so I'm taking his out soon to see if I too can be converted, like him.My E92 M3 was a manual and I never even considered the DCT even though I'd had a go in one, because I wanted a N/A V8 engine mated to three pedals.
However for me the manual gearbox is poor with a very rubbery feel to it and its not especially rewarding to use, plus the gearing with 110mph at 8400rpm in third makes it tricky to enjoy on the road.
So even though I'm a manual diehard I have to admit that the DCT suits the engine far better overall and helps you get the best from it.
However for me the manual gearbox is poor with a very rubbery feel to it and its not especially rewarding to use, plus the gearing with 110mph at 8400rpm in third makes it tricky to enjoy on the road.
So even though I'm a manual diehard I have to admit that the DCT suits the engine far better overall and helps you get the best from it.
The manual vs DCT is done to death, the DCT is better suited to the car but if you want more interaction then the manual is fine.
Worth pointing out that not all manuals are equal, my e92 is nice but I've driven a couple of notchy ones. That said they all work well enough at the top end, some are just a bit grumpy at low speed, especially when cold.
Personally I never got on with the standard cars, too thirsty to fit the daily driver bill and too quiet and ordinary in normal driving to fit the weekend car role. I can imagine the DCT feels a lot better for that sort of use though. Also I found the dynamics a bit confused between cruiser and sports car.
I've turned mine into a road trip/track car though and love it, I stripped a load of weight out and fitted a half cage, corbeau carbon buckets, ohlins suspension and Alcon brakes. The thing is mega, still practical and entirely usable on the road but much sharper and special feeling. It's a bit weighty still on track but massively easy to drive on the limit and you can enjoy the engine and chassis a lot more if you configure it as a weekend car.
Probably not relevant to the E90 though, you wouldn't do what I've done with a saloon!
Worth pointing out that not all manuals are equal, my e92 is nice but I've driven a couple of notchy ones. That said they all work well enough at the top end, some are just a bit grumpy at low speed, especially when cold.
Personally I never got on with the standard cars, too thirsty to fit the daily driver bill and too quiet and ordinary in normal driving to fit the weekend car role. I can imagine the DCT feels a lot better for that sort of use though. Also I found the dynamics a bit confused between cruiser and sports car.
I've turned mine into a road trip/track car though and love it, I stripped a load of weight out and fitted a half cage, corbeau carbon buckets, ohlins suspension and Alcon brakes. The thing is mega, still practical and entirely usable on the road but much sharper and special feeling. It's a bit weighty still on track but massively easy to drive on the limit and you can enjoy the engine and chassis a lot more if you configure it as a weekend car.
Probably not relevant to the E90 though, you wouldn't do what I've done with a saloon!
Around 250 LCI Saloons were produced for the UK market so they are the rarest E9x variant.
DCT is a perfect match for the S65, and Auto mode shifting can be modified using the Drivelogic settings.
The advertised car has rare sunroof option but I never saw the point in the carbon splitters on Jerez black.
Tailpipes on the advertised car are slightly comical to me but that's personal taste.
The standard 18" cast alloys were usually specced out for the forged 19" Fuch's option when new, but are now becoming popular due to rarity and a slightly more compliant ride.
Thinking a bit deeper on the future value of the E90, as well as being rare, it was also unique in being the only E90 with an E92/3 nose and custom rear arches. Although strangely the front wings differ from the Coupe (check out the vents). And although I'm not sure this it true throughout the entire model run the E90 bonnet does not carry the "M3" pressing on the underside that the Coupe carries.
History typically rewards rarity and quirks... particularly when the rest of the package was so right.
Based on the prices of cars for sale today mine has lost around £1,500 per year over the last 5 years, and that's a pessimistic assessment.
DCT is a perfect match for the S65, and Auto mode shifting can be modified using the Drivelogic settings.
The advertised car has rare sunroof option but I never saw the point in the carbon splitters on Jerez black.
Tailpipes on the advertised car are slightly comical to me but that's personal taste.
The standard 18" cast alloys were usually specced out for the forged 19" Fuch's option when new, but are now becoming popular due to rarity and a slightly more compliant ride.
Thinking a bit deeper on the future value of the E90, as well as being rare, it was also unique in being the only E90 with an E92/3 nose and custom rear arches. Although strangely the front wings differ from the Coupe (check out the vents). And although I'm not sure this it true throughout the entire model run the E90 bonnet does not carry the "M3" pressing on the underside that the Coupe carries.
History typically rewards rarity and quirks... particularly when the rest of the package was so right.
Based on the prices of cars for sale today mine has lost around £1,500 per year over the last 5 years, and that's a pessimistic assessment.
Baz Tench said:
I don't want to reopen the manual vs dct debate, but I've been looking at a manual one of these. My mate, who owns a dct version reckons I shouldn't bother as the dct is so good. I've only ever driven a manual one - which I really enjoyed, so I'm taking his out soon to see if I too can be converted, like him.
DCT is absolutely awesome i was the same as you. had both DCT e92 and dct F80 great gearbox (other than blowing the f80 one up in 2k miles).One thing about running costs on the E9x lot
There are bearing problems which write the engines off.
Actuators
and I had a 6k bill for a faulty power steering pump which meant new rack and everything for simply finding swarf in my Powersteering fluid +_+
Not a cheap car to run at all. not to mention £60 of petrol every other day lol
There are bearing problems which write the engines off.
Actuators
and I had a 6k bill for a faulty power steering pump which meant new rack and everything for simply finding swarf in my Powersteering fluid +_+
Not a cheap car to run at all. not to mention £60 of petrol every other day lol
BFleming said:
Just to note, you describe the E90 M3 as a facelift model. They all were. BMW didn't offer the M3 in original E90 format, just LCI.
I did a Nurburgring trip (& laps) in an E92 M3 with a manual box, and thought whilst it was quick, the brakes were woeful. I now find myself back in an E90 LCI, just one with over 250bhp less than the M3 featured here. Christ.
Might be a nice time to dedicate some PH time to the 4 door E36 M3 and 318iS. Dakar Yellow photos if you're asking ;-)
YOur wrong. There was pre LCI E90 M3. I have an E90 335i and test drove a pre lci M3 to compare. Ive seen loads for sale on the forums.I did a Nurburgring trip (& laps) in an E92 M3 with a manual box, and thought whilst it was quick, the brakes were woeful. I now find myself back in an E90 LCI, just one with over 250bhp less than the M3 featured here. Christ.
Might be a nice time to dedicate some PH time to the 4 door E36 M3 and 318iS. Dakar Yellow photos if you're asking ;-)
Edited by BFleming on Thursday 19th January 13:10
A quick google search brings up loads.
Edit: Ebay item number 232195412188 & 162346772937
Edited by imy85 on Thursday 19th January 16:34
Ok got it. I was looking at the front bonnet & grilles which look like my LCI car. I then looked at the same cars with rear lights that are definitely pre-facelift. Turns out the M3 saloon got the coupe front end. So yup, I was wrong & I'm happily now educated! E90 M3 LCI was facelifted in July/August 2008, so a little while after the regular E90.
Edited by BFleming on Thursday 19th January 16:41
BFleming said:
Ok got it. I was looking at the front bonnet & grilles which look like my LCI car. I then looked at the same cars with rear lights that are definitely pre-facelift. Turns out the M3 saloon got the coupe front end. So yup, I was wrong & I'm happily now educated! E90 M3 LCI was facelifted in July/August 2008, so a little while after the regular E90.
I think it was later that than July/August 2008. You can see the cars i have listed are 2009 cars with 58 number plates?Edited by BFleming on Thursday 19th January 16:41
Strangely I admire, but don't miss mine at all. If I was to take the plunge again I would go with DCT not manual despite being a fan of a normal gearbox. Quick, but need revving. Heavy, but hides it well. How anyone can say it's not very fast is either lying or drives on track a lot 
Oh, and the brakes need upgrading as they melt when used in anger. Good things; S65, sounds epic, especially after a mod. Practical and refined. They'll never be another. Bad things; you need a lot of space to extend it and to make it feel alive you need to be travelling at speeds which will bring you a world of grief!
I'll stick with my ugly duckling thanks
Oh, and the brakes need upgrading as they melt when used in anger. Good things; S65, sounds epic, especially after a mod. Practical and refined. They'll never be another. Bad things; you need a lot of space to extend it and to make it feel alive you need to be travelling at speeds which will bring you a world of grief!I'll stick with my ugly duckling thanks
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