BMW M3: PH Carpool
Worried the newer M3s weren't being used properly? Read on for this PHer's exploits on road and track!
Car: BMW M3 Competition Pack (E92)
Owned since: September 2015
Previously owned: BMW M3 (E46), Renaultsport Megane R26, Ford Focus ST
Nurburgring visit part of a great Euro trip weekend
"I've had a thing for M3s for as long as I've been obsessed with cars, which stretches back further than memory serves. Early last year I finally bought myself an E46 M3 in Steel Grey. It was everything I hoped it'd be and more, but as time went on I found myself becoming increasingly anxious at every little sound it made. So when a change of circumstances meant I was in a position to upgrade sooner than anticipated, it was time for something newer.
"I originally set out to purchase an F80 M3, an intention that was soon put to rest by a test drive. It's not that I dislike the car - I think they look and feel incredible inside and out - but the turbocharged engine just wasn't for me.
"A test drive of the V8 model was revolutionary, however. The noise was intoxicating, especially at over 8,000rpm, and the car just seemed to fit the bill perfectly. Living in London at the time, I needed one car to do it all - a car that could cruise up and down the motorway for regular family visits, but also one could also offer suitable levels of fun on track days as well."
Great pic!
"I wish I'd known just how much I'd catch the track bug. I've gone a long way in the pursuit of the perfect track/road car and I think I'm there with the help of Stoptech brakes and Intrax suspension amongst other things, but the car is just used for weekends and track days now. Sometimes, I can't help but think that there may have been cheaper and better cars to start with for such uses."
Things I love:
"The noise! With the addition of the Akrapovic exhaust, it just never gets old. I almost never drive the car with the windows up on the road - rain or shine! I also love being able to rock up to a track day, set my tyre pressures, enjoy my day and drive home again at the end of the way without any drama."
Things I hate:
"Keeping it clean. Maintaining a white car to exacting standards is hard work, especially with the amount of tar and rubber it seems to collect from track days. I will never complain about keeping a black car clean ever again."
Costs:
"So far, the car has been under AUC warranty and it's original service pack, so there's nothing to speak of there. I've done a couple of interim oil changes - nine litres of Castrol Edge 10/60w and a filter comes in at just over £100 a time.
"Other than that it's just been consumables. Michelin Cup 2 tyres aren't too much more than regular tyres for the car at £900 a set. The only thing that has surprised me is the unexpected need for new brake rotors for the big brake kit at £700 a pair."
Putting the new tyres and brakes to good use
"Earlier this year I made the pilgrimage across Europe to the Nordschleife before heading to a track day at Spa Francorchamps. They were quite simply the best three days I've ever spent in a car and a trip I'll definitely be repeating again soon."
What's next?
"With the addition of a daily driver, I often find myself looking at the likes of the Cayman S and Exige S, but a drive in mine always quashes any such idea. Ultimately, the only thing I can really see replacing this without leaving a massive void would be something like a 997.2 GT3, but that's a long way off yet!"
Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at carpool@pistonheads.com!
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I wouldn't be jumping into the family car that's for sure, if I wanted a pint of milk from the shop then the M3 would do nicely but as a thrilling drivers car I don't think it fits the remit.
The M3 is a car that tries to do everything but because of that it's massively flawed, appreciate all cars have a compromise of some sort though.
I just prefer a car that's designed as a drivers car from the outset, and not one based on an ordinary car originally.
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