RE: BMW M3 (E90): Spotted

RE: BMW M3 (E90): Spotted

Thursday 19th January 2017

BMW M3 (E90): Spotted

Is it too soon to be throwing out the 'future classic' card?



We all know of those cars that are more fondly remembered once they're out of production, and the previous generation E90 M3 could well be of them. Following the E92 coupe, this was to be the glorious return of the M3 saloon after a generation away.


Except it never was, was it? It arrived right in the middle of a financial crisis and it would seem the majority of buyers still preferred the coupe. You probably saw an E92 M3 yesterday, but an E90 four-door? Must be a while back. In fact of the 222 V8 M3s for sale on PH currently, just 18 are saloons. That it didn't address some of the V8 M3 flaws (the steering, most notably) may have seemed a missed opportunity, or perhaps it looked too similar to a regular 3 Series for some.

Now, however, when engines like that 4.0-litre V8 won't be seen in small saloons again, there's a renewed appreciation. Where the C63, M3, RS4 and IS F all once had V8s that revved way past 7,000rpm, all are now turbocharged (or soon going to be) and, in the case of the Lexus, replaced only by a coupe.

M3s have (and will continue to be) discussed on PH a great deal, but this particular saloon caught our attention as perhaps the nicest example currently on sale. It's an LCI (Life Cycle Impulse, BMW's fancy term for a facelift) car, even rarer as M3 saloons go and desirable thanks to the updated iDrive it introduced. It has some Competition Pack wheels too, which just look fantastic here. Oh yes, and £4K's worth of Akrapovic exhaust...


It's still only covered 28,000 miles, the service history is comprehensive and there's still some BMW extended warranty remaining. For those after a four-door M3, there surely can't be many (if any) better.

Do you want a manual? Here perhaps more than anywhere else it's no great loss, BMW's notchy shift and vague clutch substituted in this M3 for the DCT. It's one of the best dual-clutch boxes, and ideal for making the most of that sensational powerband. Should you want a manual one, this Interlagos Blue car has been for sale for months (we've been admiring it in the office for months, that's why we know).

The M3 had some very strong rivals when new and they've continued into the used market, something like this C63 surely proving a very tempting alternative. Don't forget about that Lexus too. All will require a healthy fuel and tyre budget...

Whatever you decide, it will be interesting to see what happens to the values of M3 saloons going forward. This is a car that will continue to depreciate for a while but which must be as rare as a 1M Coupe in the UK. And with that engine; however the price ends up, that will be something to savour!


BMW M3 SALOON (E90)
Engine
: 3,999cc, V8
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch DCT, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 420@8,400rpm
Torque (lb ft): 295@3,900rpm
MPG: 25.2 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 263g/km
First registered: 2011
Recorded mileage: 28,111 miles
Price new: £54,085 (plus options)
Yours for: £33,500

See the original advert here

 

 

 

 


Author
Discussion

sidesauce

Original Poster:

2,456 posts

217 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
quotequote all
Not normally a car I'd look at twice, this one is very tasty I must say.

JonJon2015

303 posts

96 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
quotequote all
A lovely car but far too soon to be touting as a 'future classic', a label (which I hate) that is being applied to most adverts for E39 M5s at the moment and the last of those were registered nearly a decade before this M3. So a 'future future classic', perhaps?

Krikkit

26,500 posts

180 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
quotequote all
Manual with CDV delete, yes please! Always admired the E90 M3.

Baz Tench

5,648 posts

189 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
quotequote all
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.

Debaser

5,665 posts

260 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
quotequote all
Love these, though I'd prefer an unmodified one with a manual gearbox.

kritter86

170 posts

134 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
quotequote all
That Lexus is remarkable!

lewisf182

2,084 posts

187 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
quotequote all
Love the E90 shape. Not sure on the exhaust here though, the tips just look far too big, I'd rather have the other manual one noted here and it provides a lot more change to go toward fuel!
Love the ISF and think exterior wise it looks the best of the 3, however, that interior is just horrendous isn't it really, I couldn't live with something so plain and standard looking day to day.

jon-

16,496 posts

215 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
quotequote all
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.
It depends if you like manual gearboxes.

The box, unlike the article states, isn't overly notchy or vague. It's not a Honda level gearbox, but it matches the cars character.

Just because the DCT is more accomplished (they're great boxes), doesn't mean they're better.

The e9x M is the last M3 to have character. The manual adds to that.

Matt Bird

1,450 posts

204 months

PH Reportery Lad

Thursday 19th January 2017
quotequote all
JonJon2015 said:
A lovely car but far too soon to be touting as a 'future classic', a label (which I hate) that is being applied to most adverts for E39 M5s at the moment and the last of those were registered nearly a decade before this M3. So a 'future future classic', perhaps?
Future future classic sounds good! thumbup

Baz Tench

5,648 posts

189 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
quotequote all
jon- 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.
It depends if you like manual gearboxes.

The box, unlike the article states, isn't overly notchy or vague. It's not a Honda level gearbox, but it matches the cars character.

Just because the DCT is more accomplished (they're great boxes), doesn't mean they're better.

The e9x M is the last M3 to have character. The manual adds to that.
I'm a great fan of manual M cars. My old e39 M5 and my present manual e46 M3 bear testiment to that. I'm open to the thought of the dct though, so I'll see how I get on - soon hopefully.

Trophy-GTA

101 posts

97 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
quotequote all
Manual is the only option for me.

anonymous-user

53 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
quotequote all
Merits of the E90 aside, that car is a depreciation hero. It's 6 years old and has lost only 40% of it's value. You'd struggle to find anything from a mainstream manufacturer that can even come close to that.

WCZ

10,492 posts

193 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
quotequote all
wasn't too impressed when I had brief ownership of one, doesn't feel that quick and drinks an insane amount of fuel

thelawnet1

1,539 posts

154 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
quotequote all
why the fake plate?

Gribs

469 posts

135 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
quotequote all
dme123 said:
Merits of the E90 aside, that car is a depreciation hero. It's 6 years old and has lost only 40% of it's value. You'd struggle to find anything from a mainstream manufacturer that can even come close to that.
It's not a depreciation hero, just that car is overpriced compared to the rest of the market. It should be in the mid to late 20's.

thelawnet1

1,539 posts

154 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
quotequote all
dme123 said:
Merits of the E90 aside, that car is a depreciation hero. It's 6 years old and has lost only 40% of it's value. You'd struggle to find anything from a mainstream manufacturer that can even come close to that.
it's not lost that much unless they sell at that price

this one looks nearer the price mark?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

BFleming

3,589 posts

142 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
quotequote all
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 ;-)

Edited by BFleming on Thursday 19th January 13:10

simundo777

131 posts

170 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
quotequote all
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.
Not true, the E90 M3 was available in pre lci.

Great cars, I'm a manual fan too but in the end went for DCT, its so well suited to the S65 motor.

Aside from the running costs its pretty perfect as a daily.


JohnGoodridge

529 posts

194 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
quotequote all
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.
I've driven a DCT, and it's really good, but, I couldn't pass up the chance at an S65 combined with 3 pedals, even if it's not the snicketiest box.


nicholasm

145 posts

184 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
quotequote all
Yes, both the E90 M3 and E92 M3 had an LCI in 2009 which included an upgrade to the iDrive and new rear lights for the saloon (the coupe / vert didn't get new lights until the following year). So I'm not sure the E90 LCI is rarer - it was in production for longer, anyway.

simundo777 said:
Not true, the E90 M3 was available in pre lci.

Great cars, I'm a manual fan too but in the end went for DCT, its so well suited to the S65 motor.

Aside from the running costs its pretty perfect as a daily.