2013 BMW M3

The E92 M3 marked the last naturally aspirated, motorsport-bred and unapologetically hooligan M3, before the turbochargers arrived with their sensible shoes and calculators.

Produced between 2007 and 2013, this wasn’t just another fast BMW for orthodontists. Oh no, this M3 went racing. Proper racing. The E92 M3 GT2 stormed endurance circuits from 2009 to 2012, collecting silverware like a kleptomaniac at a dinner party.

American Le Mans titles, 12 Hours of Sebring, even the Nürburgring 24 Hours. BMW even shouldered their way back into DTM, promptly winning the 2012 Driver’s Championship, the first win for BMW since the days of the E30 M3 in 1987 and 1989. In other words, this isn’t just marketing gumph. It’s pedigree.

Engine:

Now let’s address the elephant in the garage, the V8. Its predecessor, the E46 M3, widely regarded as the Swiss Army Knife of performance cars, straight-six royalty, would be a tough act to follow. BMW’s answer? Two extra cylinders.

The E92 introduced the S65, a 4.0-litre, naturally aspirated V8. Inspired by Formula 1 electronic geekery, it uses quad-cams, 32 valves and double VANOS to achieve a redline that sails past 8,000rpm like it’s being chased up the stairs.

The S65 produces 414bhp and 400N.m of torque, that’s enough torque to topple large bovine livestock! The really clever bit, is even at a perfectly civilised 2,000rpm, the E92 is still serving up 340N.m. So, whether you’re quietly creeping past the Vicar’s house on a Sunday afternoon or giving it Das Boot down a B-road, the power delivery remains abundantly smooth.

Then there’s the dome. BMW calls it a ‘power dome’. You and I call it a bonnet bulge. It’s there to provide adequate headroom for that magnificent V8, but, more importantly, exists to make grown men feel like giddy school boys.

Weight has always been the handicap of the V8, not so with this one. Forged at the Landshut Light Metal Foundry (the same facility that built the BMW Sauber Formula 1 engines) the S65 tips the scales at just 202kg. That’s 15kg lighter than the previous M3’s straight-six! One large Spaniel, gone! Which means this M3 doesn’t lumber and lurch about like an ox-cart, it hunts.

Gearbox:

Gearbox? Choose your weapon. A proper 6-speed manual for those who enjoy doing things ‘old school’, or the slick 7-speed Getrag M-DCT. BMW’s first dual-clutch gearbox, smoothly snapping through ratios faster than you can say “licence points.” The E92 M3 boasts a 0–62mph time of just 4.8 seconds in the manual and as is the case with this example, 4.6 seconds in the DCT. Not too shabby.

Limited Edition 500:

This Mineral White coupe is a rare ‘Limited Edition 500’. A celebration of the last naturally aspirated V8 M3. Fewer than 500 were made for the UK and available only in Mineral White, Imola Red or Santorini Blue. Other than coming with Electronic Damping Control (EDC) as standard, the LE500 flaunts a number of cosmetic changes such as 19” gloss black alloy wheels, dark chrome exhausts and Novillo leather with red contrast stitching.

Pre-Delivery:

Before handover to the new owner, the car will pass through the workshop for PDI, final checks, connolising of the leather seats and a new MOT.

With the car is a very thorough document file, spare keys, tools, original service wallet containing all manuals, handbooks and fully stamped main dealer and BMW specialist service book.

As part of the sales preparation, this E92 M3 will undergo the Hero Motor Company’s preventative future-proofing. The underside will be washed and decontaminated, any areas of surface corrosion taken back to bare metal and chemically treated, before original factory underseal and paint applied and finally protected with clear cavity wax.

Our Thoughts:

It’s not just a car. It’s a full stop at the end of an era. The last M3 before turbochargers and eco-efficiency charts. Before the world got sensible. It reminds you that once upon a time, BMW built a car that could win endurance races on Sunday and upset the neighbours on Monday.

Full Specification:

Date of Production: 18/06/2013

Date of First Registration: 05/07/2013

Previous Owners: 3

Mileage: 30,500miles

Full Service History

ULEZ Compliant

Limited Edition 1 of 500 (LE500)

Engine Capacity: 3999cc

7-Speed M-DCT Transmission

Mineralweiss Metallic Exterior

Schwarz Leather Interior

19” BMW Style 220 Alloy Wheels

Electronic Damping Control (EDC)

Full Black Novillo leather interior

M Drive

19” M Alloy wheels

M Twin-Clutch w/Drivelogic

Anthracite Headlining

Brake Energy Regeneration

Interior Trim Strips in Titan Shadow

Cruise Control

Light Package

Headlight cleaning system

Xenon Adaptive Headlights

Automatic Air conditioning

Auto start/stop function

Interior mirror with automatic dipping

Electric seat with memory

BMW Alarm system

Electric fold in mirrors

Front retractable armrest

Interior carbon trim

BMW floor mats

Warning triangle and first aid kit

Iso-fix System

Front Seat Heating

Park Distance Control

Rain Sensor

Professional Nav System

BMW Assist

DAB Radio Tuner

Harman Kardon Surround Sound System

High Gloss Shadow-Line

Music Interface for Smartphone

Bluetooth Prep

Voice Control