E92 M3 Saloon collected today
Discussion
Yesterday after about 45,000 miles in my ownership I handed over my old trusty 1998 e36 evo saloon to another guy in the office and collected this car this morning. M3 is the perfect size for the dreadful country roads where I live - so another m3 saloon was top of the list. I seriously thought about a C63 - but the M3 is just a bit more discreet - and I really wanted a manual box.
I wanted the last of the high revving N/A V8's and a manual box - before it all becomes turbos and flappy paddles on the next generation of M cars - which just does not really float my boat - whilst marvelling at the tech/efficiency of the latest generation.
I wanted a black manual car - and bramley had exactly what I wanted - so did the deal - car is jerez black which can look dark blueish in the sun - interior is fox red novillo
I have not had a "modern" car for years - can see the iDrive is gonna be a new experience!
I have only driven it about 15 miles but immediately first thoughts are - f
k what an engine! I am now at work just thinking of a long route home where I can explore the higher reaches of the that gem of a motor!
I wanted the last of the high revving N/A V8's and a manual box - before it all becomes turbos and flappy paddles on the next generation of M cars - which just does not really float my boat - whilst marvelling at the tech/efficiency of the latest generation.
I wanted a black manual car - and bramley had exactly what I wanted - so did the deal - car is jerez black which can look dark blueish in the sun - interior is fox red novillo
I have not had a "modern" car for years - can see the iDrive is gonna be a new experience!
I have only driven it about 15 miles but immediately first thoughts are - f
k what an engine! I am now at work just thinking of a long route home where I can explore the higher reaches of the that gem of a motor!Thats lovely. Great choice and I'm certain you'll love it.
The engine is just fantastic but its perfectly good at all the boring everyday family stuff too. If I had only 1 car to do it all it would be (And was a couple of years ago) my choice.
Get the options for the steering, throttle maps, suspension sorted and attached to the magic button on the wheel and you're set.
I very much liked the C63 I tried, great sound track and torque is superior no doubt but I think the M3 is a purer more fun drivers car and I hate automatics.
Conversely, I love DCTs so if I bought another one it would have that box rather than a manual.
The engine is just fantastic but its perfectly good at all the boring everyday family stuff too. If I had only 1 car to do it all it would be (And was a couple of years ago) my choice.
Get the options for the steering, throttle maps, suspension sorted and attached to the magic button on the wheel and you're set.
I very much liked the C63 I tried, great sound track and torque is superior no doubt but I think the M3 is a purer more fun drivers car and I hate automatics.
Conversely, I love DCTs so if I bought another one it would have that box rather than a manual.
Awesome. I have got one of those too but mine's a DCT car. They are flat out fantastic and tick every single box (except maybe for fuel consumption 
). The saloon is definitley "it" as far as the M3 goes in my view. I had a convertible and never really gelled with it. There are a lot of coupes around and the saloon is nicely understated and not that common. Perfect to drive and really practical too with frankly scary pace when you get the V8 moving.
I have got every intention of keeping mine until, well......at least until the warranty runs out and then I'll get another
). The saloon is definitley "it" as far as the M3 goes in my view. I had a convertible and never really gelled with it. There are a lot of coupes around and the saloon is nicely understated and not that common. Perfect to drive and really practical too with frankly scary pace when you get the V8 moving.I have got every intention of keeping mine until, well......at least until the warranty runs out and then I'll get another
rossb said:
Thanks 4 comments guys-it's a slow burn car in that its soo competent that it inially it underwhelms but......it then bewitches you...I am now smitten - it is ferociously quick cross country - perfect compliment to other toys - at 6k it changes into a real world v.quick car...
Its a bit jekyll and Hyde. Like an everyday vanilla 3 series with everything set at soft , dampers soft, engine response moderate etc.But set it up to max attack, (Easiest with the M button , rather than working through I drive! ) its like its had a shot of Red Bull in its veins. Whole car gets sharp, wakes up but its when you get that motor spinning that it is special just as you say.
Between 6k and the red line its like a proper motorsport engine. Great as the C63 Merc engine is with its Nascar soundtrack and massive shove the E92 M3 has ny kind of engine.
Looks great - I am sure you will really enjoy.
Same colours as mine which is also a manual. Now had for three years and 36,000 miles and it still makes me smile every time I drive it.
But it did take me a couple of months at the start to really appreciate the cars ability.
Now due to family getting bigger, I need to change for an M5 which is a shame because of the lack of manual gearbox.
I was looking at the M saloons on the AUC website today and noticed there were three M3 saloons which have been registered in the last month or so with good spec (all with DCT though) for £49K.
As said above, I think these may be sought after in the future.
Same colours as mine which is also a manual. Now had for three years and 36,000 miles and it still makes me smile every time I drive it.
But it did take me a couple of months at the start to really appreciate the cars ability.
Now due to family getting bigger, I need to change for an M5 which is a shame because of the lack of manual gearbox.
I was looking at the M saloons on the AUC website today and noticed there were three M3 saloons which have been registered in the last month or so with good spec (all with DCT though) for £49K.
As said above, I think these may be sought after in the future.
pjv997 said:
Looks great - I am sure you will really enjoy.
Same colours as mine which is also a manual. Now had for three years and 36,000 miles and it still makes me smile every time I drive it.
But it did take me a couple of months at the start to really appreciate the cars ability.
Now due to family getting bigger, I need to change for an M5 which is a shame because of the lack of manual gearbox.
I was looking at the M saloons on the AUC website today and noticed there were three M3 saloons which have been registered in the last month or so with good spec (all with DCT though) for £49K.
As said above, I think these may be sought after in the future.
Ended up with having to use an E60 M5 for 3 weeks whilst having the M3 repaired when I had it so was able to compare the 2. The M5s V10 is an amazing motor in many ways. Just ballistic when its overcome the bulk of the thing, which generally means already illegal speeds! Same colours as mine which is also a manual. Now had for three years and 36,000 miles and it still makes me smile every time I drive it.
But it did take me a couple of months at the start to really appreciate the cars ability.
Now due to family getting bigger, I need to change for an M5 which is a shame because of the lack of manual gearbox.
I was looking at the M saloons on the AUC website today and noticed there were three M3 saloons which have been registered in the last month or so with good spec (all with DCT though) for £49K.
As said above, I think these may be sought after in the future.
But its too big to be a sports car and its gearbox is a bit rubbish. Either really slow or clunky or brutal. In the end I couldn't wait to get back in the M3.
Feel a right muppet did not think that you have to press m button as per post above(thanks!) thought the m settings as per I drive were already on - now realise default settings are quite different
anyway when I pressed and put the foot to the bulkhead - I laughed out loud
The only problem with the car is that find it hard to exercise restraint - urge anyone who has not driven one to get behind the wheel and over bumpy b roads ask yourself what could be much quicker whilst providing a rousing n/a howl
I am like a kid at Christmas!
anyway when I pressed and put the foot to the bulkhead - I laughed out loud
The only problem with the car is that find it hard to exercise restraint - urge anyone who has not driven one to get behind the wheel and over bumpy b roads ask yourself what could be much quicker whilst providing a rousing n/a howl
I am like a kid at Christmas!
rossb said:
Feel a right muppet did not think that you have to press m button as per post above(thanks!) thought the m settings as per I drive were already on - now realise default settings are quite different
anyway when I pressed and put the foot to the bulkhead - I laughed out loud
The only problem with the car is that find it hard to exercise restraint - urge anyone who has not driven one to get behind the wheel and over bumpy b roads ask yourself what could be much quicker whilst providing a rousing n/a howl
I am like a kid at Christmas!
I know exactly what you mean, its an exhilarating car and just THE perfect all rounder. Bit thirsty mind.anyway when I pressed and put the foot to the bulkhead - I laughed out loud
The only problem with the car is that find it hard to exercise restraint - urge anyone who has not driven one to get behind the wheel and over bumpy b roads ask yourself what could be much quicker whilst providing a rousing n/a howl
I am like a kid at Christmas!
Has yours got terracotta leather? There were a batch of dealer demonstrators that were all the same colour combination. I thought it looked great. Still do.
Enjoy!
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