Discussion
Aren’t these just a wonderful car?! The e9x model is really coming into its own with age. A lovely engine, good build quality with a decent level of refinement and toys, they have to be a classic. I know the e46 is already nearing collector territory but the shape after is such a good all rounder. Which brings me to this- the 4 door version. I think it’s such a kwerky thing. I know they didn’t do a competition and many ltd runs but I hardly ever see one on the road. Just looking through the classifieds and there really aren’t many for sale. Show us yours!
I think the only real downsides to the car are the lack of exhaust drama inside (damn criminal move by bmw!) and the damn near £600 tax band..
That being said, both the above mean its the classier option and stays, for the most part, out of the wrong hands.
Best all rounder I've ever owned.
That being said, both the above mean its the classier option and stays, for the most part, out of the wrong hands.
Best all rounder I've ever owned.
Yes, I like that they made an M3 with 4 doors - it's a bit understated.
Although they do seem to suffer from worn crank rod bearing shells like the S54 engines in the E46 M3.
And since the budget this year Road Tax will be £600 a year. But it's a small price to pay for such a special car!
Although they do seem to suffer from worn crank rod bearing shells like the S54 engines in the E46 M3.
And since the budget this year Road Tax will be £600 a year. But it's a small price to pay for such a special car!
Ice_blue_tvr said:
I think the only real downsides to the car are the lack of exhaust drama inside (damn criminal move by bmw!) and the damn near £600 tax band..
The induction noise is intoxicating though 
(completely agree on the exhaust front though). I pay £600 tax on my 370Z and I only get a 3.7 V6 for it. The M3 is a bargain tax wise in comparison because you get a 4.0 V8 in return!
Ice_blue_tvr said:
Edc made it the comfiest car I've ever owned.. The only thing that beats it is the Merc gls, and not by as much as you'd think.
Agree and it was the best riding car that I've had. I've currently got a F82 M4 with the adaptive dampers and it isn't a patch on the M3 ride wise for me. A good set of quality mods makes these cars even better. I think the engine could do with a carbon intake at least and a good quality exhaust. They then sound the nuts in he upper Rev range. Rode in my mates one not too long ago and remember thinking what a great daily it makes. How many 4 door cars were made?
thegermancarguy said:
What a beaut! The dct is soo good it’s a hard choice really. Was always a manual guy but quite liked the character of the smg in the e46. The DCT is on another level if using about town with the odd blast.
Thanks. 
White isn't my usual go to colour, but I really liked it in white though and I thought that it suited it.
Yes and the decision between manual and DCT is a tricky one. I like the manual because there aren't many cars that you can get a V8 engine mated to a manual anymore, but the DCT arguably suits the car/engine more though.
cerb4.5lee said:
Yes and the decision between manual and DCT is a tricky one. I like the manual because there aren't many cars that you can get a V8 engine mated to a manual anymore, but the DCT arguably suits the car/engine more though.
Pretty much this.. Tbh, if the manual wasn't available I would have been looking at other cars. Not the best manual box in the world though, quite a notchy/rubbery feel (though some are reportedly worse than others) compared to the dct which is meant to be one of the best this side of Ferrari. The frozen colours are also stunning to look at but I bet a real pain to keep clean/colour match if you have some paint work to be done. I find the NA BMWs definitely need an exhaust system as compared to other marques eg the c63. Were there any ltd edition e90 saloons? I know there were so many different iterations of the e92
[quote=Ice_blue_tvr]I think the only real downsides to the car are the lack of exhaust drama inside (damn criminal move by bmw!) and the damn near £600 tax band..
That being said, both the above mean its the classier option and stays, for the most part, out of the wrong hands.
The M Performance exhaust cured this on my old one, it was just brilliant! Retained the induction with a lovely growl.
That being said, both the above mean its the classier option and stays, for the most part, out of the wrong hands.
The M Performance exhaust cured this on my old one, it was just brilliant! Retained the induction with a lovely growl.
Joscal said:
Ice_blue_tvr said:
I think the only real downsides to the car are the lack of exhaust drama inside (damn criminal move by bmw!) and the damn near £600 tax band..
That being said, both the above mean its the classier option and stays, for the most part, out of the wrong hands.
The M Performance exhaust cured this on my old one, it was just brilliant! Retained the induction with a lovely growl.
The 2 pipe mod also cures the relative lack of sound, and really is the way it should have left the factoryThat being said, both the above mean its the classier option and stays, for the most part, out of the wrong hands.
The M Performance exhaust cured this on my old one, it was just brilliant! Retained the induction with a lovely growl.
Its all about that engine. BMW reached the pinnacle of NA engineering and performance with the S65 ... yes it lacks torque but its a screamer and loves being revved. Visually they do lack a bit of presence but thats not always a bad thing ... I was underwhelmed when they were released as the E46 seemed to have more visual aggression.
In terms of the sound, its all about induction, personally a loud (too loud) exhaust ruins the sound of cars to point where it sounds like a high revving yank PoS. But yes it just needs a tiny little more exhaust noise.
Prices have certainly firmed, probably won't start increasing until there are fewer of them available. Yes £600 tax is a real PITA
Totally love mine.
BMW reached the pinnacle of NA engineering and performance with the S65 ... yes it lacks torque but its a screamer and loves being revved. Visually they do lack a bit of presence but thats not always a bad thing ... I was underwhelmed when they were released as the E46 seemed to have more visual aggression. In terms of the sound, its all about induction, personally a loud (too loud) exhaust ruins the sound of cars to point where it sounds like a high revving yank PoS. But yes it just needs a tiny little more exhaust noise.
Prices have certainly firmed, probably won't start increasing until there are fewer of them available. Yes £600 tax is a real PITA
Totally love mine.
rassi said:
Joscal said:
Ice_blue_tvr said:
I think the only real downsides to the car are the lack of exhaust drama inside (damn criminal move by bmw!) and the damn near £600 tax band..
That being said, both the above mean its the classier option and stays, for the most part, out of the wrong hands.
The M Performance exhaust cured this on my old one, it was just brilliant! Retained the induction with a lovely growl.
The 2 pipe mod also cures the relative lack of sound, and really is the way it should have left the factoryThat being said, both the above mean its the classier option and stays, for the most part, out of the wrong hands.
The M Performance exhaust cured this on my old one, it was just brilliant! Retained the induction with a lovely growl.
I couldn't convince on an MPE until I heard one in the flesh..
JEA1K said:
Its all about that engine. BMW reached the pinnacle of NA engineering and performance with the S65 ... yes it lacks torque but its a screamer and loves being revved. Visually they do lack a bit of presence but thats not always a bad thing ... I was underwhelmed when they were released as the E46 seemed to have more visual aggression.
I remember test driving the dealer principles Jerez black E92 M3 at Doncaster BMW back in 2008. I completely fell for the engine on that test drive(and the sales chap let me drive it very quickly as well!), but I did remember saying to the sales chap that the noise from the exhaust was too tame for me personally at idle though. BMW reached the pinnacle of NA engineering and performance with the S65 ... yes it lacks torque but its a screamer and loves being revved. Visually they do lack a bit of presence but thats not always a bad thing ... I was underwhelmed when they were released as the E46 seemed to have more visual aggression. I've always liked the way they looked, and I especially love the bonnet bulge that is in your eye line when you are driving it(the bonnet bulge on the F82 M4 is really disappointing in comparison for me).
I'm enjoying seeing the pics of these on the thread.
cerb4.5lee said:
I remember test driving the dealer principles Jerez black E92 M3 at Doncaster BMW back in 2008. I completely fell for the engine on that test drive(and the sales chap let me drive it very quickly as well!), but I did remember saying to the sales chap that the noise from the exhaust was too tame for me personally at idle though.
I've always liked the way they looked, and I especially love the bonnet bulge that is in your eye line when you are driving it(the bonnet bulge on the F82 M4 is really disappointing in comparison for me).
I'm enjoying seeing the pics of these on the thread.
Funny that, it was a Jerez black car I first saw in BMW Castle York in 2008. Didn't think the colour flattered the shape ... now I've ended up with one I've always liked the way they looked, and I especially love the bonnet bulge that is in your eye line when you are driving it(the bonnet bulge on the F82 M4 is really disappointing in comparison for me).
I'm enjoying seeing the pics of these on the thread.
Yes the bonnet bulge does add to the shape. The F80 in my eyes looks better in general, not so the F82. Its just a shame they didn't get the V8
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