E92 M3 Manual - Silverstone II - Ownership Journal

[AGAR]

Hi all, I’ve been a long time lurker on the forum having never really posted that often. I've spent a fair time on here researching E92 M3’s. I eventually bought one in June 2019 after 6 months of hunting for the “right” one for me.

I plan to use this thread as a journal of my ownership experience, and I’ll start back in June 2019 when I first bought the car. This first post will be a bit wordy, so bear with me.


Background: Why the E92 M3?

I’ve owned various hot hatches over the years (including an Escort Cosworth which I still own) but never an M3 nor a RWD car. I’d driven friends’ M3’s over the years and really liked them. I’d been running a 2013 Mk7 Golf GTI Performance Pack for 2 years which was a great all-rounder but fancied a change. I’d never owned a V8 so I was keen to try one. Given the ever increasing push to lower emissions, I figured I’d best experience an NA V8 now, as I doubt NA V8 models will ever be made again. Similarly, with the E92 M3 now being over 10 years old, I also thought now would be as good a time as ever to run one as a daily before they get too old for daily duties. A manual transmission was also a must. I have no doubt that the DCT is a fantastic gearbox. However, from a personal point of view, a manual gearbox creates a much more involving driving experience.

I was prepared to wait for the right example to come up for sale, but the following criteria were a must for me:

· Less than 70K miles with full service history

· Good condition (I hate scruffy interiors, marked paintwork etc)

· Pro Nav

· Heated Seats

· EDC

· Manual


A Lucky Find:

After 6 months on continuous searching on Pistonheads, Autotrader and here, I’d almost given up my search for a decent M3 with my desired spec and within budget. I’d pulled out of a deal on one in Manchester after somewhat dubious V5 paperwork come to light with that one. Then, much to my surprise, this one came up for sale less than a mile from my office here in Aberdeen. After my previous experience with the other car, this one felt too good to be true, but I went along to view it. I took a mate along who’d had an E92 M3 from new for a second opinion and we took it out on a test drive. Everything checked out ok, so a few days later I left a deposit and picked it up the week after:

















The Car:

Built 6th September 2008, it’s a Silverstone II, with full service history, 3 previous owners, good spec (further details below) and very low mileage (22,238). The car had been supplied by John Clark Aberdeen on 17th November 2008 at a price of £55,280, and remained in the local area since new.


The previous owner to me had owned it since 2012 and had only put 500 miles per year on it on average over the past 5 years. Prior to my buying it, I phoned one of the salesman I know at John Clark to double check all the service history which checked out perfectly. The MOT history also showed a clean bill out health, with only minor issues (worn brakes, tyres etc) having come up in recent years.


Main Spec:

· Heated seats

· Pro Nav / DAB Radio / USB Interface / Bluetooth Interface

· Rear PDC

· Bluetooth Connectivity

· Titan Shadow Interior Trim

· Voice Control

· EDC

· Folding Mirrors

· Individual Sunshade Glazing (BMW option code: S761A)

· Black Exterior Trim & Alloys


Despite being a pre-LCI model, the car came with a few LCI specced items: Pro Nav, DAB tuner etc. Having researched this, it appears my car is one of the (what I would describe as a) changeover models, which included some of the LCI improvements, without the exterior LCI changes. This was also the same with my friend’s Monte Carlo edition E92 M3.


Here are some photos from when I first collected it. Lots more updates to follow shortly.

Edited by AGAR on Sunday 2nd February 10:12

[cerb4.5lee]

A lovely write up thanks(and pics). The drivers seat looks in fantastic condition and barely sat on!

Enjoy it.

[SiT]

What a lovely example, you can tell it’s had an easy life - that interior is mint!!!!! I really really like Silverstone, think it’s a great colour for the E92.

Keep this thread up to date, I have yet to pull the trigger on one despite wanting one for about 8 years now!!!!

Si

[Bathroom_Security]

AGAR said:

I’ve owned various hot hatches over the years (including an Escort Cosworth which I still own) but never an M3 nor a RWD car.

Same position as me when I got mine. Sold it after about 9 months. Went back to hatches.

Enjoy the car mate hopefully the manual will make it a more interesting car. Definitely one for the bucket list. Do love Silverstone

[helix402]

Looks good. An F10 M5 lhd manual gearknob would be a good modification.

[Court_S]

That’s lovely; Silverstone really suits these and helps show off sone of the derailing which is often lost on the darker colours.

[AGAR]

Thanks for the positive responses guys.

SiT said:

What a lovely example, you can tell it’s had an easy life - that interior is mint!!!!! I really really like Silverstone, think it’s a great colour for the E92.

Keep this thread up to date, I have yet to pull the trigger on one despite wanting one for about 8 years now!!!!

Si

Thanks Si. I hope this thread entices you to make the jump!

Bathroom_Security said:

Same position as me when I got mine. Sold it after about 9 months. Went back to hatches.

I'm interested to hear what made you go back to hatches? I am really enjoying the change personally. Despite the M3 not being nearly as "chuckable", the overall ownership experience, with the sheer grunt, sound and overall presence creates a lot of drama

helix402 said:

Looks good. An F10 M5 lhd manual gearknob would be a good modification.

I'm keen to know what the perceived improvements are from this mod. Does the F10 knob have a shorter throw?

[AGAR]

So, on with the changes and the first of many gradual improvements I have made to the car over the past 6 months.

Once I got the V5 through, I headed down to John Clark BMW Aberdeen who were the original supplying dealer, and got them to make up some plates for me:



Despite the otherwise immaculate interior, there were two issues which I wasn’t happy with. The driver’s seat and the rear ashtray lid. The driver’s seat upper bolster was scuffed.

I got a re-dye kit from LTT Leathercare and put that to use. Being careful not to apply too much dye, I am really pleased with how it’s turned out. It’s nigh on impossible to see that it’s been re-dyed.

Before:



And after:



The rear ashtray lid was jammed open; looking as if though someone had kicked it while clambering over the rear seats…..haha!



Fixed:



The car has BMW option code SA761 Individual Sunshade Glazing installed, whereby the rear screen and rear quarter windows are tinted glass (not tint film) from the factory. However, someone had decided to fit aftermarket tint film to the front side windows to match. In theory this looks ok, but it was a pig to live with and made it feel like I was driving in a tunnel all of the time.

Removing the tints was very easy and only took about 30 seconds either side. Removing the tint glue was another story! Que liberal amounts of Autosmart tardis, an old credit card and lots of patience (2 hours to be precise…..). I’m much happier with it now though.

Here’s a before and after as a comparison:






Then I gave the car a good clean. I always enjoy doing this after buying a new (to me) car, as it gives me a chance to have a detailed look at all the bodywork and interior.

Shining nicely in the sunshine:





To be continued…..

[Terzo123]

Lovely. Hankered after an M3 for years but went a different route. I still think they are awesome.

[2 GKC]

Lovely. I think it would look a lot better with silver wheels, any plans on that front?

[AGAR]

2 GKC said:

Lovely. I think it would look a lot better with silver wheels, any plans on that front?

It's like you're reading my mind

I have an update on that come in the next couple of months.

[TheAngryDog]

Very nice op. LCI rear lights make a difference on these if you can get a set, but they do need coding in.

Removing the front window tints was definitely a good idea.

[ArsE82]

Gorgeous. I had one for 12 months and really miss it.

I also think rear LCI tail lights would be a good investment to modernise it.

[bolidemichael]

Very serendipitous fella! Patience pays when you have some firm criteria. Funnily enough, a silverstone e91 (not M3) was occupying my rvm the other day in the dramatic, inclement conditions of storm ciara and I couldn't take my eyes off the damn thing! The bodywork looked spectacular in moody lighting, almost radiant. I remember thinking that same of a silverstone E39 M5 that I almost purchased, too. Enjoy.

[Oh Behave]

Forget the M3, pls can we have some pics and more details of the Escort Cosworth?

[Mardgee]

I like. The front tint removal makes a great difference.

You’ve just reminded me to dye my leather seats. Cheers

[okenemem]

sexy

[AGAR]

Terzo123 said:

Lovely. Hankered after an M3 for years but went a different route. I still think they are awesome.

It took me quite a while to settle on the M3 after considering all sorts (C63 AMG, B7 RS4, E60 M5 etc). What did you go for in the end?

ArsE83 said:

I also think rear LCI tail lights would be a good investment to modernise it.

TheAngryDog said:

Very nice op. LCI rear lights make a difference on these if you can get a set, but they do need coding in.

I agree! This is something I definitely fancy doing. I've just been looking up all that's involved and it seems like a straightforward swap (new lights, wiring converters and a simple re-code to remove bulb warning light issues). Most places are quoting around £400 - £500 for a set of new lights. I am going to keep an eye on eBay first to see if I can grab a bargain.

bolidemichael said:

Very serendipitous fella! Patience pays when you have some firm criteria. Funnily enough, a silverstone e91 (not M3) was occupying my rvm the other day in the dramatic, inclement conditions of storm ciara and I couldn't take my eyes off the damn thing! The bodywork looked spectacular in moody lighting, almost radiant. I remember thinking that same of a silverstone E39 M5 that I almost purchased, too. Enjoy.

Quite! I couldn't quite believe it when the car turned up locally. Funny you mention about an E39 M5 in silverstone; there's one in the next street from me, owned by the same BMW enthusiast since 2005 that I always admire as it cruises past. Silverstone is quite unusual in that in some lights it can look plain silver, other lights almost pearlescent, and others a very aqua blue.

OhBehave said:

Forget the M3, pls can we have some pics and more details of the Escort Cosworth?

I've not updated the thread for about 3 years, but here you go : https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=47&t=1470856&i=0

[Court_S]

Looks good OP; much better without the dodgy front window tints.

There’s a white one near work that I often admire when popping out to get lunch. If only I’d been braver last year...

[TheAngryDog]

A mate of mine has a Silverstone blue 2 E92 M3 and it makes a huge difference with the LCI rears.

When do you redye your seat btw? During winter or summer?