e92 m3...best car ever?

e92 m3...best car ever?

Author
Discussion

survivalist

5,613 posts

189 months

Sunday 6th September 2020
quotequote all
I like it for what it is. I went DCT as 3rd gear is still below 100mph whereas in the manual it’s over 110. That said I’m now considering a change to a manual as I just miss driving a manual.

While it’s not perfect, I struggled to find something else with 4 seats ( I’ve got 2 kids), relatively compact dimensions and an interesting engine.

Tried the RS4 and C63 AMG and they both missed the mark. Tried an M2 and it was probably the closest, but it was before the competition edition came out and the ‘standard, N55 engine and very average steering feel put me off.

I also tried a mustang, but our 335i estate that I drove to the dealership felt like more of a sports car than the test drive in the ford, although I did like the engine.

jon-

16,492 posts

215 months

Sunday 6th September 2020
quotequote all
survivalist said:
I like it for what it is. I went DCT as 3rd gear is still below 100mph whereas in the manual it’s over 110. That said I’m now considering a change to a manual as I just miss driving a manual.

While it’s not perfect, I struggled to find something else with 4 seats ( I’ve got 2 kids), relatively compact dimensions and an interesting engine.

Tried the RS4 and C63 AMG and they both missed the mark. Tried an M2 and it was probably the closest, but it was before the competition edition came out and the ‘standard, N55 engine and very average steering feel put me off.

I also tried a mustang, but our 335i estate that I drove to the dealership felt like more of a sports car than the test drive in the ford, although I did like the engine.
Get the 4.1 rear diff and your issue with the manual is gone smile

The M2 Comp is WAY WAY better than the M2. I really didn't like the M2, but after having a Comp for a few months, I'd certainly swap my e92 for it if it was a daily.

Max Maxasson

406 posts

182 months

Monday 7th September 2020
quotequote all
Max Maxasson said:
I like the relative quiet of the E9x M3s V8...its still noisy enough to turn heads if you get on the throttle.
I tried the OEM exhaust mod (a mere £180) on my previous E92 M3 and it did sound excellent, but brilliant as it sounded it just started to wear thin after a while and I had it partially reversed. I think I might keep this one standard.
Easily the best car I've ever owned and tempted as I am to buy the new M4 I'm nervous that it won't be as good.
Interesting to see this thread revival after 4 years.
Had an M4 and no it wasn't as good as my E92 M3s..not even close.
Traded it in after less than 2 years.

dvshannow

1,579 posts

135 months

Monday 7th September 2020
quotequote all
survivalist said:
I like it for what it is. I went DCT as 3rd gear is still below 100mph whereas in the manual it’s over 110. That said I’m now considering a change to a manual as I just miss driving a manual.

While it’s not perfect, I struggled to find something else with 4 seats ( I’ve got 2 kids), relatively compact dimensions and an interesting engine.

Tried the RS4 and C63 AMG and they both missed the mark. Tried an M2 and it was probably the closest, but it was before the competition edition came out and the ‘standard, N55 engine and very average steering feel put me off.

I also tried a mustang, but our 335i estate that I drove to the dealership felt like more of a sports car than the test drive in the ford, although I did like the engine.
How old are the kids ? A 911 will work fine for younger ones (up to say 10-11 in rear seats0

survivalist

5,613 posts

189 months

Monday 7th September 2020
quotequote all
dvshannow said:
survivalist said:
I like it for what it is. I went DCT as 3rd gear is still below 100mph whereas in the manual it’s over 110. That said I’m now considering a change to a manual as I just miss driving a manual.

While it’s not perfect, I struggled to find something else with 4 seats ( I’ve got 2 kids), relatively compact dimensions and an interesting engine.

Tried the RS4 and C63 AMG and they both missed the mark. Tried an M2 and it was probably the closest, but it was before the competition edition came out and the ‘standard, N55 engine and very average steering feel put me off.

I also tried a mustang, but our 335i estate that I drove to the dealership felt like more of a sports car than the test drive in the ford, although I did like the engine.
How old are the kids ? A 911 will work fine for younger ones (up to say 10-11 in rear seats0
Driven a few, but never fallen in love with the 911. Tried a late 997 (997.2?) for the day and didn’t really feel much excitement, though I realise it could be a slow burner. Also, a V8 was on the bucket list, especially now everything seems to be heading in the direction of some sort of hybrid.

I did consider ditching the family wagon and getting an E90 M3 Saloon, then swapping the E92 M3 for a 911 but it seems like a lot of hassle.

What I do like about the M3 is that it has a decent sized boot and can be adapted for a family road trip.



dvshannow

1,579 posts

135 months

Tuesday 8th September 2020
quotequote all
survivalist said:
dvshannow said:
survivalist said:
I like it for what it is. I went DCT as 3rd gear is still below 100mph whereas in the manual it’s over 110. That said I’m now considering a change to a manual as I just miss driving a manual.

While it’s not perfect, I struggled to find something else with 4 seats ( I’ve got 2 kids), relatively compact dimensions and an interesting engine.

Tried the RS4 and C63 AMG and they both missed the mark. Tried an M2 and it was probably the closest, but it was before the competition edition came out and the ‘standard, N55 engine and very average steering feel put me off.

I also tried a mustang, but our 335i estate that I drove to the dealership felt like more of a sports car than the test drive in the ford, although I did like the engine.
How old are the kids ? A 911 will work fine for younger ones (up to say 10-11 in rear seats0
Driven a few, but never fallen in love with the 911. Tried a late 997 (997.2?) for the day and didn’t really feel much excitement, though I realise it could be a slow burner. Also, a V8 was on the bucket list, especially now everything seems to be heading in the direction of some sort of hybrid.

I did consider ditching the family wagon and getting an E90 M3 Saloon, then swapping the E92 M3 for a 911 but it seems like a lot of hassle.

What I do like about the M3 is that it has a decent sized boot and can be adapted for a family road trip.

FWIW I went from an e92 m3 comp pack to a 991.2 gts and while i liked the e92 (test drove an m4 before and didn’t impress me at all) the GTS is another level it’s more responsive and handles better, and SO much faster yet the turbo didn’t ruin the car as BMW seemed to with the M4


Colinv6

93 posts

92 months

Tuesday 8th September 2020
quotequote all
I’ve had 3 of the F8x M3/4 since 2015, currently 2 years into an M4CS which I genuinely love.

I can’t stop the itch of an e92 comp DCT. I actually went to see one at the weekend. I thought it was a Beauty, mineral white with the silver 359 wheels.

I can’t justify both, so it would be one or the other, And I’m having a hell of a time deciding what I crave most. One advantage of course is that the e92 is almost half what the CS costs per month and that’s on HP not PCP!

The other side of the coin is to keep the CS the next 2 years and own it, then consider an e92 alongside in the future, but going on how hard it is to find a gem now, it’s only going to get worse.

custardkid

2,514 posts

223 months

Wednesday 9th September 2020
quotequote all
CS is probably going to depreciate over the next 2-3 yrs as recession bites and the new car comes out

The e92 is at the bottom of the curve if you buy an early / manual car

survivalist

5,613 posts

189 months

Wednesday 9th September 2020
quotequote all
Drove the M3 to meet some colleagues for a social today and was reminded again what a gem the engine is.

I think the challenge with these cars is that they do need a few mods to bring out the best in them which adds to the cost. On the flip side miss seem to keep their value of sold separately.

Based on a year of ownership, for me that would be:

Front BBK
Bucket Seats (M4 Seats, Recaro CS or M Performance) as the OEM are too much like armchairs

KW, Nitron or Ohlins (not done this on the M3, but has transformed other BMWs I’ve had)

Square wheel setup (have this on 19s but tempted to switch to 18s)

Primary Decat, Remap and GTS gearbox remap (not done this as under BMW warranty)

Even factoring the cost in, I still can’t think of something I would rather have. If it was a daily I think I’d agree with the previous payer and get an M2 Competition. I don’t really need a daily at the moment so I think the M3 still wins ouT. Just.

Wills2

22,616 posts

174 months

Wednesday 9th September 2020
quotequote all
custardkid said:
CS is probably going to depreciate over the next 2-3 yrs as recession bites and the new car comes out
CS has already done it's nuts in, have you seen the new M3/4? It makes the CS look very appealing.



jon-

16,492 posts

215 months

Thursday 10th September 2020
quotequote all
I just had my e92, stock, 52,000 miles dyno'd on a very accurate dyno (it doesn't overread like many do), anyone care to guess?

cerb4.5lee

30,042 posts

179 months

Thursday 10th September 2020
quotequote all
jon- said:
I just had my e92, stock, 52,000 miles dyno'd on a very accurate dyno (it doesn't overread like many do), anyone care to guess?
As a rough guess the torque figure wasn't that impressive! wink

biggrin

jon-

16,492 posts

215 months

Thursday 10th September 2020
quotequote all
cerb4.5lee said:
jon- said:
I just had my e92, stock, 52,000 miles dyno'd on a very accurate dyno (it doesn't overread like many do), anyone care to guess?
As a rough guess the torque figure wasn't that impressive! wink

biggrin
395nm at 3500rpm is pretty impressive for the type of engine!

fido

16,735 posts

254 months

Thursday 10th September 2020
quotequote all
jon- said:
395nm at 3500rpm is pretty impressive for the type of engine!
Well it's impressive for a N/A 4.0 V8 that peaks at 8,400rpm.

Man I can't bear to sell mine but it's getting very little use - promised myself an M2C next year as compo.

nomis36

429 posts

163 months

Thursday 10th September 2020
quotequote all
I really really want a manual E9x M3. Problem is it would have to be an LCI otherwise it would be too similar inside to my pre LCI 330d!
I can’t afford one at the moment so I’m stuck with my oil burner.
I’ve had car debt in the past, really liking bangornomics these days!

cerb4.5lee

30,042 posts

179 months

Thursday 10th September 2020
quotequote all
nomis36 said:
I really really want a manual E9x M3. Problem is it would have to be an LCI otherwise it would be too similar inside to my pre LCI 330d!
I can’t afford one at the moment so I’m stuck with my oil burner.
I’ve had car debt in the past, really liking bangornomics these days!
Nothing wrong with a 330d, and they're a great all round car I reckon. thumbup

More torque than the E9x M3 too. biggrin

nomis36

429 posts

163 months

Thursday 10th September 2020
quotequote all
cerb4.5lee said:
nomis36 said:
I really really want a manual E9x M3. Problem is it would have to be an LCI otherwise it would be too similar inside to my pre LCI 330d!
I can’t afford one at the moment so I’m stuck with my oil burner.
I’ve had car debt in the past, really liking bangornomics these days!
Nothing wrong with a 330d, and they're a great all round car I reckon. thumbup

More torque than the E9x M3 too. biggrin
Yes, it’s been a fantastic old banger for nearly 3.5 years. I would miss the 600 and something nm of torque and the 40+mpg but the sound of that V8 really gets my juices flowing. I really love my E92 but would love a V8 powered one even more!
Reading this thread is interesting in that everybody seems split as to whether a jack of all trades trait is a good thing or not.
I guess it depends whether you can afford to run more than one car. If like me you can’t then the M3 is perfect. If you can then it’s not a great car I suppose.

Cl4rkyPH

265 posts

46 months

Thursday 10th September 2020
quotequote all
Best car ever for me, I’m biased though. biggrin

I’ve just bought one and it feels so special.



Yeah okay the EDC (competition) suspension is a bit tough and the fuel economy is borderline shocking... but this isn’t a car for your daily driver. This is a weekend car.

Buy one, you won’t regret it. biggrin

nomis36

429 posts

163 months

Thursday 10th September 2020
quotequote all
Cl4rkyPH said:
Best car ever for me, I’m biased though. biggrin

I’ve just bought one and it feels so special.



Yeah okay the EDC (competition) suspension is a bit tough and the fuel economy is borderline shocking... but this isn’t a car for your daily driver. This is a weekend car.

Buy one, you won’t regret it. biggrin
Beautiful! To my eyes the E92 styling is the perfect coupe. There isn’t a single angle that looks wrong. I prefer it to all the 3 series coupes that have come since, they’re all a bit over styled in my opinion, not as bad as some but I just prefer the clean unfussy styling of the E92. Along with that they have just the right amount of tech, non of the unnecessary gimmicks, to make them comfortable in daily use.
The M3 is the only car model I’ve got on the shelf. The mrs got fed up with me banging on about them so bought it for me last Christmas laugh

Mr Tidy

22,037 posts

126 months

Thursday 10th September 2020
quotequote all
Cl4rkyPH said:
Best car ever for me, I’m biased though. biggrin

I’ve just bought one and it feels so special.
Yours looks superb in that stunning photo. thumbup