Will I hate an e92 m3

[MikeGoodwin]

Starting to really like this car. Greasy weather isn't the best to learn a 420hp rwd car but hey nothing better than getting thrown into the deep end.

That engine is quite something. Refreshing change from the turbo bks we get these days.

[laingy]

you cant give it full beans at the moment, needs to be a bit warmer and a lot drier.

[M7RT V]

If you need GTS DCT flashing and you're ever down in Dorset, give me a shout.

[cerb4.5lee]

laingy said:

you cant give it full beans at the moment, needs to be a bit warmer and a lot drier.

Absolutely second this, I hate this time of year for going quickly because it is just a little too risky...unless you want to end up in a field!

Don't get me wrong it is great fun in a powerful rear driver in this weather, and when I had my Cerbera I couldn't wait for the warmer weather to arrive again...so I could really open the taps again, same for the M3 too.

[Welshbeef]

Ranman said:

So........is it now a case of?

The king is dead...........Long live the KING!


M3 V8 future classic no doubt.

Please anyone don’t buy a car on the hope it’s a future classic. Even more so if your intending on using it.
It’s a mass produced car the 2 versions before it are still dwindling at relatively low entry prices (CSL excl).

Buy a car you like - and the V8 M3 is a very good car, enjoy it.
IF in a very very very long timeframe prices do go up and counter all the financing cost (unless mortgage free your not buying a car outright your delaying clearing the mortgage debt) all the servicing costs then that’s a quality problem to have.

[bennyboysvuk]

laingy said:

you cant give it full beans at the moment, needs to be a bit warmer and a lot drier.

You can, you just need to expect to add about 30 degrees of steering angle too.

[MikeGoodwin]

M7RT V said:

If you need GTS DCT flashing and you're ever down in Dorset, give me a shout.

Too far mate else Id take you up on that! Think ill go to Luton to Evolve(?) for that since they are fairly close.

New problems...list so far:

All vent catches broken (ordered new ones from states)
Heater when in auto/manual will turn itself on/off noticeable in traffic (literally juts stops blowing for a second then starts again)
Battery warning light still here (purchased a ctek charger to recon this weekend and for use every few weeks)
Welcome lights dont work (maybe battery related)

[Dblue]

tenmantaylor said:

Most people have said what I think but I'll say it again from my POV;

I've just gone from an e92 330d to an e92 M3 and it's night and day to drive. Both great looking cars but there's a reason the M3 is worth x4 more now when it was only 1.5x more new... it's about x8 more fun to drive and be in.

The more I drive my manual and get my clutch foot tuned in the more rewarding I am finding it. Blipping the throttle on the downshifts is worth going for the manual over the DCT IMVHO, the throttle response is unmatched in anything I've driven this side of a 125cc Honda 2 Stroke MotoX bike. I managed a quick launch from the lights without spinning up the rears the other day for the first time (takes some skill!), hit the speed limit in 1st in about 2 seconds The DCT would be quicker but nowhere near the reward.

I've been in a Megane 275 (not driven) and I was really impressed with the chassis. It turns into corners with a keenness that no 1600kg RWD car without racing suspension and tyres could ever hope to but the comparison ends there, the M3 is FAR superior in every other respect. Once in the corners and coming out the M3 is so poised and balanced, like turning on a pivot in the middle of the car. By the time the Megane is fading out at 5k the M3 V8 hasn't even got going. Once the M3 hit's 6/7k hardly anything will match it for speed and nothing this side of an Italian V8/V12 will sound as good. It's a really special car.

Having owned and used 2 RS Megane Trophys and 25,000 miles in an E90 M3 I would agree with most of this. The engine is the star of the M3 and it's jekyll and hide nature not a drawback IMO. It really is not unlike any other E90 series BMW for daily driving, commuting, shopping, family trips etc but letting that engine run out to its redline is something a bit special. its a much more luxurious car than the Renault and more grown up.
But I wouldn't agree that the BMW ever matches the Meg handling wise. The Megane is a lot lighter and feels it, has much better steering and fantastic balance, it really dances around at or near its limits, stops massively better and in real terms it's substantial low down torque means it is effectively faster in most circumstances.
The BMW always feels more ponderous, even though its pretty good compared to comparable cars. Fuel consumption is pitiful though, only thing that stops it being just about the perfect all rounder.

[Max Maxasson]

Dblue said:

But I wouldn't agree that the BMW ever matches the Meg handling wise. The Megane is a lot lighter and feels it, has much better steering and fantastic balance, it really dances around at or near its limits, stops massively better and in real terms it's substantial low down torque means it is effectively faster in most circumstances.
The BMW always feels more ponderous, even though its pretty good compared to comparable cars. Fuel consumption is pitiful though, only thing that stops it being just about the perfect all rounder.

Don't know the Megane but you can certainly dance the E92 M3 around on the limit no problem at all and it never felt ponderous.
But they do require to be aligned very carefully and to have good tyres...the Mich Pilot Super Sport I found to be a great tyre for the car.
I get that some people could feel a lack of torque...for me it was just an excuse to use more revs, after 2 of them over 8 years I never got tired of running the engine to the limit. A thrill the M4 fails to provide, although the pull in third gear is mighty and on a different level to the E9x M3.

[bennyboysvuk]

MikeGoodwin said:

New problems...list so far:

All vent catches broken (ordered new ones from states)
Heater when in auto/manual will turn itself on/off noticeable in traffic (literally juts stops blowing for a second then starts again)
Battery warning light still here (purchased a ctek charger to recon this weekend and for use every few weeks)
Welcome lights dont work (maybe battery related)

Is the heater stop/start when it's blowing really hard? I'm sure I've experienced this in many BMWs and considered it to be normal.

The car intelligently (randomly) shuts off certain things to save the battery when it is at a lower voltage. My car lost about 5 mins on the clock every day and the rear window heater refused to switch on first thing in the morning. The boot also refused to catch closed properly at one stage too. All these things were cured when I got the CTEK.

[tenmantaylor]

Dblue said:

Having owned and used 2 RS Megane Trophys and 25,000 miles in an E90 M3 I would agree with most of this. The engine is the star of the M3 and it's jekyll and hide nature not a drawback IMO. It really is not unlike any other E90 series BMW for daily driving, commuting, shopping, family trips etc but letting that engine run out to its redline is something a bit special. its a much more luxurious car than the Renault and more grown up.
But I wouldn't agree that the BMW ever matches the Meg handling wise. The Megane is a lot lighter and feels it, has much better steering and fantastic balance, it really dances around at or near its limits, stops massively better and in real terms it's substantial low down torque means it is effectively faster in most circumstances.
The BMW always feels more ponderous, even though its pretty good compared to comparable cars. Fuel consumption is pitiful though, only thing that stops it being just about the perfect all rounder.

Want to drive one now! That said, I don't think I could ever have as much fun in a FWD as a RWD due to varying degrees of torque steer. On a B road, maybe, on track, never. Balancing the trajectory of the car on the throttle is a key part of driving fun for me. A lot of what you say regarding the brakes and handling is probably more down to the weight than the chassis; the M3 being 300kg heavier. You could probably say an Exige has much better handling than a Megane but it's not a straight comparison. For what is effectively a med-large saloon the M3 handling and balance is probably as good as it's going to get.

[ant man]

stevesingo said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Mr Whippy said:

It's got shed loads of torque, it's a 4.0 V8.

I didn't think it did though, and even my old 2006 330d I had previously had over 70 Ib/ft more, so the M3 to me always felt really flat low down in the revs(great over 6k revs though), I guess it depends what you've been used to previously though.

Wow, who'd a thought a 3.0 turbo diesel would feel torquey low down compared to a high revving 4.0 V8.

Like Mr Whippy states, they are not low on torque, 300lbft, 80% of which is available over a 6650 rpm band, 90% of which is available a 5750rpm band. A wider band in fact than a M57 total rev range.

I couldn't agree more. I always smile when people say the S65 lacks torque. Complete nonsense. The statement above says it all. Viewing the dyno chart highlights its flexibility and wide ranging performance even more than words!

The engine is a masterpiece and won numerous awards for years. Currently it is the last proper BMW motorsport derived engine, tracing its heritage from the S85 to the mighty 3L V10 F1 engine.

Edited by ant man on Friday 19th January 19:11

[ant man]

MikeGoodwin said:

Starting to really like this car. Greasy weather isn't the best to learn a 420hp rwd car but hey nothing better than getting thrown into the deep end.

That engine is quite something. Refreshing change from the turbo bks we get these days.

If you are into tuning, I'd recommend a performance x-pipe, remap and carbon airbox plenum if you would like extra performance and sound. The engine / exhaust sound is purer, louder at WOT, induction roar ala E46 CSL only louder and the performance, well, simply amazing.

[Welshbeef]

ant man said:

I couldn't agree more. I always smile when people say the S65 lacks torque. Complete nonsense. The statement above says it all. Viewing the dyno chart highlights its flexibility and wide ranging performance even more than words!

The engine is a masterpiece and won numerous awards for years. Currently it is the last proper BMW motorsport derived engine, tracing its heritage from the S68 to the mighty 3L V10 F1 engine.

I guess what people mean by that comment lacking torque is that in Day to Day commuting driving which the car will be doing for the vast majority of its life it will be mundane and unless you change down gear slower than what some people drive so would feel a disappointment in it. Clearly you can change down a few cogs but for commuting that’s not really any point.

Families - Dads cannot seriously go out for an early Sunday morning drive leaving be kids yet again with the Mum while they go for a “drive” plus they would be saying guess what only 2 days off to see the kids a week and I’ll go off 4-5 hours playing golf or booming vs being with the kids taking them to Sports or dancing or swimming or parties etc. So enjoyment ends up being on the commute hence the view. All IMHO.

[MikeGoodwin]

Welshbeef said:

I guess what people mean by that comment lacking torque is that in Day to Day commuting driving which the car will be doing for the vast majority of its life it will be mundane and unless you change down gear slower than what some people drive so would feel a disappointment in it. Clearly you can change down a few cogs but for commuting that’s not really any point.

Families - Dads cannot seriously go out for an early Sunday morning drive leaving be kids yet again with the Mum while they go for a “drive” plus they would be saying guess what only 2 days off to see the kids a week and I’ll go off 4-5 hours playing golf or booming vs being with the kids taking them to Sports or dancing or swimming or parties etc. So enjoyment ends up being on the commute hence the view. All IMHO.

I don't have kids and tbhI don't really understand what either of you are talking about.

Mundane driving is a refreshing change from a Megane RS.

It has enough torque. I pulled on an E class diesel in 3rd tonight that was trying it on I wasn't even paying attention but I kept going out of interest. Then at about 5000rpm well then the fun begins and it couldn't keep up. I blipped it down a gear when we approached a junction and the silly twunts were properly excited by what just happened it was like i had just scored a goal against Germany in the world cup.

I took it out for a hoon last night in the dry and fk me what a car. Still working out the chassis. It feels quicker than the Megane in corners but then when I check the speed I'm 10mph down at least. I know it has more to give but I'll only try my luck a little at a time.

Edited by MikeGoodwin on Thursday 18th January 21:02

[Wills2]

Welshbeef said:

I guess what people mean by that comment lacking torque is that in Day to Day commuting driving which the car will be doing for the vast majority of its life it will be mundane and unless you change down gear slower than what some people drive so would feel a disappointment in it. Clearly you can change down a few cogs but for commuting that’s not really any point.

Families - Dads cannot seriously go out for an early Sunday morning drive leaving be kids yet again with the Mum while they go for a “drive” plus they would be saying guess what only 2 days off to see the kids a week and I’ll go off 4-5 hours playing golf or booming vs being with the kids taking them to Sports or dancing or swimming or parties etc. So enjoyment ends up being on the commute hence the view. All IMHO.

How can driving a 4.0V8 with 420hp a 8400rpm rev limit coupled to a razor sharp throttle response from its 8 ITBs and circa 300ft/lb of torque be dull? By the same token a 3.8 911C2S would also dull?

There is no lack of torque whatsoever because it has something called a gearbox, it's weird how this keeps getting trotted out mainly by people who have zero time in the car, it's a perfect car to liven up an otherwise dull commute.

[cerb4.5lee]

Wills2 said:

Welshbeef said:

I guess what people mean by that comment lacking torque is that in Day to Day commuting driving which the car will be doing for the vast majority of its life it will be mundane and unless you change down gear slower than what some people drive so would feel a disappointment in it. Clearly you can change down a few cogs but for commuting that’s not really any point.

Families - Dads cannot seriously go out for an early Sunday morning drive leaving be kids yet again with the Mum while they go for a “drive” plus they would be saying guess what only 2 days off to see the kids a week and I’ll go off 4-5 hours playing golf or booming vs being with the kids taking them to Sports or dancing or swimming or parties etc. So enjoyment ends up being on the commute hence the view. All IMHO.

How can driving a 4.0V8 with 420hp a 8400rpm rev limit coupled to a razor sharp throttle response from its 8 ITBs and circa 300ft/lb of torque be dull? By the same token a 3.8 911C2S would also dull?

There is no lack of torque whatsoever because it has something called a gearbox, it's weird how this keeps getting trotted out mainly by people who have zero time in the car, it's a perfect car to liven up an otherwise dull commute.

I genuinely think that it only really gets going at very high revs, now I don't know why that is...it's either because max power is so high at 8400rpm or that with only 295 torque it doesn't hide its weight very well.

It's an epic engine in isolation for sure, but for a daily driver I don't think its power delivery suits that situation very well...but that's just my opinion of it.

I appreciate on tap performance rather than having to work for it, you have to work for the rewards in a E92 M3...whereas with say the M4 you don't, and I'd prefer the M4 as a daily in comparison.

[Welshbeef]

Wills2 said:

How can driving a 4.0V8 with 420hp a 8400rpm rev limit coupled to a razor sharp throttle response from its 8 ITBs and circa 300ft/lb of torque be dull? By the same token a 3.8 911C2S would also dull?

There is no lack of torque whatsoever because it has something called a gearbox, it's weird how this keeps getting trotted out mainly by people who have zero time in the car, it's a perfect car to liven up an otherwise dull commute.

But where in heavy commuting traffic can you drop to 2nd or 1st to max out he revs (3rd would be over 100mph)

[MikeGoodwin]

cerb4.5lee said:

you have to work for the rewards in a E92 M3...whereas with say the M4 you don't, and I'd prefer the M4 as a daily in comparison.

See the Megane needed working in comparison to a Golf R and that's what made it so special for me. It's why I bought one and its why I really didn't know if I was doing the right thing. It's those rare times where you dig for those truffles and the Megane rewarded where a Golf R lacks. The M3 has turned out to be a peach so far so I'm happy dragging the v8 out to 8400 rpm to experience it. I'd love to drive an M4 and I bet it's great but if bet £100 I'd be glad to be back in the v8.

[bennyboysvuk]

Welshbeef said:

Wills2 said:

How can driving a 4.0V8 with 420hp a 8400rpm rev limit coupled to a razor sharp throttle response from its 8 ITBs and circa 300ft/lb of torque be dull? By the same token a 3.8 911C2S would also dull?

There is no lack of torque whatsoever because it has something called a gearbox, it's weird how this keeps getting trotted out mainly by people who have zero time in the car, it's a perfect car to liven up an otherwise dull commute.

But where in heavy commuting traffic can you drop to 2nd or 1st to max out he revs 3rd would be over 100mph)

Not all commutes were created equal. I get a few opportunities to open it up a little on my commute and the car rewards in a way that my previous M135i with its 330 lbs ft of low down torque, but with some turbo-lag, never did.

Prepare for overtake in third gear, apply the throttle and feel the rear squirm to the side a little as the initial burst of torque hits the rear tyres. That brightens up a commute and reminds you that the M3 does have that poke on tap and with a soundtrack to match.