Talk me out of an E92 M3…
Discussion
pidsy said:
Looked at these as a natural progression from my e46 M.
I’ve come to the conclusion that they just don’t look like an M car. Really understated, especially in the darker colours.
Agree on the darker colours, but I think it’s tough to argue an E92 in alpine white or mineral with the contrast black carbon fibre roof doesn’t look purposeful. I’ve come to the conclusion that they just don’t look like an M car. Really understated, especially in the darker colours.
I would go a step further and say the E92 M3 shape is one of best modern sports car shapes. Everything just flows so well, and the rear 3/4 angle looks amazing.
This is a great thread for me (as well as the link to the other thread from RS Grant which is great BTW), as I am in the market for an E93 right now (I know the scourge of heavy, floppy cabrio) . My current thoughts are that views on the E9X are down to what your reference points are and what you’re looking for (but looking for confirmation or counter views as per the OP). The background for me thinking the E93 is the one to fill a slot in my garage is as follows.
Ran various modern 911s over the last 10 years up to my current manual 997 GTS coupe. Approx 4 years ago i started running a Maserati Granturismo S MC Shift Coupe alongside the Porsche. I found it to be a wonderful thing, and allowed me to go out with the family in something that was fun and special at moderate speeds and is the best sounding stock car I have ever heard this side of a Lambo V12.
Just over 2 years ago I needed to get out of the Maserati to release some cash but wanted a V8, 4 seat cheaper alternative. In the end, I came across a E93 330i that had an amazing history and condition so plumped for that instead saving more than half my planned budget and releasing more cash than I planned. I actually loved that car and considering what it was, it still felt fun for all of us to go out with the roof down, and although obviously not as special as the Maserati, I thought it held its own in the *”specialness” zone.
I still however lust for a V8 having owned 4 V8 engined previously including the Maz and 3 TVRs, and funds now allow me to get at circa £20k E93 V8, so I sold the 330i on Wednesday and am on the hunt.
Why the M3? For me having enjoyed the lowly 330i so much as I did, with a 2 pipe exhaust mod it will hopefully do a cheaper impression of the stunning sounds I got from the Maz which had a relatively low torque high revving Ferrari derived V8, whilst being a relatively nice place to sit with the family and enjoy roof down motoring. Maybe the difference for me is because I look at the M3 as a decent handling V8 F1 technology derived engined 3 series, as opposed to a bespoke supercar alternative, my expectations may be lower, but what else seats 4 comfortably, is a cabrio and is more special to experience for the money?
Ran various modern 911s over the last 10 years up to my current manual 997 GTS coupe. Approx 4 years ago i started running a Maserati Granturismo S MC Shift Coupe alongside the Porsche. I found it to be a wonderful thing, and allowed me to go out with the family in something that was fun and special at moderate speeds and is the best sounding stock car I have ever heard this side of a Lambo V12.
Just over 2 years ago I needed to get out of the Maserati to release some cash but wanted a V8, 4 seat cheaper alternative. In the end, I came across a E93 330i that had an amazing history and condition so plumped for that instead saving more than half my planned budget and releasing more cash than I planned. I actually loved that car and considering what it was, it still felt fun for all of us to go out with the roof down, and although obviously not as special as the Maserati, I thought it held its own in the *”specialness” zone.
I still however lust for a V8 having owned 4 V8 engined previously including the Maz and 3 TVRs, and funds now allow me to get at circa £20k E93 V8, so I sold the 330i on Wednesday and am on the hunt.
Why the M3? For me having enjoyed the lowly 330i so much as I did, with a 2 pipe exhaust mod it will hopefully do a cheaper impression of the stunning sounds I got from the Maz which had a relatively low torque high revving Ferrari derived V8, whilst being a relatively nice place to sit with the family and enjoy roof down motoring. Maybe the difference for me is because I look at the M3 as a decent handling V8 F1 technology derived engined 3 series, as opposed to a bespoke supercar alternative, my expectations may be lower, but what else seats 4 comfortably, is a cabrio and is more special to experience for the money?
Edited by c4sman on Saturday 14th July 22:55
Nothing. Taken me 6 months to gel with mine but what a car. Revving that s65 out to the limiter is really satisfying. Make aure you get comp pack. Don't know what the e93 chassis is like on the m3 but in a 335i it was like itnwas made from cardboard. Scuttle shake and chassis twisting was awful with the roof up.
MikeGoodwin said:
Don't know what the e93 chassis is like on the m3 but in a 335i it was like itnwas made from cardboard. Scuttle shake and chassis twisting was awful with the roof up.
I've driven both the E93 M3 and M4 Convertible and the scuttle shake was noticable. However I did appreciate the extra noise you get with the roof down though. MikeGoodwin said:
Nothing. Taken me 6 months to gel with mine but what a car. Revving that s65 out to the limiter is really satisfying. Make aure you get comp pack. Don't know what the e93 chassis is like on the m3 but in a 335i it was like itnwas made from cardboard. Scuttle shake and chassis twisting was awful with the roof up.
There was definite scuttle shake on my 330i cab but the cardboard feeling quickly went away when I put Michelin pilot sport 4s on the car which transformed the entire experience. The only thing I regret about the 330i ownership is not ditching the runflats the day I bought it. Thankfully that’s not a problem for the M3 as they never had RFTs fitted. I doubt realistically I will find a cab with competition pack within my budget, although I would love one. I will swap out the wheels for the comp pack versions however.
c4sman said:
There was definite scuttle shake on my 330i cab but the cardboard feeling quickly went away when I put Michelin pilot sport 4s on the car which transformed the entire experience. The only thing I regret about the 330i ownership is not ditching the runflats the day I bought it. Thankfully that’s not a problem for the M3 as they never had RFTs fitted.
I doubt realistically I will find a cab with competition pack within my budget, although I would love one. I will swap out the wheels for the comp pack versions however.
You could get a new set of comp pack springs (10mm drop) and have the EDC coded and you'd have the comp pack then I doubt realistically I will find a cab with competition pack within my budget, although I would love one. I will swap out the wheels for the comp pack versions however.
Comp pack EDC when in sport mode is a huge improvement. Non comp pack sport was just crashy mess for me, I have a Monte Carlo which has the comp pack springs as standard, they were released before the comp pack was out. Steering improved but I think that was due to the improvement in the comp pack EDC.
c4sman said:
My search status just went from “serious” to “deal done” subject to viewing! More to follow after the weekend.
Nice work I just don't want to rush into anything - I've bought far too many cars on impulse so I want to take my time and I'm also going to be ultra-demanding and totally unwilling to compromise with any future purchase because this is going to be the most I've ever spent on a car and I want it to be exactly what I want and utterly perfect. I appreciate that might take me a bit longer to find the right car, but I'm willing to wait. Buffy d said:
c4sman said:
My search status just went from “serious” to “deal done” subject to viewing! More to follow after the weekend.
Nice work I just don't want to rush into anything - I've bought far too many cars on impulse so I want to take my time and I'm also going to be ultra-demanding and totally unwilling to compromise with any future purchase because this is going to be the most I've ever spent on a car and I want it to be exactly what I want and utterly perfect. I appreciate that might take me a bit longer to find the right car, but I'm willing to wait. What am I missing out if I go pre LCI?
c4sman said:
That’s completely the right attitude. I think I have found “the one” but have to admit to a little compromise to get into a car sooner rather than later. I'm not great at waiting but the one I’ve found hits my budget, mileage, colour, history and spec conditions. When I look at it in person I’m hoping it meets my condition requirements. The compromise in this case is age as it’s a pre LCI car but ticks the rest of the boxes including a recent Bmw service a month ago that I talked to the service tech about to confirm all was well and in order.
What am I missing out if I go pre LCI?
Nothing that cant be updated afterwards... I would defo change the sat-nav controller and sat nav (CIC)- the pre LCI one with the massive silver knob doesnt look very nice.What am I missing out if I go pre LCI?
Congrats!
CCC to CiC nav upgrade is a pain. Does this one have CCC? (Silver round dial vs the newer one)
LCI was just interior upgrades, the climate control panel looks different. Think the start button is different and the headlight dial? Not much to upgrade, if you want to.
Check the vent tabs are in tact. You can get replacements from the US.
Just make sure its spec is really what you want (lack of DAB pisses me off).
LCI was just interior upgrades, the climate control panel looks different. Think the start button is different and the headlight dial? Not much to upgrade, if you want to.
Check the vent tabs are in tact. You can get replacements from the US.
Just make sure its spec is really what you want (lack of DAB pisses me off).
Bad news, deal has fallen through. Dealer sprung the late news that close up the wheels need a refurb (before I made the trek to view it tomorrow) and I would have to pick up the cost. As I was already paying top dollar for the age and spec of the car, I wasn’t prepared to stretch to that. I had originally asked him to walk around the car and talk me through any normal signs of wear and tear and he never mentioned the wheels until today and refused to contribute so, I’m out and the search continues.
Jez m said:
That's a shame.. any other car's on the radar?
Have you got a link to the one with the flakey alloys?! Interested to see
PM sent with linkHave you got a link to the one with the flakey alloys?! Interested to see
Nothing properly on the radar at the moment. Wondering if I need to compromise on EDC which opens up quite a few more options. Thoughts?
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