E92 M3, commuting etc
Discussion
russy01 said:
Evening,
Wanting something half exciting to play about it in and keep coming back to the M3. I have a budget of 15-20k, must have an exciting engine, rear seats and half practical.
Test drove an old dog at the weekend and was sold on the drive despite it being ropey....
My questions:
- 6 mile commute. Is this going to piss the car off and absolutely chew fuel?
- nearly all cars in my budget are pre LCI. Is this an issue? Apart from lights and iDrive is there much else?
- what is labour cost to change throttle actuators
- how consumables reasonably priced? Discs etc
- assume £500 road tax?
- how are they in the winter, will be stored outside so thinking of defrosting etc?
Cheers...
- 6 mile commute. Is this going to piss the car off and absolutely chew fuel? Wanting something half exciting to play about it in and keep coming back to the M3. I have a budget of 15-20k, must have an exciting engine, rear seats and half practical.
Test drove an old dog at the weekend and was sold on the drive despite it being ropey....
My questions:
- 6 mile commute. Is this going to piss the car off and absolutely chew fuel?
- nearly all cars in my budget are pre LCI. Is this an issue? Apart from lights and iDrive is there much else?
- what is labour cost to change throttle actuators
- how consumables reasonably priced? Discs etc
- assume £500 road tax?
- how are they in the winter, will be stored outside so thinking of defrosting etc?
Cheers...
Not long enough to warm up any performance car properly IME. I think I do about 8 miles before I am satisfied its warm. They chew fuel anyway, expect 170-200 miles in s
t stop start traffic, with 320 miles achievable on a longer motorway run (this is to £85 of vpower at current £1.44ltr)- nearly all cars in my budget are pre LCI. Is this an issue? Apart from lights and iDrive is there much else?
No, LCI cars have a few interior changes - the air con control panel thing, colour of the start button and headlight button.
CCC sat nav (The older one with the silver dial below the gear shifter) is archaic. CIC is much better (with the updated button)
Comp pack suspension is available on the Monte Carlio editions, you can then have the EDC comp pack coded in for cheap and you have yourself a comp pack (without the 359 wheels of course, if you want that extra un-sprung weight)
Rear lights arent expensive 2nd hand and can easily be coded in.
- what is labour cost to change throttle actuators
If you are ok getting your fingers dirty and using youtube, and are a little handy then £180 or so for some new gears from rebuild.org. Else they are more expensive. I wouldnt worry about them really if you can spanner
Rebuild will do them for you, see site for prices
- how consumables reasonably priced? Discs etc
Tyres, maybe £800 for the 19's (245/35/19-265/35/19)
Brake rotors - last a while so expect 60k miles from them from what I read, ATE are the OEM manufacturer youll see ATE branding on the brake calipers. I just replaced mine with ATE rotors and pads with pagid wear sensors for £800 or so.
Brake Pads - inexpensive really, £130 ish from memory for ATE, easy to swap out if you can spanner but uses a floating caliper.
Servicing isn't too bad if you take it to a specialist. Evolve Automotive will give you an idea on prices on their website
Oil service every 12k miles on the computer or 6k if you're not a moron
Spark plugs changed every 3rd oil service.
- assume £500 road tax?
£555
- how are they in the winter, will be stored outside so thinking of defrosting etc?
Fine, ironic as I was one of the few to turn up to work in the Surrey snow this year in my M3 of all cars (On PS2s) but I am from Yorkshire so driving in the snow is fun for me. In fact one of the best cars ive driven in the snow considering its rwd and on summer tyres.
The rod bearing thing does my head in:
http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=202...
People bray the cars from cold, then moan when their engine blows up and all of a sudden the internet is awash with this rod bearing fiasco that would make you believe they are made from tracing paper.
Edited by MikeGoodwin on Wednesday 19th September 10:47
Spot on Mr Goodwin - exactly the sort of response I was after.
Taking all that onboard I will start to look for an LCI or at least pre-LCI with the CIC. BUT, will favour mileage and condition as a few of the changes can be retro'd..
Spanners - understood. This is why I like getting an older car, its so satisfying when you bodge it back up!!
Taking all that onboard I will start to look for an LCI or at least pre-LCI with the CIC. BUT, will favour mileage and condition as a few of the changes can be retro'd..
Spanners - understood. This is why I like getting an older car, its so satisfying when you bodge it back up!!
russy01 said:
Spot on Mr Goodwin - exactly the sort of response I was after.
Taking all that onboard I will start to look for an LCI or at least pre-LCI with the CIC. BUT, will favour mileage and condition as a few of the changes can be retro'd..
Spanners - understood. This is why I like getting an older car, its so satisfying when you bodge it back up!!
Np, I wouldn't worry about the LCI thing too much. I do think you should think carefully about 6 miles not being enough to warm it up. Also don't bodge anything lol, they are extremely intolerable so any imperfection.Taking all that onboard I will start to look for an LCI or at least pre-LCI with the CIC. BUT, will favour mileage and condition as a few of the changes can be retro'd..
Spanners - understood. This is why I like getting an older car, its so satisfying when you bodge it back up!!
Important stuff especially for resale:
People love EDC, and at comp pack spec it is very good. But if you plan to modify suspension dont bother with it
CIC satnav a must
Audio level is important, Logic/HK and Individual are the ones to have but the hifi level (2nd option up) is fine and has more speakers
Mine doesnt have DAB and it drives me nuts, retrofitting is very difficult and expensive for the sake of some radio channels.
Interior condition is important especially if you have novo leather. The leather gets tired and scratches easy. Royal Steering wheels can re-trim for about £120
Gearbox - DCT is the one to have for most people, even die hard manual fans like myself. Shorter gear ratios and the ability to leave it in drive just suits the E92 M3s jack of all trades and high revving nature. GTS or the updated DCT software can be coded in easily, I have GTS on mine and its a huge improvement although can still be dim-witted at times. Rapid up and down the gears though.
Whatever you do dont buy replica wheels they are a lottery, many people have issues with the 359 reps including myself.
BMW Insured warranty is available for non-AUC M3's, but the price becomes extremely expensive after they tick over 60k miles. They are generally reliable cars though so you could be better saving the money.
MikeGoodwin said:
Np, I wouldn't worry about the LCI thing too much. I do think you should think carefully about 6 miles not being enough to warm it up. Also don't bodge anything lol, they are extremely intolerable so any imperfection.
Important stuff especially for resale:
People love EDC, and at comp pack spec it is very good. But if you plan to modify suspension dont bother with it
CIC satnav a must
Audio level is important, Logic/HK and Individual are the ones to have but the hifi level (2nd option up) is fine and has more speakers
Mine doesnt have DAB and it drives me nuts, retrofitting is very difficult and expensive for the sake of some radio channels.
Interior condition is important especially if you have novo leather. The leather gets tired and scratches easy. Royal Steering wheels can re-trim for about £120
Gearbox - DCT is the one to have for most people, even die hard manual fans like myself. Shorter gear ratios and the ability to leave it in drive just suits the E92 M3s jack of all trades and high revving nature. GTS or the updated DCT software can be coded in easily, I have GTS on mine and its a huge improvement although can still be dim-witted at times. Rapid up and down the gears though.
Whatever you do dont buy replica wheels they are a lottery, many people have issues with the 359 reps including myself.
BMW Insured warranty is available for non-AUC M3's, but the price becomes extremely expensive after they tick over 60k miles. They are generally reliable cars though so you could be better saving the money.
Thanks again. Important stuff especially for resale:
People love EDC, and at comp pack spec it is very good. But if you plan to modify suspension dont bother with it
CIC satnav a must
Audio level is important, Logic/HK and Individual are the ones to have but the hifi level (2nd option up) is fine and has more speakers
Mine doesnt have DAB and it drives me nuts, retrofitting is very difficult and expensive for the sake of some radio channels.
Interior condition is important especially if you have novo leather. The leather gets tired and scratches easy. Royal Steering wheels can re-trim for about £120
Gearbox - DCT is the one to have for most people, even die hard manual fans like myself. Shorter gear ratios and the ability to leave it in drive just suits the E92 M3s jack of all trades and high revving nature. GTS or the updated DCT software can be coded in easily, I have GTS on mine and its a huge improvement although can still be dim-witted at times. Rapid up and down the gears though.
Whatever you do dont buy replica wheels they are a lottery, many people have issues with the 359 reps including myself.
BMW Insured warranty is available for non-AUC M3's, but the price becomes extremely expensive after they tick over 60k miles. They are generally reliable cars though so you could be better saving the money.
Stereo - will aim for HK. But in this car ill either be half asleep driving to work and just have the Radio on. OR ill be on a hoon, where I wont need any music!
Gearbox - I want manual, but now you've mentioned shorter gears in the DCT its reminded me of the test drive (Tested a manual). 3rd was brilliant, it felt like it went on forever, but I swear it was approaching 110mph when I backed off! So whats 4th? 140?
If thats the case then its too long for the road, I want to be hitting 65-70 in 2nd and 95-100 in 3rd? Otherwise the only gear you are ever going to use any revs with is 2nd?
I'll have to try the DCT. In my head I imagine it to be old an clunky, but it sounds like its actually a good one?
Wheels - I'll only have stock.
Warranty - I'll buy well and within my means and cross my fingers!
I have a lovely 2011 (61 Reg LCI) E92 Individual DCT with pretty much every option. I use it for commuting occasionally as its awesome after a long stressful day at the office.
I do need to move it on now (3 Kiddys) after 3 years. By all means drop me a message if youre serious. Full BMW history (serviced 3 weeks ago and just had OEM disks and pads so no bills looming. Top end of your budget but its a beauty one of only 2 UK cars in Petrol Mica Metallic.
I do need to move it on now (3 Kiddys) after 3 years. By all means drop me a message if youre serious. Full BMW history (serviced 3 weeks ago and just had OEM disks and pads so no bills looming. Top end of your budget but its a beauty one of only 2 UK cars in Petrol Mica Metallic.
russy01 said:
Gearbox - I want manual, but now you've mentioned shorter gears in the DCT its reminded me of the test drive (Tested a manual). 3rd was brilliant, it felt like it went on forever, but I swear it was approaching 110mph when I backed off!
My criticism of the M3 is well known, but I did love 110mph in third at 8400rpm and then slamming it into fourth gear with the manual gearbox. High speed driving was great fun(risky for the license) because its all about the top end of the revs with that engine. 
Empty roads were its absolute forte to enjoy all the engines strengths. Commuting in it drove me mad and I felt like a caged animal, when I found an open road for pleasure to use all its performance...I never failed to enjoy it.
Rapido1 said:
I have a lovely 2011 (61 Reg LCI) E92 Individual DCT with pretty much every option. I use it for commuting occasionally as its awesome after a long stressful day at the office.
I do need to move it on now (3 Kiddys) after 3 years. By all means drop me a message if youre serious. Full BMW history (serviced 3 weeks ago and just had OEM disks and pads so no bills looming. Top end of your budget but its a beauty one of only 2 UK cars in Petrol Mica Metallic.
I wont waste your time right now, as Im not going to hand over cash this or next week. But am interested and could be in touch in the short term! Also that colour sounds perfect - would match the Carbon Black X5 nicely...I do need to move it on now (3 Kiddys) after 3 years. By all means drop me a message if youre serious. Full BMW history (serviced 3 weeks ago and just had OEM disks and pads so no bills looming. Top end of your budget but its a beauty one of only 2 UK cars in Petrol Mica Metallic.
cerb4.5lee said:
My criticism of the M3 is well known, but I did love 110mph in third at 8400rpm and then slamming it into fourth gear with the manual gearbox. High speed driving was great fun(risky for the license) because its all about the top end of the revs with that engine.
Empty roads were its absolute forte to enjoy all the engines strengths. Commuting in it drove me mad and I felt like a caged animal, when I found an open road for pleasure to use all its performance...I never failed to enjoy it.
Yes, it was awesome. However I imagine you enjoy the higher revs more of the time with a DCT? Arghhh... but I want a manual. Will have to try a DCT...Empty roads were its absolute forte to enjoy all the engines strengths. Commuting in it drove me mad and I felt like a caged animal, when I found an open road for pleasure to use all its performance...I never failed to enjoy it.
russy01 said:
Yes, it was awesome. However I imagine you enjoy the higher revs more of the time with a DCT? Arghhh... but I want a manual. Will have to try a DCT...
Yes and I do think that the DCT suits the revvy nature better in many ways. I was like you though and I wanted the manual because that's my preference, also you can't buy many V8's with a manual gearbox so that appealed too(two pedals are the favoured choice nowadays). cerb4.5lee said:
Yes and I do think that the DCT suits the revvy nature better in many ways. I was like you though and I wanted the manual because that's my preference, also you can't buy many V8's with a manual gearbox so that appealed too(two pedals are the favoured choice nowadays).
Im all for an auto in the right car. i.e a 570s is perfect with paddles. But, a older V8 coupe should have be manual! ....and without being all doomy, I do want to get a manual V8 in the bag before its all auto hybrids!
russy01 said:
cerb4.5lee said:
Yes and I do think that the DCT suits the revvy nature better in many ways. I was like you though and I wanted the manual because that's my preference, also you can't buy many V8's with a manual gearbox so that appealed too(two pedals are the favoured choice nowadays).
Im all for an auto in the right car. i.e a 570s is perfect with paddles. But, a older V8 coupe should have be manual! ....and without being all doomy, I do want to get a manual V8 in the bag before its all auto hybrids!
I still find it hard to come to terms with the fact that in 2040 the internal combustion engine won't be available anymore...it makes me sad with me being a bit of a dinosaur!
It will be like driving a faster milk float for everyone!!
Engine/Exhaust noise is one of my favourite things about cars. 
cerb4.5lee said:
I still find it hard to come to terms with the fact that in 2040 the internal combustion engine won't be available anymore...it makes me sad with me being a bit of a dinosaur!
It will be like driving a faster milk float for everyone!!
Engine/Exhaust noise is one of my favourite things about cars. russy01 said:
Im excited for the future. But thats because I believe cars will be significantly different by then, its easy to think we will all be driving a Nissan Leaf Mk4... but manufacturers have now had a proper kick up the butt to start innovating. So, god knows what they'll come up with....
Love the positivity 
I'm too busy focusing on how poor the range is with electric cars and how expensive they are!
There's tank loads of work to be done for me. Not to mention how many more road deaths there will be, because nobody will be able to hear the cars coming when crossing the road etc. I will be dead before it all really takes off anyway...so I don't know why I'm so bothered!!
russy01 said:
I wont waste your time right now, as Im not going to hand over cash this or next week. But am interested and could be in touch in the short term! Also that colour sounds perfect - would match the Carbon Black X5 nicely...
No problem no rush at all my hand is being forced anyway. I just cant bring myself to write a for sale advert. Whatever happens you will not be disappointed with a nice E92 M3. DCT is the one to get though Rapido1 said:
No problem no rush at all my hand is being forced anyway. I just cant bring myself to write a for sale advert. Whatever happens you will not be disappointed with a nice E92 M3. DCT is the one to get though
More than welcome to use me as an excuse to hang on for your car longer... just tell her that this bloke on PH is promising to buy it next month then repeat! Smuler said:
My E46 takes about 3-4 miles to warm up so I doubt these cars would like a short commute or be fuel friendly (are they ever) but it wouldn't put me off. Just go out and have a blast on lunch break or buy a 'beater' to take the grind.
Just curious what you define as "warmed-up", My Z4M takes more like 6-7 miles before the oil is around 85-90 degrees C, i'm barely at 60 degrees C after 2-3 miles and wouldn't consider winding an S54 up until Oil is at 90 odd...Mike. said:
Smuler said:
My E46 takes about 3-4 miles to warm up so I doubt these cars would like a short commute or be fuel friendly (are they ever) but it wouldn't put me off. Just go out and have a blast on lunch break or buy a 'beater' to take the grind.
Just curious what you define as "warmed-up", My Z4M takes more like 6-7 miles before the oil is around 85-90 degrees C, i'm barely at 60 degrees C after 2-3 miles and wouldn't consider winding an S54 up until Oil is at 90 odd...I agree with you re: oil temp for any spirited driving.
russy01 said:
Rapido1 said:
No problem no rush at all my hand is being forced anyway. I just cant bring myself to write a for sale advert. Whatever happens you will not be disappointed with a nice E92 M3. DCT is the one to get though
More than welcome to use me as an excuse to hang on for your car longer... just tell her that this bloke on PH is promising to buy it next month then repeat! Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff