RE: BMW M3 farewell diary

[daz05]

NORTS said:

I'm not quite getting the noise around the E92s weight - 1580kg vs. 1537kg of the M4. Not a lot in it at all. I guess the difference of the weight of a child?

This is a good point. I came to the M3 from the Z4MC and initially it felt a bit big and refined in comparison and to be fair so did the E46. However, When the revs started to rise and I got my first proper experience of the chasis I realised how great it was. An exhaust modification will make a big difference to the refinement and bring a lot of smiles it's talk of the town on M3cutters. It's also a victim of its flexibility in a way, drive it in comfort mode and it won't overwhelm you, you have to drive it for what it was intended for to appreciate all its strengths.

I predict the M4 will be technically very good but I think it will be missing that certain something.... I could be wrong, time will tell but I guarantee that the Playstation crowd will be over the moon with it.

[cerb4.5lee]

daz05 said:

NORTS said:

I'm not quite getting the noise around the E92s weight - 1580kg vs. 1537kg of the M4. Not a lot in it at all. I guess the difference of the weight of a child?

This is a good point. I came to the M3 from the Z4MC and initially it felt a bit big and refined in comparison and to be fair so did the E46. However, When the revs started to rise and I got my first proper experience of the chasis I realised how great it was. An exhaust modification will make a big difference to the refinement and bring a lot of smiles it's talk of the town on M3cutters. It's also a victim of its flexibility in a way, drive it in comfort mode and it won't overwhelm you, you have to drive it for what it was intended for to appreciate all its strengths.

I predict the M4 will be technically very good but I think it will be missing that certain something.... I could be wrong, time will tell but I guarantee that the Playstation crowd will be over the moon with it.

I have to admit I was surprised how close the new one is in weight to the outgoing one & I always quote 1655kg for the E92 M3 but I checked my brochure & it is 1580kg & like you I thought the M3 felt a little heavy coming out of my Z4M but in reality it really isn't.

[///Mike]

cerb4.5lee said:

I think if I had used mine as a second car it would have felt a little more special but it soon became very ordinary to drive......

This is true.

Its why I carried out the OEM exhaust modification and bought myself a 175K mile E34 Touring. I drive the touring most days. The M3 could never compete with comfort factor offered by the E34 which is like driving your living room down the motorway. That said, when I do drive the M3 with the M button settings dialled into stiff and responsive I get a real kick out of it. I love it!

If anyone likes the engine note but thinks the exhaust noise is a bit tame then I seriously suggest you check out the OEM modification. It doesn't disappoint! I can't imagine my neighbours feel the same way as its a bit asbo on a cold start cycle but its worth the embarrassment.

[JapFreak786]

First time I went out in an E92 M3 I wasn't impressed, a few years later ended up buying an E93 which I still own. Roof down on a summers day with the V8 is something that is truly great to listen to. Yes it's heavy and my brothers E46 M3 was just as quick due to the weight of the E93, but it's worth it

When your on the right roads with the M button pressed, the car is so capable and just a hoon to drive. DCT for me but I prefer it over a manual, though the manual will be more engaging to drive IMO

[cerb4.5lee]

///Mike said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I think if I had used mine as a second car it would have felt a little more special but it soon became very ordinary to drive......

This is true.

Its why I carried out the OEM exhaust modification and bought myself a 175K mile E34 Touring. I drive the touring most days. The M3 could never compete with comfort factor offered by the E34 which is like driving your living room down the motorway. That said, when I do drive the M3 with the M button settings dialled into stiff and responsive I get a real kick out of it. I love it!

If anyone likes the engine note but thinks the exhaust noise is a bit tame then I seriously suggest you check out the OEM modification. It doesn't disappoint! I can't imagine my neighbours feel the same way as its a bit asbo on a cold start cycle but its worth the embarrassment.

That's a really good call on all counts & I know for a fact if it was my second car I would have loved it because on the odd occasion I got to open it up in M button mode with everything set to max it raised plenty of smiles for me it was just the rest of the time I always thought I would be better off in a 330i/335i.

I loved the cold cycle even on the standard exhaust I bet it does sound lovely & offensive with the OEM mod!!

[mlhj83]

Enjoying mine every bit:

Bedford
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESkHt_UpAjE

Blyton
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qG1KRLU3Rxg

Silverstone:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm_rp6MHNj4

Alpine Adventure:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8941...

Norway:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150440...

Isle of Man:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/76338312@N06/sets/721...

Wales:
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74...

Edited by mlhj83 on Tuesday 28th January 18:11

[161BMW]

Big E 118 said:

That car probably is one of the same Limited Edition 1 of 500 (LE 500) as the Red/White/Blue ones.

I had one of the red LE500's and I believe that BMW only sold about 300 of the 500 so released some further limited edition colours to help sell the remaining 200.

That's interesting maybe this is ? Was there a Carbon Black LE500 :-) ?

[161BMW]

Is the E92 M3 really that must smaller than 435i ?
I think the 435i in EB really looks fantastic having seen a few in the flesh the photographs do not always do justice!
Would be great to see a farewell with E30 M3 SE, E36 M3 GT2, E46 M3 CS and E46 M3 CSL and E92 M3.
I have one of the last E46 M3 CS :-)

[Amirhussain]

dapearson said:

How small does it look next to the 435?!?!

Its not exactly the best picture in the world is it......

According to wiki

E90;
length: 181.1 (4,600 mm), in 2011 it increased a bit to 181.9 (4,620 mm)
width: 1,783 mm (70.2)
height: 54 in

F30;
length: 182.0 (4,624 mm)
width: 71.3 (1,811 mm)
height:56.3 (1,429 mm)

So not exactly a MASSIVE difference.

[cheddar]

I never liked these, naively thought they were chubby and dim witted - then I took one for a drive......

My God! What an engine!

The only car I've driven that made me want an automated manual gearbox.

Hushed, cruisy daily driver one minute, bonkers 8000+rpm ear bleeding, pants on fire screamer the next.

I don't care how much low down torque the latest generation of M cars will produce, or how fast they accelerate, they won't get close to that epic V8 powerplant for grin inducing fun.

[Amirhussain]

Didn't know they 'only' made 10,000 saloons, which is fk all considering they made more than 40,000 coupes! I'm guessing they're going to hold their values better....

Funny how the V8 M3 which we all love and adore now, was slated quite badly when it was first shown on PH

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[g3org3y]

Iirc, Chris Harris (working for Autocar at the time) bought an E92 M3 as soon as it came out. Took it to the 'Ring very soon after.

Would be interested to get his opinion on living with it as a daily.

[MikeO996]

What's the matter with the roof?

[crazy about cars]

I'm kind of late joining the party - just got LCI Comp Pack last month. However, I am really enjoying the experience. Sure, the lack of torque is noticeable compared to my last car but as I begin to get the know the car I just love how well sorted the chassis is. Very rewarding to drive and loving the RWD experience. DCT is very sweet and nothing beats the purr of the naturally aspirated V8.

[ratty6464]

F1GTRUeno said:

Shame about the colour of both car and wheels. Awful choice.

Always liked the look and sound of this M3 though it's not a patch on the E46.

Got to admit that I don't think the colour is any good either. The black wheels make the car look heavy. I'm biased, but I think the red and blues look great

[rusti]

I have my E92 M3 since July 2013. A pre-owned 2012 car. Fantastic value. Pleasant daily driver and an absolutely great car to push over back-country roads. I have also a Tuscan S and an Ariel Atom and I can say I would be surprised if I'm much faster with any of them over twisty roads with less than perfect tarmac. In contrast to many Brits opinion that German roads are always smooth the most interesting roads are mostly shabby. In those conditions the M3's handling and comfort as well as the manic top end power of the V8 makes it a pure joy to drive.
As good as the new cars will be over all I bet they will never match the emotion of the V8 pushed to the red line.
As long as the engine stays healthy I will keep the car until the wheels are falling of. I have already enough of this boring turbo mania. We should enjoy big normally aspirated engines as long as we can...

[cheddar]

g3org3y said:

Iirc, Chris Harris (working for Autocar at the time) bought an E92 M3 as soon as it came out. Took it to the 'Ring very soon after.

Would be interested to get his opinion on living with it as a daily.

This'll get you started:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NszVXttN0R4

[161BMW]

Amirhussain said:

Funny how the V8 M3 which we all love and adore now, was slated quite badly when it was first shown on PH

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

THIS!!!!
Most sensible comment on here

[cerb4.5lee]

g3org3y said:

Iirc, Chris Harris (working for Autocar at the time) bought an E92 M3 as soon as it came out. Took it to the 'Ring very soon after.

Would be interested to get his opinion on living with it as a daily.

You are spot on & I enjoyed watching his vids with it & I made my mind up after watching those that I wanted one in white too, he spoke very highly of it when I followed his long termer write ups in Autocar.

[cleevej]

After 18 months of ownership I miss mine, amazing engine, loved the handling on tight wet bends in particular. Replaced with a 997 CS.

As a daily driver was a bit expensive to run, but thats not the cars fault. I did park in work, I dont do that in the Porsche!