Will I hate an e92 m3

Will I hate an e92 m3

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MikeGoodwin

Original Poster:

3,323 posts

116 months

Thursday 28th December 2017
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I've an itch that won't go away. That once overweight 1600kg car with the wrong engine that lacks torque in it is now looked on with rose tinted glasses. High revving v8 being the party trick. I've always wanted one and I think the e92 looks really great. Thing is in my mid 20s I bought an e92 320d sport plus and didn't like it. Engine not an issue. Was just a complete change to the hatchbacks I'd been driving for the previous 6 or 7 years. A focus ST and Megane 275 followed this 320d which were both a breath of fresh air handling wise, the Megane is a car I really love to bits and hate at the same time. I am not sure what could replace the Megane except for offerings from Lotus and stuff I couldn't afford.

So this M3 is about the right price now. But I'm worried I'll regret selling that Megane. Is the m3 actually as good as people say or do you reckon it's the wrong sort of car for me? I'm quite interested in a dct model to lounge to work in but still on rare occasions bang through gears with.

Smuler

2,286 posts

138 months

Thursday 28th December 2017
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MikeGoodwin said:
I've an itch that won't go away. That once overweight 1600kg car with the wrong engine that lacks torque in it is now looked on with rose tinted glasses. High revving v8 being the party trick. I've always wanted one and I think the e92 looks really great. Thing is in my mid 20s I bought an e92 320d sport plus and didn't like it. Engine not an issue. Was just a complete change to the hatchbacks I'd been driving for the previous 6 or 7 years. A focus ST and Megane 275 followed this 320d which were both a breath of fresh air handling wise, the Megane is a car I really love to bits and hate at the same time. I am not sure what could replace the Megane except for offerings from Lotus and stuff I couldn't afford.

So this M3 is about the right price now. But I'm worried I'll regret selling that Megane. Is the m3 actually as good as people say or do you reckon it's the wrong sort of car for me? I'm quite interested in a dct model to lounge to work in but still on rare occasions bang through gears with.
Might be missing your point, but the M cars are very different from their ordinary counterparts (some interior aspects aside) so I don't think liking/disliking the 320d is relevant.
I don't know your hatches, but if they are more analogue/ raw (as I assumed??) it did cross my mind that an E46 M3 might be better?

Otherwise, from driving several, I really like the E92 M3 as an overall 'do anything car.' V8 sounds amazing, I've found them fun on B roads and they are more composed/grown up than the E46 for daily grind.




Wills2

22,660 posts

174 months

Thursday 28th December 2017
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MikeGoodwin said:
I've an itch that won't go away. That once overweight 1600kg car with the wrong engine that lacks torque in it is now looked on with rose tinted glasses. High revving v8 being the party trick. I've always wanted one and I think the e92 looks really great. Thing is in my mid 20s I bought an e92 320d sport plus and didn't like it. Engine not an issue. Was just a complete change to the hatchbacks I'd been driving for the previous 6 or 7 years. A focus ST and Megane 275 followed this 320d which were both a breath of fresh air handling wise, the Megane is a car I really love to bits and hate at the same time. I am not sure what could replace the Megane except for offerings from Lotus and stuff I couldn't afford.

So this M3 is about the right price now. But I'm worried I'll regret selling that Megane. Is the m3 actually as good as people say or do you reckon it's the wrong sort of car for me? I'm quite interested in a dct model to lounge to work in but still on rare occasions bang through gears with.
Impossible question to answer just go drive one and then you can come back and tell us if you like it.

I'll give you a starter for ten though it's nothing like a 320d....



MikeGoodwin

Original Poster:

3,323 posts

116 months

Thursday 28th December 2017
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Thanks. I think an e46 would be better but they are really getting on so are e92 m3s mind look at that guys thread who's had an e92 for a decade..... I bring the 320d because of its size. It was so unengaging. The hatches could be thrown about with accuracy in corners where the e92 needed to be lined up like a missile then let the straight line power do the work. It wasn't just the 320d either. Drove allaorts of BMWs thanks to a friend and they were no different. Never even been in an m3 mind. I think I'll try drive one.

ftypical

457 posts

117 months

Thursday 28th December 2017
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Would now be a good time to mention that when I first saw one I was struck by how it reminded me of the original Police Academy film? Specifically, a certain bar frequented by a bejewelled leather-clad clientele. And some less popular members of the class...

Brainpox

4,054 posts

150 months

Thursday 28th December 2017
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The 320d is a repmobile. A mini barge to make running up and down the motorway as cheap and painless as possible.

M cars shrink around you. It doesn't matter how big they are (to a point), they feel small and nimble once you start pressing on. You really have to try one rather than let the 2.0 diesel model do the talking.

9k rpm

515 posts

209 months

Thursday 28th December 2017
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As an previous owner of an E92 320d, S3 8p and recently a E92 M3 Competition I feel I’m well place to comment
As the post above says, just drive an M3. It will make up your mind!
Make sure it’s a DCT though.
It will however feel very different to a turbocharged hatch; you will notice the perceived lack of low down shove. Double click the left paddle when you need to move though and you will grin from ear to ear.

Edited by 9k rpm on Thursday 28th December 21:45

Mr Whippy

28,943 posts

240 months

Thursday 28th December 2017
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It's got shed loads of torque, it's a 4.0 V8.

It also revs, and it holds it's torque flat, so the perception is of not much torque even though it has a lot over a wide rev range.


I know this thread isn't about that, but anyone who quotes torque figures doesn't 'get' power.


The whole thing is based on perception. Power and power to weight more specifically, tell you more about performance at any point in the rev range than any other single metric (especially the single torque figure which is useless as a single figure)


So it's a 410bhp car that weighs about 1600kg. So it's a 250bhp/tonne car. It's fast as fook for the road, ambling it's rapid, revving it's very rapid.




Go try one!

Max Maxasson

406 posts

182 months

Friday 29th December 2017
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Had 2 E92 M3s...I still regard them as the best cars I ever owned. My M4 is pretty good too, but the extra power/torque doesn't make up for not having that V8.

cerb4.5lee

30,170 posts

179 months

Friday 29th December 2017
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The E92 M3 does feel heavy and unengaging at normal speeds, but it really comes alive at high speeds and feels smaller than it actually is, and its chassis is excellent. It's brakes let it down a fair bit though if you get too excited with it(and it feels it's weight again).

Mine was a manual, but as others have said the DCT is the gearbox that suits the engine far better(and I love manuals).

Take one out and see what you think, I loved it when I took one out on a test drive because I'd always wanted one and I love V8's, but I ended up hating it when I used it as my daily driver, so you don't always know how you will feel until you actually live with one.


cerb4.5lee

30,170 posts

179 months

Friday 29th December 2017
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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.

Wills2

22,660 posts

174 months

Friday 29th December 2017
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Max Maxasson said:
Had 2 E92 M3s...I still regard them as the best cars I ever owned. My M4 is pretty good too, but the extra power/torque doesn't make up for not having that V8.
Same here, I especially loved my CP e92 a stunning car in all respects.


davie3door

33 posts

210 months

Friday 29th December 2017
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You will not be dissapointed treat yourself

stevesingo

4,848 posts

221 months

Friday 29th December 2017
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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.

MikeGoodwin

Original Poster:

3,323 posts

116 months

Friday 29th December 2017
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I've seen an early car that looks in excellent condition with circa 25k miles. Ideally I wanted DCT EDC and 18s but they seem to push into higher prices i dont want to pay. This ones Manual non EDC. 18s. Think I'm going to drop the dealer a message tomorrow but for some reason it just doesn't feel right. I think I'm concerned about the horrid stories of bearings and throttle actuators. Plus the Megane handles so well i just don't know if an m3 will do what I want it to.

Brainpox

4,054 posts

150 months

Friday 29th December 2017
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MikeGoodwin said:
Plus the Megane handles so well i just don't know if an m3 will do what I want it to.
That's why you drive it before you buy it wink

cerb4.5lee

30,170 posts

179 months

Saturday 30th December 2017
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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.
It still lacks usable torque though and it also has to drag around 1650kg, it's flat low down and I prefer a car that doesn't need 6k revs to feel quick, granted that is my preference though.

A V8 for me should feel gutsy and powerful, and the V8 M3 just doesn't unless you thrash the life out of it.

How long have you had your V8 M3?

Edited by cerb4.5lee on Saturday 30th December 00:24

NW_GT

5 posts

76 months

Saturday 30th December 2017
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The E92 M3 is one of the greatest ever build when it comes to the driving experience ... the sound of the V8 is unmatched, it handles great, the dual clutch is phenomenal ... I would go for it in a heartbeat ...


Smuler

2,286 posts

138 months

Saturday 30th December 2017
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Is your Megane turbo charged ?
That might be a factor if it is. You may prefer that kind of power delivery.

I prefer naturally aspirated cars as I would chose much better throttle response over increased torque smile

Otherwise, as said , text drive and try not to over think ;and get a test drive on an open road where you can rev. My test drives were like that - neither car had EDC by the way - and I was smiling all the way home.

cerb4.5lee

30,170 posts

179 months

Saturday 30th December 2017
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Smuler said:
I prefer naturally aspirated cars as I would chose much better throttle response over increased torque smile
I believe Wills2 is like that as well and he prefers his old E92 M3's to his F80 M3, I'd love a M4 because I much prefer torque over the high rev V8.

I've only test driven a M4 though(I loved it), but maybe living with one might be different though, and the engine could end up feeling ordinary, and from what I read they get criticised a lot for that when compared to the older high rev N/A engines.

It does make you wonder that when everyone loves the old N/A engines so much...why did BMW stop making them and replace them with Turbo's.