2009 E92 M3 - Monte Carlo Edition

2009 E92 M3 - Monte Carlo Edition

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Discussion

horico

Original Poster:

245 posts

213 months

Saturday 29th September 2018
quotequote all
It's been a few years since I sold my last M3, I loved it and I was sad to see it go at the time. It was the right thing to do at the time but since it went I've been stuck in an Insignia estate which has done it's job well but I have no love for it. Even with the wife having a couple of Golf R's over the period they were leases and not mine, despite how capable they were. Im truth, I've been looking for a new car for me on and off for a while but recently it got a lot more serious. Heres a couplf of snaps of my old M3:

front 3 qtr by Matt Bly, on Flickr

shiny rear qtr by Matt Bly, on Flickr

So, after an actual purchase following a 'what car' thread over in car buying I picked up this lovely M3 yesterday from a great bloke who had owned and looked after it for the last 18 months or so. He didn't want to sell but to secure a house move it had to go and I was in the right place at the right time asking him about similar cars when he suggested it might be for sale. It was originally a keeper but the above forced his hand and I feel a little lucky to be the beneficiary, despite feeling a little like I've taken sweets off a child! If you frequent M3Cutters, you'll recognise the car immediately.

Spec:
- 2009 '59' E92 M3 S65 V8
- 36k miles, FBMWSH
- EDC
- DCT
- Logic 7 Hifi
- Adaptive Xenons
- Heated Seats
- Factory Privacy Glass
- Front & Rear Visual PDC

With it being a Monte Carlo Edition, it's identified by the following differences over the standard version:
- Individual Black Nappa leather with Tobago Blue stitching/stripe detail
- -10mm Springs and Dampers (comp pack in all but name to you and me)
- Black chrome grills and side gills
- Black 220M forged wheels
- Black exhaust tips
- Black bonnet vents
- Carbon Structure leather interior trims
- Unique M3 Chequered flag sill kick plates
- Factory-Spec Continental Sport Contact 3 Tyres

There were two other 'edition' versions released at the same time in a choice of Dakar Yellow or Alpine White flavours. I fell in love with the Monte version after seeing the M3 World project car on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gn9juc_Qd4

The car currently has a few minor modifications fitted by the previous owner which were exactly what I wanted anyway so when discussing the deal, I was happy to take everything. These are:

- OEM Carbon Front Splitters
- OEM Carbon Boot Spoiler
- OEM/ULO LCI Lights
- 12mm rear. Spacers
- White LED Halo Lamps
- M359 style alloys in hyper silver
- OEM 2 pipe modded back box with chrome tailpipes (what a sound!)

The original parts, including the alloys and exhaust came with the car if I ever wanted to return it to full oem 'edition' spec. The original wheels have just been refurbished too.

I've managed to get through about half a tank of fuel so far at about 20mpg which I'm happy with but I didn't buy it to watch the economy. It's a lovely thing to drive and feels both lighter on its feet and less jarring than the M140i I drove a few days ago. The only issue so far is that the angel eyes have a fault. It's still under AUC warranty until December so it's booked in to BMW locally to get looked at. I was happy to take it with the fault due to the warranty etc as I believe it's a hardware issue rather than a bulb etc (they were checked!). As for plans, there are a few things I want to do asap to make it my own, these are:

- Comp pack coding for edc / dct
- Mirror fold on door lock (and a couple of other coding items)
- Bluetooth audio upgrade (I don't have the combox but don't want a cabled solution)
- full detail and paint correction / wheel seal / engine bay detail (my old m3 was almost flawless paint-wise)
- possible intake / remap
- Get my private plate fitted

I'm also hoping the neighbours don't mind the cold start sequence at 0615hrs tomorrow! Here are some pics:

20180928_163833 by Matt, on Flickr

20180928_163852 by Matt, on Flickr

20180928_163931 by Matt Bly, on Flickr

Leon R

3,185 posts

95 months

Saturday 29th September 2018
quotequote all
That looks lovely mate, these look sooo good in monte carlo. Have you considered the GTS software for the DCT? I really like it.

chilistrucker

4,541 posts

150 months

Saturday 29th September 2018
quotequote all
Very, very nice. I really like that and the E46 looked cracking also.

I had an E34 M5 once which I loved and regret having to sell, I have been considering looking at E46 M3's at some point, just waiting on the DVLA to pay me what they owe and then I may have a proper look.

Leon R

3,185 posts

95 months

Saturday 29th September 2018
quotequote all
Just seen this was Keiths, no wonder it looks so good! Awesome purchase, you couldn't have done better. If I hadn't already purchased you would have had competition from me on this one.

horico

Original Poster:

245 posts

213 months

Saturday 29th September 2018
quotequote all
Leon R said:
That looks lovely mate, these look sooo good in monte carlo. Have you considered the GTS software for the DCT? I really like it.
You spotted my deliberate mistake - yes, it's on the to-do list. I'm a little out of the loop on the usual suspects when it comes to small OEM style improvements that can be made with these and the coding side of things is one of them.

Leon R said:
Just seen this was Keiths, no wonder it looks so good! Awesome purchase, you couldn't have done better. If I hadn't already purchased you would have had competition from me on this one.
I agree, Keith is a true enthusiast and a great bloke to deal with. I was genuinely sad for him as it would be the same for me in that situation, I just ope I can continue to do the car justice - I've been looking for some time as I said and apart from a frozen silver edition for a lot more money, none seemed to be up to scratch.

chilistrucker said:
Very, very nice. I really like that and the E46 looked cracking also.

I had an E34 M5 once which I loved and regret having to sell, I have been considering looking at E46 M3's at some point, just waiting on the DVLA to pay me what they owe and then I may have a proper look.
Thanks mate. I considered another E46 in coupe and manual form but I really wanted to try the E92 and also, I paid less for mine at 45k miles 4-5 years ago than you can get a similarly nice one for now. I'd be happy to pay mid teens for a perfect, low miles example but everyone seems to think they're 25k cars nowadays! I also remember how much I spent keeping it in perfect order but some of that was a dead SMG pump! I'm hoping the E92 will be friendlier in terms of random breakdowns / niggles.

Edited by horico on Saturday 29th September 20:08

Nunga

332 posts

107 months

Saturday 29th September 2018
quotequote all
I love my E46, but I kind of wish I hadn’t ploughed so much money into it and/or waited for E92 prices to come down enough to get into V8 ownership.

The MCB is perfect, and with the carbon highlights it is on point. Well done.

anonymous-user

53 months

Saturday 29th September 2018
quotequote all
Love these and always wanted one, might be on the list of a 2+2 of / when kids come along and I might sell my V8V.

Looks stunning!

TheDukeGTi

202 posts

135 months

Saturday 29th September 2018
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Beautiful. Certainly makes a change from the white/black/silver/grey ones.

ocrx8

867 posts

195 months

Saturday 29th September 2018
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Really rare colour - looks fantastic. Enjoy!

Will be interesting to hear your thoughts on S54 vs S65 after a few months.

Ruskie

3,982 posts

199 months

Saturday 29th September 2018
quotequote all
Absolutely perfect. Subtle mods and the colour pops.

cerb4.5lee

30,189 posts

179 months

Saturday 29th September 2018
quotequote all
That just looks the absolutely business, the colour is something else. Lovely.

GregK2

1,651 posts

145 months

Saturday 29th September 2018
quotequote all
Wow, that looks amazing! Congrats, must be chuffed.

MikeGoodwin

3,323 posts

116 months

Saturday 29th September 2018
quotequote all
Yeah you've got a good one Keith's was probably the best example of an MC going right now.

Leon R

3,185 posts

95 months

Sunday 30th September 2018
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horico said:
Leon R said:
That looks lovely mate, these look sooo good in monte carlo. Have you considered the GTS software for the DCT? I really like it.
You spotted my deliberate mistake - yes, it's on the to-do list. I'm a little out of the loop on the usual suspects when it comes to small OEM style improvements that can be made with these and the coding side of things is one of them.
Just seen you're in Bucks, I'm just down the road in Oxfordshire so if you want to check out some of the mods you are considering before you take the plunge let me know.

I have the evolve primary cat delete, eventuri intake, GTS DCT software, servotronic reprogram and a stage 2 remap.

d_a_n1979

8,096 posts

71 months

Sunday 30th September 2018
quotequote all
Gorgeous car...

I really do like these, the last of the true M3s IMO


TheAngryDog

12,394 posts

208 months

Sunday 30th September 2018
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Very very nice op. The wheels, colour and carbon compliment each other nicely.

I see you're in Bucks. Don't know which part but there is a monthly cars and coffee meet near Aylesbury each month.

Enjoy.

SiT

1,163 posts

200 months

Monday 1st October 2018
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This car is stunning, followed Keith's build thread on Cutters and saw how much work and attention to detail he put into it - your a lucky man and hope to see the car evolve with your own changes/mods, be sure to keep this thread updated.

Si

horico

Original Poster:

245 posts

213 months

Monday 8th October 2018
quotequote all
I managed to get the first wash done today. I know already that there are a few swirls to get rid of over time but today was just about getting to know the car better in person. You only really ever get to know the true condition after washing and stripping back the the paint as you know.

Process was TFR, snowfoam, wheel wash, engine bay clean, 2 bucket wash, Iron x, Tardis and clay bar before a further snowfoam. The car was then dried with a pet dryer and drying towel before I opted to cover up some of the swirls with AG SRP. The LSP was Autofinesse Illusion. Glass cleaned and tyres shined and off for some photos while it was clean. Here are a few during the clean:

20181008_110000 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/120760751@N02/][/url], on Flickr

20181008_110437 by Matt Bly, on Flickr

Can you see the the buffer trails?
20181008_114257 by Matt Bly, on Flickr

These wouldn't shift even with the Tardis
20181008_114303 by Matt Bly, on Flickr

Almost nothing on the clay - she's been looked after!
20181008_114914 by Matt Bly, on Flickr

Even the Iron X bleeding was pretty uneventful
20181008_115855 by Matt Bly, on Flickr

20181008_115916 by Matt Bly, on Flickr

20181008_104248 by Matt Bly, on Flickr

20181008_104253 by Matt Bly, on Flickr

AS Finish left to sit and bonnet shut!
20181008_105331 by Matt Bly, on Flickr

After leaving for an hour or so:
20181008_142503 by Matt Bly, on Flickr

20181008_142511 by Matt Bly, on Flickr

Now for some finished shots (there's a few):

IMG_4939 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/120760751@N02/][/url], on Flickr

IMG_4937 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/120760751@N02/][/url], on Flickr

IMG_4935 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/120760751@N02/][/url], on Flickr

IMG_4926 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/120760751@N02/][/url], on Flickr

IMG_4923 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/120760751@N02/][/url], on Flickr

IMG_4918 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/120760751@N02/][/url], on Flickr

IMG_4910 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/120760751@N02/][/url], on Flickr

IMG_4904 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/120760751@N02/][/url], on Flickr

IMG_4903 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/120760751@N02/][/url], on Flickr

IMG_4902 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/120760751@N02/][/url], on Flickr

IMG_4900 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/120760751@N02/][/url], on Flickr

IMG_4899 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/120760751@N02/][/url], on Flickr

IMG_4892 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/120760751@N02/][/url], on Flickr

IMG_4891 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/120760751@N02/][/url], on Flickr

Also, my new plates arrived ready for my plate when the V5 comes back. I managed to source an 85mm high plate which will look better on the plinth-less bumper as the previous owner ran a 90mm version. The std size just looks a little cumbersome.

20181004_112137 by Matt Bly, on Flickr

Thanks for reading.

Matt

4340BB

853 posts

207 months

Monday 8th October 2018
quotequote all
That is lovely. Truly stunning. But I thought the exhaust tips were black!

horico

Original Poster:

245 posts

213 months

Monday 8th October 2018
quotequote all
4340BB said:
That is lovely. Truly stunning. But I thought the exhaust tips were black!
Cheers! You're correct - the OEM tips are black. The previous owner secured a mint OEM backbox and did the 2 pipe mod to it before fitting to match the hyper silver alloys. I'm in agreement with his motives though as he felt the black tips got lost a little.