Need E90 M3 advice!
Discussion
Hi all,
I have an E39 M5 and I'm looking to replace it with a used E90 M3. I love the M5, but I feel like the newer 5 series cars are a bit too big for me.
Anyway, I have begun researching the M3s and I'm trying to figure out all of the transmission options. Any advice on the transmissions or other options would be appreciated.
Many thanks!
I have an E39 M5 and I'm looking to replace it with a used E90 M3. I love the M5, but I feel like the newer 5 series cars are a bit too big for me.
Anyway, I have begun researching the M3s and I'm trying to figure out all of the transmission options. Any advice on the transmissions or other options would be appreciated.
Many thanks!
Rex Racer said:
Hi all,
I have an E39 M5 and I'm looking to replace it with a used E90 M3. I love the M5, but I feel like the newer 5 series cars are a bit too big for me.
Anyway, I have begun researching the M3s and I'm trying to figure out all of the transmission options. Any advice on the transmissions or other options would be appreciated.
Many thanks!
I don't have an E90 but my E92 M3 has a manual gearbox which is great. The only other transmission option is the DCT box which was introduced in 2008. I have not driven one but I'm led to believe its a very good box.I have an E39 M5 and I'm looking to replace it with a used E90 M3. I love the M5, but I feel like the newer 5 series cars are a bit too big for me.
Anyway, I have begun researching the M3s and I'm trying to figure out all of the transmission options. Any advice on the transmissions or other options would be appreciated.
Many thanks!
They are thirsty in town but on the motorway with cruise control set to 75-80 mph I can get 28-29 mpg.
Third gear performance between 5000-8000rpm is simply stunning.
You must get a car with EDC (electronic damper control). Feedback from two of my local dealers is that a car without is very difficult to sell on.
Transmission is down to personal choice - my current car is manual, but just about to change for DCT which is going to be interesting.
Apart from EDC, transmission, I think the other expensive option was the 19" wheels - again a personal choice. I have 19's and have been happy with the ride and think they look good.
Transmission is down to personal choice - my current car is manual, but just about to change for DCT which is going to be interesting.
Apart from EDC, transmission, I think the other expensive option was the 19" wheels - again a personal choice. I have 19's and have been happy with the ride and think they look good.
Great information guys. Much appreciated.
I was previously under the impression that there was an SMG option at one point for the e90/e92, but it appears now that the DCT replaced it. Does anyone out there have the DCT? I'd love to hear some impressions as I've always driven manuals. Also, I'm wondering what owners think about the paddles being located on the steering wheel instead of the steering column. I drove an F430 with paddles and they worked great, but they were attached to the steering column and didn't turn along with the steering wheel.
Thanks pjv997 regarding the EDC and its desirability to other buyers. This is the type of info you just can't get from most online reviews. As for the wheels, 18" wheels were an option? I assumed that 19" wheels were standard.
I was previously under the impression that there was an SMG option at one point for the e90/e92, but it appears now that the DCT replaced it. Does anyone out there have the DCT? I'd love to hear some impressions as I've always driven manuals. Also, I'm wondering what owners think about the paddles being located on the steering wheel instead of the steering column. I drove an F430 with paddles and they worked great, but they were attached to the steering column and didn't turn along with the steering wheel.
Thanks pjv997 regarding the EDC and its desirability to other buyers. This is the type of info you just can't get from most online reviews. As for the wheels, 18" wheels were an option? I assumed that 19" wheels were standard.
Both the manual and DCT are excellent gearboxes, you can't go wrong with either - it depends on your personal preference. I have the manual and it's lovely to work through the gears. Shifting from 2nd to 3rd at 8500rpm is truly amazing!
I've not driven the DCT but I've heard that it's up there with the GT-R gearbox for responsiveness and shift speed. One thing I would recommend if you want to go down the DCT route is try to find a 2010 model or newer as they ironed out a lot of the gremlins over time (software updates). You also get the latest generation iDrive in 2010 cars which is much better.
Regarding wheels, 18" were standard, 19" optional. The 19s are lovely forged lightweight items made by Fuchs (lighter than the Competition pack wheels by the way). As previous posters have said, EDC is probably a "must have". I also happen to think the High Beam Assist is a cool option (uses infrared camera to detect oncoming traffic and automatically switches headlight main beam on/off).
Good luck with your search!
I've not driven the DCT but I've heard that it's up there with the GT-R gearbox for responsiveness and shift speed. One thing I would recommend if you want to go down the DCT route is try to find a 2010 model or newer as they ironed out a lot of the gremlins over time (software updates). You also get the latest generation iDrive in 2010 cars which is much better.
Regarding wheels, 18" were standard, 19" optional. The 19s are lovely forged lightweight items made by Fuchs (lighter than the Competition pack wheels by the way). As previous posters have said, EDC is probably a "must have". I also happen to think the High Beam Assist is a cool option (uses infrared camera to detect oncoming traffic and automatically switches headlight main beam on/off).
Good luck with your search!
Thanks guys. Sounds like the DCT may be the one for me. I must admit that being able to shift to automatic is a nice feature to have in a daily driver, and I'll still have a manual transmission for my weekend car.
As for the EDC, anyone know if it adds a lot of weight? Also, I'm wondering about longevity and maintenance of that system. Seems like the more automation you put into a car, the more that can go wrong and the more that you may need to pay later to fix.
As for the EDC, anyone know if it adds a lot of weight? Also, I'm wondering about longevity and maintenance of that system. Seems like the more automation you put into a car, the more that can go wrong and the more that you may need to pay later to fix.
EDC and 19" wheels do seem to be the only must have options from a resale perspective, but I'm not entirely sure why.
All the reviews reckon the firmest setting of edc is only usable on track, and I reckon most people leave it in 'normal' mode which is the same as a car without EDC, and it is another (expensive) thing to go wrong as the cars get older, not that there appears to be any sort of reliability problem with it so far. I dont think it adds significant weight.
Not sure why the 19's seems to be essential either, I prefer the look of the 18's, the ride is supposed to be better and the tyres are cheaper.
When I bought mine, I deliberately sought out a car without EDC, but couldnt find one without 19"'s. I'm clearly in the minority in these opinions though.
Essential for me, is bluetooth and seat heating, the rest are nice to haves.
All the reviews reckon the firmest setting of edc is only usable on track, and I reckon most people leave it in 'normal' mode which is the same as a car without EDC, and it is another (expensive) thing to go wrong as the cars get older, not that there appears to be any sort of reliability problem with it so far. I dont think it adds significant weight.
Not sure why the 19's seems to be essential either, I prefer the look of the 18's, the ride is supposed to be better and the tyres are cheaper.
When I bought mine, I deliberately sought out a car without EDC, but couldnt find one without 19"'s. I'm clearly in the minority in these opinions though.
Essential for me, is bluetooth and seat heating, the rest are nice to haves.
Edited by julians on Sunday 11th March 19:33
Edited by julians on Sunday 11th March 19:37
A couple of points raised above about DCT:
Paddles rotating with wheel rather than fixed as in Lambo and Ferrari. Having the paddles attached to the wheel works better in swift driving when you are using fixed input steering (the DCT changes are so smooth that it is no problem to change while the car is turning). Having the paddles fixed may be better while making tight turns in town, however BMW deal with this problem by providing a lever in the centre for changing gears as well as the paddles.
Comparison with GTR: in swift driving the M3 change is very similar to the GTR change, but the M3 gearbox works very much better as smooth automatic around town.
The DCT is brilliant - fast, responsive, smooth. However, you may miss the pleasures of using a traditional manual.
Paddles rotating with wheel rather than fixed as in Lambo and Ferrari. Having the paddles attached to the wheel works better in swift driving when you are using fixed input steering (the DCT changes are so smooth that it is no problem to change while the car is turning). Having the paddles fixed may be better while making tight turns in town, however BMW deal with this problem by providing a lever in the centre for changing gears as well as the paddles.
Comparison with GTR: in swift driving the M3 change is very similar to the GTR change, but the M3 gearbox works very much better as smooth automatic around town.
The DCT is brilliant - fast, responsive, smooth. However, you may miss the pleasures of using a traditional manual.
Rex Racer said:
Wow, the DCT sounds really good. Given that 90% of my driving in the car will be just driving to and from work (albeit briskly), I don't think that I'll miss the manual too much. I have an Aston with a MT that I drive less often that I can take when I want to "row my own."
On this basis I'd say you'd be ok with a DCT thenI have an E90 with DCT that I drive every day and it's a brilliant transmission. Also owned a 997 with PDK at the same time and expected the DCT to be "not quite as good" as the raved-about Porsche PDK. Fact is, there's nothing between them in my view, the DCT really is that good.
I don't have EDC and therefore don't miss it. The standard supsension set up is good enough for 99.9% of the driving you are going to do on the road and the ride is excellent on the 19" wheels but I think most of that is due to the lack of run flats on the M3 which pretty much ruins the ride of the other 3 series cars. I have heard the M3 ride is even better on 18" alloys and they look good too but are not that common as most cars have the 19" wheels specced.
I think the E90 M3 saloon is a great car and will do most of what the last M5 was capable of but in a smaller package and with an infinitely better transmission in DCT.
I don't have EDC and therefore don't miss it. The standard supsension set up is good enough for 99.9% of the driving you are going to do on the road and the ride is excellent on the 19" wheels but I think most of that is due to the lack of run flats on the M3 which pretty much ruins the ride of the other 3 series cars. I have heard the M3 ride is even better on 18" alloys and they look good too but are not that common as most cars have the 19" wheels specced.
I think the E90 M3 saloon is a great car and will do most of what the last M5 was capable of but in a smaller package and with an infinitely better transmission in DCT.
Rex Racer said:
Wow, the DCT sounds really good. Given that 90% of my driving in the car will be just driving to and from work (albeit briskly), I don't think that I'll miss the manual too much. I have an Aston with a MT that I drive less often that I can take when I want to "row my own."
Lucky chap, I would love a V12V. I was interested that Clarkson's Star last night had changed from a DBS to a V12V and preferred the V12V.When you get the M3, please give us a comparison in this forum of the Aston and the M3 (yes, I am serious, I reckon the M3 drives better than many much more expensive cars, even if it does not feel nearly as special).
julians said:
All the reviews reckon the firmest setting of edc is only usable on track, and I reckon most people leave it in 'normal' mode which is the same as a car without EDC
Sorry to nitpick, but EDC in Normal is not the same as a car without EDC. EDC "Comfort" and "Normal" modes are fully active settings and the dampers adjust in real time depending on road conditions. EDC "Sport" is a passive setting and the dampers are set quite firm, probably best suited to the track. A non-EDC M3 still has a very well judged setup though.p.s. EDC adds negligible weight, DCT adds 20Kg (not that you'd probably notice)
waremark said:
Lucky chap, I would love a V12V. I was interested that Clarkson's Star last night had changed from a DBS to a V12V and preferred the V12V.
When you get the M3, please give us a comparison in this forum of the Aston and the M3 (yes, I am serious, I reckon the M3 drives better than many much more expensive cars, even if it does not feel nearly as special).
I do love the car, and feel lucky to have one. Clarkson now prefers the V12V? I know for a while he was saying that the DBS is the best car in the world. When you get the M3, please give us a comparison in this forum of the Aston and the M3 (yes, I am serious, I reckon the M3 drives better than many much more expensive cars, even if it does not feel nearly as special).
Will do on the comparison. May be a month or two before I make the purchase though.
Edited by Rex Racer on Monday 12th March 23:00
Rex Racer said:
Clarkson now prefers the V12V? I know for a while he was saying that the DBS is the best car in the world.
No, Clarkson repeated that comment about the DBS. It was the Star I A R P C who had gone Vanquish, DBS, V12V who said he preferred the V12V (Slash from Guns'n Roses - did a pretty quick time so obviously knew his way round a car).I've got an E92 M3 with DCT and EDC.
To be honest everyone said get the EDC option but I use the default comfort setting 90% of the time. The firmer modes are very stiff for UK roads.
The DCT gearbox is leagues ahead of the SMG, but you'd expect that being a dual clutch set up. You can adjust the gear change speeds so I have it set than when I drive in Auto mode (daily commute/ambling along) then the shifts are slow but when I'm using manual mode (more spirited driving)they are set to be faster. It is a very good gearbox BUT don't expect the auto mode to be as smooth as a torque converter auto. It does get a bit confused sometimes and does take a bit of getting used to.
The V8 in the E92/E90 is superb. The exhaust note is a bit subdued but I've fitted an M Performance exhaust which is very unobtrusive below 4krpm but gets a bit Nascar sounding as the revs climb.
To be honest everyone said get the EDC option but I use the default comfort setting 90% of the time. The firmer modes are very stiff for UK roads.
The DCT gearbox is leagues ahead of the SMG, but you'd expect that being a dual clutch set up. You can adjust the gear change speeds so I have it set than when I drive in Auto mode (daily commute/ambling along) then the shifts are slow but when I'm using manual mode (more spirited driving)they are set to be faster. It is a very good gearbox BUT don't expect the auto mode to be as smooth as a torque converter auto. It does get a bit confused sometimes and does take a bit of getting used to.
The V8 in the E92/E90 is superb. The exhaust note is a bit subdued but I've fitted an M Performance exhaust which is very unobtrusive below 4krpm but gets a bit Nascar sounding as the revs climb.
joscal said:
Slightly off topic but has anyone gone from E60 M5 to E90 M3? I'm seriously considering the move and have a test drive in the M3 arranged for Thursday.
Is it a step down (or up!)
depends what you want the car for... i did a track day in an E92 at Bedford and was left very disappointed... thus i bought an E61 M5... Is it a step down (or up!)
The E61 M5 will never be a track day weapon, thus from that perspective, the E90 is a step up, but for mile munching, general quality of the cabin, ride comfort, toys and the occaisional squirt to 204mph on a German Autobahn, occifer, the E60/61 is still the daddy...
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