E92 M3 Monte Carlo
Discussion
This is what happens when you start a 'should I' thread on Pistonheads
Ive had an E92 M3 itch for the best part of a year but the Megane 275 I had was so good I wasnt sure what could replace it. Until i made the mistake of asking Pistonheads if getting an M3 was the right thing to do. With plenty of encouragement and with the E92 M3 getting older and older, EVs and a life of eternal motoring misery on the horizon I thought why not see what the fuss about an M3 and the S65 is all about. Set myself a budget and with good advice from a friend sat and waited for the right one to come along. I'd never even sat in an M3 before, but driven or been in a few M5's over the years which were brilliant.
The Megane...
Replaced a Focus ST3 which was a great 8/10ths car but flawed in many ways most notably the torque steer which was completely unacceptable and absolutely diabolocal fuel consumption. The Megane on the other hand was a Brilliant 10/10ths car, still to this day the best car Ive ever driven (maybe, the M3 might top it) with almost fool proof handling - standard 235 tyres left the car with a nasty rear end bite which 245 PSS all round fixed. I was after a Cup-S with Recaros and 18's, but this cropped up, a Nav with Cup, 18s and Recaros so I put a deposit on it without even seeing the car and went and bought it. It was 137 miles away and on the run back home returned 41mpg. It only managed this on a 70mph run and usually returned 19mpg which is entirely my own fault.
20160911_152224 by Michael Goodwin, on Flickr
20170723_181656 by Michael Goodwin, on Flickr
I had it about 18 months and Ive never been so unsure selling a car before. I felt physically sick selling it and felt like I had somehow betrayed the car and had it put to death. I still feel awful 2 weeks later. Fortunately I have a V8 to distract me now.
This M3 itch wasnt going to go away and I had been watching M3's in various classifieds for about 6 months so I had a good idea of what I might get for my money. I'd put off getting one thinking it wouldnt live up to the Megane until I made the mistake of visiting the M Power sub forum here then it all went to s
t and a decision was made.
The M3...
I was after a Comp Pack, DCT, EDC car in as good condition as I could get, unfortunately these were a little out of budget for me. I saw a Monte Carlo edition advertised 7 miles up the road. Had satin black 359's on it and looked in decent condition but someone bought the car before I could go see it. I then stumbled across an MC in Bristol, typically this was about 120 miles away so made the trip and left a deposit and purchased a few days later.
About the car - Ive no idea about its history, I can find one image of an Aston with a previous private plate the car had on it but thats it. Its got full BMWSH but only on the required intervals. Looks like the previous owner had it 4 years and in the last two years drove it 2000 miles a year or so. Its got 58k on the clocks and I am owner # 6.
Parked up with matching wheelie bin.
2018-01-14_03-14-30 by Michael Goodwin, on Flickr
2018-01-28_05-03-37 by Michael Goodwin, on Flickr
2018-01-28_02-29-03 by Michael Goodwin, on Flickr
2 weeks in and I am fairly certain I've made the right decision. Its relaxing at low speeds pottering about and mental when pressing on,the engine is really something. Fuel consumption is very poor and I usually empty an £85 tank in 200-240 miles. No bother really since I don't do that many miles. Its also fairly amusing at lower speeds where the Megane wasnt.
Plans and stuff...
Increased battery consumption error wouldn't go away so I bought a Ctek and did a full recon over 48 hours, followed by 24 hours on AGM and it seems to have cured it. I read on forums owners typically charge theirs up every fortnight so Ill be doing the same.
Ctek by Michael Goodwin, on Flickr
Leather got a full clean with Gliptone Twins which has made a huge improvement, Passenger and driver side back to looking good again. Few scuffs to sort out with Scuffmaster but no rush.
2018-01-28_02-28-34 by Michael Goodwin, on Flickr
The car itself is in very good condition bar a few things. It has some road rash in its 58000 miles of life which I think a full machine polish will resolve most of if not ill coat it in touch up paint then remove, in Spring it'll get a full machine polish and a coat of ceramic sealant.
The wheels are in almost pristine condition except some idiot has written the reg plate in what looks like yellow marker on the inner rim. At some point Ill remove the wheels to apply sealant and try polish away the writing.
I dont plan on modifying it I dont think. I just want to enjoy the car for now. Some software updates and full wheel geo. are in order soon.
My DSLR camera photos have captured totally the wrong colour for some reson so Ive edited with the Galaxy S8 photos.
Ive had an E92 M3 itch for the best part of a year but the Megane 275 I had was so good I wasnt sure what could replace it. Until i made the mistake of asking Pistonheads if getting an M3 was the right thing to do. With plenty of encouragement and with the E92 M3 getting older and older, EVs and a life of eternal motoring misery on the horizon I thought why not see what the fuss about an M3 and the S65 is all about. Set myself a budget and with good advice from a friend sat and waited for the right one to come along. I'd never even sat in an M3 before, but driven or been in a few M5's over the years which were brilliant.
The Megane...
Replaced a Focus ST3 which was a great 8/10ths car but flawed in many ways most notably the torque steer which was completely unacceptable and absolutely diabolocal fuel consumption. The Megane on the other hand was a Brilliant 10/10ths car, still to this day the best car Ive ever driven (maybe, the M3 might top it) with almost fool proof handling - standard 235 tyres left the car with a nasty rear end bite which 245 PSS all round fixed. I was after a Cup-S with Recaros and 18's, but this cropped up, a Nav with Cup, 18s and Recaros so I put a deposit on it without even seeing the car and went and bought it. It was 137 miles away and on the run back home returned 41mpg. It only managed this on a 70mph run and usually returned 19mpg which is entirely my own fault.
20160911_152224 by Michael Goodwin, on Flickr20170723_181656 by Michael Goodwin, on FlickrI had it about 18 months and Ive never been so unsure selling a car before. I felt physically sick selling it and felt like I had somehow betrayed the car and had it put to death. I still feel awful 2 weeks later. Fortunately I have a V8 to distract me now.
This M3 itch wasnt going to go away and I had been watching M3's in various classifieds for about 6 months so I had a good idea of what I might get for my money. I'd put off getting one thinking it wouldnt live up to the Megane until I made the mistake of visiting the M Power sub forum here then it all went to s
t and a decision was made.The M3...
I was after a Comp Pack, DCT, EDC car in as good condition as I could get, unfortunately these were a little out of budget for me. I saw a Monte Carlo edition advertised 7 miles up the road. Had satin black 359's on it and looked in decent condition but someone bought the car before I could go see it. I then stumbled across an MC in Bristol, typically this was about 120 miles away so made the trip and left a deposit and purchased a few days later.
About the car - Ive no idea about its history, I can find one image of an Aston with a previous private plate the car had on it but thats it. Its got full BMWSH but only on the required intervals. Looks like the previous owner had it 4 years and in the last two years drove it 2000 miles a year or so. Its got 58k on the clocks and I am owner # 6.
Parked up with matching wheelie bin.
2018-01-14_03-14-30 by Michael Goodwin, on Flickr2018-01-28_05-03-37 by Michael Goodwin, on Flickr2018-01-28_02-29-03 by Michael Goodwin, on Flickr2 weeks in and I am fairly certain I've made the right decision. Its relaxing at low speeds pottering about and mental when pressing on,the engine is really something. Fuel consumption is very poor and I usually empty an £85 tank in 200-240 miles. No bother really since I don't do that many miles. Its also fairly amusing at lower speeds where the Megane wasnt.
Plans and stuff...
Increased battery consumption error wouldn't go away so I bought a Ctek and did a full recon over 48 hours, followed by 24 hours on AGM and it seems to have cured it. I read on forums owners typically charge theirs up every fortnight so Ill be doing the same.
Ctek by Michael Goodwin, on FlickrLeather got a full clean with Gliptone Twins which has made a huge improvement, Passenger and driver side back to looking good again. Few scuffs to sort out with Scuffmaster but no rush.
2018-01-28_02-28-34 by Michael Goodwin, on FlickrThe car itself is in very good condition bar a few things. It has some road rash in its 58000 miles of life which I think a full machine polish will resolve most of if not ill coat it in touch up paint then remove, in Spring it'll get a full machine polish and a coat of ceramic sealant.
The wheels are in almost pristine condition except some idiot has written the reg plate in what looks like yellow marker on the inner rim. At some point Ill remove the wheels to apply sealant and try polish away the writing.
I dont plan on modifying it I dont think. I just want to enjoy the car for now. Some software updates and full wheel geo. are in order soon.
My DSLR camera photos have captured totally the wrong colour for some reson so Ive edited with the Galaxy S8 photos.
Edited by MikeGoodwin on Sunday 28th January 17:31
Edited by MikeGoodwin on Sunday 28th January 21:18
Edited by MikeGoodwin on Saturday 10th February 12:09
MikeGoodwin said:
Thanks all, I will have BMW insured warranty for piece of mind. The only thing I am concerned about is the rob bearings thanks to the 1000s of threads across the internet about the subject. I am not concerned about anything else really.
Wasn’t aware I had any! 
As a recent M6 owner, the rod bearings are something I’ve got in the back of my mind too.
I read your “should I” thread in the M section a good few times, it was interesting to see the agonisation over it & then justification come through over time. Car looks a cracker & I hope you keep enjoying it! You should link to it? - there’s a lot of good info in there IMO.
(mumble mumble - get the alloys back to silver - mumble mumble) -or not, it’s yours after all, but I just can’t stand black alloys...
Prinny said:
Wasn’t aware I had any!
As a recent M6 owner, the rod bearings are something I’ve got in the back of my mind too.
I read your “should I” thread in the M section a good few times, it was interesting to see the agonisation over it & then justification come through over time. Car looks a cracker & I hope you keep enjoying it! You should link to it? - there’s a lot of good info in there IMO.
(mumble mumble - get the alloys back to silver - mumble mumble) -or not, it’s yours after all, but I just can’t stand black alloys...
Ha my bad.As a recent M6 owner, the rod bearings are something I’ve got in the back of my mind too.
I read your “should I” thread in the M section a good few times, it was interesting to see the agonisation over it & then justification come through over time. Car looks a cracker & I hope you keep enjoying it! You should link to it? - there’s a lot of good info in there IMO.
(mumble mumble - get the alloys back to silver - mumble mumble) -or not, it’s yours after all, but I just can’t stand black alloys...
I am not sure about the wheels. I had set my mind on changing them to 359s in silver but I do like the black 359s. I don't know if the 220 suits it. I do like the 359 in back though and the one I originally wanted had satin black 359s.
Keith's m3 thread over on m3 cutters is a terrible influence.
Tbh at 700 quid for a set of 359s from eBay plus a new set of rubber it's not a change I'll be rushing to make. Oh I just saw the price of legit ones. I'm ok with what I have in that case.
Edited by MikeGoodwin on Monday 29th January 20:30
Haha, yes, the M-tax on forged, proper M wheels is insane.
£3k for a set of 167’s for my M6. If I’m going to spend that, might as well get some forged BBS (my favourite ever). - never seen them on a 6, but nothing a bit of engineering can’t fix...
Warning - do not look at the following picture - it might give you some wallet pains!
£3k for a set of 167’s for my M6. If I’m going to spend that, might as well get some forged BBS (my favourite ever). - never seen them on a 6, but nothing a bit of engineering can’t fix...
Warning - do not look at the following picture - it might give you some wallet pains!
Prinny said:
Haha, yes, the M-tax on forged, proper M wheels is insane.
£3k for a set of 167’s for my M6. If I’m going to spend that, might as well get some forged BBS (my favourite ever). - never seen them on a 6, but nothing a bit of engineering can’t fix...
Warning - do not look at the following picture - it might give you some wallet pains!
Found that picture on Google Images before... it's utterly gorgeous!£3k for a set of 167’s for my M6. If I’m going to spend that, might as well get some forged BBS (my favourite ever). - never seen them on a 6, but nothing a bit of engineering can’t fix...
Warning - do not look at the following picture - it might give you some wallet pains!
The Megane looks lovely, really nice colour and a nice change from the more run of the mill colours... but (I'm heavily biased obviously!) the M3 is next level, specially since it's also in a less common colour too.
I'm glad you are enjoying your new car and appreciating the whole package too, look forward to seeing how you get on with it; and I agree that some 359s make sense at some point, Keith's car is absolutely how I'd have a MC Edition.
I'm glad you are enjoying your new car and appreciating the whole package too, look forward to seeing how you get on with it; and I agree that some 359s make sense at some point, Keith's car is absolutely how I'd have a MC Edition.
Cheers, forgot to mention it was your photo that sparked it all off for me Grant.
Ive been thinking about 359's. I could go buy a set of the Avantgarde wheels from M3cutters and I am tempted to do so but just being wary of money atm in case anything unexpected happens. If I think I can spare £700 then this may well be my next mod. Ill see at the end of feb.
I think I want black despite seeing Keith's example with the Silver 359's. Here's an MC I found over on M3post - Mark's M is his username. Just looks right to me. I know blacks a bit marmite/gangsta and everyone ive spoke to bar 1 guy has said get silver wheels, but I really like it.
Ive been thinking about 359's. I could go buy a set of the Avantgarde wheels from M3cutters and I am tempted to do so but just being wary of money atm in case anything unexpected happens. If I think I can spare £700 then this may well be my next mod. Ill see at the end of feb.
I think I want black despite seeing Keith's example with the Silver 359's. Here's an MC I found over on M3post - Mark's M is his username. Just looks right to me. I know blacks a bit marmite/gangsta and everyone ive spoke to bar 1 guy has said get silver wheels, but I really like it.
Driven it 600 miles since picking it up almost 1 month ago and I'm absolutely loving it, cant wait for proper dry roads to see what it can do. Driving on a freshly salted road is like driving on marbles, I've never driven any car that behaves like this does on salt and there have been a few brown pants moments.
Set my mind on changing the wheels to AV 359's - still undecided on colour. General opinion from 90% of people is silver but I like the black. Possibly 12mm spacers to add in as well.
Contacted Royal Steering wheels to see about having the wheel re-trimmed in Nappa with M stitching to get it looking fresh, hopefully without the spongy padding as I want a slightly thinner, solid feeling wheel. The existing one is past it I think, had years of experience getting steering wheels looking like new on M cars and this one i just cant seem to get looking right.
Going to visit Alpina soon for some software updates / GTS software.
Booked in for an oil/microfilter service at BMW at est. £410 ffs, its all of a sudden decided its overdue since January, I've bought the monthly comp. warranty from BMW so unfortunately need to have it serviced at BMW. Ill be doing my own 'interim' changes in between the 10-12k BMW ones for piece of mind and having an oil analysis done.
I also got new vent tabs finally from the US, the OEM ones were ALL broken, so removed those and put these in:
Vent Tabs - from USA by Michael Goodwin, on Flickr
Vent Tabs - USA by Michael Goodwin, on Flickr
Ive also replaced the original H8 bulbs with some new ones:
E92 Perfekt Lighting H8 Angel Eye Bulbs by Michael Goodwin, on Flickr
Set my mind on changing the wheels to AV 359's - still undecided on colour. General opinion from 90% of people is silver but I like the black. Possibly 12mm spacers to add in as well.
Contacted Royal Steering wheels to see about having the wheel re-trimmed in Nappa with M stitching to get it looking fresh, hopefully without the spongy padding as I want a slightly thinner, solid feeling wheel. The existing one is past it I think, had years of experience getting steering wheels looking like new on M cars and this one i just cant seem to get looking right.
Going to visit Alpina soon for some software updates / GTS software.
Booked in for an oil/microfilter service at BMW at est. £410 ffs, its all of a sudden decided its overdue since January, I've bought the monthly comp. warranty from BMW so unfortunately need to have it serviced at BMW. Ill be doing my own 'interim' changes in between the 10-12k BMW ones for piece of mind and having an oil analysis done.
I also got new vent tabs finally from the US, the OEM ones were ALL broken, so removed those and put these in:
Vent Tabs - from USA by Michael Goodwin, on FlickrVent Tabs - USA by Michael Goodwin, on FlickrIve also replaced the original H8 bulbs with some new ones:
E92 Perfekt Lighting H8 Angel Eye Bulbs by Michael Goodwin, on FlickrEdited by MikeGoodwin on Thursday 22 February 09:11
Fitted the 359's and LCI light upgrade. GTS/EDC Comp pack done.
Had a few dry days to 'explore the handling' and its very good. Hugely impressed with the car now it has Comp pack EDC I can see what the fuss is about.
Next up carbon rear spoiler and exhaust mod.
2018-02-19_02-12-21 by Michael Goodwin, on Flickr
2018-02-22_08-41-57 by Michael Goodwin, on Flickr
Had a few dry days to 'explore the handling' and its very good. Hugely impressed with the car now it has Comp pack EDC I can see what the fuss is about.
Next up carbon rear spoiler and exhaust mod.
2018-02-19_02-12-21 by Michael Goodwin, on Flickr2018-02-22_08-41-57 by Michael Goodwin, on FlickrGassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff