1M to an e92 M3

[acouper08]

Anyone else made the jump? Wanting to free up a bit of cash but keep M car thrills and would appreciate any thoughts on swapping from a 1M to an e92 M3.

[SebringMan]

The E92 would be more practical I suspect.

But in every other way the E92 would also cost more to run.

[custardkid]

A while ago now ... But i always prefered the M3 drive to the turbo 1M

[SebringMan]

custardkid said:

A while ago now ... But i always prefered the M3 drive to the turbo 1M

You're not the first person to say that ; a couple of journo people I know don't get why the 1M is raved about. They have put it down to it being a 'breath of fresh' air in the M lineup when BMW were seen to be making the same kind of thing for years.

[CooperS]

Need the cash freed up do it but I suspect the long term cost ownership says you'd be better to keep the 1M

[Smuler]

Maybe the best best , if you do it , is try and get a limited edition - one with comp pack - then you should minimise risk of depreciation.

Prices of M3s are rising , but don’t think they’re bullet proof.

I don’t know 1M but as good as N54 is , I love V8s

[cerb4.5lee]

Smuler said:

I don’t know 1M but as good as N54 is , I love V8s

I love V8's too, but I associate them with a lovely rumbling noise and effortless torque. The V8 M3 offers none of those qualities, it does rev to high heaven though if you like that sort of thing.

If you enjoy VTEC Honda's(very high revs/minimal torque), then you can't go far wrong with a V8 M3.

[SebringMan]

Smuler said:

Maybe the best best , if you do it , is try and get a limited edition - one with comp pack - then you should minimise risk of depreciation.

Prices of M3s are rising , but don’t think they’re bullet proof.

I don’t know 1M but as good as N54 is , I love V8s

This.

I was debating selling my E46 for an E92, partly down to reliability and appreciation concerns. But those V8s are cheap to keep and come with their own share of problems.

I've booked my E46 in to have the rod bearings done. When I asked the known specialist his opinion (along with another's previously; ETA Motorsport for that case) I was told to stick with mine. Maybe both are unscrupulous. I asked the first specialist how many of each he had in for rod bearings ; he was saying it's about the same of both. Given there are less E9xs on the road for E46s for M3s only and the E46s are now a good chunk older that is very telling.

I'll admit the story of a 21k mile E9x engine lunching itself on m3cutters hasn't helped my opinion in the slightest. Thankfully he had a BMW warranty on the engine who footed the bill.

[couper]

I think the big appeal of the N54 is the feeling of torque at low revs compared to the v8 so it generally feels fast all through the revs, so even a trip to the shops can feel pretty special. There is also something nice about the size of the 1M and when the boost really comes on over 3000rpm it feels properly rapid. I wouldn't be putting a huge amount of miles on the car so the running costs of the e92 wouldn't worry me too much but admittedly the 1M is a cheap car to own. 1M servicing costs and brakes compared to an M2 even are significantly cheaper at main BMW garages and I can only presume its because its not regarded as a fully fledged M car. e46 m3 would also be on the shortlist but it is pretty hard to find nice ones and at that price point the e92 starts to look more appealing to me.

[Mitesh.]

couper said:

I think the big appeal of the N54 is the feeling of torque at low revs compared to the v8 so it generally feels fast all through the revs, so even a trip to the shops can feel pretty special. There is also something nice about the size of the 1M and when the boost really comes on over 3000rpm it feels properly rapid. I wouldn't be putting a huge amount of miles on the car so the running costs of the e92 wouldn't worry me too much but admittedly the 1M is a cheap car to own. 1M servicing costs and brakes compared to an M2 even are significantly cheaper at main BMW garages and I can only presume its because its not regarded as a fully fledged M car. e46 m3 would also be on the shortlist but it is pretty hard to find nice ones and at that price point the e92 starts to look more appealing to me.

I have to agree if I had to put big miles on my m4, i would probably switch back to e93 TBH. V8 Is great car and do truley miss it.
But there is the road tax £550, then warrenty on top and mine had thing go wrong with it, hence why i sold it was starting to rack up costs and I always said to my self if it start to get to point where I am replacing parts then it time her t go.....

[Gruber]

couper said:

I think the big appeal of the N54 is the feeling of torque at low revs compared to the v8 so it generally feels fast all through the revs, so even a trip to the shops can feel pretty special. There is also something nice about the size of the 1M and when the boost really comes on over 3000rpm it feels properly rapid. I wouldn't be putting a huge amount of miles on the car so the running costs of the e92 wouldn't worry me too much but admittedly the 1M is a cheap car to own. 1M servicing costs and brakes compared to an M2 even are significantly cheaper at main BMW garages and I can only presume its because its not regarded as a fully fledged M car. e46 m3 would also be on the shortlist but it is pretty hard to find nice ones and at that price point the e92 starts to look more appealing to me.

I'd go for it. That V8 is a tremendous engine. I know there are those who whine on about the lack of torque, but I honestly don't think I ever gave it a second thought. It is a much more characterful engine than the 1M, and loves to be revved out.

I liked my 1M, but I wouldn't have another. I'd go for the e92 without question. Personally, and perhaps controversially, I'd choose DCT over manual - I think the DCT box suited the engine better (I had one of each).

All personal opinion, obviously.