20k to spend on something M Flavoured - E92 M3?

[g3org3y]

I've promised myself an M3 for years:

- After finishing medical school, then I realised I was actually poor and bought an E30 cabrio instead.
- After finishing my GP training, then I got married. Weddings are expensive.
- After becoming a GP partner, then I bought a house (hate SDLT).

However, all those things are done and the time has come (only taken a decade!)

Budget is 20k. I was thinking E90/92 M3
- Last of the n/a M engines.
- No subframe issues as per E46 and generally much more modern (less concern with rust also)
- 4 usable seats so practicality for future familial duties.
- Looks awesome as a coupe in grey/white/black with competition pack.
- Never driven a DCT but something I'd consider.
- I'm a tart so would also consider an E93 convertible.

Sounds like a plan? Any other alternatives I should consider? I previously toyed with the idea of the E46 M3 and E39 M5 but they are both 'old' cars now. E92 seems like a step up. Z4 M Coupe was considered but lack of rear seats limits usability with our current (and hopefully future) circumstances. I've even considered a 996 911 but I'm a BMW fanboy at heart.

It won't be used as a daily and will be something I'd be keeping for a long time. Budget can be stretched up for the right car.

What do you chaps reckon? Any advice/opinions welcome. TIA.

[Olf]

This one - Negotiate them down to 20k with 2 years warranty - Job jobbed.

https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/201712051837485...

[rassi]

Excellent choice! An E92 as a weekend car is very special and your reasoning is completely solid.

I only tired of mine as was using it as a motorway transporter, where I found it reduced to a fast but very thirsty 3 series, rather than the special M car that it is.

[cerb4.5lee]

My brother in law has had his E93 M3 for 6 years this year and he still loves it. He uses it purely as an occasional car, and with the roof down you really do get to enjoy the induction/exhaust noise.

[andyman_2006]

E92 M3 good choice.

What about a V10 M5!! Never again will bmw make a N/A V10 epic, otherwise your on the right track me thinks.

I’m personally a bit biased having had my E46 over 10 years, but I get your reasoning all valid points, but I would say before deciding drive both as the E92 feels much more grown up and refined sort of tamer, but it’s whatever floats your boat in the end, I’d not swap my E46 for the E92 now (I’d looked at it before when I did use it as a daily) now the E46 leads a cosseted life as a summer car so staying mint but feels good to drive still despite its age, can’t wait for some nicer weather and get it off sorn.

If you go E46/92 i would seriously consider going manual over smg/ dct, mainly for future desirability but also the time will come soon where you can’t buy a manual M car, or anything fast with a stick shifter!! so it’ll feel more of an occasion to shift yourself, plus have future collectibility in mind.

Either way congrats and sounds like you deserve a bit of a toy after a 10 year wait.

Andy.

[andyman_2006]

E92 M3 good choice.

What about a V10 M5!! Never again will bmw make a N/A V10 epic, otherwise your on the right track me thinks.

I’m personally a bit biased having had my E46 over 10 years, but I get your reasoning all valid points, but I would say before deciding drive both as the E92 feels much more grown up and refined sort of tamer, but it’s whatever floats your boat in the end, I’d not swap my E46 for the E92 now (I’d looked at it before when I did use it as a daily) now the E46 leads a cosseted life as a summer car so staying mint but feels good to drive still despite its age, can’t wait for some nicer weather and get it off sorn.

If you go E46/92 i would seriously consider going manual over smg/ dct, mainly for future desirability but also the time will come soon where you can’t buy a manual M car, or anything fast with a stick shifter!! so it’ll feel more of an occasion to shift yourself, plus have future collectibility in mind.

Either way congrats and sounds like you deserve a bit of a toy after a 10 year wait.

Andy.

Edited by andyman_2006 on Friday 30th March 17:30

[9k rpm]

You won’t regret getting an E92 M3 probably won’t lose much money either if you get the right one as values seem to be stabilising well.
Just make sure you get EDC and the DCT gearbox, it’s made for the engine!

[Eddieslofart]

Olf said:

This one - Negotiate them down to 20k with 2 years warranty - Job jobbed.

https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/201712051837485...

George, this one is a stones throw from my office if you want it looking at, or if you get near mine, i’ll take you out in the bogie, see what version you prefer.

[akirk]

with that budget I bought e39 M5, but I wanted a manual gearbox, and as few electronics as possible... if you want M3 then the is a good choice...

[pattyg]

Olf said:

This one - Negotiate them down to 20k with 2 years warranty - Job jobbed.

https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/201712051837485...

I couldn’t live with the ancient idrive on that car. All good apart from that.

[g3org3y]

Olf said:

This one - Negotiate them down to 20k with 2 years warranty - Job jobbed.

https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/201712051837485...

Colour scheme is a bit too avant-garde for me, but thanks for the link.

Ideally I'd like a coupe (because carbon fibre roof) but convertible an option with the right colour scheme.

andyman_2006 said:

E92 M3 good choice.

What about a V10 M5!! Never again will bmw make a N/A V10 epic, otherwise your on the right track me thinks.
...
Either way congrats and sounds like you deserve a bit of a toy after a 10 year wait.

I considered the V10 in M6 form but there is major bork potential and it lacks the elegance of the E92 coupe imo. Stunner of an engine though. That exhaust note.

Thanks! I must admit, I've done it the boring way round but now at least I have a decent garage to put the car(s) in. The E36 now has >200k and is feeling a bit tired.

Eddieslofart said:

George, this one is a stones throw from my office if you want it looking at, or if you get near mine, i’ll take you out in the bogie, see what version you prefer.

As mentioned above 'Eddie' (), colour scheme probably a bit too adventurous for me. Will send you a text about sorting something out, cheers.

pattyg said:

I couldn’t live with the ancient idrive on that car. All good apart from that.

I'm used to the 18 button OBC on the E36, anything is an upgrade!

Seriously though, is there a particular (later) version that is more desirable that I should be looking out for?

I'm going to study the buying guides and threads on this section to get an idea of the essential specs one should hold out for.

[cerb4.5lee]

I had the later idrive in mine, it also had EDC and heated seats and those two were a priority for me. Mine was a manual though(DCT suits the engine far better I think).

When I part exchanged it the dealer ended up collecting it early off me because it sold so quickly.

[Tony B2]

EDC rare?

I wouldn’t say so - if anything non-EDC is rare.

And I would say it is well worth going for, as it helps with the “dual personality “ of the car - good for cruising when you want to, and good for getting on it when you want to.

[MikeGoodwin]

Read that comment about an e92 m3 as a weekend car. I wouldn't want an e92 m3 as a weekend car. Just saying. I own one. Great daily for short commutes (I do 15 miles to work each way) they are terrible on fuel - 170 miles to 75 quid) but not special enough to use once or twice a week. Docile car low down but the thing becomes a banshee when the engine screams past 8k rpm.

Make sure if you get one you have a good think about what you really want, spend some time looking around for the right one. Another thing I have a Monte Carlo which has the lower 10mm comp pack springs but standard EDC. I had the comp pack EDC coded in and the difference was very noticeable. Get the comp pack it's worth it.

You want the newer sat nav and idrive.

I'd probably look at Lotus or a caterham or Westfield as a weekender. Plus E92s are depreciating still.

Edited by MikeGoodwin on Saturday 31st March 23:20

[dvshannow]

Well that also depends what you mean by a weekend car

I too would get aomething different if it was for purely weekend hoons for myself.

Not saying its not a great car, it is, but i would loook at things like a cayman r, exige etc as a weekend toy.

Unless you have kids then its perfect as you can use it for hooning and also for all the weekend daytrips you do to various national trust etc as its a true 4 seater with a decent boot.

And as a Gt car its also very fine it can chew up miles with ease better than a 911 turbo for GT use imo.

[g3org3y]

[redacted]

[johnwilliams77]

I have went through this dilemma my whole life as has most of the forum. I have concluded I need at least two cars. Ideally 10's of cars but I don't have someone to organise that for me.

I need something more exciting than an M car for weekend and I don't need to use it day to day as it takes away the special-ness , personally.

[MerseaBoy]

[redacted]

[cerb4.5lee]

MerseaBoy said:

I do have to laugh when people say the 335i will do what an M3 does. Yes the drive to Sainsburys may even be better in a 335 but stick them on a track or a winding road and you'll soon find out what an M3 does.

If it did then no one would buy an M3.

How often do owners go to the track though? Plus the brakes as standard struggle to cope on the road...never mind the track. The chassis on the M3 is a big step up over the 335i for sure, but on the road you'd have to be going really silly speeds to gain much of a benefit.

Is the M3 special enough for double the running costs over the normal 3 series? For some it certainly is, for most though I'm not so sure.

[Smuler]

cerb4.5lee said:

MerseaBoy said:

I do have to laugh when people say the 335i will do what an M3 does. Yes the drive to Sainsburys may even be better in a 335 but stick them on a track or a winding road and you'll soon find out what an M3 does.

If it did then no one would buy an M3.

How often do owners go to the track though? Plus the brakes as standard struggle to cope on the road...never mind the track. The chassis on the M3 is a big step up over the 335i for sure, but on the road you'd have to be going really silly speeds to gain much of a benefit.

Is the M3 special enough for double the running costs over the normal 3 series? For some it certainly is, for most though I'm not so sure.

"The chassis on the M3 is a big step up over the 335i for sure, but on the road you'd have to be going really silly speeds to gain much of a benefit. "

Nope, disagree with you Lee.
I went 335i to E46 M3 and on any twisty, even on the tightest under the NSL, I feel the difference, chassis, LSD etc.
Similarly on my test drives of E92 M3s.

And it wouldn't be double the costs of a 335i , it's nearest "normal" rival.