'13 E92 M3 Competition
Discussion
I've only had one ///M car before, a Z4M but it filled me with so many fond memories with the way it reved, the engaging ride, the M badges everywhere. I'd grown up with a BMW-head Dad, so the tricolour badge always gets my heart racing when I see it.
The last year I've mostly been driving my modded 911 and it still amazes me - but I find myself babying it a lot, worrying about speed humps, not having a boot, not wanting to add to many miles, knowing I can't fit a baby seat in the back. Time to find something *slightly* more practical then.
I went quickly from looking at X5s and Range Rover Sports to a C63, figuring that 'practical' doesn't need to mean getting a tank that I will get bored with in no time. No matter how accomplished an engine you bolt in, a two tonne 'SUV' is still just that.
I test drove a perfect candidate, a C63, grey with red leather, AMG performance pack so an extra 20hp or so taking it up to silly levels. The autobox was quite lazy, the torque was hilariously potent and the whole drive left me conflicted. The petrolhead found the idea of a 6.2l v8 a no brainer - but the same part of me wondered how enjoyable I'd really find a 1800kg saloon. It didn't have the 'walk away and stare back at it' appeal which is a sure sign that I could probably take it or leave it.
By chance, working over the other side of the country, I was teeing up a RR sport to view when I saw they had a few beemers and an Aston Martin Vantage in. Having had a vantage before, it was tempting, but more than I wanted to be spending in cash. I had taken brief passenger spins in the M3 before and was indifferent, certainly not the same monster as the c63.
But I fell in love with it when I had a look and haven't stopped staring since
God willing, I'll pick it up Friday or Saturday just in time for a jaunt in the mountains. It's a may built / september registered car - I think the e92's ended in may 13 so I think that would make this one of the last ones which is nice. it has about 26k miles on the clock.
Comes loaded with:
Harman Kardon audio (sounds very nice, crisp)
Competition pack (19" Alloys, lowered 1", revised stability control/suspension
M Performance Steering wheel with LCD Display
Extended bluetooth
Heated seats
M Performance exhaust
Adaptive headlights
Will have to dig more and find out the complete spec
''purists'' insist manual is the way to go, and I was one of them but after some seat time, I've grown to love the DCT. It heel-toes better than I could, with a nice blip of the throttle when you downshift. in 'M' mode, if darts between gears savagely quick.
First impressions: very firm ride (I actually don't find this a negative, it adds to the sense of ocasion imo). Very rigid, semi-pacy test drive saw me throw it into some tight bends at speed and the turn-in and feel is amazing. The engine, not as fierce as the amg but revving up to 8500 spits out a gorgeous note through the pipes
What's next?
Needs a detail - it has a few light scratches that jump out at me being ultra anal. It also has the classic BMW e9x orange peel paint which hopefully a good clay, cut and ceramic coat will cure.
Good track Brakepads
I'd love to have yellow calipers so if I don't end up changing them out, I'll at least paint them.
long term? Would like some more aggressive front seats, if I try to squeeze some more power out then the usual breathing/mapping mods that are said to wring out an extra 20hp. Long term may go the supercharger route but don't need to get carried away just yet
Will hopefully post up some progress of the detail over the coming weeks and hoping to add a few carbon bits too very excited.
The last year I've mostly been driving my modded 911 and it still amazes me - but I find myself babying it a lot, worrying about speed humps, not having a boot, not wanting to add to many miles, knowing I can't fit a baby seat in the back. Time to find something *slightly* more practical then.
I went quickly from looking at X5s and Range Rover Sports to a C63, figuring that 'practical' doesn't need to mean getting a tank that I will get bored with in no time. No matter how accomplished an engine you bolt in, a two tonne 'SUV' is still just that.
I test drove a perfect candidate, a C63, grey with red leather, AMG performance pack so an extra 20hp or so taking it up to silly levels. The autobox was quite lazy, the torque was hilariously potent and the whole drive left me conflicted. The petrolhead found the idea of a 6.2l v8 a no brainer - but the same part of me wondered how enjoyable I'd really find a 1800kg saloon. It didn't have the 'walk away and stare back at it' appeal which is a sure sign that I could probably take it or leave it.
By chance, working over the other side of the country, I was teeing up a RR sport to view when I saw they had a few beemers and an Aston Martin Vantage in. Having had a vantage before, it was tempting, but more than I wanted to be spending in cash. I had taken brief passenger spins in the M3 before and was indifferent, certainly not the same monster as the c63.
But I fell in love with it when I had a look and haven't stopped staring since
God willing, I'll pick it up Friday or Saturday just in time for a jaunt in the mountains. It's a may built / september registered car - I think the e92's ended in may 13 so I think that would make this one of the last ones which is nice. it has about 26k miles on the clock.
Comes loaded with:
Harman Kardon audio (sounds very nice, crisp)
Competition pack (19" Alloys, lowered 1", revised stability control/suspension
M Performance Steering wheel with LCD Display
Extended bluetooth
Heated seats
M Performance exhaust
Adaptive headlights
Will have to dig more and find out the complete spec
''purists'' insist manual is the way to go, and I was one of them but after some seat time, I've grown to love the DCT. It heel-toes better than I could, with a nice blip of the throttle when you downshift. in 'M' mode, if darts between gears savagely quick.
First impressions: very firm ride (I actually don't find this a negative, it adds to the sense of ocasion imo). Very rigid, semi-pacy test drive saw me throw it into some tight bends at speed and the turn-in and feel is amazing. The engine, not as fierce as the amg but revving up to 8500 spits out a gorgeous note through the pipes
What's next?
Needs a detail - it has a few light scratches that jump out at me being ultra anal. It also has the classic BMW e9x orange peel paint which hopefully a good clay, cut and ceramic coat will cure.
Good track Brakepads
I'd love to have yellow calipers so if I don't end up changing them out, I'll at least paint them.
long term? Would like some more aggressive front seats, if I try to squeeze some more power out then the usual breathing/mapping mods that are said to wring out an extra 20hp. Long term may go the supercharger route but don't need to get carried away just yet
Will hopefully post up some progress of the detail over the coming weeks and hoping to add a few carbon bits too
very excited.Edited by antacid on Wednesday 25th April 14:49
Edited by up_shift on Sunday 23 September 19:30
Absolutely love it.
There has been a few posts on these crop up recently and at a point where I'm beginning to consider my next move (and wanting to remain with BMW), I actually almost certain that I want to find one of these and love it much the same.
Congratulations. I'll be watching with interest.
There has been a few posts on these crop up recently and at a point where I'm beginning to consider my next move (and wanting to remain with BMW), I actually almost certain that I want to find one of these and love it much the same.
Congratulations. I'll be watching with interest.
So, Day one.
Low and behold it decides to rain all morning, leaving nice, wet, dirt flicking roads all over the shiny paintwork. I've had a lot of people fill me in on why they won't go for a bmw / m3 arfter putting down the deposit, which I can't say put me off, but it gets you to thinking so I was a bit nervous on the first drive.
But it did dry up in time for me to head to the mountains.
Since purchasing and before picking up, all I've had from people is 'I tried an M3 in 08, no torque', 'there are better track cars' 'x y z has more power' 'wasn't much better than an e46'. 'it was too quiet'.
After a day I feel that 90% of that is all BS. Most of it coming from people who drive anything from RS4s, Mercedes, Porsches, z4's and whatever else or had tried one briefly and it didn't suit their driving style. People saying it was slightly too muted, yet who have aftermarket exhausts on whatever they drive. All fair enough but you have to take things in perspective.
As far as an A>B car goes, the C63 was more potent in a straight line but throw in some twists and they are worlds apart IMHO. The C63 lacks a little preciseness, the trc either butts in, cutting power, or leaves you free to spin up a tree with little middle ground. On the M3, the feedback is sensational, I don't know if the difference is a case of early M3 vs late M3, non competition vs competition etc. But you have to keep a few things in mind. The M3 may have 420bhp and 300lbs ft of torque but it isn't just about figures. That said, for everyone that says it's down on power to everything else in the class - the Audis are only slightly more powerful and torquey (20 each or so), they also weigh much and are 4wd which delivers a very different dynamic.
an hour cruising in traffic is dealt with easily enough, the automode changing as sharply as you direct it too. I eventually come to the foot of the mountain and a sign that says 7km windy roads ahead. awesome
Easing into them with ever increasing speed, it tracks precisely where you intend it to whilst being forgiving enough for little adjustments. There is so much grip, the turn it is sharp and purposeful.
Since everyone's wanted to tell me how audis offer more - I guess I should compare to the RS5 I drove the week prior to buying which I found dull, dull, dull. It wasn't as communicative, with a smidge of understeer and an almost unnartural feel around the bends. Pacey engine in a car that doesn't feel 'connective'.
Thump the 'M' Dynamics button and it'l go into the presets that you assign for power delivery, amount of slip, firmness of suspension etc all at once. It all combines perfectly to carve a razor sharp edge, no bodyroll and super fast shifts as the v8 winds up. Naturally I have this set up with manual shifting and the DCT is a joy to use, blink-eye shifts that are smooth yet brutally quick. 0-60 in 4.5ish, assumingly with the help from launch control which I haven't used.
So far after a day's manhandling it feels like a car that a sporty side, and a ridiculously sporty side.. Ride is a bit crashy / bumpy around town, a result of the 19" rims, lower/stiffer suspension etc but still compliant, comfortable. Wind it up and stick it into the twisties and it makes astonishing progress. I think you have to remember that it shifts fast, turns sharp and revs to 8500 or so and should be driven as such - otherwise what's the point? and that's where it rewards you.
What next?
i want to read the 40 page manual on the steering wheel :lol: figure out how it all works, so far I've found a g-meter, oil/coolant readouts. People complain that the standard and performance wheels are both too chunky - that's what I liked about the Z4M the most, I have big hands and like having something to grip.
Next, I'll probably put an akropovic exhaust on - as it is, it has a lovely racey tone (The m perforance exhaust has a nice, racey sound but would like that little extra level of vocals) That double de clutch sound when you down shift is addictive, almost as much as sliding it from 5000 and on after you do.
not sure if something like the armytrix is too OTT
[youtube]ETSO3eq_5lw[/youtube]
[youtube]qBmhBUJg&t=30s[/youtube]
Possibly some sportier seats. The BMW M Performance ones would look amazing but am not sure if they fold. (They're basically BMW re-skinned Recaro Sportsters complete with airbags and heating looms).
The stock seats are very comfortable though and crazy supportive considering they're relatively basic but I think you could shave 20-40kg removing the motors etc plus they look sublime eg:
If you can't tell, I'm very happy with the purchase
I always read that the m3 is greater than the sum of its parts and I can see why, little things added by the comp pack and the performance wheel just adds a little bit of garnish to make it feel a little more of an occasion to drive.
Low and behold it decides to rain all morning, leaving nice, wet, dirt flicking roads all over the shiny paintwork. I've had a lot of people fill me in on why they won't go for a bmw / m3 arfter putting down the deposit, which I can't say put me off, but it gets you to thinking so I was a bit nervous on the first drive.
But it did dry up in time for me to head to the mountains.
Since purchasing and before picking up, all I've had from people is 'I tried an M3 in 08, no torque', 'there are better track cars' 'x y z has more power' 'wasn't much better than an e46'. 'it was too quiet'.
After a day I feel that 90% of that is all BS. Most of it coming from people who drive anything from RS4s, Mercedes, Porsches, z4's and whatever else or had tried one briefly and it didn't suit their driving style. People saying it was slightly too muted, yet who have aftermarket exhausts on whatever they drive. All fair enough but you have to take things in perspective.
As far as an A>B car goes, the C63 was more potent in a straight line but throw in some twists and they are worlds apart IMHO. The C63 lacks a little preciseness, the trc either butts in, cutting power, or leaves you free to spin up a tree with little middle ground. On the M3, the feedback is sensational, I don't know if the difference is a case of early M3 vs late M3, non competition vs competition etc. But you have to keep a few things in mind. The M3 may have 420bhp and 300lbs ft of torque but it isn't just about figures. That said, for everyone that says it's down on power to everything else in the class - the Audis are only slightly more powerful and torquey (20 each or so), they also weigh much and are 4wd which delivers a very different dynamic.
an hour cruising in traffic is dealt with easily enough, the automode changing as sharply as you direct it too. I eventually come to the foot of the mountain and a sign that says 7km windy roads ahead. awesome
Easing into them with ever increasing speed, it tracks precisely where you intend it to whilst being forgiving enough for little adjustments. There is so much grip, the turn it is sharp and purposeful.
Since everyone's wanted to tell me how audis offer more - I guess I should compare to the RS5 I drove the week prior to buying which I found dull, dull, dull. It wasn't as communicative, with a smidge of understeer and an almost unnartural feel around the bends. Pacey engine in a car that doesn't feel 'connective'.
Thump the 'M' Dynamics button and it'l go into the presets that you assign for power delivery, amount of slip, firmness of suspension etc all at once. It all combines perfectly to carve a razor sharp edge, no bodyroll and super fast shifts as the v8 winds up. Naturally I have this set up with manual shifting and the DCT is a joy to use, blink-eye shifts that are smooth yet brutally quick. 0-60 in 4.5ish, assumingly with the help from launch control which I haven't used.
So far after a day's manhandling it feels like a car that a sporty side, and a ridiculously sporty side.. Ride is a bit crashy / bumpy around town, a result of the 19" rims, lower/stiffer suspension etc but still compliant, comfortable. Wind it up and stick it into the twisties and it makes astonishing progress. I think you have to remember that it shifts fast, turns sharp and revs to 8500 or so and should be driven as such - otherwise what's the point? and that's where it rewards you.
What next?
i want to read the 40 page manual on the steering wheel :lol: figure out how it all works, so far I've found a g-meter, oil/coolant readouts. People complain that the standard and performance wheels are both too chunky - that's what I liked about the Z4M the most, I have big hands and like having something to grip.
Next, I'll probably put an akropovic exhaust on - as it is, it has a lovely racey tone (The m perforance exhaust has a nice, racey sound but would like that little extra level of vocals) That double de clutch sound when you down shift is addictive, almost as much as sliding it from 5000 and on after you do.
not sure if something like the armytrix is too OTT
[youtube]ETSO3eq_5lw[/youtube]
[youtube]qBmhBUJg&t=30s[/youtube]
Possibly some sportier seats. The BMW M Performance ones would look amazing but am not sure if they fold. (They're basically BMW re-skinned Recaro Sportsters complete with airbags and heating looms).
The stock seats are very comfortable though and crazy supportive considering they're relatively basic but I think you could shave 20-40kg removing the motors etc plus they look sublime eg:
If you can't tell, I'm very happy with the purchase
I always read that the m3 is greater than the sum of its parts and I can see why, little things added by the comp pack and the performance wheel just adds a little bit of garnish to make it feel a little more of an occasion to drive.
Edited by antacid on Saturday 28th April 11:13
Edited by antacid on Saturday 28th April 12:59
Car looks great , really nice spec 👍
There’s seems to be a lot of people who don’t like the e90 m3 , don’t listen it’s a great car . A c63 is a 1 trick pony imho ie noise . Get an exhaust of give it to Paul the welder for an exhaust mod, job done .
I drove one of these not a completion pack tho for 3 days while my old m5 had a service and if driven right the m3 is razor sharp and a joy to drive through the twistys .
Funny tho I sold my m5 v10 (now that’s noise) when I got my company car and now drive a mint z4m coupe .
Enjoy the car buddy it’s a great buy and does things rs4/5, c63 etc can only dream of.
There’s seems to be a lot of people who don’t like the e90 m3 , don’t listen it’s a great car . A c63 is a 1 trick pony imho ie noise . Get an exhaust of give it to Paul the welder for an exhaust mod, job done .
I drove one of these not a completion pack tho for 3 days while my old m5 had a service and if driven right the m3 is razor sharp and a joy to drive through the twistys .
Funny tho I sold my m5 v10 (now that’s noise) when I got my company car and now drive a mint z4m coupe .
Enjoy the car buddy it’s a great buy and does things rs4/5, c63 etc can only dream of.
clowesy said:
As the owner of a Z4M who finds himself constantly looking at e92 M3's and then trying to convince himself he doesn't want one... I'll be following this with interest.
I think a big part of it depends on what you like about the Z that dictates how you'd take to an m3 matty13 said:
Car looks great , really nice spec
There’s seems to be a lot of people who don’t like the e90 m3 , don’t listen it’s a great car . A c63 is a 1 trick pony imho ie noise . Get an exhaust of give it to Paul the welder for an exhaust mod, job done .
I drove one of these not a completion pack tho for 3 days while my old m5 had a service and if driven right the m3 is razor sharp and a joy to drive through the twistys .
Funny tho I sold my m5 v10 (now that’s noise) when I got my company car and now drive a mint z4m coupe .
Enjoy the car buddy it’s a great buy and does things rs4/5, c63 etc can only dream of.
Cheers, it's deffo my ideal spec, nothing missing so far.There’s seems to be a lot of people who don’t like the e90 m3 , don’t listen it’s a great car . A c63 is a 1 trick pony imho ie noise . Get an exhaust of give it to Paul the welder for an exhaust mod, job done .
I drove one of these not a completion pack tho for 3 days while my old m5 had a service and if driven right the m3 is razor sharp and a joy to drive through the twistys .
Funny tho I sold my m5 v10 (now that’s noise) when I got my company car and now drive a mint z4m coupe .
Enjoy the car buddy it’s a great buy and does things rs4/5, c63 etc can only dream of.
Very true re the 63 and with one of the exhausts above, or the rpi (or like you say, a mod) the m3 gets extra decibels anyway.
The m5/6 was next in line decision wise, but in the age I was after weren't v10 though which was the main stopper!
Had a great second leg of the trip, was joined by a f430 at one point
I've had both a Z4M and E92 M3 and I thought both were really quiet and a little disappointing on the noise front. I'd been used to a TVR though so that spoilt me big time in terms of noise/loudness. FINALLY. Trucked the car from the East Coast to the West which took a few weeks. I made a point of not noting the kms, as my Car OCD will go mad if it sees it arrive with extra miles on it :lol: So happy to have it in the garage finally, some serious car-anxiety over the last few weeks.
It is absoultely filthy though
I guess it would be coving some 3000 miles - I thought it was going to be enclosed so not sure if it was due to transport or if it was a result of being in stabling yards for so much time in some remote, dusty location.
Attacked it with some Snow Foam to try and gently remove the layers of crud. Two coats and rinses and I can give it a wash down and begin some correction. It has a bit of the orange peel that late bmws seem to have and has picked up some swirl marks as it's been rubbed with a cloth, brushed past etc.
Raided the stock for some Auto Finesse gear to do a very brief crud removal. Then followed up with my own brand stuff to test out my new snow foam.
The first 500 kms have been mostly motorway cruising and blasting away from traffic lights. I'm loving that as a car it has a bit of an off switch in that in comfort mode, cruise control on, automatic high beams etc it's relatively comfy to cruise in. First time I've had a car with the auto headlights - I know they're pretty common now, my partner's CRV has them, but a nice touch.
Loving the Harman Kardon Audio - had read a few people underwhelmed by the standard setup but the HK is crisp, the customizable EQ means you can set it up nicely. Basses come through nice and deep and even cranked up the tones stay true. Being a later model it has the support for bluetooth audio so streaming from spotify works. Not as slick as apple play etc but functional. Spotify on the iphone has a bug sometimes where the steering wheel controls stop being able to change tracks and you have to close the app and open it again. I also like the voice control, have been able to make all phone calls without touching the i-Drive so it's nice to see it works.
I had a friend in a Z4M say the interior was plasticy in the E9X - can't really see where they're coming from. The later versions had better plastics but the only real plasticy bits are the head unit and a plastic surround to the gear lever etc. Generally has a nice feel, although the seats are a bit plain perhaps, they hold me in the lumbar perfectly.
Found an Akropovic exhaust going for a 'good' price so I snapped it up, can't wait to get it on.
It is absoultely filthy though
I guess it would be coving some 3000 miles - I thought it was going to be enclosed so not sure if it was due to transport or if it was a result of being in stabling yards for so much time in some remote, dusty location.
Attacked it with some Snow Foam to try and gently remove the layers of crud. Two coats and rinses and I can give it a wash down and begin some correction. It has a bit of the orange peel that late bmws seem to have and has picked up some swirl marks as it's been rubbed with a cloth, brushed past etc.
Raided the stock for some Auto Finesse gear to do a very brief crud removal. Then followed up with my own brand stuff to test out my new snow foam.
The first 500 kms have been mostly motorway cruising and blasting away from traffic lights. I'm loving that as a car it has a bit of an off switch in that in comfort mode, cruise control on, automatic high beams etc it's relatively comfy to cruise in. First time I've had a car with the auto headlights - I know they're pretty common now, my partner's CRV has them, but a nice touch.
Loving the Harman Kardon Audio - had read a few people underwhelmed by the standard setup but the HK is crisp, the customizable EQ means you can set it up nicely. Basses come through nice and deep and even cranked up the tones stay true. Being a later model it has the support for bluetooth audio so streaming from spotify works. Not as slick as apple play etc but functional. Spotify on the iphone has a bug sometimes where the steering wheel controls stop being able to change tracks and you have to close the app and open it again. I also like the voice control, have been able to make all phone calls without touching the i-Drive so it's nice to see it works.
I had a friend in a Z4M say the interior was plasticy in the E9X - can't really see where they're coming from. The later versions had better plastics but the only real plasticy bits are the head unit and a plastic surround to the gear lever etc. Generally has a nice feel, although the seats are a bit plain perhaps, they hold me in the lumbar perfectly.
Found an Akropovic exhaust going for a 'good' price so I snapped it up, can't wait to get it on.
Edited by antacid on Sunday 20th May 00:43
Edited by antacid on Sunday 20th May 00:44
Pommy said:
Up near Joondalup. I work city so if you ever see a flashing boring old white astra its a ph wave 
heh will deffo keep an eye! Apologies if I mistake you for my white astra owning mate who has a habit of sticking his finger out of the window when I See him on the road (he usually get's one back!) antacid said:
Pommy said:
Up near Joondalup. I work city so if you ever see a flashing boring old white astra its a ph wave
heh will deffo keep an eye! Apologies if I mistake you for my white astra owning mate who has a habit of sticking his finger out of the window when I See him on the road (he usually get's one back!) Pommy said:
I wanted to ask - whats the car like as a daily driver on freeways, traffic etc? Ive read vomments about the torque, or lack of low down and given we dont really get our boot down here whats it like?
In all honesty, can I see where people come from where they say it's down on torque low down? Sure. Have I noticed it to be a problem? not at all. Yeah you probably have to use the gears a little more but it's yet to be that drastically down on torque that it causes me any aggro. Over say 3 or 4000 rpm it's a distant memory, below it's not a big deal if you're in the right gear and I don't tend to pootle round town at 2500 rpm Finally had a little time to start to get to work.
Few scratches to the driver's door had been driving me nuts so they were the first to get worked on
Faded away without too much hardship but when clean, the orange peel was more noticable. Typical. So next step was to have a go at it with some denim pads to get some more heat into the panel
Hopefully you can see a slight improvement. Had a plane to catch so that's all I had time for but more to come, aiming to get a razor sharp reflection out of it. Also decided to go with an Akro pipeset so that will be on in a month or so I hope
Few scratches to the driver's door had been driving me nuts so they were the first to get worked on
Faded away without too much hardship but when clean, the orange peel was more noticable. Typical. So next step was to have a go at it with some denim pads to get some more heat into the panel
Hopefully you can see a slight improvement. Had a plane to catch so that's all I had time for but more to come, aiming to get a razor sharp reflection out of it. Also decided to go with an Akro pipeset so that will be on in a month or so I hope
Edited by up_shift on Sunday 23 September 19:25
Lovely car, have a read of this thread the owner of this CP has added some nice touches you may be interested in.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
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