Man maths complete - here's my E92 M3
Discussion
After months of deliberation — and a whole lot of man maths — I’ve finally ended up in my first M car. Like many of you, I grew up dreaming of owning an M3. It may have taken longer than I expected, but here we are, and I couldn’t be happier.
The original budget of 8-12k went out the window, so with a few car options open to me I came very close to buying an M4, but I just couldn’t get the E92 out of my head. A few reasons pushed me this way: it shouldn’t depreciate as heavily, it feels like a logical step before an M4, and I’ve wanted to scratch the V8 itch for years. Normally, I’m the sort of person who starts looking at the next car within months of buying something — but with this, I’ve got zero desire to move on or even think about swapping it for an M4.
So, about the car: it’s a 2011 Mineral White example with 97k miles. It’s sitting perfectly (in my opinion) on Strom Competition replica wheels, spacers, and H&R springs. It’s decatted with a custom backbox. It sounds great, but a bit OTT on the overrun, so I plan to get it mapped at some point which will hopefully tone that down. I’ve got it booked in for rod bearings and a GTS gearbox map next week, although I’ll probably need to push that back to January due to work and Christmas.
The only gripe so far is the headlights. They’re aftermarket units, the offside one is out, and the light output is genuinely awful — I might as well be driving with them switched off. I’m going to try fresh bulbs and check the self-levelling control, but I may end up replacing them with OEM items.
As for driving impressions, I was originally put off the E92 because of its supposed lack of torque. I wanted something with a bit of shove, which is why the M4 and C63 were ahead of it on my list. That said, the E92 was always my favourite to look at out of the three. Fortunately, the torque concern hasn’t been an issue at all. It has more than enough shove on the road, especially if you’re in the right gear. And the sound is glorious — even short-shifting around town puts a smile on my face.
It’s ticked every box for me so far, and I’m loving the fact it turns a few heads. Now I'm just looking forward to any excuse for a drive, at least until I run out of money for fuel.
Advert pic which really sold it to me. This car was on the radar for a couple of weeks without me ever thinking it would be the car I bought. It actually got sold and relisted a couple of days later so I jumped on it
Obligatory petrol station pics
View from the home office is looking good
Last time the Mrs drives it, she nearly took out the splitters
Back up to Scotland for work. Managed a true 25.6mpg (trip comp got me excited saying 28mpg) on the way up. Good mix of motorway, A-roads and B-roads.
Every time I see it I want to take a picture, so expect plenty more!
The original budget of 8-12k went out the window, so with a few car options open to me I came very close to buying an M4, but I just couldn’t get the E92 out of my head. A few reasons pushed me this way: it shouldn’t depreciate as heavily, it feels like a logical step before an M4, and I’ve wanted to scratch the V8 itch for years. Normally, I’m the sort of person who starts looking at the next car within months of buying something — but with this, I’ve got zero desire to move on or even think about swapping it for an M4.
So, about the car: it’s a 2011 Mineral White example with 97k miles. It’s sitting perfectly (in my opinion) on Strom Competition replica wheels, spacers, and H&R springs. It’s decatted with a custom backbox. It sounds great, but a bit OTT on the overrun, so I plan to get it mapped at some point which will hopefully tone that down. I’ve got it booked in for rod bearings and a GTS gearbox map next week, although I’ll probably need to push that back to January due to work and Christmas.
The only gripe so far is the headlights. They’re aftermarket units, the offside one is out, and the light output is genuinely awful — I might as well be driving with them switched off. I’m going to try fresh bulbs and check the self-levelling control, but I may end up replacing them with OEM items.
As for driving impressions, I was originally put off the E92 because of its supposed lack of torque. I wanted something with a bit of shove, which is why the M4 and C63 were ahead of it on my list. That said, the E92 was always my favourite to look at out of the three. Fortunately, the torque concern hasn’t been an issue at all. It has more than enough shove on the road, especially if you’re in the right gear. And the sound is glorious — even short-shifting around town puts a smile on my face.
It’s ticked every box for me so far, and I’m loving the fact it turns a few heads. Now I'm just looking forward to any excuse for a drive, at least until I run out of money for fuel.
Advert pic which really sold it to me. This car was on the radar for a couple of weeks without me ever thinking it would be the car I bought. It actually got sold and relisted a couple of days later so I jumped on it
Obligatory petrol station pics
View from the home office is looking good
Last time the Mrs drives it, she nearly took out the splitters
Back up to Scotland for work. Managed a true 25.6mpg (trip comp got me excited saying 28mpg) on the way up. Good mix of motorway, A-roads and B-roads.
Every time I see it I want to take a picture, so expect plenty more!
Was my dream car when I was a teen and I was able to daily one for 4 years between the age of 24-28. Absolutely loved it, hopping into it everyday and starting it up put a smile on my face. Sure it’s not the most economical to run/maintain but managed to only depreciate £2k over 4 years and 30k miles and was my house deposit! Longing for the day when I can get back in one.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
iacabu said:
After months of deliberation and a whole lot of man maths I ve finally ended up in my first M car. Like many of you, I grew up dreaming of owning an M3. It may have taken longer than I expected, but here we are, and I couldn t be happier.
The original budget of 8-12k went out the window, so with a few car options open to me I came very close to buying an M4, but I just couldn t get the E92 out of my head. A few reasons pushed me this way: it shouldn t depreciate as heavily, it feels like a logical step before an M4, and I ve wanted to scratch the V8 itch for years. Normally, I m the sort of person who starts looking at the next car within months of buying something but with this, I ve got zero desire to move on or even think about swapping it for an M4.
Hah, you've gone through almost exactly the same thoughts as me. I've had an E82 125i Coupe for coming up on 4 years now and for most of that time I've had an E92 M3 in my head as the next step, but came very close to buying an F82 M4 this past summer as it seemed like a much more sensible option and a much better car to use as a daily- but a few other things pushed me to think I should wait a bit longer to swap. Since then I've gone back to E92 M3's for almost exactly the reasons you describe and intend to be shopping for one in the New Year!The original budget of 8-12k went out the window, so with a few car options open to me I came very close to buying an M4, but I just couldn t get the E92 out of my head. A few reasons pushed me this way: it shouldn t depreciate as heavily, it feels like a logical step before an M4, and I ve wanted to scratch the V8 itch for years. Normally, I m the sort of person who starts looking at the next car within months of buying something but with this, I ve got zero desire to move on or even think about swapping it for an M4.
Yours looks lovely- I have been window shopping these for some time and remember seeing the ad, looked like a really nice car although I'll admit to not being a massive fan of the aftermarket headlights. Mineral white on silver M359 wheels is the best spec for an E92 in my opinion though so that makes up for them!
christurbo said:
Great purchase OP. Good examples will only appreciate in value (in my opinion).
I see a lot of these on track and they go very well.
Have fun!
I see a lot of these on track and they go very well.
Have fun!
I cant imagine a well maintained one wont appreciate from here on in, worst case hold its money.
Whilst there may be the odd bill along the way, that'll be more than offset by the non depreciation.
Sofa said:
Hah, you've gone through almost exactly the same thoughts as me. I've had an E82 125i Coupe for coming up on 4 years now and for most of that time I've had an E92 M3 in my head as the next step, but came very close to buying an F82 M4 this past summer as it seemed like a much more sensible option and a much better car to use as a daily- but a few other things pushed me to think I should wait a bit longer to swap. Since then I've gone back to E92 M3's for almost exactly the reasons you describe and intend to be shopping for one in the New Year!
Yours looks lovely- I have been window shopping these for some time and remember seeing the ad, looked like a really nice car although I'll admit to not being a massive fan of the aftermarket headlights. Mineral white on silver M359 wheels is the best spec for an E92 in my opinion though so that makes up for them!
White seemed quite popular in them towards the end of the production. i think it works well in them.Yours looks lovely- I have been window shopping these for some time and remember seeing the ad, looked like a really nice car although I'll admit to not being a massive fan of the aftermarket headlights. Mineral white on silver M359 wheels is the best spec for an E92 in my opinion though so that makes up for them!
Beautiful, I'd wanted one since they came out (I was 17 at the time) and finally got a white E90 this year. I don't get to drive it much but when I do I love every second of it! Great fun, sounds amazing, goes well and just feels a bit special. I got the RBs and TAs sorted on mine as soon as I bought it just for piece of mind.
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