End of term report E92 M3
Discussion
Thought a few facts and opinions of ownership spanning 3 years and 20,000 mls might be of interest to some.
Previously I owned several M E46 cars including a CSL (should have kept it!) so have some knowledge /comparative viewes.
Firstly the data:
overall MPG 23.6 (always super unleaded)
6 litres of oil ( needed less as mileage increased)
oil service at 15k and 2 year brake fluid change cost in total £565 (oil /filter changed at one year 8k mls in addition to official service plus of course running in change at 1200mls)
3 sets of cup plus tyres £3,370
new £48,600 with discount, sold £33,000 in November2010
In my opinion the engine/transmission improved markedly after 10k, particularly the manual box which baulked quite a bit early on. Otherwise the car was close to perfection for the money and just got better the more confidence I got. In truth I don't have the ability to wring the last tenth or to out of it.
I did two track days and discovered the brakes are not up to regular track work but improve with a pad change and braided hoses. Amusing to see 6MPG after 5 laps of Castle Combe!
What is not so good?
Fuel tank is way to small giving a realistic range of 260 mls which for me is a major issue
19ins wheels look good but 18ins suit the balance/handling better. In fact BMW M division say the development cars had 18ins wheels.
You sit to high in the drivers seat. In comparison 3 series M sport seats go closer to the floor and suit me better.
DCT is a must. There is really very little to say in favour of the manual box,in fact nothing.
Electronic oil level recording. My readout was not linear so the bar and the i drive level were never the same and led to one instance of overfilling and consequent hour of BMW labour time to drain the front sump of 3/4 litre.
I may buy another M3 V8 before M division take the turbo route but the pricing of the competition M3 places it right alongside a year old 997...........choices choices!
Previously I owned several M E46 cars including a CSL (should have kept it!) so have some knowledge /comparative viewes.
Firstly the data:
overall MPG 23.6 (always super unleaded)
6 litres of oil ( needed less as mileage increased)
oil service at 15k and 2 year brake fluid change cost in total £565 (oil /filter changed at one year 8k mls in addition to official service plus of course running in change at 1200mls)
3 sets of cup plus tyres £3,370
new £48,600 with discount, sold £33,000 in November2010
In my opinion the engine/transmission improved markedly after 10k, particularly the manual box which baulked quite a bit early on. Otherwise the car was close to perfection for the money and just got better the more confidence I got. In truth I don't have the ability to wring the last tenth or to out of it.
I did two track days and discovered the brakes are not up to regular track work but improve with a pad change and braided hoses. Amusing to see 6MPG after 5 laps of Castle Combe!
What is not so good?
Fuel tank is way to small giving a realistic range of 260 mls which for me is a major issue
19ins wheels look good but 18ins suit the balance/handling better. In fact BMW M division say the development cars had 18ins wheels.
You sit to high in the drivers seat. In comparison 3 series M sport seats go closer to the floor and suit me better.
DCT is a must. There is really very little to say in favour of the manual box,in fact nothing.
Electronic oil level recording. My readout was not linear so the bar and the i drive level were never the same and led to one instance of overfilling and consequent hour of BMW labour time to drain the front sump of 3/4 litre.
I may buy another M3 V8 before M division take the turbo route but the pricing of the competition M3 places it right alongside a year old 997...........choices choices!
Good review! 
You went through 3 sets of tyres in 20k miles though? Thats pretty harsh but I suppose thats the trackdays doing! I assume it was really the rears that took the hammering rather then the fronts?
I know exactly what you mean about the wheel size though, I have 19" CSLs on my E46 M3 (not same car, I know) and I also have a set of 18" with tyres that I use for trackdays. I find myself putting the 18's on the car alot more now as they do ride so much better. The 19's can skip over the road and dont inspire as much confidence. The number of potholes on our roads is a joke right now.
Havent really heard anything bad about the DCT gearbox at all, seems to be very good.
Will be really interesting to see the next M3 (turbo, as you have said). I love the NA BMW engines but I suppose they have to stay with the times.
You went through 3 sets of tyres in 20k miles though? Thats pretty harsh but I suppose thats the trackdays doing! I assume it was really the rears that took the hammering rather then the fronts?
I know exactly what you mean about the wheel size though, I have 19" CSLs on my E46 M3 (not same car, I know) and I also have a set of 18" with tyres that I use for trackdays. I find myself putting the 18's on the car alot more now as they do ride so much better. The 19's can skip over the road and dont inspire as much confidence. The number of potholes on our roads is a joke right now.
Havent really heard anything bad about the DCT gearbox at all, seems to be very good.
Will be really interesting to see the next M3 (turbo, as you have said). I love the NA BMW engines but I suppose they have to stay with the times.
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