Discussion
PistonbrokePaul said:
Great write up and pictures, love the E9x M3 but the MPG figures you have got are quite eye opening, are they able to break 30mpg on a steady run or are they more expected to be in the mid 20's?
I think I actually saw you this morning on the M6 between Jct 33 an 32 southbound (or a very similar car).
You weren't in a red 1 series? I saw one with a PH sticker on the back. And I would have been on the M6, yes.I think I actually saw you this morning on the M6 between Jct 33 an 32 southbound (or a very similar car).
Yes, they can get 30mpg on a steady run if you're careful. The 14mpg across the Cairngorms included some very hard driving!
This photo was taken a some time ago, but proof they can crack 30mpg. That was a run mostly sat at 70mph on the speedo with the small bit of town driving and at the start and end.
edit - just clicked your profile....yes, that was probably you then
Edited by E90_M3Ross on Sunday 16th June 08:20
bolidemichael said:
It looks as though there was a hospitalisation as a result of the RTA of which you witnessed the aftermath.
Really nice coverage of the tour there Ross, though I felt drawn into reading it as fast as you were driving it! Are you happy with the M3 and does it feel box fresh after all the suspension work and subframe etc that you’ve overhauled?
Many of those roads were sampled in the FFRR last year and even in that they were so enjoyable, given the advantage of height and generally excellent sight lines and visibility.
The car is driving really well. I'd say the most notable thing after all of the suspension work is how tight the rear end is (snigger). Before the work if I was pressing on really hard, let's saying going round a fast sweeping corner and you hit a bump, the car would just feel a bit loose at the back, now it is just so stable and planted Really nice coverage of the tour there Ross, though I felt drawn into reading it as fast as you were driving it! Are you happy with the M3 and does it feel box fresh after all the suspension work and subframe etc that you’ve overhauled?
Many of those roads were sampled in the FFRR last year and even in that they were so enjoyable, given the advantage of height and generally excellent sight lines and visibility.
That's a shame RE the accident. I did get a photo from my dash cam. If you zoom in you can see the car on the left, and the top of one of the lorries on the right side.
Coming back yesterday morning, the car was still there.
Having had a think about what I'd replace this car with when the time comes....it's a tricky one.
The later M3/M4s don't appeal to me. I like the styling of the later generation, but the engine sounds very disappointing to my ears and I don't like the image they portray. The current gen M3/4 are very, very good cars (having driven the M4) but they're also quite big. Again, engine sound is pretty rubbish and there were a few things I didn't like with it....the steering, the size, the styling (I could live with it in a dark colour) etc.
The most modern, nice sounding car to me is the 5.0 Jag supercharged V8. XFRs are available for a pittance, but they're too big for what I'm after and I know it will be much faster in a straight line, it won't be as sharp to drive on the fun A and B roads (I don't like just looking at lap times, but when you consider just how much more power it has than the E90 M3, the fact it's still slower around a track kinda tells you it isn't going to handle as well).
Then I think....F Type R. My old man had one. I loved it (save the cracks/pops on the overrun which can get tiresome).....I would definitely consider an R AWD....but then I wonder whether it'd struggle with these sorts of holidays because of a lack of luggage capacity.
On those fun Scottish roads I never feel I need more power, the only time when more power would genuinely be useful is for overtaking, or perhaps on the motorway at times. But, more power can be fun, but I don't think the M3 is particularly lacking if you're willing to use the full rev range.
It's a tough one to replace, when the time does eventually come, I think!
The later M3/M4s don't appeal to me. I like the styling of the later generation, but the engine sounds very disappointing to my ears and I don't like the image they portray. The current gen M3/4 are very, very good cars (having driven the M4) but they're also quite big. Again, engine sound is pretty rubbish and there were a few things I didn't like with it....the steering, the size, the styling (I could live with it in a dark colour) etc.
The most modern, nice sounding car to me is the 5.0 Jag supercharged V8. XFRs are available for a pittance, but they're too big for what I'm after and I know it will be much faster in a straight line, it won't be as sharp to drive on the fun A and B roads (I don't like just looking at lap times, but when you consider just how much more power it has than the E90 M3, the fact it's still slower around a track kinda tells you it isn't going to handle as well).
Then I think....F Type R. My old man had one. I loved it (save the cracks/pops on the overrun which can get tiresome).....I would definitely consider an R AWD....but then I wonder whether it'd struggle with these sorts of holidays because of a lack of luggage capacity.
On those fun Scottish roads I never feel I need more power, the only time when more power would genuinely be useful is for overtaking, or perhaps on the motorway at times. But, more power can be fun, but I don't think the M3 is particularly lacking if you're willing to use the full rev range.
It's a tough one to replace, when the time does eventually come, I think!
Gallons Per Mile said:
You'll drive it like it's supposed to be driven though. My long term average was a smidge over 20 so plan for that if you want one. Around town is ruinous but it sounds immense! You're looking at numbers starting with a 1 then. Very fun but you'll be spending money on petrol!
ThisMr Tidy said:
Some brilliant photos of a great trip Ross. 
Reminds me of my NC500 trip last year. Your car seems more economical than I would have expected as I've only ever managed over 30mpg in my Z4M once while coming home on a busy, wet M6!
Don't get me wrong, it's not economical Reminds me of my NC500 trip last year. Your car seems more economical than I would have expected as I've only ever managed over 30mpg in my Z4M once while coming home on a busy, wet M6!
I think the whole trip averaged 23-24mpg. Given how I drove it etc I think it's tolerable. bolidemichael said:
Too big and a fair chunk heavier still. The fact the saloons are slower round a track than the M3 despite having another 90-100bhp tells you it won't handle as well. I'm not one to judge purely on lap times but to have 25% more power and still be slower tells me something... 
Court_S said:
Gallons Per Mile said:
If you think of it in terms of the percentage gain in fuel economy it's quite a lot! My M54 powered E46 is around 50% better on fuel compared to the S65 which means for every tank I use in that car I'd have had to use 1.5 tanks in the M3. It really adds up, even with smaller percentages.
I guess so, because both cars will do well over 300 miles per tank and the 330i will reach mid to high 30’s on a run.T0M said:
Car looks mega. I think the E90 is a great looking car and already commands a fair bit of a premium over the E92 by the looks of it. Am very tempted by one myself after having an E92 M3 a few years ago. The sound track is worth the fuel bills.
Yeah they do seem a bit more expensive, but they're also a heck of a lot rarer. There are 9-10x more coupes than saloons.Mr Tidy said:
Gallons Per Mile said:
Court_S said:
my N52 powered cars are only 6 or 7 mpg better.
If you think of it in terms of the percentage gain in fuel economy it's quite a lot! My M54 powered E46 is around 50% better on fuel compared to the S65 which means for every tank I use in that car I'd have had to use 1.5 tanks in the M3. It really adds up, even with smaller percentages.At least the M3 has a 3 Series size fuel tank - my Z4 only holds 55 litres.
bolidemichael said:
E90_M3Ross said:
Mr Tidy said:
Gallons Per Mile said:
Court_S said:
my N52 powered cars are only 6 or 7 mpg better.
If you think of it in terms of the percentage gain in fuel economy it's quite a lot! My M54 powered E46 is around 50% better on fuel compared to the S65 which means for every tank I use in that car I'd have had to use 1.5 tanks in the M3. It really adds up, even with smaller percentages.At least the M3 has a 3 Series size fuel tank - my Z4 only holds 55 litres.
I'll get some jerry cans for the next trip bolidemichael said:
Which pouring spout do you prefer? Mr Tidy said:
Gallons Per Mile said:
Mr Tidy said:
That's about the same difference between my 330i and Z4M too. But it does add up, especially for a Scottish trip as I live in Surrey!
At least the M3 has a 3 Series size fuel tank - my Z4 only holds 55 litres.
The E90 wasn't great for fuel tank size. It was one of the niggles I had with it. A slightly bigger tank would've given a nice useable 350 mile range, but instead it was well under 300 miles if driven as intended. If I drove very conservatively then 300 was possible but you just can't with that induction noise!At least the M3 has a 3 Series size fuel tank - my Z4 only holds 55 litres.
I'm seeing/treating an employee of the garage who do a fair bit of the work on my car next Tuesday. They're dropping off a courtesy car for me and they're going to do an engine oil and filter change, whilst there I'm going to get a new oil level sensor fitted (readings can occasionally be up/down, so more out of precaution), microfilters, brake fluid and another 4 wheel alignment.
Engine oil I'm going with Millers CFS NT+ 10W-60 - it's a better oil than Castrol Edge. Brake fluid will be Motul RBF 660.
I'm heading near the garage Saturday so I'll collect it on the 29th as I drop the courtesy car back. In theory, that should be it until MOT in January. I'll probably give it another coolant change, new air filter and I may get the auxiliary belt/pulley replaced too, again, as preventative maintenance.
I spoke to Opie Oils about it and they said it has a higher ester content, is better for cold start protection and also has higher load tolerance than Edge. Edge is a good oil but there are better, some of which are, however, very expensive! I can't remember exactly but if you're interested ping Opie Oils a message and ask them, they're very helpful.
fido said:
Mr Tidy said:
But it will be getting Castrol Edge 10W/60 as I've already got that, although I'd love to know what is different about the Millers alternative.
As my E92 is no longer in warranty I top up the 10W60 with Millers 5w50.Mr Tidy said:
E90_M3Ross said:
I spoke to Opie Oils about it and they said it has a higher ester content, is better for cold start protection and also has higher load tolerance than Edge. Edge is a good oil but there are better, some of which are, however, very expensive! I can't remember exactly but if you're interested ping Opie Oils a message and ask them, they're very helpful.
Thanks I might do that next time, but I've already got 8 litres of Castrol Edge!Car was collected Tuesday. I said to the chap "feel free to floor it if you want to once the oil is hot".
Saw him again Thursday.... "your car.... f
k me it's fast"
Car is ready but due to work can't collect until tomorrow. Nothing major.... Oil and filter, engine oil level sensor (just precautionary), brake fluid, microfilters.
Saw him again Thursday.... "your car.... f
k me it's fast" Car is ready but due to work can't collect until tomorrow. Nothing major.... Oil and filter, engine oil level sensor (just precautionary), brake fluid, microfilters.
Yay..... Another hiccup!
Spoke to the chap yesterday who said it's all done but they thought the new oil level sensor was faulty as it wasn't getting a reading. I said after an oil change or adding more oil it can take a long time to get a reading so I said I'd collect it, drive it and see what happens.
So after 5-6 miles the "dash" on the obc oil reading (which denotes it can't get a reading at that time.... Usually when the oil is cold) turned into the clock spinning icon and I thought "aha, great". Few seconds later.... Back to the dashes. Balls.
Filled up with fuel and drove another 40 mins. After about 20mins it got a reading and said it was at the max. "ah, great!". 5 seconds later.... Back to showing dashes. After that it kept fluctuating between reading full and showing the dash.
Got back, had a chat with the guy and he said to bring it back and they're going to return it and fit a new sensor. I have said if the oil needs draining to capture and reuse the new oil.
Brake fluid done, and microfilters changed, too. They all looked like this.... A bit grubby!
Spoke to the chap yesterday who said it's all done but they thought the new oil level sensor was faulty as it wasn't getting a reading. I said after an oil change or adding more oil it can take a long time to get a reading so I said I'd collect it, drive it and see what happens.
So after 5-6 miles the "dash" on the obc oil reading (which denotes it can't get a reading at that time.... Usually when the oil is cold) turned into the clock spinning icon and I thought "aha, great". Few seconds later.... Back to the dashes. Balls.
Filled up with fuel and drove another 40 mins. After about 20mins it got a reading and said it was at the max. "ah, great!". 5 seconds later.... Back to showing dashes. After that it kept fluctuating between reading full and showing the dash.
Got back, had a chat with the guy and he said to bring it back and they're going to return it and fit a new sensor. I have said if the oil needs draining to capture and reuse the new oil.
Brake fluid done, and microfilters changed, too. They all looked like this.... A bit grubby!
Edited by E90_M3Ross on Saturday 29th June 21:05
RicksAlfas said:
I recently fitted an "active carbon" pollen filter and they do start off as a mucky grey.
Not the clean white of old!
The other side was notably brighter Not the clean white of old!
In theory.... That should be it until MOT in January, when it'll get new coolant and air filter. Both will be due in the March, but may as well do at the same time.
I'm sure something else will crop up before then
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