0a's BMW E92 M3 Coupe
Discussion
I picked up this E92 M3 coupe today. I remember them coming out, and have always loved the concept - an M3, with a screaming v8, and the option of a manual gearbox. Crazy stuff! And a bit like my SLK55, peak german silliness when it came to their cars.
I had always assumed they were too risky.
Then PHer TyrannosauRoss Lex came along, and he traded his trusty Lexus LS for a 4 door M3. He did the research, and while these will never be cheap to run, he highlighted that the main issues have now been identified and have known fixes with specialists. When he took the plunge, I started to think that perhaps I should take a look.
I had been thinking about a Jaguar XFR. Browsing the classified for both, it became clear that E90/92 M3s are moving up from the prices I looked at a year ago, while my preferred facelift XFRs are pricy and have a way to fall. So it felt a bit like it was get one of these now, or see them climb out of reach for good examples in the coming years.
I am an example of how not to buy cars. I bought the first one I saw. I didn't understand the spec list, what was considered valuable or not.
But I liked one ad. The chap sounded like a good bloke. He had a 911 and wanted to trade up to an R8 v10 manual. On the phone he was a decent chap. I liked the colours, and it had the big ticket items done - throttle actuators, the bearings, and the engine mounts.
The car was on 88k, but I figured that better that with stuff done than a 75k mile car without.
I went to view the car. On a one way ticket. With the insurance already purchased.
Needless to say...
Oh yes it has a Scorpion exhaust and sounds a bit silly.
Thankyou to TyrannosauRoss Lex for all the help and advice.
I just realised I still haven't looked under the bonnet. Driving it, there's definitely a screaming v8 there though!
I had always assumed they were too risky.
Then PHer TyrannosauRoss Lex came along, and he traded his trusty Lexus LS for a 4 door M3. He did the research, and while these will never be cheap to run, he highlighted that the main issues have now been identified and have known fixes with specialists. When he took the plunge, I started to think that perhaps I should take a look.
I had been thinking about a Jaguar XFR. Browsing the classified for both, it became clear that E90/92 M3s are moving up from the prices I looked at a year ago, while my preferred facelift XFRs are pricy and have a way to fall. So it felt a bit like it was get one of these now, or see them climb out of reach for good examples in the coming years.
I am an example of how not to buy cars. I bought the first one I saw. I didn't understand the spec list, what was considered valuable or not.
But I liked one ad. The chap sounded like a good bloke. He had a 911 and wanted to trade up to an R8 v10 manual. On the phone he was a decent chap. I liked the colours, and it had the big ticket items done - throttle actuators, the bearings, and the engine mounts.
The car was on 88k, but I figured that better that with stuff done than a 75k mile car without.
I went to view the car. On a one way ticket. With the insurance already purchased.
Needless to say...
Oh yes it has a Scorpion exhaust and sounds a bit silly.
Thankyou to TyrannosauRoss Lex for all the help and advice.
I just realised I still haven't looked under the bonnet. Driving it, there's definitely a screaming v8 there though!
Edited by 0a on Sunday 2nd April 01:01
E90_M3Ross said:
You're welcome, although username has suitably changed 
Sorry, I knew that!How does it drive, and how does it compare to the SLK55? The SLK is a German cartoon car. It shows that they do have a sense of humour. Putting that big engine into a tiny hairdresser car makes for a hilarious combination. The SLK woofles and parps and makes generally lovely noises while riding around on a nice chunk of torque, but can pick up its skirts when needed. People are surprised how quick the SLK is when poked (especially since the remap). But it's your friend. It will look after you.
The M3 is Germany being serious. An answer to a challenge as to how best get a 3 series around the 'ring or the like. Totally different in character to the SLK. I gave it a little spanking today on an empty local bypass. It really goes, and it sounds fantastic. Not being used to it, it took me a while to be comfortable revving it out - which you need to do to access the performance (and noise).
It's really quite a thing - a proper serious thing. I look forward to learning how best to drive it.
I understand why people like the DCT - zipping up to that high limit with the engine screaming, it's slightly intimidating at first to have to do the whole clutch / gearchange thing. Ultimately very rewarding though, which is what I was looking for.
It seems to have a good specification. Extended leather, the compass rear view mirror, rear electric blind, heated seats, folding mirrors (sorry I had to say it Ross!), split fold rear seats. Is there a VIN decoder I can use to see the full spec?
0a said:
It seems to have a good specification. Extended leather, the compass rear view mirror, rear electric blind, heated seats, folding mirrors (sorry I had to say it Ross!), split fold rear seats. Is there a VIN decoder I can use to see the full spec?
This one has worked decently for me in the past. Not too many annoying pop up ads or captchas either.Lovely car OP, love the E9x M3. They’re aging very well inside and out to my eyes, and I’m sure are still a very pleasant place to sit- especially with extended leather. One would probably be my dream eventual replacement for my E82 125i but as you mention the prices do seem to be firming up and I fear I’ll end up missing the boat…
Lovely looking car there Oa. I used to have a face lift E93 M3 and loved it. I really regretted selling it and would happily have another.
I did a trip round the alps over 10 days just me on my own with the car and it was a brilliant drivers trip. For those who don’t know, here’s some idea of the sound from a stock car. Goodness knows what Oa’s car sounds like!
I did a trip round the alps over 10 days just me on my own with the car and it was a brilliant drivers trip. For those who don’t know, here’s some idea of the sound from a stock car. Goodness knows what Oa’s car sounds like!
Alfa GTV said:
Congrats on your purchase, as a fellow E92 M3 owner they are great cars.
Any history of the rod bearings or throttle actuators being changed? Something to think about if not.
Otherwise enjoy
Lovely looking M3!Any history of the rod bearings or throttle actuators being changed? Something to think about if not.
Otherwise enjoy
Yes, one of the reasons I went for this car is that the rod bearings, throttle actuators and engine mounts have all been done recently and the invoices are in the car's history, and I have the old rod bearings!
With a few other bits and bobs these two bills are just over £3.5k.
Interestingly (and touch wood!) there are not any other big bills - the odd £400/£500 for a big service and a few suspension odds and ends, tyres and the like. So it doesn't seem to have been a particularly expensive car to run in the past (not cheap though!).
Perhaps the bills are yet to come!
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