Byakko the M3 - E90 V8
Discussion
I've always love BMWs, my uncle had an E36 318i Touring when I was a kid and I loved it, that was where my obsession with them began. Over the years I've liked pretty much every BMW made, some took a few years for me to grow to like but even the modern ones still get my appreciation. Out of all those cars though, there were 2 that really stood out to me as special cars, the E60 M5 and the E90 M3. In my opinion a golden era of BMW design and build quality. These two in particular attracted me because of their (perhaps vague) links to the BMW F1 involvement at the time, the nerd in me loved it. Engines not likely to be built or put into cars ever again. At 18 I had no chance of owning one but I always said on day I'd get one.
I'd more or less been tracking their prices over the years, I almost bought an M3 in 2018 but at the time I had a commute to do and needed a reliable, economical to run car so I went for a new BMW 340i. Fast forwards 7 years and I was in the position where my mileage was sub 5k a year and the price of the M3s were slowly rising. I'd always planned to keep the 340i long term but with a small fleet of cars now I would struggle to justify it staying with another car added. While I was considering my next move my mate bought himself a 981 GT4, I took it for a spin and really enjoyed it, it had that extra something that my current car didn't have, a little drama and character. We were off to the Nurburgring the following week, after lots of chatting it over with my mates I was decided, I put the 340i up for sale and within an hour I'd agreed a deal and taken a deposit.
Time to start the M3 searching. I quickly decided that I really really wanted an E90 over an E92, I've always loved a saloon and the E90 shape is perfect in my eyes. The problem was, they only made 630 for the UK and there were only around 10 - 20 for sale of them for sale when I would look. After ruling out the dregs at the bottom and the dreamers at the top, it didn't leave much choice unfortunately. I knew I'd have to be fairly open in terms of spec on the car, which I didn't mind too much as for me, it was all about the engine and the drive. As long as it wasn't red then I was open to any colour and I although I was leaning towards a DCT I wasn't ruling out manuals. After a couple of weeks of searching and ruling out cars or getting silence from sellers a potential car popped up. Japanese import, low miles and looked in decent nick and long story short, I bought it! First (of many) fuel stops with my mate on the way home.
So it's a 2009 E90 M3 in Alpine White, DCT with 60,000 miles on the clocks. After not being fussed about the options I've ended up with a car thats got a few nice ones, heated seats, electric folding mirrors, rear electric blind, TV (Retro), comfort access, EDC and a Logic 7 sound system. Aside from the tints it's standard and in very good nick. I've given it a quick wash and aside from one little dink on the rear arch it's very clean, the wheels we're mint aside from the rears have some marks, perhaps not kerb damage but perhaps damage in transit from something hitting them or rubbing?
Few quick snaps after it's first wash. It's LCI so has the LED rear lights but old enough to not have start stop and the climate panel changes.
It's not without it's areas that need addressing though. The clocks are in KPH and the nav/radio stations are setup for Japan so that needs a new cluster and iDrive. The rod bearings and throttle actuators haven't been replaced so they're the priority first though and while it's in I'll get the rear diff investigated. It's a little grumbly on tight turns, some say it's normal, some say it needs a FM booster adding or it might just be best to rebuild it. Few other minor things, washers aren't working and the bonnet struts need replacing but RBs and TAs are the priority. I can relax a bit once they're sorted! Until then it's not going to see much use just to be safe. I've taken it for a spin this morning though just to get it out my system and I love it already. The feel, the sound, everything about it is exactly what I'd hoped.
Long term I have some mods planned, exhaust mod, I have some wheels for it already and eventually some coilovers but they're low priority at the moment, from first impressions it drives nicely on the standard suspension so I'm in no hurry. I'll update as I go, once I get it in for a once over and the two big jobs done I'll be happy and can start to enjoy it a bit but I'm absolutely buzzing just to have it sat outside, I could look at it all day.
I'd more or less been tracking their prices over the years, I almost bought an M3 in 2018 but at the time I had a commute to do and needed a reliable, economical to run car so I went for a new BMW 340i. Fast forwards 7 years and I was in the position where my mileage was sub 5k a year and the price of the M3s were slowly rising. I'd always planned to keep the 340i long term but with a small fleet of cars now I would struggle to justify it staying with another car added. While I was considering my next move my mate bought himself a 981 GT4, I took it for a spin and really enjoyed it, it had that extra something that my current car didn't have, a little drama and character. We were off to the Nurburgring the following week, after lots of chatting it over with my mates I was decided, I put the 340i up for sale and within an hour I'd agreed a deal and taken a deposit.
Time to start the M3 searching. I quickly decided that I really really wanted an E90 over an E92, I've always loved a saloon and the E90 shape is perfect in my eyes. The problem was, they only made 630 for the UK and there were only around 10 - 20 for sale of them for sale when I would look. After ruling out the dregs at the bottom and the dreamers at the top, it didn't leave much choice unfortunately. I knew I'd have to be fairly open in terms of spec on the car, which I didn't mind too much as for me, it was all about the engine and the drive. As long as it wasn't red then I was open to any colour and I although I was leaning towards a DCT I wasn't ruling out manuals. After a couple of weeks of searching and ruling out cars or getting silence from sellers a potential car popped up. Japanese import, low miles and looked in decent nick and long story short, I bought it! First (of many) fuel stops with my mate on the way home.
So it's a 2009 E90 M3 in Alpine White, DCT with 60,000 miles on the clocks. After not being fussed about the options I've ended up with a car thats got a few nice ones, heated seats, electric folding mirrors, rear electric blind, TV (Retro), comfort access, EDC and a Logic 7 sound system. Aside from the tints it's standard and in very good nick. I've given it a quick wash and aside from one little dink on the rear arch it's very clean, the wheels we're mint aside from the rears have some marks, perhaps not kerb damage but perhaps damage in transit from something hitting them or rubbing?
Few quick snaps after it's first wash. It's LCI so has the LED rear lights but old enough to not have start stop and the climate panel changes.
It's not without it's areas that need addressing though. The clocks are in KPH and the nav/radio stations are setup for Japan so that needs a new cluster and iDrive. The rod bearings and throttle actuators haven't been replaced so they're the priority first though and while it's in I'll get the rear diff investigated. It's a little grumbly on tight turns, some say it's normal, some say it needs a FM booster adding or it might just be best to rebuild it. Few other minor things, washers aren't working and the bonnet struts need replacing but RBs and TAs are the priority. I can relax a bit once they're sorted! Until then it's not going to see much use just to be safe. I've taken it for a spin this morning though just to get it out my system and I love it already. The feel, the sound, everything about it is exactly what I'd hoped.
Long term I have some mods planned, exhaust mod, I have some wheels for it already and eventually some coilovers but they're low priority at the moment, from first impressions it drives nicely on the standard suspension so I'm in no hurry. I'll update as I go, once I get it in for a once over and the two big jobs done I'll be happy and can start to enjoy it a bit but I'm absolutely buzzing just to have it sat outside, I could look at it all day.
danb79 said:
That looks superb squire; you've got yourself a cracking motor there. And I agree; the E90s the best shape of the lot and the wheels suit it to a tee 
Bookmarking this
Thanks! I'm chuffed with it! Bookmarking this
bgunn said:
Rod bearings do, but throttle actuators just rebuild when they fail. There’s no point doing them proactively as they don’t cause damage if they fail, and you’re doing low miles.
The problem is, every drive will likely be a road trip somewhere, Germany September & October, Italy in Spring plus various UK trips. The chances are if they go it'll ruin a trip, for the sake of doing them now and knowing they're sorted for the life of the car it seems like a no brainer. Cheese on Toast with Worcestershire Sauce said:
Beautiful. They've definitely been curbed though 
Yeah you might be right, just odd that it's one small piece on each rear wheel thats been damaged. It's fresh too so maybe they were caught on something when being shipped over. They'll get tided up anyway. It's booked in for the work at Everything M3s, plus the diff rebuilt too. Big outlay but it'll be worth it. Until then it's going to chill on a battery maintainer lol.
Congratulations, looks like a cracking example. Very wise decision to get the TA's and RB's done especially if you're planning road trips where peace of mind is important. You could consider getting the fuel injectors changed too (Bosch PN is 0280158164) for the same reason.
Personally, I prefer gloss black grilles on an Alpine White car (which is what mine has) and my favourite wheels are the 359M wheels that came as standard with the Competition Pack, with the caveat that they must (IMHO) be silver, not black. There's usually some refurbished sets around - try the Facebook page or M3Cutters; both good resources.
Final suggestion, contact ModStock for advice on the exhaust. Mine has a ModStock 1.75 backbox modification and I think sounds perfect, but the exhaust looks completely stock.
Personally, I prefer gloss black grilles on an Alpine White car (which is what mine has) and my favourite wheels are the 359M wheels that came as standard with the Competition Pack, with the caveat that they must (IMHO) be silver, not black. There's usually some refurbished sets around - try the Facebook page or M3Cutters; both good resources.
Final suggestion, contact ModStock for advice on the exhaust. Mine has a ModStock 1.75 backbox modification and I think sounds perfect, but the exhaust looks completely stock.
jackcactii said:
Please keep the chrome grilles and the 18s, looks so good (and unusual in the sea of other E9x)
I'm on the fence with the grills. Part of me wants to keep it fairly original and I'm not totally against a bit of chrome but I dunno. Side trips on the wings are going black, I'm getting a new chrome M3 badge for the boot so maybe keep the grills and just have those bits chrome. Might not look too out of place. Hants PHer said:
Congratulations, looks like a cracking example. Very wise decision to get the TA's and RB's done especially if you're planning road trips where peace of mind is important. You could consider getting the fuel injectors changed too (Bosch PN is 0280158164) for the same reason.
Personally, I prefer gloss black grilles on an Alpine White car (which is what mine has) and my favourite wheels are the 359M wheels that came as standard with the Competition Pack, with the caveat that they must (IMHO) be silver, not black. There's usually some refurbished sets around - try the Facebook page or M3Cutters; both good resources.
Final suggestion, contact ModStock for advice on the exhaust. Mine has a ModStock 1.75 backbox modification and I think sounds perfect, but the exhaust looks completely stock.
Thanks you, injectors shall be added to the list now, I'd not seen much about those being an issue. I'll try and squeeze them in before Germany in September. 359m wheels are very nice, I've got some 513m wheels to go on it but they'll need a refurb first. Personally, I prefer gloss black grilles on an Alpine White car (which is what mine has) and my favourite wheels are the 359M wheels that came as standard with the Competition Pack, with the caveat that they must (IMHO) be silver, not black. There's usually some refurbished sets around - try the Facebook page or M3Cutters; both good resources.
Final suggestion, contact ModStock for advice on the exhaust. Mine has a ModStock 1.75 backbox modification and I think sounds perfect, but the exhaust looks completely stock.
My mate had an E92 years ago and the noise it made was fantastic so as soon as it's back from the RBs & TAs it's going straight in for that too!
It sounds decent now but I can't wait for that to be done. Yes I’d been looking for a set for my F30 for a long time, these popped up over Christmas and I got them while I had the chance. Turns out they look tidy on an E90 too so they’re staying.
I’ve not actually looked at tyres yet, the rears are going to need spacers too I think but I’ll worry about that over winter probably, it’s fairly low on the priority list at the moment.
I’ve not actually looked at tyres yet, the rears are going to need spacers too I think but I’ll worry about that over winter probably, it’s fairly low on the priority list at the moment.
Pizzaeatingking said:
Yes I d been looking for a set for my F30 for a long time, these popped up over Christmas and I got them while I had the chance. Turns out they look tidy on an E90 too so they re staying.
I ve not actually looked at tyres yet, the rears are going to need spacers too I think but I ll worry about that over winter probably, it s fairly low on the priority list at the moment.
They're going to look superb! What colour are you going for (Ferric Grey looks superb on white BMWs) I ve not actually looked at tyres yet, the rears are going to need spacers too I think but I ll worry about that over winter probably, it s fairly low on the priority list at the moment.
They could look superb in silver too
Edited by danb79 on Thursday 29th May 13:41
danb79 said:
They're going to look superb! What colour are you going for (Ferric Grey looks superb on white BMWs)
They could look superb in silver too
I found that car too! I almost flogged them until I saw that picture lol. They could look superb in silver too
Edited by danb79 on Thursday 29th May 13:41
I'm torn, as you know from my previous car I do love a silver wheel but the grey does look nice against the white paintwork. Tough choice!
In other news, the oil sensor was showing over the max oil level when I checked it, this was a big reason for me not wanting to use the car until it goes in for the work. After a bit of reading though I found it was possible to pull about 200ml of fluid out of the oil filter housing so after doing that 3x times the level is now reading correct and I'm a little happier now.
The bonnet struts are due to be delivered today so that's another little piece of the puzzle, I've also ordered a washer pump as the current one is not working. I'm not normally one to work on my own cars tbh but I'm going to have a bash at doing the struts and pump over the weekend, they don't look too difficult (famous last words) but crucially, they're not going to result in no brakes or similar if I f
k either job up!
The bonnet struts are due to be delivered today so that's another little piece of the puzzle, I've also ordered a washer pump as the current one is not working. I'm not normally one to work on my own cars tbh but I'm going to have a bash at doing the struts and pump over the weekend, they don't look too difficult (famous last words) but crucially, they're not going to result in no brakes or similar if I f
k either job up!Pizzaeatingking said:
danb79 said:
They're going to look superb! What colour are you going for (Ferric Grey looks superb on white BMWs)
They could look superb in silver too
I found that car too! I almost flogged them until I saw that picture lol. They could look superb in silver too
Edited by danb79 on Thursday 29th May 13:41
I'm torn, as you know from my previous car I do love a silver wheel but the grey does look nice against the white paintwork. Tough choice!
But ferric grey would work well as it's darker; against the white paint, but doesn't hide the details of the wheels like satin black would etc
Exactly why I got the 405Ms on my F31 redone in ferric; it's such a good colour
danb79 said:
Haha yup; your F30 suited the silver wheels; all about contrast IMO
But ferric grey would work well as it's darker; against the white paint, but doesn't hide the details of the wheels like satin black would etc
Exactly why I got the 405Ms on my F31 redone in ferric; it's such a good colour
That looks cracking! Yeah it's the lack of detail I'm worried about but that works for sure, as it's still a fairly light shade it still shows everything. But ferric grey would work well as it's darker; against the white paint, but doesn't hide the details of the wheels like satin black would etc
Exactly why I got the 405Ms on my F31 redone in ferric; it's such a good colour
Bonnet struts arrived, no tools needed! If only every job was that easy. I ordered the right strength strut thankfully so it doesn't shoot up like a rocket.
The track hack hiding in the background
Tested the headlight washers and they work so it's just the screen pump thats the issue. I'll attempt to tackle that at the weekend.
The track hack hiding in the background
Tested the headlight washers and they work so it's just the screen pump thats the issue. I'll attempt to tackle that at the weekend.
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