Manual E92 M3

[JamieRS250]

As some have seen i used to have a well spec'd and setup Megane RS250 that i ran on track and road for over 7 years, However i'd always wanted an E92 M as it seemed to be the logical step up from the Megane.


Megane thread:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...


Finally into a position that i could justify having one as a pure toy with limited milage and started looking on and off, Got a hint from a mate that a guy he knew was selling one and it looked to be a good one, Couple messages exchanged then i went to view, Left a deposit then collected it a couple weeks later.



At first i was set on DCT, That box really suits the car and engine but this one was local and had all the common issues done so i accepted the compromise, Cant say i regret it that much. Yes its not as quick and it isn't an amazing box but it isn't the worst. I am a big manual fan but not blinkered in thinking manual is the only way for a drivers car etc nowadays. Although nailing that downshift blip while heel and toeing is extremely satisfying.


I've not been doing as many trackdays recently due to work commitments so it was nice having a road bias car that isn't a pain to drive on the roads, Yet it can still show up and be on the pace at the odd TD i manage. Being as home is at the bottom of Glen Coe, Its nice having something that i can take up there and further north and be confident that my eyes wont fall out or ears start to bleed after a few miles. Plus doing trackdays with full AC is pretty satisfying!


Anyway, Onto the car. Its an earlier Pre LCI and doesn't have a huge factory spec but all the right bits are on it and i'm happy with it. Had it since June and done around 6k of various driving inc two track nights at Knockhill, One in glorious sunshine and the other in torrential rain, Which was a learning curve!

Spec when i bought it was

AP BTCC spec Brakes
BC coilovers
Exhaust 2 pipe Mod
F10 Shifter
Later Drive system retrofitted
260M wheels

Has had the rod bearings, throttle actuators and ABS module already done so all the common expensive stuff sorted and the guy i bought it off only had it for a few months and done very limited miles inc adding the brakes and suspension along with some A052s. Found the previous owner to him on the Cutters forum and he has a massive pile of history etc so its been well looked after. Certainly wouldn't know its done the milage it has if you didn't know. Exterior has the usual stone chips and the interior has some wear on the drivers bolster but other than that, Its very clean for what is a 12 year old car


How it was when i got it, The factory wheels are still up there as my favourite wheels fitted.

VoRlTJf by jamie atkinson, on Flickr

HGzUy2a by jamie atkinson, on Flickr

JsSySC7 by jamie atkinson, on Flickr

_MG_4403 by jamie atkinson, on Flickr

4F2A7330 by jamie atkinson, on Flickr

_MG_5632 by jamie atkinson, on Flickr

4F2A8196 by jamie atkinson, on Flickr

4F2A7646 by jamie atkinson, on Flickr



Since I've had it I've done a few changes to it

Now running some 18X10 Square wheels with 265 AD08R all round but ill be going to Cup2 next as the new compound of the AD08 aint that great.
Carbon GT4 Splitter which has been painted due to it being damaged
Carbon rear lip
PFZ rear pads to balance out the BBK that runs RS29s
LCI rear lights

Want to get the wheels repainted as im not a huge fan of black and they will look great in the same colour i had my DTC track wheels on the Megane done

IMG_20191218_150432 by jamie atkinson, on Flickr

IMG_20191218_150337 by jamie atkinson, on Flickr

IMG_20200113_115543 by jamie atkinson, on Flickr


Since i'm currently furloughed from work i decided id give the car a proper detail, Since its not been done since i've had it.

2 Stage Correction topped with some Gyeon Cancoat, Came up well and got rid of most of the deeper scratches, Front end could do with a full respray but its not high on the list to be done really

20200329_163835 by jamie atkinson, on Flickr

20200329_164015 by jamie atkinson, on Flickr

20200329_163859 by jamie atkinson, on Flickr

20200329_164027 by jamie atkinson, on Flickr

20200329_141658 by jamie atkinson, on Flickr

20200329_164136 by jamie atkinson, on Flickr

and thats about it for now.


Have got a Coolerworx shifter to be fitted and plan on doing solid Subframe and Diff mounts as soon as we are allowed out again and im planning on decals and a tune just to waken it up a bit. Also hoping to change the suspension to some Intrax 1k2s then just enjoy it. Trying to keep it more road car but i wouldn't mind some proper seats as well and then i guess it'll all go downhill from there.



So in summary, The engine is mega, Sounds glorious and being able to rev it out to over 8k never gets old. Yes its heavy, Manual gearbox is ok and not as quick as a DCT car. Also doesnt feel that quick but im comparing it to the Megane which has the legs on it till 100+. Once this gets going though it really does just keep pulling.



Hopefully get to Spa in Nov for my 30th but fear we all may still be confined to the island.

[rev-erend]

Great summary.

Do you have any close up pics of the rear carbon rear lip. Also idea of cost, ease of fitting etc..

I have a E93 vert and it looks kinda naked without any form of spoiler.

[JamieRS250]

rev-erend said:

Great summary.

Do you have any close up pics of the rear carbon rear lip. Also idea of cost, ease of fitting etc..

I have a E93 vert and it looks kinda naked without any form of spoiler.

Buy a genuine one is all I'll say, mines isn't and the fitment is OK but not great, Fitting is easy enough hardest part is removing the OE one and the gunk left behind


I may go for a GTS spoiler at some point tbf anyway

[Andrew-b90y3]

Absolutely gorgeous car!

I’m tracking a 330ci at the minute and an E9x M3 is what I’m going to upgrade to in the future!

These appeal to me for the reasons you’ve stated, great cars and don’t need to be stripped out to be decent at a track day and can still drive there in relative comfort.

Can you feel the weight of it out on track or does it feel nimble enough?

[JamieRS250]

They do hide their weight well but you do feel it on the slower stuff.

I'd love to be able to take 300kgs out the car but that'll ruin it for the road

[cerb4.5lee]

JamieRS250 said:

They do hide their weight well but you do feel it on the slower stuff.

I'd love to be able to take 300kgs out the car but that'll ruin it for the road

I found that with mine and it felt heavy when driven normally, but it hid its weight really well when you were pushing on.

I bet that it is properly enjoyable to wring out when you are on a track for sure.

I really fancy another one to run as a second car and they look great to my eyes, and I also love the OEM 18" wheel and you don't see many with them on because most go for the 19" wheel.


Enjoy it.

[JamieRS250]

Forgot to add this in

Video from my first tracknight in the car, totally different to drive after all those years in the FWD Megane.

https://youtu.be/PDT9Wq_LFfI

[Col 666]

That looks great, I used to admire your Megane when driving past the stadium!

[JamieRS250]

Haha cheers!

Sounds almost stalkerish, Just clicked on who you are as well! Got some mega shots of the Megane on track, hopefully get some of this at some point

[SiT]

Looks a lovely example, paint condition looks great in those close ups! Really big fan of Silverstone Blue and think the contrast with the carbon and dark wheels looks class.

These are starting to look really timeless, the other day an E92 came up behind me and in the rear view mirror the road presence was incredible, you don’t fully realise quite how wide that front track is!

Seems a great move from the Megane, I am sure you will get as much enjoyment from it - keep the thread updated.

Si

[DaveyBoyWonder]

Thats a lovely looking thing. Understated. Reckon the wheels would look great in silver.

[Rod200SX]

rev-erend said:

Great summary.

Do you have any close up pics of the rear carbon rear lip. Also idea of cost, ease of fitting etc..

I have a E93 vert and it looks kinda naked without any form of spoiler.

E93 has a different bootlid in the non-M models, assume it will be the same for an M.

Also, fancy meeting you here, Jamie

[Petevxl]

Mon the Pars

M3 is cracking.

[trails]

Love these on those OE 18s...looks just right.

That front splitter looks to be a brave choice though, best of luck with it

[Scuba_steve]

Another local, 'mon the pars!

The car looks ace mate, I was at the sunny track night, was looking to see myself on the pit wall

The splitter looks amazing, I'd be so worried about pulling it off over the crap roads round here.

[Leon R]

Very nice, I love how different silverstone looks in the different lighting conditions.

[scottos]

That looks awesome and great choice of mods. I've never had the balls to get one but do hope i do one day!

[JamieRS250]

Lot more locals than I expected haha


Desperate to get this back out and get a few bits done to it

[JamieRS250]

Car now has Solid Subframe and Diff bushes. Diff is maybe not the best for a road car as they do whine but the full interior dampens it and I quite like it if I'm honest. Also fitted a Coolerworx shifter with a custom Knob from ZPO.

20200824_130505 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr


Done some of the NC500 last week with some mates, Thread to follow


20200917_155510 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr

[MarkM3Evoplus]

Two great sounding V8's!!