BMW M3 (E92) ADVICE PLEASE

[toughster]

Ok not sure if I should be asking this question on a GOlf forum, but most guys on here are really helpful and seems we have lots of knowledge on this website, not just about Golfs!

So any way looks like I'm going to get rid of the GTI after winter and I've decided to go for the M3 (E92). The prices are now at my level and I've already seen some really tidy examples at just below £30k. 

Has anyone got any experience of the car?  What is BMW's version of DSG like? Don't think I could go back to a manual! Are there any decent M3 forums around? Tried looking but just can't seem to find another forum as good as this!
 

[dan930]

Ok not sure if I should be asking this question on a GOlf forum, but most guys on here are really helpful and seems we have lots of knowledge on this website, not just about Golfs!

So any way looks like I'm going to get rid of the GTI after winter and I've decided to go for the M3 (E92). The prices are now at my level and I've already seen some really tidy examples at just below £30k. 

Has anyone got any experience of the car?  What is BMW's version of DSG like? Don't think I could go back to a manual! Are there any decent M3 forums around? Tried looking but just can't seem to find another forum as good as this!
 

Try m3cutters mate..I use to be on this forum when I had a e46m3...there's a e92 section

[MAT ED30]

I was shocked to see you get the new m3 now for around 18k up with around 70k on the clock

[Poverty]

Stage 2 plus ed30 is still quicker. Nice looking car though, bit thirsty, but good value 2nd hand.

[dan930]

Strap a supercharger to it & you b seeing around 600bhp

[d0mokun]

E92's are lovely cars. I wanted to go up to one after my Z4M. There's something totally involving about the M cars, though from my experience they are pretty much hands-on all of the time: regardless of whether you want them to be or not. My Z4M was a often a handful in the wet (slightly sideways on almost every roundabout, weee), and I heard the same from a pal with an E92. Still, V8 ftw. I guess they could just be driven carefully, but then what's the fun in having an M with all that power?

From what I read and heard during my time around the M crowd, opinion seems as divided about the DCT as it is regarding DSG on VAG cars. I guess it's a case of trying both to be certain as to what you're after!

Best
Dan.

[tony_danza]

DCT is fantastic, it's the same 'box as the 458 (and a few others).

Very placid in day to day mode, an animal in M/race mode. Doesn't auto up shift, blips the throttle coming down, no lame torque feeding for smoothness - it slams you in the back. The best auto I've used.

They're quite Jekyll and Hyde, people drive them and think they lack drama, they do if you haven't taken the time to fully set up M-mode to balls out attack. This also means they're a realistic daily, my friend ran his all through that really bad snow a few years back with nothing more than decent winter tyres.

Sure stage 43 mapped stuff may have it in a straight line, but so what? They don't have that glorious high revving V8, they don't have the precision handling and they don't have that glorious high revving V8   

Faults? I hear mechanically excellent, not that bad come service time but deffo needs more exhaust note... C63 AMG shows how it should be! They are thirsty, even with DCT's Eco mode, expect mid 20s at best.

[andrewparker]

Faults? I hear mechanically excellent, not that bad come service time...

A guy at work has done 107,000 fault free miles in his. Says it has been superb.

[TIGER-UPPERCUT]

Hopefully my next motor when I get a garage!

They look well in white with the CSL type wheels.

Although the 335i M Sport maybe a more economical alternative, both stonking cars in my opinion and great value now.

[tony_danza]

In much the same way as my 135i will never be a 1M - despite having most of its bits retro-fitted, a 335i is nowhere near an M3. But both as you say are great cars for a lot less money 

They are pretty much built from a bare shell with all M specific parts, you look underneath and they're completely bespoke. That's where your money goes, and that's why they drive so differently.

I had a blast in my mate's around the Ring on Monday, it laughs at mine, and mine's a well set up car. The way it handles and puts power down is astonishing.

[MPS]

I saw and heard an E92 V8 pull off a petrol station forecourt the other day, one of the nicest V8s I've ever had the pleasure of listening to! 

[TIGER-UPPERCUT]

Hi Tony,

Ive been in the M3 but not on track just on the road.  I remember reading Birds to an upgrade package for the 335i including a LSD which takes above 400BHP and makes it an M3 beater.  But as you say I guess the M3 is a totally different car wider track etc....

Ever since the V8 RS4 came out Ive wanted to own a V8 for the sound, when the BMW came out I just wanted one as I had a E46 M3 and loved it.

Good review from Chris Harris for Autocar of the M3, he takes it on the Ring as well...looks scary in the wet!

Part 1 -

Part 2 -

[tony_danza]

Tis true, the Birds cars are very good - but by the time you've loaded on all their kit, LSD and M3 suspension components... how much has been spent? A very decent prospect a while back, but with M3 prices looking keen, it's now not that simple as the gap has narrowed.

135i's are a bit different, in that they start around £17k and a 1M is still in the £38ks. £3-4ks of mods and you're very close for half the price!

Monkey's got some stones doing that speed in that weather.  

[graeme]

servicing for the 92 m3 is not cheap i would look into the prices of brake discs etc . but if that does not worry you then they are great cars 2 drive and sound beautiful . 

[gti yorks]

Ok not sure if I should be asking this question on a GOlf forum, but most guys on here are really helpful and seems we have lots of knowledge on this website, not just about Golfs!

So any way looks like I'm going to get rid of the GTI after winter and I've decided to go for the M3 (E92). The prices are now at my level and I've already seen some really tidy examples at just below £30k. 

Has anyone got any experience of the car?  What is BMW's version of DSG like? Don't think I could go back to a manual! Are there any decent M3 forums around? Tried looking but just can't seem to find another forum as good as this!
 

Great choice, i would have loved one of these when I was changing to BMW, I do too many miles so opted for a 330d. As for forums, try e90post.com there is a very good and busy uk section