The I bought an E92 M3 thread..

MrKnifey

MrKnifey

MrKnifey

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Nelson, South Wales
Sorry for another spec me thread, but rather hear everyone else's ideas out on this as well.

I had a plan, the plan was to buy an E46 M3 for £10k or under, after posting in the BMW thread I was recommended to have a look at the 135i Coupe. 306hp with plenty of tuning potential, so that got me thinking, what else am I not thinking about?

I have a MAX budget of £10, ideally id like to spend closer to £8-9k as still have a MK2 Escort to finish

The plan is to go the Nurburgring in it so I want something which is not only fast but comfortable. It will not be my daily car.

It must :

Have 300hp+
RWD
Manual

Cars I have in mind so far :

E46 M3 (Always wanted one)
135i Coupe

100% Will not enterain 350/370z as cannot stand the look of them.

So fire away suggestions :D
 
[TW]Fox said:
335i. Struggling to understand what a 135i does better.
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The only issue I have with the 335i is that it looks like a 318. It doesnt look anything special. Same can be said for the 1 Series Coupe, but you dont see many of them to start with so it helps
 
Found an E46 M3, 88000 Miles, really good condition, £10250... Not a bad price that going off what others are up for!
 
Had a look at an E46 today, drove it. Really liked it, inside felt very dated for me (Thats saying something considering my daily is a van). It was quick, just not omg wow quick. Handling, all good, condition all good. Unfortunately it has no history of Rod Bearings, Boot Floor, Vanos, Headgasket issues being done/looked at. 100k+ Miles as well, I think the E46 M3 is not going to happen for me now.. £10k E46 is too much of a gamble, I may buy one and end up spending £4k+ on it! I ideally need £15k for a good example which I dont think I could part with for one. Im considering looking at the 88k Mile one on the weekend, but again no history with the common fault jobs and its got a 2 year gap in MOTs.

So that draws me to the E92 M3.

The rod bearing is the only issue which is obviously a big one, but after watching a video one I can do easily. (yes I know the E46 Rod Bearings are the same style, just the other issues dont help) I have found two I like, very similar in spec/age/mileage. I have time to view one of them this weekend, which one would you recommend?

https://www.pistonheads.com/classif...eries-e9x-m3--------------------2008/10283281 - My personal choice...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-M3-E...391970?hash=item2f3ba8f722:g:3DMAAOSwndFeE0Fu
 
Off to look at an E92 M3 today. Wish me luck, spent the last couple of days researching what to look out for. If I do buy, rod bearings will be done by myself sooner rather than later as well!
 
I went to look at and bought this one : https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-M3-E...=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

I was keen on the other I linked too, but had 8 previous owners and the last 3 in very short succession didn't help, plus I prefer the black interior of this one.

It is a very clean car, good tyres all round, owner made all the right noises as well, letting the cold start finish before moving it, letting it get right up-to temp before giving it beans. It has FSH, Oil Lab done on the oil recently, which I will do again when we service it so I can compare results. It has had the exhaust rear box mod done, which when in the car is not really noticeable, it is very quite and refined.

The icing on the cake for me was I bought it from North Wales, so living in South Wales I got to drive some amazing roads on the way back so managed to have some fun, until it was raining. One thing I can say it is TIGHT, steering, while heavy gives you so much feed back, the brakes, very responsive and sharp when needed Suspension was spot on, even in the rain I never experienced under-steer once. Power delivery is smooth, it just pulls and pulls! I only really took it to 8000RPM a handful of times as as it had enough power way before that to enjoy the roads I was on. I pressed the M button once which sharpens up throttle response and the setting for the traction control is one setting down, it stepped out a bit too much for my liking in the damp and with a new car so turned it back off! (LOL). The one thing I have to thank BMW for is traction control, as it did save me a few times, it lets you have enough fun before it kicks in so very enjoyable. I used a touch over half a tank of Shell V-Power to 173 Miles. Not too bad considering there was no Motorway/Dual Carriageway cruising

So glad I went for the E92 M3 over the E46, while I really really want an E46, my budget says otherwise. Plans next are to use it when I can. Then I want to goto the Nurburgring, ill have to check when its open etc but Feb time would be ideal. Being as im also a sado, im going on my own (awww :p)

Pics to follow
 
Simon said:
Proper car.

smaller lighter cars etc are fun for sure but the engine in the E92 is a masterpiece and yet when driven normally they are extremely comfortable and ride well. My s2000 is sorn cause I never drive it now. Too rattly, bumpy and slow.
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Thats the thing, im sure there are loads of less powerful cars out there which are just as fun. But I had a drive down a dual A road at 70mph.. its just nice.
 
Havana_UK said:
The ring doesn't normally open for Touristenfahrten until March owing to the typical weather conditions.
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Thanks for that info, the plan was to start sorting something out after I bought a car, looks like I have to wait a little longer. All good :D
 
I would absolutely love an E46 M3, but I think id honestly be a little disappointed and on constant edge.

First "mod" planned, installing an Autowatch Ghost 2 Immobiliser on Wednesday (im an installer luckily)
 
Autowatch Ghost installed! One more thing to stop any would be thieves!

Also had a weird ticking noise coming from the rear, turns out it was a heat shield slightly adrift (wasnt there before??) Moved it slightly all good! :D
 
I watched the Evolve videos yesterday actually, I think im going to go for the primary cat deletes soon, with stock exhaust then go from there. The intake plenum is amazing, especially the sound, but £1700 with no power increase.. thats strong for me :/
 
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