My life as of late...an ode to my beloved M3

"Too many M's" (toomanyms) 10/22/2015 at 12:33 • Filed to: None

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Well it has certainly been a while since I posted anything here. Many many MANY automotive changes for me.

As my SN alludes to I have owned a few M-cars. My most beloved was my Phoenix Yellow E46 M3. I spent two years looking for the car I eventually found. My criteria was: 6-spd manual, slicktop, Phoenix Yellow or Laguna Seca Blue, M-cloth or Black Leather. I already had an E36 M3 for a dedicated track toy so this was going to be the more street friendly DD machine.

I looked high and low, generally being disappointed by some problem or unwanted feature on the potential candidate. The most common of course being the hated SMG or a weight-adding sunroof. This might seem silly, but I live overseas and limited my search to US models that I could import when it came time for me to move back.

My difficult search hit a high-point on a snow filled February day in 2012 when a local dealer listed a freshly traded car on the local Craiglist-style website. It seemed perfect in the pictures so I immediately braved the snowfall and drove the 35 minutes to the dealer.

When I arrived I knew the car was perfect. Specs: Phoenix Yellow, Slicktop, 6-speed manual, manual black leather seats and Xenon headlights. That’s it, very basic and very clean car. It also already had most of the modifications I had planned on doing and was a great base to start with. I was a bit let down the on the first visit since it wore MPSS rubber and there was six inches of snow on the ground. I immediately placed a deposit and waited for the snow to melt slightly so I could take it for the necessary test drive. I only had to wait a few days before that happened then I rushed up again to try out the car I had waited so long for.

In short, it was amazing. I had test driven many E46s to this point and this car blew me away with how it drove, sounded, and reacted to my inputs. It was THE one.

Before I finalized the purchase I had it put through a thorough PPI and it came back clean as a whistle. Included (a rare thing) from the dealer was a huge stack of receipts and paperwork for maintenance and modifications done to the car. The previous owners had taken meticulous care of it.

I took delivery shortly after and had a blissful ownership experience. My E36 M3 was starting to show its age and was requiring more maintenance that I was growing tired of, finally ending up with a cracked head on the old S52. With these problems the new-to-me E46 was taking up the DD and track duty slack. The switch in priorities for it prompted me to buy an E90 M3 for DD and baby slinging duty, a great machine for the job.

The E46 was a dream to drive on the track. It gave perfect feedback, heel-toeing was magical, I could point the car to every apex and it was nearly telepathic to my inputs. I had completed over 200 laps of the Nordschleife with it and we were a dialed in team. In short, I loved this car.

Near the beginning of the track season this year (as I had done many times before) I took it to a shakedown session at the Hockenheimring to see how the car was doing and to shake off the winter rust on my driving talent. The previous two weekends there were very successful and I expected more of the same.

But it was a cool day and when I was 10 minutes into the 15 minute track session....I ran out of talent. I spun out of a turn and hit the tirewall backwards at around 70 MPH. Not a good day. It was quite obvious the car was going to be totaled out. I was devastated when the report came back. I had plans of taking the heart out of it and into something else but I couldn’t do it. I destroyed my perfect forever car and I didn’t want to be reminded of my brief shortcomings as a driver.

I still miss the car even after replacing with a M4. The new car is amazing and quick as hell on the track, but the driving experience is a little too video-gamey for me and lacks the driving feel of the old E46. I am on the lookout again for “the one”.

RallyWrench > Too many M's 10/22/2015 at 12:45

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Shame about the E46, but at least you enjoyed it properly. Quite a nice list of M cars you’ve been through, good luck finding the next gem.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Too many M's 10/22/2015 at 12:50

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Nice write up. Sorry to hear about the e46 tho. The e46 is still easily one of my favorite cars. I want a 318i or 320i as my first car

Sam > Too many M's 10/22/2015 at 13:11

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Damn, that was a nice E46.

Azrek > Too many M's 10/22/2015 at 13:15

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Get you a nice low milage E92 and get your daily dose of V8 every day!

Too many M's > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 10/22/2015 at 13:25

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Thanks. I found a decent driver example E46 to bang around in until I find the right one. This one is SMG and reaffirms that while the tech is cool I have no real interest in owning one forever.

My first BMW was an E30 318, great car to learn RWD in the snow. :D

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Too many M's 10/22/2015 at 13:32

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E30 hnggg... if I could only find a decent example that hasn’t been modified or beaten to hell. Or expensive for that matter. Is the smg really as bad as everyone says?

Too many M's > RallyWrench 10/22/2015 at 13:39

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Thanks, I like to keep the collection full of M power. :)

Too many M's > Azrek 10/22/2015 at 13:44

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I’m on my second E90M, I do want to find a nice stripper E92 though. No second hump and CF roof.

Too many M's > Sam 10/22/2015 at 13:44

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Yup, the damn unicorn.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Too many M's 10/22/2015 at 13:47

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Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo...

AfromanGTO > Too many M's 10/22/2015 at 13:48

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Sorry about loosing your E46 M3. My first GTO was totaled and I waited 3 years before I found one that I had exactly what I wanted. Impulse blue metallic in color with a black interior and 6 speed manual. Just wait and you’ll find one that is truly special again for you.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Too many M's 10/22/2015 at 13:49

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There’s a stripper slicktop cloth-seated E90 manual ZCP for sale not far for me. I want to swap mine out with it so badly...

Azrek > Too many M's 10/22/2015 at 13:49

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E92 is perfect for daily driving and the occasional track day. That M button will eat some gas like a fat man at Golden Corral though.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Too many M's 10/22/2015 at 13:54

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I’m so sad about the PY E46 M3 :(... I saw one on Saturday just like yours.... slick top, MPSS tires, same wheels, black interior.

It’s gorgeous your E36 M3. My ‘95 E36 M3 is yellow and features the S50B30us (a 3.0L based on the M50B25, completely different from the S50B30 in the Euro cars, and those 45 Canadian ‘94 M3s) and a few light mods. I love the damn thing.

Is your E36 M3 a euro car? If yes, it has a S50B32 or a S50B30 motor, not a S52... The S52B32 is the US-spec 96-99 M3 engine. Pictures of the engine bay?

Too many M's > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 10/22/2015 at 13:58

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They are quickly becoming a classic collector. It’s time to look overseas, I can find 325i Tourings for a few grand these days.

SMG certainly has a place and I respect the tech. An endurance racing team would certainly benefit, less chance of a mis-shift in the middle of the night after driving full tilt for hours. If I had more of a stop and go type commute I would appreciate it more. But for me, I have a 20 min drive to work mostly on twisty back roads and part on empty autobahn. Doesn't meet my needs. At low speeds it is pretty jerky if you aren't gentle with it. Think of it as driving a manual without a clutch pedal. From a stop you still need to feather the throttle while clutch is applied. Fun for a bit but not my cup of tea.

Too many M's > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 10/22/2015 at 14:00

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I know :( so many sads that say

:(((((

Too many M's > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 10/22/2015 at 14:01

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Do eeeeeeet!!

Too many M's > Azrek 10/22/2015 at 14:03

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Funny enough when driving angry the M4 eats more gas at the track than the E90 does. Those turbos are thirsty.

Highway cruising is where it can shine. Cruising at 100mph I avg 16-18mpg or so with the E90M and can get a flat 21mpg in the M4 at the same speed.

Azrek > Too many M's 10/22/2015 at 14:06

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I’d love to see the numbers on this. I swear I can see my gas meter go down when I hit the M button and really get on it. My 1971 Mach 1 Mustang did that too.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Too many M's 10/22/2015 at 14:07

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I’m afraid the missus gets a new ride before I can think about doing anything like that. It is perfect, though. The one to keep for the long haul.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Too many M's 10/22/2015 at 14:07

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Many sads were had.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Too many M's 10/22/2015 at 14:08

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Well, I’m overseas, in Germany like you. And yes, you can still find a grandpa kept e30 for less than 5 grand. Chrome bumper models are already collectors items. I should really buy one now but I just don’t have a parking space:/ I think that I’ll just get an E46 tho.

Too many M's > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 10/22/2015 at 14:12

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Yes I am still bummed about the E46 :( I’ll find another it’s equal someday.

The E36M was a US model 1999 MY with the S52B32US and 5-speed manual. It was a lovely car! But it was breaking more often than being on the track so it was time to let it go.

Is yours Dakar Yellow? I love that color! I have thought about buying another E36M and doing a supercharger but with two little ones my wrenching time is greatly reduced :D

Too many M's > Azrek 10/22/2015 at 14:23

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I do know that in my E90 I can get four laps around the Nordschleife before the light comes on, around an 8:30 pace. In the M4 I can do three before I hit the same threshold, I can usually eek out a fourth but it's a nail biter.

Too many M's > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 10/22/2015 at 14:24

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Repaint her car and put a Roundel on it. Problem solved :D

RPM esq. > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 10/22/2015 at 14:24

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Too many M’s gave you a great response, but as another SMG E46 M3 owner I also wanted to weigh in (mostly to second his description of how it feels to drive). The short answer is, no, it’s not bad, but it definitely takes some getting used to. I’ve never actually heard from anyone who’s driven it more than once that it’s unbearable, just that some people (quite understandably) prefer putting in the clutch themselves. I think a lot of criticism comes from people who drive one expecting it to feel like an automatic, and it’s frankly not a very good automatic—because it’s too much like a manual. But if you shift it yourself 9/10 of the time, and let it do its thing when you’re in traffic, or a parking garage, or just feel like cruising, it’s pretty good.

First off, I live in a city and DD mine most of the year, so a fair amount of my driving is stoplight-to-stoplight and rush hour highway traffic. The rest of my driving is weekend trips on open highways and twisty mountain roads; with a too-rare track run squeezed in. I find that the SMG meets my needs pretty well. There are times I’d rather have a true manual, but most of the time I’m happy with the SMG, and overall it was the right choice. It shifts as fast and aggressively as you could possibly want it to, when you want it to, but can also make the car a lot more leisurely in traffic. And frankly, I’m not too proud of my driving abilities to admit that I’m happy to have some insurance against money-shifting at the track or in the mountains. You really do have to learn how it “likes” to be driven, though—you have to get your throttle inputs right at low speeds or it can be jerky.

Too many M's > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 10/22/2015 at 14:26

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I’m pretty sure my oldest boy was just as devastated. He’d look at the empty spot in the garage and ask “daddy vuv vuv?”

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Too many M's 10/22/2015 at 14:31

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Yes, Dakar! I had a 97 M3 2dr before that

RPM esq. > Too many M's 10/22/2015 at 14:33

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Sorry to hear of your E46’s demise. My E46 M3 had a close call a couple years ago that my insurance company thankfully ponied up for even as the bills mounted...may have saved me/it that the claims guy who came out to look at the damage was a weekend racer. Quick question about your E90 if you don’t mind my asking, as I’m considering getting one: how does it do in the wet (or snow)? More or less composed than the E46?

Thanks, and congratulations on the excellent collection of M-POWERRR.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > RPM esq. 10/22/2015 at 14:37

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Always great to hear first hand information from owners and not just the usual dicks on the internet.

gin-san - shitpost specialist > Too many M's 10/22/2015 at 15:00

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I love that bump in the hood of the E90. It’s just bulging with power.

The E46 story was heartbreaking - it really did look like the perfect example of that generation (although the colour is not to my taste).

Still, I think you’d have a much better chance of finding a good example in Germany that you would over here in Canada/US. I hope you find another soon!

Too many M's > RPM esq. 10/22/2015 at 15:04

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My first E90 was a higher mileage car that had been driven year round by the first owner and I continued that. If you have proper tires I think there is no problem with taking the car in rain and snow. I had MPSS’s for summer and zblizzaks in winter and never had a problem in fresh or packed snow. DSC was a hindrance in snow so I usually disabled it. Rain was not a problem with either the summer or winter tires,

As far as composure, stock vs stock the E9x platform wins in every category save for MPG. A tuned E46 can give it a run for its money on the track though. I chased down many tuned E9x’s at the Ring in my E46 simply because it was more nimble. In the end it really depends on what you want the car for. I want to keep one of the gens in my stake because they can complement each other so well and are different enough so as to not encroach on the others turf.

Too many M's > gin-san - shitpost specialist 10/22/2015 at 15:21

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Thanks! I do like the bulge on the E90 better than the F82, maybe because I known it’s there because the engine is THAT big and not because BMW wanted to keep the design feature.

It certainly was a love/hate color, but I certainly made it easier finding it in perking lots or the pages and pages of Nürburgring track photos :D

I can find quite a few Euro models, the only bummer for me is I would have to sell it when I eventually move back stateside, I suppose I could import it under the racing guise but I’d rather not do all the work to find one and acquire only to lose out due to a paperwork or administrative issue.

gin-san - shitpost specialist > Too many M's 10/22/2015 at 15:27

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I see, I thought you were living in Germany permanently; it’s more hassle than its worth then, especially since you have those two to keep you company. Maybe when you're closer to moving back, it could be a good opportunity to look for something interesting that meets the 25 year import rule (or you can move to Canada where we have the 15 year rule).

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Too many M's 10/22/2015 at 15:31

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hahaha

She gives me trouble all the time for driving a BMW (especially when someone driving one has been an idiot on her commute)...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Too many M's 10/22/2015 at 15:32

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That’s probably the saddest thing I’ve read today.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Azrek 10/22/2015 at 15:34

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It’s more fun to get into the throttle after you hit the button, so you do.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Too many M's 10/22/2015 at 15:36

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So jealous of that first sentence... How much faster are you in the M4? Do the two have the same fuel capacity? Planning to have an M2 as well some day?

Too many M's > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 10/23/2015 at 01:26

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Yeah, that’s the other bummer to this story. It was the first fun car he got to experience.

Too many M's > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 10/23/2015 at 02:45

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Stock M4 vs the stock E90M is a total wash. I could hit 8:30s no problem, although the M4 was a lot more floaty on bumps and turns and slightly shifty under braking. But, the brakes (even stock vs track pads on the E90) are an AMAZING improvement. It was fast but the unsettled feel in the stock EDC suspension was not confidence inspiring. I could go fast but there was an unsettled feel under braking and through sweeping corners even in Sport and Sport+. A big part of it was the electric power steering I think, there just wasn’t any feedback that I could feel through my fingertips. In that respect the E90 w/EDC felt much better.

Stock M4 vs the tuned E46...I was faster in the E46. It could be the seat time I had in the old car but I could sling that thing around without issue. The M4 could match the times I had but I was working harder at it.

The only mods I’ve done to the M4 so far is the KW Height Adjustable Springs kit so I could dial-in the height and retain EDC and a pair of Recaro seats...for the kids. :) But, that one suspension mod alone (to me) drastically changed the feel of the car on the track. In every area where the car was previously unsettled washed away and my lap times just melted away. I’ll be honest, I was seriously thinking about getting rid of the car before I did this. But now, with some stickier rubber I think I’ll be hanging and/or passing new GT3s (non-RS).

I was planning on the M2 if I still had the E46 to add to the collection. I never planned on buying the F8x M3/M4 generation car. I might add the rumored M2 CSL to the stable when they finally announce it but I’ll pass on the standard M2 for now. The resale right now on the M4 would take me to the cleaners value-wise...haha

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Too many M's 10/23/2015 at 07:23

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Better to have loved and lost...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Too many M's 10/23/2015 at 07:26

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Thanks for all the insight! Hope I get to know my car as well as you know yours some day. Heading off for a driving tour of the Ozarks this weekend.

Too many M's > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 10/23/2015 at 07:36

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LOL....true...true.

Too many M's > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 10/23/2015 at 08:48

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Sounds like a blast! Have fun!

All it takes is seat time. I try to plan some sort of driving even at least once a month. Next year I hope to get into some instruction and maybe even go for a racing license. If I can speak enough German :P

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Too many M's 10/23/2015 at 09:15

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Thanks. Planned route Saturday morning below. Fall colors should be pretty much at peak, too.

Getting into real racing would be incredible!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Too many M's 10/23/2015 at 11:48

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Do you think a BBK (from StopTech, perhaps) would offer the same braking force that the M4 has? I know the single piston design of the E90 has always been viewed as a weak point.

Do you have any modifications at all on your E90? Do you have any planned?

Too many M's > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 10/23/2015 at 16:20

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I don’t have anything significant on this E90 besides Motul 600 fluid and change to a local compound similar to the Pagid RS29 when I track it. Other than that I use stock pads. If I were to upgrade I’d go crazy and run some 17” ARC-8s, 275/40/17s are super cheap. You can run the 355mm ST -40 kit with those

If you go with a Stoptech BBK you’ll get repeatable performance that the M4 delivers. Depending on the pad compound you’ll get improved initial bite.

A lot of the Ring rental companies run stock calipers, PFC 2-piece rotors and an endurance pad. That's a popular budget setup for some of the locals as well.

E92M3 > Too many M's 10/24/2015 at 08:46

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I have to agree here. After driving all of them, none feel as good on track as the E46. Even though the E9X/F8X post faster lap times, and are better DD’s.

Too many M's > E92M3 10/24/2015 at 08:58

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Definitely, even my track focused E36M paled in comparison to how well the E46 was.

Looking to get into one?

E92M3 > Too many M's 10/24/2015 at 09:05

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I miss mine. Would love to have another one, but don’t want to give up the E92 for it. If I could have both I would though. I need a bigger garage, and more money.

Too many M's > E92M3 10/24/2015 at 09:23

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I used to make the wife drive the E90 so I could justify keeping the E46 for myself, just enough garage space for that...since the auto shuffle (and me cleaning way too much kid grime out of the back) it’s no longer her DD, bought a Sportwagen TDI just before Dieselgate that is forced to sit outside so the Ms can stay warm.

Too many M's > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 10/26/2015 at 04:10

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Do eeeeet. You can rent some storage space, it’d be worth the eventual investment. (Probably not, I’m not a financial adviser.)

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Too many M's 10/26/2015 at 09:14

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Persuade my parents. I already failed. And the sad thing is that I had a E36 compact from my grandpa for a week after he passed away. But I was forced to sell because I was only 15:(

Too many M's > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 10/26/2015 at 10:25

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Sorry about your grandfather and bummer about the car. You’ll find one soon enough, they built plenty of them. Just need to keep your eyes peeled.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Too many M's 10/26/2015 at 10:49

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First I need to get an apprenticeship but I’m sure that’s no problem. My grandfather’s e36 would’ve been perfect tho and I’m still kinda bitter after four years..

Too many M's > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 10/26/2015 at 11:10

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Yeah a 3xxti with a S54 swap would be sweet! :D

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Too many M's 10/26/2015 at 11:31

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M3 compact hnggn.. WANT

Too many M's > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 10/26/2015 at 13:17

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Frsrs..drift missile.