BMW E92 M3 - Is It Really The Last True M3? 

To me the E92 M3 is possibly the best looking BMW of the last 20 years, close with the Z4m coupé.

2007 to 2011 really was the best time for sports saloon enthusiasts. At the lower-end of the market you got V8-powered E9x M3, C63 with its nuclear bomb of an engine and RS4 and RS5 with that R8 V8 engine. On the mid market we got V10 M5 E60 (with whatever nuclear problems it had but let's pretend it's not a problem), E63 with its 6.2 V8 and later the bombastic 5.5 V8 biturbo, and V10 biturbo RS6 plus the VXR8 Bathurst S. And let's not forget the S63 and S65 basically sharing the big supersaloon throne only with the Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed. It was a great time.

You are carrying the passion, while aimed slightly different, of the late Alain de Cadenet. R.I.P. 1945-2022

I have the E90 and it's awesome, the best car for the money, the perfect family car. Never had an issue with mine and it's done 120,000 miles.

The E92 M3 and the E36 M3 IMHO are both future classics and two of the best models in the M3’s history. The E30 and E46 round out the other 2 “real” M3’s for me.

Great review Jack. I've daily driven a manual E92 Monte Carlo M3 for 13 years and 125k miles and it's a keeper. Especially in the new techno mad, hybrid EV future.

For those saying the 'reverse lights are coming on when braking - @ 1:46 ' ...they are not - As an E92 M3 owner for 11 years now, - that's supposed to happen - part of the BFD (Brake Force Display function when braking very heavily. Watch the brake lights on the rear quarters activate first, then those activate under very heavy braking. It's in the owners manual, but plenty of questions about it on the net and owners forums.

I think the E92's shape is just perfect.

be it in video games or real life, the exhaust note of this thing is unmistakable

Doesn't matter if you have the fastest 335i in the world, the M3 4.0 V8 in manual or DCT is truly special and is a perfect example of everything enjoyable about a driving.

I do love my E92 M3. Fantastic motor and really quite a usable car.

Yet another reivew praising this amazing car! Prices in the USA are increasing on manual E92 M3's and the driving enthusiasts are taking notice of this front V8 engine RWD timepiece. Another car we adore today that will simply be a - "I told myself I should have bought it when they were less than $50K USD."

Love my E92. Yes, it's a pain in the ass sometimes, idiosyncratic and not great for the wallet, but the chassis and steering is absolutely nailed on and nothing drives or sounds like it.

So cool to see that back then this car was still available with a manual. Nowadays the top engine variants always come with a bloody automatic transmission.

I had the ‘cooking’ 320 version of the E92 coupe - it was a lovely, lovely car. Graphite grey with a coral red leather interior. I really liked this era of BMWs - just before they got ugly and over complicated. The build quality was utterly superb.

Number 27, I loved this video so much, I had to hit the like button!

59mph never sounded so good!

I've had a 2013 E92 for 5 years now. One of the very last ones produced, one previous owner who ticked pretty much every option. I originally wanted a manual but ended up with DCT and haven't regretted it for a single second. Before that I was in a B7 RS4 for 8 years and absolutely loved it. Just the perfect blend of practicality and performance for our Cornish roads. But eventually I had to scratch the M3 itch! Fortunately for me, neither car has so far suffered any of the common problems you read and hear about. They are very different animals for obvious reasons but I'd love to be able to afford to run one of each.

I love mine - I've had it for coming up to 6 years, and - all being well - never plan on selling it. Supercharging it made it even more special 😄

Proper car, gorgeous engine and none of that Auto/DCT/SMG gearbox nonsense.

A naturally aspirated V8 with a manual gearbox, so the answer is YES!

People wrongly claimed the S54 in the E46 wasn't as high as 340hp What actually happens is that people put 95ron fuel in them, the ECU retards timing as it's crap, then eventually holds the settings regardless as to what fuel you put in. Reset the adaptations and ONLY run it on super. I bet they'll happily make the standard HP then

Great review Jack. I also own a 57 plate manual E92 M3 with EDC. Have had it 9 months and love it, especially that mega V8. I did consider a C63 AMG which is a real muscle car but felt the E92 M3 was more of a drivers car and the RS4 is certainly desirable but all the weight up the front tends to mean too much understeer.

You captured the sound of this perfectly at the start 👌😮‍💨 I’ve always lusted over one of these

I always yearned for an M3.... just fantastic cars, cracking stuff as always jack buddy 👏

Great review as always. It certainly didn’t sound like that when I recorded one for a video game in Munich back in 2007.

Lovely. I have been daily driving an E92 for the last twelve years and hope to keep it for a good while to come.

I was at Nick's Pizzeria in West Houston. I met this Major Dude with an M5 V-10, with a freaking Heads Up projection display on the Windshield. He invites me in, & fires HIS BEAST UP. We both are talking enthusiastically about his wonder of automotive technocracy. I HAD TO ASK, "What is the Miles Per Gallon ?" He says, "11mpg, and yeah, you can actually see the needle move." 😮 Seriously, I am happy for guys like him and guys that own AMG, V-8, Bi-Turbos. But DEFINITELY too rich for me. I also enjoy the rarefied presentations of Iain Tyrrell on YT. WOW !

As a former owner, Jack - well summed up. Their fuel consumption is absolutely ruinous if you drive them in their power band. And if you don't they really have a bit of that Honda S2000 no torque sensation. They are heavy, the steering is a bit dead and the brakes are rubbish. Oh, and the gearchange is ponderous. On the right day on the right road they are brilliant but most days...

Thank you for this video! Very interesting car and history.

01:46 The reverse lights are coming on with the brake lights. Best let the owner know Jack.

I got to drive a few of these when I used to sell cars in Johannesburg, I found the DCT gearbox the better one to use, that engine and gearbox were such a perfect pairing!

You mention the Lexus IS-F, I’ve had two and considered the M3 before buying my first. The video on YT of an M3 blowing up racing a white IS-F sealed the deal for me. The M3 is the better drivers car but the IS-F will do 200k to 300k with no issues without opening up the engine.

That was me struggling uphill on the bicycle ! I do follow your reviews (& like that road), especially when there's an Alfa

My favourite M3 probably. Melbourne red E90 with black interior, flat dashboard and a sunroof. Who are they kidding with a carbon fibre roof on a 1.7 ton car. It’s all about induction noise, and working the engine with the 6 speed. Great review!

Great review, and had one in black and manual in 2008 to 2010, only reason sold it was putting 30K miles a year on it sound great and went really well.

Wow, that sound brings a tear to my eyes 😊

Excellent review

Great review as always. You mentioned the bearings etc. the merc amg63s we get through the auction room at about 100,000km the camshafts wear and in some cases the lobes are round. Again its spot on re warming up before giving them a squirt

Jack great video, let me know if you want a drive in my E46 M3 - Anytime Sir!

Nice one. Thank you No.27

Love these still! Had one when they were current with the extortionate M-Performance exhaust that sounded absolutely fantastic🎉

Maybe your best review - technically and emotionally ❤️

I have the e93 with some light mods (KW springs, engine and dct tune) and yes the engine is sublime (cat delete too). With the roof coming down it does add 200kg!!! But I consider it a GT, so I’m fine with that

Enjoyed that. Nice looking car...

Absolute cracking review mate, always a bit dubios watching these, as it's one car im truly obsessed with! I tend to get annoyed when people talk c@#p or mis-quote information. But a bloody cracking review.

I sold my E92 M3 after 5 years of ownership last November and replaced the car with a 20 Reg M2 Comp. Absolutely thrilled to bits with the M2 but I'm not going to lie Jack, your video made me miss that S65 so much! 🥲

Thanks Jack for the great review. It reminded me so much of my beloved 2005 330i-MSport 6-speed. I didn't have the same power but the driving experience was very similar if you drove it assertively. I miss the car so much and I should never have sold it. Car guys just have to move on to the next one I guess [like you] .

Absolutely love the e92. Have an e92 335i myself, it’s a forever car, would love to compliment it with a M3 one day

I have a supercharged E90 M3 and the supercharger really gives it what it was missing. Still feels stock down low in the rpm range but gets going when you want it to. Great car for sure

I had one and wish I kept it. It was an amazing car. Best M3 for me, hands down.

I had an E92 M3, sold it to fund my youngest’s karting habit. Brilliant cars,I’ll have another at some point. Mine was a high mile daily and I loved it to bits, felt special every time you got in it it also showed 428hp with induction and exhaust mods on the dyno (all dynos are different I know) even with 165k on it. Much as the C63 is a nice car with a great engine it’s nowhere near as special. To address the rod bearing stuff,I had the originals changed at 160k ish and they didn’t need doing. A well looked after car rather than a low mileage thrashed one is the one to buy.

Best sounding M3 for sure, even better with the 2 pipe modification or in this case the aftermarket back boxes. Miss mine, E92 M3 with Competition package in Ruby black and individual full rust brown leather

M spec Beemers have always been top end power in my experience Jack. I've wanted almost every non turbo version (and got scammed on an E92 a couple of years ago). Look at Becky Evans' channel for more on one of these, she's got one. DCT is a set price swap out (done on telly). These cars were built to expensively fail. We've had 3 BMWs, no issues (ABS pump aside on our X5), but the way that I use cars, never another BMW again. A good one is great, poor ones make some of your projects look affordable!?). Alfa vs BMW? Alf and recovery for me please (I've had a couple 20+ years ago). Good work Jack.

That sound ❤

TY Jack! 🙏🙏

Sounds amazing

And I think the lack of torque is a good thing along with the linear power delivery, makes it very controllable

M3 was not meant to fight against the IS-F as the IS-F was never planned when the 07 Lexus IS was on the drawing board. The IS-F exist because engineers worked in the back and after they got the green light for production.

Once again, the conception of the air intake and the fact that it's a NA engine makes that the real power produced in real conditions (meaning with a massive 200+kph air flow) is in fact about 420hp.

One of the key benefits of M3, compared to working class models, is the limited-slip-differential. I have an E90 325i and you have to absolutely flick it in to corner to have some rotation despite it would got enough power.

Identical to mine :). The manuals are a bit lighter than the DSG's also, 1580kg, no lightweight but not especially heavy either, especially compared to modern cars.

Great looking cars! I had an E92 330d back in the day, but had to replace 6 wheels in less than 3 years due to cracks and buckles from potholes & the rears were £550 each! Not sure if the M3 wheels are as easily damaged, but avoid potholes!

Since the original M3 was powered by a 4cyl with a manual transmission exclusively and had minimal creature comforts isn't it the last true M3?

Had 2 over 8 years. Amazing cars, drive a giulia quadrifoglio now and despite being a quicker car I will always miss the screaming NA S65 V8 at 8300 rpm..nice road BTW. Harrys old haunt !

Sounds great!

Had a DCT one for 2 years. I’m a manual man but the DCT suits this engine better no doubt. Fuel costs were pretty horrific - a gentle motorway run would see 26MPG. 14 - 18MPG is the norm. Absolutely loved it and will probably have another once I have got an M2 Comp out of my system.

Great review, if you like the E92 M3 V8 but don’t like the cars weight you should try my 1M V8 it’s around 100kg lighter than the E92 M3 and with the shorter chassis it’s just a match made in heaven..

Oh I love this car!! I was a die hard fan of BMW!

Love manual cars

I’m an AMG guy. But I’ve been known to have a wandering eye. The M3, especially the E46, has always had the potential to be the other woman. Just brilliant cars. They appeal to my adventurous spirit. But the AMG has always satisfied my caveman brain and my American need for a big motor and crazy power. I may buy an M3 one day. Just a great looking car. 👍🏻

1:40 - Bullet Mustang soundtrack.

I owned the 335ci version and it was amazing… more torquey and useable than the M3 version and pretty much as fast.

Everyone dissing the dct, but the dct is just superior and is a match for the engine.

Never used to like this at the start but Chris Harris changed my mind

Competition White owner here 😎

You do like to kill that 2nd gear Jack!!! 😂

Nice review. For me the E46 is the best M3 overall closely followed by the E92. Still, i wouldn't swap my tuned S5 for either!

No insult but you looked scared there on the twisted road! Too much of a car Nice pull! Hey you had fun there! Me to! Love your videos!

I like the E92 M3, although my preference is for the older E46 M3. However, my bug bare is the the very poor quality BMW plastics and rubber components - which has also afflicted VW/AUDI and Mercedes of the same era. What a shame.

Are you testing in Harry's Metcalf bit of roads?

This and the RS4 v8’s are marvels, give me a big ole yank/Merc V8 for the road however.

Would have an ISF over one of these, any day of the week

The S65 is an incredible engine, yes it has its issues but my god the noise is incredible. Biggest issue with the E92 is the seating position which is just too high. It drove me up the wall in mine. Personally I think the E90 is way cooler and has much better rear arches. Don’t forget the Lexus IS-F as a competitor as well.

I’ve always thought that this looks like a properly designed coupe, unlike predecessors that looked like modded 2 door saloons. Personal taste thing I guess.

It's the only M3 I'd buy.

My brother has a 2016 M4 competition, this thing is a rocket, any you guys been in one ? Of memory it has a 3.0L twin turbo 6

2:20... makes me nostalgic for a time when the automakers INCREASED engine size and added cylinders to compete... now everyone just has to shut up and accept a POS 1 liter turbo grenade.... SMH.

Noughties M Power / M Sport models manual Blue Chip Buys

Sorry Jack, did you mean the issues with throttle actuators or VANOS VVT actuators on this engine?

According to Ben Collins, its also the first!

Could some of the engine failures be attributed to people replacing rod bearings "one size fits all" without measuring the journals and, often, using ARP rod studs instead of OEM bolts without accounting for how studs ovalise the big ends unless it's line honed? Would these engines survive just fine if they didn't do anything to them? But then the engine from M539 Restorations failed with the factory OE parts in it IIRC, so I dunno.

I daily drive my F82 M4 Comp. Leave it on Sport Plus all the time. A bit too powerful for public roads

I'd love to see a review of the comparable Audi RS4....

If I'm going to have to replace the rod bearings I'd go for the V-10, may as well go for broke! Pun intended....😆

I reflect that with the extra weight, particularly in the four door version, the E92 made the transition to a "Sporting Saloon" rather then the "Sports Saloon" that the original was. In terms of wheelbase, exterior dimensions and weight this is closer to an E34 M5. This is by no means a criticism, simply an observation that it had matured and become a little less focused and more refined without sacrificing all of its character. Where previously many cross shopped an M3 with a 911, and recognised the value in the Bavarian, this generation was bought by many who already had a 911 (often air cooled) and who bought the M3 as a daily/family car that was not boring but also not as tiring in traffic as a more focused sports car.

Nobody prefers the standard suspension. The fact that EDC cars go for considerably more money should tell you all you need to know regards suspension

Nice Alpina at 3:53

Nice BMW

15-25 lol In Canada they go for 35k beat up and 50k good shape