How hard do you push the M3?

[JD3]

Most cars I have owned redline around 6700 rpm so 6-6.5K is pushing it (S4, Z4 3.0si, IS350, Cherokee). The M3 obviously has a different type engine and feeling 100% comfortable at such a high RPM has been a mental hurdle for me. The M3 has been great so far and I'm really trying to understand how hard I can push it without expecting issues. I understand hard driving will wear a car quicker, what I'm trying to avoid is catastrophe! The car is 09 e92 DCT with 53K miles, turner test pipes, BPMsport tune and no warranty.
Essentially, what is Abuse vs Maximizing it's capabilities? Does the engine suffer any major harm if it's bounced off the rev limiter on a weekly basis? I see a lot of comments about keeping it above 5K and redlining it daily. Is that something that you will pay for in a major way at some point? For example, do the differential bolts break regularly or at a much greater rate when pushed daily? Are people blowing these engines at 100K? Is DCT/Engine a lot more prone to issues after repeated aggressive downshifts and use? Are there any tell-tale signs to watch for?
OR does the M3 have enough nannys and warning lights to keep you from really doing much damage, aside from freak things, which I know happen.
I understand that you have to "pay to play" and I know driving hard increases the risk of issues. I'm just trying to find that middle ground of driving hard without being worried about something going "CLUNK" or seeing a cloud of smoke, haha! Thanks for any advice and for sharing your experiences.

[ruff1017]

I could have answered this question in detail
But I will make it short and sweet.
No, M3's engine and transmission is not going to break at all with hard driving on the public road.
Follow the maintenance schedule and have fun driving it.
Just try to shift about 2~400 rpm earlier than the fuel cut as there is no point to hitting the limiter and you and M3 will be fine for a long time.

Happy motoring!

[JD3]

Originally Posted by ruff1017

I could have answered this question in detail
But I will make it short and sweet.
No, M3's engine and transmission is not going to break at all with hard driving on the public road.
Follow the maintenance schedule and have fun driving it.
Just try to shift about 2~400 rpm earlier than the fuel cut as there is no point to hitting the limiter and you and M3 will be fine for a long time.

Happy motoring!

Thanks, this is the type of positive reinforcement I need, haha. Simple overall experiences from people who drive the car harder than I have is appreciated.

[w00tw00t]

please don't bounce it off the rev-limiter though... other than that the car and engine is designed to be pushed hard... I push it to 8300-8500 rpm shifts at every track day I go to.. so does every other track rat on this forum..

[Chriskm3]

I heard a lot of issues with modded 335,just hit up their forum.
Our m3 does not have any issues with the engine and tranny. Dct gets expensive after warranty runs out, so I hear, but the engine is rock solid. There is a lot of supercharged m3 that Take the meaning of "drive it like you stole it " to another level, but for vast majority the m3 e92 seems to be bullet proof. -except of rod bearings and blows engines. But we can discuss that issue when u get boosted.

[AshyLarryMP]

What is bad about bouncing off the rev limiter?

[ONEOF40 FS M3]

M cars are meant to driven hard at all times...

e92 M3 - 8K + ....

No such a thing as babying an M car...

Four M cars...no issues

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by AshyLarryMP

What is bad about bouncing off the rev limiter?

The rev limiter is there to protect the engine. It is not intended to be used as a regular feature. If the limiter cuts in, it means you pushed a little too far.

I don't know if by "bouncing" off the limiter you imply keeping your right foot burried while the engine repeatedly hits the limiter. If that is the case, I would definitely avoid that.

If you hit the limiter by inadvertance once in a while, nothing wrong with that. Just don't make it a habit .

To answer the OP's original question, I drive my M pretty hard. It sees plenty of track days (15-18 a year) and the RPM is always in 6000-8400RPM band while on track. I have not had any serious issues with either the engine or the DCT . The car is also my DD, so I also drive it smoothly on the street with the occasional romp .

[JD3]

This exactly what I was thinking I would hear. Thanks and keep it comin!

[Obioban]

Just make sure she's warmed up first.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Obioban

Just make sure she's warmed up first.

+1 Good point

[mdefalco25]

Do you guys stay away from the rev limiter while engine is warming up? I feel like it's best to go easy on the motor in the cold, but assume the limiter is in place so what it's set at for RPMs is deemed acceptable by BMW. Just curious.

[klammer]

Originally Posted by Obioban

Just make sure she's warmed up first.

+2. And you can totally beat on it... Had it on the track in over 100 degree weather and my iPhone actually shut down, but the car was flawless all day! Think that's where this car really shines, it can be driven very hard, for a very long time...once went to a private track day with a few peeps and was on track for close to 45 minutes in 90+ heat and had to pull off because I was overheating before the car was...A very robust car

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by mdefalco25

Do you guys stay away from the rev limiter while engine is warming up? I feel like it's best to go easy on the motor in the cold, but assume the limiter is in place so what it's set at for RPMs is deemed acceptable by BMW. Just curious.

The limiter follows the variable redline. But I keep it well below that until the oil reaches operating temperature. I prefer to keep it below 3000RPM and avoid full throttle until it is warmed-up.

[AshyLarryMP]

I keep it under 4k until it gets warm.

[carbon//m3]

Man after reading all these posts I need to start really driving my car.

[JD3]

Originally Posted by AshyLarryMP

I keep it under 4k until it gets warm.

Yeah, I'm very attentive to the temp. Even had the lower cold rev limit the from bpm.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by Obioban

Just make sure she's warmed up first.

I second that ^^^ also treat her like your woman sometimes sweet and sometimes rough, just not too rough

Originally Posted by JD3

Most cars I have owned redline around 6700 rpm so 6-6.5K is pushing it (S4, Z4 3.0si, IS350, Cherokee). The M3 obviously has a different type engine and feeling 100% comfortable at such a high RPM has been a mental hurdle for me. The M3 has been great so far and I'm really trying to understand how hard I can push it without expecting issues. I understand hard driving will wear a car quicker, what I'm trying to avoid is catastrophe! The car is 09 e92 DCT with 53K miles, turner test pipes, BPMsport tune and no warranty.
Essentially, what is Abuse vs Maximizing it's capabilities? Does the engine suffer any major harm if it's bounced off the rev limiter on a weekly basis? I see a lot of comments about keeping it above 5K and redlining it daily. Is that something that you will pay for in a major way at some point? For example, do the differential bolts break regularly or at a much greater rate when pushed daily? Are people blowing these engines at 100K? Is DCT/Engine a lot more prone to issues after repeated aggressive downshifts and use? Are there any tell-tale signs to watch for?
OR does the M3 have enough nannys and warning lights to keep you from really doing much damage, aside from freak things, which I know happen.
I understand that you have to "pay to play" and I know driving hard increases the risk of issues. I'm just trying to find that middle ground of driving hard without being worried about something going "CLUNK" or seeing a cloud of smoke, haha! Thanks for any advice and for sharing your experiences.

Don't push her too hard or you end up like this

[M3forMe]

Originally Posted by carbon//m3

Man after reading all these posts I need to start really driving my car.

I was thinking the same thing. Man I don't drive it nearly hard enough.

[Rk-d]

I baby it until the oil temp is completely normal. After that, I drive it like I stole it, but I don't bounce the rev limiter.

[happos2]

Very hard. Especially on the track.

[Porschefile]

Flatout