BMW E92 M3 Coupe Drives Off Into Sunset as Last Ever Built Rolls Off the Line

[FogCityM3]

Yeah, in my mkt, where there are a ton of M3s, I can count the number of sedans I've seen on the road on one hand..coupes and the 'verts are very popular tho.

Originally Posted by s65e90

less than 10,000 e90 produced!!!

Wow, def why you don't see them everyday, and coupes seem to be a dime a dozen.


Screw you 2 door owners! lol

[M3_WC]

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

people complain about bmw going to turbos for the new m, yet I see lots of e92s supercharged left and right...

Probably less than 1% of E9x M3's that exist are supercharged. Forums skewing your perspective. In defense of the SC owners when going FI, supercharing will be the closest to normally aspirated power delivery.

[Transfer]

Originally Posted by Alpine F31

I agree with you about the "true" motorsport engine, but if we can have an engine with very high performance which surely the new M4/M3 will have AND get good gas mileage I'm all for that. Why not?

For what I paid for my 328i I could have purchased a clean used E92 M3. The problem is I drive a LOT and I cant afford the 8-11 MPG the M3 gets vs the 23 MPG I'm averaging in my 328i. If the new M can achieve 18 MPG+ then of course I rather have an M3!

The new Porsche 991 Turbo makes 560 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque and gets 29 MPG (on the European cycle) with a 3.8 liter 6. THAT is awesome! I think BMW can do much better than the outgoing super thirsty V8.

I absolutely agree good MPG is a win. What I'm saying is that the priority shifted from motorsport to fuel economy. Before they made amazing engines that could be fuel efficient or not. Now they have to make (relatively) fuel efficient engines that can be amazing or not. I hope they can do both.

[M3_WC]

Originally Posted by PoweredBy///M

If gas is an issue, you shouldn't be in an M car. Period.

+1

That is what non-M BMW's are for.

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by Edward

Lol that's not what I said. It's all good. Your 1M and the N54 is a sweet engine. I didn't think I'd have to get so wordy in explaining that the N54 is great from 0-whatever speed due to its torque that is available from 1500 rpm on. But it's no secret that the M3 gets better as you get to go higher in the rpm range.

No offense...hope I didn't insult your car bro.

I know what you meant. My reply just didn't come out right via keyboard. Lol

[Eau Rouge]

I'm delighted to have one of the S65 engine M3s.

So something less than half of the total E9x M3 production run made it to America? That would be less than 20k coupes, less than 5k sedans and less than 8k verts.
All those current E46M3 owners looking to pick up a second hand E9x M3 are going to have fun with a smaller supply of the E9x M3 to go around.

[Edward]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

I love my M3 and I know you'll love yours. I have no plans to replace the car for at least another couple years.

But if I were buying a performance coupe in this class today a C63 507 would be the one. And with everything turbocharged next generation, I definitely have both the W205 C AMG and B9 RS5 on the short list. M4 and M2 are certainly there too though.

I forgot to mention that. I dig the C63 coupe a good deal. Good friend of mine has an Edition 1 matte black C63 coupe on DPE wheels, springs etc. Great car and he likes it better than the E92 M3 he had prior. But I personally have such a strong affinity for the DCT which I think is one of the strongest transmissions of its kind. The Mercedes MCT transmission is not good enough. Overall I like the M3 better than the C63 in sound, dynamics, looks etc. But C63s always turn my head and I enjoy its presence on the road.

Originally Posted by nojeans

Just don't understand why don't put LCI headlamp.

It's simple from a business perspective. The M3 already shares nothing in common with the the non M 3 series on the main stampings with the exception of the trunk and doors. Fenders, roof, hood, bumpers skirts are all unique molds. The cost to facelift an M3 for only 3 more years of sales which we see are probably under 40k total units makes it cost prohibitive.

The M3 line probably needs less of a life cycle update to keep sales where they need to be. To form a new hood, bumper and fenders simply to fit the newer larger headlight housing would be a big cost for only a couple more years of sales.

At least with the normal 3, they sell such higher volume that it's a necessary exercise that will lead to higher margins.

But maybe they could have had whatever supplier that makes the housings, incorporate the existing housing to have LED halo rings? Who knows the cost of that.

Argument against BMW is that the RS5 gets the updated headlights even if they sell a fraction of this model to the world.

Whatever though....no one buys an M3 for the headlights.

[VCMpower]

I would love to know the VIN of that Fire Orange!

[bimmerjph]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Good question. I have no idea, but I somehow suspect that it was probably not the last E92.

Speaking of lasts, an E93 M3 also won't be the last naturally aspirated BMW when it rolls of the line later this year - which is sort of too bad since it would have been nice to see the S65 get that honor. But the N43 and N52 will still be used a bit longer in the E82/E88, and the N53 is still hanging around in the 530i and 730i in some markets.

Personally, I think an inline six should be the last. Thats the engine that BMW is famous for. I just wish they would do some sort of last hurrah version of it, instead of it just being quietly discontinued. A N52S perhaps? Sadly, that won't happen though.

Originally Posted by mkoesel

You never know. For now I would expect them to stick with the Z4 awhile. Frankly if they are allowed to use the Z4 with the V8 indefinitely, it would make sense to keep using that car now and into its next generation. Why go back to the larger body and passenger compartment if the sanctioning body does not force you to?

I really wish ALMS would grow a pair and tell BMW they have to use an engine from the road car. I mean why is BMW so reluctant to use an N54/N55 based engine.

[mPlasticDesign]

Though the numbers on the DCT/6MT are not out, the official ratio in the E46 M3 was 50% SMG and 50% 6MT. I'm guessing the DCT was a higher ratio, maybe 60-65%DCT, but I could be wrong, there is still a lot of MT fans in this segment and it could be closer to 50/50 but there is Nooooo way it was 40% DCT.

[OneRib]

...I had some heavy doubts and even a couple weeks before I got serious about getting into a new M3 coupe, I have been saying I'll never get this car because its a blink away from being outdated (not irrelevant). Then I looked at the competiion....get another 335is? no. Get an S5? Snore. Get an RS5? maybe...it's highly exclusive and a nice overall ride but where is my 81k going? The price factored that car out for me. And everything else seemed boring so I threw out the last year model argument and cannot be happier...


I had a similar thought process. I know everyone loves the engine and it is excellent, but the clincher for me was the DCT transmission. I love the flexibility and the technology. Always interested in dual clutch since VW started making DSG transmissions. Now having experienced it, I have no doubt it was worth the purchase.

I also like where I sit as far as time of purchase. M3 is special on its own and can still turn heads, even if it isn't the newest iteration. My lease will be up in 2016 and I should have a good idea of how the new M3/M4 stack up vs the competition. This way I can keep my current M3 or happily move into something I think will be newer and better.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by mdosu

rough guessing about 40% are DCTs overall since 2008.

Highly unlikely in my opinion. The manual becomes more rare with each passing year. My casual observation is that while there are still a majority of enthusiasts who rely on being able choose the gear ratio themselves, fewer and fewer of them are insisting on a third pedal to help with that task. Indeed it is the sheer quickness with which today's gearboxes (DCT, planetary, or whatever) can swap ratios that has convinced so many to relinquish the clutch pedal.

So while I agree that at least 60% of M3 owners choose their own gears when they drive (and it may be a lot more - I don't know), I would be shocked if more than 25% still do it the old fashioned way. But don't mistake me here - I give kudos to you guys who are keeping the dying art alive.

[mdosu]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Highly unlikely in my opinion. The manual becomes more rare with each passing year. My casual observation is that while there are still a majority of enthusiasts who rely on being able choose the gear ratio themselves, fewer and fewer of them are insisting on a third pedal to help with that task. Indeed it is the sheer quickness with which today's gearboxes (DCT, planetary, or whatever) can swap ratios that has convinced so many to relinquish the clutch pedal.

So while I agree that at least 60% of M3 owners choose their own gears when they drive (and it may be a lot more - I don't know), I would be shocked if more than 25% still do it the old fashioned way. But don't mistake me here - I give kudos to you guys who are keeping the dying art alive.

hmmm, I've seen that too...most 2011, 2012, 2013 models that M3post members are reporting have been overwhelmingly DCT. Maybe 60% overall for the model run is more correct based on these observations. I think the 2008, 09 models may have had a 6MT majority, part of it could have been helped as E90s were first exclusively sold as 6MTs until 2009 models.

You're welcome : I drive a 6MT E90

[Tåst]

BMW whit Naturally aspirated engine and individual throttle bodies, is this day when this glorious forty-one? years old combination die?

[schnell325]

Originally Posted by VCMpower

I would love to know the VIN of that Fire Orange!

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by mdosu

You're welcome : I drive a 6MT E90

I know, that's why I addressed the point in my reply to you. Oh, and while I give you props, thanking you might be taking it a bit far. . But manual transmission enthusiasts the world over do thank you for the show of solidarity I'm sure.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Edward

I forgot to mention that. I dig the C63 coupe a good deal. Good friend of mine has an Edition 1 matte black C63 coupe on DPE wheels, springs etc. Great car and he likes it better than the E92 M3 he had prior. But I personally have such a strong affinity for the DCT which I think is one of the strongest transmissions of its kind. The Mercedes MCT transmission is not good enough. Overall I like the M3 better than the C63 in sound, dynamics, looks etc. But C63s always turn my head and I enjoy its presence on the road.

Good point. I have not sampled the MCT, but you're right - the DCT is pure magic and it is tough to imagine the Mercedes de-slushed slush box can match up. I guess what I really want is the SLS BS setup - 6.2L, 8000RPM, 620hp and mated up to a proper DCT.

[mdosu]

so the owner of this FO E92 M3 can truely represent it as the 2013.99999999999 model? "

[phrozen06]

I was glad to part of this legendary production run.

[Curt2000]

Back to one year of no production M3 purgatory

[phrozen06]

Originally Posted by Curt2000

Back to one year of no production M3 purgatory

I know it sucks doesn't it?

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Curt2000

Back to one year of no production M3 purgatory

Don't be so sure now.

Preliminarily, it appears we will be getting the M4 about a year sooner than originally expected. It still means that there will be a gap, but it could be less than a year, and much smaller than what we've seen in the past, especially in the US.