Driving a 570HP S85 swapped manual E92 M3

gh0stE92M3 wrote

Just incase anyone wants to here a Judd v8 lol

judd v8 bmw hill climb

Always and forever, I can listen to that thing. Insanity.

The E63 M6 coupe manual with this V10 weighs 3900 lbs, that’s about 250-300 lbs heavier than E92 M3 coupe.
Given this, plus the engine swap adding considerable weight up front, I’d personally get an E63 M6 manual coupe to experience the S85!

Other than the SMG, the S85 cars have almost similar reliability issues compared to S65 cars..

With people having made e30 and e46 S85 swaps work and handle well, putting a S85 into an e92 should be easy, however, I’d want it paired with a DCT. S65 + DCT is the perfect match. S85 + DCT might be an even better match.

M3SQRD wrote

With people having made e30 and e46 S85 swaps work and handle well, putting a S85 into an e92 should be easy, however, I’d want it paired with a DCT. S65 + DCT is the perfect match. S85 + DCT might be an even better match.

I've driven both S65 with DCT and 6MT and the DCT is more fun by far both on the street and track. I told this to another track instructor and he whispered back "I agree" as if he didn't want anyone to hear him.

DarkstarZero wrote

I've driven both S65 with DCT and 6MT and the DCT is more fun by far both on the street and track. I told this to another track instructor and he whispered back "I agree" as if he didn't want anyone to hear him.

lol I’m not afraid to admit that I love the DCT! Another reason to not like the G8x! ZF8 AT, which is an awesome AT (have one in our 240ix), but it’s no DCT. Problem was too many people thought the DCT was an AT in the F8x and complained about it to BMW. So BMW decides to eliminate their best performing transmission

Could also drop an LT4 Z06 motor into an E92 M3 like these guys did. Probably a bit cheaper too.
..
https://www.driftworks.com/row/

DrFerry wrote

Could also drop an LT4 Z06 motor into an E92 M3 like these guys did. Probably a bit cheaper too.
.

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https://www.driftworks.com/row/

No

DrFerry wrote

Could also drop an LT4 Z06 motor into an E92 M3 like these guys did. Probably a bit cheaper too.

Umm…not for me. Completely changes one of the main, and best, characteristics of the e92 M3. S85 would only build on this, not take it away.

ILikeBimmers wrote

I myself have been trying to figure out the logistics of swapping one into a e82 chassis (135i, etc) with a 1M body kit. I've seen people saying it could be done from anywhere from 3k to 50k.

There is a local one in Jacksonville, FL. Of course it sounds awesome. It's a performance shop owner that did it, so who knows what the costs are/were. I can't recall the name of the shop, but maybe this is enough to go on for you to find it. Good luck.

DrFerry wrote

Could also drop an LT4 Z06 motor into an E92 M3 like these guys did. Probably a bit cheaper too.
.

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https://www.driftworks.com/row/

Purists will hate this move, but I'm a fan. The BMW M motors are wildly expensive and don't make as much power. It really depends on your goals. I would do this type of move if I am going to drive the car a fair amount. If not really intended for performance and more for car shows, then I think you have to go with an M motor.

Tallest wrote

Everyone: S85 in M5 E60/1 - STAY AWAY WORST REGRET EVER, RIP WALLET etc.

Also everyone: But S85 swapped into (insert anything) is amazing.

:bellyroll

Yeah I feel that 😂. I guess the known issues with the e60/63/64 isn't purely the S85, but also the SMG transmission which has some very expensive known failures. Presumably if you're swapping a S85 you're already preemptively upgrading the internals, particularly the famous rod knock issues.

M3SQRD wrote

lol I’m not afraid to admit that I love the DCT! Another reason to not like the G8x! ZF8 AT, which is an awesome AT (have one in our 240ix), but it’s no DCT. Problem was too many people thought the DCT was an AT in the F8x and complained about it to BMW. So BMW decides to eliminate their best performing transmission

Agreed. Everyone thought the manuals were going away but it turns out it was the DCT that was canceled and manuals are still around.

ILikeBimmers wrote

I myself have been trying to figure out the logistics of swapping one into a e82 chassis (135i, etc) with a 1M body kit. I've seen people saying it could be done from anywhere from 3k to 50k.

PM me if you want help DIYing. The electronics are fairly simple.

BimmerMan33 wrote

The E63 M6 coupe manual with this V10 weighs 3900 lbs, that’s about 250-300 lbs heavier than E92 M3 coupe.
Given this, plus the engine swap adding considerable weight up front, I’d personally get an E63 M6 manual coupe to experience the S85!

Other than the SMG, the S85 cars have almost similar reliability issues compared to S65 cars..

Almost similar
The S65 has issues with the main bearings (after 2010.5, correct me if I am wrong) that the S85 does not. Simultaneously, I have not heard of VANOS failure on the S65 as is "common" on the S85.

440i6MT wrote

Almost similar
The S65 has issues with the main bearings (after 2010.5, correct me if I am wrong) that the S85 does not. Simultaneously, I have not heard of VANOS failure on the S65 as is "common" on the S85.

Incorrect. S65 and S85 have issues with rod bearings which can be addressed with preventative maintenance (once replaced with extra clearance bearings you’re good). Any year S65 is susceptible to rod bearing failure. Bearing material change in 2011 but no change in clearance. Main bearings on S65 wear but much slower than rod bearings. Main bearings cannot be preventatively replaced.

M3SQRD wrote

Incorrect. S65 and S85 have issues with rod bearings which can be addressed with preventative maintenance (once replaced with extra clearance bearings you’re good). Any year S65 is susceptible to rod bearing failure. Bearing material change in 2011 but no change in clearance. Main bearings on S65 wear but much slower than rod bearings. Main bearings cannot be preventatively replaced.

Why can’t mains be replaced?

DRLane wrote

Why can’t mains be replaced?

Requires an engine out rebuild essentially. Crankshaft has to be removed to get to the top half of the main bearings.

The E92 M3 S65 & DCT are a perfect match for me but the thought of an S85 DCT is pretty enticing! This is impressive that everything works and the effort was made towards the detail there. To have a functional MDM on a Frankenstein build like this is an impressive build accomplishment! Very cool, thanks for sharing!

M3SQRD wrote

Requires an engine out rebuild essentially. Crankshaft has to be removed to get to the top half of the main bearings.

So, sounds like they can be replaced. Preventatively or otherwise, just more difficult.

DRLane wrote

So, sounds like they can be replaced. Preventatively or otherwise, just more difficult.

deansbimmer has a thread discussing main bearing replacement and, based on the costs, a full engine rebuild makes more sense than just replacing the mains.

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1504062

M3SQRD wrote

Incorrect. S65 and S85 have issues with rod bearings which can be addressed with preventative maintenance (once replaced with extra clearance bearings you’re good). Any year S65 is susceptible to rod bearing failure. Bearing material change in 2011 but no change in clearance. Main bearings on S65 wear but much slower than rod bearings. Main bearings cannot be preventatively replaced.

What you're saying is you agree with me. Main bearings are a maintenance issue the S65 has that the S85 does not.

At no point did I mention rod bearings. We all know everything about those.

440i6MT wrote

What you're saying is you agree with me. Main bearings are a maintenance issue the S65 has that the S85 does not.

At no point did I mention rod bearings. We all know everything about those.

No. Mains wear but is it something that concerns me? No and, if it did, then be prepared to rebuild the motor. They don’t lead to premature low-mileage failure like rod bearings do. I did not say mains are a problem and are a common issue/failure. Have there been main bearing failures? Yes. Is it common? No. If wear is a “problem” then the entire car has failure problems.

Please read below:
https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1504062