Help me purchase an M3!

Hey folks!

I'm looking to purchase an E92 M3 in manual. I dont know anything I should know, and I thought I'd post here so I can give my ChatGPT a little break.

I've been browsing the FS forums and tracking Auto Trader etc to try and learn about these cars, and I haven't been able to pick up on the differences between the years. Then I started browsing here and I see you guys mention a few key words I should probably know about.

Is there a definitive guide to buying one of these?

I'd love to know the differences between the years, what year was the LCI and what was changed, what does "single hump" mean, any differences in the infotainment systems etc..

I know I can probably read about this stuff online, but learning from you guys who are behind the wheel would be invaluable!

Search function is your best friend.

2008 - first and only year that had CCC infotainment system unit... most prefer the CIC infotainment system in later years.

Single hump vs double hump refers to cars that do not have the above unit so screen is removed from dash removing one of the humps

LCI started in production 2010 but will not be seen until 2011 year cars. upgrades mostly consist of a small facelift of LED lights

Slick top means no sunroof and non sunroof cars have carbon roof.

Main thing you need to focus on are making sure the main big ticket items are addressed.... Rod Bearing, Throttle Actuators, Vanos.... but there is a long list of lesser items that can cause issues down the road as well.

E55 Bulldog wrote

Search function is your best friend.

2008 - first and only year that had CCC infotainment system unit... most prefer the CIC infotainment system in later years.

Single hump vs double hump refers to cars that do not have the above unit so screen is removed from dash removing one of the humps

LCI started in production 2010 but will not be seen until 2011 year cars. upgrades mostly consist of a small facelift of LED lights

Slick top means no sunroof and non sunroof cars have carbon roof.

Main thing you need to focus on are making sure the main big ticket items are addressed.... Rod Bearing, Throttle Actuators, Vanos.... but there is a long list of lesser items that can cause issues down the road as well.

Awesome this is exactly the info I was looking for, thank you for taking your time to write it up.

Were these items warrantied by BMW: Rod Bearing, Throttle Actuators, Vanos? If I find a model that had none of these repaired, would BMW still warranty them? If not, whats the +- cost of doing each?

Was the CIC and CCC an option? I've only seen the double hump so far, but I do see there's a 2009 single hump? In other words, could you have chosen a 2009-10-11-etc without the screen?

I was shooting for a convertible. I have a couple cool cars already for specific purposes, and I'm looking for something I can take the roof down and cruise with the kiddos.

TheVazha wrote

Awesome this is exactly the info I was looking for, thank you for taking your time to write it up.

Were these items warrantied by BMW: Rod Bearing, Throttle Actuators, Vanos? If I find a model that had none of these repaired, would BMW still warranty them? If not, whats the +- cost of doing each?

Was the CIC and CCC an option? I've only seen the double hump so far, but I do see there's a 2009 single hump? In other words, could you have chosen a 2009-10-11-etc without the screen?

I was shooting for a convertible. I have a couple cool cars already for specific purposes, and I'm looking for something I can take the roof down and cruise with the kiddos.

No, these are not warranty items and warranty is long gone on these cars.

CCC was only 2008. but yes you could option the car without the infotainment system. Not sure if that was an every year thing or not though.

Convertibles are the least desirable and most abundant in the M3 market so you should have an issue finding one you like.

E55 Bulldog wrote

No, these are not warranty items and warranty is long gone on these cars.

CCC was only 2008. but yes you could option the car without the infotainment system. Not sure if that was an every year thing or not though.

Convertibles are the least desirable and most abundant in the M3 market so you should have an issue finding one you like.

Understood. I appreciate the heads up. My hope is to find one with low miles and drive on weekends. Not too worried about long term value, just need something nice with a third pedal.

In reference to a third pedal —something like 1955 cars-Production numbers were pretty low on e93 in a 6sp to begin with. Watch out most used dealers will list the DCT as a manual.

Drv4fun wrote

In reference to a third pedal —something like 1955 cars-Production numbers were pretty low on e93 in a 6sp to begin with. Watch out most used dealers will list the DCT as a manual.

Amazing good to know thank you! I know Car Gurus had a giant issue when shopping 911’s, it made that site for that car practically unusable.

Welcome of the E9x M3 forum, I recognize your screen name from the X5 boards (I had an E70, still have my F15).

This thread is a good place to start:
https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1418410

As others have said, single hump just means no navigation screen, double hump has navigation. This is the last generation M3 where you could option the car without nav - nav was optional for all years (2008-2013) of this generation, though as you search you will see most cars were optioned with it. Navigation was required if you wanted the upgraded sound system (EPS, or Enhanced Premium Sound - identifiable by the silver trim rings around the door speakers).

Coupe (E92) and convertibles (E93) were produced 2008-2013, with 2011-2013 being LCI cars (basically just LED taillights, along with some different package configurations). Sedans were produced 2008-2011, with LCI being 2009-2011, so 2 years sooner than the coupe/convertible, but it went out of production 2 years sooner as well.

2008 nav was CCC, 2009-2013 was CIC regardless of model or LCI. Different interface and different iDrive knob on center console.

ZCP = competition package, you'll see this referenced everywhere. Different wheels, 10mm lower, remapped EDC or something like that. Optional package offered on 2011-2013 models, and only on the coupe and sedan, was not offered on the convertible. So if shopping for an E90 ZCP, the only year was 2011.

A lot of these cars have had the rod bearings replaced at this point. Those that haven't will be harder to sell, and prices should reflect that. Depending on where you live, $2500-$4500 nowadays for replacement. Throttle actuators are another noted failure point, but IMO are way overblown... just another part that will eventually fail. Car goes into limp mode and you fix it... unlike rod bearings whereas if they fail, you need a new motor.

I would highly recommend a PPI on whatever car you might consider purchasing. Check out that link above and happy searching.

jiggz wrote

Welcome of the E9x M3 forum, I recognize your screen name from the X5 boards (I had an E70, still have my F15).

This thread is a good place to start:
https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1418410

As others have said, single hump just means no navigation screen, double hump has navigation. This is the last generation M3 where you could option the car without nav - nav was optional for all years (2008-2013) of this generation, though as you search you will see most cars were optioned with it. Navigation was required if you wanted the upgraded sound system (EPS, or Enhanced Premium Sound - identifiable by the silver trim rings around the door speakers).

Coupe (E92) and convertibles (E93) were produced 2008-2013, with 2011-2013 being LCI cars (basically just LED taillights, along with some different package configurations). Sedans were produced 2008-2011, with LCI being 2009-2011, so 2 years sooner than the coupe/convertible, but it went out of production 2 years sooner as well.

2008 nav was CCC, 2009-2013 was CIC regardless of model or LCI. Different interface and different iDrive knob on center console.

ZCP = competition package, you'll see this referenced everywhere. Different wheels, 10mm lower, remapped EDC or something like that. Optional package offered on 2011-2013 models, and only on the coupe and sedan, was not offered on the convertible. So if shopping for an E90 ZCP, the only year was 2011.

A lot of these cars have had the rod bearings replaced at this point. Those that haven't will be harder to sell, and prices [...]

That was a very helpful post for newbies.

jiggz wrote

Welcome of the E9x M3 forum, I recognize your screen name from the X5 boards (I had an E70, still have my F15).

This thread is a good place to start:
https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1418410

As others have said, single hump just means no navigation screen, double hump has navigation. This is the last generation M3 where you could option the car without nav - nav was optional for all years (2008-2013) of this generation, though as you search you will see most cars were optioned with it. Navigation was required if you wanted the upgraded sound system (EPS, or Enhanced Premium Sound - identifiable by the silver trim rings around the door speakers).

Coupe (E92) and convertibles (E93) were produced 2008-2013, with 2011-2013 being LCI cars (basically just LED taillights, along with some different package configurations). Sedans were produced 2008-2011, with LCI being 2009-2011, so 2 years sooner than the coupe/convertible, but it went out of production 2 years sooner as well.

2008 nav was CCC, 2009-2013 was CIC regardless of model or LCI. Different interface and different iDrive knob on center console.

ZCP = competition package, you'll see this referenced everywhere. Different wheels, 10mm lower, remapped EDC or something like that. Optional package offered on 2011-2013 models, and only on the coupe and sedan, was not offered on the convertible. So if shopping for an E90 ZCP, the only year was 2011.

A lot of these cars have had the rod bearings replaced at this point. Those that haven't will be harder to sell, and prices [...]

Hey! I do remember your name too amigo, it’s been a while!!

Thank you for the brilliant write up. You’ve armed with with exactly the info I was looking for.

I’m seeing prices shift in a big way between the coupe and the vert, good news for me I’m looking for something without a roof so it looks like I’ll be saving a few $ on it!

How’s your F15 holding up?

I JUST came across an old pic of my old E70. My God what a machine that was. The last of the quality built BMW era imho.