What have you done with or to your M3 today?

THEROK wrote

Drove my new to me EAG E92 for the first time.

This may well be my fav M car to date and I've owned many mint examples. Only current mod is Eisenmann Race (necessary, lovely) and en route are Ohlins RT and custom three-piece wheels with stepped lip.

Well done, BMW M!

More pictures and information please!

Helmsman wrote

Yeah, looking great! Btw how many miles on the plugs?

Can’t say for sure, it’s my first time changing them under my ownership but the old ones were NGK’s as well. The car has 123k miles.

Helmsman wrote

3 meter ladder right in. Cause Sportscar with carrying capacity. I love this car.

Share same sentiment...actually several instances M3 has transported 'uncharacteristic loads'; a capability most sports cars cannot

Today I took the M3 to the dealer to cash in the last pre-paid oil change bought into by the previous owner. A no-cost visit to the dealer - why not!

And on the way there, the German engineering Gods smirked as they began to flutter my RPMs while stopped at a red light. Soon enough, she stalled out and presented me with the “Service Engine Soon” light. This occurred twice on my way to the dealership.

My initial thoughts were either idle control valve or throttle actuators. Then I recalled an unusual driving behavior from just minutes earlier - when lifting off the throttle, the car continued to surge forward as if the gas was still being applied gently. I thought little of it in the moment but knew something was off. Looking back on it, I could picture the failing throttle actuators unable to maintain the necessary positioning.

Anywho. The dealer is diagnosing tomorrow during the “free” oil change. My code reader presented no codes. Should it be the throttle actuators, the silver lining is that I planned to put the car up for the winter next week so there’s no rush to DIY.

Thoughts on my back-of-the-napkin diagnosis?

Last weekend I buttoned up a few projects on the car - just need to get my winter tires on next week and should be good for the season (Michelin Alpina's on 19s, Michelin AS4s on 18s which is my standard winter tire unless actual winter weather threatens).


I did a partial transmission flush, swapping out the Redline AT DT4 or something like that for Redline MTL. As predicted, the shifts were a little stickier when cold but improved after I added 50g of Liquid Moly 2019 - a friction modifier for manual transmissions and transaxles. Overall my key shift 1 into 2 is faster and I can actually catch the rev match going from 3 into 2. At 159k miles, there's probably a MT change in my future but for the moment it's shifting much better than I would expect given the brand and vintage. There's multiple threads on changes to support precise, crisp shifts and I've checked all of those changes off over the years.

Last month I had my shop put in the Valvetronic V2 x pipe with 200 cell cats. I have zero drivability issues with this forward X design running a BPM stage 2. The cats do hang lower than the primaries on stock but I don't think it changes the overall clearance of the car when taking into account the diff cooling fins. It's a very different sound pared to the Corsa than the stock X with test pipes, less V8 rumbly but still a unique character. Yesterday a young guy in an f87 M2 pulled up on the freeway and took a video....on his flip phone which cracked me up. So I guess it's still a crowd pleaser. Exhaust smell is comparable to running on the factory secondaries, maybe a little better when cold and nonexistent once the cats are warmed up. Suspect that other’s reports are due to leaking at the donut gasket or just not knowing what 200cell cats will accomplish.

Lastly, I installed my alibaba aluminum transmission pan, the OEM fabric pan being impossible to source new this year. It doesn't require all of the attachment points but they can be used if you please. It went in without complaint and doing the job without a peep. I spent $300 all in, $100 each for product, shipping, and tariff. This is the one I got: http://https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/For-BMW-E90-E92-E93-M3_11000025492361.html?spm=a2756.trade-list-buyer.0.0.23d776e9yCbWKm for which I have no affiliation.

e39Origin wrote

Today I took the M3 to the dealer to cash in the last pre-paid oil change bought into by the previous owner. A no-cost visit to the dealer - why not! And on the way there, the German engineering Gods smirked as they began to flutter my RPMs while stopped at a red light. Soon enough, she stalled out and presented me with the “Service Engine Soon” light. This occurred twice on my way to the dealership. My initial thoughts were either idle control valve or throttle actuators. Then I recalled an unusual driving behavior from just minutes earlier - when lifting off the throttle, the car continued to surge forward as if the gas was still being applied gently. I thought little of it in the moment but knew something was off. Looking back on it, I could picture the failing throttle actuators unable to maintain the necessary positioning. Anywho. The dealer is diagnosing tomorrow during the “free” oil change. My code reader presented no codes. Should it be the throttle actuators, the silver lining is that I planned to put the car up for the winter next week so there’s no rush to DIY. Thoughts on my back-of-the-napkin diagnosis?

When Throttle Actuators fail the DME typically goes into Limp Mode with a "Reduced Power" message displayed on the iDrive screen with a forced 4300RPM redline max shown on the Rev Counter dial. Failed T.A.s often present all sorts of codes as well. It's possible the Idle Control Valve or some other source of vacuum leak maybe the culprit. Let us know what the Dealer finds in the "no codes" diagnosis of this. Thanks. PS: This story reminds me of animals on their way to the vet.. They know they're going there... I bet the car knew it was on the way to the Stealer.

I did Rod Bearings and Mounts for engine, Transmission.

My car is 2012 59k miles, I regret doing rod bearings, oem rods came out like brand new…. Oil change on this car done every 5k since its new.

Also doing oem back up camea, following SaNGRia diy proccess

Herofmine wrote

I did Rod Bearings and Mounts for engine, Transmission.

My car is 2012 59k miles, I regret doing rod bearings, oem rods came out like brand new…. Oil change on this car done every 5k since its new.

Also doing oem back up camea, following SaNGRia diy proccess

You’ve bought yourself a handful of worry-free miles with this preventative service. Money well spent IMO.

I’m at 46k and plan to replace the rod bearings and engine mounts after this winter’s hibernation.

Herofmine wrote

I did Rod Bearings and Mounts for engine, Transmission.

My car is 2012 59k miles, I regret doing rod bearings, oem rods came out like brand new…. Oil change on this car done every 5k since its new.

Also doing oem back up camea, following SaNGRia diy proccess

Interesting, planning to post some pics here https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1253084&page=143?

Installed EPM under tray. Fitment was perfect.

Tore up the north GA mountains. This thing is so much fun in the twisties

Helmsman wrote

3 meter ladder right in. Cause Sportscar with carrying capacity. I love this car.

That was me lst week. Replacement splitter and bootlid, no problem.

M3JayM wrote

Tore up the north GA mountains. This thing is so much fun in the twisties

Let me know next time you head up! Some great roads up here.

spazzyfry123 wrote

Let me know next time you head up! Some great roads up here.

Wolf Pen Gap makes me smile

Got down to the :30.x's at NJMP Tbolt, with the help of some fresh RE-71Rs. Great event.

Changed the oil Saturday and hit the Blue Ridge Parkway today to see the fall leaves. And hit 175k miles to boot!

bgexpress wrote

My new to me m3 had a number of upgrades in preparation for its first track day
Brembo bbk
Kw club sport
Ti mid pipe
Epic tune
Custom 359M style forged wheels

Mods by previous owner:
4.6l dinan stroker
3.63 differential
Dinan intake
Dinan rear section

So excited for Sebring this week

I assume Tuesday at Sebring, if so I'll see you there, I'll be the red e92. Good looking car!

New front rotors and pads over the weekend. Planning on filters and oil change this upcoming weekend.

Put on some fresh front rotors from FCP (free lifetime replacement) after I cooked them at Watkins Glen a few weeks ago.

We finally got a break from the rain with a little bit of end of season nice weather to bring out the M3. Had a tuned Macan GTS want to test the car out; always funny when an SC M3 can finally find traction on a rough road and make everything else look like they froze in place. Topped up the tank and added the fuel stabilizer today for winter. After almost a decade with E92s, it feels odd how much positive attention this car is now getting in these drives.

Checked over the car while putting it away. I think the liquid wrap is finally at end of life after 5 years, with the clear coat failing in a couple spots. Will replace it next year. Thinking something purple-y like Velvet Blue would work well.

powerbait wrote

I assume Tuesday at Sebring, if so I'll see you there, I'll be the red e92. Good looking car!

Yes! Im running in novice as its been a few years and some friends of mine are coming for the first time. I will come say hello!