A Bid Goodbye

[z3papa]

I came to the E90/92 M3 community about five years ago, and loved every minute of it. The car is probably the best car I've ever owned and certainly one of the top 5 I've ever driven (instructed in Vipers, Lambos and Ferraris for a few days). That said, I bought it with the intention I was simplifying from a dedicated race car + daily driver to a single car which could do both. My 2011.75 had gotten up there in terms of miles (98k), and as a result, I had to decide whether to keep it or buy something younger with a warranty coverage which I opted to do. I'll keep checking back with the community as it has given me everything I gave it and more. For those committed, keep your cars, love them and make sure you remember the N/A V8 is a prize worth appreciating.

[Drifter2090]

Sad to see you go, what did you end up getting?

[z3papa]

Originally Posted by Drifter2090

Sad to see you go, what did you end up getting?

I bought a Honda Civic Type R. It checks many boxes that folks here don't appreciate and is fair more than a really fast Civic. At some point, as I approach retirement, I may regret the decision but right now I'm very happy with the decision. The cars are very dissimilar but one thing they have in common is they are both halo cars which are greater than the sum of their parts.

[Scrippy]

Congrats on the car! You'll be back in an E9X ///M I'm sure! Betcha $5 lol!

[Helmsman]

Sad to see you leave, Civic R sounds fun alternativ though. Invited to test one when launced, very fast, Honda (=proper) quality, brave looks.

Good luck!

[z3papa]

It's definitely a new chapter. I've done my first event weekend in it bone stock (I always do this with new cars to get a baseline). I was well within the noise (.3 on index) to a guy who missed a national championship by .001 this year. I've already bought two sets of wheels/tires, and have some more shopping to do. While in the past, I've only daily driven a FWD car, driving this car in anger, once I was off the line, was really an easy transition. That said, there is no knocking the M3. My line always was it is a better car than I am a driver.

[Thik]

Not sure why being out of warranty causes people to drop $40K+ on a new car. My car has been out of warranty since 2014, still love it.

[z3papa]

Originally Posted by Thik

Not sure why being out of warranty causes people to drop $40K+ on a new car. My car has been out of warranty since 2014, still love it.

Generally, I agree with you but as I am getting up there in years, the lust to wrench on cars has dropped some. I also must admit that when I bought the M3, it was at a time when I was simplifying my auto pursuits by selling my dedicated race car and daily driver, and buying the M3 to serve both sides. That's fine when the car is without issues but when it is in the shop or my garage for repairs, I am left without a mode of transportation upon which my day job relies. In 2018, the stealer and I chased "increased emissions" codes for several months during the summer at the expense of $4500 through six different repairs including fuel pressure 02 sensors, actuators, etc. etc. etc. I knew prudence meant we'd have to do the bearings, and likely a few other preventative items. Combine all those with stout depreciation and some urge for something new, and the decision was made.

That said, the M3 fit me and my driving style like a glove. I could at 10/10's place it within inches where I wanted, when I wanted at speed in competition. It's a fantastic car which I frequently said was a better car than I am a driver.

[New2Roundel]

Originally Posted by z3papa

I bought a Honda Civic Type R. It checks many boxes that folks here don't appreciate and is fair more than a really fast Civic. At some point, as I approach retirement, I may regret the decision but right now I'm very happy with the decision. The cars are very dissimilar but one thing they have in common is they are both halo cars which are greater than the sum of their parts.

Nice choice. Seems like a great driving car set up to go quickly in the turns. If something ever happened to my corrado, this is something I'd consider replacing it with since the VW is the car that I use for track work.

Did you consider the Veloster N as well? If so, what do you think?

[lenrok]

I'm parting ways myself into a R/T Durango for growing family.

[z3papa]

Originally Posted by New2Roundel

Nice choice. Seems like a great driving car set up to go quickly in the turns. If something ever happened to my corrado, this is something I'd consider replacing it with since the VW is the car that I use for track work.

Did you consider the Veloster N as well? If so, what do you think?

I did consider the Veloster N but came to the conclusion it would be bit tight getting a set of wheels/tires, tools, etc, bags into the car if I go to Nat'l events. I'm a big guy but felt driving wise, I'd fit. The Type R with rear seats down is just cavernous.

[e90babymobile]

Ah! Also considering your move with the veloster N, the track covered warranty is just too tempting!!

[saaron]

Things change. The M3 is a great car, but there are others out there. Enjoy the Civic - they are pretty cool.

Scott

[Rajmun340]

Honda is quality and reliability on every unit produced, that cannot be overstated. You do not have to worry if you got a flawless, well produced, well assembled unit as the next person who paid as much. Totally different for the BMW M3 where there is a luck of the draw and Russian roulette in ordering one from the factory. When all E9x M3 were still fresh out of the factory and all forum members were original owners it was difficult to ignore how some cars held and others didn't. But as years have passed you'd think the faulty original parts got replaced and the time bomb engines gone.

[z3papa]

Originally Posted by Rajmun340

Honda is quality and reliability on every unit produced, that cannot be overstated. You do not have to worry if you got a flawless, well produced, well assembled unit as the next person who paid as much. Totally different for the BMW M3 where there is a luck of the draw and Russian roulette in ordering one from the factory. When all E9x M3 were still fresh out of the factory and all forum members were original owners it was difficult to ignore how some cars held and others didn't. But as years have passed you'd think the faulty original parts got replaced and the time bomb engines gone.

This is so true. I must say that I over maintained mine to the nth degree changing oil, brake pads, air filters etc very frequently, did a complete refresh of the suspension this year including arms/ball joints, swaybar bushing, you name it. Babied the car at cold start up and always had the car to temp before ever pushing it hard.

[Rajmun340]

Originally Posted by z3papa

This is so true. I must say that I over maintained mine to the nth degree changing oil, brake pads, air filters etc very frequently, did a complete refresh of the suspension this year including arms/ball joints, swaybar bushing, you name it. Babied the car at cold start up and always had the car to temp before ever pushing it hard.

That's exactly what i did too since day one taking factory delivery, but had to fight bmw dealers and bmw North america just to get repairs done under original factory warranty, then add dealership(s) incompetency and messup and i had my cup full over the years. Still enjoying the car but have a pretty good idea of how low bmw reliability and variability standards are compared to Japanese cars.
That doesn't mean i don't enjoy the fun and performance of the M3 but the idea that it could break down at any time is never far out of my mind. Ownership also gave me a good idea of the german mentality on engineering. I am an engineer myself. I find that they let some near obvious blunder through the cracks. Some of the modules that equip the M3 would never have passed Japanese scrutiny and perfection. At the end, it's the S65 uniqueness and play ability that has to outweigh all the shortcomings.