2013 Interlagos Blue ZCP 6MT | OEM+ Build Thread!

[zcp]

Hey everyone,

I wanted to start a build thread on here to document everything I do to this car. This is my first E92 M3 and I think I found the perfect spec for what I was looking for.

The car was listed on consignment with Atlas Motor Co. in Raleigh, NC. I can’t say enough great things about their customers service and the whole buying process.

Here are the details:

2013 M3 Competition 6MT
53k miles
Interlagos Blue on Black Leather - Fully manual seats
Single Hump
2-owners, Clean Carfax

PPF on most of the car
Dinan exhaust and intake.
Some carbon bits.
Tons of records but RB/TA’s not done. Not surprised because of the miles.
The car is overall in showroom condition. The current owner knows the 1st owner.

The car came with all stock parts and an extra set of wheels that I chose to sell to the dealership.

Immediate Plans:

•Rod bearings + bolts
•New tires for the ZCP wheels
•Ceramic coating
•Autosolutions SSK + UUC Ultimate Clutch Pedal
•Maybe an x-pipe

[zcp]

This is what the car looked like at purchase.

As I mentioned previously, I opted to sell these wheels to the dealership and put the stock ZCP wheels back on. This was a consignment car, so the owner dropped it off as is.

[zcp]

I wanted to address the rod bearings right away, so I did some research and found a local shop that has done then for the S65 50+ times. The car went to North Raleigh Performance in Raleigh, NC.

NRP was great the entire process and even fit me into the schedule with a 2 day turnaround time.

This was the first time the car was on a lift, so we took that opportunity to take an undercarriage photo. Looks extremely clean!

We replaced the rod bearings, bolts and motor mounts. Also did an oil change.

The car had 53k miles when the service was done, and was completely stock other than a Dinan intake and muffler.

Though the OEM bearings look ok, they were definitely worn and you never know when they will actually fail.

I opted for BE Bearings and ARP Bolts, which seem to be the most popular choice.

I attached photos of the RO, OEM bearings and OEM motor mounts.
Total job was $2750. I was getting quotes from shops that ranged from $2500-3700.

Discussion Thread here

[Stryyker]

If you dont mind could you post what price you purchased the car for? Looking for a similar spec in this time and trying to get a rough idea of what to expect to pay. Beautiful car OP!

[zcp]

Originally Posted by Stryyker

If you dont mind could you post what price you purchased the car for? Looking for a similar spec in this time and trying to get a rough idea of what to expect to pay. Beautiful car OP!

I paid $45k. There were multiple other people trying to buy the car at the same time. It sold in under 24 hours. If the PO put the ZCPs wheels back on with new tires, it easily would have been a $48-50k car because of the spec.

[Stryyker]

Originally Posted by zcp

I paid $45k. There were multiple other people trying to buy the car at the same time. It sold in under 24 hours. If the PO put the ZCPs wheels back on with new tires, it easily would have been a $48-50k car because of the spec.

It is definitely perfect. Congrats! Enjoy it brother, definitely considering going from my F80 into either an E92 or a G80 next!

[zcp]

Originally Posted by Stryyker

It is definitely perfect. Congrats! Enjoy it brother, definitely considering going from my F80 into either an E92 or a G80 next!

I canceled my incoming G87 M2 and had considered a G80 so many times. Find yourself a minty E92 M3! It’ll feel so much more special.

[Stryyker]

Originally Posted by zcp

I canceled my incoming G87 M2 and had considered a G80 so many times. Find yourself a minty E92 M3! It’ll feel so much more special.

Probably wouldnt even think twice if the market for these wasnt so crazy to be honest, only thing thats held me back. But I look forward to hearing your thoughts going forward. What did you have before?

[zcp]

Originally Posted by Stryyker

Probably wouldnt even think twice if the market for these wasnt so crazy to be honest, only thing thats held me back. But I look forward to hearing your thoughts going forward. What did you have before?

Totally understandable.

Within the last 17 months:

•2015 Cayman S 6MT - Fabspeed Headers - Filters - Stage 2 Tune - GT4 SSK
•2013 Carrera 7MT - Sharkwerks x-pipe
•2021 M2 Competition 6MT - Ohlin’s R&T - Remus Race Exhaust - Lots of cf
•2018 M2 6MT - Dinan Exhaust

I had a 2004 Oxford Green / Cinnamon E46 M3 6MT back in 2019. I did some ZCP/CSL parts and a lot of preventative maintenance. Wish I never sold that one, but I wasn’t willing to pay $35k for it when it came on BaT last summer haha.

I was a big E46 guy. Two M3s and 3 ZHPs. It’s nice to be back in a fantastic example of a classic M car.

[Stryyker]

Originally Posted by zcp

Totally understandable.

Within the last 17 months:

•2015 Cayman S 6MT - Fabspeed Headers - Filters - Stage 2 Tune - GT4 SSK
•2013 Carrera 7MT - Sharkwerks x-pipe
•2021 M2 Competition 6MT - Ohlin’s R&T - Remus Race Exhaust - Lots of cf
•2018 M2 6MT - Dinan Exhaust

I had a 2004 Oxford Green / Cinnamon E46 M3 6MT back in 2019. I did some ZCP/CSL parts and a lot of preventative maintenance. Wish I never sold that one, but I wasn’t willing to pay $35k for it when it came on BaT last summer haha.

I was a big E46 guy. Two M3s and 3 ZHPs. It’s nice to be back in a fantastic example of a classic M car.

Thats an awesome list of vehicles! Im curious to see how you would rank the e92 in amongst them after some time.

[zcp]

Originally Posted by Stryyker

Thats an awesome list of vehicles! Im curious to see how you would rank the e92 in amongst them after some time.

I’ll definitely keep you updated on that! I’m liking it so far, but I need to take it through some amazing mountain roads up here in Vermont.

[Stryyker]

Looking forward to your followup! Drive safe!

[zcp]

Next step was swapping the wheels. As I mentioned previously, I opted to sell the wheels that came on the car to the dealer, and swap back to the OEM ZCPs.

The tires had 2013 date code on them, so I knew before taking delivery of the car, I’d have to buy a new set.

Usually I gravitated toward PS4S, as I’ve had them on many of my previous cars. Living in Vermont now, it just doesn’t make as much sense as a nice UHP all-season. I decided to go with Continental DWS06 Plus in upsized 255/35/19 (F) 275/35/19 (R). I have a new set of those sitting in my garage for my 2022 X3 M40i as well.

The decision to go with an UHP AS tires means I can basically drive the car any month when there isn’t snow or salt on the ground. Instead of waiting until April and then putting the car away in November, I have months more of driving. So the trade-off is worth it to me.

So far I have a few hundred miles on these tires, and I’m pretty happy with them. I will say, they don’t feel as stable at high speeds through mountain back roads, but that also might be the stock EDC suspension as well. I’ll definitely keep them for now and see how I like them going forward.

[zcp]

Delivery day was 4/2/23. I booked enclosed transport from NC to VT, and the only other car in the trailer was a 991.2 Carrera headed to Boston.

Interlagos looks so much better in person on this car than I could have imagined!

[zcp]

As soon as the car was delivered, it went right to my local detailer for a full ceramic coating + paint correction. I had the wheels ceramic coated as well (faces + barrels).

The detailer used Feynlab products and I’m really impressed with the results.

Although the paint was in very good condition for a 10-year-old car, there were a lot of surface-level swirl marks that I wanted addressed.

I’m pretty honest with myself, and I know I’m not the best at keeping up with washing my wheels, so that was a no-brainer for me.

Discussion Thread here

[DanMpower]

Originally Posted by Stryyker

It is definitely perfect. Congrats! Enjoy it brother, definitely considering going from my F80 into either an E92 or a G80 next!

Went from an F80 to my first E92 M3, then I was hooked and NINE E9X M3s later It's my favorite M car.

Last year I was going to sell my RS3 and my previous E92 M3 6MT to make the leap into a G80 Competition X-Drive. Drove a G80 and did not love it, not one bit. Still sounded awful, the interior was nice and it was fast of course but the theatrics/thrill just wasn't there. The driving experience is incomparable with an E9x M3. I hate to say it but the only "newer" BMW that I've driven which comes close to the fun of the E9x M3 was probably an F87 M2 OG in 6MT form.

To the OP, you got a steal and it's coming along beautifully! Love the silver 359Ms, goes perfectly with Interlagos. Will be following this thread.

[Stryyker]

Originally Posted by DanMpower

Went from an F80 to my first E92 M3, then I was hooked and NINE E9X M3s later It's my favorite M car.

Last year I was going to sell my RS3 and my previous E92 M3 6MT to make the leap into a G80 Competition X-Drive. Drove a G80 and did not love it, not one bit. Still sounded awful, the interior was nice and it was fast of course but the theatrics/thrill just wasn't there. The driving experience is incomparable with an E9x M3. I hate to say it but the only "newer" BMW that I've driven which comes close to the fun of the E9x M3 was probably an F87 M2 OG in 6MT form.

To the OP, you got a steal and it's coming along beautifully! Love the silver 359Ms, goes perfectly with Interlagos. Will be following this thread.

I appreciate your experience. I drove a G80 and while it definitely felt better in all aspects than my F80 and F87 still does leave a lot to be desired in terms of the driving experience. It seems today these cars drive themselves theyre that good. Not a bad thing necessarily but I do miss having a vehicle where im fully connected to it when driving. Im beginning to explore picking up an e92 and a x3 perhaps to daily rather than going the one car does all solution being the g80.

[DanMpower]

Originally Posted by Stryyker

I appreciate your experience. I drove a G80 and while it definitely felt better in all aspects than my F80 and F87 still does leave a lot to be desired in terms of the driving experience. It seems today these cars drive themselves theyre that good. Not a bad thing necessarily but I do miss having a vehicle where im fully connected to it when driving. Im beginning to explore picking up an e92 and a x3 perhaps to daily rather than going the one car does all solution being the g80.

The G80 is definitely not a bad choice for an all-around ONLY car, it really does everything well but if you can swing something comfy as a DD like an X3 and something fun for the weekend, a two-car option with the E9x M3 would definitely be my choice.

OP, I noticed the driver side of your rear carbon wing might be lifting. Possible picture angle?

[zcp]

Originally Posted by DanMpower

Went from an F80 to my first E92 M3, then I was hooked and NINE E9X M3s later It's my favorite M car.

Last year I was going to sell my RS3 and my previous E92 M3 6MT to make the leap into a G80 Competition X-Drive. Drove a G80 and did not love it, not one bit. Still sounded awful, the interior was nice and it was fast of course but the theatrics/thrill just wasn't there. The driving experience is incomparable with an E9x M3. I hate to say it but the only "newer" BMW that I've driven which comes close to the fun of the E9x M3 was probably an F87 M2 OG in 6MT form.

To the OP, you got a steal and it's coming along beautifully! Love the silver 359Ms, goes perfectly with Interlagos. Will be following this thread.

Thank you! I’ve had a lot of BMWs, new and old. This seemed like the right move for me since I had already owned so much in a certain price point. I either had to go up or down, and I didn’t want to go up lol. I also realized I really like chasing functional excellence and preserving a really special car.

As someone who’s driven multiple F80s and owned (2) F87 OG and (2) F87 Comps, the OG feels way more tossable and lively. The Comp is awesome, but it’s a mini F80. You feel the heft, and my last one had Ohlin’s. The steering feel just isn’t there though.

I’ve never driven a G80, but I’ve heard people are blown away by the performance. The being said, it’s all relative. If you never came from older BMWs, I’m sure it’s one of the best driving cars for 2023. The one car to do it all is tempting sometimes, but luckily I have a 2023 Pro-4X for winter/putting around town and my wife and I share a 2022 X3 M40i since I work from home.

[zcp]

Originally Posted by DanMpower

The G80 is definitely not a bad choice for an all-around ONLY car, it really does everything well but if you can swing something comfy as a DD like an X3 and something fun for the weekend, a two-car option with the E9x M3 would definitely be my choice.

OP, I noticed the driver side of your rear carbon wing might be lifting. Possible picture angle?

Good eye haha. I need to decide what to use for that. Maybe some double sided 3M?

[wyatth]

Congrats! Great looking car, killer spec. Love what you're up to with it already, it's in good hands!

[zcp]

Originally Posted by wyatth

Congrats! Great looking car, killer spec. Love what you're up to with it already, it's in good hands!

Appreciate the kind words! I keep thinking I want to make it louder, but I think it’s pretty great with the Dinan intake and muffler. Maybe an Autosolutions SSK though.