E9x M3 favourite design feature

[wht125i]

Hi all,

I had an M3 for the weekend and I have found my new favourite detail on the E92 M3.

It is the shift speed button for the DCT. When you look closely, it has 1-5 speeds connected, and then it has an extra, unconnected, 6th speed - which you can't reach unless you know how!

When I had my e46, it was the outline of the vehicle on the dashboard that showed which door was open.

What's your favourite subtle design feature on the E9x?

[KevinGS]

I like the fact when I need service, it actually displays a car up on a lift during startup and when you turn the car off. I just found it funny, and chuckled and smiled every time I saw it.

And #2, I love the shift lights lighting up as the car approaches red line. It just adds to the thrill that much more, especially at night. This car, such theater...

[Agent-GHQ]

That race sign pops up briefly and slowly subside

[Eddien123]

I could go on for days to be honest but to name a few... umm well the headlights on the e92 match the front end so well. I find so many cars with odd looking headlight designs and it bothers me. The bumper design isn't like new M's where they're trying too hard to make it look aggressive. The e90 is curvy and sharp at the same time. It's not boxy like the e46 and it's not overly designed like the f8X. The hood bulge gives me a bulge. The hood vents (I'm in my 20's so I find that cool). The side profile of this car with a lowered suspension... wow. With that fender vent starting that line that continues to the taillights. I think the interior is spot on but to be honest its the only the thing about the the e90 that I would say is looking out dated. The gauge cluster in the e90 is perfect. The double hump for the nav has always been my favorite part despite people not liking it. I'm sorry but that screen sticking up is so cheap looking no matter what the car.

There's a few to start. Sorry about the grammar I'm not at a computer.

[dkracing]

Originally Posted by Agent-GHQ

That race sign pops up briefly and slowly subside

You mean the flag for launch control?

[yidgyi]

The headlights. Look even better after oneighty took them from me and did some magical things.

[///M Power-Belgium]

The design of our bearings is bullet proof ...

[Law]

We talk a lot about how much we love the S65 and the driving character/soul of the E9x M3, but it's actually kind of nice to have a thread where we can take a moment to appreciate its design as well.

Some of my favorite design features of the E9x M3, in no particular order:

• Power Dome & Hood Vents - The E9x M3 power dome is not only functional in making room for the 8-individual throttle bodies, but also flows with the front end of the car. It's imposing, but doesn't look out of place. Unlike the F8x bulge, the E9x one looks sculpted and smooth (fluid) while aggressive at the same time, whereas the F8x one looks too edgy and is too perfectly flat at the top.
  Aesthetically, when combined with the air inlets in the hood, it's a constant reminder from the driver's seat, of the gem of an engine that lurks beneath.
  Elegantly aggressive.
  
  
  
  
  
• M Exterior Mirrors- It's really the details that add to the overall experience.
  The "dual-prong" aerodynamic M mirror design is a nice nod to the mirror designs of the E36 M3 and the final-run E34 M5. The E9x M3 was the first to bring about a modern interpretation of the "motorsport mirrors" of the 1990s, complete with dimming, heating, and power-folding functions.
  The exterior mirrors is one of the things that every safe driver looks at often while driving. I really appreciate that even this simple act performed while driving is enhanced by subtle details that are aesthetically pleasing and (somewhat) functional. Really helps to cater to the overall ethos and concept of the vehicle, that no detail goes unnoticed; the small throwback to heritage is quite nice too.
  
  
  
  
• Side-gill with integrated turn indicators - Whereas the E46 M3 gills were a throwback to the 3.0 CSL and resurrected the feature for subsequent M-cars, the E9x side-gill is one of my favorites. At first glance, they subtly enhance the side-profile of the E9x. Upon a closer inspection, you'll spot that the E90 and E92 have slightly different gill designs, both of which work nicely on their respective body-styles. Then, there's the integrated turn signal. This is my favorite detail here. Such a small detail, but it hawks back to the BMW Z8, which also had side-gills with integrated turn signals, and is a nice evolution from the older BMW side-indicators that were previously on the side-mouldings.
  I much prefer the turn indicators be integrated with the side-gill than in the side-mirrors. It's a more intrinsically BMW design versus the side-mirror indicators of the F-chassis, which are generic and used by almost everyone from KIA to Mercedes-Benz to Toyota.
  
  
  
  
• Rear bumper "diffuser" - Another nice design feature (BMW says it's for aerodynamics) that is aggressive but not overdone. I like that the "diffuser" portion mirrors the front bumper with the same shaped mesh opening and is centered and open (instead of plugged), owing to the fact that it serves at least some sort of purpose. Design-wise, it looks more purposeful than unnecessary creases and edges.
  
  
  
• Interior materials (Carbon Leather trim & Leather wrapped center console) - I've always liked the carbon leather trim on the E9x M3. It's one of those interior trims that is basically unique to this chassis and one other (Z4 M i believe) and differentiates itself from the overplayed "carbon fiber" trims that are often glossy, plastic-y materials that feel cheap when touched and leave fingerprints all over.
  Adding to that point, the center console around the shifter is also a nice touch, being wrapped in soft leather instead of rubber or hard plastic. I've also noticed that on the DCTs, the newer F-chassis models have exposed bare plastic versus having a leather boot like the E9x. The leather is much nicer to touch and look at than plastic painted to look like aluminum.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• E90 "frankenstein" front-end - This and the proportions of the E90 are what really drew me to the sedan. I like that the E90 M3 had the coupe's front end, which is drastically different from the non-M E90 front end. Yet, somehow the coupe front-end also complements the E90 quite nicely. In fact, the non-M pre-LCI E90's front end was so unflattering, that the saving grace for the pre-LCI E90 M3 was the fact that the front end was so much better looking than it's non-M counterpart. Of course, with the E90 LCI, both non-M and M looked pretty good, while still looking very different and unique from each other.
  The F3x and F8x lose some of this distinction. While technically all F8x's have the coupe front end (which is technically different), the headlight designs are so similarly shaped that they don't really appear different, especially at a quick glance.
  
  

[jiggz]

^ damn, this guy put a post together! Love it

[roastbeef]

i like that i can see the powerdome on the hood from the driver's seat pointing where i'm going. kinda weird, i know.

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

i like that i can see the powerdome on the hood from the driver's seat pointing where i'm going. kinda weird, i know.

Yes. And if you're really short in the M3 drivers seat it will feel the same as looking over the hood of a 2nd gen Viper as a tall guy.

[leemik]

I like how the door handle lights up when you unlock the door..

looks really classy and in the beginning when the car was still new friends always commented on that.

[jasonrp15]

Everything mentioned are great features. Another one that I truly love about the E92 M3 is the sound of that V8! Especially with 2 Cats removed. Such a sweet deep sound especially during start-ups.

P.S. The bulge gives me a bulge was funny as hell lol

[dparm]

Power bulge in the hood. Dunno if I would call it subtle, but it's definitely a clue to the car being SERIOUS BUSINESS.

[Banana Hammock]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

The design of our bearings is bullet proof ...

[Denk]

Gotta mention the bodacious booty! That stance, flare's, quad pipe visual is a thing of beauty too. One of my old girls, damn I miss the booty!

[MJBO]

Originally Posted by dparm

Power bulge in the hood. Dunno if I would call it subtle, but it's definitely a clue to the car being SERIOUS BUSINESS.

It’s not subtle at all, and I love that. It’s beautifully sculpted into the bonnet so doesn’t appear like an afterthought, but the fact it’s so visible (outside and from the drivers seat) probably makes it my favourite design feature of the E9x M3.

That and the pumped rear guards on my E90. Makes the sedan even cooler IMO

[G80indy]

S65B40

[Mvy]

Agree that the best feature is the motor.

[spazzyfry123]

Maybe not my favorite, but I like the subtle and quirky folding rear headrests. Any time I look in the mirror and see them folding over I can't help but laugh.

[sibhusz06]

I actually think this is one of the rare cars that has been well executed from the front sides and back bodywork wise...

[Agent-GHQ]

Originally Posted by dkracing

You mean the flag for launch control?

Correct!