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      08-03-2018, 12:34 PM   #1
Daniel S
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Looking into buying an E90 M3-need help

All,

I am looking at my next car and after talking with our BMW mechanic, the E90/E92 came up as a good next car. I have a small child, so the E90 is preferred over the E92. For reference, I currently drive a 2001 Audi S4 with a manual transmission that is modified to 420 hp. Unfortunately, in the Los Angeles area, I am having a hard time connecting with someone who is a current M3 owner with a manual transmission. There a lot for sale that are DCT.

I have done some research on M3 and I am aware of the rod bearings and the throttle position sensor issues.

I am looking for some help to get more up to speed on the M3 (the pluses and minuses, any interesting foibles, etc) and would like to drive one to see if it lives up to my expectations. I would hate to purchase one and have it be a let down. It has to be in the Los Angeles/Orange/Ventura areas, so I physically see one. For this, it does not have to be a sedan, though that would provide the most complete picture of the type of car I would be purchasing.

We do have an E91 in our house, so I have some experience with the E90-E93 generation, and we do like it. My plan is to bring the E91 and compare them from an internal standpoint.

Please feel free to respond via PM or by email at:
pwdrqst@sbcglobal.net

I appreciate the help.

Daniel
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      08-03-2018, 12:39 PM   #2
BayE30
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sitting inside the e91 is pretty much identical to e90 m3. literally the only difference from inside are the seats and steering wheel. i have owned e91 328i, e90 335d, and 2 e90 m3. all feel exactly the same from interior standpoint. the difference is the driving experience, if you commute in traffic alot, m3 is going to feel slow compared to a turbo car that has alot of torque.
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      08-03-2018, 01:52 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SFCM3 View Post
sitting inside the e91 is pretty much identical to e90 m3. literally the only difference from inside are the seats and steering wheel. i have owned e91 328i, e90 335d, and 2 e90 m3. all feel exactly the same from interior standpoint.
Yep, that is what I have heard. As far as the interior is concerned, I think the wife would like me to compare our car next to one.

Quote:
Originally Posted by SFCM3 View Post
the difference is the driving experience, if you commute in traffic alot, m3 is going to feel slow compared to a turbo car that has alot of torque.
That was the same comment that our mechanic said. Now having driven our E91 in traffic, I am used to that, so that would not bother me too much. I figure that pretty much any fun to drive car is going to suck in traffic.

Thanks for the comments. I do appreciate them.
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      08-03-2018, 03:20 PM   #4
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Having an S4 you're aware of the higher costs of consumables and repairs so that doesn't sound like much of a concern. To be honest, not even trying to be biased but I believe the E90 is the best dialy for people like us that want that special feel while remaining practical. Also, consider the DCT. Its a fabulous transmission and if you're sitting in traffic and commuting, there is nothing better then throwing it in full auto and relaxing. Then, toss is in manual 5 and let her rip.
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      08-03-2018, 04:26 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EnVe46 View Post
Having an S4 you're aware of the higher costs of consumables and repairs so that doesn't sound like much of a concern. To be honest, not even trying to be biased but I believe the E90 is the best dialy for people like us that want that special feel while remaining practical. Also, consider the DCT. Its a fabulous transmission and if you're sitting in traffic and commuting, there is nothing better then throwing it in full auto and relaxing. Then, toss is in manual 5 and let her rip.
For what it's worth, I sat in bumper to bumper traffic from Pasadena to Fontana in a DCT e92 for Bimmerfest '17. The DCT transmission goes to neutral when you are in a full stop and it takes a little throttle to get it back in gear. Being in bumper to bumper for miles, I would be stopped then have to inch a few feet and wait for the transmission to finally put in it in first. Constantly waiting for the trans to finally grab a gear was torture and I would have rather been in my 6MT 335i because I know exactly where I can lift off the clutch and inch the car forward.

All other aspects of the DCT are amazing, but I never buy the "DCT is better in traffic" argument. Living in SoCal I think you're right with the 6MT
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      08-03-2018, 06:42 PM   #6
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I have a e90 and live in Buena Park Anaheim area if you’d like to see it in person
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      08-03-2018, 07:19 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GSTE34 View Post
I have a e90 and live in Buena Park Anaheim area if you’d like to see it in person
That would be great. PM or email me (pwdrqst@sbcglobal.net) the best way to contact you. Thanks!
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      08-07-2018, 01:53 PM   #8
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There's an e90 6 speed available from carmax:

https://www.carmax.com/car/15867397
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      08-07-2018, 07:39 PM   #9
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being a 6MT guy my whole life... 2 x E46 M3, Z4M, 2011 M3... I just finally got myself a 2012 E92 M3 DCT.

And finally I know why people feel justified calling this a clutchless manual, because thats exactly how it acts, I love that it doesn't lurch forward when you take your foot off the brake.

I would buy a DCT!
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      08-07-2018, 11:24 PM   #10
Daniel S
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AEUROPLUG View Post
There's an e90 6 speed available from carmax:

https://www.carmax.com/car/15867397
Thanks. It looks like it is in Costa Mesa. Maybe I will try and get it "transferred" to here in Burbank.
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      08-07-2018, 11:28 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PKL View Post
being a 6MT guy my whole life... 2 x E46 M3, Z4M, 2011 M3... I just finally got myself a 2012 E92 M3 DCT.

And finally I know why people feel justified calling this a clutchless manual, because thats exactly how it acts, I love that it doesn't lurch forward when you take your foot off the brake.

I would buy a DCT!
Maybe someday or some car will get me to be willing to give up the 6MT, but not quite yet. Of course, if I got a DCT, I may not see my car that often. My wife may take it. https://www.m3post.com/forums/images/smilies/sigh.gif The only thing stopping her from taking the keys to the 968 is that she has not "been checked out" in it. https://www.m3post.com/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif
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      08-08-2018, 12:11 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel S View Post
Thanks. It looks like it is in Costa Mesa. Maybe I will try and get it "transferred" to here in Burbank.
Does carmax transfer a car when you're not actually purchasing it?
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      08-08-2018, 11:19 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by XKxRome0ox View Post
Does carmax transfer a car when you're not actually purchasing it?
They do, if you pay for it. They do charge you for the transfer fee.
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      08-16-2018, 12:28 AM   #14
Daniel S
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Thanks for all of the help. CarMax quoted me 4-5 days to transfer it to Burbank, so I drove down on Saturday to drive it. It was definitely a fun car to drive. As everyone says, jumping into the E90, even though it is an M3, is extremely familiar. Yeah, there are a few extra buttons and the i-Drive, but it "fit" the same, therefore I could concentrate on the car vs. worrying about the car's size while test driving it. The bottom line is that it is still on the list, and I can feel comfortable pouncing on the right one when it comes available.

Thanks for the responses.
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      08-19-2018, 11:28 AM   #15
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If you are in Burbank have Racewerkz Engineering do a PPI! They are a great shop and right across the street from Carmax.
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