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12-26-2024, 09:35 AM | #1 |
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Is the E9x M3 a nice companion to a G80 6MT ?
* posted this in the G80 forum also but willing to hear E9x owner opinions also
Having owned multiple car and a lot of ///M cars in the past (among others : m3 e46 smg conv, m5 e39, m6 e63, m5 f10 dct, M2 lci 6mt,...) but i never had an e9x generation M3. Currently having a 2024 G80 6MT, living in Europe (german market in term of price/car availability, unfortunately we don't have access to cheap american performance cars here). Looking to add another car in the garage within the 30-50k€ budget range as i drive approx 350 miles per week (including one 275 miles trip on the highway) and don't want to put too many miles on the M3 (plan is to keep it forever as the last 6MT M3). Not really afraid of maintenance/RB stuff as i am quite handy and have a good friend who was a BMW mechanic for years but i would hate to stay on the side of the road. My current choices i am looking at are : * W205 C63 (sedan or estate as we get them in europe) -> i had a C63 coupe C205 for 2 years i enjoyed it quite a lot, would love to own one again. * F-Type V8 -> on the upper range of my budget, afraid of reliability aswell but the sounds is amazing. * Golf 8 R -> just for the sake of being reasonable, always loved hot hatches also. * 718 Boxster/Cayman S -> i was actually surprised by the 4 cyl (was expecting worse) but i still have a hard time buying a 4cyl Pcar (would be my first Pcar). And long story short, last contender is the E9x M3 -> one of the only M car that i never owned. I would be opened to any E9x (sedan/coupe/convertible, 6mt/dct) as the main decision factor would be budget (in the sense of not over paying a specific car and loose too much if i want to get rid of it) and car condition (how well it was maintained, RB/TA situation, exterior/interior condition,...) The question here is, will it be a good companion for my G80 ? My main fear is to hate the car because my G80 would do almost everything better and also due to the "icon" status of the E9x which sets my expectations very high. Any of you with this specific combo in your garage or old owners of E9x who could share their experience ? |
12-26-2024, 10:46 AM | #2 |
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I haven’t driven the g80 but I’d like to think you would enjoy the contrast and appreciate each for what they do well. With the g80 you get torque earlier, but take it to the limit and you’re in trouble pretty quickly. Contrast that with the e9x where you can enjoy the revs and more connected steering, etc.
Obviously I’m an e9x fanboy but also am considering a g80 for a daily. A great problem that you have here. |
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12-26-2024, 10:57 AM | #3 |
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Actually i find that the S58, specially in the 6MT with limited torque, is kind of old school N/A power delivery (don't get me wrong, not an N/A feeling in the response just the power delivery and building on higher rpm's) with torque coming after 2.5k rpm and decent pull until redline (not as high as e9x obviously).
Steering will obviously be better in e9x, from previous ///M cars with hydraulic racks and quick test drive i can confirm that it's a level above the G80 (unless you are just cruising around and enjoy a more muted rack). |
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12-27-2024, 01:59 AM | #4 |
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IMO, I think at this point in their life cycle, E9x M3s best serve as toys or light duty cars. If you were doing it the other way around, putting miles on the G80 and keeping the E9x for more special occasions, I'd recommend it. But the youngest E92 is now 12 years old and the parts supply is steadily getting worse. Not exactly something I'd want to be putting 18k miles a year on.
Also, wanted to comment because I'm seriously looking at replacing my DD with a '21+ F Pace SVR in the next year and have done tons of research on the Jags. Ironically, the AJ133 is probably the most trustworthy V8 still in mainstream manufacture in Europe (Defender will probably be the last vehicle using it). It's an engine originating from the 90s, with an Eaton supercharger on top. Really straightforward to work on, and Jag seems to use simple mechanical components on the rest of their cars (unlike the Land Rover products). Maybe just be a bit wary of infotainment annoyances. Only issue the engine really has is the coolant and heater pipes. You can buy aftermarket metal replacements to permanently fix them, and for about $3k USD if you had shop do it. The German hot-V V8s in comparison all seem to have their own niggling or major issues (the Audi 4.0T particularly), are a PITA to work on, and I would not trust what all that heat will do to them as they age. If you've ever seen an S63/N63 engine out, it's the stuff of a mechanic's nightmares. |
12-27-2024, 03:55 AM | #5 |
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I would be looking at sharing the drives "50/50" between both cars so around 9k miles per year on each but i understand your point, was also the reason why i sold my e39 m5 at the time -> not really an issue to work on it constantly but part availability was becoming a concern...
thanks for the insight on the jag V8, tbh i never really did any research on them and stayed on the usual : avoid English motors. Will look into them. For the S63, had it on my M5 f10, i enjoyed it a lot but as you mention a bit of a nightmare. Was willing to look into an F90 also but i feel like it is too similar to my G80 and the coolant tank issues are worrying (we don't have the same customer protection in Europe so any expenses linked to that would be out of pocket here...) |
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12-27-2024, 01:04 PM | #6 | |
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155,000 miles on my 2013 E93, and approaching 100k on my 2021 BMW G82. Both have been rock solid, and I drive both all the time (obviously), straight through winter, and it's the only 2 cars I own. ![]() |
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12-27-2024, 01:37 PM | #7 | |
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12-28-2024, 12:40 PM | #8 |
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I think it’d make a great companion car - I’ve put a few hundred miles on a G80 (on street and at the BMW track event), and I think the E92 is everything the G80 is not. Soulful, engaging and full of character whereas the G80 is rather numb/soulless. But if you don’t need back seats you open up a lot of other cars (like the F Type, 4.0 GTS etc..) that could be even more of an experience than the E92. Going to shamelessly throw the Emira into your list as it will most likely be the replacement for my e92 and I found it to be a somewhat analog experience in a modern package - and full of character, an anamoly in modern cars.
Last edited by VR1; 12-28-2024 at 12:42 PM.. |
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12-28-2024, 05:58 PM | #9 |
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I bought a 2011 E92 6MT last year to pair with my 2018 F87 6MT.
The M2 is my daily and the M3 serves as my “change of pace” car. Other than revving out to 8k+ RPMs, the M2 does most things better more often (I don’t track either car). Don’t expect the steering of old on the M3 as the servotronic interferes with the traditional hydraulic racks we grew to love...even in sport mode imo. I prefer the steering in my old E90 328i and the consistent feel that it had. That said, every time I drive the M3 and get it above 4k RPMs I giggle like a kid. The S65 is intoxicating, easily my favorite BMW engine. The car does everything well, for its time. Comparing to existing technology isn’t really fair. If you go in with realistic expectations and appreciate it for what it is….and what it was in its day, you will love it. I have no regrets, hope never to sell it, and look forward to every drive I get with it. As mentioned above there is so much character. Good luck! ![]()
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2015 335i xDrive 6MT (Retired and I dont miss her) 2018 M2 6MT (Never retiring) Last edited by Al Bundy's Dodge; 12-28-2024 at 06:02 PM.. |
01-03-2025, 02:33 PM | #10 |
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Is the E9x M3 a nice companion to a g80 6MT?
If it is an e93, the best, a DCT would compliment an MT6 speed G80 even further.
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01-03-2025, 06:44 PM | #11 |
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Well, you can always buy it with a timeframe in mind for how long you plan on owning the car. From there you can decide if you want to keep it or not. My question to you is do you plan to keep the e9x m3 stock...I understand you're in Europe where regulations are much stricter.
My take from my own experience: I bought my e92 m3 two years ago with intent of only keeping it for a year. Keeping it stock lasted only a month or two. Eventually I replaced the exhaust, installed test pipes and Epic tune, and eventually underdrive pulleys. Last but not least, I got a second set of 18" wheels with PS4S tires. (For the first year I drove on a set of M359s with Conti DWS06S tires). Had I kept the car stock, I likely would have sold it. In its stock form its very bottled up. I was constantly switching between economy power, and the power button. It was very Jekyll Hyde-ish. Recently reverted to the stock tune to go in for inspection and my god, it took away half the fun even with test pipes in. I say buy one for the experience and go from there. Everything I mentioned above has added another layer of fun. I do believe the 18" Michelin PS4S tires cemented / grounded me to the car this past spring when I installed them and ran them for 6 months before switching back to my M359s. It's also one of those cars that is a talking point, random people will strike up conversations over it. Last edited by GinTonic; 01-03-2025 at 07:01 PM.. |
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01-03-2025, 08:20 PM | #12 |
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Hearing a truly naturally aspirated S65 v8 it’s not like any other. However, I would not buy another if you have the G80. The G80 is newer and better in terms of specs compared to the older M3s, one major factor being torque. The E90/92 M3 is nice but if you have another there’s really no point. Your other options are good choices!
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01-03-2025, 09:13 PM | #13 | |
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This makes no sense at all. |
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01-04-2025, 08:22 AM | #14 | |
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I plan to daily drive mine and never considered this an issue. I see so many older cars on the road. |
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01-04-2025, 11:15 AM | #15 | |
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Current '21 DG X5MC (daily + track tow), '11 E90 M3 (track), '21 X3 M40i (wife)
Recent Past '22 BG G82, '12 E92 M3 ZCP, '08 E93 M3, '18 F80 ZCP, '04 E46 M3 I think I have an M3 problem. |
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01-04-2025, 12:33 PM | #16 | |
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01-04-2025, 12:58 PM | #17 | |
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It’s a pretty significant change in throttle pedal behavior - I was reminded of this last night in my buddy’s DCT. I kept thinking - wow whatever he did this thing has the beans, just touch the throttle and you rocket off. But then I noticed the power button was on, so I turned it off and low and behold it was exactly like my car (save for the DCT). I’m team normal throttle, I like having maximum modulation but I can appreciate that sensitive throttle is probably fun for a lot of people.
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01-04-2025, 02:30 PM | #18 |
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In these situations I prefer one true sports car to get real contrast and perspective. In this case you have two dual purpose jack of all trades cars and neither one is a true toy or stands out.
I would just drive the G80 and get something that’s truly different or I wouldn’t bother. Just my opinion |
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01-04-2025, 03:26 PM | #19 | |
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As for the OP though: the E92 was a childhood dream car for me and that justifies it being a 12 year old car, with all of its creaks and interior rattles despite finding a relatively "fresh" one when I picked it up. It's a do it all like your G8x - you *can* daily it, you *can* track it. It won't be the best at either of those things as any compromised car is. However, what it may provide over a turbo 718 or modern dedicated sports car is the hydraulic steering, crispness of the DCT, and high revving NA motor. It's a unique experience I don't regret - but one that you might be able to get more of via a GT3 as a second car.
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01-04-2025, 08:57 PM | #20 | |
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01-05-2025, 09:24 AM | #21 | |
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I drive M3 when my kids are with me or the weather sucks, and if I'm by myself I take the GT3. The GT3 is way way sharper, different league fast and a lot more fun. Drive the G80! It's a great car and maybe add something down the road to add to it if life circumstances change? Last edited by neilum; 01-05-2025 at 09:30 AM.. |
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01-06-2025, 08:56 AM | #22 |
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Thanks for the feedbacks
I do get the specialness of the E9x platform and agree with the fact that this is a dual purpose (like my G80) car, as you say in english jack of all trades and when i say that my G80 does everything better, don't get me wrong, i am only talking about tangible metrics and not the experience that is, for sure, very different between a G80 and E9x. About driving the G80, i am basically planning to keep it "for life" as my last 6MT car so am driving it for sure (did 7.5k miles in 6 month of ownership) but don't want to go crazy with it. I am also used to have two cars and i enjoy the different experience it brings and i do not have any second car since 6 months. I also now have a baby so 4 seats are not a must per say but i would enjoy the car on many more occasions if it has 4 seats. Concerning the Porsche GT cars, TBH i can't in my budget. A GT4 might fit in the near future if crypto's/any other investment go to the moon but in current situation it's a bit too expensive for me. I am looking around for E9x that could be close to me and will go for an extended test drive i think that could help me make my decision even tough i already drove E9x (E93 dct to be precise) but that was a quick test few years ago (that triggered my M6 e63 buy) |
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