Longterm owners feelings these days

[PACarGuy]

Still enjoying my 2012 6.5 years later. Bought it at 52K miles in May 2017, and now have ~72k, with most of the miles coming pre-COVID. These days I don't do a ton of driving, and it's mainly driven on weekends and for pleasure. I haven't done any track days in it in years, though I would like to get back to doing a couple here and there again.

Like many others have said, there aren't really any other cars currently out that excite me without paying triple the price + of my E92 M3. Recently did a track day where I got to sample a 488 GTB, Lambo Huracan and an Audi R8, and those were an absolute blast (the 488 was sublime), but hard to justify the price of entry for something in that class when I'm just not driving that much these days. And my M3 still felt pretty quick and sharp when I left the track that day.

Have put a lot of maintenance and upkeep into my current baby (rod bearings & engine mounts at 58K, both throttle actuators, front suspension components, water pump and belts, detailing, wheel straightening and refinishing, etc.) and don't really see letting her go anytime soon, given that NA V8's are a dying breed, and it's still a lot of car for the money. Still puts a smile on my face every time!

[Z K]

I had my 2008 M3 since 2011. Purchased as a BMW CPO. The car entered service in 2009 so I had a good many years of dealer service and warranty.

Car has been rock solid since purchase. I had the throttle actuators go bad which were replaced under warranty. Since then a few sensors went bad and were replaced. I did the rod bearings preventatively. I used to put 20k miles a year on the car when it was purchased. It is now a garage queen and I drive it on track days.

It still looks and runs like it did when I purchased it. Full car clear bra and regular detailing keeps the paint in good condition. I recently replaced the clear bra with new clear bra and it looks brand new again. No rock chips, scratches or other wear. Interior is great with no peeling plastics and leather properly conditioned and protected. It does not burn any oil between oil changes. The M3 has done dozens of track days, autocrosses and enthusiastic drives with no issues.

That said, I am looking at other cars but everything else I'd want costs significantly more. The M3 puts a smile on my face every time and rowing through the manual is a great feeling. I don't think I'd have kept the car for 12 years if it weren't for the manual transmission combined with the high rpm V8 - it is something lacking in most new sports cars. My daily driver is much faster and luxurious in every measurable way than the M3 but you don't get that analog feeling.

[TboneS54]

Peak BMW motorsport.

Love E46, but E9x is even better with similar (e46) gtr p60 engine.

Can't think of 2 better cars for the money (e46/e90). Even if I sold both, I couldn't even get a GT3/4 Pcar.

[Scrippy]

I gotta say it’s cool understanding how everyone still loves these cars! I thought I might be a lone weirdo but everyone is pretty much still enjoying them as much or more than myself. Lots of awesome stories in here so far!

[nrubenstein]

My Dad still has his '08 E93 that he bought new.

6MT, naturally aspirated, 4-seat convertibles are not exactly easy to replace at any budget. It's a great dog hauling car. Two German Shepherds just won't fit in the back of a 911 cab.

I broke down and bought my E90 in 2017. I'm not super in love with it, but what can I buy that's better? I don't like turbo engines and a stick is mandatory.

[motorsport_marc]

Love mine, honestly I wouldn't trade it for anything else this side of a 911 GTS, 911 GT3 or GT4. It's truly a special car, no company is going to make 8500rpm V8's anymore.

I'm by no means a long-term owner like most people who posted here, but it's intended for the long term.

[Scrippy]

Originally Posted by nrubenstein

My Dad still has his '08 E93 that he bought new.

6MT, naturally aspirated, 4-seat convertibles are not exactly easy to replace at any budget. It's a great dog hauling car. Two German Shepherds just won't fit in the back of a 911 cab.

I broke down and bought my E90 in 2017. I'm not super in love with it, but what can I buy that's better? I don't like turbo engines and a stick is mandatory.

Yeah my 335 was fun until it wasn’t. Theturbos went and I was bummed. Upgraded after that but two very different power delivery systems. I’m not a big turbo or blower fan myself.

[Scrippy]

Originally Posted by motorsport_marc

Love mine, honestly I wouldn't trade it for anything else this side of a 911 GTS, 911 GT3 or GT4. It's truly a special car, no company is going to make 8500rpm V8's anymore.

I'm by no means a long-term owner like most people who posted here, but it's intended for the long term.

That color is amazing!

[kolosy]

i'm on my 3rd E9x in just as many years, so while not a long termer, i keep coming back!

i think one thing in the street setting is that it's got just the right amount of power. i've gota new F90 as my daily, and while it's a blast, i can't reasonably use what it puts out anywhere other than a drag strip or a track. i think the E9x is in a sweet spot that doesn't feel slow without being suicidal on the street.

[STooK]

Second owner here, bought it in 2015 with 33k miles, has about 56k now after almost 8 years which is the longest I’ve ever owned a car.

It mostly sits in the garage now since I don’t have time to drive it too much these days but still puts a smile on my face whenever I open up the garage and see it sitting there. It was/is still my realistic (key word) dream car and I still can’t believe it sometimes that it’s mine. I can’t wait to be like those old guys and their muscle cars in the future. I’m going to try and keep this car as long as I possibly can.

[Zeus69]

Original owner, spec'd from the factory. 70K trouble-free miles. Several mods over time.
Now she's a garage queen and driven only during good weather months. Every time I park, I do a double take and enjoy it as much today as I did 13 years ago.

Then:


Now:

[jaehshim]

11 yrs and counting with my E90 6MT, 80K miles now

Recently did major service, including dealing with some electronic issue, fuel sensor, ABS unit replacement, new clutch+flywheel, Brembo 6 piston front 4 piston rear BBK, new Michelin pilot sport 4s, newly refinished 359M wheels, diff + engine oil.

Got headlight restoration job done, currently getting front bumper refinished for everyday stone chips + getting Mporium aluminum under tray installed (finally ditching the stupid fabric under-tray that rips off after a yr)

Never thought about getting rid of my E90, after experiencing E92 (lol), F80, 997s. Best feeling after a proper maintenance than any other tuning, car is in its perfect shape

I remember when Iphone 3 came out and YouTube was the thing, remember watching every single video of 1st yr E90 M3 on 360p and 480p resolution, this was my dream car during my college years. Still a joy just listening to the exhaust every time i drive.

[tdott]

Since 2012 here.

Also had a brief stint where I had two, Needed to try a 6MT for a while. I enjoyed having both a E92 DCT and E90 6MT.

Just got back from a track weekend, where I drove a students G82 M4 comp xdrive. Was really underwelmed with the stock performance at the track. Had more fun in another students E60 535i automatic.

E92 isn't going anywhere, anytime soon.
Even if I won the lottery....

[ase2dais]

Had my 2009 since 08 and still unmolested and no longing for any other @37k orginal miles

[chief]

Had my '08 since 2011. Over the years I have spent more on repairs and mods than I paid for the car in '11. I have considered selling it many times, but never felt the same connection with any of the newer BMWs or Porsche's I tested. In the end, I think this one will be with me forever (or until someone makes me an offer that is soo stupidly large that you must say yes).

One of the things that has helped me enjoy the car over the past 12 years is the continual (but spread out) changes and mods. In 2021 I installed a G1 supercharger that completely changed the one thing I thought the car lacked compared to newer models - power. I don't need to be the fastest car on the street, I just don't want to get my lunch taken by every newer 500+ HP car on the road today. With the SC that doesn't happen very often, and I am cool when it does (generally ).

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by motorsport_marc

Love mine, honestly I wouldn't trade it for anything else this side of a 911 GTS, 911 GT3 or GT4. It's truly a special car, no company is going to make 8500rpm V8's anymore.

I'm by no means a long-term owner like most people who posted here, but it's intended for the long term.

That colour!!!

[amrazM]

I love my M3 but i think ive reached an impasse where I feel like ive just modified it way too much and lost some usability out of it. considering getting an f13 m6 to better suit the needs in my life but I know letting it go will be a regret.

[timothy2001]

Almost seven years to the day I've had mine, went from a full bolt on 335i running E85 which was fun but not like this.

The first few minutes of my test drive in my E92 and I was sold and bought it on the spot. I get so much enjoyment out of driving the car I would only sell if if I had to. The plenum is my favorite mod by far, love seeing peoples head snap around when it opens up.

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by timothy2001

Almost seven years to the day I've had mine, went from a full bolt on 335i running E85 which was fun but not like this.

The first few minutes of my test drive in my E92 and I was sold and bought it on the spot. I get so much enjoyment out of driving the car I would only sell if if I had to. The plenum is my favorite mod by far, love seeing peoples head snap around when it opens up.

Looks the business mate! You run standard non modded back box to the plenum?

[Sideways91]

Originally Posted by hotbmwfan

Bought my car in 2012 with 20,000km on it. I'm up to 48,000km now and have loved every minute of ownership. I've never owned a car longer than 5 years but I cant ever see selling this one. Nothing new on the market interests me - nothing from BMW or Porsche. Frankly, the only car I would trade my M3 for would be a 1970 Cuda or Challenger - yes I'm old, most of you guys wont even know what a 1970 Cuda looks like

So you've only put 28,000 km's (17,398 miles) on your M3 over 11 years of ownership?! That's an average of only 2545 km's (1581 miles) per year. Dude it's not a Ferrari, if you love the car start driving it! Lol that's low even for a weekend/fun car.

[Sideways91]

I've owned my e92 m3 for just over 4 years now. It had just over 29,000 miles when I bought it. I'm now sitting at around 52,000 miles and the only issue I've had was one bad throttle actuator - car has been absolutely rock solid.

A few years ago I bought an R8 V10+ to join the stable. The R8 is great and all but I always find it a tossup between which keys I reach for. I drive the M3 more often as there's many things about it I prefer over the R8. Like many have said, there's just something about this car that keeps me coming back and I can't see myself parting with it anytime soon. BMW definitely got this one right!

[VR1]

Originally Posted by Sideways91

I've owned my e92 m3 for just over 4 years now. It had just over 29,000 miles when I bought it. I'm now sitting at around 52,000 miles and the only issue I've had was one bad throttle actuator - car has been absolutely rock solid.

A few years ago I bought an R8 V10+ to join the stable. The R8 is great and all but I always find it a tossup between which keys I reach for. I drive the M3 more often as there's many things about it I prefer over the R8. Like many have said, there's just something about this car that keeps me coming back and I can't see myself parting with it anytime soon. BMW definitely got this one right!

I’m interested to hear what you like about the e92 compared to tbe R8. I’ve driven a 2015 V10 and find myself browsing listings to eventually add as a second car to the garage.