Going back to E9X platform?

[pooyab]

I'm debating about going back to the E9X M3 platform. I had a E92 last time, but I'm leaning towards E90 this time. I always thought they looked better but I wanted the carbon roof more. If I go back to the platform I'm planning a similar build to last time but with a repaint and reupholstering to my own spec. Probably a darker purple on saddle brown recaros. This time I wouldn't need to sell it so it'll be sitting in the garage even if I don't drive it. Watching old videos and helping my friend shop for one has made me start missing it more.
I'm not really in a position to move up to GT3/R8 level cars ($150k range), and nothing else in the $30-50k range seems excited. I really don't like the S55 for how it sounds, and the M2 was great all around but didn't feel THAT special.

I guess I'm wondering if anyone left the platform, came back and regretted it, or left the platform and found another car that instills the same feelings?

[ash4390]

I'm kind of in the same boat. E90M3 -> F80 -> Now about to pull the trigger on an E92 M3 again.

I'll preface with the fact that I absolutely loved my F80, but for different reasons than my E90. The huge fender flares, gobs of torque, creature comforts - and I don't think it sounded terrible without ASD and AWE Switchpatch exhaust.

BUT... it was borderline too fast for most day to day use? I really missed winding out the S65 and the sound track that came along with it.

I've looked at other cars around 50-100K CAD, and really the only other thing I could see myself moving to would be a 991.1 S/GTS. Maybe a 718 GTS4.0 - but for the amount of money over a clean ~$35-40K CAD E92, I almost don't feel like it's worth it. Certainly not $60,000 better anyways.

Back to the E92 it is for now...

[AR_Motorwerkz]

Some F8x owners did eventually go back to this platform because the V8 is so special.

I'd say look for a clean low mileage car if you decide to go back!

[Redd]

I don't think I've seen any other car aside from the E9x M3 where owners have upgraded to newer platforms/models and then willingly come back to the older slower platform. I guess that is a testament to just how special the S65 V8 is.

[OG Shark]

I’m one of those that came back to the E9x platform. Went from E92 to F80, then later picked up an E92 to turn into a dedicated track car. Well not too terribly long an E90 found its way into my garage and the F80. Not that the F80 wasn’t a great car - I just love the E9x platform more, so much fun to drive to me.

To me the E90 M3 is among the best street cars out there. So much soul, pure joy to drive, looks great sounds amazing, and winding out the S65 is just to hard to beat. And with four doors it’s so easy to haul the kids around. Maybe not the fastest car out there - but still plenty fast enough for me on the street.

I also have an OG M2 which I love, but the E9x is still king for me. It just has everything.

[cooler2442]

Have you considered a GT4? I've gone through quiet a few cars to find something that stirs my soul as much as my GT4 and finally settled on a Monte Carlo Blue E92 M3. After everything I've driven in the 80-100k range, nothing is as fun as the GT4 for me when canyon carving/spirited driving. If you enjoy straight line racing then it's not the car for you.

[Kisenwether]

I have had my e92 for 7 years now almost 8. Use to be by itself then I added a F10 M5. Ended up trading the M5 for a F80 m3 while also keeping the e92. Then sold the F80 for a X5M. I have a very special attachment to my e92 due to rebuilding it from salvage with my dad but outside of that it still gives me a special feeling compared to other vehicles. All the other vehicles are fun but just something about the e92.


PS Cooler2442... that gt4.... i want to add either a gt4 or gt3 as some point

[UBERV8]

F8X M3 = The hot one night stand

E9X M3 = Wifey material

991.2 GT3 RS = is hot wife an oxymoron?

[akkando]

Originally Posted by cooler2442

Have you considered a GT4? I've gone through quiet a few cars to find something that stirs my soul as much as my GT4 and finally settled on a Monte Carlo Blue E92 M3. After everything I've driven in the 80-100k range, nothing is as fun as the GT4 for me when canyon carving/spirited driving. If you enjoy straight line racing then it's not the car for you.

That diffuser is like, out of control.

[akkando]

Have you considered a gt350?

[banditM3]

Several years ago I had an e92 with a carbon roof and DCT. Loved that car. That motor, the way handled, everything was pretty much perfect with it. Then when we were expecting my son I sold it for a 550. That was nice....but it didn't have the soul of the e92.

I even went a while without a personal car because I couldn't find anything I really wanted to drive other than an M3. Luckily I have a company car that I drive daily so that wasn't a big deal.

Well two weeks ago after looking for awhile I found a great low milage e90 Comp with DCT. Bought the car and brought it home. Took the son, a three year old, for his first ride in it tonight. He absolutely loved it. I think his smile was bigger than mine. Plenty of room in the back for his car seat and even left enough room for the wife to stretch out in the front. Nothing is better than the sound of that V8.

Make the jump back. You won't regret it.

[Ajolives]

Originally Posted by akkando

Have you considered a gt350?

A guy I work with has a garage queen GT350R. He took me for a ride and did a bunch of fun things at high speeds and it was ridiculous how composed it was the entire time. Sounds great too, but not as great as the S65.

Fun fact, I beat a regular GT350 in a drag, I think the dude wasn't very good at driving because that shouldn't have happened.

[cooler2442]

Originally Posted by akkando

That diffuser is like, out of control.

Setup for function over looks: https://designsbyjacob.com/collectio...-rear-diffuser

[Redd]

Originally Posted by cooler2442

Have you considered a GT4? I've gone through quiet a few cars to find something that stirs my soul as much as my GT4 and finally settled on a Monte Carlo Blue E92 M3. After everything I've driven in the 80-100k range, nothing is as fun as the GT4 for me when canyon carving/spirited driving. If you enjoy straight line racing then it's not the car for you.

I'd love to hear your opinion of the GT4 vs E92 M3, especially in terms of soul and driving feel. I know for sure the GT4 will be the faster car.

[pooyab]

Originally Posted by ash4390

I'm kind of in the same boat. E90M3 -> F80 -> Now about to pull the trigger on an E92 M3 again.

I'll preface with the fact that I absolutely loved my F80, but for different reasons than my E90. The huge fender flares, gobs of torque, creature comforts - and I don't think it sounded terrible without ASD and AWE Switchpatch exhaust.

BUT... it was borderline too fast for most day to day use? I really missed winding out the S65 and the sound track that came along with it.

I've looked at other cars around 50-100K CAD, and really the only other thing I could see myself moving to would be a 991.1 S/GTS. Maybe a 718 GTS4.0 - but for the amount of money over a clean ~$35-40K CAD E92, I almost don't feel like it's worth it. Certainly not $60,000 better anyways.

Back to the E92 it is for now...

Exactly, initially I sold the M3 because I wanted something faster, after sometime I realized there will always be someone faster out there unless you have a civic with $50k spent on the build. So now I'm going back to driving experience and enjoyment, pure power is pointless.

Originally Posted by OG Shark

I’m one of those that came back to the E9x platform. Went from E92 to F80, then later picked up an E92 to turn into a dedicated track car. Well not too terribly long an E90 found its way into my garage and the F80. Not that the F80 wasn’t a great car - I just love the E9x platform more, so much fun to drive to me.

To me the E90 M3 is among the best street cars out there. So much soul, pure joy to drive, looks great sounds amazing, and winding out the S65 is just to hard to beat. And with four doors it’s so easy to haul the kids around. Maybe not the fastest car out there - but still plenty fast enough for me on the street.

I also have an OG M2 which I love, but the E9x is still king for me. It just has everything.

Yea, my M2 was also N55 and it was great. Very good all around car that was useable as a daily and backroads. But like you said the S65 is just something else that is hard to compare to anything. Maybe an M2 with S65 would be the dream F chassis vehicle lol

Originally Posted by cooler2442

Have you considered a GT4? I've gone through quiet a few cars to find something that stirs my soul as much as my GT4 and finally settled on a Monte Carlo Blue E92 M3. After everything I've driven in the 80-100k range, nothing is as fun as the GT4 for me when canyon carving/spirited driving. If you enjoy straight line racing then it's not the car for you.

GT4 does seem like a good potential option, never driven one. I've always liked having back seats when needed, but now that I've picked up a Tacoma maybe I don't need to care anymore. I love the colors on your cars. Very nice pair.

Originally Posted by akkando

Have you considered a gt350?

The GT350 is a car I always thought was a better successor to the E92 than the F82 in terms of driving dynamics. Personally I couldn't get adjusted to the Mustang interior any time I revisited the car.

Originally Posted by banditM3

Several years ago I had an e92 with a carbon roof and DCT. Loved that car. That motor, the way handled, everything was pretty much perfect with it. Then when we were expecting my son I sold it for a 550. That was nice....but it didn't have the soul of the e92.

I even went a while without a personal car because I couldn't find anything I really wanted to drive other than an M3. Luckily I have a company car that I drive daily so that wasn't a big deal.

Well two weeks ago after looking for awhile I found a great low milage e90 Comp with DCT. Bought the car and brought it home. Took the son, a three year old, for his first ride in it tonight. He absolutely loved it. I think his smile was bigger than mine. Plenty of room in the back for his car seat and even left enough room for the wife to stretch out in the front. Nothing is better than the sound of that V8.

Make the jump back. You won't regret it.

My wife says the same thing. She misses the car and wants to go back to it. Even after all the cars we've gone through it's still her favorite. I think once we wrap up our house project it'll be the first car to buy on the list.

[swizbeatz]

This is probably as good a place to ask as any seeing as how many of you are on round two. I’ve been looking for a 6MT E90 for months, looks like I started right around when everyone and their brother did too. Lately I’ve been liking the looks of modded e92’s a little more and I could keep my grand Cherokee and wouldn’t need the 4 doors. Thoughts between the two platforms? I’d be getting rid of my e46 which has me a bit sad but I’ve had it for 10 years and just feel ready for something else before I start spending major money on maintenance.

There is a DCT e90 comp package I could buy from a friend of the family locally. I’ve not driven it. Anyone feel strongly about the 6MT vs DCT. Initially I wanted to stay with a manual so I haven’t even been inside it yet but @ 40k miles it looks mint.

Edit - I also primarily am in the car by myself on the way to and from golf events. I like the idea of a P car but there can’t be anything as fun to drive as an e9x that can fit clubs in the trunk right?

[DRLane]

Originally Posted by swizbeatz

This is probably as good a place to ask as any seeing as how many of you are on round two. I've been looking for a 6MT E90 for months, looks like I started right around when everyone and their brother did too. Lately I've been liking the looks of modded e92's a little more and I could keep my grand Cherokee and wouldn't need the 4 doors. Thoughts between the two platforms? I'd be getting rid of my e46 which has me a bit sad but I've had it for 10 years and just feel ready for something else before I start spending major money on maintenance.

There is a DCT e90 comp package I could buy from a friend of the family locally. I've not driven it. Anyone feel strongly about the 6MT vs DCT. Initially I wanted to stay with a manual so I haven't even been inside it yet but @ 40k miles it looks mint.

Edit - I also primarily am in the car by myself on the way to and from golf events. I like the idea of a P car but there can't be anything as fun to drive as an e9x that can fit clubs in the trunk right?

If you're keeping the GC, get the E92. The trunk is cavernous and with seats down it can fit a lot of golf gear

I have a 6MT and as this car migrates to dedicated track car, I strongly wish I had a DTC. For cruising around I could see the DTC getting boring but it's untouchable comparatively trying to turn fast laps.

[anselmw]

Originally Posted by cooler2442

Have you considered a GT4? I've gone through quiet a few cars to find something that stirs my soul as much as my GT4 and finally settled on a Monte Carlo Blue E92 M3. After everything I've driven in the 80-100k range, nothing is as fun as the GT4 for me when canyon carving/spirited driving. If you enjoy straight line racing then it's not the car for you.

Awesome combination! I miss my GT4 as it was perfect with my E90M3 and M coupe.

At least it was replaced with a 991.2 GT3 manual

[kyrix1st]

My dream garage consists of:
E60 M5 6MT, E63 M6 6MT, E92 M3 6MT&DCT, E36 M3 5MT&6MT (euro only), 993 RS. Maybe F82 M4 CS/GTS when I swing to turbocharged engines.

I am 4 cars and about $400K short (largely due to the RS). Gotta work harder!

[kyippee]

I would go for a Supra if it were me, since you mentioned $30-$50k range. Just a little bit above that range new.

The car is lighter, has good power+cooling, and has been performing well on track. An E9x M3 takes a lot more to be able to beat on it lap after lap. (brakes, cooling, power steering as a start)

If it's just street driving, then sure - the V8 sound just outweighs the track performance by a lot. One could just keep FCP Euro'ing brakes and parts.

[jd501]

Originally Posted by DRLane

If you're keeping the GC, get the E92. The trunk is cavernous and with seats down it can fit a lot of golf gear

I have a 6MT and as this car migrates to dedicated track car, I strongly wish I had a DTC. For cruising around I could see the DTC getting boring but it's untouchable comparatively trying to turn fast laps.

DCT still fun on the street. Just leave it in manual mode and downshift.

[L1FHR]

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=26821479

Check this nice car out.