Is the E9X getting old?

[xmiggiex]

Do you ever feel like you’re driving an old car? It’s crazy to me that the E9X is coming up 15 years old now! Sometimes I even think about getting into a F80 or even a G8X if possible. Not that I am looking to have something newer but just to own the evolution of an M3.

But…. then I drive my E92 and fall back in love with it. Until then, I guess I will have a constant loop of driving an old car and the beautiful sound of the S65!

(here’s the latest pic on my camera roll)

[nah dude]

who cares

[DjMarkOne]

Is it getting old in age? Yes it is, and it’s unavoidable. But it continues to age like a fine wine.

[jra85]

Approaching 12 years as the original owner of my E92 at 38k miles with no real desire to move to something else. I definitely browse, but there hasn't been enough to compel me away. Three-quarters of the G82 looks great, but BMW blew it with the front.

[Luc@Speed&Tech]

I have a G80 xDrive as a daily driver (and a F82 M4 prior which I hated but that’s another story) and an E92 M3 6MT as a weekend backroads car. The G80 does everything better than the E92 by a long shot except the driving experience is extremely digital and refined. It doesn’t feel special like the e92 which I attest to the motor and increased size/weight. The G80 is a really good car though (way better than the F8X), it just lacks in the fun and emotional side which the e92 has plenty of.

[SlickShift]

It’s getting old for sure, but it doesn’t take away from the car at all. The looks are classic BMW and the driving experience is unmatched. We have an X3M as our family car and even though the speed is insane, it leaves me pretty uninspired most of the time (and the ride is so punishing). Because that’s basically a G8X M3 xDrive, I have no desire to get into one of those. And I’ve driven an F82 M4 and felt pretty meh after. So my E90 ZCP is going to be a keeper for a while.

[pbonsalb]

It’s getting old. Still a great car with a lot of personality. I had mine for 10 years and drove it 80k of its 110k miles. But I decided it was time to move on, to something faster in a straight line and around a track, larger and more comfortable, more modern, better fuel economy, more practical due to the AWD and larger size. No regrets.

[neilum]

There is no question it is absolutely ancient even in terms of ICE cars, which are ancient in and of themselves compared to electric cars, but not all old cars age poorly and this is one of them. I don't care how outright fast a car is anymore I care about feel, sound and connection to the car.

I used to fuss over whp and trapping 2-3 miles more, I really see no value in that anymore in terms of pure enjoyment.

There is a point where a car can be too slow to be fun, like an Miata or S2000 to a lesser extent in my opinion, but the E9x is a nice sweet spot in form factor, speed, sound, feel. It's fast enough where being "old" is moot.

BMW's in general have also lost some special sauce in terms of feel and character that makes this all a good thing, being old.

I can see people moving on if this was their primary or daily driver, it lacks a lot of daily driver creature comforts where if this car had to be my daily driver, I would have moved on.

[Three Pedal Steve]

Our e9x M3's are getting older but have aged well.
On the other hand, over the past ten years, the members of this forum seem to have gotten younger.

Reading old forum threads shows that the early members were original owners of factory fresh new cars. These cars were expensive for the day and therefore owners tended to be older. Most of these original owners have moved on to more modern hot rods.
This e9x generation of M3 has become a bit of a legend to youngsters because of its s65 engine. Current pricing opens ownership opportunities to a new generation of enthusiast. This is a good thing.

[xmiggiex]

Originally Posted by Luc@Speed&Tech

I have a G80 xDrive as a daily driver (and a F82 M4 prior which I hated but that’s another story) and an E92 M3 6MT as a weekend backroads car. The G80 does everything better than the E92 by a long shot except the driving experience is extremely digital and refined. It doesn’t feel special like the e92 which I attest to the motor and increased size/weight. The G80 is a really good car though (way better than the F8X), it just lacks in the fun and emotional side which the e92 has plenty of.

Well said. And beautiful M3s!

[xmiggiex]

Originally Posted by SlickShift

It’s getting old for sure, but it doesn’t take away from the car at all. The looks are classic BMW and the driving experience is unmatched. We have an X3M as our family car and even though the speed is insane, it leaves me pretty uninspired most of the time (and the ride is so punishing). Because that’s basically an G8X M3 xDrive, I have no desire to get into one of those. And I’ve driven an F82 M4 and felt pretty meh after. So my E90 ZCP is going to be a keeper for a while.

I’m in the similar state. Where I’ve driven the newest and experienced different cars that I just keep finding myself putting the E9X on that pedestal. I don’t see me selling my E92 anytime soon.

[xmiggiex]

Originally Posted by neilum

There is no question it is absolutely ancient even in terms of ICE cars, which are ancient in and of themselves compared to electric cars, but not all old cars age poorly and this is one of them. I don't care how outright fast a car is anymore I care about feel, sound and connection to the car.

I used to fuss over whp and trapping 2-3 miles more, I really see no value in that anymore in terms of pure enjoyment.

There is a point where a car can be too slow to be fun, like an Miata or S2000 to a lesser extent in my opinion, but the E9x is a nice sweet spot in form factor, speed, sound, feel. It's fast enough where being "old" is moot.

BMW's in general have also lost some special sauce in terms of feel and character that makes this all a good thing, being old.

I can see people moving on if this was their primary or daily driver, it lacks a lot of daily driver creature comforts where if this car had to be my daily driver, I would have moved on.

At the moment, it is my daily driver. Only downside I have is the speed of miles increasing and MPG on my daily drive. But even with that in fact, I still agree with you. Perfect balance of power, drive, feel, and sound.

[TboneS54]

It's the last naturally aspirated, hydraulically assisted steering, high output GT car from BMW. It is forever.

[motorsport_marc]

It's getting old in years yes. But in terms of driving feel? Absolutely not.

Where are you going to find an N/A 8500 RPM engine in a car that's still decently fast, at a good price? I like BMW's, but objectively, the E92 M3 is a really unique proposition.

All I can think of is a GT350/GT350R. - even those are more expensive than an E92.
Porsche GT3 or GT4 would be next on my list, but it's easily 3-4x the price of a well sorted E92 M3.

[Luc@Speed&Tech]

Originally Posted by motorsport_marc

It's getting old in years yes. But in terms of driving feel? Absolutely not.

Where are you going to find an N/A 8500 RPM engine in a car that's still decently fast, at a good price? I like BMW's, but objectively, the E92 M3 is a really unique proposition.

All I can think of is a GT350/GT350R. - even those are more expensive than an E92.
Porsche GT3 or GT4 would be next on my list, but it's easily 3-4x the price of a well sorted E92 M3.

The only cars I can see myself replacing my M3 6MT with is a 718 GT4, 992, or 991.2 GT3 but I can't swallow the ridiculous prices and markups on those cars.

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by jra85

Approaching 12 years as the original owner of my E92 at 38k miles with no real desire to move to something else. I definitely browse, but there hasn't been enough to compel me away. Three-quarters of the G82 looks great, but BMW blew it with the front.

I'd still hit that

[BSM n54iS]

Originally Posted by Luc@Speed&Tech

The only cars I can see myself replacing my M3 6MT with is a 718 GT4, 992, or 991.2 GT3 but I can't swallow the ridiculous prices and markups on those cars.

Exactly the same list! ..If I had funds for a P car that is

I've had my e92 as my only dd for going on 10 years now, it's aged much better than my last e36 and have no plans of getting rid of it, only adding another one in addition to being a mt e92 m3

[Deen HK]

I've only owned old cars, with the newest cars being e46 m3's. So for me, my new e90 is a much welcomed change

[serranot]

Originally Posted by jra85

Approaching 12 years as the original owner of my E92 at 38k miles with no real desire to move to something else. I definitely browse, but there hasn't been enough to compel me away. Three-quarters of the G82 looks great, but BMW blew it with the front.

I went over 12 years on January 5th. 72K. I put all but 3K on it. It still is very special. I have owned roughly 25 cars since 1990. I have not owned any longer.

[serranot]

Originally Posted by Luc@Speed&Tech

The only cars I can see myself replacing my M3 6MT with is a 718 GT4, 992, or 991.2 GT3 but I can't swallow the ridiculous prices and markups on those cars.

GT3 yes. New Corvette yes. I would love the ZO6 flat plane.

[Scrippy]

I personally don’t care about other cars. For me I like corn! Jk I really am fulfilled with what this car offers still. Amidst the advent of electrical cars this love only gets stronger. We all have something that will never be produced again. It’s a jack of many trades and a master of a bunch but not all. The drive train is pure fucking gold though!

[Longboarder]

I was the OG owner of a 2013 e92. In 2016, got rid of it as I had a 991 Turbo S, 991 GT3, 997.2 Turbo S, BMW i8 and a few other cars.

Shortly thereafter I realized that it was a mistake to get rid of the e92 and took a year to find one with the spec I required. Got it on my birthday in 2018. Then in 2020 I bought a M8 and thought the M8 was going to replace the e92 but after 6 months ended up not liking the M8 at all compared to the e92 and got rid of it at a loss. Thankfully kept the e92 during that time.

I've been in and out of a few cars and always looking and test driving the newest stuff and nothing interests me.

I stopped tracking/racing and paired down to one P car (991 Turbo S), the e92 M3 and a couple of X5's and other SUVs and I'm content. Rarely drive the P car I'd rather drive the e92 and when i need space the X5M or other suv's.

Don't care how old the e92 is. It's my forever car.