2008 BMW E90 M3 Track Review - S65 V8 At Full Tilt!

I've always wondered how the E9x M3 felt on track, especially with proper suspension and brakes. Felix's 2008 is a great example with JRZ RS Pros, spherical bushings, AP Racing BBK, BBS FI-R, Kumho V730, and an upgraded shifter.
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[@Nihalum]

Thanks Zygrene for reviewing my car! I didn't quite manage a 1:50, but later that day I managed a few 1:52s and a lot of sideways action that you can see on my channel 😂

[@Datsun510zen]

I hear you there. With all its rapid grade transitions and the shifting weight's effect on grip, it makes Sonoma a very challenging track. Racing older 2 stroke 250cc GP bikes, it was absolutely terrifying the first time I tried to compete there. In particular, that hard right at the top of the hill extended the suspension changing the steering geometry and literally lifted the bike out of the proper lean angle to make the corner. That with the loss of traction there was deadly dangerous.

[@kmannc]

I tracked an e92 for years, the motor shines on the track with an evolve stage II tune. Pulls evenly and consistent all day. That said, the chassis leaves a bit to be desired. Coilovers, front monoballs, solid subframe, and delrin diff bushings really livened it up without making it unbearable on the street. It still felt a little lazy compared to an e46 or f87, but that consistent v8 power really made up for it!

[@Zygrene]

Agreed - E46 chassis definitely more enjoyable on track

[@piyrate]

Hey that’s me in the crashed gt3! Weird seeing me on here 😂. Thankfully I’m ok, bruised, shaken up but ok.

[@trentel]

Here from Reddit lol

[@Limk2012]

@@trentelsame I thought I remembered seeing a crashed GT3 and was wondering if it was the same one lol

[@benderslife]

Great lines and smooth driving with no talking and only motor. This is the way

[@CTP1111]

dudes got cilantro in his grill

[@Zygrene]

LOL he went off the session prior to mine

[@Nihalum]

I went GRAZIN

[@bubbie1983]

🤣 "like all BMWs basically" on the bad shifter comment. So true. The ultimate driving machine with a horrific shifter.

[@BadBandar59]

Love that e90. Again, great driving!

[@CubanDre]

Oh man. RIP GT3! Damage didnt look too bad. Did you get a chance to speak to him and ask what happened. What a nightmare to bin that car

[@piyrate]

I’m ok. Made a mistake and paid for it. So far it’s fixable. I posted the session minus the crash.

[@CubanDre]

@@piyrate glad to hear you are ok. Looked serious there for a minute! Looking forward to the new content once you get back out there!

[@TML34]

How is that Honda not banned for sound violation? 🤣

[@dinosoarmotorsports]

Nice video, great car...thanks for sharing!

[@anthonyt4981]

thats the boy felix

[@andrewrossnagel9433]

Whats causing the high speed braking instability?

[@oversteer6771]

What’s the lowest someone has got a e90/92 weight down too without going too extreme ? Seat delete ect

[@gt1r]

They easily get down to ~2800lbs if you strip it. Closer to ~3,300lbs if you want to keep carpeting, creature comforts, etc.

[@oversteer6771]

@@gt1r are you sure ? That sounds too good to be true …..

[@gt1r]

@@oversteer6771 Ideally you’re starting with a car with less options … no sunroof, no nav, manual … but yes, smartly optioned car with exhaust, coilovers, wheels, BBK, front buckets (+ some other misc., battery, front cowl delete) and you’re at 3,300-3,400lbs easily. Lots of info on the forums. Most track cars are ~2,800 and at the very least sub 3,000.

[@oversteer6771]

@@gt1r interesting , if that’s the case then people should stop complaining about the weight of the car and do some of those mods

[@gt1r]

@@oversteer6771 Agreed, the one in this video is quite heavy-stock seats which are anchors, sunroof. Plus seemingly blown dampers. Would love for him to drive a more purpose built E92.

[@noahhiguera8114]

how were the kumho’s?

[@Zygrene]

Still the best value 200TW tire out there IMO. Good grip and not a one lap wonder.

[@Phatstuph787]

Out of curiosity, how did this M3 compare to Joe's ISF that you drove on track?

[@Zygrene]

Joe's car felt a lot more track focused in terms of suspension, weight savings, aero, etc. It was easier for me to hop in that car cold and start pushing. But I'm sure it would be miserable on the street.

[@big-R]

Nice family sedan.

[@HondaVlogs]

B16 can hit over 9k, just saying :) lol

[@Zygrene]

It's been a minute since I've revved out a B16. Still regret selling my bone stock EM1 years ago

[@ltwracing]

Heavy car. Needs a more aggressive pad. W7 or better.

[@Driver_407]

Of all the mods I did to my E46 M3. The RTD shifter might be in the number one spot for me. Cannot recommend a RTD/CAE enough.

[@Zygrene]

Yeah I loved the RTD shifter. Feels almost as mechanical as CAE but lower effort, at least compared to the CAE in my old 997

[@sdlausen1]

No mention of the AP racing brakes? That's also a huge upgrade. Stock brakes are terrible on these..

[@Zygrene]

Mentioned in the video description. Yup, stock brakes suck

[@freddysardinas1351]

Sucks for the track but great on the streets.

[@JFlogerzi]

I want to go back to Sonoma so bad! I have grown a driver so much... and that V8 Chefs kiss.

[@Mai.LostArk]

Music to my ears

[@Assimilator1]

Lack of torque? lol, wth? Massive exaggeration (yes I know 6 cyl turbo's have a lot more torque, doesn't mean the S65 is lacking). What's with everyone sticking their hand up to signal someone to pass? Why not just use the indicators? More easily seen and safer to do! Anyway.... Love the sound of the S65 😁

[@ohhgourami]

Should have kept the Power button off unlike in the E60 M5. Power button makes the throttle overly sensitive but doesn't turn on any horsepower.

[@Zygrene]

Yup, funny how BMW made the same button in similar era vehicles do different things

[@nOx1D3]

wait im so confused , why is the front an e92 and the back is e90 ? is that car like that ?

[@epvendetta]

You ever consider a pedal cam or view on these track videos? Would love to see the footwork on the downshifts.

[@Zygrene]

Maybe if I can figure out an easy solution to mount one on different cars

[@MasterSteve_117]

What i drive system is that (or android system)

[@UmarTheGreat10]

Obviously very different cars, but between this and your Integra with its current setup, which car's on track handling do you prefer?

[@Zygrene]

My car feels a lot nimbler and more confidence inspiring at the limit. Turns out the M3's dampers were leaking, so that probably had something to do with it.

[@M3spooni]

Need a manual E9X now..

[@andrewrossnagel9433]

I have DTC and wish I bought 6MT

[@farkinarkin5099]

LOL... I didn't even notice you were on the stock seats! Are the brakes lacking in initial bite... or... is it the suspension softness causing that effect? Nice ride along. Love the sound.

[@kbtracklaps]

How many track days do you get out of those V730's? The outer shoulder is gone on my G82 after 2.5 days, but I heard they still last long after that.

[@MrSoremuscles]

@zygrene I think you've tried all the shifter just for the e9x platforms. How do they compare to each other and which so your favorite?

[@JDMEXforme]

Looks super stable and grippy. Theres almost no steering twitch like no fighting the wheel. The weight probably keeps it hunkered down.

[@akkando]

Looks like BBS RI-A instead of BBS FI-R. Probably could use solid subframe bushings.

[@DCPEvo]

After listening to that glorious V8 the Civic was like nails on a chalkboard. Had to turn down my sound until you got past him.

[@chussbebe756]

The commentary during the session is a great way to keep the audience engaged. Nice work!

[@dadhats]

am I crazy or is sonoma not usually this green? I thought cali only had these sandy tracks in the middle of the desert lol

[@Zygrene]

We've been blessed by plenty of rain the past few months

[@TeamCupNoodles-nn9og]

My guy living the life. Review car on and off the track

[@kevinkarbonik2928]

Nice car, but my E60 M5 revs to 8600.

[@icebruner]

My guy needs a PPF got DAMN 😭🤣🤣

[@MikeFoster1]

When BRZ TS?

[@hififunk]

What mount setup are you using for the GoPro? Works really well for driver POV and avoiding harsh contrast of interior/exterior.

[@Zygrene]

It's the Boss Boss POV mount with a GoPro Hero 11 Black

[@oli_box25]

What were your thoughts on the Kumho tires, compared to something like Michelin's Pilot Sport?

[@Zygrene]

They're not even comparable. PS4S feels like driving on marshmallows. Soft, squishy, unresponsive, low grip

[@Kevin-xz4jq]

Incredible sound!!!!!!