BMW M3 (2007) V8 MANUAL / Why this is the M3 you need in your garage

Proper road review of the fabulous BMW M3 E92 with that gorgeous 4 litre V8 motor. Mark and Stu get behind the wheel on a sunny day in a good old fashioned manual gearbox E92 BMW M3. Join us for the proper car review of a modern classic. Is is a great investment sports car? And what are the problems you absolutely need to know about before you buy one.
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[@adamc4003]

Great video. Totally worth it just for the vegetarian viewers comment at the end. Mark almost smiled. It was there. Oh, and the info on the car was pretty good too.

[@rayjones-dd1ce]

I have just bought one of these in NZ, 95000 ks, throttle actuators done and rod bearing kit supplied. NZ $ 39500 bought privately. Astonishing car.

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Steering has a lovely feel. That's got a lot to do with it.

[@Mrbfgray]

@@inCARnationAustralia Often forgotten--steering was one of my criteria.

[@Mrbfgray]

2nd owner of 2011, manual, comp, carbon roof, pristine at 56k miles, near identical to this rig except for wheels, mirrors and my *superior* fox red interior. Nothing done but maintenance. Love it as much today as 6yrs ago. Need some new rear rubber about now, lol. Purchased for half original price, worth that much today including inflation.

[@trogdortheburninator8149]

I used to own one of these. Just in DCT. I miss it, selling it to “upgrade” was a poor life choice. 😂

[@markedwards4879]

Another great review. There is definitely something about a V8 with a proper 3 pedal manual. I've never been a fan of automatics and to me a DCT is just another one. Even though they are slower, a proper manual is much more enjoyable. I'm glad that you spoke about the issues with BMW V8s through, but there is another consideration as well - the amount of plastic that is used in some of these cars engines. They are great when the cars are new but the combination of time and high under-bonnet temps does have a bad impact on them. At least BMW do keep supplying spares - even with some painful prices at times (yes, we have a my wife's BMW that Stu and I reviewed 8 months ago, and my old BMW K1100RS). This does look to be a cracker of a car for a spin on a weekend, but I'm now addicted to the seamless response of pure electric drive. I understand how this comment can seem to be at odds with me not liking automatics much - but it's about response. With a manual you get the instant response as well as a challenge to get it right yourself - heel and toe to match revs under braking, anticipating what gear that you should be in at the outset.

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Thanks Mark. Pertinent as always.

[@kaplanmb]

Every time I watch one of your videos, I find another car that I need to buy! My banker thanks you…

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Sincere apologies Michael

[@Mrbfgray]

@@inCARnationAustralia I've never heard mentioned..."felt" air diverters under front are sacrificial, they don't trash the under bumper they are attached to, just sacrifice themselves for the cause. At lower speeds they will generally hit first if U get sloppy in a dip or speed bump, anything forward of front wheels....and remind U. (just visible 0:43) My "diverters" (air damns, guides??) were half trashed, mostly the "other guy done it", (of course) doesn't take much but they can flex plenty and *silicone sealer* repairs them like 'new', if surfaces still there as mine were/are. You can't see 'em under there. (((sounds totally trivial but...will matter one day, HA! Heard it from a friend)))

[@AquaStevae]

Never understood why everyone is so "M3" crazy. I have a 740whp 335i, that will run circles around most M3's. I love how you can build the 335i to over 1000 hp without having to open the engine, with it's forged internals. Can't do that with an M3... And the M3 V8 is so slow down low. Sure it makes up for it in the higher mid to high range, but the torqe of the 335i is unmatched by any M3. And if you upsize your turbos to a medium and larger ball bearing turbos, the combo is unbeatable.

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Having bought a (virtually stock) M135i this year, I take your point. The N54/N55 motors are amazing. But the sound of that V8 is cool too. First world problem!

[@megaprimegamer1184]

By your logic I’d want all that speed and would have gotten an F80 but there’s a reason the E92 is considered one of the best bmw ever made and not to mention the s65b40 winning engine of the year 5 years in a row!!!

[@theBerserkerGC]

As someone who dailied a fbo 335 for 7 years, and looking for an e92 M3, I think there is a lot more to the story that you don't know. I adored my 335 and the hardest part was convincing my wife that getting rid of it was the right move. But the e92 M3 is special in ways that the 335 most definitely isn't. In ways most cars won't touch. You can modify any engine, or just swap em out. But they just ain't all legends living. Totally driver focussed

[@CrispusAttucks2315]

I’ve got both and understand your sentiments. The n54 to me is a fantastic engine and a delight on any trip or in town. I’ve got an mgr tune, inter cooler and charge pipes and it smokes my m3. What makes me gravitate towards the m3 is the sound, handling is a touch better and the appeal is out of this world. Nobody ever compliments me on the 335 but the m3 is complimented daily.

[@OfficialCinco]

The M3 and 335i are totally different cars. The M3 wasn’t made for straight line speed and never will be. It was made to be a luxury track monster. The 335i is great for roll racing and digs once it’s tuned, but it will never hang on a track with the M3. To put it simply, it’s a battle between power and driver focus when it comes to 335i’s and M3’s

[@The888Redlich]

A good manual M Car that makes you want to drive just for the fun of it, great review as usual. The other downside is fuel usage, compared to the turbo M Cars which don’t need to rev, the N/A V8 can be very thirsty when used with spirit

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Yes we noticed it was a bit thirsty

[@andyp8464]

The motor is great , ive had one two months and the kids love it. My 2 year old prefers my old 645 v8 NA as its so much more comfortable. I have to say the trim has held out so much better than my old e46 but theres little rattles in the trim everywhere which is fine. Kids love it revved out BUT it has no torque and they complain its not fast enough 😂 poor kids have been indoctrinated with AMGs and my other car is rwd with 850nm of torque and theyre snobs because that car gives them butterflies. Mine is DCT and that gearbox is super responsive. Its a convertible as i love top down driving so its heavy and you can feel the weight but it doesnt interfere with the experience. Car sounds great, not quite muscle great but more motorsport which suits it to a T

[@zbigniewgarbaszewski5903]

How often rod bearings Gould be changed?

[@Chrisc5055]

As always great video guys! Mark - from the video, I heard you said you were looking at E92s before buying an M2 (not sure if it’s a competition or non-comp)? if you had to pick between a non-competition M2 and the E92 M2 (both in manual) - which would you recommend/pick and why? They’re both very similar in price in the used car market so would be keen to hear which one would get your pick! Thanks!

[@benpenagonzales6014]

I loved my e46 M3 SMG2. Yes, maneuvers and soft fun the 'box weren't great, but cruising and at full chat they were great fun.

[@Mrbfgray]

*Throttle response!* You guys give it proper mention, few others do. Throttle bodies slammed against cylinders is crucial, similar to "crotch rockets" of my youth where *instant response* is life. lol. 8:25 Mechanical artwork.

[@Mrbfgray]

I turn NANNIES OFF every time. Electronic overlords way to intrusive, tho may have helped save me once in a goofed freeway exit, accidentally kicked cruise control to 100mph and hit curve all wrong, NO drama as I squared the corner instead of apexing it, momentarily at the limits . lol

[@IBANEZGUITARCENTRE]

Always wanted one of them, great review as per usual. Thankyou and goodnight :)

[@zbigniewgarbaszewski5903]

Very slow it is.

[@Assimilator1]

Interesting video, although a good service history doesn't assure you of good big eng bearings (hey you guys use the right term! 😁 ), the problem is with the clearances, it's pot luck if you end up at the looser end and if it was well looked after. I'd say for any M3 (e9x) that hasn't had them done, get them done. Btw standard rear tyres are 265 not 275. Also a lover of the M3 e92 manual, and I own one 🙂