Perfect Sedan? Rare Supercharged BMW M3

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The 2011 BMW M3 is a noisy, quick car out of the box, but what if you wanted more?
Not only is the E90/E92/E93 BMW M3 the ONLY M3 ever sold with a V8, it also marked the end of an era; The last M3 with a naturally-aspirated engine. The 4.4-liter V8 engine made 414HP (more with certain packages) at 8300RPM and 295LB-FT at 3900RPM. It was an increase of nearly 100HP from the E46 M3 that preceded it. The car that followed, the F80 M3, had a turbocharged inline-6; more torque but less noise.
The Competition package (previously called ZCP) improved the handling: The ride height was lowered, recalibrated Electronic Dampers, sport mode active suspension, different wheels,a and the stability control got a new 'M' mode.
MODS:
ESS G1 Supercharger kit
380mm 6/4 piston Brembo BBK
Ohlins Road/Track coilover
Michelin PS4s
BBS FI 18"
Exhaust: Full Dinan exhaust
M performance carbon exterior pieces
OEM M Edition black chrome grilles
Chapters:
0:00 - Start
2:48 - Specs
4:40 - Launch
6:30 - Speed
10:49 - History of M3
12:43 NOISE
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[@TheSmokingTire]

I realize I called it an E92 instead of E90. It was an oops. I should have remembered the old saying, “E nine two, two doors. E nine oh, 0 doors.” - Zack

[@OhNotJohnny]

Should had just said E9X lol covers the whole generation.

[@jose7777777777777777]

Don't forget about E93, 2 doors 1 removable roof.

[@TheSmokingTire]

@@jose7777777777777777 The removable roof functions as a third door.

[@ayanami808]

People need to chill out but yeah. Good on you bud.

[@Perceni]

you need your own channel

[@javieraroman2721]

Zack:”I need a more reliable car” Also Zack: “BMW V8 noises 🤤🤤🤤🤤”

[@alpe6228]

if you take care of them they are super reliable.I owned a 97 540i back in the days and sold it with 350 000 kms on it and was still running strong.

[@TheSmokingTire]

I live in a fantastical world. - Zack

[@andrewrossnagel9433]

Owned both, e9x chassis is so much more reliable. V8 is a win win

[@infidel900rr]

"I'm sure it'll be fine...." Likely Zack's and every other car enthusiast's downfall.

[@JonathanLittle001]

@@alpe6228 completely different v8 tho.... crazy both m engines those years (v8 &v10) had the same design flaw

[@jjaeks5518]

Zack is bringing back the much-longed-for modified one-takes, lets goo

[@TheSmokingTire]

LET'S GOOOOO

[@962RACER]

Aside from whatever the alignment specs are, the e9x M3 has one of the fastest steering rack ratios of any production car at 12.5:1, it's one of the main reasons the steering feels so sharp and precise.

[@thomasmacgruber6701]

I have driven probably 100 cars in my lifetime, and no engine is as linear and smooth as a BMW. They just are so silky smooth, you have to drive one to appreciate it.

[@lindvi0r]

my greatest memories in cars have to be the days where I lived in SF and had a E92 M3. Hours just disappear in those canyons, none of my friends understood it lol

[@marcuswynn89]

try an rb26

[@MegaNardman]

No doubt BMW's flat 6s are straight butter...their V8s a bit less so but still good, but I'll take Porsche's 9A1 over either, personally.

[@mogulme6190]

Absolute lie. Smooth and linear? Ls

[@maynarddrivesfast804]

@@MegaNardman the S85 would like a word...

[@jeremymitchell8470]

I had the pleasure of piloting a good friends E92 M3 when we were stationed in Germany together. He liked to drink, so I got his keys almost every time we went anywhere (including Hockenheimring and Nordschliefe). Rolling 167 mph on the autobahn and we got passed like we were standing still by an RS6 avant. The Audi was awesome but the sounds from the Dinan exhaust made the car so special. Thanks for giving me a little walk down memory lane with this video.

[@pablomoscoso6465]

Magical steering is the best part about this platform. It shrinks the car on turn in (btw wheelbase only about an inch longer than e46, I have both)

[@TheSmokingTire]

Did I say WB? I might have meant overall length.

[@OhNotJohnny]

The last of the hydraulic BMW steering, also love how they have 2 steering ratios!

[@TheArcher1801]

Peak BMW to me. These cars are pure magic. I’ll never forget my first time in one of these cars.

[@Fastmatt613]

A centrifugal supercharger is going to build boost later in the rpm range which is why you get to enjoy the car not feeling supercharged down low. A positive displacement blower (Harrop for these cars) will build boost down low and give you that instant torque (and whine) you referred to. As the owner of a centrifugal blown 6MT E90 M3 myself, I enjoyed the video and your perspective!

[@eb110americana]

Thank you. I came here to post exactly this. A Lysholm or Roots style blower moves a lot more air at lower RPM, so they make the engine feel like a larger displacement version of itself. The centrifugal supercharger is basically the compressor half of a turbo with a belt instead of a turbine, so it similarly requires revs to make boost and power. They get around this somewhat with a big step-up ratio in the drive gearset to spin faster at all RPMs, but centrifugal blowers still don't do much to the power curve down low, and produce their biggest gains up near redline.

[@blraider9724]

Had an ‘11 E90 and still regret getting rid of it. That engine is perfection (once the rod bearings have been dealt with). Must get another one!

[@BingBangBrine]

these cars sound really exotic too its not just some v8

[@Omega08082]

My 2011 E90 ZCP with an Akrapovic exhaust made the car perfect. The only reason I sold it was that after 40,000 miles, I just wanted more low end torque but to this day, I still regret that decision. It's a classic.

[@tblack21]

I feel you. Sold mine for a V Series caddy. Regret it daily.

[@225TTuned]

Worth like $50k now.

[@Chris-fo9rf]

I felt the same way until I added a blower, night and day difference. I genuinely regret going from a blown m3 to an f80

[@Omega08082]

@@225TTuned Probably more. I also had carbon fiber front splitters, rear diffuser, and spacers. The akra was a full exhaust system but due to catalytic converter laws, I only had it as a slip on. It was space grey with the fox red/black interior. Absolute stunner of a car.

[@david_from_to]

I added Akra Evo plus alpine stage 2 to my E92 M3 recently, and I love it. I’ve had the car since 2011. Can’t find a better daily driving car.

[@DailyDriver.]

This s65, the gt350R, the ls7, the rcf / lc500 with a proper exhaust, hellcat, all diff ways to make musical v8. What a swan song of a dying breed.

[@volvospeed850]

I'm happy to see viewers cars back on the channel. Good stuff.

[@romank1099]

12:33 EDC joke was so smooth its underrated

[@TML34]

I haven’t been to a rave since 1998, what’s EDC? Something to do with ecstasy??

[@JuanLopez-kw9of]

I can't remember the last time Zack giggled so much durning a review . He likes it! That's all you need to know.

[@jwardTLS]

Great car. I've got a 6mt E92 M3 in melbourne red with an ESS625 and I don't think I'll ever sell it. I've had the car for 6 years now and supercharged for 4 of those. The engine is otherworldly. 525 whp / 400 wtq on pump gas. Perfect amount for a street car while still remaining neutral and controllable. The chassis of the E9x just gobbles up the power from the blower.

[@dizz81]

I had one with that kit. Owned it for almost 8yrs. Made the stupid decision to sell it. Have regretted it ever since. I will own another one and modify it just the same as my last one.

[@jwardTLS]

@@dizz81 It's really hard to beat. Get another one while you still can. The world is changing. Few things put a smile on the face like an opened up S65 on the backroads

[@itsunclebaghdadi]

🔥🔥

[@petrolhead8851]

I just purchased an e90 m3 with catless mid pipe and tuned on e85 with bc racing coilovers that will soon be replaced by some edc compatible kw coilovers, the car is such a blast to drive, can’t wait to make some serious power with it one day after I’m done with my other builds lol

[@BleezyD]

An M3 has always been a dream car for me but now I realize, if I ever get one Im going to have to do this to it. This M3 is perfection, nice job!!

[@alpe6228]

one of the greatest sound of all times,remind me of my full magnaflow exhaust 97 6 speed 540i back in the days.

[@mcolegt]

Thanks for showing love to the e9x platform

[@soopermarkus]

13:13 this is how I feel every time I drive my E92 M3. The only drawback for me is the price of premium gas right now.

[@gr6395]

This has been one of Zach’s better reviews!

[@jamesgarvey8402]

My favorite M platform. For so many reasons. I almost bought the two-door version of the same kind of set up. I know how a car like that drives and it’s just magical. What an aggressive yet easily dailyable drivers car.

[@ashleymerritt9461]

Not the same but I have an e90 330i with the N52… it’s got 150,000 miles and still sounds and pulls to an obscene level of satisfaction. Can only imagine what this is like!

[@karlfontanari2169]

Nice vid and hello from the UK had an E92 M3 V8 over 10 years ago and miss it great car stock 420hp manual in black, brought back some good memories

[@anttheman6370]

Great video ! Nothing better than seeing the best m3 bmw ever made made on this channel

[@erhanucuncu]

That sound from outside killed me. ❣

[@ALifeWithCars]

The e90 m3 has been my dream sedan since it came out in high school, instead I have spent the last 7 years in a c55 amg and it has been amazing but this is still hands down end goals! Every time i go looking for one they are again out of my price range here’s to endlessly working for your dream car right!

[@craigparamore4619]

Zach that V8 does sound great!! Centrifugal superchargers will almost always feel stock at low rpm because the boost is low at lower rpm unless the pulley size is reduced. The horspower increase is linear, higher you can rev it the more power it makes. Roots and screw/Whipple style blowers are the "in the V" kind and make bigger increases in torque at low rpm. Thanks for the video and the owner for sharing.

[@CPMUNSEY]

Min marker 14:49 tells you all you need to know about what it’s like to drive this car,lol!! What a glorious sounding V-8!!👌🏽🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@ILoveMyHonduh]

Stock E46 M3 steering racks are long and needs a lot of input. I swapped out mine for a 330I rack to make it quicker. So the E9X M3s have great steering feel.

[@jeffeffinggluck]

Zack, I'm with you, I love the supercharger whine as well.

[@andrewrossnagel9433]

One of the reasons I went with Harrop over Ess

[@ronaldov09]

I must admit, every time I see an E90 M3 video I immediately go look at the used prices. Such an awesome car.

[@GlennsCarCollection]

I had a Interlagos Blue E90 M3 manual slicktop for 6 years. It was my daily for my real estate business, dad car, two kids in baby seats and i autocrossed it on the weekends. I couldn’t find a better car that could do everything for the money.

[@grad0n]

That’d be the spec I’d want.

[@akkando]

I have an IB e90 ZCP slicktop DCT. Would be hard to get rid of.

[@dwreck9336]

Zack, never seen you this comfortable behind the camera... You're experience is showing 👍🏽

[@anuragrajagopal7553]

love watching peoples reactions when they get behind the wheel of an e9x. reminds me of the first time i drove mine

[@maynarddrivesfast804]

God I miss mine. Traded it for an F150, so...yeah.

[@anuragrajagopal7553]

@@maynarddrivesfast804 ooof... hope you get back into one soon!

[@sebastianjo752]

This car is awesome. You said it perfectly, cleanest looking and spect M3 E90 ever. The inside is so clean without the navigation and it sounds like a symphony love it.

[@jnthnmchlslzr]

I was the one who actually had the pleasure working on this car installing the supercharger and suspension. My favorite car I worked on by far !

[@petrolhead8851]

How much do you charge to install one of these supercharger kits?

[@TheAcarr6]

Lol this build is fairly similar to mine - except I have a 4.4L with the blower. Same wheels, same brakes, same exhaust. Even the same name.. I like this guy!

[@carsculture4400]

Great review Zack! Been watching the channel for years. I’m friends with the owner of the car and a fun fact, those wheels are the BBS Fi RKP edition which make an already very light wheel, extremely light about 16lbs front and 17lbs rear. As a 5x E9X M3 owner, I love these videos!

[@bcab7955]

Your friend's got great taste in both cars and tuning.

[@ranerg318]

Curious where he got the alignment that Zack raves about

[@Vgk36]

Tell your buddy he had the best specd E90M3 ever made. The pinacle of that platform!!!

[@carsculture4400]

@@ranerg318 Pit Stop Motor Tuning. One of the best kept secrets in SoCal!

[@carsculture4400]

@@Vgk36 Amen to that! He also has a LSB E46 M3 and a Frozen white E92 M3 which will be for sale soon!

[@the-boring-car-guy]

That V8 is still fantastic

[@jimmyteter]

Your reviews have gotten really good! Nice work!

[@nitrobiz]

I have a '11.5 e90 Interlagos Blue M3, it's such a beautiful car, the lines, the V8. My buddy has a black e60 M5 with the V10 and we were at a car meet last night chatting with a SRT-10 owner with the Viper engine.

[@rubenmireles5545]

Drone one off turo with an IPE 3xhaust omg!!! Sounded so beautiful almost F1 like so crazy. The DCT is amazing

[@byVenosity]

Out of all the cars I've test driven, 4 years ago I picked the e92 m3. I put 60k miles on it since then and don't plan on getting rid of it in my lifetime. Best car everrrr

[@andrewrossnagel9433]

When you put a SC on an s65 it is now in another league. I was NA for years and after I installed my Harrop kit I'd NEVER go back

[@michaelpasiuk9332]

Zach I’m more of a Jag and Porsche guy but after watching you have so much fun it makes me want to pick up a E49 or E90!. Great Video!

[@machtschnell7452]

Good luck on the E49. They really are unobtanium.

[@Rekon2005]

I dig Zach, dude is so genuine…

[@dsher503]

Came to say, absolutely love seeing you and Matt do the KZbinr face on the thumbnail knowing how much you hate it. Lol. Great video as always Zack!

[@sergiopereira9546]

spot on build

[@Erkkremlinklum]

The excitement makes this such a good car review haha

[@BrendanEvan]

What a brilliant machine and effective video! Thanks Zack!

[@SicSemperBeats]

Ill never understand why some people go crazy over manual seats in e9x’s. Its a 3600lb luxury car, you wouldnt feel the difference either way. Normally I’d argue that the manual seats can go lower but the full motor sport seats go SUPER low in my e92 non M.

[@12ollingstone514]

just sold my my e90 for a M4. have had an e36 and e46...the e90 was the perfect sized car, relatively light and nimble yet stout and solid. the steering is night and day compared to the m4...love that the m4 is a newer car but the e90 just felt perfect.

[@TheImacrox]

Beautiful car! Sounds incredible🙌

[@sabzor123]

WHAT A MACHINE!

[@karleignr]

Awesome review.. time for your own channel Zack. You've finally come of age imo.

[@KAS470]

This car is so epic.

[@Mtree40]

I’ve owned both e92 m3 and a e90 335. I have to say the 335 was not only faster but much more fun being the xi version awd. A simple jb4 and some bolt ons had me at 488hp to the wheels. It was reliablish. The m3 just wasn’t as tunable and mine wasn’t supercharged. It was slow. I’d like to drive one with a supercharger though. The only part i liked more was it was a coupe. The 335 was a 4 door

[@drunkpolack7612]

Sounds like a smoother coyote 👌

[@spencersgarage]

That’s what I thinking…

[@tehbrutenextdoor]

I didn't know you could get an M3 without the dash bump (IDrive). I need this in my life.

[@ThtGuyIzRippin]

zack getting better at one takes, also crazy ass car

[@sdoubleu210]

good god this video could be very expensive for me as a viewer....cant even imagine the want after an actual drive. Kudos to the owner, perfection

[@MarioDallaRiva]

Bravo, Zack! 👏🏻

[@tano99999]

Very nicely done 👍

[@stevenh766]

Great review. I've always wanted to hear more about how these are in practice as they seem great on paper. Will owners ever be joining again? I miss hearing some commentary on snags in the build, reliability, their experience, etc.

[@TheSmokingTire]

I’m still unsure about owners riding shotgun due to covid. Sitting in close proximity with 3 strangers each morning seems risky, although I did enjoy the moving conversations. - Zack

[@stevenh766]

@@TheSmokingTire all good 👍 get back to it whenever you feel its appropriate

[@eb110americana]

@@TheSmokingTire Hope you can bring back the ride-alongs soon. Maybe do 15 min antigen tests before? Stay safe and well.

[@conspicuoustraverser7375]

I'm here with my 3.0v8 530i wagon and my 4.0v8 540i sedan (e34life). V8 BMW cars are my favorites.

[@GMFB702]

Absolute unicorn built beautifully this is the best spec for the enthusiast wonder how long it took to find

[@MastaCrackz]

Took me 3 days

[@scalip36]

E90 is such a timeless body style. I love my 335i, but MAN that V8 sound is amazing. At least with the N54 you can single turbo it and it will sound like a Supra.

[@GabrielPopa]

I have an e92 335i, because I could not afford an M3. Hope the prices won't explode and next year I will be able to buy the V8 one. I love the fact that this car does not have the iDrive. The dashboard looks so much nicer.

[@14KShadow]

Looks so gooooood!

[@jayr124589]

My favorite M3 E9x

[@ElitePayne47]

Best BMW engine to date

[@DriftingSquirrel]

Lovely e90. I’d really want one, basic spec just like this, but with the better audio speakers

[@MrBisho23]

what a beauty

[@robburton8462]

Great video

[@FizzyMotors]

You can fold the back seats down so you can hear the beautiful exhaust clearer

[@CMM1994_]

Best car ever

[@aowen1079]

I would feel like a kid in a candy store if I was behind the wheel of this car. I mean it’s the last of the V8’s.

[@JimboJason]

I've always liked the E46, but I think the E90 is my favorite!

[@Petrospect]

The real question is...this or an E39 M5? M5 has reliability on its side while the E90 has rack and pinion and lighter weight. Some people described the E90 M3 as the newer M5 since the E60 got much bigger but man, tough choice. I think I'd go M5 for the legend factor alone but the E90 M3 is something people will wake up to to what an amazing car it is. Legroom in the back of a 3 series! Coming from an E36 that's a revelation alone!

[@Allmotor1m]

E39 M5 is not reliable lol. E9x m3 is a far superior car

[@aproductofboredom]

@@Allmotor1m I concur.

[@Petrospect]

@@Allmotor1m I haven't read a lot about catastrophic failures for E39 M5s, the V8 by all accounts is stout, maintenance is what gets ya...not in spite of it and if you're lucky and yadda yadda it might not break. There's probably a reason why (as Matt pointed out) BMW themselves used the E39 V8 in their racecars 12 years after the E39 ended production and not the E9x one. I'd be happy to be disproven by someone more knowledgeable. Though, I have to admit it sounds even gnarlier than the E39 one...with the right exhaust E39 can rumble like an old muscle car but this is a bit more technical than that. Noise wise, it's probably beat.

[@Allmotor1m]

@@Petrospect Don't get me wrong I love the e39 m5 but it is a 20 year old car, it's gonna have issues. Never owned one but I've heard it's one of the most expensive older M cars to maintain. The e9x m3's are very reliable cars you just have to either buy one with the rod bearings done or do it when you get first get the car to prevent having to dish out the $10k for a new motor. I'll admit I prefer I6's over V8's but something about the sound of the s65 in the e9x m3 is just hard to beat.

[@Petrospect]

​@@Allmotor1m Hard to beat an i6 wail, it's all the right Ronin noises (especially the track E36 M3 Zack drove) E39s seem to have big jobs only when stuff has gone wrong due to the lack of maintenance, there isn't a manufacturing flaw like the E9x S65s where it could catastrophically go wrong and it not being as unique as, say, the 996 IMS bearing which was blown out of proportion. The thing is though, if the money has to be dished out, the question comes down to which is worth maintaining more and I'll admit, personal preference for sure...but I'm curious on what specifically makes the driving experience better in an E90 than E39. Speaking of, the proportions/dimensions are so much better in E9x than E39 though, shame the sedans are so rare in Europe.

[@DanG90]

Alright time to seriously start looking for one of these again 😅

[@MravacKid]

Looking forward to the "My new E90" video. :D

[@patsbimmer11]

My 2011 e90 M3 has easily been the most reliable BMW I've owned and the exhaust note makes the most mundane tasks enjoyable. There isn't a more enjoyable and usable car at this price point.

[@brendanhayes6115]

Only reason I’m watching this is because of the 😯 in the thumbnail. Thanks Zac

[@jayr124589]

You guys should do a 2Take one of you drive a ESS supercharged m3 etc and the other drives a Harrop m3 since you get more power down low with that kit, compare and swap between the cars that would be 🔥🔥🔥🔥 to get your opinions

[@racechassis]

Amazing 🙌🙌

[@GrahamQuigley]

Your reviews are getting hella polished bra 😎

[@TheSmokingTire]

Thanks brah.

[@tblack21]

I miss this car.

[@gregs8685]

E90/E92 M3 was peak M car. I bought new a 2011 LeMans blue manual M3, no sunroof, no nav, cloth seats (power though). EDC. Not ZCP and on 18” wheels. Should’ve kept it, but 1.5 years ago I bought a similar 2009 e92. Interlagos Blue manual, carbon roof, 18” gun metal wheels, but with leather and nav. It’s just as awesome.

[@text4268]

Congratulations you have been selected amount our shortlisted winner 🎁 contact the number above.......✔️

[@wcmontana]

Nice KZbin face Matt! Great video. Now I want one of these too!

[@anthonylennen4067]

Have an 11 e90 ZCP Jerez/bamboo beige sunroof delete. Only 5 in the US w these specs.

[@nahidrahman]

E46 SMG knob swap is the best

[@davect01]

Reliable BMW. That would be the best trick.

[@sanjoriot]

Goals for a sedan

[@vny0sts]

Love this video. I have a very similar car. 2011 E90 6MT Lemans blue though 😊 currently have swift springs, Stoptech bbk, volk te37, corsa exhaust… Harrop supercharger being out on next week, I’m pumped and this video made me more excited!! Zack, hit me up if you’re interested in buying it😊

[@ctknetwork3008]

i’ll buy it

[@vny0sts]

@@ctknetwork3008 everything is for sale at the right price

[@ctknetwork3008]

@@vny0sts how much are u asking and where are you located?

[@markvergara]

I think it’s time to buy an E90 M3.

[@christopherballenger-brook4027]

Back when BMW still made the ultimate driving machine.

[@Omegaman1969]

E90 is the best looking M3 and that V8!! wow.

[@sashaghovanlou8175]

Yea facelift e90 is beautiful. Can't stand the pre facelift though

[@Omegaman1969]

@@sashaghovanlou8175 Really? I can't stand the LCi back lights, look like they glued in lights from another car lol.

[@TML34]

E92 is great too. It’ll never go out of style.

[@JaeAR20]

Forgot to mention no idrive - perfect spec