E90 m3
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 42
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From: Ontario
E90 m3
I have read couple of threads here re opinions and comparisons between the E90 M3 and the IS F
I am in the position now that I will need to sadly sell the IS F due to tight space in the rear and can only seat 2 in the back.
Any recent opinions on the E90/92 M3? I like that it comes with a manual transmission and can put 3 people in the back seat. I am also considering the GS F, but concerned I won't like the big size and I will have to modify the car to make it feel more nimble. And I do despise all turbo charged engines.
Thoughts?
I am in the position now that I will need to sadly sell the IS F due to tight space in the rear and can only seat 2 in the back.
Any recent opinions on the E90/92 M3? I like that it comes with a manual transmission and can put 3 people in the back seat. I am also considering the GS F, but concerned I won't like the big size and I will have to modify the car to make it feel more nimble. And I do despise all turbo charged engines.
Thoughts?
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 42
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From: Ontario
Also when I looked at the E90, it seemed like there is more leg and shoulder room back there, but I could be wrong, as it was a while back. The iS F is very tight back there
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Joined: Apr 2017
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From: Indiana
Agreed. An E90 still doesn’t look very big, and a GSF will be miles more reliable. You can also make it more nimble with suspension upgrades. The weight can’t really be changed, but that’s the price for a roomier car.
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I actually did not think of this option - couple of issues though, I have to get the same red interior as my IS F which I don't think was an option on the other IS's
Also when I looked at the E90, it seemed like there is more leg and shoulder room back there, but I could be wrong, as it was a while back. The iS F is very tight back there
Also when I looked at the E90, it seemed like there is more leg and shoulder room back there, but I could be wrong, as it was a while back. The iS F is very tight back there
Pit Crew
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 160
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From: Ontario
I currently own a GS-F and I use to own a 2010 E90 M3 6MT with everything except EDC. I moved up to a GSF due to reliability concerns and rear leg room as I do have to drive people often. But to this day, I still miss the E90 M3 every single day. While the GS-F is definitely unique and rare in it's own ways but it does not feel as special as the E90 M3. It's the combination of the low torque high revving raspy S65 (8400 rpm), relatively small sized body yet very pronounced bulldog stance and the rawness of the lightweight fly wheel of the 6MT, together makes the E90 really feel like nothing else out there. I moved to a GS-F mainly due to reliability concerns but I kind of regret my decision. With the mods I am spending on the GS-F, I can easily set that aside for rod bearing changes or other repair cost. I am looking to pick up another E90 6MT in the future if a clean low mileage one comes up, I would want one with no edc or navigation.
I currently own a GS-F and I use to own a 2010 E90 M3 6MT with everything except EDC. I moved up to a GSF due to reliability concerns and rear leg room as I do have to drive people often. But to this day, I still miss the E90 M3 every single day. While the GS-F is definitely unique and rare in it's own ways but it does not feel as special as the E90 M3. It's the combination of the low torque high revving raspy S65 (8400 rpm), relatively small sized body yet very pronounced bulldog stance and the rawness of the lightweight fly wheel of the 6MT, together makes the E90 really feel like nothing else out there. I moved to a GS-F mainly due to reliability concerns but I kind of regret my decision. With the mods I am spending on the GS-F, I can easily set that aside for rod bearing changes or other repair cost. I am looking to pick up another E90 6MT in the future if a clean low mileage one comes up, I would want one with no edc or navigation.
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 269
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From: CA
As much as I love the USE20 and 2UR-GSE and 7,000 RPM redline in a V8. An 8,500 RPM would sound glorious- of course that sound may be drowned out by the sound of my teeth clenching in fear of a rod bearing blowing out. To be fair though, I have read that less than 1% of those engines experience that problem..
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 42
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From: Ontario
I think the throttle actuators and rod bearing issues are a bit overblown. The S65 motor is very reliable after you get both of those services done. The throttle actuators are $720 for the pair with upgraded ones with lifetime warranties, for rod bearings, there are many specials on the forums where some shops will do the whole job parts and labor for $1700. Now you have a near bulletproof motor with the soul of a Ferrari in a practical 4 door sedan. I just picked up a stripper E90 M3 6MT as a daily, no sunroof, no nav, no edc, and it's probably one of the most enjoyable cars I've ever owned so far.
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From: Indiana
Another option is aftermarket seats. I added about 3 inches of legroom and 2 inches of headroom with mine. It’s so spacious now that I may put some in my daily is350 so the family has more room. A few grand in seats and accessories is much cheaper than a new car, which I’d pay that in taxes alone.