///Avi
///Member
Introducing my E92
I’ve dreamt of owning a naturally aspirated M car one day and that day has finally arrived. I’ve finally settled on an E92.
I know it may not seem like a big deal for most but this is a goal I’ve been wanting to achieve for the longest time. Having only driven one E46 M3 (a few weeks back), it has only reaffirmed that I must have this car as well in the future.
As per my search thread I was undecided whether I wanted an E46 (this is a childhood hero car) or an E92. I tried until the very end to still convince this seller to sell me his E46 instead. In the end he wouldn’t budge, and I don’t blame him as well. He can easily replace this E92 but he will struggle to replace his E46, clean ones are just too rare these days.
But, in my search I’ve driven and been driven in a few good E92s. I instantly fell for these cars. I will also add that the M-DCT also has its charms. The downshift throttle blips are awesome. The sound of the engine is a symphony. All this, I’ve known for a while though, but the way it drives is something that truly surprised me. I wasn’t ready for how light it felt on its feet. This is by no means a light car but the combination of instant throttle response and cornering ability make it feel light and agile. You only really know what a car is made of when you put it through its paces, this car doesn’t break a sweat. I will be patiently honing my driving skills to one day be an equal for this car.
(On a side note, the E46 M is so easy to get in and drive aggressively, easy to shift (clutch is heavy though) and those sweet downshifts. You instantly become a hooligan in it and feel like a better driver than you actually are (In my case lol). It’s not a fast car by todays standards but the way it makes you feel…damn.)
I thought that M sport suspensions were great when I had them but this car is so composed around corners that you can understand why an M car is different from the rest of the stable. My 135i felt skittish at the absolute limit around corners whereas this car prefers to be pushed.
The gentleman who owned the car took some awesome photos. I would not be able to take any better pictures even if I tried. He didn’t mind me using these.
In the short time that I have been in Cape Town I’ve taken my 135 on Chapmans peak drive twice lol. Sooooo, one more time with the M then.
So the car is not perfect but I can definitely get it there. The first things on my to do list were tyres and throttle actuators. As long as the car drives right I can get the other small interior cosmetics sorted out eventually. It is an old car at the end of the day.
I’ve done the brass gear Throttle actuator upgrade as preventative maintenance. (Thank you for the kit @peter@AEW and thanks to Rolf at Brilliant mechanical workshop for fitting)
The valve cover gasket was leaking so that was replaced as well by Rolf at Brilliant mechanical workshop.
I’ve fitted Michelin PS4S tyres on the car. Really great tyres, takes quite a bit to unsettle the car.
Will find a good place in CT that can do a proper clean and polish and I will take some more pictures.
I’ve done Franschhoek pass the Saturday after I received the car. What lovely smooth and twisty roads out there. If you haven’t done this route I urge you to go and enjoy the drive. The earlier the better as there were trucks and slow moving traffic at some parts for me.
Drove the pass in both directions and then visited a wine farm as well as the motor museum. A great day out!
I’ve dreamt of owning a naturally aspirated M car one day and that day has finally arrived. I’ve finally settled on an E92.
I know it may not seem like a big deal for most but this is a goal I’ve been wanting to achieve for the longest time. Having only driven one E46 M3 (a few weeks back), it has only reaffirmed that I must have this car as well in the future.
As per my search thread I was undecided whether I wanted an E46 (this is a childhood hero car) or an E92. I tried until the very end to still convince this seller to sell me his E46 instead. In the end he wouldn’t budge, and I don’t blame him as well. He can easily replace this E92 but he will struggle to replace his E46, clean ones are just too rare these days.
But, in my search I’ve driven and been driven in a few good E92s. I instantly fell for these cars. I will also add that the M-DCT also has its charms. The downshift throttle blips are awesome. The sound of the engine is a symphony. All this, I’ve known for a while though, but the way it drives is something that truly surprised me. I wasn’t ready for how light it felt on its feet. This is by no means a light car but the combination of instant throttle response and cornering ability make it feel light and agile. You only really know what a car is made of when you put it through its paces, this car doesn’t break a sweat. I will be patiently honing my driving skills to one day be an equal for this car.
(On a side note, the E46 M is so easy to get in and drive aggressively, easy to shift (clutch is heavy though) and those sweet downshifts. You instantly become a hooligan in it and feel like a better driver than you actually are (In my case lol). It’s not a fast car by todays standards but the way it makes you feel…damn.)
I thought that M sport suspensions were great when I had them but this car is so composed around corners that you can understand why an M car is different from the rest of the stable. My 135i felt skittish at the absolute limit around corners whereas this car prefers to be pushed.
The gentleman who owned the car took some awesome photos. I would not be able to take any better pictures even if I tried. He didn’t mind me using these.
In the short time that I have been in Cape Town I’ve taken my 135 on Chapmans peak drive twice lol. Sooooo, one more time with the M then.
So the car is not perfect but I can definitely get it there. The first things on my to do list were tyres and throttle actuators. As long as the car drives right I can get the other small interior cosmetics sorted out eventually. It is an old car at the end of the day.
I’ve done the brass gear Throttle actuator upgrade as preventative maintenance. (Thank you for the kit @peter@AEW and thanks to Rolf at Brilliant mechanical workshop for fitting)
The valve cover gasket was leaking so that was replaced as well by Rolf at Brilliant mechanical workshop.
I’ve fitted Michelin PS4S tyres on the car. Really great tyres, takes quite a bit to unsettle the car.
Will find a good place in CT that can do a proper clean and polish and I will take some more pictures.
I’ve done Franschhoek pass the Saturday after I received the car. What lovely smooth and twisty roads out there. If you haven’t done this route I urge you to go and enjoy the drive. The earlier the better as there were trucks and slow moving traffic at some parts for me.
Drove the pass in both directions and then visited a wine farm as well as the motor museum. A great day out!
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