E92 M3 - will it become an icon that endures ?

[Merlin_83]

Greetings,

The E92 is probably last of the high-revving V8's made available at the price point it sold for during productions years, do you think it will join the ranks of iconic and classic cars like Porsche 911's, American muscle cars like the GTO or Camaro's and others (please add in if you think of more)

The E46 is still in many ways regarded as a bench mark for other manufacturers, and the E92 carried that on as well. Is it possible that many of us now own a car that potentially will be (is) ranked as one of the best ever cars made.

The new V6 twin-turbo M3/M4 has some remarkable new advances, but a V8 that revs to 8,300 that's unique and intriguing for an engineering perspective - I love that sound of the S65 at WOT in gears 3 or 4

(btw - is it true the new M3/M4 will use a microphone for engine sound in the cabin, like the M5?)

Cheers,
Merlin

[JabzSA]

I'm no expert, so will not even venture to presume that the e9x will become a instant classic.

An icon though, i think yes. Whenever there is a fundamental shift of technology, design etc.. an era of some sorts comes to an end - there will always be a special place in peoples hearts. But then again, i think its more subjective.

For me - i owned a '08 e92 V8...and had to sell due to relocation to the US, but was always planning to buy the last production year again...cos for me its already a icon and in future will be a classic...my classic.

[Petros]

I'd say it already is an icon. But one of the best cars ever is a bit of a hyperbole though

[rjd598]

This discussion has taken place several times. IMO I've come to this conclusion:

Every M3 has become an icon and a leader in it's class. Sure they've all had their problems and annoyances but every generation has strong following. It's hard to say which one is the best, but in my eyes they have all become classics and something to own.

[coloradoe92m3]

No. Will be remembered as e36, e46 is and now e92

[Edward]

Originally Posted by coloradoe92m3

No. Will be remembered as e36, e46 is and now e92

More or less, this response seems likely.

The E36 is not remembered as a great car in the US though because we got a pitiful version versus Europe.

Our version did not have individual throttle bodies, did not rev high relative to other M3s, did not have nearly the output that the Euro engines did. Not only that, but the E36 M3 was the only M3 that did not have unique M3 only wider fenders, hood etc. The price margin on the E36 M3 that BMW earned was not deserved.

Anyway, the E92 M3 probably also won't ever command any sort of a serious auction premium like some of these old classic cars. To crush the auctions, an old car has to be in clean condition (not likely to be many with the way M3s get abused by teenagers by the time values drop enough for idiots to buy them), rare (this production run does not constitute rare), or have race winning heritage (the M3 has won DTM titles etc, but it's a street legal production car, unlike european sports cars from decades ago that actually raced in that same trim). Also, a lot of rich white dudes who have money now but not back then, tend to pay premiums for clean examples of great muscle cars of the past that were current when they were teens with no money.

I think BMWs that will go up in value or be anywhere near collectible are few. CSL, M3 GTS, 1M, M1, 3.0 CSL, M3 GTR, are on that short list. The rest will become a heap of scrap metal.

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by rjd598

Every M3 has become an icon and a leader in it's class. Sure they've all had their problems and annoyances but every generation has strong following. It's hard to say which one is the best, but in my eyes they have all become classics and something to own.

I think this really nails it. The M3 is legend and each version is just a vintage. The new does not discredit the old. Each M3 holds its place in the line up and continues the legacy. Its becoming very 911 like.

[swanson]

The V8 will make the E9X M3 desirable.

[deletedelete]

All previous gen M3s have endured and are classics and given the disappointment that the M4 may turn out to be I think the e9x will live on a long time.

[grantmax]

Originally Posted by Edward

More or less, this response seems likely.

The E36 is not remembered as a great car in the US though because we got a pitiful version versus Europe.

Our version did not have individual throttle bodies, did not rev high relative to other M3s, did not have nearly the output that the Euro engines did. Not only that, but the E36 M3 was the only M3 that did not have unique M3 only wider fenders, hood etc. The price margin on the E36 M3 that BMW earned was not deserved.

Anyway, the E92 M3 probably also won't ever command any sort of a serious auction premium like some of these old classic cars. To crush the auctions, an old car has to be in clean condition (not likely to be many with the way M3s get abused by teenagers by the time values drop enough for idiots to buy them), rare (this production run does not constitute rare), or have race winning heritage (the M3 has won DTM titles etc, but it's a street legal production car, unlike european sports cars from decades ago that actually raced in that same trim). Also, a lot of rich white dudes who have money now but not back then, tend to pay premiums for clean examples of great muscle cars of the past that were current when they were teens with no money.

I think BMWs that will go up in value or be anywhere near collectible are few. CSL, M3 GTS, 1M, M1, 3.0 CSL, M3 GTR, are on that short list. The rest will become a heap of scrap metal.

I disagree. The e92 M3 (not the e90) will be THE car to have going forward. Sure the F82 will be faster and better in almost every measurable way. Sure it will have the "new" tech. Ok, it will turn heads initially. But all of this will be forgotten over time.

The deciding factor in all of this is character. This is something that the e92 has in spades. Hell, even the e46 with it's clunky SMG shifts, clunky subframe, and clunky... well everything ... has a ton of charm.

I respect the R35 Skyline but it's nothing more than a racehorse to me. I would rather drive an R34 around because it simply has more character. When will cars just be fast enough?

[Law]

Originally Posted by Merlin_83

Greetings,

The E92 is probably last of the high-revving V8's made available at the price point it sold for during productions years, do you think it will join the ranks of iconic and classic cars like Porsche 911's, American muscle cars like the GTO or Camaro's and others (please add in if you think of more)

The E46 is still in many ways regarded as a bench mark for other manufacturers, and the E92 carried that on as well. Is it possible that many of us now own a car that potentially will be (is) ranked as one of the best ever cars made.

The new V6 twin-turbo M3/M4 has some remarkable new advances, but a V8 that revs to 8,300 that's unique and intriguing for an engineering perspective - I love that sound of the S65 at WOT in gears 3 or 4

(btw - is it true the new M3/M4 will use a microphone for engine sound in the cabin, like the M5?)

Cheers,
Merlin

Inline-6, not V6
8400 RPM, not 8300


& to answer your question, it will be desirable by fans & enthusiasts in the future as most M-cars have been.
I agree that being the last NA M-Car, the E9X M3 does hold a special place in BMW M's history books.
But will it hold classic status? Only time will tell, it is way too early call.
Much of this fate will depend on how well-received/poorly-received the F8X is by the press & public.

[phrozen06]

Originally Posted by swanson

The V8 will make the E9X M3 desirable.

The V8 is the only thing the gives the E9X M it's charm.

[Ezio]

once everything is a little turbo engine. thats when things will really take off for cars like C63 AMG V8. RS5, E92 m3 etc.

[Edward]

Originally Posted by grantmax

I disagree. The e92 M3 (not the e90) will be THE car to have going forward. Sure the F82 will be faster and better in almost every measurable way. Sure it will have the "new" tech. Ok, it will turn heads initially. But all of this will be forgotten over time.

The deciding factor in all of this is character. This is something that the e92 has in spades. Hell, even the e46 with it's clunky SMG shifts, clunky subframe, and clunky... well everything ... has a ton of charm.

I respect the R35 Skyline but it's nothing more than a racehorse to me. I would rather drive an R34 around because it simply has more character. When will cars just be fast enough?

He asked if it will reach "icon" status. High revving V8 does not consitute automatic enduring iconic status. Iconic sports cars are cars that were ground breaking and changed the course of automobile history. Cars like the McLaren F1, the P1, F40, 250 GTO. The E92 M3 is awesome. AWESOME. Iconic? No....it's just a sweet M car. That's it.

[briancl]

As a new m3 owner who purchased used, I just want to enjoy the car. I don't care how much of an icon it is as long as it holds resale value decently.

[grantmax]

Originally Posted by Edward

He asked if it will reach "icon" status. High revving V8 does not consitute automatic enduring iconic status. Iconic sports cars are cars that were ground breaking and changed the course of automobile history. Cars like the McLaren F1, the P1, F40, 250 GTO. The E92 M3 is awesome. AWESOME. Iconic? No....it's just a sweet M car. That's it.

What? JUST a sweet M car?! No sir.

This car is the end-all, be-all of performance motoring. OP asked if this car would become an icon that endures. I think that in 10-15 years, this car will reach iconic status (as the e30 has) and stand the test of time (like Tad Hamilton's films).

[Law]

Originally Posted by grantmax

What? JUST a sweet M car?! No sir.

This car is the end-all, be-all of performance motoring. OP asked if this car would become an icon that endures. I think that in 10-15 years, this car will reach iconic status (as the e30 has) and stand the test of time (like Tad Hamilton's films).

You seem to know a lot about the future.
The E9X M3 has been out of production for less than a year & the US hasn't even taken delivery of the F8X yet & here you are talking about 15 years down the line.

So i'm curious, did you see the E92 M3 coming 15 years ago? The S65B40 engine? How did you know? What is this sorcery?

[grantmax]

Originally Posted by Law

You seem to know a lot about the future.
The E9X M3 has been out of production for less than a year & the US hasn't even taken delivery of the F8X yet & here you are talking about 15 years down the line.

So i'm curious, did you see the E92 M3 coming 15 years ago? The S65B40 engine? How did you know? What is this sorcery?

Dude. Just wait for the G72 M4 GTS-R. It's going to be insane. Total classic.

[Law]

Originally Posted by grantmax

Dude. Just wait for the G72 M4 GTS-R. It's going to be insane. Total classic.

Why did you tell everyone? I was hoping you'd PM me instead so we could keep this future money-making scheme a secret damnit!

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by grantmax

What? JUST a sweet M car?! No sir.

This car is the end-all, be-all of performance motoring. OP asked if this car would become an icon that endures. I think that in 10-15 years, this car will reach iconic status (as the e30 has) and stand the test of time (like Tad Hamilton's films).

I think in 10-15 years all of the M3's will be iconic. The m3 is iconic regardless of generation. If any recent M3 will be valued at low mileage / old age, my bet is on a clean e46 m3.

[alee0729]

Here's how it usually goes...

Car goes out of production. Prices start to get affordable and the typical used market crowd with enough brain cells to save a little money gets one. Half of them get totaled from your typical more hp than brains shenanigans. A quarter of them get modded beyond recognition and are worth nothing. The surviving few cars with low miles and have been lightly modded finally become appreciated for their rarity.

Assuming enough of them survive to be remembered after the next 15 or so years, they will be wildly appreciated for what they represent, and will be highly sought after by enthusiasts. These cars will likely command strong resale value in maybe 20-25 years provided the miles are low and the mods are few.

Highly doubtful it will be classic car territory (unless after 15 years, there are about 15 cars left in the world that haven't been irreparably modded or crashed into a wall).

[schoy]

Originally Posted by briancl

As a new m3 owner who purchased used, I just want to enjoy the car. I don't care how much of an icon it is as long as it holds resale value decently.

This. I'm having too much fun with the car to care.