My New Ride, And Move To The Dark Side.

[Got Boost?]

Well after many years of owning Japanese cars, R33 GTS-T, 350Z and most recently a R34 GTR V-Spec II, i made the decision not to purchase the R35 GTR and to see if the grass on the other side was in fact greener. This decision was originally based on the fact the R35 was having an significant update later this year which i think would make purchasing the current one a bad choice as it would most likely lose a lot of value upon release of its successor, not to mention the next one has a lot more features and power. I know performance wise these cars are not at all in the same league, and i won't argue the M3 is better in any performance aspect because it isnt, but as an overall package i think it's hard to go wrong.

I chose to purchase what i think is the pick of the bunch (in its class / price bracket) in the Euro scene, the E92 M3. I was lucky enough to get hold of one of the 50 limited 'Pure' editions which basically gives the vehicle a few less dicky features to save weight (automatic dipping highbeams, six stack cd etc), an Alacantra / leather combo interior and a bunch of black exterior highlights (wheels, grills, side flutes and bonnet vents).

I have only done 600k in it so far but am absolutely in love! It will never have the raw and brutal feel of the GTR but as a package the m3 just does everything so well. I will have to save the 'review' until i've been able to make proper use of the 'M' button and get it out on the track but for now i can safely say i'm very impressed.

Plans for this one are mild and include -

Gintani race exhaust w/high flow cats - Installed

RPI Intake scoops and filter - Installed

BPS Chiptech tune - To be fitted

Vorsteiner carbon front lip - To be fitted

3D rear carbon diffuser - To be fitted

Then in a few months time i'll be fitting an ESS Supercharger, most likely a VT2-575 which should see around 480-500rwhp and about 310 ft-lbs which should make things a little more interesting! Then i'll be hitting the track as regularly as i'm able. I will update as i get the work done. I know this car wont be for everyone a good amount of people will think i'm crazy not to have bought an R35 but so far there are noregrets!

This last photo is what i hope to make it look like when i'm done.

[VNS 24]

Great purchase you did there, Ben. Love the car.

I am also thinking of getting the M5 (Can't be bother with 2 doors after this V35. ) in the future. Will let you know then and we can be BMW buddies.

Two thumbs up from me.

Edited March 2, 2011 by Victor.T

[roadworia]

i love my skyline but i love m3's a whole lot more...good choice of car

[Birds]

Nah M3 is the win, good choice. They make awesome daily drivers and still look plenty tough on the road, in a nice subtle way.

[BoyWhoCriedWolf]

Id grab the M3.

[SLIDN31]

Awesome car. BMW's are just pretty sweet all through the range......new ones anyway lol

[Ten Four]

I love M3s! Nice choice man.

[KezR33]

I love M3s. Would definitely take over an R34, but the R35? Come on. It's the supercar killer.

Still a nice car though.

[PM-R33]

Fantastic choice in car and colour combo. I to would pick one over the R35.

I absolutely love my dads 09 E92 Space Gray M Sport 335i with the 7 speed DCT transmission. I pretty much convinced him to buy it when we were looking for a new car and he is so happy with it. We just fitted the BMW Performance carbon spoiler onto it

Definetely want to own a M3 one time in my life.

Go ze Germans!

[GTR-N1]

If you switch to the R35 later this year, remember that I'm 1st on the queue to procure this here 2nd-hand M3

[MikhailV87]

Awesome car and color .

[FineLine]

Joy!

[Got Boost?]

Great purchase you did there, Ben. Love the car.

I am also thinking of getting the M5 (Can't be bother with 2 doors after this V35. ) in the future. Will let you know then and we can be BMW buddies.

Two thumbs up from me.

The new M5 looks incredible! From the teaser footage I've seen it appears to be a pretty amazing car, and you can't go wrong with the TT V8.

Nah M3 is the win, good choice. They make awesome daily drivers and still look plenty tough on the road, in a nice subtle way.

This is one of the main reasons i love it. It has a more subtle aggression to it and still makes for a classy and livable daily. When you activate 'M' mode, suspension is significantly tightened (it is quite rough), throttle and steering sensitivity is heightened and the gearbox goes into its most aggressive setting which is amazingly quick! I can't wait to get it to the track

I love M3s. Would definitely take over an R34, but the R35? Come on. It's the supercar killer.

Still a nice car though.

Won't disagree it's a supercar killer or that it wouldn't completely out pace the M3 on the track, but you have to take into account how much time you spend driving it like a supercar. I figured 80% of my car use will be driving around the city on public roads with speed limits, and with the way unmarked / point to point speed cameras are going the possibility of hammering your car down the highway or around some twisties is slowly diminishing. The R35 is an amazing car, but it is not practical as a daily and is significantly rougher and less refined then the M3. If i could be driving the R35 the way it is meant to be driven even 50% of the time my decision might have been a bit harder. I know any die hard GTR fan will flat out disagree with what I've said but i had to be realistic with the amount of time I'll spend at a track. I'm actually quite enjoying a RWD car again too, makes for some fun (and scary) times.

Fantastic choice in car and colour combo. I to would pick one over the R35.

I absolutely love my dads 09 E92 Space Gray M Sport 335i with the 7 speed DCT transmission. I pretty much convinced him to buy it when we were looking for a new car and he is so happy with it. We just fitted the BMW Performance carbon spoiler onto it

Definitely want to own a M3 one time in my life.

Go ze Germans!

The 335s are an awesome car! With a bit of tuning they can keep up with an M3 apparently. The DCT transmission is fantastic, i was originally a bit reluctant to swap from the stick but they've really done a fantastic job. When the shift setting is on 6 in M mode the down change aggression is unreal!

If you switch to the R35 later this year, remember that I'm 1st on the queue to procure this here 2nd-hand M3

Haha I'll be sure to let you know, can't see it likely at this stage though

Thanks for all the positive comments guys!

[02stagea]

Wow. Just wow. Great choice. Love the black and white theme. Please keep us updated.

[PM-R33]

Won't disagree it's a supercar killer or that it wouldn't completely out pace the M3 on the track, but you have to take into account how much time you spend driving it like a supercar. I figured 80% of my car use will be driving around the city on public roads with speed limits, and with the way unmarked / point to point speed cameras are going the possibility of hammering your car down the highway or around some twisties is slowly diminishing. The R35 is an amazing car, but it is not practical as a daily and is significantly rougher and less refined then the M3. If i could be driving the R35 the way it is meant to be driven even 50% of the time my decision might have been a bit harder. I know any die hard GTR fan will flat out disagree with what I've said but i had to be realistic with the amount of time I'll spend at a track.

I agree 100%. I have had that discussion with a number of people before.

[DivHunter]

What is with the white love? White cars look like fridges with wheels.

The M3 is a great car, personally I really liked the E46 shape.

[PM-R33]

Who still has a white fridge? Get with the times man

Certain cars look gorgeous in white. E92 M3's are DEFINETELY one of those due to the factory optioned carbon/black parts which contrast very nicely.

[Ten Four]

I absolutely HATE white cars.

HOWEVER, if I bought an E92 M3, the ONLY colour I'd have it in, is white.

They just look soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good! (Necessary)

[Juan_2_3]

Love it the E92 is favourite M3

[God_speed]

Very nice mate, congrats.

Out of interest, how well would the DCT gearbox cope with the added torque from the supercharger kit?

I also personally prefer the E46 M3 shape, but the E92 is of course more modern and that V8 woofle is hard to say no to. Kudos for going with the less predictable route (based on what you owned beforehand) and took into account how you're most likely to drive the car in most situations. The FR chassis could be arguably as much fun as the R35 on a track anyway, just in a different (powerslidey) way