The ultimate V8 430hp 2008 BMW M3 Coupe Manual E92

With its incredible high-revving V8, muscular looks and sublime chassis, the mighty E92 M3 is a force to be reckoned with and an M car for the ages.

Words: Elizabeth de Latour

Photos: Jason Dodd

LASTING LEGACY

The E9x M3 is a performance icon, and the owner of this E92 is loving every minute with his V8 M machine.

As the only standard production V8-powered M3 (because good luck trying to buy an E46 M3 GTR), and the last NA M3 (because it’s turbos and hybrids all the way now), the E9x M3 is something special. Every M car is special, of course, but some are a little more special than of the's. and when a car is the only one of its kind and marks the end of an era, it deserves special recognition. The S65 V8 that doesn't quite fit under the bonnet, hence the power bulge to accommodate the intake plenum, is a masterpiece of engineering. It's derived from the S85 V10, sharing the larger engine's basic architecture and aluminium construction, and these are the only two BMW M engines that did not evolve from a regular non-M motor. It features individual throttle bodies and dual VANOS, but what makes it really special is the way it loves to rev. Peak power of 420hp arrives at a heady 8300rpm, with the redline sitting just 100rpm north of that. And while the 295lb ft torque peak doesn’t seem like much, it is almost flat from its 3900rpm peak to 6500rpm.

Initially launched with a six-speed manual gearbox, the E92 M3 was the first BMW to be made available with the seven-speed DCT dual-clutch gearbox, which replaced the company’s SMG transmission. Thus equipped, it would dispatch the 0-62mph sprint in just 4.6 seconds, and there was no doubt about it, this was a quick car, and remains so today. The motoring press fell in love with the E9x M3, and it was an instant hit with enthusiasts. Not only is it an exceptional sports car, but it’s also practical, too, especially in E90 Saloon form, and was hailed by many as the ultimate all-round car. Today, you can pick up this V8 marvel for shockingly little money, and it’s still an awesome performance machine, so it’s no surprise that Chrissy Whelan was keen to get his hands on one.

“I have been interested in cars since I was a kid following my dad’s interest in sports cars, and I was lucky enough to grow up experiencing various hot hatches and a BMW,” Chrissy tells us. “I remember my dad getting an E36 325i Coupé in Hellrot and being extremely impressed with its performance and reliability, as my dad didn’t hold back testing performance,” he grins. “I took particular interest in E30 M3s and modified 325i Sports in my early teens. Modified M cars, in general, caught my eye, such as Ian Pinder’s (Iceman) E30 Cab, which he still has to this day and various other modified M cars, both local and featured BMWs,” and he’s clearly passionate about the blue and white roundel. Chrissy followed in his dad’s footsteps and got his first taste of BMW ownership with an E36 – a 318i Saloon – and he’s owned a couple of M3s since then, but this was his first taste of sweet V8 goodness. “This M3 belonged to a friend before I bought it, so I knew it was a good car. My friend hadn’t been using it that often, and it needed some TLC to bring it back up to scratch. After doing some research on the E92 M3 V8 and taking it for a test drive, I knew I had to have it,” he grins. And, with an extensive history of modding, there was no doubt that this M3 was going to be receiving a selection of upgrades. “I had already done the car up in my head before purchasing it,” smiles Chrissy, and he wasted no time getting stuck in.

The S65 V8 is a mighty powerplant, but it responds well to some light modding which really brings it to life, improving throttle response and torque across the board. The most important element here is the Evolve remap, which the car already came with: “The Evolve remap was done before I got the M3. Knowing they’re one of the best in the business, it saved me getting it remapped,” remarks Chrissy, and then it was just a case of building on that. “There was a Pipercross filter fitted, but after the shoot, I added a K&N induction kit, and it was a cost-effective modification which transformed the noise of the M3,” he grins. “I then added de-eat pipes to complement the air intake, and maintaining the M3’s quiet idle until it's opened up was my idea behind this setup. All in all, the modifications were purely to liven the car up a notch,” says Chrissy, and they’ve definitely done that, with the M3 now making 430hp and 3141b ft of torque.

This M3 sits so nicely, the drop coming courtesy of a set of lowering springs that have allowed Chrissy to keep the car’s EDC, and they’ve been paired with arguably the go-to wheel of choice for the E9x M model. “I did consider other wheels, but I think the E92 M3s look best on these,” he smiles, and the 19” 359Ms are a fantastic choice. And, while most people run replicas of the Competition wheel, here. Chrissy is lunniny a genuine set, and the black-on- black combo is a menacing one The finishing touch is a set of floating BMW centre caps.

And speaking of menacing, this E92 M3 has been treated to some styling enhancements that really bring out its best. It s not exactly a shy retiring sort of car in standard form, but this example has been given a little extra edge. Up front sits a carbon splitter along with a black grille, then you’ve got the carbon mirror caps, and a carbon lip spoiler finishes off the styling additions. It’s a classic combo that gives this M3 that much more presence and menace. Inside, meanwhile, Chrissy has added an Alcantara flat-bottom steering wheel with M tricolour stitching.

Up front sits a carbon splitter along with a black grille, then you’ve got the carbon mirror caps, and a carbon lip spoiler finishes off the styling additions

The exhaust features a primary de-cat; carbon additions have enhanced the M3’s looks

TECHNICAL DATA BMW M3 E92

ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION: 4.0-litre V8 S65B40, K&N induction kit (fitted after the shoot), primary de-cat, Evolve remap. ZF Type G six-speed manual gearboxPOWER AND TORQUE: 430hp and 314lb ftCHASSIS: 9x19” ET31 (front) and 10x19” ET25 (rear) 359M wheels with 245/35 (front) and 265/35 (rear) Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres, BMW floating centre caps, lowering springsEXTERIOR: Black grilles, carbon fibre front splitter, mirror caps and rear spoilerINTERIOR: Alcantara flat-bottom steering wheel with centre stripeTHANKS Liam Ridge for selling me the car, Austin at Sussex Windscreens, Ben at Southern Smart Repair Bodywork, Daz and Harvey at Auto Empire for modifications and servicing, Evolve for the remap

This M3 belonged to a friend before I bought it, so I knew it was a good car… After doing some research on the E92 M3 V8 and taking it for a test drive, I knew I had to have it