Guide: A V8 Monster was BMW Motorsport's Last Hurrah for the Atmo M3 - a Historical & Technical Appraisal of the E90 M3 Sedan, E92 M3 Coupe & E93 M3 Convertible
BACKGROUND
Following its announcement in January 2005, production of BMW’s fifth generation 3-series began the following March when the brand new E90 Sedan was simultaneously launched at the Geneva Motor Show.
Despite opposition from a resurgent Audi and long-standing rival Mercedes-Benz, by the early 2000s the 3-series was still the car of choice when it came to the lucrative compact class executive market. Ever since the introduction of the E21 in 1975, BMW had ruled this aspirational sector and successive E30, E36 and E46 iterations had continued to build on the original 3-series’ massive commercial appeal.
BMW launched the E90 Sedan with a range of inline four and six cylinder petrol and diesel engines. Six months after production began, an E91 Touring was added to the range.
An E92 Coupe followed in July 2006 and when the E93 Convertible arrived in December (which featured the debut of a retractable metal instead of canvas roof), the 3-series line up was almost complete.
However, the final piece of the puzzle did not emerge until March 2007 when the highly anticipated range-topping M3 concept made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show.
Initially presented in E92 Coupe trim, the production M3 broke cover at the Frankfurt Motor Show the following September some two months after the first customer cars had begun to roll off the regular 3-series production line at BMW’s Regensburg factory 125km north of Munich.
In addition to the usual array of BMW Motorsport chassis, body and interior enhancements, this fourth generation M3 (there had never been a Motorsport-tuned E21) most notably ushered in a four-litre normally aspirated V8 created exclusively for the job.
One month after the Coupe’s presentation at Frankfurt, an E90 M3 Sedan was displayed at the Tokyo Motor Show (production of which began in November ‘07) and an E93 M3 Convertible was then unveiled at Geneva in March 2008 (production of this open top variant having begun the previous month).
With the M3 range now complete, BMW took the fight to Audi’s B7 RS4 and the Mercedes-Benz W203 C63 AMG.
CHASSIS
In typical motor industry fashion, to free up more cockpit space this latest incarnation of the 3-series was based around a larger bodyshell than its predecessor. The new pressed steel monocoque featured a 2761mm wheelbase which represented a 30mm increase over the outgoing E46 variant.
Uniquely, the new M3 featured a modified front subframe and thrust plate.
A 63-litre fuel tank imported from the regular E90, E92 and E93 was mounted underneath the rear seat.
As per the rest of the contemporary 3-series range, the all-aluminium suspension arrangement comprised MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link configuration at the back.
For the M3, the geometry was optimised, additional support was added for the front spring strut and stiffer bushings were installed (with some at the rear replaced by steel balljoints). Similarly, the control arms, camber struts and wishbones were now fashioned from forged alloy, the spring and damper rates were M3-specific and thicker anti-roll bars were installed.
Whereas the previously range-topping 335i used vented brake discs of 348mm and 336mm diameter front to rear, the M3 came with cross-drilled and vented two-piece items of 360mm and 350mm respectively. Single-piston calipers (fashioned from lightweight alloy up front) were painted semi-gloss black.
The standard wheels for all variants were 18-inch diameter Style 260M or visually almost identical Style 219M rims (the latter for North American markets). These cast alloy M Double Spoke wheels measured 8.5-inches wide at the front and 9.5-inches wide at the rear. They were given a Ferric Grey finish and shod with 245/40 ZR18 and 265/40 ZR18 tyres front to rear.
Compared to the 335i, track was 38mm wider at the front and 32mm wider at the rear.
The M3 also came with quicker variable assistance Servotronic steering than the rest of the 3-series range.
ENGINE / TRANSMISSION
Whereas the last two generations of M3 had used inline six cylinder engines, this latest iteration was powered by a BMW Motorsport-designed V8.
Essentially a four-litre eight cylinder version of the F1-inspired five-litre V10 used by the M5 and M6, the Type S65 B40 power unit was an all-alloy normally-aspirated 90° V8 with dual overhead camshafts per bank and four valves per cylinder.
It featured a split two-piece crankcase, forged five-bearing crankshaft, cast aluminium crankshaft and pistons, a semi-dry-sump lubrication system, high-pressure double VANOS variable valve timing plus lightweight valves and hollow camshafts.
To maximise the engine’s responsiveness, simultaneously actuated and electronically-controlled individual throttle assemblies were installed for each cylinder.
The 92mm bore and 75.2mm stroke were carried over from the S85 B50 V10 for a 3999cc displacement.
Likewise, compression was set at 12.0:1, but there was new MSS60 engine management powered by a trio of 32-bit microprocessors.
All told, peak output was 414bhp at 8300rpm and 295lb-ft at 3900rpm.
For comparison, the outgoing E46 M3 had developed 343bhp at 7900rpm and 262lb-ft at 4900rpm.
Transmission was through a six-speed manual ZF Type G gearbox, a single-plate clutch and BMW’s Variable M Differential Lock which came fitted as standard.
Jointly developed by BMW Motorsport and GKN Viscodrive, the entirely mechanical Variable M Differential Lock was effectively a more advanced version of a traditional limited-slip differential. It activated when a difference in rotational speed between the rear wheels pressurised a viscous silicon fluid which in turn operated a multi-disc clutch that directed extra power to the wheel with the greatest traction.
Also present was an MK60ES Dynamic Stability Control system (DSC) developed in collaboration with Teves.
DSC (which could be disabled if desired) was able to reduce engine power and in addition (or independently) apply brake force to any single wheel. For this latest application, DSC also incorporated a Brake Standby facility that anticipated hard braking by pressuring the brake pad up against the disc when the driver abruptly reduced throttle. Other features included Brake Drying (which pressured the pad up against the disc when the rain sensor detected moisture) and Start-Off Assistant (which kept the brakes applied for one second after the driver's foot was removed from the brake pedal in uphill conditions).
BODYWORK
Despite a strong visual similarity with the rest of the 3-series range, the M3 only shared doors, trunk lids, windows and lights with its lesser siblings.
At the front was a brand new nose assembly that featured more aggressive profiling and a trio of significantly enlarged intakes that fed air to the engine, transmission and power steering radiators.
Further back, to clear the engine’s intake plenum, a power bulge was added to the hood. Located off to either side of this were a pair of additional cooling vents.
Down each flank were custom BMW Motorsport exterior mirrors, sportier side skirts and flared fenders. Incorporated into each front fender was a fresh air vent with integrated chrome gill that housed the LED turn signals and an M3 logo.
As per the front, the rear bumper assembly was completely restyled with cooling and aerodynamic efficiency in mind. Up top, an M3 badge was mounted on the right-hand side of the trunk lid.
To lend a sportier appearance, bright metal window trim was ditched in favour of dark Shadowline treatment.
Uniquely, the E92 M3 Coupe featured an exposed carbonfibre central roof panel.
The E90 M3 Sedan and E92 M3 Coupe also came with a discrete rear spoiler.
Unless stated otherwise, body panels were fashioned from steel with the exception of the bumpers, sills and mirror casings which were made from Olefin Thermoplastic.
INTERIOR
Inside, the M3 imported all its basic architecture from the regular 3-series, but with a few special touches here and there.
Electric M sport seats featured a BMW Motorsport emblem on each headrest and power-adjustable side bolsters as standard.
Behind the three-spoke Motorsport-branded steering wheel with its tri-colour stitching was an instrument binnacle that featured thick aluminium bezels, red needles, a special 330kph / 200mph speedometer and a unique 9000rpm rev counter (inset with fuel and oil temperature read outs respectively).
Located in between the two main dials were an array of warning lights while additional information could be accessed via the iDrive screen located atop the centre of the dash.
Also unique to the M3 were additional buttons alongside the gear lever to adjust the Power (throttle response mode), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC).
Other M3-specific equipment included an illuminated Motorsport-branded leather shift knob, an M Design driver's footrest and M3-branded door sill plates.
The list of standard equipment included leather upholstery, electric windows, electric mirrors, electric seats, air-conditioning, Anthracite headliner, Titanium Shadow trim and an audio system.
OPTIONS
No-cost options on the M3 included metallic paint and model designation delete. Additionally, Sedan and Coupe buyers could specify leather or leather and Speed cloth upholstery along with rear spoiler delete.
At additional cost, buyers could specify 19-inch Style 220M forged and polished M Double Spoke alloy wheels shod with 245/35 ZR19 and 265/35 ZR19 tyres front to rear.
BMW also offered an Electronic Damper Control system (EDC) which provided continual variation of the shock stiffness. EDC gave the driver a choice of three different damper settings (Comfort, Normal and Sport) via either the aforementioned EDC button on the centre console or through the MDrive menu.
MDrive was a separate option (although fitted as standard in certain markets) that enabled the driver (via a steering wheel-mounted M button) to customise the car’s throttle response (two modes), Servotronic power steering response (two modes), DSC activation (three modes) and if specified, the three EDC suspension modes.
Other optional extras included Novillo leather upholstery or extended Novillo leather upholstery (where the lower section of the instrument panel and glovebox lid were also covered in leather), high gloss Shadowline exterior trim, adaptive headlights, high-beam assist, heated front seats, Aluminium Shadow, Black Carbon or Anthracite mirror-finish wood interior trim, a TV function, voice control, a DAB digital radio, a six-disc CD changer, a Hi-Fi loudspeaker system, a Harman Becker premium Hi-Fi loudspeaker system, a BMW Individual audio system, a USB audio interface, Bluetooth telephone preparation, folding exterior mirrors, a climate comfort windscreen, a sliding front armrest, front and rear parking sensors, a rear view mirror with digital compass, a universal remote control (for car, gates and garage door), keyless access and a smoker’s pack.
Coupe buyers could also specify individual sun protection glazing, sunblinds, a ski bag and a storage package.
Sedan buyers could specify individual sun protection glazing along with an electric glass sunroof, folding rear head restraints, a rear seat armrest, a luggage compartment package, sunblinds, a through loading system and a storage package.
The M3 Convertible could be configured with a wind deflector and its own through loading system.
In addition, a whole range of further customisation could be carried out via BMW’s Individual programme for those buyers that wanted a truly unique configuration.
BMW Individual offered a range of special exterior and interior colours plus items like black chrome effect front grilles, side gills and exhaust tips, Jet Black hood vents, colour coded wheels, coloured brake calipers, Nappa leather or extended Nappa leather, contrast stitching, customised door sill plates and much more.
WEIGHT / PERFORMANCE
The E92 M3 Coupe weighed in at 1655kg, the E90 M3 Sedan was 1605kg and the E93 M3 Convertible was 1810kg.
All three were quoted with an identical 4.9 second 0-62mph time and a top speed electronically limited to 155mph.
For comparison, the outgoing E46 M3 Coupe and Convertible tipped the scales at 1570kg and 1655kg respectively. 0-62mph times had been 5.2 and 5.3 seconds with both variants also limited to a 155mph top speed.
EARLY PRODUCTION CHANGES
In February 2008, BMW introduced the company’s first Dual Clutch Transmission as an option for the M3.
Produced in collaboration with Getrag and dubbed the M Double Clutch Transmission (M-DCT), this replacement for the old SMG II arrangement incorporated two clutches with one serving the odd numbered gears and the other for the even numbered gears to enable almost seamless shift times.
Via the MDrive application, drivers could select one of eleven Drivelogic software modes for the M-DCT system (six manual and five automatic). In manual mode, gear shifts were carried out via F1-style shift paddles located behind the steering wheel.
From September 2008, the front seats came with active headrests, the iDrive system was upgraded to a second generation version with hard buttons and the M3 Sedan got revised LED tail lights.
One year later (September 2009), the climate system was modified to incorporate controls for the optional heated seats. Automatic high-beam control was introduced as an option for North American markets.
In March 2010, LED tail lights were introduced on the M3 Coupe and Convertible.
COMPETITION PACKAGE
Also available from March 2010 was the Competition Package which BMW offered as an option for the E90 M3 Sedan and E93 M3 Coupe, but not the E93 M3 Convertible.
Unique to the Competition Package were special Style 359M 19-inch diameter Y-spoke cast alloy wheels that were half an inch wider than normal (9-inches front and 10-inches rear). They were shod with 245/35 ZR19 tyres front and 265/35 ZR19 tyres rear. There was also a re-mapped Electronic Damping Control system and ride height was dropped by 10mm courtesy of shorter springs.
LATER PRODUCTION CHANGES
In June 2010, BMW further expanded the options list for all three body styles to include a front splitter, rear spoiler and exterior mirror casings fashioned from carbonfibre reinforced plastic (CFRP). These M Performance parts were also joined by an Inconel M Performance exhaust.
Other M Performance parts available included a sport braking system, an alcantara-trimmed steering wheel rim with yellow 12 o’clock marker and aluminium pedal pads.
The Y spoke Style 359M alloy wheels could now be ordered in isolation from the aforementioned Competition Package.
From September 2010, an automatic engine stop/start function was added to the list of standard equipment and the Style 219M and Style 260M alloy wheels were switched to a Bright Silver as opposed to Ferric Grey finish.
The optional Bluetooth functionality was upgraded to incorporate audio streaming.
For the US market, the M3 Sedan and Coupe could now be ordered with manually adjustable front seats (at no-cost) and two-tone Novillo leather upholstery in either Palladium Silver and Black or Fox Red and Black.
In August 2011, BMW added a retro-inspired six-piece Motorsport decal kit to the range of M Performance parts on offer. At the same time, the M Performance alcantara-trimmed steering wheel was switched to incorporate a blue instead of yellow 12 o’clock marker.
From September 2012, the Style 219M wheels that had been fitted to North American market cars were switched to the same Style 260M wheels used by Rest of World derivatives.
SPECIAL EDITIONS
During production of the fourth generation M3, BMW produced an unprecedented number of special edition variants, some of which were created as official models for general sale while others were commissioned through BMW Individual by regional importers.
E92 M3 COUPE MATT BLACK EDITION
The first special edition to emerge was a run of five E92 M3 Coupes ordered by the Russian distributor through BMW Individual in July 2008.
Each was equipped with the M-DCT gearbox, red brake calipers, black chrome exhaust tips, black extended Novillo leather with Mugello Red stitching and Jet Black paint with matching wheels. After completion and prior to delivery, all five cars were given a Matt Black wrap by CarTech in Munich.
E92 M3 COUPE EDITION / INDIVIDUAL
In July 2009, BMW introduced their first official limited run which was also based on the E92 M3 Coupe.
Dubbed either Edition or Individual, these cars came with 19-inch Style 220M wheels (in silver or black), 10mm shorter springs, black chrome effect front grilles, side gills and exhaust tips, Jet Black mirror caps and hood grilles and special door sill plates with a chequered flag insignia.
A choice of five exterior colours was offered: Alpine White, Jet Black, Jerez Black Metallic, Monte Carlo Blue Metallic or Dakar Yellow.
The Alpine White, Jet Black and Jerez Black Metallic versions came with Black Novillo leather, Light Grey stitching and Silverstone Novillo leather seat stripes and armrests.
Monte Carlo Blue Metallic versions came with Black Novillo leather plus Tobago Blue for the central seat stripes and stitching.
Dakar Yellow versions came with Black Novillo leather plus Lemon central seat stripes and stitching.
707 of these cars were produced between July and December of 2009.
E92 M3 COUPE FROZEN BLACK / FROZEN GREY
April 2010 saw BMW announce their second official special edition based on the E92 M3 Coupe: the Frozen Black edition.
The first batch of 27 cars featured matt Frozen Black Metallic paint, red brake calipers, 19-inch Jet Black Style 220M wheels and Black extended Novillo leather upholstery with Mugello Red stitching.
From September 2010, the Frozen Black variant was further equipped with black chrome effect front grilles, side gills and exhaust tips plus Jet Black hood grilles. A Frozen Grey Metallic version with silver wheels was introduced at the same time.
In total, 263 examples of the Frozen Black edition were produced plus 209 examples of the Frozen Grey version.
Two additional Frozen Grey M3 Coupe special editions were also commissioned from BMW Individual by local distributors.
The US-market variant (available from May 2010) was a batch of 30 cars that came with Frozen Grey Metallic paint, Black and Fox Red two-tone Novillo leather, the M-DCT gearbox and the Competition Package.
In June 2011, the South Korean importer ordered a further ten cars that added black chrome effect front grilles, side gills and exhaust tips plus Jet Black hood grills and Jet Black 19-inch Style 220M wheels but not the Competition Package.
E92 M3 GTS COUPE
In May 2010, BMW unveiled a limited run of M3 GTS variants based on the E92 Coupe that included an enlarged 4.4-litre engine, stripped-out competition-inspired interior, uprated aero kit and comprehensively enhanced chassis.
Final assembly of these cars (of which just 138 were produced) took place at the BMW Motorsport facility in Garching and they are covered separately.
E92 M3 COUPE TIGER EDITION
The next month (June 2010), another E92 M3 Coupe special arrived in the shape of the Tiger Edition commissioned from BMW Individual by the Chinese distributor.
30 cars were built, all of which were finished in Fire Orange with Black extended Novillo leather and Dark Kyalami Orange stitching. Uniquely, a tiger’s head emblem was stitched into the front seat headrests and custom door sill plates bore Tiger Edition script.
The rest of the specification comprised the M-DCT gearbox, Competition Package, black chrome effect front grilles, side gills and exhaust tips, Jet Black 19-inch Style 359M alloy wheels and a steel instead of carbon roof complete with glass sunroof.
E92 M3 COUPE GTS EDITION
In September 2010, the distributor for Hong Kong announced a batch of 20 E92 M3 Coupes produced in collaboration with BMW Individual.
Dubbed the GTS Edition, these cars came with the Competition Package, CFRP front splitters and mirror housings, a CFRP rear spoiler, Jet Black 19-inch Style 359M alloy wheels, black chrome effect front grilles, side gills and exhaust tips and Jet Black hood grilles.
Of the 20 cars built, 19 were equipped with the M-DCT gearbox and one featured a standard manual transmission.
Three colour combinations were offered: Alpine White with Black Novillo leather, Fire Orange with Black Novillo leather or Mineral White Metallic with Fox Red Novillo leather.
E90 M3 SEDAN & E92 M3 COUPE PURE EDITION
Over a 13 month period from October 2010 to October 2011, a batch of 100 M3s were produced by BMW Individual for the concessionaire in Australia.
Each of these Pure Edition variants came with black chrome effect front grilles, side gills and exhaust tips, Jet Black hood grilles and Jet Black Style 220M 19-inch alloy wheels.
Of the 100 examples constructed, 51 were E92 M3 Coupes and 49 were E90 M3 Sedans.
E92 M3 COUPE COMPETITION
Starting in December 2010, the Japanese distributor took delivery of 27 E92 M3 Coupes commissioned from BMW Individual.
As standard, the Competition edition came with Fire Orange paint, Black Novillo leather upholstery, CFRP mirror casings, a CFRP rear spoiler, carbonfibre interior trim, Jet Black Style 359M 19-inch alloy wheels and the Competition Package.
E92 M3 COUPE TRACK EDITION
In January 2011, a limited run of ten E92 M3 Coupes was announced by the Dutch importer.
The E92 M3 Coupe Track Edition from BMW Individual featured Frozen Grey Metallic paint, Black Novillo leather upholstery with Mugello Red stitching, red brake calipers, CFRP front splitters and mirrors casings, a CFRP rear spoiler, black chrome effect front grilles, side gills and exhaust tips, the M Performance exhaust and the Competition Package with Jet Black 19-inch Style 359M wheels.
Each car was also supplied with a unique carbonfibre BMW Motorsport key box and a pair of special key chains.
E92 M3 COUPE FIRE ORANGE
BMW Individual and the importer for Brazil collaborated on a special E92 M3 Coupe dubbed the Fire Edition which was announced in February 2011.
In addition to Fire Orange paint with Black extended Novillo leather upholstery and Dark Kyalami Orange stitching, this batch of 27 cars came with the M-DCT gearbox, the Competition Package, black chrome effect front grilles, side gills and exhaust tips, Jet Black hood grilles and Jet Black 19-inch Style 359M alloy wheels.
E92 M3 COUPE MATTE EDITION
The E92 M3 Coupe Matte Edition was a batch of 40 cars commissioned from BMW Individual by the distributor for China.
Two exterior colours were available: Frozen Black Metallic or Frozen White Metallic, both over a Black Novillo leather upholstery with Mugello Red stitching. The rest of the specification comprised the M-DCT gearbox, black chrome effect side gills and exhaust tips, red brake calipers and carbonfibre interior trim.
E92 M3 COUPE FROZEN SILVER
In March 2011, ten Frozen Silver edition E92 M3 Coupes were ordered from BMW Individual by the UK importer.
In addition to Frozen Silver Metallic paint, the specification included Black Novillo leather upholstery, matt black 19-inch Style 359M alloy wheels, the Competition Package and the M-DCT gearbox.
E90 M3 SEDAN SPECIAL EDITION
The next month (April 2011) the UK distributor announced a run of cars from BMW Individual based on the E90 M3 Sedan.
The UK Special Edition came in either Brilliant White Metallic or Monte Carlo Blue Metallic with the M-DCT gearbox, Black Novillo leather upholstery, black chrome effect front grilles, side gills and exhaust tips, Jet Black hood grilles and matching 19-inch Style 220M alloy wheels.
32 were built.
E92 M3 COUPE MIRAMAR EDITION
The Miramar Edition announced in April 2011 was a limited run of E92 M3 Coupes commissioned from BMW Individual by the distributors in South America.
They came in either Mineral White Metallic or Jerez Black Metallic with Black extended Novillo leather upholstery, Mugello Red stitching, the M-DCT gearbox, the Competition Package, black chrome effect front grilles, side gills and exhaust tips, high-gloss black interior trim with a Motorsport-branded Miramar Edition script on the passenger side of the dash and a Miramar Edition tail badge.
27 were built.
E90 M3 SEDAN CRT
In June 2011, the second BMW Motorsport-built special edition was announced in the shape of the E90 M3 Sedan CRT. The CRT moniker stood for Carbon Racing Technology and, owing to the comprehensively uprated specification, these cars of which 68 were built are covered separately.
E92 M3 COUPE COMPETITION EDITION
June 2011 also saw BMW announce another official limited production special based on the E92 M3 Coupe: the Competition Edition.
Created to celebrate BMW Motorsport’s 40th anniversary, the Competition Edition was unveiled during the BMW M Festival at the Nurburgring 24 Hours in June, but production did not start until September.
Initially offered exclusively in Frozen Silver Metallic (these cars were actually referred to as the Frozen Silver edition in the USA and UK), BMW subsequently went on to offer the Competition Edition in Frozen Black Metallic, Frozen Grey Metallic and Frozen White Metallic.
As standard, the specification comprised the M-DCT gearbox and Competition Package, black chrome effect metal front grilles, side gills and exhaust tips, Jet Black hood intakes and matt black 19-inch Style 359M alloy wheels.
Special interior equipment included an alcantara-trimmed steering wheel with chequered flag M3 logo, carbonfibre dash and centre console trim, an M Power inscription on the parking brake handle and door sill plates with chequered flag insignia.
Upholstery was Black Novillo leather with contrasting Palladium Silver seat stripes and matching armrests plus contrast Blue Grey stitching.
The Competition Edition was offered until E92 M3 production was discontinued in June 2013 with 385 examples ultimately manufactured.
E92 M3 COUPE CARBON EDITION
The Carbon Edition was another commission from China through BMW Individual and comprised a batch of 115 cars (111 production examples and four pre-production prototypes).
Announced in July 2011, the entire run was finished in Mineral White Metallic with Black Novillo leather upholstery, Platinum seat stripes and armrests plus matching Platinum stitching.
The rest of the specification comprised CFRP front splitters, a CFRP rear spoiler, the M-DCT gearbox, black chrome effect front grilles, side gills and exhaust tips, Jet Black hood grilles, Jet Black 19-inch Style 220M alloy wheels, carbonfibre interior trim complete with Carbon Edition One of 111 dash script, Carbon Edition door sill plates, black side decals and black Carbon Edition M insignia on the front doors.
E92 M3 COUPE INDIVIDUAL EDITION
The E92 M3 Coupe Individual Edition was announced in October 2011 as another collaboration between BMW Individual and the UK importer.
Three colour schemes were offered: Mineral White Metallic with Black extended Novillo leather and Lotus White stitching, Electric Red with Black extended Novillo leather and Mugello Red stitching or Santorini Blue with Black extended Novillo leather and Tobago Blue stitching.
Other equipment fitted as standard included the M-DCT gearbox, the Competition Package, black chrome effect front grilles, side gills and exhaust tips and Jet Black hood grilles.
90 were built in total (40 in Mineral White Metallic, 25 in Electric Red and 25 in Santorini Blue).
E92 M3 COUPE M PERFORMANCE EDITION
Another UK importer special commissioned from BMW Individual was the E92 M3 Coupe Performance Edition announced in February 2012.
30 cars were built with ten in each of the following three colour schemes: Frozen Brilliant White Metallic with Black extended Novillo leather and Lotus White stitching, Frozen Blue Metallic with Black extended Novillo leather and Tobago Blue stitching and Frozen Red (actually Electric Red with a matt wrap) with Black extended Novillo leather and Mugello Red stitching.
The list of standard equipment included the M-DCT gearbox, Competition Package, black chrome effect front grilles, side gills and exhaust tips, Jet Black hood grilles, matte black Style 359M 19-inch alloy wheels, Piano Black interior trim engraved with BMW M Performance Edition One of 30 script, an alcantara steering wheel rim, a tri-color BMW Motorsport logo embossed on the front headrests, velour floor mats with body coloured edging and BMW M Performance Edition-branded door sill plates.
E92 M3 COUPE & E93 M3 CONVERTIBLE LIMITED EDITION 500
March 2012 saw the announcement of yet another BMW Individual collaboration with the UK importer.
The Limited Edition 500 was expected to be a run E92 M3 Coupes and E93 M3 Convertibles totalling 500 units that were offered in a choice of six colour schemes: Mineral White Metallic or Carbon Black Metallic with Fox Red extended Novillo leather and Black stitching, Imola Red or Stratus Metallic with Black extended Novillo leather and Mugello Red stitching and Santorini Blue or Tanzanite Blue Metallic with Black extended Novillo leather and Tobago Blue stitching.
In addition, these cars came equipped with black chrome effect front grilles, side gills and exhaust tips, Jet Black hood grilles, Jet Black Style 220M 19-inch alloy wheels and Piano Black interior trim inscribed with BMW M3 Limited Edition One of 500 dash script.
Production ran from March 2012 to August 2013 and 484 examples were eventually completed (279 Coupes and 205 Convertibles).
E92 M3 COUPE PURE EDITION II
In March 2012, the importer for Australia announced a second iteration of the E92 M3 Coupe Pure Edition that had been discontinued back in October 2011.
Another collaboration with BMW Individual, the M3 Pure Edition II came with black chrome effect front grilles, side gills and exhaust tips, Jet Black hood grilles, Jet Black Style 220M 19-inch alloy wheels, a parking brake handle with Motorsport tri-color stitiching and M Power inscription plus door sill plates with a chequered flag insignia.
Customers could choose from any standard M3 colour plus or one of the following BMW Individual shades: Atlantis Metallic, Blue Onyx Metallic, Brilliant White Metallic, Dakar Yellow, Fire Orange, Imola Red, Laguna Seca Blue, Monte Carlo Blue Metallic or Santorini Blue.
Interiors could be configured in one of two specifications: Anthracite Speed fabric with Black Nappa leather or plain Black Novillo leather.
51 examples were built.
E92 M3 COUPE LIME ROCK PARK EDITION
The E92 M3 Coupe Lime Rock Park Edition was a commission by the US importer from BMW Individual in July 2012.
200 cars were built, all of which were finished in Fire Orange with either Anthracite Speed fabric and Black Nappa leather or plain Black Novillo leather.
The rest of the specification comprised the BMW Performance exhaust, CFRP front splitters, a CFRP rear spoiler, the Competition Package, an alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, Jet Black 19-inch Style 359M alloy wheels (silver wheels were a no-cost option), a Lime Rock Park Limited Edition M3 Coupe decal on the left-hand side rear window and a centre console plaque that read M3 Lime Rock Park Edition Created in Limited Numbers by BMW M GmbH One of 200.
E92 M3 COUPE PURE EDITION
In December 2012, the distributor for New Zealand announced its own Pure Edition version of the E92 M3 Coupe.
This limited run of 20 cars came in either Alpine White, Mineral White Metallic or Jet Black with Anthracite Speed fabric and Black Nappa leather upholstery, Black Novillo leather upholstery or Fox Red Novillo leather upholstery.
The Pure Edition for New Zealand also included black chrome effect front grilles, side gills and exhaust tips, Jet Black hood vents, Jet Black 19-inch Style 220M alloy wheels, a parking brake handle with Motorsport tri-colour stitching and M Power inscription plus door sill plates with a chequered flag insignia.
E92 M3 COUPE FROZEN LIMITED EDITION
Also announced in December 2012 was another official BMW special dubbed the Frozen Limited Edition.
These cars came with black chrome effect front grilles, side gills and exhaust tips plus the Competition Package with matt black 19-inch Style 359M alloy wheels.
231 cars were built with customers given the choice of four colour combinations: Frozen Brilliant White Metallic with Black extended Novillo leather and Lotus White stitching, Frozen Red Metallic with Black extended Novillo leather and Mugello Red stitching and Frozen Blue or Frozen Dark Blue metallic, both of which featured Black extended Novillo leather and Tobago Blue stitching.
E92 M3 COUPE DTM CHAMPION EDITION
The last official BMW special edition on the fourth generation M3 was the DTM Champion Edition announced in February 2013 and based on the E92 Coupe.
Created to celebrate BMW’s triumphant return to the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters series after an 18 year absence, the DTM Champion Edition was a limited run of 54 cars that mimicked the colour scheme of 2012 title winner Bruno Spengler’s Schnitzer M3.
Produced between February and June of 2013, these cars came with the M-DCT gearbox and Competition Package, Frozen Black Metallic paint, black chrome effect front grilles, side gills and exhaust tips, Jet Black hood grilles and matt black Style 359M 19-inch alloy wheels.
A special exterior decal kit comprised a tri-color Motorsport stripe on the roof and trunk lid, Motorsport logos on the front fenders and a rear window pack that included the Canadian flag, SPE lettering and DTM Champion 2012 script.
The interior was upholstered in Black extended Novillo leather with Palladium Silver seat stripes and Blue Grey stitching.
Also fitted as standard was an alcantara-trimmed steering wheel with chequered flag M3 logo, an M Power insignia on the parking brake handle, custom door sill plates inspired by Bruno Spengler's helmet design plus carbonfibre dash and centre console inserts (the former bearing Bruno Spengler’s signature along with DTM Champion 2012 script and the individual car number out of 54).
E92 M3 COUPE FIRE ORANGE LIMITED EDITION
In May 2013, the Canadian distributor announced a run of Fire Orange Limited Edition E92 M3 Coupes created through BMW Individual.
23 cars were built, all with Fire Orange paint, Black extended Novillo leather upholstery, Dark Kyalami Orange contrast stitching, black chrome effect front grilles, side gills and exhaust tips and the Competition Package.
E92 M3 COUPE SANTORINI BLUE LIMITED EDITION
The next month (June 2013), the Canadian distributor announced another run of E92 M3 Coupes produced in conjunction with BMW Individual dubbed the Santorini Blue Limited Edition.
14 cars were built, all in Santorini Blue with Black extended Novillo leather, Tobago Blue stitching, black chrome effect front grilles, side gills and exhaust tips, the Competition Package and Matt Black Style 359M 19-inch alloy wheels.
END OF PRODUCTION
Production of the fourth generation M3 ran from May 2007 until October 2013.
65,779 were built in total across all three body styles excluding the GTS and CRT special editions covered separately. This figure was split as follows:
LHD Euro-spec. E92 M3 Coupe (05/2007 to 06/2013) 14,662 built (1987 with Competition Package)
RHD Euro-spec. E92 M3 Coupe (05/2007 to 06/2013) 9493 built (1570 with Competition Package)
LHD North American-spec. E92 M3 Coupe (11/2007 to 06/2013) 15,799 built (5870 with Competition Package)
LHD Euro-spec. E90 M3 Sedan (11/2007 to 10/2011) 1835 built (165 with Competition Package)
RHD Euro-spec. E90 M3 Sedan (11/2007 to 10/2011) 1904 built (116 with Competition Package)
LHD North American-spec. E90 M3 Sedan (11/2007 to 10/2011) 5867 built (1220 with Competition Package)
LHD Euro-spec. E93 M3 Convertible (02/2008 to 09/2013) 4888 built
RHD Euro-spec. E93 M3 Convertible (02/2008 to 10/2013) 2741 built
LHD North American-spec. E93 M3 Convertible (02/2008 to 10/2013) 8590 built
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: BMW - https://www.bmw.com
