The BMW M3 is in many ways the most iconic BMW M model produced. I tend to think of the M3 as the BMW equivalent of the Porsche 911. It is a car that was raced from the very beginning and was basically a homologation special from its introduction.
Over the years the car has evolved and gotten better as a performance car. Engine size grew, suspension technology improved and the results were success on the race track and in the showroom. The M3 has always been a dominate force in the world of racing, often beating Porsche in the GT class, and it even captured a championship in the 2001 IMSA GT class when the V8 powered E46 M3 GTR competed head to head against the Porsche 911.
The car that came after the E46 M3 was, to me, the car where everything came together for both the race and street M3. The new E9X series M3 was previewed at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show and then introduced as a production model in 2007 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The M3 was powered by the BMW S65 V8 engine and was produced as a coupe but was also built in saloon and convertible body styles. The E9X is the only standard production M3 powered by a V8 engine, with the M3 that followed it reverting back to a straight-six engine. The S65 engine was rated at 414 horsepower at 8,400 rpm and produced 295 FT/LBS of torque at 3,900 rpm. This allowed the E9X M3 to cover 0-60 in 4.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 193 mph.
Like the car that came before it, the E9X M3 was also extremely successful on the race track winning the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2012 and 2013. If that was not enough, the car also won with the 2011 ALMS Team, Driver, Manufacturer, and Michelin Green Championship.
The Pick of the Day is one of these legendary cars, a 2012 BMW M3, known as the E92 series with the “2” designating it as the coupe body style, painted in BMW Individual Monte Carlo Blue with a Silver Novillo leather interior. This vehicle is for sale on ClassicCars.com and is located in Oviedo, Florida.
The seller call this M3 a stunning example painted in BMW Individual Monte Carlo Blue which, when combined with the Competition Package on this car, is one of just 18 cars like it in the US and Canada. The car has covered only 56,624 miles from new and has been kept in exceptional condition, recently receiving a host of important preventative maintenance items. This M3 has been kept in outstanding shape over the past 11 years and is equipped with just a few small modifications, that work wonders towards enhancing the look, without going overboard.
Some of these modifications, all which are reservable, include an Evolve Stage 2 tune that raises the redline to 8,500 rpm and also sharpens up the DCT double-clutch gearbox. What the Evolve Stage 2 tune really does is give this car the same tune found on the Europe-only M3 GTS. Th only other mechanical change from stock is the addition of a Dinan exhaust.
The only weak point of these V8 engine M3 cars is the rod bearings, which can wear prematurely, and throttle actuators. Thankfully the new owner of this E92 need not worry, as the seller states that both of those issues were addressed by reputable BMW shops in the greater Charlotte, North Carolina, area in 2021.
The interior of this M3 looks to be in exceptional condition with the rare Silver Novillo leather in pristine condition, nicely paired to the optional carbon leather interior trim dashboard. In addition, this M3 was equipped with the Premium Package which included rear park distance control and Comfort Access. This car’s previous owner fitted a gloss carbon fiber center console, which is clearly quite high quality, and it really improves the overall appearance of the interior, as well as a thicker flat-bottom steering wheel with perforated leather and Alcantara.
This is a truly great example of what is the coolest BMW M3 cars ever built. I think it’s the single best performance buy of any car of this era and a complete equal with any car in its category. This 2012 BMW M3 with an asking price of only $48,980 makes me wonder if I made the right choice when I bought my 2023 M240i xDrive. More to come on that in a few days, by the way.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
