BMW M3
E90 E92 E93 (2008–2013)
Vehicle Overview
Body Styles & Trims
Coupe (E92)
2008–2013
GTS
Limited edition track-focused Coupe with a 4.4L V8 engine producing 444 hp, lightweight construction, roll cage, and no rear seats. 138 units produced.
Frozen Edition
Limited-run E92 M3s finished in Frozen Black, Grey, and Silver matte colors. Most included the Competition Package and featured unique wheels, trim, and interior accents.
M3
Standard trim with 4.0L V8 engine.
Lime Rock Park Edition
Special edition Coupe for the U.S. market, featuring unique Fire Orange paint, Competition Package, and lightweight components. Limited to 200 units.
DTM Champion Edition
Built to celebrate BMW’s 2012 DTM title. Frozen Black exterior, carbon fiber aero, dark chrome trim, and numbered interior badging. 54 units produced.
ZCP (Competition Package)
Adds upgraded suspension, tuning, and wheels for enhanced performance. Optional Package on 2011+.
LE500
UK-exclusive E92 M3 with numbered plaque, extended leather, contrast stitching, gloss black wheels, and limited paint options. 500 units produced.
Sedan (E90)
2008–2011
ZCP (Competition Package)
Adds upgraded suspension, tuning, and wheels for enhanced performance. Optional Package on 2011+.
CRT
Limited edition Sedan with a 4.4L V8 engine, lightweight carbon fiber components, and unique interior trim. Only 67 units produced.
M3
Standard trim with 4.0L V8 engine.
Convertible (E93)
2008–2013
M3
Standard trim with 4.0L V8 engine.
Lifecycle Updates
| Year | Title | Description | Body Style | Trim |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | iDrive System Upgrade | iDrive upgraded from CCC to CIC system with faster navigation and interface. | — | — |
| 2009 | LED Taillights | Updated LED taillights for Sedan models. | Sedan | — |
| 2011 | Bluetooth Streaming via Combox | Combox module enabled Bluetooth audio streaming with compatible devices. | — | — |
| 2011 | Competition Package (ZCP) Available | Optional package introduced improved suspension, tuning, and wheels. | Convertible, Sedan | ZCP (Competition Package) |
| 2011 | LED Taillights | Updated LED taillights for Coupe models. | Coupe | — |
Engines & Transmissions
Engines
Transmissions
Suspension, Braking & Steering
Suspension
Braking
Steering
Exterior
Dimensions
Coupe
Trims
GTS
Length
182.0
Width
71.0
Height
54.8
Wheelbase
108.7
Clearance
4.3
Weight
3285
Trims
M3
Length
181.7
Width
71.0
Height
56.0
Wheelbase
108.7
Clearance
4.7
Weight
3538
Trims
ZCP (Competition Package)
Length
181.7
Width
71.0
Height
55.6
Wheelbase
108.7
Clearance
4.5
Weight
3595
Sedan
Trims
M3
Length
180.3
Width
71.0
Height
56.1
Wheelbase
108.7
Clearance
4.7
Weight
3648
Trims
CRT
Length
180.3
Width
71.0
Height
55.4
Wheelbase
108.7
Clearance
4.3
Weight
3483
Trims
ZCP (Competition Package)
Length
180.3
Width
71.0
Height
55.7
Wheelbase
108.7
Clearance
4.5
Weight
3680
Convertible
Trims
M3
Length
181.7
Width
71.0
Height
54.8
Wheelbase
108.7
Clearance
4.7
Weight
3990
Wheels
| Style | Construction | Front Size | Front Tire | Front Offset | Rear Size | Rear Tire | Rear Offset | Trims |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 359M | Forged | 19x9.5 | 245/35ZR19 | ET29 | 19x10 | 265/35ZR19 | ET23 | CRTGTS |
| 220M | Forged | 19x8.5 | 245/35ZR19 | ET29 | 19x9.5 | 265/35ZR19 | ET23 | M3 |
| 219M | Forged | 18x8.5 | 245/40ZR18 | ET20 | 18x9.5 | 265/40ZR18 | ET22 | M3 |
| 359M (ZCP Specific) | Forged | 19x9 | 245/35ZR19 | ET31 | 19x10 | 265/35ZR19 | ET25 | ZCP (Competition Package) |
Exterior Colors
| Color | Type | Code | Trims |
|---|---|---|---|
Alpine White III | Standard | 300 | M3 |
Fire Orange | Standard | U94 | GTSLime Rock Park Edition |
Frozen Polar Silver Metallic | Standard | (W73) | CRT |
Interlagos Blue Metallic | Standard | A30 | M3 |
Jerez Black Metallic | Standard | A73 | M3 |
Jet Black | Standard | 668 | M3 |
Le Mans Blue Metallic | Optional | 381 | M3 |
Melbourne Red Metallic | Optional | A75 | M3 |
Mineral White Metallic | Optional | A96 | M3 |
Silverstone II Metallic | Standard | A29 | M3 |
Space Gray Metallic | Standard | A52 | M3 |
Sparkling Graphite Metallic | Standard | A22 | M3 |
* Some colors may have been exclusive to certain trims, regions, or production years.
Interior
Convertible
Trims
M3
Seating Capacity
4
Cargo Volume
7.9 cu ft
Front Headroom
38.4 in
Rear Headroom
36.4 in
Front Legroom
41.6 in
Rear Legroom
31.8 in
Coupe
Trims
M3
Seating Capacity
4
Cargo Volume
11.1 cu ft
Front Headroom
38.4 in
Rear Headroom
36.7 in
Front Legroom
41.7 in
Rear Legroom
29.9 in
Sedan
Trims
M3
Seating Capacity
5
Cargo Volume
12.0 cu ft
Front Headroom
38.5 in
Rear Headroom
37.7 in
Front Legroom
41.5 in
Rear Legroom
34.6 in
Technology & Features
Infotainment Features
| Feature | Availability | Description | Trims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Standard | CRT, Lime Rock Park Edition, M3 | |
| Navigation | Optional | Lime Rock Park Edition, M3 |
Driver Assistance & Safety
| Feature | Availability | Description | Trims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parking Sensors | Optional | Lime Rock Park Edition, M3 |
Performance
Performance Stats
| Trim | Body Style | 0–60 mph | ¼ Mile | Top Speed | 60–0 Braking | Skidpad | Power:Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M3 | Convertible | 4.7 sec s | 13.0 sec @ 109 mph s | 155 mph (electronically limited) mph | 113 ft ft | — g | 9.18 lb/hp |
| GTS | Coupe | 3.9 sec s | 12.1 sec @ 116 mph s | 190 mph mph | 106 ft ft | — g | 7.52 lb/hp |
| M3 | Coupe | 4.1 sec s | 12.5 sec @ 113 mph s | 155 mph (electronically limited) mph | 109 ft ft | — g | 8.39 lb/hp |
| ZCP (Competition Package) | Coupe | 4.1 sec s | 12.4 sec @ 114 mph s | 180 mph mph | 108 ft ft | — g | 8.39 lb/hp |
| M3 | Sedan | 4.1 sec s | 12.6 sec @ 111 mph s | 155 mph (electronically limited) mph | 110 ft ft | — g | 8.47 lb/hp |
| ZCP (Competition Package) | Sedan | 4.1 sec s | 12.5 sec @ 113 mph s | 180 mph mph | 109 ft ft | — g | 8.47 lb/hp |
Lap Times
| Track | Lap Time | Trim | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contidrom | 1:36.5 | GTS | BMW internal test lap |
| Hockenheim Short | 1:12.5 | GTS | Sport Auto Supertest by Horst von Saurma |
| Hockenheim Short | 1:15.3 | CRT | Sport Auto Supertest |
| Laguna Seca | 1:42.5 | M3 | MotorTrend test, US-spec E92 M3 |
| Nürburgring Nordschleife | 7:48 | GTS | Official BMW test, stock Michelin Cup tires |
| Nürburgring Nordschleife | 8:05 | M3 | BMW internal test, stock tires |
Safety Ratings
IIHS
| Category | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Head Restraints & Seats | Good | — |
| Moderate Overlap Front | Good | — |
| Roof Strength | Acceptable | Some flex under load |
| Side Crash | Good | — |
NHTSA
| Category | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Frontal Crash | 4 Stars | — |
| Overall | 5 Stars | — |
| Rollover | 4 Stars | — |
| Side Crash | 5 Stars | — |
Recalls
| Recall | Issued | Campaign # | Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
Airbag Inflator May Explode (Takata Recall) Prolonged exposure to heat/humidity may cause airbag inflator to rupture, potentially causing injury. Remedy: Replace front airbags with new inflator modules. Note: Part of global Takata recall campaign affecting E9X M3 coupe and sedan. | 1/15/2020 | 20V017 | — |
Positive Battery Cable Connector May Fail A degraded connection between the positive battery cable and fuse box can result in power failure or stalling. Remedy: Replace positive battery cable connection with improved part. Note: Applies to E9X platform including M3. Often impacts vehicles produced before 2012. | 6/26/2019 | 19V472 | — |
Blower Motor Wiring May Overheat Corrosion in the blower regulator wiring harness may lead to overheating and fire risk. Remedy: Replace wiring harness and blower regulator. Note: Recall affects many E9X models including M3. Risk increases in humid climates. | 10/25/2017 | 17V676 | — |
DCT Transmission May Cause Engine Stall Rapid deceleration may cause a multi-gear downshift, leading to engine stall at low speeds in DCT-equipped M3s. Remedy: Reprogram the DCT transmission control module with updated software. Note: Applies only to DCT-equipped E9X M3s. | 12/15/2008 | 08V595000 | — |
Common Faults
| Fault | Description | Part Number | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| DCT Oil Pan Leak Affects: M3 | Fluid leakage around the Mechatronics sleeve or oil pan gasket. | 11132210959 | $400 |
| Rod bearing wear Affects: M3 | Worn rod bearings are a known issue on the S65 engine and can cause engine failure if not replaced preventatively. | 11247835439 | $3,000 |
| Throttle Actuators Affects: M3 | Failure in internal gears or sensors causing limp mode. | 13627838085 | $1200 |
| Valve Cover Gasket Affects: M3 | Common leak point; often cracks with age or heat cycles. | 11127838060 | $1500 |
| Vanos Covers Affects: M3 | Plastic VANOS covers often crack or break—pieces can lodge in the oil system and potentially cause catastrophic engine damage. | 11367841072 | $600 |
Service intervals are based on factory guidance and typical wear factors. If the vehicle is tracked or driven aggressively, consider addressing these items earlier. Please use your best judgment, as these intervals are not intended to serve as absolute or one-size-fits-all recommendations.
S65B40
Trims: M3
Fluid Types & Capacities
Engine Oil
Transmission Fluid
Differential Fluid
Popular Modifications
| Modification | Description | Popular Brands | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Brake Kit (e.g. StopTech, Brembo) | Larger calipers and rotors improve braking force and fade resistance. | StopTech, Brembo, AP Racing | $4,000–$6,000 |
| Carbon Fiber Splitters + Diffuser | Improves visual aggression and may slightly improve aero. | Vorsteiner, Mode Carbon | $1,000–$2,000 |
| Coilovers | Fully adjustable dampers for ride height, compression, and rebound tuning. | Suspension | $1,500–$7,000+ |
| DCT Tune | Improves shift speed, responsiveness, and launch control on dual-clutch transmissions. | GTS (Factory), BPM, Epic, Alpine | $300-$800 |
| Engine Tune | Increases horsepower by optimizing air/fuel ratio, throttle response, and redline. | BPM, ESS, Epic, Evolve | $800–$1,500 |
| Wheels | Lightweight, strong wheels reduce unsprung mass and improve handling. | Apex, BBS, Volk | $1,500–$6,000+ |
| X-pipe + Rear Section | Improves exhaust flow and sound; weight savings and mild performance gain. | Akrapovič, Dinan, Valvetronic | $1,500–$4,000 |
Production Numbers
| Model | US/Canada | ROW | Global | US/Canada Manual | US/Canada DCT | ROW Manual | ROW DCT | Global Manual | Global DCT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E90 | 2,280 | 1,219 | 3,499 | 2,080 | 200 | 902 | 317 | 2,982 | 517 | 6,998 |
| E90 LCI | 3,587 | 2,520 | 6,107 | 1,055 | 2,532 | 281 | 2,239 | 1,336 | 4,771 | 12,214 |
| E92 | 7,500 | 14,064 | 21,564 | 3,707 | 3,793 | 7,938 | 6,126 | 11,645 | 9,919 | 43,128 |
| E92 GTS | 0 | 0 | 138 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 138 | 138 |
| E92 LCI | 8,299 | 10,091 | 18,390 | 2,528 | 5,771 | 593 | 9,498 | 3,121 | 15,269 | 36,780 |
| E93 | 4,006 | 3,855 | 7,861 | 1,955 | 2,051 | 477 | 3,378 | 2,432 | 5,429 | 15,722 |
| TOTAL | 25,672 | 31,749 | 57,559 | 11,325 | 14,347 | 10,191 | 21,558 | 21,516 | 36,043 | 114,980 |