Lack of power M3 E92

After having my M3 for 4 months now I feel lack of power unless I am going 100MPH+. I know that these cars and specifically the engine are meant to be revved in the very high of the rpm range but even then it still feels "eh" I made the move to stage 2 and E85 yet still feel lack of power which is most likely the torque. I know FI is the way to go but it just sucks that it is excessively expensive to get more power, I understand it is N/A and that is the root of cost expense for more power.

Just wanna know if anyone else feels the same and let me know if I'm driving the car the wrong way it's meant to be driving. I daily drive this vehicle and often go 130mph only because that's where the car feels alive.

Are you short shifting?

nycplumber wrote

Are you short shifting?

I'm going all the way to about 7k because it just feels like a waste to go anymore apart from the sound being amazing.

You have to keep it cooking from 6000-8000rpm that’s where the car really jams. The car isn’t going to feel that fast tho, it has no torque.

ExoticM3 wrote

I'm going all the way to about 7k because it just feels like a waste to go anymore apart from the sound being amazing.

you're leaving a good chunk of the power curve on the table.

ExoticM3 wrote

After having my M3 for 4 months now I feel lack of power unless I am going 100MPH+. I know that these cars and specifically the engine are meant to be revved in the very high of the rpm range but even then it still feels "eh" I made the move to stage 2 and E85 yet still feel lack of power which is most likely the torque. I know FI is the way to go but it just sucks that it is excessively expensive to get more power, I understand it is N/A and that is the root of cost expense for more power.

Just wanna know if anyone else feels the same and let me know if I'm driving the car the wrong way it's meant to be driving. I daily drive this vehicle and often go 130mph only because that's where the car feels alive.

Even with the Harrop on my 6mt e90, adding 100 ft-lbs of torque I feel the same way, but I appreciate the car for what it is and avoid comparing to newer tech which has its own drawbacks. The car really shines at speed changes and lane changes while at freeway speeds and up. It literally drives like a sport bike and I've had sports bikes unable to pull away from me. I'm sure some of it is my shifter (needs some work) and the guy shifting, but my Last measured 0-60 time was high 4s in the e90. (I need to recheck it now with a boost leak repaired and warmer asphalt these days). The car's a blast but it lacks the Uber modern traction control systems that the c8 corvette enjoys for a 3.0 time and so much of the last 10 years is soulless turbo power.

But also point out how critical dct is in modern 0-60 times. the same engine/SC setup on my 400 pound heavier e93 with the DCT I could reliably get a 4.0 0-60 which is incredible for a 10+ year old platform with four seats. That car felt fast but at the end of the day I just wanted to row my own gears and wanted the Harrop on my daily. Would trade my dct e93 for a 6mt e93 if my marriage could navigate it, lol.

kolosy wrote

ExoticM3 wrote

I'm going all the way to about 7k because it just feels like a waste to go anymore apart from the sound being amazing.

you're leaving a good chunk of the power curve on the table.

You're right but it just seems played out already for me unfortunately:(

CamasM3e93 wrote

ExoticM3 wrote

After having my M3 for 4 months now I feel lack of power unless I am going 100MPH+. I know that these cars and specifically the engine are meant to be revved in the very high of the rpm range but even then it still feels "eh" I made the move to stage 2 and E85 yet still feel lack of power which is most likely the torque. I know FI is the way to go but it just sucks that it is excessively expensive to get more power, I understand it is N/A and that is the root of cost expense for more power.

Just wanna know if anyone else feels the same and let me know if I'm driving the car the wrong way it's meant to be driving. I daily drive this vehicle and often go 130mph only because that's where the car feels alive.

Even with the Harrop on my 6mt e90, adding 100 ft-lbs of torque I feel the same way, but I appreciate the car for what it is and avoid comparing to newer tech which has its own drawbacks. The car really shines at speed changes and lane changes while at freeway speeds and up. It literally drives like a sport bike and I've had sports bikes unable to pull away from me. I'm sure some of it is my shifter (needs some work) and the guy shifting, but my Last measured 0-60 time was high 4s in the e90. (I need to recheck it now with a boost leak repaired and warmer asphalt these days). The car's a blast but it lacks the Uber modern traction control systems that the c8 corvette enjoys for a 3.0 time and so much of the last 10 years is soulless turbo power.

But also point out how critical dct is in modern 0-60 times. the same engine/SC setup on my 400 pound heavier e93 with the DCT I could reliably get a 4.0 0-60 which is incredible for a 10+ year old platform with four seats. That car felt fast but at the end of the day I just wanted to row my own gears and wanted the Harrop on my daily. Would trade my dct e93 for a 6mt e93 if my marriage could navigate it, lol.

I couldn't agree more on the speed changes and lane switching, it definitely is exciting to accelerate at high speeds, slow down, and then continue at higher speed. I have a 6MT on my m3 e92 and it's very fun! You've got the S/C which is awesome and it's the harrop which I've heard had noticeable "whine"

amrazM wrote

You have to keep it cooking from 6000-8000rpm that’s where the car really jams. The car isn’t going to feel that fast tho, it has no torque.

*rod bearings left the chat* but you're right! I love that range of power, it just gets old after awhile which is most due to the torque being absolutely 0

I've had everything from s2000's to full bolt-on F80 M3's and honestly don't get the complaints with this car and its power. It feels plenty fast for the street even without revving to 8300 RPM. I have no problem going extremely fast if I want to easily and it has plenty of power.

For what its worth, the DCT is quite a bit faster than the 6mt. It has way different gearing and of course instant shifts. DCT's will pull 1-2 cars on a MT to 100 on a stock car.


All that said this car is not about having the fastest car. If you are looking for that you will never like it. Also, I've found having my 480 WHP F80, I got used to the power in a few months and even that became boring. Get a faster car, and that will get boring too.

Hence why I like the E92. It has character, feel and sound that doesn't get old.

ExoticM3 wrote

After having my M3 for 4 months now I feel lack of power unless I am going 100MPH+. I know that these cars and specifically the engine are meant to be revved in the very high of the rpm range but even then it still feels "eh" I made the move to stage 2 and E85 yet still feel lack of power which is most likely the torque. I know FI is the way to go but it just sucks that it is excessively expensive to get more power, I understand it is N/A and that is the root of cost expense for more power.

Just wanna know if anyone else feels the same and let me know if I'm driving the car the wrong way it's meant to be driving. I daily drive this vehicle and often go 130mph only because that's where the car feels alive.

What previous car are you comparing it to? If it's a turbo, you're never gonna get that boost kick with an NA engine. I came from a tuned 2L turbo and I was massively disappointed with the low end torque of the S65. Did Stage 2 etc and still missed the turbo torque.

A year after I got the M3 I got the chance to drive my old turbo car again (sold it to a friend) and you know what, I was disappointed with how the turbo ran out of breath after 5.5k whereas the S65 was just starting to come alive at that rpm. Got back in my M3 and never looked back after that.

The high revving nature of the S65 takes some getting used. Shifting at 7k you're definitely leaving something on the table. Not so much in the last 1+k rpms having huge power, but you're going up the next gear and dropping out of the power band. You also need to kickdown to the lowest possible gear for hard acceleration, and not just press the loud pedal and let the turbo do the work (cos it doesn't have one). I recently added a 3.45 FD and the car is frantic in any rpm in 1st and 2nd gear. I really don't miss my turbo anymore.

do what makes you happy. the m3 is not a dragster.

I have/had the same complaint. DCT drivers will never understand but 1st and 2nd gear in a 6mt is a boring chore, you have to wait till 3rd gear 4500rpm plus to feel like you're going anywhere and by that time the Altima with the variable transmission who gunned it off the line is already down the road. Nothing to be surprised about though, they're short stroke, small displacement high spinners but if all you do is commute in it, I get why you'd get over it quickly. A shorter gear set will liven it up, my car has boost and 4.10s and if I could only keep one of those mods it would be the 4.10s.

I'm so confused. It sounds like you did your research and knew what to expect from this platform and are still let down?

When you decide to move on to a Charger Hellcat and understand it's not designed to set lap records at Laguna Seca please don't take it to a track and be let down too

You just getting use to it. It's just as fast as it was the first day you drove it. If you eat your favorite food everyday, the first couple days are gonna be awesome but at some point youre gonna want something different, better. There's always gonna be something better, faster, newer or whatever and if that's the goal, you're going down a slippery, expensive slope.

Let your friends or a non car person drive it and they'll surely tell you how remarkable it is.

And think about your average commute and all the other cars you see around you, how many of those are E9x M3's? I'd say none. Someone mentioned helcats and I saw 2 of those this afternoon, countless mustangs, with a GT350 sprinkled. Super cars are my favorites and in Florida I'm fortunate enough to see them daily as well but I still rarely see our platform and if and when I do, 9 times out of 10 it's at a cars and coffee. Not sure if that matters but it's pretty special to drive something that is so special and not so common.

Your car is still quicker than most of the cars you share the road with on the way to the office in the morning.

SAMM3Y wrote

I have/had the same complaint. DCT drivers will never understand but 1st and 2nd gear in a 6mt is a boring chore, you have to wait till 3rd gear 4500rpm plus to feel like you're going anywhere and by that time the Altima with the variable transmission who gunned it off the line is already down the road. Nothing to be surprised about though, they're short stroke, small displacement high spinners but if all you do is commute in it, I get why you'd get over it quickly. A shorter gear set will liven it up, my car has boost and 4.10s and if I could only keep one of those mods it would be the 4.10s.

This is extremely accurate. Once you get going the car gets up to speed real quick.

Just need to change your perspective. I often drive my bone stock e92 DCT after my modded 991 Turbo S that traps 147 in the 1/4 mile and I like the e92 better. It is not as fast but the powerband is super addictive. Got to rev it all the way out and its a blast and you dont really have to worry about going to jail either if you are caught.

neilum wrote

I've had everything from s2000's to full bolt-on F80 M3's and honestly don't get the complaints with this car and its power. It feels plenty fast for the street even without revving to 8300 RPM. I have no problem going extremely fast if I want to easily and it has plenty of power.

For what its worth, the DCT is quite a bit faster than the 6mt. It has way different gearing and of course instant shifts. DCT's will pull 1-2 cars on a MT to 100 on a stock car.


All that said this car is not about having the fastest car. If you are looking for that you will never like it. Also, I've found having my 480 WHP F80, I got used to the power in a few months and even that became boring. Get a faster car, and that will get boring too.

Hence why I like the E92. It has character, feel and sound that doesn't get old.

It was either this or the F80 M3 and I'm honestly happy I went with the E9X especially after what you said. I couldn't imagine the DCT version of this car considering it's less engaging but nonetheless I appreciate that.

Redd wrote

ExoticM3 wrote

After having my M3 for 4 months now I feel lack of power unless I am going 100MPH+. I know that these cars and specifically the engine are meant to be revved in the very high of the rpm range but even then it still feels "eh" I made the move to stage 2 and E85 yet still feel lack of power which is most likely the torque. I know FI is the way to go but it just sucks that it is excessively expensive to get more power, I understand it is N/A and that is the root of cost expense for more power.

Just wanna know if anyone else feels the same and let me know if I'm driving the car the wrong way it's meant to be driving. I daily drive this vehicle and often go 130mph only because that's where the car feels alive.

What previous car are you comparing it to? If it's a turbo, you're never gonna get that boost kick with an NA engine. I came from a tuned 2L turbo and I was massively disappointed with the low end torque of the S65. Did Stage 2 etc and still missed the turbo torque.

A year after I got the M3 I got the chance to drive my old turbo car again (sold it to a friend) and you know what, I was disappointed with how the turbo ran out of breath after 5.5k whereas the S65 was just starting to come alive at that rpm. Got back in my M3 and never looked back after that.

The high revving nature of the S65 takes some getting used. Shifting at 7k you're definitely leaving something on the table. Not so much in the last 1+k rpms having huge power, but you're going up the next gear and dropping out of the power band. You also need to kickdown to the lowest possible gear for hard acceleration, and not just press the loud pedal and let the turbo do the work (cos it doesn't have one). I recently added a 3.45 FD and the car is frantic in any rpm in 1st and 2nd gear. I really don't miss my turbo anymore.

Man! 😂 this is exactly how I feel. I came from a WRX same as you as far as the 2L goes and was catless DP etc… Awesome to hear this car made an impression on you even after driving your old car.

"I recently added a 3.45 FD and the car is frantic in any rpm in 1st and 2nd gear"

What's the 3.45 FD you mentioned?

SAMM3Y wrote

I have/had the same complaint. DCT drivers will never understand but 1st and 2nd gear in a 6mt is a boring chore, you have to wait till 3rd gear 4500rpm plus to feel like you're going anywhere and by that time the Altima with the variable transmission who gunned it off the line is already down the road. Nothing to be surprised about though, they're short stroke, small displacement high spinners but if all you do is commute in it, I get why you'd get over it quickly. A shorter gear set will liven it up, my car has boost and 4.10s and if I could only keep one of those mods it would be the 4.10s.

The 6MT is better than DCT as far as the engagement/reliability goes but yeah 😂 I hate that commuter cars walk us sometimes. What's the 4.10s you're talking about? Do you mean boost as in S/C?

UBERV8 wrote

I'm so confused. It sounds like you did your research and knew what to expect from this platform and are still let down?

When you decide to move on to a Charger Hellcat and understand it's not designed to set lap records at Laguna Seca please don't take it to a track and be let down too

I had a feeling someone was going to make a comment like this LOL. You're right, I did do my research and completely understand the functionality of this car. I guess I just wanted to know if what I was thinking/feeling was justified considering the kind of vehicle this is. I would like a hellcat though 😈

LakeSurfer wrote

You just getting use to it. It's just as fast as it was the first day you drove it. If you eat your favorite food everyday, the first couple days are gonna be awesome but at some point youre gonna want something different, better. There's always gonna be something better, faster, newer or whatever and if that's the goal, you're going down a slippery, expensive slope.

Let your friends or a non car person drive it and they'll surely tell you how remarkable it is.

And think about your average commute and all the other cars you see around you, how many of those are E9x M3's? I'd say none. Someone mentioned helcats and I saw 2 of those this afternoon, countless mustangs, with a GT350 sprinkled. Super cars are my favorites and in Florida I'm fortunate enough to see them daily as well but I still rarely see our platform and if and when I do, 9 times out of 10 it's at a cars and coffee. Not sure if that matters but it's pretty special to drive something that is so special and not so common.

Your car is still quicker than most of the cars you share the road with on the way to the office in the morning.

This couldn't be more accurate. I like your perspective and also hardly ever see our platform on the road. I always see them at car meets and NEVER see them on the roads. Where I'm from there's a bunch of domestics like you mentioned and they are played out. Must be a real treat to see those cars in FL ahahah. I appreciate your outlook, definitely makes me more appreciative of what I own 🤝