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03-08-2025LAST POST
Hi all,

Just dropping this message to introduce myself and say hello :). Just drove back from Brisbane to pickup my 2009 'Edition' E92 M3. One of 3 that BMWAU brought into the country, I love the Monte Carlo Blue... and it kind of matches the GT4 I have (previous M car was an E39 M5)

I could post a pic but its easier to just say 'its this car' :) (Thats where I have been getting my pics from until now anyway lol)

https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/2009-bmw-e92-m3-2

Trip was fine, lots of bugs but all back and clean. It has had quite the travel. Started in QLD then went to WA, back to SYD, then up to QLD again now home in MEL.

Have a few things planned... First has to be new suspension. It rides on H&R lowering springs and I dont like the firm ride.. I have a GT4 for track work, I want it compliant so will be posting over in the suspension forum for that one, but plenum+intake and 539M wheels are also on the cards.

Anyway.. just wanted to introduce myself to the group :)

Cheers,
Aaron
Welcome. I love the color!
Gorgeous...
.
Image hosted on: images.collectingcars.com
Welcome, nice pickup, good to see another Aussie on the forum

Thats a big trip, any issues along the way?

Cheers
Nah mate... Just fuel, an overly zealous TPMS (does it actually measure pressure or is it just using ABS sensors to detect the rolling diameter?).

That.... and getting a speeding fine about 2 mins after picking it up :mad0259:.

Thanks shoejohn's user avatarshoejohn .. I was looking initially at an F10 M5 in MCB which didnt come off so then when this came up I thought 'its a sign' and bought it. Paid over the odds but *shrug* its all good, I got the colour I wanted.

Its only 1 of 3 we got in this combo, so got it while I could.. Very happy.

Need to revert the suspension (or install some sort of comfort coilovers) and want a set of 359M's to replace the black 220's... but all in good time.
miles3719 wrote
Nah mate... Just fuel, an overly zealous TPMS (does it actually measure pressure or is it just using ABS sensors to detect the rolling diameter?).

That.... and getting a speeding fine about 2 mins after picking it up :mad0259:.

Thanks shoejohn's user avatarshoejohn .. I was looking initially at an F10 M5 in MCB which didnt come off so then when this came up I thought 'its a sign' and bought it. Paid over the odds but *shrug* its all good, I got the colour I wanted.

Its only 1 of 3 we got in this combo, so got it while I could.. Very happy.

Need to revert the suspension (or install some sort of comfort coilovers) and want a set of 359M's to replace the black 220's... but all in good time.
Good to hear it was a relatively hassle free trip hehe.

The TPMS system uses pressure sensors inside the wheel that are part of the valve stem assembly. Generic BMW pic attached. I believe the actual part number is different for LCI E92 M3 to pre LCI, but they look similar.
Attached image
Hi, I believe the Australian cars did not get the TPMS sensors, our cars use the ABS system.
By the way, does anyone know if it's possible to change over to the valve stem sensors?
They would probably need to be coded.
.. and would be a little more precise than the ABS method. I have them on my cayman and they are brilliant.
ABC99G wrote
Hi, I believe the Australian cars did not get the TPMS sensors, our cars use the ABS system.
By the way, does anyone know if it's possible to change over to the valve stem sensors?
They would probably need to be coded.
Hi are you sure? Will stand corrected if I’m wrong. But the Aussie delivered cars are generally the same as the Euro spec cars all be it RHD, like the UK versions.

But the ABS system measures wheel rotation from a hall effect sensor and a notched ring on each wheel and compares that from each corner. Not sure how a rotational measurement equates to tire pressure???

Cheers
Hi and welcome to E92 M3 ownership and good to see a new member on the forum! Nice pick up with the rare MCB colour.

I would agree with ABC99G in that our cars do not come with TPM sensors, which I believe only came in on the F8x generation in the Aussie market.

As for suspension, and that you want more comfort, you might want to consider the new Evolve developed EDC Bilsteins - there is a lot of info on them online or go to the Evolve Automotive YouTube channel for videos on them. There is also a thread on these Evolve-Bilsteins in the Suspension section of the main forum.

I know of one local owner who has installed them and is totally satisfied with them and the extra comfort it has given him in the softest setting. They can be paired with Eibach springs (which I run) which are more compliant than H&Rs.

Cheers,
Jon
My 2010 Dakar Edition (manufactured end 09) from UK did not have TPMS.

Ohlins is the best suspension for comfort.
Small world Aaron, i actually auctioned that e92 m3 they are my pictures....
questionable wrote
Small world Aaron, i actually auctioned that e92 m3 they are my pictures....
Hey hey.. wow small world.. I hope you dont mind me using those photos when someone asks 'so what does it look like' ? :). I will send you a DM now
PM sent
Hey all... Back again... wow what an eventful few months. Long story short is that upon giving the car its first oil change there was a ton of gold glitter in the oil even though the rod bearings had been done about 25k ago. Upon inspecting the bearings in the car they were certainly worse for wear but i made the decision that it would be best to do both sets of bearings since if the rod bearings had worn prematurely, there is every change the king main bearings that were also done, could be on the way out (which they were, so lucky they were changed)

So with that *sigh* the engine came out an so began the arduous (and expensive) task of rectifying the situation and fettling along the way.. So now the car has
  • BE Rod Bearings w/ BE ARP spec bolts
  • King STDx main race pMax bearings
  • NRW-Design valve covers w/NRW spark plug tubes, gaskets and grommets etc
  • New NGK spark plugs
  • SLON vanos covers
  • Eventuri matte plenum, intake and airbox cover
  • Turner Motorsport undertray
  • Original BMW M359 wheels w/ PS4s tyres
  • New pulleys. belts, tensioners for AC, PS and Alt
  • Filled w/ Liqui Moly 10w60 and Ceratec
  • DCT Service kit and replacing that stupid O-ring on the top of the box
  • Ohlins R/T Coilvers (on order, due any day)

.. and other stuff I am probably forgetting. Sufficed to day, its had a lot of money, time and love spent on it getting it back to the condition it is in now. Off to vicroads next week to register.

One question though for the group. Has anyone replaced the seats with the M2/3/4 models? I think the seating position in the OEM seats feels a little high and I've read that the M4 seats do lower you an inch or two. Wondering if anyone can validate that? There is a set of M2 seats on facebook, looking at those but not sure yet.
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while it has turned out awesome and better than before, what a crap situation to find yourself in. Enjoy in good health from now on! Look forward to more updates!
Rajvosa wrote
while it has turned out awesome and better than before, what a crap situation to find yourself in. Enjoy in good health from now on! Look forward to more updates!
Yep thank you mate, appreciate the wishes. I can't say that dropping another 20+k and 2 months or so in a week of purchase was what I wanted, but hey, here we are :)

Next thing to look at is possibly m2/m4 pre-lci comp seats (im not sure i like the ones with the back cutouts for the m3, i think the solid back pre-lci ones look more at home)... just trying to work out/confirm if they indeed sit lower than the oem m3 seats (which i really like btw aside the feeling of sitting too high)
If you are on FB, join BMW E9X M3 Owners Australia page. I’m sure few people have done those seats.
Great idea, thanks! Requested to join