[frozen.e92m3]

About a month ago, I decided to sell my M2 CS, my very first BMW M car. Since I was young, I’d dreamed of owning a BMW M, with my first real look at an M model being the E36 M3 I saw online.

Growing up in Texas, I was fortunate enough to own a few JDM cars as a teenager, including 1999 Honda Civic Si (the blue one), 1999 Acura Integra Type R (yellow), and a few Accords. After college, I returned to my home country, completed my military service in Korea, and drove Hyundai Elantra during my time in the navy.

When I started working here, I was finally able to buy my first BMW 2018 F20 118d M Shadow Edition. I really wanted E92 M3 at the time, but it was out of my budget. A few years later, I felt it was the right time to move up. In 2021, BMW Korea released 20 units of the M2 CS, and I quickly placed a deposit, securing one in Misano Blue with gold 763 wheels—the only color combination they offered here. Later, BMW Korea also introduced four units in Hockenheim Silver with carbon-ceramic brakes.

I loved everything about the F87 M2 CS, and every moment with it was a joy. But as I drove it more, I felt something was missing. The S55 engine was great, but I realized I missed the naturally aspirated sound and feel of a classic BMW M car. I still remember test-driving an E46 M3 back in college and wishing for that NA BMW M experience.

After some careful thought, I decided to let go of the M2 CS. The offer was too good to pass up, and although I’ll miss it, I felt ready for the next step.

I started looking for E92 M3 with a few specific criteria:

No Alpine White
Preferably black or a darker color
It had to have M359 wheels
And somehow, the exact E92 M3 I was looking for appeared 2011 Frozen Grey E92 M3 ZCP with Fox Red Extended interior.
1 owner w/ only 20k miles on it, no accident at all.

I contacted the previous owner, we struck a deal, and I was able to bring the car home.

I even changed my username on Instagram from "m2cs.gang" to "frozen.e92m3."

I’ll still be around, even though I no longer own the M2 CS.











dell keyboard problem



IG@frozen.e92m3

[Tornado1M]

As long as your still in a Bimmer, your alright with me! Congrats on the new M!

[frozen.e92m3]

Originally Posted by Tornado1M

As long as your still in a Bimmer, your alright with me! Congrats on the new M!

thanks bro

[changster]

Congrats!! If I didn’t have a GT3 I’d also want the NA Bimmer as well.

[///MPhatic]

That sound tho...

Looks like a fantastic car bro.

[NPTM]

Congrats! And I get it, trust me…power of the CS is nutty relative to it but the E9X is about so much more than that. Thrilling experience, nothing like a high revving V8 and that engine is truly an engineering masterpiece. I’ve been lusting for a stripper spec E90 ZCP for a while now, would like a four door in the collection and I bounce between that and the E39 M5 but that engine is truly special…feel like it’s only a matter of time.

Only things I’d “need” after spending time in the M2 CS is a legit brake upgrade, and only things I’d “want” to unleash the sound is a proper exhaust system and carbon plenum.

Good luck and enjoy, gorgeous spec!!

[frozen.e92m3]

Originally Posted by changster

Congrats!! If I didn’t have a GT3 I’d also want the NA Bimmer as well.

Damn GT3 sounds money man. sick car

[frozen.e92m3]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

That sound tho...

Looks like a fantastic car bro.

Yes that v8 sound poison me lol

[frozen.e92m3]

Originally Posted by NPTM

Congrats! And I get it, trust me…power of the CS is nutty relative to it but the E9X is about so much more than that. Thrilling experience, nothing like a high revving V8 and that engine is truly an engineering masterpiece. I’ve been lusting for a stripper spec E90 ZCP for a while now, would like a four door in the collection and I bounce between that and the E39 M5 but that engine is truly special…feel like it’s only a matter of time.

Only things I’d “need” after spending time in the M2 CS is a legit brake upgrade, and only things I’d “want” to unleash the sound is a proper exhaust system and carbon plenum.

Good luck and enjoy, gorgeous spec!!

Thank you. Theres something about S65 engine. Very first V8 in M3. Very last V8 in M3. The only M3 with V8 etc.

Already upgrade brembo gts and akrapovic exhaust on e92.

Just need OEM M performance rear spoiler.

[IcewaterPete]

Congrats on the switch. It’s always great when the timing aligns perfectly when changing cars. That NA V8! Enjoy the soundtrack!!

[CSBM5]

Originally Posted by NPTM

Congrats! And I get it, trust me…power of the CS is nutty relative to it but the E9X is about so much more than that. Thrilling experience, nothing like a high revving V8 and that engine is truly an engineering masterpiece. I’ve been lusting for a stripper spec E90 ZCP for a while now, would like a four door in the collection and I bounce between that and the E39 M5 but that engine is truly special…feel like it’s only a matter of time.

Only things I’d “need” after spending time in the M2 CS is a legit brake upgrade, and only things I’d “want” to unleash the sound is a proper exhaust system and carbon plenum.

Good luck and enjoy, gorgeous spec!!

I had an E39 M5 for 15 years and sold it in 2018. I bought a 2011.5 E90 M3 6MT slicktop in 2012 and just sold it this year, so I had both cars at the same time for about 6 years. The M3 was a much better handling car, so it was a lot more fun when driving it enthusiastically and especially on track and at high speed autocross events. The M5 is more adapted to highway cruising, moderate level driving, etc, even after all the mods I ended up doing to mine.

I tried to resist modifying the M5, but by 2005 I just couldn't take all the mush and roll anymore nor the typical E39 "squishy" brakes nor the tiny 8"/245 front wheels/tires, so on went Dinan springs, Konis, rear sway bar, GC camber plates and a front Stopteck BBK along with "rears up front" (rear 9.5/275 fit up front with a 3mm spacer). It was finally almost really enjoyable now, but it was still a pig in slow speed corner entry (that ancient Salisbury LSD diff has equal locking on acceleration and deceleration, and it contributes to corner entry push (understeer)), and mine still needed a much higher spring rate than the Dinan springs as they just compress to the bump stops in high speed turns on track.

The M3 on the other hand was like magic out of the box by comparison. It felt light on its feet (my E90 6MT slicktop was almost 400lbs lighter than the E39 M5), steering was light years ahead of the M5's recirculating ball thing, brakes were firm and responsive (i.e. nothing like stock E39 M5 brakes), etc. I ended up only changing the sway bars and going to 9.5/10.5 wheels on the M3. It was much more fun to drive on track and especially at an autocross (I drove it at a number of events at Michelin's "black lake" massive venue). It was also sublime on Michelin's 1/2 mile skidpad...the the throttle was like a rheostat connecting your right foot to the rear drift angle - super precise.

TLDR:

- M3 for driving and handling fun, fantastic steering feel, 8300rpm screaming banshee wail (that 6000-8300 romp in each gear never gets old)
- M5 for highway driving, daily duty, low to midrange grunt, actually gets better gas mileage than the M3 too

P.S. The E90 M3 was vastly more reliable than the E39 M5 in my experience. In the 12 years of M3 ownership I had one failure (PCV electric valve). Other than that it was just my obsessive maintenance, all DIY after the warranty ran out. With the M5 on the other hand, I had a long list of things repaired during the warranty period, and then I had to do many additional items over the years, some of them multiple times like the power steering hoses. I know that car in my sleep now, lol.

[NPTM]

Originally Posted by CSBM5

I had an E39 M5 for 15 years and sold it in 2018. I bought a 2011.5 E90 M3 6MT slicktop in 2012 and just sold it this year, so I had both cars at the same time for about 6 years. The M3 was a much better handling car, so it was a lot more fun when driving it enthusiastically and especially on track and at high speed autocross events. The M5 is more adapted to highway cruising, moderate level driving, etc, even after all the mods I ended up doing to mine.

I tried to resist modifying the M5, but by 2005 I just couldn't take all the mush and roll anymore nor the typical E39 "squishy" brakes nor the tiny 8"/245 front wheels/tires, so on went Dinan springs, Konis, rear sway bar, GC camber plates and a front Stopteck BBK along with "rears up front" (rear 9.5/275 fit up front with a 3mm spacer). It was finally almost really enjoyable now, but it was still a pig in slow speed corner entry (that ancient Salisbury LSD diff has equal locking on acceleration and deceleration, and it contributes to corner entry push (understeer)), and mine still needed a much higher spring rate than the Dinan springs as they just compress to the bump stops in high speed turns on track.

The M3 on the other hand was like magic out of the box by comparison. It felt light on its feet (my E90 6MT slicktop was almost 400lbs lighter than the E39 M5), steering was light years ahead of the M5's recirculating ball thing, brakes were firm and responsive (i.e. nothing like stock E39 M5 brakes), etc. I ended up only changing the sway bars and going to 9.5/10.5 wheels on the M3. It was much more fun to [...]

Some incredible feedback here, thank you for the input and all of this makes perfect sense to me.

Main goal is getting a fun four door in the collection so I can more easily get the kids involved in some of my fun drives and car shows. Leaning E90 for sure, and the above really helps tips the scales further.

Was really interested in a Melbourne red stripper spec ZCP for sale on here, gorgeous car, but passed on higher mileage. EAG has an AW stunner right now, but really love that car in blues / grays…but not many E90 6MT ZCP’s out there, let alone stripper spec cars…TBD.


Anyways, don’t want hijack this thread further…congrats on the gorgeous ride and ENJOY!!

[Reddevils7]

As someone who has both of these cars, I cannot fault you whatsoever. I have space grey but that frozen is beautiful!! Enjoy! A nice intake and x-pipe really opens that car up. I'd also suggest updating the motor to the latest 241E file even if you're staying on the stock cats

[W///]

Originally Posted by NPTM

Some incredible feedback here, thank you for the input and all of this makes perfect sense to me.

Main goal is getting a fun four door in the collection so I can more easily get the kids involved in some of my fun drives and car shows. Leaning E90 for sure, and the above really helps tips the scales further.

Was really interested in a Melbourne red stripper spec ZCP for sale on here, gorgeous car, but passed on higher mileage. EAG has an AW stunner right now, but really love that car in blues / grays…but not many E90 6MT ZCP’s out there, let alone stripper spec cars…TBD.


Anyways, don’t want hijack this thread further…congrats on the gorgeous ride and ENJOY!!

The E39 M5 is legendary to me, but it was very much a "don't meet your hero" kid of a thing. When I had just gotten my E92 M3 in 2012, I had a chance to drive the E92 M3 and E39 M5 back to back many times. While I get why they're so desirable, I think the E9x M3 driving experience blows it out of the water, while still being super comfy.

To be honest, I kind of felt the same "meh" when I drove an E60 M5 6MT for the first time. The E9x M3 is truly an incredible platform, and one that I never plan on leaving.

P.S. I honestly wouldn't worry about the stripper spec as much. I think that narrows your search way too much IMHO. I've got the old school 2008 iDrive and have 0 problem with it. Still super intuitive for checking vehicle status and scroll through music.