I have stepped out of a sedan STI to get into the M3 coupe. I had just blown an engine and I couldnt trust the car anymore. I was fed up with the NVH, performance wasn't there for my driving style and couldnt stand the overall boy racer look of the car.
I flew out to New Brunswick to pick up a garage queen E92 6MT with every options available; premium sound, M-drive, comfort access, executive package, 19s, EDC, even the useless rear sunshade. The must have options are definitely EDC, M-Drive and Executive Package for the iDrive. ZCP are hard to find as of now and you can source the wheels very easily (I personally did). I feel not having iDrive in such a car is missing out on useful tech.
The most important aftermarket modification on this car is an exhaust system, I am using Supersprint's complete system with HJS cats and it is unreal, interior resonance is limited to 2,000 RPM and I spend more time with the windows down and back seats folded down hunting for overpasses than turning on the radio. There is nothing quite like the sound of an S65 short of a Ferrari V8, it sounds just like a race car.
What makes this car amazing is the specialness of the engine, flexibility of the chassis (with M drive and EDC) and overall driving experience that makes it a perfect DD. The dual personnality of the car allows you to either cruise on the highway and stay laid back in trafic just like 335i or push the M button and start chasing 911s.
I drive her as an M should be driven and I average 15/100 in the city, rear tires last about 15,000 to 20,000km and it is overall a very reliable car. I am closing in on 80,000km and have had no significant issues outside of burnt light bulbs. There is a major service at every 50,000km (plugs, filters, diff tranny and engine oil).
DCT vs MT is really all about personal preference and driving style. I have switched to the shorter and heavier F10 M5 knob and find the shift feel to be ideal, clutch is pretty light too and rev matching a very easy. DCT has the upper hand on performance, even more so when tuned and has proven to be quite reliable, the gasket can leak but is cheap to replace. I find the idea of a daily driver with 8,400 RPM V8, RWD and a stick to be truly unique and quite the experience.
People the say this car lacks torque either have not driven it and stick to on paper specs or shifted below 4,000. The gear ratios are extremely short and revs climb up fast, I never found myself lacking passing power.
I find the M3 has spoiled me and I'm having a hard time deciding what is next, I do not keep cars over 80,000 km but I'm hesitating this once if I should get an extended warranty on it or switch to another car. The C63 lacks the nimbleness and the RS5s are brand new F8X money, the only substitute is Porsche for that specialness feeling.
^I've owned 3 STis. I love the AWD 6speed turbo feel. However, it's a boy's car and I'd like to step into something classier. I'm looking at 2011-2013 M3s.
I need to make a decision between the Manual 6speed and DCT. I need to decide what trim to get and I also need to know more about this car..
How is reliability, everyday driving etc..