2012 BMW M3 Consumer Reviews
Most Helpful Reviews
Positive Review
I test drove the E92 DCT M3 about 6 years ago and thought it was an amazing piece of automotive engineering. I was so impressed that I had to buy one. I ended up buying a 6 speed manual coupe and it is truly the "Ultimate Driving Machine". Although I am partial to the manual transmission, the DCT is amazing also. You really feel nothing as you switch between gears. The handling on the M3 is unparalleled. I have owned and driven 6 vehicles in the last decade, including an Acura and Lexus, and the M3 is just in a class of its own. It is incredibly responsive, but lacks torque in the lower RPMs. It does redline at 8400 RPMs though and sounds very cool doing it. This car is very classy. It is a beast and a very beautiful one. The only downside is that it is very expensive to maintain. I average just over 16 mpg (premium) combined, although if I didn't drive it like an M3 should be driven I could probably get it higher. It burns through oil relatively fast too, probably about a quart a month. It uses a Castrol 10W 60, now sold at O'reilly's, and to change the oil, it uses 9 quarts. Tires are super expensive for this. I got a full set of Michelin Pilot Super Sports on sale for $1400, some places I've seen cheaper, some places more expensive. The nav system is pretty simple, the map actually makes sense looking at it, destinations are easy to input.
VS
Critical Review
Car stalled out A LOT. I was told it was M3 self tuning engine. Because I was in start and stop traffic a lot in LA the engine adjusted and so I wound up with a car that didnt really work. BMW of North America did nothing, explaining its the way the car is built, and that the problem lied with my driving and my excissive start and stops...I explained I couldnt control traffic, they didnt care. AVOID if you live in a city.
2012 M3 Reviews
Showing 8 of 81 reviews.
Only 18,750miles, garaged and pampered Melbourne Red with Fox Red leather interior, 6 speed manual. A Beauty and a Beast.
Fun to drive
None
Low mileage. Beautiful 6 gears stick shift on the floor. Convertible. Want to know worth ten years old
Engine and High Revving Redline
Not great on gas. Low torque
Bought my 2013 BMW E93 M3 Convertible used in 2018 for $30K. Happy to say that my car actually appreciated 20% while I have owned it. Its a great car. Drives amazing and I absolutely love the sound of the engine and exhaust when I have the top down. The naturally aspirated engine only adds to the driving experience. I have driven the manual and the 7 speed dual clutch. I do prefer the dual clutch but appreciate the manual. The car does not have a high torque but it makes up for it with the high revving redline and when you push it past 3000 RPM's you can appreciate the power of the V8. This is the first generation M3 with a v8 and a hardtop retractable convertible. Only about 16,000 (2600 per year) verts were produced over 6 years worldwide. Making it sort of rare. I believe this car will be sought after by collectors and enthusiast alike over time. I really wanted to by a z8 but those cars have skyrocketed in value ($180K-$250K) and are unattainable. But I am very happy with the E93. Similar feel of a z8 with the V8 and convertible. If you like a convertable that turns heads and is fast - this is the car for you. This is not your regular 3 series BMW.
A real drivers car.
No cons
Wish I would have never sold it….. had so much fun with it. It’s a real drivers car. Felt like a go cart.
With the right driver, 3.9 seconds 0-60.
Average gas mileage is 17mpg, 22 on freeways.
V8 runs like silk. Red lines at 8300 rpm. Dual clutch shifts faster than stick Very pretty vehicle and spotless inside. Totally stock except for sport exhaust. Original exhaust is also retained if desired. First person to drive it will buy it.
V8 Engine, styling, excitment
MPG
Just love this car, I purchased my 2013 BMW M3 E93 4 years ago and I am very happy with everything this cars has to offer (except MPG). This is a fun car with or without the roof. With the roof down - you really hear the growl of the V8 engine. I know the having a convertable top adds extra weight and that feature decreases some of the performance levels - but not that much. Its a fun and exciting car to drive. The NEW M verts are loosing the hardtop and going back to the soft top. Owning a E93 with the hardtop and a V8 is only going to increase the value of this car over time.
V8 engine. And the engine sound.
Mpg very low.
Meets all expectations . Sporty and classy. Definitely a head turner. I receive compliments from total strangers. People are still impressed with the retractable roof. I feel this car is undervalued. Purchased used for 30k with only 40k miles. Great price. I will get years out of this car. Very impressed with the handelingand pick up.
Amazing V8 noise at high rev, Handling in MDM mode
Bad Build Quality & Computers, Unresolved Recalls
This car is fun to drive (naturally aspirated V8 sound!) but is absolutely atrocious in terms of built quality and maintenance. I bought it a CPO car 2.5 years ago and it almost always had the check engine light on (accompanied by a super irritating gong every time you enter the car). Most of the time the warnings dont even make sense, just some fault codes. You then have to take it to Stealerships who will charge 225 just to look at the car and clear those codes. Over the 2.5 years of ownership it has had two major recalls- Takata airbag (resolved after 1.5 yr wait) and now the Cable (not solution available even after 6 months). So you can not sell the car as these recalls substantially lowers the re-sale value of the car. At the same time you will continue to plow in money just to keep it on the road...The DCT transmission leak is very common and starts happens as early as 15-20k miles... and costs 2200-3800 to fix at the Stealerships.. BMW lost its soul after the E39 and E46s and they have no clue on how to make the car computers works. If you want to buy a fun sports car then go for a well maintained E46 M3 or an E39 M5. I used to have a 540i with M sports package that car has more torque off the line than this M3!! I am never buying a BMW now- going to Tesla or Porsche.
