[6SPDG82]

From one SSG owner to another very nice!

If the touring was available here in NA and with a manual I would have bought one. Are you going to track the G81?

I love silver tourings…Here’s my previous CTS V six speed manual and current G82 SSG. (I wish I never sold that that CTS-V!)

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by GS1

Sometimes our car swaps make no sense to onlookers but perfect sense to us. This time last year I was lucky enough to have a beautiful, low mileage E92 and a Lotus Exige 430 Cup as a road/track toy. Both fantastic in their own ways, and both intended to be forever “keepers”, whether on the road or in storage.

But life doesn’t always turn out as planned and unfortunately last year it became clear that two would need to become one. The question is what could replace such a pair as a one car “do it all” solution? Answer - a G81 with a few choice mods. This was after test driving an RS6 Performance back to back with an M3. From a driving perspective, there was simply no contest. The M3 felt light, direct, and alive.

I found the right example in December and so far am loving every minute behind the wheel. Hats off to BMW M for giving us such an awesome platform to build from, and to Aaron Reeve in the UK for many of the mods.

Mine will continue to evolve. But at this point the main mods are:

KW HAS
TRE exterior carbon
Rayaa Forged wheels in 20/21”
Milltek 4” single midpipe
Milltek Sport backbox with valve controller
200 cell sports cats
Eventuri intake system
Stage 2 tune by AReeve Performance
Flex-fuel system
650 - 820bhp switchable map

Pics of the E92, Exige and G81 below. Each wonderful in their own way.

Insta - @gst_lotus_m3t

Your Lotus was …..

[GS1]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Your Lotus was …..

Haha - thanks. 😊

[GS1]

Originally Posted by 6SPDG82

From one SSG owner to another very nice!

If the touring was available here in NA and with a manual I would have bought one. Are you going to track the G81?

I love silver tourings…Here’s my previous CTS V six speed manual and current G82 SSG. (I wish I never sold that that CTS-V!)

Great pair of wagons. 👏
Yes, I’m planning to track it. Really the only place I’ll be able to stretch its legs fully.

[Bar933]

Quick question about the exterior carbon from TRE.
What was the fitment like please?

I currently own an M5 with I want some carbon parts from, bought cheap before and the fitment was that bad I sent them back

[GOLFFRR]

bad azzz

[GS1]

Originally Posted by Bar933

Quick question about the exterior carbon from TRE.
What was the fitment like please?

I currently own an M5 with I want some carbon parts from, bought cheap before and the fitment was that bad I sent them back

These parts seems absolutely fine. TRE aren’t cheap though, and places like Auto ID sell loads of it.

[W///]

Stunning cars. What interior was in the E92 M3? Almost looks like Lemon or some other kind of Individual interior.

May I ask why you decided to consolidate cars? Unfortunately for us in the US, the G81 would be up there on my list if I went down in the number of cars if it was offered.

G81CS and my 6MT E92 M3 would be just about my perfect 2 car garage!

P.S I can't get enough of that Lotus. Looks absolutely stunning!

[My M3]

Great shots & cars.
That's the problem where do you put all the cars?

[GS1]

Originally Posted by W///

Stunning cars. What interior was in the E92 M3? Almost looks like Lemon or some other kind of Individual interior.

May I ask why you decided to consolidate cars? Unfortunately for us in the US, the G81 would be up there on my list if I went down in the number of cars if it was offered.

G81CS and my 6MT E92 M3 would be just about my perfect 2 car garage!

P.S I can't get enough of that Lotus. Looks absolutely stunning!

The E92 had extended platinum interior. Really made it feel special.

Different stage of life meant that it made sense to have one car to do everything. Plus, I just really wanted a Touring and couldn’t afford to have that and the Lotus.

[W///]

Originally Posted by GS1

The E92 had extended platinum interior. Really made it feel special.

Different stage of life meant that it made sense to have one car to do everything. Plus, I just really wanted a Touring and couldn’t afford to have that and the Lotus.

Completely understand! I'm heading towards that route too, or maybe just sell and keep 2.

[ChiTownM]

I would own a M3 Touring in the US for sure. Zero interest in that M5 Touring.....and BMW knows that their market data was wrong by now 😆

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by ChiTownM

I would own a M3 Touring in the US for sure. Zero interest in that M5 Touring.....and BMW knows that their market data was wrong by now 😆

The M5 touring will be the best hope to convince them to bring other wagons. And it’s doing very well, which is a good thing. I’d love to see a comeback in the US for the wagons.

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Looks nice. I think the pre-LCI headlights are a much nicer design too.

[cz77B7cooper]

I met one of these on the road today and it's really massive, I like it

[GS1]

Originally Posted by cz77B7cooper

I met one of these on the road today and it's really massive, I like it

Guess it depends what you compare it to. I drove it straight after an RS6 so the M3T felt small! I think it hits the sweet spot in terms of size for a fast estate/wagon.

[kennethwrn]

Tough

[GS1]

Couple more recent shots, for anyone interested.

[GS1]

Bought the Lotus back. 🤦‍♂️
Dunno how long I’ll be able to keep it but, for now, I have two toys. Both utterly wonderful in their own ways. Whatever happens, the M3’s going nowhere.

[hellasf1]

Any regrets going to the m3?

I have a 24 Lotus Emira v6 and I’ve tuned it to 460 hp, sounds like a f1 car and absolutely love it, waited 2 years to get it and got it April of 24. I’ve had our first baby and been thinking of getting a sports car the family can enjoy but I really don’t know if I would be happy with the switch or regret it. Ideally would be nice to add the m3 part of the collection but already have 2 other cars TRX & Wrangler 392 which are the family cars and not the smartest to keep buying more cars as we are wanting more kids.

The cars has always been my toys/hobby and wife doesn’t care but doesn’t want me to take our daughter anytime soon in the lotus as it’s a roadster only. After becoming a dad I want to enjoy my hobby with my daughter more which also loves cars now bc of me. Things are more enjoyable when you share it with people you love and right now I share the lotus by myself.

I don’t need to make the switch but I’ve always loved sports sedans, had a Guilia QV that I traded in for my Lotus which I loved as well.

[GS1]

Originally Posted by hellasf1

Any regrets going to the m3?

I have a 24 Lotus Emira v6 and I’ve tuned it to 460 hp, sounds like a f1 car and absolutely love it, waited 2 years to get it and got it April of 24. I’ve had our first baby and been thinking of getting a sports car the family can enjoy but I really don’t know if I would be happy with the switch or regret it. Ideally would be nice to add the m3 part of the collection but already have 2 other cars TRX & Wrangler 392 which are the family cars and not the smartest to keep buying more cars as we are wanting more kids.

The cars has always been my toys/hobby and wife doesn’t care but doesn’t want me to take our daughter anytime soon in the lotus as it’s a roadster only. After becoming a dad I want to enjoy my hobby with my daughter more which also loves cars now bc of me. Things are more enjoyable when you share it with people you love and right now I share the lotus by myself.

I don’t need to make the switch but I’ve always loved sports sedans, had a Guilia QV that I traded in for my Lotus which I loved as well.

Only you can decide what’s best (Emira vs M3). Of course it totally depends how you’ll use it. Your Emira sounds fantastic with the power bump - they do need a bit more oomph.

I love the M3 to bits. It’s just so incredibly versatile, the tech is fantastic, it’s great on long runs, crazy fast when I want it to be, and handles a bit like a sports car. Also love how it looks with the basic mods done. On track it was better than I expected for a 1.9ton car.

I’ve actually recently bought the Exige back so I have both. Totally different cars obviously. If I had to sell one again it’d be the Exige, simply because I can’t enjoy it as often. The M3 I can take everywhere, including when we’ve got three or four of us.

[hellasf1]

Originally Posted by GS1

Only you can decide what’s best (Emira vs M3). Of course it totally depends how you’ll use it. Your Emira sounds fantastic with the power bump - they do need a bit more oomph.

I love the M3 to bits. It’s just so incredibly versatile, the tech is fantastic, it’s great on long runs, crazy fast when I want it to be, and handles a bit like a sports car. Also love how it looks with the basic mods done. On track it was better than I expected for a 1.9ton car.

I’ve actually recently bought the Exige back so I have both. Totally different cars obviously. If I had to sell one again it’d be the Exige, simply because I can’t enjoy it as often. The M3 I can take everywhere, including when we’ve got three or four of us.

Yea it needs more power still for me down the line but I still really love it. If I keep it I’ll probably do the 550 hp kit next and get weight down to right at 3,000 maybe tad under. The experience driving it is so special especially with the mods I have done like the boot delete and SS.

I have to test drive an m3 but almost like a loaner type to really get the feel to live with it for a couple days so I can see if I will miss the Emira or not. I looked on Turo and no one by me to rent one was my idea.

It’s a really hard decision, I’m glad you got your Lotus back it’s beautiful!

Here is the boot and lower cage delete I did. Makes it feel like a supercar shifting gears with the open feel.