I Spent $15,000 Upgrading My E90 M3 … Was It Worth It?

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This E90 BMW M3 has been one of my all-time favorite cars to own. For those of you who haven't been following along, even after doing the rod bearings, the engine failed on track. I believe it spun a main bearing first and then took out the rod bearings. Needless to say, the engine was toast. With a replacement motor and a few carefully chosen upgrades, I've been enjoying the car. But it's time once again for another round of improvements in my ongoing quest to build the perfect M3.

I’m about to install what I think is one of the best big brake kits on the market from FCP Euro. That said, the brakes on this car are already pretty adequate, although the brake pedal feel isn't great. So, we’re going to find out whether all of this is worth it. The same goes for a set of XTA Plus 3 coilovers I’m installing. Right now, the car is sitting on lowering springs and Bilstein shocks, and the ride quality is fantastic. But it sits a little too high, so I want to lower it. The question I want answered is whether these coilovers will provide the same ride quality while giving me a lower ride height.

Before getting into the big stuff, the first thing we’re doing is changing the muffler. This car currently has an Evolve midsection with two cats and resonators leading to the factory muffler, which has had an exhaust mod to open it up and change the baffles. The other factory muffler doesn’t have that modification. Some may wonder why I want a quieter exhaust system when everyone else wants a loud one. My goal is to hear the intake more and the exhaust less, which makes induction noise more enjoyable.

Swapping the tips over, I used stock E92 exhaust tips cut down and Cerakoted black. They look aftermarket, but they’re stock. After installation, the sound is slightly quieter, with a deeper tone and reduced boom, but the rasp and bite of the exhaust remain. To truly quiet it, I’d need the OEM center section with all four cats and resonators, but I’m leaving it as is for now.

One of the best mods for the E90 M3 is the Evanuri carbon fiber intake. The sound it produces is incredible, and it really opens up the driving experience. I swapped the glossy intake for a matte one for a subtler, cleaner look. I also added missing M and V8 badges from FCP Euro, which were pricey but worth it.

FCP Euro also offers a full big brake upgrade kit. This kit includes F80-style Brembo calipers, 034 Motorsport two-piece rotors (380mm front, 370mm rear), hubs, nuts, and bolts. Installing this kit is a bit more involved since it requires moving parts over from an F80, like the knuckle and wheel speed sensor. FCP Euro provides a detailed step-by-step installation video, which is very helpful.

I left the Bilstein suspension in place initially but swapped it for ST Suspension XTA Plus 3 coilovers to adjust the ride height. These coilovers are well-regarded for ride quality and provide camber adjustment, which the car didn’t have before. The new F80 wheel speed sensors required a connector swap, but FCP Euro provided a clever solution without any splicing. I reused the OEM wheel bearings, which were in good shape.

The brake dust shields from BMW can be frustrating due to adhesive that leaves residue, but FCP Euro supplied new shields that fit perfectly. The rear F80 calipers required a slight spacing adjustment, and the kit includes brackets and hardware to do this safely and elegantly. The rotors are aluminum-hatted two-piece designs that reduce weight and allow replacement of just the outer ring. The Brembo calipers come in yellow for a pop of color against the gunmetal gray BMW.

Next, I installed the ST coilovers. Pete’s complaint with the old Bilstein setup was that even in soft EDC mode, the ride was too firm on Ontario roads. The new coilovers are triple-adjustable dampers with low-speed and high-speed compression, allowing precise tuning for comfort and handling. A KW cancellation kit prevents dashboard warnings for the EDC system.

The wheels are Apex VSS5 RS in black. I switched the rear tires from 275/35-18 to 295/35-18 on Continental ExtremeContact Sport for a better contact patch. The ride height had to be raised slightly due to road clearance, even though it looked perfect before. I also swapped the front lip to an RW Carbon unit for better fitment, a more streamlined look, and a flat profile compared to previous eBay splitters.

For infotainment, I installed a CarPlay head unit from Mr. 12VT. It maintains high-quality audio while providing Apple CarPlay, unlike most Android units that compromise audio. The installation included running a patch harness for the microphone, which was challenging but manageable. The system now works seamlessly with the factory iDrive setup.

After everything was installed, the car drove phenomenally. The new brakes and suspension provide a firm but comfortable ride, absorbing bumps while keeping the car sporty. The M3’s V8 with the Evanuri intake sounds amazing, and the Brembo brakes are well-sized for the car. Overall, it’s an incredible driving experience with no major compromises, aside from the engine’s known main bearing and rod bearing reliability issues.

This era of naturally aspirated, motorsports-built V8s with individual throttles, 8,400 RPM redlines, and DCT gearboxes is something you’ll never see again. Despite the occasional reliability concerns, the E90 M3 remains one of the best all-around performance sports cars ever made.