BMW M3 E90/E92/E93 (2008–2013)

What changed in each year of the BMW M3 E90/E92/E93, and every recall it has had, with a source for each.

White BMW M3 E92 coupe driving past rice fields, front three-quarter view
E92 M3 coupe in Yamagata, Japan Photo: 先従隗始 / CC0 / via Wikimedia Commons
US model years
2008–2013
Engines
S65B40 4.0 V8, S65B40 4.0 V8 with 6-speed manual, S65B40 4.0 V8 with 7-speed M DCT
Recalls
5
Facts on this page
13
from 10 sources, last checked October 8, 2026

What the full report covers for this car

The full BMW M3 E90/E92/E93 report

$20 one-time. In research. Not on sale yet. What it covers.

Year by year

Three bodies, built 2007-2013
The E90 sedan was sold in the US for 2008-2011, and the E92 coupe and E93 retractable hardtop convertible for 2008-2013. Production ran from September 2007 to July 2013. About 40,092 coupes, 16,219 convertibles and 9,674 sedans were built worldwide. Source: en.wikipedia.org, press.bmwgroup.com.
Chassis: M differential, optional EDC, aluminum suspension
Every car has BMW's speed-sensing Variable M limited-slip differential. Electronic Damping Control was optional on base cars and standard with the ZCP. Much of the suspension is aluminum, and the front struts clamp into a taller, M-specific wheel carrier. Source: archive.org, bimmertips.com, bimmerfile.com.
S65 4.0-liter V8: 414 hp and an 8,400 rpm redline
Every US E9x M3 uses the S65B40, a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 rated at 414 hp (420 PS) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) at 3,900 rpm. It revs to 8,400 rpm. Each cylinder has its own throttle butterfly, driven by two electric actuators (one per bank). Source: en.wikipedia.org, archive.org.
Carbon roof, aluminum hood, plastic fenders
The E92 coupe has a carbon fiber roof that BMW says saves about 11 lb (5 kg) up high. Cars ordered with a sunroof got a steel roof instead. All M3s use an aluminum Power Dome hood and plastic front fenders with the M side gills. Source: archive.org.
6-speed manual or 7-speed M DCT
A 6-speed manual was standard. The 7-speed M DCT dual-clutch (Getrag GS7D36SG) became an option from April 2008. DCT cars use a taller 3.15:1 final drive versus 3.85:1 with the manual, and BMW says the DCT adds about 45 lb. Source: en.wikipedia.org, archive.org, germancarforum.com.
Show all 8 changes
VIN decoder: body and facelift from characters 4 and 5
US E9x M3 VINs start with WBS. Characters 4 and 5 give the body: VA (2008 sedan), PM (2009-2011 sedan), WD (2008-2010 coupe), KG (2011-2013 LCI coupe), WL (2008-2010 convertible) and DX (2011-2013 LCI convertible). The 10th character is the model year (8, 9, A, B, C, D for 2008-2013). Source: vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov.
Competition Package (ZCP), 2011-2013
In the US the ZCP was a $2,500 option on 2011-2013 coupes and 2011 sedans, not convertibles. It lowered the car 0.4 in (10 mm), made Electronic Damping Control standard with new programming, raised the M Dynamic Mode stability thresholds and added 19-inch Style 359M wheels. Power was unchanged. Source: bimmerfile.com, machineswithsouls.com, en.wikipedia.org, bimmertips.com.
2013 Lime Rock Park Edition: 200 US coupes
The Lime Rock Park Edition was a 2013 model year E92 coupe built in summer 2012. All 200 were Fire Orange with the Competition Package, carbon roof, carbon front splitters and trunk spoiler, and a lightweight Inconel and titanium muffler. A 6-speed manual was standard and the DCT was optional. It started at $70,995 including destination. Source: bimmerfile.com, en.wikipedia.org.

Recalls

08V-595: early M DCT downshift software
About 2,500 2008-2009 M3s with M DCT built up to September 10, 2008 were recalled. Under light braking to a stop, the software could perform a multistage downshift, drop into neutral and stall the engine. Dealers reprogrammed the transmission and engine control units. Years: 2008-2009 (DCT cars built to 09/10/2008). Source: api.nhtsa.gov, static.nhtsa.gov.
17V-676: blower control wiring can overheat
2008-2011 M3s are included in a 3 Series recall for the wiring and connectors that feed the heating and air conditioning blower. They can overheat and melt, with a fire risk even when parked. Dealers replace the wiring and connectors. Years: 2008-2011. Source: api.nhtsa.gov.
19V-472: battery cable at the fuse box
The positive battery cable connection at the front fuse box can degrade and cut power, which can stall the car. The recall covers 2008-2012 M3 coupes and convertibles and 2008-2011 sedans. Dealers replace and secure the connector. Years: 2008-2012 (coupe and convertible), 2008-2011 (sedan). Source: api.nhtsa.gov, static.nhtsa.gov.
16V-071: Takata driver airbag inflator
BMW recalled the driver frontal airbag on 2008-2013 M3 coupes and convertibles and 2008-2011 M3 sedans. The inflator could rupture and throw metal fragments. Dealers replace the module or inflator free. Years: 2008-2013 (US model years: coupe and convertible 2008-2013, sedan 2008-2011). Source: api.nhtsa.gov.
20V-017: interim airbag parts from earlier Takata fixes
Some M3s received non-desiccated replacement inflators as interim parts during earlier Takata recalls. Recall 20V-017 replaces those again, because they can also degrade and explode. It only applies to cars that got the interim part. Years: 2008-2013 (US model years: coupe and convertible 2008-2013, sedan 2008-2011). Source: api.nhtsa.gov.

Check a specific car with our VIN decoder or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What the full BMW M3 E90/E92/E93 report covers

Everything in a MettaCar report

All BMW M3 generations

More BMW

Free tools for your M3

Sources on this page: api.nhtsa.gov (9), archive.org (8), en.wikipedia.org (5), bimmerfile.com (3), bimmertips.com (2), static.nhtsa.gov (2), press.bmwgroup.com (1), germancarforum.com (1), vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov (1), machineswithsouls.com (1). Facts with unverified numbers are left off. Sources last checked October 8, 2026.