Picked up a 2012 e92 6MT ZCP after my e90 was lost in a fire

[dbyrd]

Hey Folks,
I wanted to introduce my 2012 e92 6MT ZCP after losing my beloved e90 to fire last month.

I had just about sorted out my overheating problems (see overheating in Texas thread) when my clutch went to the floor without returning. While I pulled into the median and called my wife, the car started to smoke. I opened the hood (bad call – thanks James) as the smoke thickened. I called 911, but it caught fire and burned near the transmission and into the engine bay for a good 5-8 minutes before the firemen doused it. Luckily, I was not hurt.

I've had this car for over 6 years, and it's my first M car. Also, this is the only car that I've ever tracked and significantly modified. I daily drive 50 miles per day, and I still can't wait to get in the car each morning and afternoon. It always make my day.

Initially, the insurance company thought they could fix it, but the amazing guys at Texas Track Works took one look at it and said, "It's F'd!" They were able to describe the damage so the insurance ended up totaling the car.

I considered going to a dedicated track car (e36 and next purchase), but I love to DD the S65, and I have all the mods that I need for the track. I started looking for another sedan, but I decided that I really wanted a CPO warranty for a couple of years to ensure the dreaded rod bearing issue was covered. This comes from experience as the engine on the e90 blew at 82,000 miles, and the CPO warranty covered a new long block. That only left newer e92 models to choose from, and I decided that my kids could handle the coupe. I considered an F80 for about 3 seconds, but I love the S65.

I’m a manual guy - I thought about saying more about this, but there’s a monster out there that I prefer not to feed. I think both transmissions on the e9x M3 are awesome. I wanted a stripper (one hump) with ZCP. I was able to find two in the states – one on Long Island and the other in Arkansas. I found what I think was a good price for a 2012 Silverstone/Fox Red e92 ZCP with 27,000 miles and CPO warranty for 2.5 more years. The previous owner had installed a few carbon fiber bits – mirror caps, spoiler and smaller splitters as well as a performance steering wheel. The seats are manual. The carbon fiber roof and ZCP wheels look amazing with this color - better than I imagined. I initially wasn't crazy about the Fox Red leather, but I really like it now.

I was able to pull off most of my mods which were installed in the new car last Friday – Trophy ST-60, MCS 1WNR and Fabspeed HFC, x-pipe and UUC Corsa axle-back. Somehow, this car seems faster and more connected than my e90 – maybe the 100k mileage difference? I’m very excited to be back in an S65!

[davesaddiction]

Sorry for your loss, but glad you're okay and congrats on the new beast!

[ortho281]

Congrats on the new car! Hope to see it at the track soon!

[loveskiing]

Ack! How could a guy go from E90 to an E92?
Your family should picket your house!
Glad no one was injured...love the color...Enjoy the new car!

[BrewRifle]

Very big congrats and welcome back!

[///Mobbin]

Congrats, new ride looks great!!

[STooK]

Awesome! You can't beat a e92 zcp in terms of looks. Glad to have you back!

[vincE92M3]

Sorry to hear about the E90, but the new ride looks fantastic!

[jaehshim]

congrats on the new M, I always love the S65 + Manual combo as well!
can you elaborate a bit more about what exactly happened to the clutch to your old E90, what was wrong with it? just mechanical clutch failure that won't return?

[dbyrd]

Originally Posted by jaehshim

congrats on the new M, I always love the S65 + Manual combo as well!
can you elaborate a bit more about what exactly happened to the clutch to your old E90, what was wrong with it? just mechanical clutch failure that won't return?

I believe the slave cylinder or the hydraulic line from the slave cylinder to the master cylinder ruptured - this prevented the clutch pedal from returning and caused brake fluid to drip onto the exhaust which then ignited. I think the fluid pooled in the belly pan that attaches under the transmission. This continued to burn for several minutes. Before the fire department showed up, a cop emptied his fire extinguisher into the engine bay, but the source of the fire was under the transmission. Finally, the fire department arrived and doused it with water via the engine bay.

This was the original clutch that continued to perform well with lots of track days. The car had 122,000 miles and was 7 years old. I don't think you can do anything to prevent this other than inspect the lines if/when you can access them - or have your mechanic do it when performing other maintenance.

Window tint, studs, harness anchors and air filter going in in the next few days when I have time off. I may take more photos after installing the black grills and exhaust from the e90 - UUC Corsa painted black. I thought that I would need to extend the tips since the e92 is an inch or so longer, but I think they look great nestled under the OEM bumper.

[imserious]

Great color combo. Congrats on the new find!

[m3gasm]

Originally Posted by dbyrd

I believe the slave cylinder or the hydraulic line from the slave cylinder to the master cylinder ruptured - this prevented the clutch pedal from returning and caused brake fluid to drip onto the exhaust which then ignited. I think the fluid pooled in the belly pan that attaches under the transmission. This continued to burn for several minutes. Before the fire department showed up, a cop emptied his fire extinguisher into the engine bay, but the source of the fire was under the transmission. Finally, the fire department arrived and doused it with water via the engine bay.

This was the original clutch that continued to perform well with lots of track days. The car had 122,000 miles and was 7 years old. I don't think you can do anything to prevent this other than inspect the lines if/when you can access them - or have your mechanic do it when performing other maintenance.

Window tint, studs, harness anchors and air filter going in in the next few days when I have time off. I may take more photos after installing the black grills and exhaust from the e90 - UUC Corsa painted black. I thought that I would need to extend the tips since the e92 is an inch or so longer, but I think they look great nestled under the OEM bumper.

Props to u for losing a car in a fire, then buying the same thing over again lmao

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by dbyrd

I believe the slave cylinder or the hydraulic line from the slave cylinder to the master cylinder ruptured - this prevented the clutch pedal from returning and caused brake fluid to drip onto the exhaust which then ignited. I think the fluid pooled in the belly pan that attaches under the transmission. This continued to burn for several minutes. Before the fire department showed up, a cop emptied his fire extinguisher into the engine bay, but the source of the fire was under the transmission. Finally, the fire department arrived and doused it with water via the engine bay.

This was the original clutch that continued to perform well with lots of track days. The car had 122,000 miles and was 7 years old. I don't think you can do anything to prevent this other than inspect the lines if/when you can access them - or have your mechanic do it when performing other maintenance.

Window tint, studs, harness anchors and air filter going in in the next few days when I have time off. I may take more photos after installing the black grills and exhaust from the e90 - UUC Corsa painted black. I thought that I would need to extend the tips since the e92 is an inch or so longer, but I think they look great nestled under the OEM bumper.

wow, that's a crazy story. How were you able to diagnose the issue?

[M3SQRD]

Sorry to hear about your e90 but congrats on the e92!

[dbyrd]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

wow, that's a crazy story. How were you able to diagnose the issue?

Two shops pulled the tranny and made the same assessment. I assume a lot had to do with the clutch not returning prior to the fire.

[regensburg94]

Awesome looking car - sounds like a rare color and option combo you've got there.

More pics of the new ride please!