Jerks on social media have been trying to take me down and make me feel old by pointing out uncomfortable facts, like that Weezer’s “Blue” album release date is closer in time to the Apollo 11 mission than it is to right now. It’s not going to work. I feel young and full of vigor and … oh no, did someone just refer to the E90 M3 as a “classic?”
We’re a little shorthanded around here today, so I was looking for an article I could write to help out when I noticed that Milltek was announcing some new products for a range of cars people around here seem to like. If you don’t know Milltek, it’s a company that makes well-regarded aftermarket exhaust systems for a variety of vehicles.
Specifically, Milltek was promoting a bunch of updated exhausts for owners of “Modern Classic” cars. There were some familiar models, including a prominent photo of an E36 BMW. That car debuted in the early ’90s, so of course it’s a “modern classic.” It’s not quite old enough to be vintage, yet still up there in age.
A few of the other cars were also clearly in that zone, including an Audi RS2, 996 911, and Peugeot 205 GTI. Then the last started to get a little weird. Is an Audi R8 old enough to be a classic? That seems quite recent. The Mk4 R32 Golf? I don’t know, maybe? I don’t feel old, but I am a hair over 40.
And then I saw it:
BMW M3 owners can enjoy an OEM+ look and feel with the Cat Back system with 70mm tips from Milltek for the E36 3.0 and 3.2 Evo M3 models. This set-up can also be used on other E36 six-cylinder models to free up more of the engine’s iconic sounds.
The E90 generation of BMW M3 is also catered for with Milltek’s latest Cat Back system comprising left and right axle pipes, silencers and valves. A key fob controller opens and closes the valves for an aggressive tone when desired, while OE-style tips maintain the standard look of the car.
Conveniently, I had my web camera running while I read this paragraph, so I can show you my reaction:
I feel very tired and very cold all of a sudden. Is this right? I know that “modern classic” isn’t a real category, but it feels wrong deep in my crinkly bones. The way most states have it is that a “vintage” car is anything over 25 years old. Colloquially, a classic is anything over 20 years.
How old is the E90 M3?
The E90 version of the BMW M3 debuted, as a coupe (so an E92), at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show, meaning the oldest one you’ll ever find is 18 years old. The car was in production until 2013, so the youngest version is only 12 years old.
I feel vindicated in saying that’s not a “classic.” I guess “modern classic” is just a term Milltek made up, so they can have it mean whatever they want. Here’s the full list, btw:
Audi UR Quattro 10 and 20 valve
Audi R8 (V8 and V10)
Audi RS2
Audi B5 RS4
Audi B7 RS4
Audi C5 RS6
Audi S3 8L
Audi B5 S4
Audi TT MK1
BMW E30 M3
BMW E36 M3
BMW E46 M3 (and CSL)
BMW E9x M3 (E90, 92, 93)
Ford Focus RS Mk2
Honda Civic EP3
Honda Integra Type R DC5
Honda S2000
Land Rover Defender L316
Mercedes C63 AMG
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7 and 8
Mini MK1 R53
Nissan 350Z
Peugeot 205 GTI
Porsche 911 996 Carrera/S
Porsche 911 996 Turbo/S/GT2
Porsche 987 Boxster and Cayman S Gen1&2
Renault Clio 182
Renault Clio 197
Renault Megane R26/R26R
SEAT Leon MK1 Cupra R
Subaru Impreza WRX & STI Bug and Blobeye
VW Golf GTI Mk1
VW Golf GTI Mk2 8 & 16v
VW Golf Mk4 R32
VW Golf Mk5 GTI
The range of these cars is pretty large. The 205 GTI has been around since 1984, and the E90 M3 was in production until about 2013, so that’s almost a 30-year window for “modern classic.” Not to make anyone feel old, but an Mk1 Golf GTI is just a classic at this point.
As awkward as I feel about this, the concept isn’t a bad one. I love the idea of taking a “classic” car and giving it a push-button exhaust that works like other modern cars.
In the video above, you can hear the system on an R32, and it sounds both loud while also retaining the”wookie” noise everyone associated with VW’s transverse-mounted V6.
The stock exhaust on my E39 530i is a little quiet, so I’ve been considering swapping what’s there with something a bit more stout when the old one starts to inevitably rust away. Of course, I’ll have to wait a while because my car is … from 2003. Is my car a modern classic? I guess so …
E90 M3 is a “future classic”, meaning it will be well a well regarded benchmark for the era as time marches on.