Any New F80 M3 Owners?

[jackwood]

So I've got my M3 on order and got a couple of days left to firm up the spec.
I've gone for:

DCT Gearbox
Mineral Grey
Sakhir Orange Full Leather
Carbon Trim
Jet Black Wheels
Adaptive Headlights
Harmon Kardon Stereo
Sun Protection Rear Windows

The question is, have any other owners who have had their car for a while now wished they had specced something they hadn't, or specced something they wished they hadn't bothered with.

There are a couple of the options like Internet and Interactive Entertainment that I am not sure what they offer and if they are even worth having. Are these just software upgrades that I can add at the dealer after delivery or do I have to order them with the car?

Cheers

Jack

[jackwood]

I tried the demo car with HuD. Not really sold on it. Seems a very expensive option for what it is.

Yes rear blinds are available. In fact they are included in the full leather option.

I've not driven the manual. Don't believe there are any manual demo cars in the country.

[jackwood]

LanceRS said:

I trust that this is not replacing the Porsche?

The GT3 is staying for now, but might sell it in the spring.

Certainly going to use the M3 for trackdays though.

[jackwood]

That'll be a tank of 99RON then :-) think it's only £95 or something silly.

[jackwood]

Mineral because it's an everyday car to be used by myself and my wife for work. She would rather nobody recognised it as anything special. We had a FocusRS for a couple of months and as good as it was we had to sell it due to all the unwanted attention it brought her. And it was in the most subtle colour (not green or white). She didn't feel safe being in it on her own. So our cars are all black or grey. If it was just a weekend or fun car then yes, a brighter colour would be nice. Though the blue, yellow and orange do nothing for me, so not sure what else that leaves.

What is the entertainment option? I can't find any info on it at all. Anyone got a link to what is included in that option? Is it just streaming audio?

[jackwood]

Trickster, Sorry, forgot to add that it should be available for delivery at the end of the month. When I went in last week they said they did have an issue when they tried to put my order in the other week but eventually got a slot for the end of the month. Fingers crossed it's in early November at the latest.

Does anyone have a link for an online manual? I'd like to get some winter tyres ordered and wanted to check what sizes I need to get for the standard wheels.

[jackwood]

Thanks Zyp
Found quite a lot of useful info on the BMW website, thanks.

spunko2010 said:

What did you think of the sound it makes? I assume it didn't bother you hence your order.

Can second the Internet thing, don't get it, absolute cr*p.

I've said it before. The sound a car makes is way down the list of things that influence my purchasing decisions. It's all about the drive for me. How it goes, stops and handles and how much fun it is.

[jackwood]

JMBMWM5 said:

test drove the M3 ( I owned the E90 M3 from new some time back).
I found the seats uncomfortable and there is NO option but to have them.

I had the car for a day, and got tired of the noise inside the cabin TBH, it handled well for a "B road blast" but a bit boy racer for me.

You must test drive one FIRST before putting your money down.

In fairness, that's no different to most cars. You rarely get a choice of seats.

I was happy to place my order without a test drive based of feedback from other owners (Palmball) and reviews like Chris Harris's Drive video.

[jackwood]

JMBMWM5 said:

think you will find Palmball has got shot of his already.

I know. But that's nothing new for Andrew

His discription of how it drove and handled was what I was concerned with. Not what it sounded like, or how good/bad the stereo was, or that he didn't like the shade of red.

I wanted a fast, fun, compact, rear-wheel drive, 4-door, 4-seat, premium brand everyday car that could be used on track. The options are pretty limited..

[jackwood]

Thanks JM. I know I'm asking quite a lot from it but I'm putting my faith in M Division that they've done a good job on this one.

gaz1234 said:

Best debadge it

Really? Why? That's a lot of M badges to remove..
Y

[jackwood]

It will be coming from the solid rear axle location. It's the same in my GT3 when I rose jointed it. Makes a big difference to the road noise transmitted into the cabin.

Thanks for all the other info.

Andrew, the brake issue seems to be on the steel and carbon brakes, which suggests to me it's almost certainly hand brake related.

I agree that as a road only car the new C63 will almost certainly be a better option. Especially now that they have FINALLY seen fit to install diffs on their cars as standard. About bloody time. But I've never had an M car and like that they appear to be slightly more "track ready". We shall see.

[jackwood]

Had the old slush box in our C63 and the MCT in the E63 now. Neither of them are what I would class "sporting". Both very slow and dull. Luckily the engines make up for the lack of sharpness in that department.

As for worrying about the turbo V8 sounding anything other than epic, I don't think you need worry. Our E63 has the blown 5.5 V8 and sounds even better than our old 6.2 in the C we had before. Very special sound.

Those seats look very nice. Quite like the ones in our old B7 RS4.

[jackwood]

Looks like my spec is closed off now. Car scheduled for week 45 build.
Not long now.
Just added the Online Entertainment option. It's a discounted option if you've already specced the HK stereo.
Jack

[jackwood]

Thanks Zyp. I've asked them to look into it but not had an answer back as off this evening.

[jackwood]

Zyp said:

Mine arrived today in a covered trailer...

Are you just teasing us with those? Or did you trip over the verge and your camera went off...

Lovely colour. Just too bright for me to use as a daily. Shame.

[jackwood]

Thanks!

Another week or so to wait for mine.

That colour really highlights the massive rear arches. Look so good.

Had a chance to drive it yet?