Buying Advice For M3 DCT
Discussion
Sorry for the broad nature of the thread but just after some general advice.
I own a 06 Porsche Cayman 3.4 S, but am considering a change. I've been looking at M3 Coupe DCTs around £22-26k.
Has anyone any advice on what to look for when looking at the options? Any do's or dont's that someone with some M3 owner knowledge can offer.
Thanks in advance! Nick.
I own a 06 Porsche Cayman 3.4 S, but am considering a change. I've been looking at M3 Coupe DCTs around £22-26k.
Has anyone any advice on what to look for when looking at the options? Any do's or dont's that someone with some M3 owner knowledge can offer.
Thanks in advance! Nick.
Yes don't get the DCT get the Manual box! only kidding, option wise it really is personal preference I really wanted EDC(electronic damper control) heated seats & Bluetooth & anything else was a bonus, I would certainly look for a stereo upgrade as the standard set up isn't that great.
Most like 19's shadowline trim & sun protection glass just for visual appeal which mine has but none of those are essential.
Good luck in your search as they are a complete allrounder as a car & 8400rpm never fails to put a smile on your face!
Most like 19's shadowline trim & sun protection glass just for visual appeal which mine has but none of those are essential.
Good luck in your search as they are a complete allrounder as a car & 8400rpm never fails to put a smile on your face!
As said EDC seems popular, certainly is useful when mooching about. The facelift cars (around 2010 I think) had the newer/better I drive. I would think that is the most important you should get one for your budget.
Personal preference but I think the carbon leather dash inserts look the best.
Great car though especially if you are swapping to increase space but keep the fun factor.
Personal preference but I think the carbon leather dash inserts look the best.
Great car though especially if you are swapping to increase space but keep the fun factor.
NeilC4S said:
The facelift cars (around 2010 I think) had the newer/better I drive. I would think that is the most important you should get one for your budget.
That is a good point mines a sept 2009 model & it has the later idrive which gives you a updated sat nav look & hard drive for your music. Heysy said:
That's really useful and helpful guys! Thankyou!
So a few questions,
What does the EDC actually do then?
Is there anything easy I can use to spot the facelift models (that will have the newer nav and I drive)?
Was that the only difference, I drive and Nav?
Cheers!
EDC offers three different suspension set ups comfort/normal/sport, comfort is great for steady motorway driving but normal & sport firms things up for back road blasting, facelift models have the later rear lights & idrive controller & that's pretty much it, I have the earlier lights but still have the newer idrive set up as it was introduced before they changed the lights. So a few questions,
What does the EDC actually do then?
Is there anything easy I can use to spot the facelift models (that will have the newer nav and I drive)?
Was that the only difference, I drive and Nav?
Cheers!
Earlier models have two CD slots in the dash later ones have just one that's another way of telling if its got the hard drive set up for the music.
That's great again, the cd slots should help me spot that.
I've seen a 58 plate with 22k miles on auto trader. It looks like pre facelift.
As people who know more about this than me, do you think it's a fair price or not? As always, you just feel like your getting shafted on the Px price!!
I've seen a 58 plate with 22k miles on auto trader. It looks like pre facelift.
As people who know more about this than me, do you think it's a fair price or not? As always, you just feel like your getting shafted on the Px price!!
EDC is essential on these cars otherwise residuals would be hit. Dont touch a car less than average spec too. Menu price servicing can be expensive, unlike the e46.
They are quite colour sensitive but lots around at the moment. Subjective of course but Silverstone with black leather is always good news.
Have you considered the four door saloons? They actually drive better than the 2 doors. Not quite as cool but rarer and cheaper with it!
I would also recommend a diagnostic check of the number of "launch starts" the cars had. IF the car has BMW warranty, I find most dealers, in contrast to Porsche, will evade warranty work on clutch gearbox and transmission if more than a limited number of LC have been undertaken.
They are quite colour sensitive but lots around at the moment. Subjective of course but Silverstone with black leather is always good news.
Have you considered the four door saloons? They actually drive better than the 2 doors. Not quite as cool but rarer and cheaper with it!
I would also recommend a diagnostic check of the number of "launch starts" the cars had. IF the car has BMW warranty, I find most dealers, in contrast to Porsche, will evade warranty work on clutch gearbox and transmission if more than a limited number of LC have been undertaken.
I chopped my Cayman S in for an M3. Never looked back. The M3 is so much more fun and more of a hooligan 
If you had a Bose sound system in your Cayman, make sure you get the optional sound system in the M3 (I forget what it's called). I guess that's one area where the Cayman was better
If you had a Bose sound system in your Cayman, make sure you get the optional sound system in the M3 (I forget what it's called). I guess that's one area where the Cayman was better
Edited by paulmoonraker on Saturday 21st September 09:32
Heysy said:
Can you explain a little more about the LC. Is that this M button I've read about?
If the car is no longer under BMW warranty, what's the best way to get this checked out? Or more to the point, is it possible to get it checked out?
Similar to Porsche with the Sports Chrono plus on PDK cars. This accelerates the car in minimum time max acceleration to a given speed. Porsche dont normally have a problem with this but BMW see it as putting great strain on componentry and may invalidate the warranty. Personally I would never and have never treated my current 911 GTS pdk to a launch start and Santa Pods are not for me! Subjective though I guess!If the car is no longer under BMW warranty, what's the best way to get this checked out? Or more to the point, is it possible to get it checked out?
paulmoonraker said:
I chopped my Cayman S in for an M3. Never looked back. The M3 is so much more fun and more of a hooligan
If you had a Bose sound system in your Cayman, make sure you get the optional sound system in the M3 (I forget what it's called). I guess that's one area where the Cayman was better
Yes the Cayman is rather dull.If you had a Bose sound system in your Cayman, make sure you get the optional sound system in the M3 (I forget what it's called). I guess that's one area where the Cayman was better
Edited by paulmoonraker on Saturday 21st September 09:32
I would differ with you point on the music. From my experience of the Harman Kardon systems in M3s they are far superior to the Bose systems in the Porsche.
paulmoonraker said:
I chopped my Cayman S in for an M3. Never looked back. The M3 is so much more fun and more of a hooligan
If you had a Bose sound system in your Cayman, make sure you get the optional sound system in the M3 (I forget what it's called). I guess that's one area where the Cayman was better
Paul, when you swopped in the cayman s, did you get nailed with your P/ex? Mine is a 06 plate with lots of spec and low miles but i feel like im getting hammered on the price! Did you struggle with yours too? Just interested to see if this is the norm or not!If you had a Bose sound system in your Cayman, make sure you get the optional sound system in the M3 (I forget what it's called). I guess that's one area where the Cayman was better
Edited by paulmoonraker on Saturday 21st September 09:32
It is easy to tell if the car has the newer i-drive. There are several buttons behind the controller on the newer system, just one big button on the older system. The newer system came I think September 2009 and is much better. The two slots is misleading, the older system has its second slot in the boot not in the dash.
Greatest weakness compared with the Cayman is that the standard brakes cannot cope with any sort of track use (fine on the road).
Its a great car but ironically I am considering changing my DCT E92 for a new Cayman S.
Greatest weakness compared with the Cayman is that the standard brakes cannot cope with any sort of track use (fine on the road).
Its a great car but ironically I am considering changing my DCT E92 for a new Cayman S.
Heysy said:
paulmoonraker said:
I chopped my Cayman S in for an M3. Never looked back. The M3 is so much more fun and more of a hooligan
If you had a Bose sound system in your Cayman, make sure you get the optional sound system in the M3 (I forget what it's called). I guess that's one area where the Cayman was better
Paul, when you swopped in the cayman s, did you get nailed with your P/ex? Mine is a 06 plate with lots of spec and low miles but i feel like im getting hammered on the price! Did you struggle with yours too? Just interested to see if this is the norm or not!If you had a Bose sound system in your Cayman, make sure you get the optional sound system in the M3 (I forget what it's called). I guess that's one area where the Cayman was better
Edited by paulmoonraker on Saturday 21st September 09:32
When I collected the car after its inspection, they told me it needed two new rear tyres and new front discs, all of which they paid for.
Heysy
I was offered very low P/ex on my Porsche 996 C4S against an M3. In the end I sold the porsche to a specialist for reasonable money then haggled hard on the M3.
If your Porsche is a good spec and standard with reasonable miles call round the indie dealers and see what is on offer. You may find (as I did) that the difference in price between an indie offer and a private sale just isn't worth the hassle.
Neil
I was offered very low P/ex on my Porsche 996 C4S against an M3. In the end I sold the porsche to a specialist for reasonable money then haggled hard on the M3.
If your Porsche is a good spec and standard with reasonable miles call round the indie dealers and see what is on offer. You may find (as I did) that the difference in price between an indie offer and a private sale just isn't worth the hassle.
Neil
I wouldn't get too hung up on spec, now the cars are getting a little older I would concentrate on condition. Whether you buy private or dealer you can tell the cherished cars from the poorly kept. I had one with EDC which I used rarely after the first year. I had electric mirrors which I more often than not forgot to use. Heated seats that I used once in 26 months. Its people banging on about extras that's making modern cars more lardy to drive.
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