M3 Coupe

[almack]

Finally decided to get an M3.

I have my spec below, however, does anybody have experience of the options below and whether they are essential.

M3 Coupe - saloon second choice
Alipne White – Silverstone would be my second choice
Black Leather (do I need it extended?)
Piano Black trim
19 Inch Wheels
DCT
EDC
Adaptive Headlights
PDC Front & Rear
Front Seat Heating
High Gloss Shadowline
Sliding Adjustment armrest
Climate Comfort Windscreen
Extended Storage (493)
Sun Protection Glass
Bluetooth Telephone prep with Telematics
BMW ConnectedDrive – Assist
BMW ConnectedDrive – Online
Loudspeaker system - Logic 7 Professional

[krallicious]

almack said:

Finally decided to get an M3.

I have my spec below, however, does anybody have experience of the options below and whether they are essential.

M3 Coupe - saloon second choice
Alipne White – Silverstone would be my second choice
Black Leather (do I need it extended?) Up to you. It's just extra leather on the transmission tunnel and around the driver's area. I didn't think it was worth it for the price
Piano Black trim Each to their own with trim
19 Inch Wheels Essential as the chassis was developed using 19 inchers
DCT Personnal preference
EDC Essential
Adaptive Headlights Essential
PDC Front & Rear Rear is standard but I have specfied the fronts as well
Front Seat Heating Personnal but leather does get cold in winter
High Gloss Shadowline Didn't bother as it hardly makes any difference at all. Its just a little shinier
Sliding Adjustment armrest Essential
Climate Comfort Windscreen Not for me as it prevents a GPS signal from coming through
Extended Storage (493) Essential
Sun Protection Glass As above with CCW
Bluetooth Telephone prep with Telematics Essential but cannot have without Connected drive
BMW ConnectedDrive – Assist See above
BMW ConnectedDrive – Online See above
Loudspeaker system - Logic 7 Professional I plumped for this as 1.5k for the individual system is a little steep

Hope that helps a bit.

Pete

[krisdelta]

Essential for what? It depends what you are speccing the car for... if you are keeping it for 5 years, just spec what you want and enjoy it! If it's less, IMHO see below..

Essential for Resale value:

EDC, 19", Logic 7, a sensible colour combo & fBMWsh

Nice to have's:

Adaptive Headlights, Heated Seats, special glass, extended leather

If it was my money:

EDC, Heated Seats, Logic 7, storage pack, 19"



Happy shopping!

[MC99]

I bought my E92 M3 a little over a year old, late last year, it's on 18s but the spec is the same as you're aiming for but with a couple of additions. I would say that the spec you have is pretty good. The nav signal is fine with whatever glass you choose, unless you go for a 3rd GPS system (road angel etc) for scamera detection.

Sun protection can be good if you have young children or if you live in london it's a "nice to have" as it makes it less easy to see what's in the car at any time.

I would suggest the USB port is essential; unless it's standard now.

EDC is essential, as are the smaller interior pieces storage and armrest. Extended leather is expensive and you won't see a penny of it back; so unless you can't live without it I don't see it as money well spent.

If I'd have bought new I'd have specced white with 19s.

Buying used; well that's a different story.

The car is an incredible piece of engineering, you'll love it.

[dulcinea]

I'm not sure anything is essential, it is what you want. I doubt additional options will have a significant impact on value a few years down the line, certainly nothing like the cost of adding. Buy what you want. These cars are so rare on the used market at the moment that finding your perfect spec later will be all but impossible so I would guess nothing is essential for resale (perhaps 19" is the exception).

For my part the only thing I would not budge on was exterior colour and the strip across the dashboard (I don't like the silver). I ended up with a car with Logic 7 and having had would not buy another without. But that is only having had it. I don't know if you would miss it without having had it (if you see what I mean).

I tried EDC as I thought it would be essential for me but found its use overblown - hard too hard, comfort too soft. The standard suspension so far has been spot on for me but again each to their own. I suppose it would change if you intend to track.

Just don't hang around, buy it now. I adore mine, the noise out of the corners is just sublime. Ironically I drive slower than in other cars so that I can boot it on the apex to hear the noise for as long as possible before the speed gets too high, also feeling the back twitch gets the heart going!!!

[MC99]

"Essential" is subjective.

Having sold cars for a living for BMW before I can vouch for the fct that the right spec is the one the dealer can sell easiest or that the private buyer is looking for.

Wheels can be changed at reasonable cost, EDC etc cannot.

Spend what you feel comfortable with on the things you think you'll use...you'll not be disappointed!!!.

[almack]

almack said:

Finally decided to get an M3.

I have my spec below, however, does anybody have experience of the options below and whether they are essential.

M3 Coupe - saloon second choice
Alipne White – Silverstone would be my second choice
Black Leather (do I need it extended?)
Piano Black trim
19 Inch Wheels
DCT
EDC
Adaptive Headlights
PDC Front & Rear
Front Seat Heating
High Gloss Shadowline
Sliding Adjustment armrest
Climate Comfort Windscreen
Extended Storage (493)
Sun Protection Glass
Bluetooth Telephone prep with Telematics
BMW ConnectedDrive – Assist
BMW ConnectedDrive – Online
Loudspeaker system - Logic 7 Professional

Now trimmed it back to :-

M3 Coupe - saloon second choice
Alipne White – Silverstone would be my second choice
Black Leather standard
19 Inch Wheels
DCT
PDC Front & Rear
Front Seat Heating
Sliding Adjustment armrest
Extended Storage (493)
Bluetooth Telephone prep with Telematics
BMW ConnectedDrive – Assist
BMW ConnectedDrive – Online
Loudspeaker system - Standard

I've canned a few of the options saving on 'non-essentials', and as I wont be doing any track days I've canned the edc, but still would like the dct as it give me the best of both worlds........ mistake?

Edited by almack on Wednesday 6th May 19:21

[Overhaulin]

Change the colour to Sparkling Graphite and it's the same spec as mine. So excellent choice.

If you havent had a test drive with the DCT I would reccmend you do.
It's something I just cant decide on. Sure I like it but at times it seems a little less involving to drive.
Hard to explain really, it's more a feeling rather than a rational response.

[MC99]

I would recommend a longish drive in a car with EDC, depends on where you live and what the road (surface) in many of your local roads are like; for me EDC works; London roads; the softest setting is perfect; but still use the hardest setting with M button and MDM on... I would suggest driving a manual just to be sure you've spent the money wisely..

BTW Silverstone is a good second choice!

[waremark]

I'm surprised you are still leaving out the USB interface.

I find the sliding armrest useless, I normally have mine at the back.

[Rags]

My Saloon has the following options that I have found to be essential.

Sparkling Graphite / Red Leather

19's

EDC

Adaptive Lights

USB

PDC front and rear

and one non BMW option, Fully paintshielded front end!

Edited by Rags on Thursday 7th May 11:20

[krallicious]

Rags said:

My Saloon has the following options that I have found to be essential.

Sparkling Graphite / Red Leather

19's

EDC

Adaptive Lights

USB

PDC front and rear

and one non BMW option, Fully paintshielded front end!

Edited by Rags on Thursday 7th May 11:20

Mines virtually the same spec and I will be having paintshield fitted before it leaves the garage for the first time.

[gizlaroc]

Paintshield?? is that from the dealer??

I wouldn't let them do that, they will just wash it, scratch it and then seal in their handy work!!

Get a proper detailer to do it.

[MC99]

Get the USB - forgot to mention....

[-Z-]

krallicious said:

Rags said:

My Saloon has the following options that I have found to be essential.

Sparkling Graphite / Red Leather

19's

EDC

Adaptive Lights

USB

PDC front and rear

and one non BMW option, Fully paintshielded front end!

Edited by Rags on Thursday 7th May 11:20

Mines virtually the same spec and I will be having paintshield fitted before it leaves the garage for the first time.

Same here, in fact mines the twin of yours Rags! All essential except adaptive headlights, to me. I haven't got them and have never missed them, don't do much dark country road driving

[krallicious]

gizlaroc said:

Paintshield?? is that from the dealer??

I wouldn't let them do that, they will just wash it, scratch it and then seal in their handy work!!

Get a proper detailer to do it.

It's not from the dealer. The chap who does it is mobile but normally works out of the local Aston dealership so his work is top notch. My dad's AM and my brother's RS4 have both been done and are to a high quality.

[pjv997]

I am six days into ownership of M3 saloon. Enjoying the sound of the engine - even up to only 5,500 rpm - looking forward to finishing off the running in process.

I bought one of the 20 or so cars that BMW pre-registered in February and put into the dealer network about 4 weeks ago, with 100 miles on the clock and paid £39,950 compared to the list price of around £55,000.

I had no choice on spec and limited colour choices - but the saving meant it was worth a few slight compromises.

Been impressed by the standard stereo as I would usually spend money on an upgrade - might make me think more carefully next time I get a BMW.

The car has EDC and 19's, is manual, with an assortment of other items (USB, bluetooth, front and rear parking sensors etc.)

I would say bluetooth and USB are really worth paying for.

The only thing I am sure I will regret not having next winter will be heated seats.

May be worth seeing what is available in the approved used network before speccing new, unless you can get a serious discount off a new car.

[rsstman]

MC99 said:

I bought my E92 M3 a little over a year old, late last year,

i thought they were released in 2008? you found one over a year old in late 2008?

i must be wrong.

[krallicious]

2007 they were released

[rsstman]

i believe you, just didnt think they were that old yet. seems like they were only realeased a year ago.