E9x M3, Car Seats and General Questions
Discussion
Hi,
Currently have a Cayman, but am getting a bit fed up not having a fun family car for weekend trips with the kids etc. So, I was thinking of an M3
However, I have a few questions that perhaps you can help me with:
1 - Can two kiddie car seats easily fit in the back of a coupe version? How hard would they be to get in etc?
2 - Would a saloon door be better (what's the general view on the saloon vs. coupe)?
3 - Anything scary that can go wrong (bearing in mind I am coming from a Cayman S with the known engine failure issues)?
4 - Is a fix available for the OBD theft issue?
5 - What does the engine/exhaust sound like from inside the car? Do they benefit from an aftermarket exhaust?
Thanks...
Currently have a Cayman, but am getting a bit fed up not having a fun family car for weekend trips with the kids etc. So, I was thinking of an M3
However, I have a few questions that perhaps you can help me with:1 - Can two kiddie car seats easily fit in the back of a coupe version? How hard would they be to get in etc?
2 - Would a saloon door be better (what's the general view on the saloon vs. coupe)?
3 - Anything scary that can go wrong (bearing in mind I am coming from a Cayman S with the known engine failure issues)?
4 - Is a fix available for the OBD theft issue?
5 - What does the engine/exhaust sound like from inside the car? Do they benefit from an aftermarket exhaust?
Thanks...
paulmoonraker said:
Hi,
Currently have a Cayman, but am getting a bit fed up not having a fun family car for weekend trips with the kids etc. So, I was thinking of an M3 However, I have a few questions that perhaps you can help me with:
1 - Can two kiddie car seats easily fit in the back of a coupe version? How hard would they be to get in etc?
2 - Would a saloon door be better (what's the general view on the saloon vs. coupe)?
3 - Anything scary that can go wrong (bearing in mind I am coming from a Cayman S with the known engine failure issues)?
4 - Is a fix available for the OBD theft issue?
5 - What does the engine/exhaust sound like from inside the car? Do they benefit from an aftermarket exhaust?
Thanks...
well, i just bought an M3 coupe and have 2 kids. Went for the M3 after discounting the 911 , /9although a few brave souls advised me that could be done)Currently have a Cayman, but am getting a bit fed up not having a fun family car for weekend trips with the kids etc. So, I was thinking of an M3
However, I have a few questions that perhaps you can help me with:1 - Can two kiddie car seats easily fit in the back of a coupe version? How hard would they be to get in etc?
2 - Would a saloon door be better (what's the general view on the saloon vs. coupe)?
3 - Anything scary that can go wrong (bearing in mind I am coming from a Cayman S with the known engine failure issues)?
4 - Is a fix available for the OBD theft issue?
5 - What does the engine/exhaust sound like from inside the car? Do they benefit from an aftermarket exhaust?
Thanks...
anyways, to the M3 coupe, its absolutely fine in terms of space, just have to be happy with limited access getting em in and out, but if you leave your seats in the car its easy. you have isofix in the m3 E92.
E92 M3 is quite docile when cruising and really livens up when you want, so perfect as a family GT or quick blast by yourself. engnie sounds great - not super loud, but that can be fixed aftermarket if you so wish
as to the saloon, its our second car, so after seeing how much more practical the M3 coupe is than a 911 I didn't feel the need to look at a saloon.
I looked at an M3 Coupe last week to asses this very dilemma,
I fount that the seat requiring to be moved forward electrically was a bit of a pain and would infuriate me on a wet day, waiting for it to slide forward, to allow me to get into the back to secure my son in his seat.
After that I did drive it to confirm what a manual car was like, quite docile really, it felt very easy to drive around town, controls etc were all nicely weighted
We left to consider our options and decided an E90 DCT with EDC is what we want
Far more practical, and it looks better IMO
I fount that the seat requiring to be moved forward electrically was a bit of a pain and would infuriate me on a wet day, waiting for it to slide forward, to allow me to get into the back to secure my son in his seat.
After that I did drive it to confirm what a manual car was like, quite docile really, it felt very easy to drive around town, controls etc were all nicely weighted
We left to consider our options and decided an E90 DCT with EDC is what we want
Far more practical, and it looks better IMO
paulmoonraker said:
3 - Anything scary that can go wrong (bearing in mind I am coming from a Cayman S with the known engine failure issues)?
4 - Is a fix available for the OBD theft issue?
5 - What does the engine/exhaust sound like from inside the car? Do they benefit from an aftermarket exhaust?
3. The S65 V8 is an incredibly reliable engine. There are no particular engine issues that you need to worry about. 4 - Is a fix available for the OBD theft issue?
5 - What does the engine/exhaust sound like from inside the car? Do they benefit from an aftermarket exhaust?
4. There is a free fix available from any BMW dealership or Independent with Autologic. I certainly sleep better at night knowing mine has been done.
5. Google "E92 M3 OEM exhaust mod". A hugely popular modification.
I'd say have a look at the E90 for family duties - far more practical. I had a manual saloon for 3 years and sold about 10 months ago - my youngest is now 14 so can't comment on the child seat issues but they are certainly a great all round car. The main reason for selling was that I convinced myself with some man maths that an M5 was needed.
Whilst I had my M3 I was able to compare the car with a friend's E92 DCT back to back. Very little to choose between them, the gearbox probably having the most influence on the different feel of the two cars. I personally prefer the manual and miss it in my day to day driving as my new car has the DCT (which is brilliant but IMO a bit less rewarding).
As a comparison to your Cayman, I also have a 997s cab which I have now had for nearly 8 years. During ownership of the M3, I tended to use the 997 a lot less because the M3 was so great to drive in all circumstances. The M3 is a bit quicker in a straight line and almost as much fun on the twisties. Appreciate that your Cayman will be a bit sharper than my 997.
The other thing I would say is that I was a bit underwhelmed by the M3 at first. It took 3-4 months to really learn the car and looking back I'd have to say that if I didn't have a grown family I would buy another in a heart beat.
Whilst I had my M3 I was able to compare the car with a friend's E92 DCT back to back. Very little to choose between them, the gearbox probably having the most influence on the different feel of the two cars. I personally prefer the manual and miss it in my day to day driving as my new car has the DCT (which is brilliant but IMO a bit less rewarding).
As a comparison to your Cayman, I also have a 997s cab which I have now had for nearly 8 years. During ownership of the M3, I tended to use the 997 a lot less because the M3 was so great to drive in all circumstances. The M3 is a bit quicker in a straight line and almost as much fun on the twisties. Appreciate that your Cayman will be a bit sharper than my 997.
The other thing I would say is that I was a bit underwhelmed by the M3 at first. It took 3-4 months to really learn the car and looking back I'd have to say that if I didn't have a grown family I would buy another in a heart beat.
Do it!
I had a dct coupe from new, and one toddler at the time. Cue back breaking un/loading duties. With second bun in the oven I got it sold and swapped for a diesel saloon that I think I washed once in 12 months! Good car, very boring. I've since had a manual saloon for nearly a year now. If you like driving I strongly advise you try both gearboxes because the novelty of DCT playstation type driving wears off IMO.
And a saloon looks better...
I had a dct coupe from new, and one toddler at the time. Cue back breaking un/loading duties. With second bun in the oven I got it sold and swapped for a diesel saloon that I think I washed once in 12 months! Good car, very boring. I've since had a manual saloon for nearly a year now. If you like driving I strongly advise you try both gearboxes because the novelty of DCT playstation type driving wears off IMO.
And a saloon looks better...
paulmoonraker said:
Thanks for the replies. Saloons are harder to come by 
My girls (twins) are 3, so can get themselves in and out, hence I am not so worried...
easy then! will be in child seats only another year or so then onto he boasters which are very compact. as long as you don't have a third.....My girls (twins) are 3, so can get themselves in and out, hence I am not so worried...
paulmoonraker said:
Hi,
Currently have a Cayman, but am getting a bit fed up not having a fun family car for weekend trips with the kids etc. So, I was thinking of an M3 However, I have a few questions that perhaps you can help me with:
1 - Can two kiddie car seats easily fit in the back of a coupe version? How hard would they be to get in etc?
2 - Would a saloon door be better (what's the general view on the saloon vs. coupe)?
3 - Anything scary that can go wrong (bearing in mind I am coming from a Cayman S with the known engine failure issues)?
4 - Is a fix available for the OBD theft issue?
5 - What does the engine/exhaust sound like from inside the car? Do they benefit from an aftermarket exhaust?
Thanks...
1 - If your kids can go into their seat by themselves that will help a lot. If they can buckle their own seat belts that will help even more. I have a 8 year old son and don't have any problem, but we use the family X5 for long trips.Currently have a Cayman, but am getting a bit fed up not having a fun family car for weekend trips with the kids etc. So, I was thinking of an M3
However, I have a few questions that perhaps you can help me with:1 - Can two kiddie car seats easily fit in the back of a coupe version? How hard would they be to get in etc?
2 - Would a saloon door be better (what's the general view on the saloon vs. coupe)?
3 - Anything scary that can go wrong (bearing in mind I am coming from a Cayman S with the known engine failure issues)?
4 - Is a fix available for the OBD theft issue?
5 - What does the engine/exhaust sound like from inside the car? Do they benefit from an aftermarket exhaust?
Thanks...
2 - The sedan is more convenient I guess but doesn't look as good as the coupe in my opinion. You can still get a coupe new, you'd have to go used for the sedan.
3 - No known issues with that engine, a work of art.
5 - You can hear very nice engine noises from within the car. At low RPM the noise is relatively tame, above 4k the engine really wakes up and it just gets better from there all the way to 8.4k RPM. It definitely gets louder but it's a very nice balance between induction and exhaust noise, not obnoxious or uncomfortable for the passengers. There are lots of choices for upgrading the exhaust; since you are planning to drive with your family I would recommend M perf exhaust which has zero drone and is not too loud, but louder than stock. Some other exhausts can be much much louder, and probably illegal for the street in some countries. But you might be happy with the stock exhaust, it actually sounds very good.
... Also, the toys and stuff in the 'cockpit'... Roll on the next traffic jam!Just moved the OBD2 port, and have an OEM part on order which I will fit as a dummy (£6.12 - LOL). Piece of mind...
One thing, I cant get the iPod connection working properly. It shows up as my iPod, but I can only seem to get 'Directory' working, if I try and select 'Playlists', 'Songs' etc it wont play or browse them. Any ideas?!
One thing, I cant get the iPod connection working properly. It shows up as my iPod, but I can only seem to get 'Directory' working, if I try and select 'Playlists', 'Songs' etc it wont play or browse them. Any ideas?!
paulmoonraker said:
Just moved the OBD2 port, and have an OEM part on order which I will fit as a dummy (£6.12 - LOL). Piece of mind...
One thing, I cant get the iPod connection working properly. It shows up as my iPod, but I can only seem to get 'Directory' working, if I try and select 'Playlists', 'Songs' etc it wont play or browse them. Any ideas?!
Same kind of conversation going on within m3cutters forum. My M3 has had all updates and now iPods won't work at all!!!One thing, I cant get the iPod connection working properly. It shows up as my iPod, but I can only seem to get 'Directory' working, if I try and select 'Playlists', 'Songs' etc it wont play or browse them. Any ideas?!
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