Prospective new M3 owner!
Discussion
Hi all,
Always wanted an M car and finally in a position to get one! If everything goes to plan (touch wood!) I should be an owner of a E92 Frozen Grey M3! Found one with the spec I wanted and I love the wheels on this car compared to the normal E92 M3s. I know performance wise will not be comparable to my current car but it is indeed a very good choice to change to a more sensible car. I'm very excited like a kid waiting for Christmas just hope time passes faster and everything goes to plan until Saturday
A few questions for owners in the mean time:
1) What is a good local forum (UK based) for M owners? Is there one especially for the M3?
2) The car comes with 1 year Approved Used Warranty and also around 2 years left in the Service pack. I was told that the Approved Used warranty is as good as the manufacturers warranty which covers everything except for consumables. Is this accurate? Also, is this true that the Service pack basically covers the cost of all servicing?
3) The car is the face lifted version (I can tell from the rear lights) but I did notice the front "angel eyes" lights are still yellow-ish. Is there an easy most to replace the bulbs to give a whiter look?
4) How is the M3 in the snow? I'll be using it for commuting so hopefully it is fine if I drive sensibly? Do I need snow tyres?
5) One the "Tech Spec" list I noticed "Auto Start/Stop" and "Brake Energy Regeneration". Didn't even realise the M3 has those! Does it make a difference in economy?
6) Exhausts - I'm fine with it for now but in the future I might be interested in an upgrade to release more of that V8 noise. Is there any dealer-friendly methods of upgrading?
Sorry for all the questions lol still buzzing from the excitement!
Always wanted an M car and finally in a position to get one! If everything goes to plan (touch wood!) I should be an owner of a E92 Frozen Grey M3! Found one with the spec I wanted and I love the wheels on this car compared to the normal E92 M3s. I know performance wise will not be comparable to my current car but it is indeed a very good choice to change to a more sensible car. I'm very excited like a kid waiting for Christmas just hope time passes faster and everything goes to plan until Saturday
A few questions for owners in the mean time:
1) What is a good local forum (UK based) for M owners? Is there one especially for the M3?
2) The car comes with 1 year Approved Used Warranty and also around 2 years left in the Service pack. I was told that the Approved Used warranty is as good as the manufacturers warranty which covers everything except for consumables. Is this accurate? Also, is this true that the Service pack basically covers the cost of all servicing?
3) The car is the face lifted version (I can tell from the rear lights) but I did notice the front "angel eyes" lights are still yellow-ish. Is there an easy most to replace the bulbs to give a whiter look?
4) How is the M3 in the snow? I'll be using it for commuting so hopefully it is fine if I drive sensibly? Do I need snow tyres?
5) One the "Tech Spec" list I noticed "Auto Start/Stop" and "Brake Energy Regeneration". Didn't even realise the M3 has those! Does it make a difference in economy?
6) Exhausts - I'm fine with it for now but in the future I might be interested in an upgrade to release more of that V8 noise. Is there any dealer-friendly methods of upgrading?
Sorry for all the questions lol still buzzing from the excitement!
King Eric said:
I've just bought a frozen grey one! I hope you haven't Gazumped me lol
What is from Stratstones? :P Sorted!Frozen grey looks menacing especially in the sun but I've read that it needs special care and its a full body paint job to repair scratches...
Edited by crazy about cars on Sunday 15th December 18:04
1) M3Cutters and M3Post are good for information
2) The AUC warranty covers pretty much everything except consumables correct. I'm not sure if it would cover trim rattles etc may be someone else can add in.
The service pack covers the costs of the servicing and also free oil top ups if you need it.
3) The M3 never got the updated headlights with the LCI facelift so you'd need aftermarket bulbs to make them white.
4) The M3 was my first RWD car so I'm not sure how it compares to others but I picked up some barely used 18" BMW winter alloys & tyres for under a grand - in the cold, wet, ice and snow they are really good and lets you make progress and have more fun driving safely. They are definitely noticeably less grippy than regular 19" PSS/conti's/p-zeros at higher temperatures though.
If you intend to keep the car for more than a year or 2 and it's your daily driver, I think the winter tyres are a good investment
5) The auto start stop doesn't make much noticeable difference to economy that I've noticed but it can get quite annoying!
6) Yes there is an M-Performance M3 exhaust which is quite expensive but means you don't invalidate your exhaust related warranty.
Hope this was of help and enjoy! In the 1.5yrs I've had mine, the running costs for what it is have been pretty decent.
2) The AUC warranty covers pretty much everything except consumables correct. I'm not sure if it would cover trim rattles etc may be someone else can add in.
The service pack covers the costs of the servicing and also free oil top ups if you need it.
3) The M3 never got the updated headlights with the LCI facelift so you'd need aftermarket bulbs to make them white.
4) The M3 was my first RWD car so I'm not sure how it compares to others but I picked up some barely used 18" BMW winter alloys & tyres for under a grand - in the cold, wet, ice and snow they are really good and lets you make progress and have more fun driving safely. They are definitely noticeably less grippy than regular 19" PSS/conti's/p-zeros at higher temperatures though.
If you intend to keep the car for more than a year or 2 and it's your daily driver, I think the winter tyres are a good investment
5) The auto start stop doesn't make much noticeable difference to economy that I've noticed but it can get quite annoying!
6) Yes there is an M-Performance M3 exhaust which is quite expensive but means you don't invalidate your exhaust related warranty.
Hope this was of help and enjoy! In the 1.5yrs I've had mine, the running costs for what it is have been pretty decent.
crazy about cars said:
Not the best picture (promised a video in few days) but really excited. Did some man maths and motoring costs definitely reduced for 2014 and into first quarter of 2015 so not too bad!
Looks ace mate! Not my one *phew*Make sure you push for a second years AUC warranty as part of the deal (£500) worse case scenario you can pay it yourself. Worth every cent! Trust me...I did a power steering pump and a few things on my last M3. The 'actual' cost it would have been to me was a shocker!
King Eric said:
Looks ace mate! Not my one *phew*
Make sure you push for a second years AUC warranty as part of the deal (£500) worse case scenario you can pay it yourself. Worth every cent! Trust me...I did a power steering pump and a few things on my last M3. The 'actual' cost it would have been to me was a shocker!
Thanks for the heads up mate I might just ask for a 2nd year AUC warranty as £500 doesn't sound that bad. It's over a grand for my current car.Make sure you push for a second years AUC warranty as part of the deal (£500) worse case scenario you can pay it yourself. Worth every cent! Trust me...I did a power steering pump and a few things on my last M3. The 'actual' cost it would have been to me was a shocker!
Thanks msingh1! That's very helpful indeed 
I've read some reviews from motoring journalists and it seems that the M3 is a good choice for a daily for me The GTR is a good laugh and buckets of fun but to be honest most of the time I cannot tap it's full potential.
P/S: Do you have any more information on replacing the "angel eyes" bulbs? Is this something simple I can do myself? Googling isn't too fruitful at the moment.
I've read some reviews from motoring journalists and it seems that the M3 is a good choice for a daily for me The GTR is a good laugh and buckets of fun but to be honest most of the time I cannot tap it's full potential.P/S: Do you have any more information on replacing the "angel eyes" bulbs? Is this something simple I can do myself? Googling isn't too fruitful at the moment.
msingh1 said:
1) M3Cutters and M3Post are good for information
2) The AUC warranty covers pretty much everything except consumables correct. I'm not sure if it would cover trim rattles etc may be someone else can add in.
The service pack covers the costs of the servicing and also free oil top ups if you need it.
3) The M3 never got the updated headlights with the LCI facelift so you'd need aftermarket bulbs to make them white.
4) The M3 was my first RWD car so I'm not sure how it compares to others but I picked up some barely used 18" BMW winter alloys & tyres for under a grand - in the cold, wet, ice and snow they are really good and lets you make progress and have more fun driving safely. They are definitely noticeably less grippy than regular 19" PSS/conti's/p-zeros at higher temperatures though.
If you intend to keep the car for more than a year or 2 and it's your daily driver, I think the winter tyres are a good investment
5) The auto start stop doesn't make much noticeable difference to economy that I've noticed but it can get quite annoying!
6) Yes there is an M-Performance M3 exhaust which is quite expensive but means you don't invalidate your exhaust related warranty.
Hope this was of help and enjoy! In the 1.5yrs I've had mine, the running costs for what it is have been pretty decent.
2) The AUC warranty covers pretty much everything except consumables correct. I'm not sure if it would cover trim rattles etc may be someone else can add in.
The service pack covers the costs of the servicing and also free oil top ups if you need it.
3) The M3 never got the updated headlights with the LCI facelift so you'd need aftermarket bulbs to make them white.
4) The M3 was my first RWD car so I'm not sure how it compares to others but I picked up some barely used 18" BMW winter alloys & tyres for under a grand - in the cold, wet, ice and snow they are really good and lets you make progress and have more fun driving safely. They are definitely noticeably less grippy than regular 19" PSS/conti's/p-zeros at higher temperatures though.
If you intend to keep the car for more than a year or 2 and it's your daily driver, I think the winter tyres are a good investment
5) The auto start stop doesn't make much noticeable difference to economy that I've noticed but it can get quite annoying!
6) Yes there is an M-Performance M3 exhaust which is quite expensive but means you don't invalidate your exhaust related warranty.
Hope this was of help and enjoy! In the 1.5yrs I've had mine, the running costs for what it is have been pretty decent.
Ah nice one just what I was hoping. I guess the bulbs are W5W too? If so will swap them for SMD LEDs.
Seen this kit which looks promising : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-LED-MARKERS-E60-E61-...
Seen this kit which looks promising : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-LED-MARKERS-E60-E61-...
martin mrt said:
Angel eye bulbs are easy to swap over, undo the cover on top of the headlight and it's the bulb just beneath the cover, twist the bulb and pull it from the light unit.
Shouldn't take more than 15-20 minutes
Shouldn't take more than 15-20 minutes
Edited by crazy about cars on Sunday 15th December 22:17
NIIKME said:
You need to be careful with these kits because some invoke error codes...might be worth a scout of m3cutters for a recommendation. But can you let us all know what you go with and if they work because I will copy you
Found another kit which is more expensive (£45 ish) and is guaranteed to be CANBus error free. Apparently the angel eyes are lit by 2 conventional H8 bulbs on each side. Will see how it goes and report back
Bah, as expected I know there's going to be some bad news!
I was told by the Sales Manager last week that the car had been in for 2 weeks and all it needs is a prep check, tax, valet and it's ready to go. Not much news this week but got a call today telling me there's a part needing replacing and it's on "back order". Because it's a special M part it will take at least 10 days to get it in! Asked him what part it is and he doesn't even know! Doesn't inspire confidence as I was told on the phone before putting down the deposit that the car is mint and nothing needs doing on it.
Really disappointed with the customer service so far as he didn't even know the actual reg of the car (gave me the wrong one).
Above all this I've rejected an offer on another car for this one
Been a s
te week at work so really looking forward to this Saturday but all this definitely spoilt it for me. I've emailed him saying that I want my deposit back if I cannot collect the car by Saturday.
I was told by the Sales Manager last week that the car had been in for 2 weeks and all it needs is a prep check, tax, valet and it's ready to go. Not much news this week but got a call today telling me there's a part needing replacing and it's on "back order". Because it's a special M part it will take at least 10 days to get it in! Asked him what part it is and he doesn't even know! Doesn't inspire confidence as I was told on the phone before putting down the deposit that the car is mint and nothing needs doing on it.
Really disappointed with the customer service so far as he didn't even know the actual reg of the car (gave me the wrong one).
Above all this I've rejected an offer on another car for this one
Been a s
te week at work so really looking forward to this Saturday but all this definitely spoilt it for me. I've emailed him saying that I want my deposit back if I cannot collect the car by Saturday. Edited by crazy about cars on Wednesday 18th December 13:41
crazy about cars said:
Really disappointed with the customer service so far as he didn't even know the actual reg of the car (gave me the wrong one).
Please walk away. The only way these dealers will learn what customer service means is if we walk away from deals when we're mistreated.crazy about cars said:
Bah, as expected I know there's going to be some bad news!
Asked him what part it is and he doesn't even know! Doesn't inspire confidence as I was told on the phone before putting down the deposit that the car is mint and nothing needs doing on it.
My, hard learned, experience of BMW AUC is they do nothing other than a wash and any service due as prep. For them to actually put it in the workshop to fix something before they hand over would suggest to me it's something quite important and noticeable that's gone pop. I'd certainly want to know what it was before continuing with the deal.Asked him what part it is and he doesn't even know! Doesn't inspire confidence as I was told on the phone before putting down the deposit that the car is mint and nothing needs doing on it.
Mint and needs nothing is just standard AUC sales patter.
eztiger said:
Mint and needs nothing is just standard AUC sales patter.
Exactly.If you walk into BMW with a fully loaded up bank debit card you can not buy a car on the day. It always takes them several days to prepare a car. This must mean they don't actual check it over thoroughly until someone is ready to pay for it.
Well shame as his dealership won "Dealer of the year" award too...
After my email he seemed apologetic. I am not experienced in sales but in my field (IT consultancy) it would be career suicide to deliver a product to a client without even checking it over first with a fine tooth comb.
I've been told he will ask the Service Manager to explain more about the replacement part as I am having doubts over that at the moment.
After my email he seemed apologetic. I am not experienced in sales but in my field (IT consultancy) it would be career suicide to deliver a product to a client without even checking it over first with a fine tooth comb.
I've been told he will ask the Service Manager to explain more about the replacement part as I am having doubts over that at the moment.
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff