Looking to buy an M3
Discussion
I am looking at buying an M3 in the next 12 months and would just like an opinion on a few things from those in the know.
I can probably go up to £60K if needs be and if the new M3/M4 is under that price I might go with that. Otherwise I'll be looking at a good E9X not sure whether I prefer the saloon or coupe just now but would probably lean towards a nice saloon if the right one came up.
So a few things I'd like to ask,
Will the introduction of the new model M3 / M4 have much of a hit on the current E9X models?
I prefer manuals to auto's but have not driven a DCT car so wouldn't want to dismiss it out of hand. The main thing which worries me is are there any more reliability issues with a DCT over the manual option?
EDC. Now is it a deal breaker? I'll be using the car for quickish road driving and probably the odd track day, will I be missing out if I get a car which does not have EDC fitted?
FBMWSH - I'm guessing this is vital along with the running in service.
Anything else that I should be looking out for?
Cheers guys
I can probably go up to £60K if needs be and if the new M3/M4 is under that price I might go with that. Otherwise I'll be looking at a good E9X not sure whether I prefer the saloon or coupe just now but would probably lean towards a nice saloon if the right one came up.
So a few things I'd like to ask,
Will the introduction of the new model M3 / M4 have much of a hit on the current E9X models?
I prefer manuals to auto's but have not driven a DCT car so wouldn't want to dismiss it out of hand. The main thing which worries me is are there any more reliability issues with a DCT over the manual option?
EDC. Now is it a deal breaker? I'll be using the car for quickish road driving and probably the odd track day, will I be missing out if I get a car which does not have EDC fitted?
FBMWSH - I'm guessing this is vital along with the running in service.
Anything else that I should be looking out for?
Cheers guys
For your money I'd get the new M3 - you can spec it to your exact preferences.
If you plump for an E90, I would say EDC is a must (personal opinion) as there is a real difference between the settings. Give the DCT a go, a lot swear by them (I had a manual which was to my taste), but also test drive a manual.
Stick with AUC and you'll get nearly new for your money.
If you plump for an E90, I would say EDC is a must (personal opinion) as there is a real difference between the settings. Give the DCT a go, a lot swear by them (I had a manual which was to my taste), but also test drive a manual.
Stick with AUC and you'll get nearly new for your money.
Irish_Stu said:
I wouldn't dream of spending 60 grand on an e92 when the new one is just around the corner. For all we know the new shape one might wipe the floor with the e92...
I'm only thinking of spending that on a new shape one. Probably up to £40k for a e90 model. I guess it will depend what you get for 60 with the new model once it's specced up.DTC is excellent - really accomplished gearbox but best to drive manual and DCT to decide. EDC, in my opinion is not necessary at all, I didn't have it and tracked my e92 a few times - it is an incredibly well damped car out of the box but saying that, if I was buying 2nd hand I would go for EDC simply because you could - best to go for a competition pack equipped car but quite rare in e90 form...my old 2011 e92 with 14500 miles was at a main dealer for 33995 recently before selling (to give a price indication).
Bradders901 said:
DTC is excellent - really accomplished gearbox but best to drive manual and DCT to decide. EDC, in my opinion is not necessary at all, I didn't have it and tracked my e92 a few times - it is an incredibly well damped car out of the box but saying that, if I was buying 2nd hand I would go for EDC simply because you could - best to go for a competition pack equipped car but quite rare in e90 form...my old 2011 e92 with 14500 miles was at a main dealer for 33995 recently before selling (to give a price indication).
What does the competition pack include? Thanks everyone for your advice.
The competition package does look interesting. This will be a treat to myself when I can retire from my current job. I've seen a gorgeous one which is up for close to £50K at the moment, but like I say i'll be looking for one in about 12 months time. I'm trying to make sure i'm buying the right car and not buying on impulse as I have been guilty of before.
I must admit I'm leaning towards the manual version and if I want the competition package I'll need to get the coupe.
I suppose my final decision will be based upon how much the new model costs when specced up to my liking and also following some test drives.
I like these 3.I prefer the blue one but am not sure it's worth the extra dosh and they are all DCT (not sure if you can get the package with manual)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-cars/bmw/m3/used-...
http://forsale.evo.co.uk/car/52b976f5b600c1dc7ad14...
http://www.autoweb.co.uk/used-cars/bmw/m3/14829352
I must admit I'm leaning towards the manual version and if I want the competition package I'll need to get the coupe.
I suppose my final decision will be based upon how much the new model costs when specced up to my liking and also following some test drives.
I like these 3.I prefer the blue one but am not sure it's worth the extra dosh and they are all DCT (not sure if you can get the package with manual)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-cars/bmw/m3/used-...
http://forsale.evo.co.uk/car/52b976f5b600c1dc7ad14...
http://www.autoweb.co.uk/used-cars/bmw/m3/14829352
Yeah, if its the next 12 months I'd probably go a newish, good spec e90, I'm not sure if they did the competition pack in the saloon?
EDC doesn't really make much difference, but seems essential for resale.
I went manual, but DCT is one of the better gearboxes, comes down to personal choice.
I don't think new discounts will kick in for the new ones for 12 months, so you'll be paying full price and taking a big depreciation hit...
EDC doesn't really make much difference, but seems essential for resale.
I went manual, but DCT is one of the better gearboxes, comes down to personal choice.
I don't think new discounts will kick in for the new ones for 12 months, so you'll be paying full price and taking a big depreciation hit...
I've got a 13 plate manual competition pack car.
For your budget, I would seek out a competition pack car, you get different wheels, recalibrated edc dampers and a slightly lower ride hight. I drove one back to back with the normal setup and you can tell the difference, although it is subtle. It's just nice to know you've got the most developed setup and to my eye I prefer the look of the csl style wheels.
Some of the special editions weren't released with the comp pack so watch out for that, they are just trim levels, and I believe many specials only come with DCT, which may or may not be an issue for you.
Make sure you get one with the harman kardon or individual audio.
Apart from that they are relatively well specced, and the rest is preference. The sat nav is excellent. I find parking sensors front and rear very useful. Adaptive lights are meant to be very good, although I haven't got those.
Check if it has the 5yr service pack - it was a £1k option at the point of sale, and will save you a lot of cash.
I'm sure it will be a real buyers market once the new one comes out. The M4 will probably be a lot better in many respects, but the v8 does sound great and have a lot of character. You may be able to drive a very hard bargain on the e92 and get a great deal.
P.s. Saloon doesn't come with carbon roof, only the e92 coupe.
For your budget, I would seek out a competition pack car, you get different wheels, recalibrated edc dampers and a slightly lower ride hight. I drove one back to back with the normal setup and you can tell the difference, although it is subtle. It's just nice to know you've got the most developed setup and to my eye I prefer the look of the csl style wheels.
Some of the special editions weren't released with the comp pack so watch out for that, they are just trim levels, and I believe many specials only come with DCT, which may or may not be an issue for you.
Make sure you get one with the harman kardon or individual audio.
Apart from that they are relatively well specced, and the rest is preference. The sat nav is excellent. I find parking sensors front and rear very useful. Adaptive lights are meant to be very good, although I haven't got those.
Check if it has the 5yr service pack - it was a £1k option at the point of sale, and will save you a lot of cash.
I'm sure it will be a real buyers market once the new one comes out. The M4 will probably be a lot better in many respects, but the v8 does sound great and have a lot of character. You may be able to drive a very hard bargain on the e92 and get a great deal.
P.s. Saloon doesn't come with carbon roof, only the e92 coupe.
How does the E90 M3 compare to the C63 Merc or the B8 RS4...has anyone had experiences of either for some road and the occasional track day? I'm looking at all 3 as well.
I was told by a well respected M3 specialist to go for the Competion pack as the car was at it's ultimate development guise.
Another car I was impressed with was a B8 S4 with DSG box running stage 2 APR upgrade close to 500bhp with a sorted brake and suspension upgrade.....hugely capable.....the upgrades were well engineered and are a reasonably priced.
I am looking forward to seeing the new M3 and expect M5 to suffer making them more attractive as a second hand purchase.
I was told by a well respected M3 specialist to go for the Competion pack as the car was at it's ultimate development guise.
Another car I was impressed with was a B8 S4 with DSG box running stage 2 APR upgrade close to 500bhp with a sorted brake and suspension upgrade.....hugely capable.....the upgrades were well engineered and are a reasonably priced.
I am looking forward to seeing the new M3 and expect M5 to suffer making them more attractive as a second hand purchase.
C63 AMG is a hoot to drive but in terms of dynamics, the M3 has it seriously licked.
The engine is awesome, sounds mental, announces your arrival like nothing else and is really 'elastic', meaning you can really stretch it and weaving in and out of traffic it is really terrific especially from low revs. The M3 needs more revs to get going.
The RS4 B8 doesn't offer much more over the B7 RS4 in my opinion. A nicer interior but it does feel a bit 'S-Line' rather than RS-esque.
The engine is awesome, sounds mental, announces your arrival like nothing else and is really 'elastic', meaning you can really stretch it and weaving in and out of traffic it is really terrific especially from low revs. The M3 needs more revs to get going.
The RS4 B8 doesn't offer much more over the B7 RS4 in my opinion. A nicer interior but it does feel a bit 'S-Line' rather than RS-esque.
Rick448 said:
Will the introduction of the new model M3 / M4 have much of a hit on the current E9X models?
I'm not sure I've ever fully bought into the "new model crushes old residuals theory." I was offered £38,500 for mine (trade in) last week with 22k on it at 11 months old against the 45k it was bought for but list was 63k. (nice discount!)
I reckon that it will continue to lose another £500 per month so in June it will be worth 35k at 18mth old vs £60k+ for the new M4.
For me cars that are 25k away from each other operate in different markets, not the same customer so why would they price one against the other?
The older 07/08/09 ones certainly will not be affected IMHO when the new one comes out, they are around 20-25k now, so again a different market/customer.
On the other hand if you're buying a brand new last of the line e92 M3 from the showroom then yes I would expect a big discount, like the one I got.
For me the new model vs old model discount/depreciaton has already been baked in, as they have been giving the M3 away over the last 18mths.
But if they have to start giving the new one away that might spell trouble.
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff