Discussion
I just couldn't take it anymore....with all this talk of my M135i not being 'M' enough to warrant discussion in a sub-section of a sub-section of a motoring forum, something had to be done!
So, despite all my intentions not to be an early adopter of one of the new M's this time round, I've faced up to the fact I'm too weak to resist and have placed an order for an M3. I'm still not 100% sure I've done the right thing going for the saloon instead of the coupe (I personally prefer the looks of the coupe) but, on the few times we've had a car with rear doors (the M135i being one of them), the added practicality has always proved useful. Also, the M4 would've been extremely similar in looks to my M6 so it's good to have a bit of variety!
I always hanker after an M3 when I don't have one (of all the cars I've had, the M3's have been some of the most fun) and I really hope it's going to be the improvement over the e92 that the stats promise it should be.
Key spec is DCT 'box, reverse cam, heated steering wheel, sun pro glass, heated REAR seats (the missus convinced me that when she is transporting her friends and family, they really need these?), adaptive lights, Harman Kardon, head-up display and speed limit display.
I'm being a bit brave on the colour combo, although not as brave as choosing individual Opal White for the interior of the M6 (never again!!). I'm not a fan of greys or silvers, black is a bit of a no-no with a carbon roof (unashamedly, I like the contrast!) and the last few cars preceding this have been white so a change is needed. That leaves the yellow, which I'd probably choose if I was buying the coupe, but I don't think it'll suit the saloon as well (also, will the yellow look dated quicker??), Yas Marina blue which I'm not sure about or Sakhir Orange which I think looks great on the M5/6's I've seen.
So, I've gone for Sakhir with Silverstone and carbon interior, so (carbon excepted) it should look similar to the M5 in the picture below.
Now, to those who will inevitably take my first paragraph seriously, take a pill
But what I will say about the M-Lite is that it really is a fun 'road' car....much too soft for track work but out there in the real world of bumpy, broken roads, it works as well as anything I've had. And despite the crazy deals one can get on one, the trade-in price that I've been promised for June is entirely reasonable when viewed in the context of the heavily discounted price I paid for it (although I feel for anyone who didn't/doesn't get a decent discount on one!!).
So, despite all my intentions not to be an early adopter of one of the new M's this time round, I've faced up to the fact I'm too weak to resist and have placed an order for an M3. I'm still not 100% sure I've done the right thing going for the saloon instead of the coupe (I personally prefer the looks of the coupe) but, on the few times we've had a car with rear doors (the M135i being one of them), the added practicality has always proved useful. Also, the M4 would've been extremely similar in looks to my M6 so it's good to have a bit of variety!
I always hanker after an M3 when I don't have one (of all the cars I've had, the M3's have been some of the most fun) and I really hope it's going to be the improvement over the e92 that the stats promise it should be.
Key spec is DCT 'box, reverse cam, heated steering wheel, sun pro glass, heated REAR seats (the missus convinced me that when she is transporting her friends and family, they really need these?), adaptive lights, Harman Kardon, head-up display and speed limit display.
I'm being a bit brave on the colour combo, although not as brave as choosing individual Opal White for the interior of the M6 (never again!!). I'm not a fan of greys or silvers, black is a bit of a no-no with a carbon roof (unashamedly, I like the contrast!) and the last few cars preceding this have been white so a change is needed. That leaves the yellow, which I'd probably choose if I was buying the coupe, but I don't think it'll suit the saloon as well (also, will the yellow look dated quicker??), Yas Marina blue which I'm not sure about or Sakhir Orange which I think looks great on the M5/6's I've seen.
So, I've gone for Sakhir with Silverstone and carbon interior, so (carbon excepted) it should look similar to the M5 in the picture below.
Now, to those who will inevitably take my first paragraph seriously, take a pill
But what I will say about the M-Lite is that it really is a fun 'road' car....much too soft for track work but out there in the real world of bumpy, broken roads, it works as well as anything I've had. And despite the crazy deals one can get on one, the trade-in price that I've been promised for June is entirely reasonable when viewed in the context of the heavily discounted price I paid for it (although I feel for anyone who didn't/doesn't get a decent discount on one!!). Edited by Palmball on Thursday 16th January 23:51
Nice! Did you go for the full Merino leather interior? I think it really improves the quality of the cabin and is a much more reasonable option on the M3/4 at £2915 than on the M6 at £6500! If I settle on the M4 I'd definitely tick that box. I'd also go for the silvestone interior, I like a colour contrast inside whilst keeping all the footwell and kick areas in a more practical black
Did you get a deal on the M3? Or was it compensated by the trade on the M135i
Did you get a deal on the M3? Or was it compensated by the trade on the M135i
Great news and I also think M3 for me when the times comes. Looks much better resolved than E90 M3.
Other than HK I wouldn't choose any of those options, which isn't to say that they are wrong, just that different things work for different people, which should be celebrated. I look forward to seeing the photos when it arrives.
Other than HK I wouldn't choose any of those options, which isn't to say that they are wrong, just that different things work for different people, which should be celebrated. I look forward to seeing the photos when it arrives.
Great choice on the colour combo! Not sure about some of those options though... heated rear seats could result in sweaty bottoms all over your leather 
wnd said:
Nice! Did you go for the full Merino leather interior? I think it really improves the quality of the cabin and is a much more reasonable option on the M3/4 at £2915 than on the M6 at £6500! If I settle on the M4 I'd definitely tick that box.
Don't think the full leather is worth £3k let alone £6k. You hardly notice the difference anyway - how many times would you feel the leather on the dashboard or on the doors? Of course when it comes to buying used it's a great option to have as that inital £3k/6k would have pretty much all depreciated Full leather is an aesthetic thing more than tactile.
I agree it's not the most cost effective option, but I get the impression it won't be an issue to this particular buyer... he specced the same for his M6.
Love Sakhir, not so sure on its contrast with Silverstone.
IME, an M5 with full leather is a world apart to one without.
Don't judge by pictures on the web. Sit in one.
Still expensive though.
I agree it's not the most cost effective option, but I get the impression it won't be an issue to this particular buyer... he specced the same for his M6.
Love Sakhir, not so sure on its contrast with Silverstone.
IME, an M5 with full leather is a world apart to one without.
Don't judge by pictures on the web. Sit in one.
Still expensive though.
Thanks chaps, glad most of you like it. And not a single mention of it being a proper M car 
You know what, I promised myself I wasn't going to get an M3 until deals were available and, as far as I've made out, there are no deals beyond a good, if not outrageous trade-in on the M-Lite (which will end up costing me a modest deposit and the monthly payments which I can't complain at for a car that will only be 7 months old when it goes). But what can I say, I'm weak and, as the missus is paying for a good chunk of this (which is officially 'her') car, I'm just a good salesman
I haven't even visited a dealer as I've also been in hospital over the last weekend - I think it's fair to say that I shouldn't be given internet access when I'm that bored!
On a serious note, if anyone is interested in a very well spec'd white with red M-Lite at (strong) trade-in money then PM me.
Deal was of course finance and at the same rate as the M-Lite so not brilliant, but not bad either. Any finance seems expensive after the 0% on the M6! The car is apparently in the first batch so arrives mid-late June.
As for the options....like I said, it's 'officially' for the missus so do you think I'd have chosen heated REAR seats and reverse camera (the former apparently necessary for transporting her friends and family around
)?? The heated wheel is an indulgence of mine (I know, I know - until I had one myself as standard on the Jag's, I'd have thought it was a crazy option for the nearly-dead but, now I've tried it, it's actually a really nice....and cheap....option).
The spec is a bit of compromise for me as I'd normally have chosen things like the full leather, LED's and ceramics but none of those had any affect whatsoever on the residuals, meaning they had to be paid for in full with no return. On the M6 that didn't matter so much as the discount was so outrageous (well, it seems so back in July, it's not special now!) - it's a different matter when everything is at full price and you're faced with taking the full hit. I'd have loved ceramics as they absolutely superb on the M6 in more ways than one, but a bit excessive for the road. The irony is the M3 is more likely to see trackdays than my M6 so would probably have some 'real' benefit, but they're just to pricey at their full cost.
I can't believe that the main subject on a new M3 thread is the extended leather But it is an interesting one because the BMW spec says 'extended' leather is standard. On every other BMW with this (either as standard or an option) it's always meant the lower half of the dash (glovebox area etc.) is leather covered. On the new M3, the pictures on the BMW configurator suggests this only happens when full leather is spec'd, which questions what exactly is 'extended' about the standard spec? Maybe the pics are wrong but I'll check with the dealer when I get the chance.
If the lower half is covered in leather then the £2.9k is very expensive for just the dash and door tops, especially when they're quite small areas. I don't think it changes the headlining in the M3 either. So, there appear to be some key differences between the M3 and the M6 full leather options; the M6's did improve the residuals, it covered every single part of the interior (the lower door sections etc.) and it included full alcantara headlining - I don't think any of this applies to the M3. I'm not sure why theres a difference in future residuals between the options on the M3 and M6 but I assume that with the M6's price point/positioning and its (huge) dash style, it just has more worth to future punters.
On some specific points...
Might whack a thread about it in the CSL section
I probably shouldn't have bought the M135i but I really had no intention of getting one of the first M3/4's - as it happens, it's got a good residual performance (without going spec mad) and I've got off lightly with the M-Lite so....I gave in. The M3 may or may not hang around for too long depending on what demand/residuals are like.
The e39 m5 feels very dated inside next to the newer cars - things like the seats, driving position, feel of the structure around you and, obviously, the technology all feel their age. Which is to be expected. It's also probably not quite as quick as either of the others but it sounded good and, on a bumpy back road, it was (embarrassingly so for the newer cars) awesome. Because of the first points and because the likelihood of getting a comparably good one these days is slim, it would be my last choice. But of course it's around half the price compared to the cheapest of the others so in that respect, it stands up well.
Of the other two, the C63 is the better everyday car - feels more immediately special without needing any effort. It's easier to drive quickly, it's more refined, arguably has better seats and build quality and it has a unique muscle-car feel that the M3 just doesn't.
The M3 feels more technical, more advanced, it feel more structurally 'stiff' and it obviously handles (and rides) a lot better...but it does need more care and skill to really get the benefit of this (and I'm not sure I had this!). It's definitely the more fun when you're 'on it', wheres the C63 is more instantly endearing.
I haven't mentioned sound because whilst I'd naturally say the C63 sounds better (it does at the exhaust), the M3's induction sound has an equal appeal. So, I'll stay on the fence and put that down to personal preference as much I would aesthetics.
If I personally had to choose just one again as my final car ever (perish the thought!)......tough, but I think the M3 would just get the vote. And then I'd always wonder if I'd be better off in the Merc!
You know what, I promised myself I wasn't going to get an M3 until deals were available and, as far as I've made out, there are no deals beyond a good, if not outrageous trade-in on the M-Lite (which will end up costing me a modest deposit and the monthly payments which I can't complain at for a car that will only be 7 months old when it goes). But what can I say, I'm weak and, as the missus is paying for a good chunk of this (which is officially 'her') car, I'm just a good salesman
I haven't even visited a dealer as I've also been in hospital over the last weekend - I think it's fair to say that I shouldn't be given internet access when I'm that bored!On a serious note, if anyone is interested in a very well spec'd white with red M-Lite at (strong) trade-in money then PM me.
Deal was of course finance and at the same rate as the M-Lite so not brilliant, but not bad either. Any finance seems expensive after the 0% on the M6! The car is apparently in the first batch so arrives mid-late June.
As for the options....like I said, it's 'officially' for the missus so do you think I'd have chosen heated REAR seats and reverse camera (the former apparently necessary for transporting her friends and family around
)?? The heated wheel is an indulgence of mine (I know, I know - until I had one myself as standard on the Jag's, I'd have thought it was a crazy option for the nearly-dead but, now I've tried it, it's actually a really nice....and cheap....option). The spec is a bit of compromise for me as I'd normally have chosen things like the full leather, LED's and ceramics but none of those had any affect whatsoever on the residuals, meaning they had to be paid for in full with no return. On the M6 that didn't matter so much as the discount was so outrageous (well, it seems so back in July, it's not special now!) - it's a different matter when everything is at full price and you're faced with taking the full hit. I'd have loved ceramics as they absolutely superb on the M6 in more ways than one, but a bit excessive for the road. The irony is the M3 is more likely to see trackdays than my M6 so would probably have some 'real' benefit, but they're just to pricey at their full cost.
I can't believe that the main subject on a new M3 thread is the extended leather
But it is an interesting one because the BMW spec says 'extended' leather is standard. On every other BMW with this (either as standard or an option) it's always meant the lower half of the dash (glovebox area etc.) is leather covered. On the new M3, the pictures on the BMW configurator suggests this only happens when full leather is spec'd, which questions what exactly is 'extended' about the standard spec? Maybe the pics are wrong but I'll check with the dealer when I get the chance. If the lower half is covered in leather then the £2.9k is very expensive for just the dash and door tops, especially when they're quite small areas. I don't think it changes the headlining in the M3 either. So, there appear to be some key differences between the M3 and the M6 full leather options; the M6's did improve the residuals, it covered every single part of the interior (the lower door sections etc.) and it included full alcantara headlining - I don't think any of this applies to the M3. I'm not sure why theres a difference in future residuals between the options on the M3 and M6 but I assume that with the M6's price point/positioning and its (huge) dash style, it just has more worth to future punters.
On some specific points...
NIIKME said:
That's a brave colour choice but I think it will look great in the summer with the sun bouncing off of it.
Thats what I think...such as shame then that we live in the wrong country for that. It'll probably look as dull as dishwater in our climate!amirzed said:
Palmball you're mental. Look forward to your car coming and the write up - on a sidenote did you do a write up for the M135?
Ha...no haven't got round to it yet on the M-Lite. As has been highlighted in the last week, my fellow M PHers aren't interested in anything M135i related ha ha Might whack a thread about it in the CSL section Vladimir said:
Very nice!
I was wondering why you hadn't ordered a new car for at least two months…
You cheeky sod! In all honesty, I've bought a new M6 and that ain't going anywhere for a while....I would love a new F-Type R at some point but it doesn't add up financially. It's as expensive as the M6, it's got almost as poor residuals and yet theres no up-front discount to take care of such things. The M6 was a more expensive car than I'd typically go for, reduced to my price point so I'm going to enjoy it I was wondering why you hadn't ordered a new car for at least two months…
I probably shouldn't have bought the M135i but I really had no intention of getting one of the first M3/4's - as it happens, it's got a good residual performance (without going spec mad) and I've got off lightly with the M-Lite so....I gave in. The M3 may or may not hang around for too long depending on what demand/residuals are like.
SuperVM said:
You've had quite a few decent cars. I'm considering swapping my E39 M5 for a C63 AMG or E90 M3 in the summer, how do you feel all three compare?
A very hard question to answer....my feeling on all of them, particularly C63 vs M3 is often dependant on my mood! All are brilliant in their own way but what I will say is this....The e39 m5 feels very dated inside next to the newer cars - things like the seats, driving position, feel of the structure around you and, obviously, the technology all feel their age. Which is to be expected. It's also probably not quite as quick as either of the others but it sounded good and, on a bumpy back road, it was (embarrassingly so for the newer cars) awesome. Because of the first points and because the likelihood of getting a comparably good one these days is slim, it would be my last choice. But of course it's around half the price compared to the cheapest of the others so in that respect, it stands up well.
Of the other two, the C63 is the better everyday car - feels more immediately special without needing any effort. It's easier to drive quickly, it's more refined, arguably has better seats and build quality and it has a unique muscle-car feel that the M3 just doesn't.
The M3 feels more technical, more advanced, it feel more structurally 'stiff' and it obviously handles (and rides) a lot better...but it does need more care and skill to really get the benefit of this (and I'm not sure I had this!). It's definitely the more fun when you're 'on it', wheres the C63 is more instantly endearing.
I haven't mentioned sound because whilst I'd naturally say the C63 sounds better (it does at the exhaust), the M3's induction sound has an equal appeal. So, I'll stay on the fence and put that down to personal preference as much I would aesthetics.
If I personally had to choose just one again as my final car ever (perish the thought!)......tough, but I think the M3 would just get the vote. And then I'd always wonder if I'd be better off in the Merc!
Edited by Palmball on Friday 17th January 12:35
Thanks for that Palmball, all good stuff. My wife can only drive autos and she would like a new car in the summer, so I figured I may as well get something we both enjoy, sell the M5 and put something fairly ridiculous in the garage as a toy. I thought the C63 would probably be easier for her to live with, but she has convinced herself she would like a BMW now that one of her friends has one. So long as we end up with an E90 M3 or a C63 AMG, I don't think I'll be particularly upset. I believe the DCT box in the M3 is meant to be incredible, whereas the older auto box in the pre-facelift C63 isn't meant to be particularly wonderful. I will probably just submit to whichever my wife prefers, as I'll feel pretty fortunate to have either as the primary family transport.
I believe the DCT box in the M3 is meant to be incredible, whereas the older auto box in the pre-facelift C63 isn't meant to be particularly wonderful. I will probably just submit to whichever my wife prefers, as I'll feel pretty fortunate to have either as the primary family transport.SuperVM said:
Thanks for that Palmball, all good stuff. My wife can only drive autos and she would like a new car in the summer, so I figured I may as well get something we both enjoy, sell the M5 and put something fairly ridiculous in the garage as a toy. I thought the C63 would probably be easier for her to live with, but she has convinced herself she would like a BMW now that one of her friends has one. So long as we end up with an E90 M3 or a C63 AMG, I don't think I'll be particularly upset. I believe the DCT box in the M3 is meant to be incredible, whereas the older auto box in the pre-facelift C63 isn't meant to be particularly wonderful. I will probably just submit to whichever my wife prefers, as I'll feel pretty fortunate to have either as the primary family transport.
Sorry yes, I don't know how I forgot that. The tranny in the Merc's is their real weak link wheres as BMW's DCT is, IMO, about as good as it gets in an everyday car. My first e92 M3 was manual, my second one was DCT and I loved it - one of the best aspects of the car! I believe the DCT box in the M3 is meant to be incredible, whereas the older auto box in the pre-facelift C63 isn't meant to be particularly wonderful. I will probably just submit to whichever my wife prefers, as I'll feel pretty fortunate to have either as the primary family transport.Palmball said:
Sorry yes, I don't know how I forgot that. The tranny in the Merc's is their real weak link wheres as BMW's DCT is, IMO, about as good as it gets in an everyday car. My first e92 M3 was manual, my second one was DCT and I loved it - one of the best aspects of the car!
Same here Palmball said:
Sorry yes, I don't know how I forgot that. The tranny in the Merc's is their real weak link wheres as BMW's DCT is, IMO, about as good as it gets in an everyday car. My first e92 M3 was manual, my second one was DCT and I loved it - one of the best aspects of the car!
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