Calling All M3 Owners

Dave J · Feb 8, 2004

Need your opinions and real word experiences with your M3's. I've been seriously considering one for sometime and would like to know from your experiences, the daily drivability of your rides. With such a high-strung mechanical masterpiece, what's it like living with an M3 and using it as a daily driver? I'd be purchasing a 2004 with the 6-speed gearbox (no SMG thank you) and just a few options. My current 1998 E36 328is is closing in on 95,000 trouble-free miles. Can I expect the same reliability from the M3?

I love the ride quality of the M3, and do not find it harsh at all (as others have often times referred to it). Not sure either if I will keep my E36, and split my time between the two or part with it. I have a feeling though, once an M3 made it into my garage, the E36 may start feeling neglected.

Any and all experiences and opinions would be welcome and appreciated.

vlad · Feb 8, 2004

I use mine as a daily driver, and love it! The only thing is that the M3 handles so well, and has such acceleration, it's rather difficult to keep your foot off of the gas. My only real complaint is the factory brake pads, two or three trips to work and back, and the front wheels are filthy! BTW, work is only 12 miles away.

Oh, one other drawback, everyone wants to race you. I am trying to keep the insurance down, so I won't try that stuff on the street, but it sure is funny to take off quickly, then hit the speed limit and stay there. A G35 had a really funny look on his face when he tried to race me the other day, and a cop pulled him over. He was doing about 65 in a 45.

flashinthepan · Feb 8, 2004

Dave,

I just traded my rather new and beloved 330Cic for an M3, I absolutely love the 330's, I just really could not believe the M3 during a test drive. Have you taken a demo out with a manual 6-speed ? its exilerating.

jrt67ss350 · Feb 8, 2004

flashinthepan said:

You traded your 330 cabrio for an M3? Congrats! Is it a cabrio? When are you getting it?

Dave J · Feb 8, 2004

flash,

My dealer said they'd call me when (and if) they get a 6-speed in. All they have it seems is SMG. I've driven one of these and loved everything about it EXCEPT the SMG. I've been manually shifting my own gears since I learned to drive 16 years ago. Every car I've ever owned has been a manual transmission. It doesn't bother me that with all the SO. CA traffic I drive in, that I have to do all that clutch work. My wife drives an SUV with auto tranny. She can also drive a manual and at times enjoys taking my car to work. That just got me thinking...I wonder if she's going to want to take the M3 to work??

I only want to option the car with the following: Xenon, HK & disk changer, moonroof, and in Silver Gray. I wish they offered all cloth seats on the M3. I'm tired of taking care of the seats in my E36 and keeping them free of spider veins. Oh well, I'll have to accept the 1/2 cloth, 1/2 leather seats.

What options did you order yours with? When will you take delivery? How did your price negotiations go with your dealer?

flashinthepan · Feb 8, 2004

Justin,
Thanks man ! the 3 mo wait will kill me...lol, I actually went with the coupe and the premium pkg/sunroof etc.. I may as well get the 4.8 sec's vs. the 5.3. 0-60. The M3 Cabrio, so much $$$. Hey how bout them Panthers ?, great year, congrats ! cept they beat my team...lol (Rams)..oh well.

Dave
I did order the 6-sp manual and ditto your thoughts on the SMG, it just aint "me" even though they are selling like hotcakes from what I hear. Something I like about knowing a clutch replacement is so traditionally simple vs. the unknown etc..finding an M3 manual is going to be a rare thing, I couldnt find one, my dealer has 2 red smg's though.

Its so crazy fun having a Bimmer - its a joy driving to work. I am gonna miss the 330, but I love all the current 3's, and didnt want to wait till 2006 ? I bet the new M3 will be 400+ HP etc..

So crazy....I ordered the Silver/grey too....lol, I'll post pics if you dont have yours 1st. I went with the black full leather interior, moonroof, heated seats, (its colder up north)..thats about it ! I am hoping for the Phatbox set-up eventually.

Delivery End of May

Tom · Feb 9, 2004

For the first 5 months of owning my M3 I used it as a daily driver. My commute was about 70 miles a day round trip. The ride quality and handling was exceptional, and how much better can it get when you are stuck in traffic inside an M3? [:D]

My only complaint was the fuel efficiency compared to my old car. And being that you are stuck in traffic, you can't feel the exhilaration of your M3 flying down the highway.

BTW Congrats flashinthepan.

R3LzX · Feb 10, 2004

I love my M3 i traded in my 2002 325CI Coupe for a 2002 M3 Coupe 6 speed. I drive my 2003 toyota truck to work cause i work in sales and run up about 3000 miles a month so i did not want to depreciate my BMW. People do want to race me from time to time but i have a reputation where i live and have only been beaten by a turbo porsche. I drive my M3 on weekends and evenings sometimes.. it sits in the garage most of work week under a cover, and if it is raining i never take it out. I do not recommend an M3 for a daily driver becasue of the depreciation it will take on the milage. keep the other BMW for a work car and drive the M3 Fri, Sat, Sun and few other days in between if you can..

debbie · Feb 10, 2004

I drive mine to work everyday also. I hate it that the brake dust shows after few days, I only drive 5 miles round trip. But brake dust is a small price to pay for something that fun to drive. The hard part is not speeding around town. It is cool that you can hit third gear and still be under the speed limit and a block ahead of anyone without trying.

flashinthepan · Feb 10, 2004

I drive mine to work everyday also. I hate it that the brake dust shows after few days, I only drive 5 miles round trip. But brake dust is a small price to pay for something that fun to drive. The hard part is not speeding around town. It is cool that you can hit third gear and still be under the speed limit and a block ahead of anyone without trying.

Debbie,

Do you have SMG or clutch-6speed ? & how do you like it ?

debbie · Feb 10, 2004

I've got clutch 6 speed. I love it!!! I really have to maintain because I find myself wanting to jump on it more than I should. Now that I've been informed as to what the sport button does, its even more fun. Thanks Tomperwu! The down side is that the electronic components in some of the newer models are having difficulties, I can attest to that first hand, with my throttle component crapping out and my tire sensor flipping on when my tires are fine. Other than that, I would buy another one in a heart beat, just not black. LOL!!! AND with rims that are easier to clean than the stock ones.

flashinthepan · Feb 10, 2004

Debbie,

Great !! sounds like your having some fun and isnt that what its all about.

I just sold my beautiful "Black" 330Cic..One really good product for small scratches or minor stuff....Meguires #9, you can hand buff any little imperfections and it is FULLY SAFE, Meguires has Tech support people for thier products and the 800 number is on the bacl of the bottle. It helped me rid myself of a small scratch in about 5 mins.

I love Black though !! its the prettiest..I went with the Silver/Grey this time around, it does nothing but Rain in Oregon..lol.

Cheers !! [cheers]

debbie · Feb 11, 2004

I agree with you completely, black is the prettiest color. With the exception of one car, my 99 Suburban, which was white, all of my cars have been black. I don't know, I am drawn to black cars. Something about them....just a pain to keep clean. Right now, my car is in the driveway, it hasn't earned its place in the garage yet. So it gets dirty just sitting there. [burnout]

Calling All M3 Owners

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