Test Drove the M3 today @ Irvine BMW

[Action Jaxs]

This afternoon I dropped by Irvine BMW to have my 2006 M3 serviced. When I arrived the staff told me they had two new M3's in the back. My SA and I walked back to check it out and there it was....White w/ full Black leather interior & fully loaded at ~$98,000.00.

I asked for the keys to just to look inside but it seems that someone else had them. I then called my sales person who arrived with no keys but eventually we found them.

So I opened the passenger door and the interior is very tight and clean. We then started the car and the exhaust note is sooooooo much nicer than my 2006 M3 (its the Interlagos blue one in the picture). My SP said lets go for a drive and of course I obliged him. Unfortunately my SA drove my car to the front so we could not compare the old with the new (you know what I mean).

As we pull out of the dealership, my SP pulls over and lets me drive. I was very impressed with the following:

1. acceleration and the power
2. exhaust note
3. nice interior which is quieter than my M3
4. the seats
5. the EDC and traction control

What I did not like:

1. even though the 6 speed manual shifted perfectly, I want a DCT or whatever it is called. I have the SMG now so I want the dual clutch system for the faster shifts. To me my M3 was as fast off the line as the manual but of course I am not Michael Schumacher.

2. the price approaches the M5 especially now with the MSRP of 70K w/ all options and a 25K markup. I know wait and it will come down but since I have a M3 now, I am thinking of keeping it and getting a M5. I also have an E91 325XIT which is a six speed manual.

So here are some pics from my cell phone.....enjoy

[asaulo1]

$25k over sticker... wow... what a joke..... I just came back from Center B<W in Sherman Oaks and they were charging $5k over sticker for the same exact spec'd AW M3 Coupe.... after seeing it in person, all i can say is, I can't wait for mine to arrive.....

[vivid]

LOL at the market adjustment... you can get them for MSRP now... Some dealers don't even have their first ones sold...

[REP1KRR]

Originally Posted by Action Jaxs

......& fully loaded at ~$98,000.00.

.....the price approaches the M5 especially now with the MSRP of 70K w/ all options and a 25K markup.

Wow, amazing. Oh, and holy shit!!

Thanks for sharing.

[Garissimo]

Thanks for the pics and the writeup. The $25K markup is a sick joke, though. Let the dealer choke on that.

[MrHarris]

I got to head down to Shelly BMW and test drive it myself!