Who has bought their first M3 without driving it.

OneRib · 05-07-2013, 08:10 PM

Only a week or so away from my first M3 and I keep thinking I am spending a lot of money on a car I have barely driven. My only M3 experience was test driving a 2008 E90 manual back in March. Test drive was short and at night. Never came close to opening it up. This was back when I was looking used and I just wanted some seat time in one to make sure I didn't hate it. I had never even ridden in an M3 before the test drive.

Obviously things have changed, and I wound up ordering a new E92 DCT.

Wondering if anyone else purchased their M3 with little to no personal experience driving one? Mind you, I am not looking for reassurance. I think I am going to love the car. Just curious how many others have been in this position.

kchu221 · 05-07-2013, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneRib

Only a week or so away from my first M3 and I keep thinking I am spending a lot of money on a car I have barely driven. My only M3 experience was test driving a 2008 E90 manual back in March. Test drive was short and at night. Never came close to opening it up. This was back when I was looking used and I just wanted some seat time in one to make sure I didn't hate it. I had never even ridden in an M3 before the test drive.

Obviously things have changed, and I wound up ordering a new E92 DCT.

Wondering if anyone else purchased their M3 with little to no personal experience driving one? Mind you, I am not looking for reassurance. I think I am going to love the car. Just curious how many others have been in this position.

LOL kind of a same story as mine... I went into the dealer just wanting to see how the m3 felt and drove, I test drove a DCT m3 they had in the lot for about 5-10 minutes, the SA wouldn't let me rip her up, but that 5-10 minute test drive made me order a 2012 e92 m3 in a 6mt the same night. that was January last year, and I got my car May 12th. been enjoying the m ever since and no regret what so ever~!

CBS · 05-07-2013, 08:38 PM

I wanted an M3 since 1989 when I had an E30 325i. Marriage and then Kids made me concentrate on other priorities.

In 2007 I eagerly read about the 2008 M3. I think I had every magazine article memorized.
Unbelievable, a V8!!!!

In the Spring of 2008, with the Family in the SUV we were driving past the BMW Dealership and I pulled in. I left the motor running and told my Wife and Teenage Kids I'd be back in a few minutes. They all yelled, "what are you doing?" I returned in 5 minutes and told them I had placed a deposit on a new M3 without ever having driven one. Surprisingly everyone said "Finally!" I guess I had been driving them nuts!

TheDeliverator · 05-07-2013, 08:38 PM

First time I drove an e92 M3 was The Victory Lap at the Welt...

Was so excited I tried to pull off the turn style with the parking break on

Hadn't driven a manual in a few years either...

I didn't worry about it. To each his own though. It was\is a dream to own an M3. I'm sure a few peeps will call me out for purchasing a $60K without test driving one, but I have no regrets.

blackmars · 05-07-2013, 08:39 PM

i didn't. lol, i was going to buy a f30 335xi msport , but went for my dream car at lasr moment .... i am so happy that i made the right choice! m3 just drives much better...

DemolitionJim · 05-07-2013, 08:42 PM

i didn't drive mine before i bought it.

drove my brand new 2012 135i m sport for a year and decided i wanted to upgrade.

i have to say i am much happier with the m3 in all aspects.

the extra room and pass-through for my hockey equipment and sticks is a huge plus haha.

quiksi · 05-07-2013, 08:44 PM

I drove an E46 M3 (briefly) and a few 35i models, but my E90 was ordered without a test drive. It's even better than I imagined - I test drove one after mine was on order and that just confirmed things

mdosu · 05-07-2013, 08:44 PM

first drive was my test drive. Then bought it on the spot. Price was already pre-negotiated at that point. Sure I could have walked from the deal, but I fell in love with the car.

SF_DCT · 05-07-2013, 08:46 PM

I had never driven one before I ordered mine, just watched a lot of reviews online and did a lot of reading on this forum. The M3 has been a dream of mine since I was a child. I couldn't be happier - in some sense, it makes that first drive even more exciting!

FogCityM3 · 05-07-2013, 08:47 PM

No test drive is going to allow you to rip 'er up, at least in urban/suburban areas, so think your position is very common. Other than getting a general feel for a car, a test drive won't really reveal as much as you want it to in terms of performance, but will reveal behavior on the streets, ride quality, comfort, noise etc. This is where consensus expert opinion (reputable auto journalists with racing experience and actual racing drivers) probably does matter quite a bit as they are the ones who have truly tested the cars at the limit. Fortunately for the E9x M3, the praise was pretty much as close to universal as possible, so at least for me made the choice pretty easy in spite of a relatively docile test drive.

alee0729 · 05-07-2013, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDeliverator

First time I drove an e92 M3 was The Victory Lap at the Welt...

Same here. Although past experiences owning and driving other BMWs made this a fairly safe bet.

crashprash · 05-07-2013, 09:02 PM

Never driven a bmw, let alone an M3 (not even a test drive - actually refused test drives from the dealerships). There was nothing else I wanted.

M3AG · 05-07-2013, 09:05 PM

No test drive for me. Went to dealer for oil change (E36 328is) and came out with a M3 LoL... Wife said, dude, WTF?

odiesback · 05-07-2013, 09:08 PM

My very first drive in an M3 was on my victory lap during my ED at The Welt.

Sitting behind the hood power dome for the first time was almost surreal...

OneRib · 05-07-2013, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crashprash

Never driven a bmw, let alone an M3 (not even a test drive - actually refused test drives from the dealerships). There was nothing else I wanted.

I think the more time passes, the more I can see that line of reasoning. I think certain cars are so good and so focused that their traits are well known and consistent. As car enthusiasts, we generally know what we want in a driving experience and could probably do a decent job of predicting how we would feel about many cars just by reading up on them in magazines and forums.

I am actually happy I haven't driven an M3 more than once because now my car will feel even more special to me.

///WeissBisBlau · 05-07-2013, 09:17 PM

I would consider myself to be in this camp. Even though I did, technically, have a couple test drives before ordering, they were only cursory at best (dealer sales guy pointing me towards an empty church parking lot to "open 'er up"). Ha ha, what a joke. Nobody wanted me to drive one! AND, i was apprehensive all the way up till delivery--would i hate the thing after a whole month of ownership? Well i am now officially a month into ownership, and i can tell you in no uncertain terms that i LOVE this car! AND, I feel like I am just scratching the surface!

So, in essence, here is my humble advice to you, OP. Forget about these feelings of apprehension, and just begin to enjoy every moment to the max with your new ride--from the drive away from delivery to the very next time you get to just sit in her and figure out all the gadgets and gizmos. You know all the stuff that has been said about her. IMHO, she's a masterpiece, and I doubt with my best efforts that you'll be disappointed.

I'll just leave you with a little quote from Top Gear magazine, concerning the E9X M3--"You want the M3, don't you? Well have one, it's flippin' excellent!"

williocom · 05-07-2013, 09:18 PM

I searched the forums for months never having driven one. finally found one in Kentucky. Flew down there and drove it back to DC. never looked back

12mpgm3 · 05-07-2013, 09:19 PM

I owned a 2010 335i with basic tune (my first BMW) and loved it. To me there was no question that the M3 would be amazing - a true benchmark car. Ordered the M3 never having been in one as a driver or passenger. What was amazing was driving in to turn in the 335i and getting into the M an hour later for the first time with no idea what it would be like. The interior was 'familiar' but the experience was so different I was blown away. Of course I couldn't really push it during break in but the sound of the engine, the power dome and side mirrors in view, the stance of the car....what a great experience!

spdy330 · 05-07-2013, 09:21 PM

No test drive here. Actually 2 dealers would not let me test drive so I just ordered it.

jqsmooth · 05-07-2013, 09:31 PM

ME!

BPMSport · 05-07-2013, 09:35 PM

Drove mine about 4 blocks around the dealership, very easily... Sales guy said "feel free to open it up" and I replied "I might actually buy this car so I'll keep it low key".

Signed the paperwork and that was that.

Eau Rouge · 05-07-2013, 09:42 PM

Fifteen minutes behind the wheel of one and two redline shifts later made up my mind that I would have to order one and did so.

05-07-2013, 08:10 PM	#1
OneRib Colonel 1105 Rep 2,448 Posts Drives: 2015 AY M3 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: PA iTrader: (2)	Who has bought their first M3 without driving it. Only a week or so away from my first M3 and I keep thinking I am spending a lot of money on a car I have barely driven. My only M3 experience was test driving a 2008 E90 manual back in March. Test drive was short and at night. Never came close to opening it up. This was back when I was looking used and I just wanted some seat time in one to make sure I didn't hate it. I had never even ridden in an M3 before the test drive. Obviously things have changed, and I wound up ordering a new E92 DCT. Wondering if anyone else purchased their M3 with little to no personal experience driving one? Mind you, I am not looking for reassurance. I think I am going to love the car. Just curious how many others have been in this position. __________________ 2013 E92 M3 LMB (gone but not forgotten) 2015 AY F80 M3 ED 7/9/15 Drop off 7/20/15 Redelivery 8/25/15 My AY M3 ED
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05-07-2013, 08:38 PM	#3
CBS Major 87 Rep 1,253 Posts Drives: F10535, E90M3, E30M3, E28M5 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 Alpina B6 GC [0.00] 2014 535xi M Sport [0.00] 2014 X3 3.5 M Sport [0.00] 2011 M3 E90 [9.74] 2007 Z4 M Coupe [7.00] 1990 M3 [9.50] 1988 M5 [10.00]	I wanted an M3 since 1989 when I had an E30 325i. Marriage and then Kids made me concentrate on other priorities. In 2007 I eagerly read about the 2008 M3. I think I had every magazine article memorized. Unbelievable, a V8!!!! In the Spring of 2008, with the Family in the SUV we were driving past the BMW Dealership and I pulled in. I left the motor running and told my Wife and Teenage Kids I'd be back in a few minutes. They all yelled, "what are you doing?" I returned in 5 minutes and told them I had placed a deposit on a new M3 without ever having driven one. Surprisingly everyone said "Finally!" I guess I had been driving them nuts! __________________ ESS VT-1 550 \| M24 Oil Cooler \| Fall Line Half Cage \| RaceTech 4009W \| 6 pt Harness \| Lifeline Zero 360 Fire Suppression \| Rear Seat Delete \| Motion Control DA Dampers w/remote reservoirs \| 900/650 Hyperco Springs \| RD Sport Sway Bars \| Brembo 380 BBK \| GC Camber Plates \| Hoosier R7 \| Eisenmann Sport \| Stack Gauges \| Painted Challenge Front Lip \| Painted ZCP Rear Spoiler \| Xpel Ultimate Film \| LuxAngelEyes
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05-07-2013, 08:38 PM	#4
TheDeliverator First Lieutenant 11 Rep 393 Posts Drives: A Singularity Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: MD iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 BMW M3 [0.00]	First time I drove an e92 M3 was The Victory Lap at the Welt... Was so excited I tried to pull off the turn style with the parking break on Hadn't driven a manual in a few years either... I didn't worry about it. To each his own though. It was\is a dream to own an M3. I'm sure a few peeps will call me out for purchasing a $60K without test driving one, but I have no regrets. __________________ V1C / Bel STiR+ / Integrated mirror display / AD08r f255/35 r275/35 / IND Euro Bumper / MP Splitters / MP Steering Wheel
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05-07-2013, 08:39 PM	#5
blackmars FengShuiMaster 12 Rep 126 Posts Drives: 2014 750Li Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: San Francisco Bay Area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 Ford F150 [0.00] 2014 BMW 750Li [2.00]	i didn't. lol, i was going to buy a f30 335xi msport , but went for my dream car at lasr moment .... i am so happy that i made the right choice! m3 just drives much better... __________________ 2014 750Li MSport/Executive Pkg 2016 Ford F150 XLT 302A
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05-07-2013, 08:42 PM	#6
DemolitionJim Lieutenant 51 Rep 418 Posts Drives: E92 MW M3 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (5)	i didn't drive mine before i bought it. drove my brand new 2012 135i m sport for a year and decided i wanted to upgrade. i have to say i am much happier with the m3 in all aspects. the extra room and pass-through for my hockey equipment and sticks is a huge plus haha.
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05-07-2013, 08:44 PM	#7
quiksi Captain 75 Rep 903 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 Toyota Tundra ... [0.00] 2011.5 E90 M3 [0.00]	I drove an E46 M3 (briefly) and a few 35i models, but my E90 was ordered without a test drive. It's even better than I imagined - I test drove one after mine was on order and that just confirmed things __________________ 2011 E90 M3 6mt AW/Speed Cloth - ZCP, Moonroof, non-iDrive - PCD 12/9/10 Painted reflectors, matte black grills/gills, Deansbimmer Belly Pan, DEI Alarm, Homelink/compass retrofit, Passport MAX2 Hardwire, GP Thunder 8500K, modmy3 LED interior, Dinan Mufflers, HRE P40 19" Satin Charcoal, Michelin PS4S
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05-07-2013, 08:44 PM	#8
mdosu Banned 314 Rep 8,496 Posts Drives: Double Vanos'd Civic-M3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (6)	first drive was my test drive. Then bought it on the spot. Price was already pre-negotiated at that point. Sure I could have walked from the deal, but I fell in love with the car. Last edited by mdosu; 05-07-2013 at 08:52 PM..
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05-07-2013, 08:46 PM	#9
SF_DCT Second Lieutenant 49 Rep 206 Posts Drives: 2021 Porsche Cayenne S Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: SF, CA iTrader: (0)	I had never driven one before I ordered mine, just watched a lot of reviews online and did a lot of reading on this forum. The M3 has been a dream of mine since I was a child. I couldn't be happier - in some sense, it makes that first drive even more exciting! __________________ Retired: 2015 M5, BSM/Black, DCT Retired: 2013 E92 M3, SSII/Black, DCT Retired: 2011 E90 335i, BSM/Beige, 6MT Retired: 2008 Cayman S, Black/Black, 6MT Retired: 2007 E92 328i, JB/Black, 6MT
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05-07-2013, 08:47 PM	#10
FogCityM3 Colonel 497 Rep 2,400 Posts Drives: M3 (E90) & Porsche GT3 RS Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	No test drive is going to allow you to rip 'er up, at least in urban/suburban areas, so think your position is very common. Other than getting a general feel for a car, a test drive won't really reveal as much as you want it to in terms of performance, but will reveal behavior on the streets, ride quality, comfort, noise etc. This is where consensus expert opinion (reputable auto journalists with racing experience and actual racing drivers) probably does matter quite a bit as they are the ones who have truly tested the cars at the limit. Fortunately for the E9x M3, the praise was pretty much as close to universal as possible, so at least for me made the choice pretty easy in spite of a relatively docile test drive.
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05-07-2013, 09:02 PM	#12
crashprash Private First Class 16 Rep 132 Posts Drives: 2012 e93 JB M3 D-CT Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: sydney,nsw,au iTrader: (0)	Never driven a bmw, let alone an M3 (not even a test drive - actually refused test drives from the dealerships). There was nothing else I wanted. __________________ Prash Imaging (Facebook) - Please like! Flickr my car blog - Have a read
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05-07-2013, 09:05 PM	#13
M3AG First Lieutenant 22 Rep 369 Posts Drives: 2013 E92 M3 ZCP, 6MT Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Gatineau iTrader: (0)	No test drive for me. Went to dealer for oil change (E36 328is) and came out with a M3 LoL... Wife said, dude, WTF?
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05-07-2013, 09:08 PM	#14
odiesback 2021 330ix 214 Rep 538 Posts Drives: 2021 330ix Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 330i xDrive [0.00]	My very first drive in an M3 was on my victory lap during my ED at The Welt. Sitting behind the hood power dome for the first time was almost surreal... __________________ Former: F82 M4 ZCP 6MT \| Executive Pkg \| Mineral Gray Metallic\| Car Play, and other goodies. Former: 2012 E92 M3 \| Alpine White \| Extended FR \| DCT \| Premium \| Competition \| BMW Apps \| M Performance Exhaust \| CF Front Splitters \| V1 M Steering Wheel
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05-07-2013, 09:17 PM	#16
///WeissBisBlau Captain 265 Rep 720 Posts Drives: ‘21 M5C Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: AL iTrader: (0)	I would consider myself to be in this camp. Even though I did, technically, have a couple test drives before ordering, they were only cursory at best (dealer sales guy pointing me towards an empty church parking lot to "open 'er up"). Ha ha, what a joke. Nobody wanted me to drive one! AND, i was apprehensive all the way up till delivery--would i hate the thing after a whole month of ownership? Well i am now officially a month into ownership, and i can tell you in no uncertain terms that i LOVE this car! AND, I feel like I am just scratching the surface! So, in essence, here is my humble advice to you, OP. Forget about these feelings of apprehension, and just begin to enjoy every moment to the max with your new ride--from the drive away from delivery to the very next time you get to just sit in her and figure out all the gadgets and gizmos. You know all the stuff that has been said about her. IMHO, she's a masterpiece, and I doubt with my best efforts that you'll be disappointed. I'll just leave you with a little quote from Top Gear magazine, concerning the E9X M3--"You want the M3, don't you? Well have one, it's flippin' excellent!"
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05-07-2013, 09:18 PM	#17
williocom Lieutenant 41 Rep 401 Posts Drives: 2017 SO M3 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NOVA iTrader: (7)	I searched the forums for months never having driven one. finally found one in Kentucky. Flew down there and drove it back to DC. never looked back __________________ 2018 530e ///2017 M3 SO/Blk (Retired) 2015 i8 Sophisto Grey (RETIRED) ///2015 M3 MW/SO (RETIRED) ///2011 e93 M3 AW/FR (RETIRED)
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05-07-2013, 09:19 PM	#18
12mpgm3 Private 14 Rep 88 Posts Drives: 2013 E92 M3 6MT ZCP Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Philly Burbs iTrader: (0)	I owned a 2010 335i with basic tune (my first BMW) and loved it. To me there was no question that the M3 would be amazing - a true benchmark car. Ordered the M3 never having been in one as a driver or passenger. What was amazing was driving in to turn in the 335i and getting into the M an hour later for the first time with no idea what it would be like. The interior was 'familiar' but the experience was so different I was blown away. Of course I couldn't really push it during break in but the sound of the engine, the power dome and side mirrors in view, the stance of the car....what a great experience!
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05-07-2013, 09:21 PM	#19
spdy330 Major General 528 Rep 6,149 Posts Drives: 05 Tundra, 15 FIT, 17 CRV Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chino Hills, CA iTrader: (163)	No test drive here. Actually 2 dealers would not let me test drive so I just ordered it. __________________ If you will be purchasing ANY AT&T services online or in store could you mention that you were referred by me? My Employee Referral ID is eo4489. This would be a great help and it costs you nothing, thank you!
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05-07-2013, 09:31 PM	#20
jqsmooth Captain 159 Rep 773 Posts Drives: M6 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (2)	ME! __________________ 2008 E64 M6 2011 E92 l SSII l Fox Red - 145k and Totaled. 2012 Toyota Prius C - 145k and Totaled. 2002 Nissan Pathfinder - 301.6K and Junked. 2000 Mitsubishi Montero Sport - Rolled & Totaled. 1995 Cadillac Fleetwood - RIP.
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05-07-2013, 09:35 PM	#21
BPMSport BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 3387 Rep 7,541 Posts Drives: Harrop M3 / F10 M5 / F82 M4 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (9) Garage List 2000 BMW M5 [0.00] 1990 BMW 735i Turbo [0.00] 2008 BMW M3 [7.50] 2015 BMW M3 [0.00] 2015 BMW M5 [0.00]	Drove mine about 4 blocks around the dealership, very easily... Sales guy said "feel free to open it up" and I replied "I might actually buy this car so I'll keep it low key". Signed the paperwork and that was that. __________________ -----\| Like us on Facebook \| Instagram \|\| Tuning Information \| Remote Coding \|----- ----Visit us at www.BPMSport.com - Emotion. Driven. \| Toll Free: (888) 557-5133----
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05-07-2013, 09:42 PM	#22
Eau Rouge Major 140 Rep 1,242 Posts Drives: 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Florida's Emerald Coast iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW E92 M3 [9.00]	Fifteen minutes behind the wheel of one and two redline shifts later made up my mind that I would have to order one and did so. __________________ M3 Performance Center Delivery: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=693856
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