New guy introduction

[New2Roundel]

Hi everyone--I thought I would use my first post to introduce myself to the community here. About a month ago I purchased a 2011 M3 coupe. The purchase was on a little bit of a whim, but I have no regrets. I couldn't pass up such a beautiful performance machine that practically fell into my lap with almost everything I would want in such a car: competition package+heated seats+BT. I like base model cars with only a handful of options and it seems rare these days to find anything that isn't an economy car to be equipped in such a manner. The car also has the optional carbon fiber trim and iPod connector, neither of which I likely would have opted for, but neither is really a big deal either.

So this car represents my first BMW and therefore, my first M car. However, I've been a lifelong car nerd who started life (life began at 17 when I got my license!) with a hand-me-down Peugeot wagon, followed by 7-8 VWs. I was very big into VWs for a while and still own my '94 Corrado VR6 that I got in '00. As I matured in both age and automotive interest, I moved on from VWs. Although the first brand new car I got, which was leased, was a GTI, my first financed car was a Crossfire. I'm one of the few who really liked that car. After 3 years, I moved to a 2012 Mustang GT, which was a great car. But after 3.5 years, I wanted something nicer. I drove a 997 carrera and carrera S. After obsessing over the 911 since I was in 3rd grade, I was disappointed by how refined the newer cars are---they have no edge. Around this time, I rented a C63 for a week from Hertz. Wow--that car had a serious edge, almost too much. But I also didn't expect much from it, so I was blown away by how much fun I had blasting through the mountains around Napa Valley. I still love that car.

And then we come to the BMW. Personally, I always thought that although BMWs generally drove very nicely, they were overpriced and never saw myself in one. Having said that, I made sure I did whatever version of the Ultimate Drive BMW was offering over the last 15 or so years. Even this year, I'm doing their version of the Ultimate Drive where I am signed up for the 650. In all this time, I was never able to drive an M car--even during the Ultimate Drive. I was either too young, they were broken when I was old enough, or they stopped offering them. The closest I came to the spirit of an M car was a manual transmission Z4 3.0si coupe I drove---I freaking LOVE the M coupes, FYI. Last year I took out the i3, which I was very impressed with. But none of my experiences were in actual M cars. So then I drove what became my e92. Such a wonderful car. It has more edge than a carrera but much less of an edge than the C63. I mean, the m3 actually has a suspension. And unlike say, the VWs I've owned, BMW has this uncanny ability to build in some compliance to their suspension without excessive body roll.

I've been looking for a good M3 forum for the last few weeks and like the depth and topics that are discussed around here, so here I am!

My car looks like pretty much every other e92 M3 on the internet forums:

[Richsocal12]

congrats! enjoy her!

[X5-User]

Congrats man...more pics please

[ellekz]

Nice story and welcome! Don't get caught by the mod fever.. or do

[M3AG]

Congrats and welcome... Let's talk about your first mod!

[Tech3250]

Nice!

[New2Roundel]

Thank you guys, I appreciate the warm welcome.

Originally Posted by M3AG

Congrats and welcome... Let's talk about your first mod!

Lets call my first set of mods: Project Bring the Noise.

The M3 has the same problem my previous mustang had: it was way too quiet! A set of GT500 mufflers gave me a perfect level of noise, but I could drive it all day long and never got tired of it.

So I would like to do something similar with the M3. I'd love to hear a bit more intake noise if possible and a bit more rumble from the exhaust at idle and acceleration. Since this car is a semi-daily driver (I work from home), it needs to be quiet enough to drive normally when I'm not getting on it, with limited drone. I've heard a couple of sound clips of the Akro slip on and they seem a little too quiet, especially for the price. I will say that I'm not looking for a full exhaust at this time, just a nice cat/axle back setup. Ultimately, I just want the car to make a sound that should be consistent with a V8 being under the hood.

[STooK]

Welcome and congrats!

Look into the OEM exhaust mod as I think it'll be the perfect amount of noise and the best bang for buck mod you can do on this car.

[digitalpersona]

Welcome to the forum. And nice intro.
In many ways your car is already perfect the way it is. But if you do decide to mod, you're in the right place to gather valuable intel for an informed decision. Enjoy your new M

[B8bydesign]

Welcome, great looking e92!

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by New2Roundel

My car looks like pretty much every other e92 M3 on the internet forums:

how do we even know this is your car? It could be any one of those 6 million AW E92 ZCPs out there.

[Agent-GHQ]

There's no surprise you've chosen this over other cars, esp after driving various cars. I like to keep mine bone stock/oem as it just looks classy!

I'd suggest MPE but it may not be loud enough for you since you came from Mustang GT. MPE should have came with the competition pkg and it's a well balanced sporty n exotic sound that is like symphony to my ears.

[nvlarchitect]

Nice specs! Nice buy!

[New2Roundel]

Originally Posted by Agent-GHQ

MPE should have came with the competition pkg and it's a well balanced sporty n exotic sound that is like symphony to my ears.

MPE meaning m performance exhaust? Nothing i've read for the 2011 cars suggests this is true. The zcp is a chassis package primarily (wheels and suspension tweaks). I believe only the lime rock edition comes with an upgraded exhaust. If you have data suggesting otherwise, please post it up as i'm always willing to learn.

[BzsBimmer]

Welcome to the club and group!
What Agent is trying to say is that the MPE should have came from the factory that way, included in the comp package, instead of being something only bought from an accessory catalog.

[loveskiing]

Originally Posted by New2Roundel

My car looks like pretty much every other e92 M3 on the internet forums:

Welcome! So glad you finally arrived!
I hate to disagree with your statement above...but I don't think your car looks anything like anyone else's...it's yours...see it as such...unique... a true beauty!

[New2Roundel]

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

Welcome to the club and group!
What Agent is trying to say is that the MPE should have came from the factory that way,

I know. And what I'm saying is that I've not read anything that says the ZCP package comes with an exhaust that's any different than a regular m3. More specifically, nothing in the BMW press release I read for the 2011 cars mentioned anything about a different (MPE) exhaust. Again, point me to a source that unequivocally states that the MPE exhaust comes with the ZCP and I'll change my tune. As you can see here: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=350971, no mention of a different/MPE exhaust is made. I recall reading somewhere that the lime rock edition came with a more aggressive sounding exhaust.

Originally Posted by loveskiing

Welcome! So glad you finally arrived!
I hate to disagree with your statement above...but I don't think your car looks anything like anyone else's...it's yours...see it as such...unique... a true beauty!

The owner may be unique, but the car isn't all that different--in fact, I the same car driving down the road in the opposite direction yesterday.

[BzsBimmer]

Originally Posted by New2Roundel

I know. And what I'm saying is that I've not read anything that says the ZCP package comes with an exhaust that's any different than a regular m3. More specifically, nothing in the BMW press release I read for the 2011 cars mentioned anything about a different (MPE) exhaust. Again, point me to a source that unequivocally states that the MPE exhaust comes with the ZCP and I'll change my tune. As you can see here: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=350971, no mention of a different/MPE exhaust is made. I recall reading somewhere that the lime rock edition came with a more aggressive sounding exhaust.

lol
I swear my accent is too thick and getting in the way here. Sorry.
What we are trying to say is that it should have as in "I wish it did" and not "it should have and you better find out why it didn't, cause you got ripped off".

The comp package comes with the SAME exhaust as all of the other M3's with the exception of the Lime Rock edition which DOES come with the MPE.

Hopefully that clears it up

[Yoddha]

Congrats, enjoy in good health

[roastbeef]

nice car, welcome to the club.

[Agent-GHQ]

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

lol
I swear my accent is too thick and getting in the way here. Sorry.
What we are trying to say is that it should have as in "I wish it did" and not "it should have and you better find out why it didn't, cause you got ripped off".

The comp package comes with the SAME exhaust as all of the other M3's with the exception of the Lime Rock edition which DOES come with the MPE.

Hopefully that clears it up

Thank you!! 😆

OP:
Now take her to the back roads and unleashed its driving characteristics and behavior! Get to know her, you'll fall in love!!!

[New2Roundel]

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

lol
I swear my accent is too thick and getting in the way here. Sorry.
What we are trying to say is that it should have as in "I wish it did" and not "it should have and you better find out why it didn't, cause you got ripped off".

The comp package comes with the SAME exhaust as all of the other M3's with the exception of the Lime Rock edition which DOES come with the MPE.

Hopefully that clears it up

Ok, much more clear, thank you. I'll add to your post in saying that all M3s should have come with the MPE.

Originally Posted by Agent-GHQ

Now take her to the back roads and unleashed its driving characteristics and behavior! Get to know her, you'll fall in love!!!

I've encountered a few curvy roads in my travels recently and I love how well the car handles and how little body roll there is (at least compared to what I'm used to).

The next challenge: It's going back to the dealer on Thursday to have the front brakes fixed---whoever put them on, put them on backwards. I don't know who I'm more annoyed at, the dealer for doing it wrong or me for not realizing it! In fact, someone else had to point it out. Oh well, the car is slowly getting there.