I joined the club!!!

[jqsmooth]

Well, here’s my story. After years of lusting after the M3(a buddy of mine has the E46 M3, a beast) and lurking around forum like a crack addict, I decided it was time to get the M3. Early May, I went to a local dealer(whom a forum member had recommended) to do a test drive and get a quote. Well, they didn’t have one in the lot, so I left disappointed. I got a quote a few days later via e-mail that was ~$900 over invoice. The CA was saying it was invoice, but after being on the forum for about 3 years, I knew better. So, I told him thanks, but no thanks.

I wanna thank the following members for answering my questions via PM: ksh937, RichMattB, newbieguy, Jklein812, Orekid24, and HeartMD. You guys put my mind at ease during the whole process. I also want to thank the forum as a whole for the wealth of information that is on it. I truly believe knowledge is power and M3Post is a prime example of it.

So, there were two popular dealers to consider: Ryan(Steve Thomas BMW) and David(Northwest BMW). I originally wanted to do PCD, however, I thought it was just too long of a drive back to NJ for me. This is my first manual transmission car, and although I’ve driven friend’s MT cars, I was not confident. So, I chose David thinking he was close enough where I can pick the up the car from Baltimore. Honestly, I don’t think you can go wrong with either Ryan or David. I think they are the very best at what they do. I gave David a call and left him a message. Two days later, David called me back and we chatted. I asked him about the wait time, and he was straight forward saying it would be late July/early August(2-3 months). He gave me a quote and I accepted it right there. It was very refreshing to do business this way. I was weary of getting shafted because this was my first car purchase ever, let alone a BMW M3. I really didn’t want to beat around the bushes. He sent me the buildup and the financing via e-mail and I sent in the deposit.

A few days later, I received the Production Number and partial VIN from his associate Joy. And the dreaded waiting began. At first, it wasn’t bad. I hardly thought about the car. I was playing golf like I was trying to get to Q-school. It was great. But as it got close to late July, I started dialing the 800 number for the status. It was nuts. I realized towards the end, the 800 number is useless. The car was at the dealership, and the 800 number would say, “it is in transit” or something to that effect. On 8/11, I got the call from David saying the vehicle is ready to be picked up. Due to work and travel plans, I couldn’t get down to Baltimore until 8/16.

On David’s suggestion, I took the Amtrak down to Baltimore. He picked me up from the Penn Station in a 5 series. It was sweet. I met Joy who set me up with the BMW assist. She was very friendly and explained everything clearly. She is a multi-talented lady who drives a mean car. Bob got me through the financing and the paperwork in a breeze. He also drives a badass. I purchased the tire and wheel coverage for 5 years for $1300. I’m glad that I don’t have to worry every time I hit a pot hole around NY/NJ area. Then, David took me through all the options of the car and a few settings like setting up the Bluetooth and the Navigation. He showed me his burnt orange M3 too. It was sick! Drilled the front plate holder for me(I don’t want to mess around in the NJ/NY area). Everyone at Northwest BMW treated me like a King. Thank You Northwest BMW!

Then, off I went… and made it home without a hitch until I had to street park for a minute. I scraped the front rim parking. My heart sank into my stomach. Argh…



First Impression:

The first thing I noticed was how low the car is. I’ve been driving the Pathfinder for the past 8 years, so I’m not used to sedans/coupes. The seat really hugs the body. Everything felt just right ergonomically.

Trying not to stall was very stressful. I stalled a few times. It’s been a couple of days and I still have to think about it. I hope it gets to a point where it becomes automatic(is this ironic?). I’ve read on the forum that some people were reporting that the 2nd gear is very notchy. Indeed. I noticed that too, but I’m more concerned about transitioning from 1st to 2nd without a jerk. I still need practice!!!

The engine sound is just phenomenal. Everyone at the dealer advised me to keep the rpm below 5500. The manual says 4500, I don’t know which is correct. I hit 5500 once. It’s no big deal, right? I already have 400 miles on it. I can’t wait til the first service.

One last thing, I drive a quite a bit for my commute. Driving was a chore, but it’s enjoyable again. I hope to enjoy this car for years to come.

Here’s a couple of pictures…

[quadpipes]

Nice writeup and great pics. Congratulations. You are right, once you sort through some of the - er - less productive contributions/comments, this forum can be wealth of information. And it will continue to be as you get used to your new acquisition. I stuck with 5500 rpm or less til 1200 miles. I can't comment on the idiosyncrasies of the manual trans since I have M-DCT. Enjoy and good luck!

[H2C]

what happened to your wheel in that one picture? looks like it got curbed/scratched badly

edit: never mind, poor reading comprehension on my part. i just saw it in your post.

[JulieDriving]

Great write-up and boy, do you look excited.

Silverstone... veeery nice! Congrats on your dream come true!!

[Asiarush]

wow man, what a story !!
Enjoy your car, it is amazing !
soon you will not think your car is low enough and will want to lower it, then the sound of the exhaust will not be loud enough and you will want louder, then that chrome grill will look too shiny for you and you will want a black one.....and this bug never goes away no matter what you try to do to push it away.
I am on my 5th bimmer now and my wife is on her second and even she cant stop thinking about moding her car all the time.
its fun, exciting and expensive.

welcome to the family !

[DiavelM3]

Congrats!

[checkmate]

Congrats! I meeting the same team in a few weeks before my PCD to do the paperwork

[Mick0]

Awesome car, I love the silverstone too.

[BenTrovato]

Congrats nice story!

[gblansten]

Congrats.

[DDS2015]

I love silverstone

Congrats! In 4 years (when I graduate school) I'll have the long 3 month wait to deal with for the F32 M3/4.

[wisesoul]

Trust me MT will be worth learning! Why didn't you opt for DCT? You would be more at ease, but I guess this car is meant to keep you on your toes anyways. Once you get the hang of the 6MT, you will love it.

[shay2nak]

It would not hurt to vary your RPMs and gears, as well as rev it up higher. You want the engine to experience a wide range of things and not dwell in one spot, so to speak. I'm not saying beat on it, but once in a while it would be good to give it the beans.

[jqsmooth]

Thanks fellas!! I appreciate all the advices, i really need all the help i can get. I hope i can be a contributing member on this forum. M3 FTW!!!

[F82_SID]

Dont worry about stalling man. Happens to everybody when they first learn. When I drove my 335i home from the dealership I must have stalled it about 8 times lol. But after about a week I was driving and shifting as smooth as ever. Props for not being scared to go with the 6mt bro!

[jqsmooth]

Originally Posted by E92_SID

Dont worry about stalling man. Happens to everybody when they first learn. When I drove my 335i home from the dealership I must have stalled it about 8 times lol. But after about a week I was driving and shifting as smooth as ever. Props for not being scared to go with the 6mt bro!

I know the DCT is a technological marvel, but I personally wanted a 6mt car for the longest time. What better car to get it in than the M3? My biggest concern with 6mt is a)burning the clutch, b) jumping the throttle in 1st & Reverse and hitting something, and c)looking like a fool. I'm gonna give myself some slack and just take it easy. My friends were all great teachers when showing me how to drive a MT. I'm slowly figuring out the friction point and boy, it is gratifying when you shift without a glitch, not to mention the howling of the engine when you throttle.

[Grail05]

CONGRATS... i didnt read your entire thread till i saw the curb rash.. THEN OH OK ... no worries... if your really into mods... im pretty sure your going to change that pretty soon... again congratz.... have fun...

[LMSM3]

So how long did it take to get to Baltimore area?
I just called 1-800 number and it said waiting for carrier transit. 8/19/2011
It was quality check yesterday 8/18/2011...

[jqsmooth]

Originally Posted by LMSM3

So how long did it take to get to Baltimore area?
I just called 1-800 number and it said waiting for carrier transit. 8/19/2011
It was quality check yesterday 8/18/2011...

The train ride from Newark Penn to Baltimore Penn was only 2 hours with 2 stops. It was a relaxing ride to Baltimore. There was a special for $70, which was much cheaper than renting a car one way. I highly recommend taking the Amtrak!!! Congrats on your new M3!

[ibarry92]

Congratulations on your car. Have fun and drive safe.

[half man half amazin]

Congrats!! That's my cars sister!!

[k5ng]

Congrats on your new ride!