can you tell the difference in MY?

JZBDCT · 09-09-2011, 04:50 PM

As a first time BMW owner, there's a part of me that's twitching because I placed an order for a 2012 M3 and there's not a single photo of the 2012s online. My car's already been built and is waiting at the port of exit. A little voice in the back of my head is saying, "you're dropping a good chunk of change on a car you haven't even seen yet". I've read threads where people talk about how the later year e92s shift "better" but cosmetically, can I expect the car to stay the same. Can you long time owners tell the difference between model years?

One of my first cars was a Honda Accord and there were real subtle changes that you could tell your car was different every year. Is that not the same with M3s?

Just an itch I'm trying to scratch. Thanks!

JeremyR · 09-09-2011, 04:53 PM

They didnt announce any changes for MY12, and the E92 was refreshed for 11, so I wouldnt expect much of anything

Grail05 · 09-09-2011, 04:54 PM

It Will Be The Same... So Dont Expect Anything New..

THE ONLY THING ON TELLING A 08-09 AND 10-11-12 IS THE TAILS AND THE IDRIVE CONTROLS....

SOME 08 OWNER SWITCH THE IDRIVE CONTROLS AND THE NEW LCI TAILS TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE 10-12 BUT WHEN LOOKING AT THE SCREEN YOU CAN TELL RIGHT AWAY, CAUSE THE 08 NAV IS NOT UPDATED.... SUCKS.

CBS · 09-09-2011, 05:23 PM

I haven't heard of any changes on MY2012.

Congratulations and excellent choice on your first BMW! You will enjoy it and become hooked like the rest of us!

SV Concepts · 09-09-2011, 05:39 PM

BMW is pretty good about not making drastic changes while still in the same body style. Plus let's face facts.....you're going to get that first look at it and it's gonna be that 8 year old kid on Christmas morning kind of thing.

No worries needed, and enjoy the new toy!!

JZBDCT · 09-09-2011, 06:20 PM

Thanks everyone. That certainly eases it a bit. I'm definitely excited about modding... =)

stefan · 09-09-2011, 06:23 PM

Its literally the same car from 2008 to 2012 save for 2011s idrive and extremely minor taillight revision.

In effect, 2011.75 and 2012 are identical.

chmura · 09-09-2011, 07:42 PM

Wow your car is built already?

My e90 just started production yesterday.

Does that mean mine is newer then yours and its a 2011?? :P

rdollie · 09-10-2011, 08:54 PM

I'm not sure that' accurate. Pretty sure the iDrive and tail lights changed between 2008 and 2009 with further revisions in 2011?

Quote:

Originally Posted by stefan

Its literally the same car from 2008 to 2012 save for 2011s idrive and extremely minor taillight revision.

In effect, 2011.75 and 2012 are identical.

SamS · 09-10-2011, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chmura

Does that mean mine is newer then yours and its a 2011?? :P

Very well could be. E90 is perpetually stuck as a MY2011, or older, because the F30 is the only 3-series sedan designated as MY2012+.

stefan · 09-10-2011, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdollie

I'm not sure that' accurate. Pretty sure the iDrive and tail lights changed between 2008 and 2009 with further revisions in 2011?

My mistake. I believe you are right. 2011 added more connectivity to devices, user based updating, 3D buildings, etc.

Still.. those are fairly small things considering the car is basically the same otherwise.

geneatals · 09-10-2011, 10:19 PM

congrats on your 2012 m3:

...i kid i kid

kmarei · 09-10-2011, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geneatals

congrats on your 2012 m3:

...i kid i kid

You are totally wrong!
The 2012s come with the silver 19" wheels!

jphughan · 09-11-2011, 10:55 AM

If you're only talking about EXTERIOR changes, yes in 2011 the tail lights were revised but the stock 18" rims also went from gunmetal to a polished silver finish, which I think was a huge mistake. I wasn't a huge fan of the original 18s except with certain colors because they were too dark, but the new ones make the M3 look like a no-option 328i: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpos...6&postcount=17. The 19" and 19" Comp rims are unchanged, though.

On the interior, iDrive was revised for 2009 and there were other very minor things along the way (vents got rearranged a bit, the DSC Off button changed from saying "DSC" to having a picture on it, etc). On the features side, 2011.5 brought some nice changes with Auto Start/Stop and Combox (digital audio from iPhone/iPods, album art, Bluetooth audio streaming, etc).

Enjoy!

FVM3 · 09-11-2011, 11:27 AM

its gonna be the same

JZBDCT · 09-11-2011, 02:14 PM

Thanks all for the feedback. Appreciated. I get more and more excited every day. =)

09-09-2011, 04:50 PM	#1
JZBDCT Second Lieutenant 15 Rep 214 Posts Drives: e92 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: yonder iTrader: (0)	can you tell the difference in MY? As a first time BMW owner, there's a part of me that's twitching because I placed an order for a 2012 M3 and there's not a single photo of the 2012s online. My car's already been built and is waiting at the port of exit. A little voice in the back of my head is saying, "you're dropping a good chunk of change on a car you haven't even seen yet". I've read threads where people talk about how the later year e92s shift "better" but cosmetically, can I expect the car to stay the same. Can you long time owners tell the difference between model years? One of my first cars was a Honda Accord and there were real subtle changes that you could tell your car was different every year. Is that not the same with M3s? Just an itch I'm trying to scratch. Thanks! __________________ 2012 BMW M3 Coupe JZB/Fox Red DCT ZCP. Vorsteiner Double Sided Carbon Fiber CSL Boot Lid. Paint Match Grills, Side markers, Reflectors. Carbon Fiber Splitters. Lux Angel Eyes. Custom Rear Section Exhaust with valves. Next mod: Valentine 1
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

09-09-2011, 04:53 PM	#2
JeremyR Private First Class 7 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	They didnt announce any changes for MY12, and the E92 was refreshed for 11, so I wouldnt expect much of anything __________________ 2011 Jet Black E90 M3
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-09-2011, 04:54 PM	#3
Grail05 Putcha ang ganda... 279 Rep 5,441 Posts Drives: 17 F82 M4 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Los Angeles, Brea CA. iTrader: (10)	It Will Be The Same... So Dont Expect Anything New.. THE ONLY THING ON TELLING A 08-09 AND 10-11-12 IS THE TAILS AND THE IDRIVE CONTROLS.... SOME 08 OWNER SWITCH THE IDRIVE CONTROLS AND THE NEW LCI TAILS TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE 10-12 BUT WHEN LOOKING AT THE SCREEN YOU CAN TELL RIGHT AWAY, CAUSE THE 08 NAV IS NOT UPDATED.... SUCKS. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-09-2011, 05:23 PM	#4
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 haven't heard of any changes on MY2012. Congratulations and excellent choice on your first BMW! You will enjoy it and become hooked like the rest of us! __________________ 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
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-09-2011, 05:39 PM	#5
SV Concepts 361 Rep 5,859 Posts Drives: Vorsteiner E60 M5 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: 1460 White Oaks Rd. Suite F. Campbell, CA 95008 iTrader: (10)	BMW is pretty good about not making drastic changes while still in the same body style. Plus let's face facts.....you're going to get that first look at it and it's gonna be that 8 year old kid on Christmas morning kind of thing. No worries needed, and enjoy the new toy!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-09-2011, 06:20 PM	#6
JZBDCT Second Lieutenant 15 Rep 214 Posts Drives: e92 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: yonder iTrader: (0)	Thanks everyone. That certainly eases it a bit. I'm definitely excited about modding... =) __________________ 2012 BMW M3 Coupe JZB/Fox Red DCT ZCP. Vorsteiner Double Sided Carbon Fiber CSL Boot Lid. Paint Match Grills, Side markers, Reflectors. Carbon Fiber Splitters. Lux Angel Eyes. Custom Rear Section Exhaust with valves. Next mod: Valentine 1
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-09-2011, 06:23 PM	#7
stefan Brigadier General 2350 Rep 4,253 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: North iTrader: (2)	Its literally the same car from 2008 to 2012 save for 2011s idrive and extremely minor taillight revision. In effect, 2011.75 and 2012 are identical. __________________ ///M Power
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-09-2011, 07:42 PM	#8
chmura Colonel 1558 Rep 2,505 Posts Drives: 2019 M2 Competition Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Orange County, California iTrader: (1)	Wow your car is built already? My e90 just started production yesterday. Does that mean mine is newer then yours and its a 2011?? :P __________________ 2019 M2 Competition- October 2, 2018 ED 2011 BMW M3 Sedan Alpine White Picked up via ED 9/27/2011 & Redelivered 11/23/2011 SOLD
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-10-2011, 10:19 PM	#12
geneatals Ninja 390 Rep 4,014 Posts Drives: 2019 530e Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: So Cal (SFV) iTrader: (3)	congrats on your 2012 m3: ...i kid i kid __________________ 2019 AW G30 530e l ZPP l ZMP l ZDH Retired: 2016 F80 M3, 2012 E90 M3, 2008 535i
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-11-2011, 10:55 AM	#14
jphughan Brigadier General 594 Rep 4,488 Posts Drives: '16 Cayman GT4 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	If you're only talking about EXTERIOR changes, yes in 2011 the tail lights were revised but the stock 18" rims also went from gunmetal to a polished silver finish, which I think was a huge mistake. I wasn't a huge fan of the original 18s except with certain colors because they were too dark, but the new ones make the M3 look like a no-option 328i: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpos...6&postcount=17. The 19" and 19" Comp rims are unchanged, though. On the interior, iDrive was revised for 2009 and there were other very minor things along the way (vents got rearranged a bit, the DSC Off button changed from saying "DSC" to having a picture on it, etc). On the features side, 2011.5 brought some nice changes with Auto Start/Stop and Combox (digital audio from iPhone/iPods, album art, Bluetooth audio streaming, etc). Enjoy! __________________ '16 Cayman GT4 (delivery pics, comparison to E92 M3 write-up) Gone but not forgotten: '11.75 M3 E92 Le Mans \| Black Nov w/ Alum \| 6MT (owned 5/2011 - 11/2015) Last edited by jphughan; 09-11-2011 at 11:11 AM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-11-2011, 11:27 AM	#15
FVM3 Major General 270 Rep 5,751 Posts Drives: e92 m3, f30 328i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (2)	its gonna be the same
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-11-2011, 02:14 PM	#16
JZBDCT Second Lieutenant 15 Rep 214 Posts Drives: e92 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: yonder iTrader: (0)	Thanks all for the feedback. Appreciated. I get more and more excited every day. =) __________________ 2012 BMW M3 Coupe JZB/Fox Red DCT ZCP. Vorsteiner Double Sided Carbon Fiber CSL Boot Lid. Paint Match Grills, Side markers, Reflectors. Carbon Fiber Splitters. Lux Angel Eyes. Custom Rear Section Exhaust with valves. Next mod: Valentine 1
	Appreciate 0 Quote

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search