Getting into an E90 M3 - Two current options

[Move Over]

Hey guys, I'm currently looking to purchase an E90 M3 sedan, coming from a G37S sedan 6MT. I have narrowed my searches down and have found two MT options. This will be my daily driver, around 12-15k miles a year. Keep that in mind!

First option:
2008 Jerez Black with red interior - 6MT
2 owner - Current owner is a middle aged woman, says she is a BMW enthusiast and has had a few M cars in her day.
08 Idrive (heard I want the 2009+)
47k Miles
New tires
1 Accident on the carfax, airbags not deployed - Accident was with first owner at 13k miles.
Transferrable Warranty through MaxCare 3 years or 100k miles - I did a little research on MaxCare...Looks like a pain to get anything actually covered.
Asking 29.9k

Second Option:
2009 Jet Black w Black interior - 6MT
2 Owner, All service Records from Braman in south FL
No Idrive, No EDC
67k Miles
Comes lowered on coilovers
OEM Exhaust mod
Fresh off BMW CPO, looks like maintenance is up to date
No accidents AFAIK
Asking 30k.

It's a toss up between the two. Obviously I like the lower mileage, but it has an accident (although it was quite a while ago). 08 has I drive, 09 I would instantly add the most recent Dynavin, and that would suffice for my personal techie needs. 09 has a couple of mods that I would probably do off the bat, but I do my best to not buy my cars modded.

What do you guys think?

[Bavarian Beast]

Do you have any idea what the accident was with option one? It could have been something minor. If you are planning on keeping it for a while then I would go with option one, especially if you can find out what happened. If not, option two looks ok. It is kind of a toss up to me with them. Have you driven both of them? You may be fine with the coil overs for everyday driving, or maybe not depending on the ride.

[SteveInfante]

I like option 1. I'm suffering from the same struggle currently. I'm in Germany so it makes it a little more challenging. Good luck with the hunt.

[Move Over]

Originally Posted by Bavarian Beast

Do you have any idea what the accident was with option one? It could have been something minor. If you are planning on keeping it for a while then I would go with option one, especially if you can find out what happened. If not, option two looks ok. It is kind of a toss up to me with them. Have you driven both of them? You may be fine with the coil overs for everyday driving, or maybe not depending on the ride.

I have not driven either one, as neither of them are local. Just getting a feel as to if I should rule either out.

I don't have any idea what the accident was. I talked to the owner today and she said she doesn't know either. I don't think I will be finding out what the accident was.

As for the coilovers - I'm not worried about it, as I probably would be doing suspension work anyways.

I've been on coils for my last three cars, and now I am on an accuair setup. I'm used to the firm ride. This particular car has Active Autowerke with Hypercoil springs - which seem to be a pretty high quality setup.

Also, according to the autocheck, the miles on option 2 went up pretty rapidly over the past two years. Looks like a lot of highway driving per the owner.

I plan to keep this as long as it doesn't give me issues. Option 2 seems to have less goodies, which almost seems better from a reliability standpoint. Option 1 has that "warranty".

[loveskiing]

Pass on both...
Remember my motto "select, don't settle"
It appears as though you're choosing between two choices where neither one really excites you. Dude you're choosing a M3, wait until you find the one you can't live without and grab it before someone else does

[Move Over]

Originally Posted by loveskiing

Pass on both...
Remember my motto "select, don't settle"
It appears as though you're choosing between two choices where neither one really excites you. Dude you're choosing a M3, wait until you find the one you can't live without and grab it before someone else does

Haha, well thanks!

The thing is, both REALLY excite me. I know I'm on the low end of the spectrum as fasr as budget goes, so it's slim pickens under 32k for a MT sedan.

[mjposner]

I would worry about the second car for hard use. Why bother with those mods unless you will push the car. I would snoop on the first car (perhaps the repairs were done at the dealer. Get the service records and then call dealer and see if they actually did repairs as well). Dynavin seems pretty good option.

[jbjones85]

Originally Posted by loveskiing

Pass on both...
Remember my motto "select, don't settle"
It appears as though you're choosing between two choices where neither one really excites you. Dude you're choosing a M3, wait until you find the one you can't live without and grab it before someone else does

I can second this thought. I searched for my ideal combination for almost 6 months. If you are not in a hurry I would wait until the "right" M came along. It will happen just takes a little patience.

[s85e90]

Originally Posted by mjposner

I would worry about the second car for hard use. Why bother with those mods unless you will push the car. I would snoop on the first car (perhaps the repairs were done at the dealer. Get the service records and then call dealer and see if they actually did repairs as well). Dynavin seems pretty good option.

Mods are personal preference. I like lowered cars simply put. Active gave me an incentive to run their coilovers versus simply springs. Car is driven. Not hard, not babied, but driven and meticulously maintained. I use the car for daily commuting to clients homes and was at one point commuting from the east to west coast of Florida. OP is more than welcomed to come and scrutinize the car for issues. Car has never been abused. People who know me know how my cars are taken care of.

[SteveInfante]

Well that settles it. Good to see someone backing up their car.

[MSPORTWORLD]

Originally Posted by loveskiing

Pass on both...
Remember my motto "select, don't settle"
It appears as though you're choosing between two choices where neither one really excites you. Dude you're choosing a M3, wait until you find the one you can't live without and grab it before someone else does

This is the wisest option...but otherwise I'd agree it's a toss up between the two

[NashvegasR]

I'd keep looking. I'd say 09+ idrive and EDC are a must. I just took a roadtrip in my M3 (rarely drive it on trips as dogs, etc go in the other car) and I have to say, I really enjoyed the EDC on the curvy back roads.

[Bavarian Beast]

If you don't care about EDC for DD then go with number two.

[BzsBimmer]

Option 2

[webninja]

Originally Posted by NashvegasR

I'd keep looking. I'd say 09+ idrive and EDC are a must. I just took a roadtrip in my M3 (rarely drive it on trips as dogs, etc go in the other car) and I have to say, I really enjoyed the EDC on the curvy back roads.

+1

[Move Over]

Is Idrive really necessary? Like I said I have been looking at the Dynavin units and they look more than acceptable with their new N6 model.

[bkdore]

I'd go with the 2009. The mileage difference isn't all that much. The 2008 clutch is going to cost a lot more to change than the 2009 when the time comes and that, along with the older idrive and the accident on the carfax will make it harder to sell in the future. You can get a warranty on the 2009. You can't make the accident on the 2008 go away.

[s85e90]

Originally Posted by NashvegasR

I'd keep looking. I'd say 09+ idrive and EDC are a must. I just took a roadtrip in my M3 (rarely drive it on trips as dogs, etc go in the other car) and I have to say, I really enjoyed the EDC on the curvy back roads.

My suspension is wayyyyyy above and beyond what the EDC can offer you.

[mjposner]

With knowledge pf the driver I say option 2. But..Why are you selling s85e90?

[STooK]

Even though I really don't like pre lci e90 rear, I would go for the first one but try to haggle the price to 27-28k. Second one probably was driven hard and miles are a bit high. Plus no idrive is a big deal breaker for me since it's much more than just a navi unit. You might not even get M drive if the car doesn't have navi but I'm sure someone else can confirm.

Ideally, I'd wait for a 09+ with idrive and other options and sub 50k miles. It might cost a bit more but totally worth the extra over an 08 or one with no idrive.

[s85e90]

Originally Posted by mjposner

With knowledge pf the driver I say option 2. But..Why are you selling s85e90?

1. Downsizing as I have four cars and my HOA isn't too fond of that as one has to sit in street.

2. Bought a 911 turbo to use as a daily and can't have 2 sports cars.


(Also getting married this year and need to please everyone, ya know?)

[s85e90]

Originally Posted by STooK

Even though I really don't like pre lci e90 rear, I would go for the first one but try to haggle the price to 27-28k. Second one probably was driven hard and miles are a bit high. Plus no idrive is a big deal breaker for me since it's much more than just a navi unit. You might not even get M drive if the car doesn't have navi but I'm sure someone else can confirm.

Ideally, I'd wait for a 09+ with idrive and other options and sub 50k miles. It might cost a bit more but totally worth the extra over an 08 or one with no idrive.

As stated the car isn't/wasn't driven hard. I don't know why I have to defend myself on this forum but it's the same
Rhetoric all day long. Anyone is more than welcome to come and scrutinize the car. And yes there's no M button. That's so gimmicky anyways. Just like the sport button on the console. Obviously it appeals to people such as yourself but these cars don't need those gimmicks.