New here. Making the switch

[GolfProGiff]

Great site and I'm excited to be here. I'm looking at making the switch from a 2001 e39 M5 to a 2008 or 2009 e90 M3. Has anyone made this switch before that could let me know what to expect? I'm hoping to use the forum to learn what to look for while shopping. Thanks in advance.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by GolfProGiff

Great site and I'm excited to be here. I'm looking at making the switch from a 2001 e39 M5 to a 2008 or 2009 e90 M3. Has anyone made this switch before that could let me know what to expect? I'm hoping to use the forum to learn what to look for while shopping. Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the Forum ... Good luck with your search/switch ... the e9x is a great car hope you find a good deal.

[GolfProGiff]

Originally Posted by username11

Pics of the e39?

2001 Anthracite with Full Ext Caramel

My "Beast" It could to be hard to say goodbye...

http://gallery.me.com/golfprogiff

[LTJohn]

you'll have a much more agile car! Less understeer. Less power too, but you won't notice it much. Basically in going to the M3, you lop off two cylinders, and lose about 20% of the car's volume and about 10% of the weight. DCT is better than the SMG too.

[motortrend]

Originally Posted by DocJohn

you'll have a much more agile car! Less understeer. Less power too, but you won't notice it much. Basically in going to the M3, you lop off two cylinders, and lose about 20% of the car's volume and about 10% of the weight. DCT is better than the SMG too.

He had an E39 which means the E90 is better in pretty much every aspect, while probably not being far off in terms of feel since the numbers are similar

[klammer]

Originally Posted by DocJohn

you'll have a much more agile car! Less understeer. Less power too, but you won't notice it much. Basically in going to the M3, you lop off two cylinders, and lose about 20% of the car's volume and about 10% of the weight. DCT is better than the SMG too.

Think you're referring to the E60 m5. The M3 will be better in every way. You'll love it

[GolfProGiff]

Both have NA V8 engines 404hp/414hp. That's the appeal for me. Both are 6 speed MT which I prefer in the lost run. And both are somewhat understated in appearance. Driving the M3 I found the power to be more in the higher end of the spectrum than the M5 but it accelerated so much quicker from start.

[GolfProGiff]

Do those with 18" wheels experience a smoother ride then the those with 19" setup? & if I have navigation does that guarantee the ability to adjust M mode setting specifics? or is it not that simple when shopping?

[smmmurf]

Originally Posted by GolfProGiff

Do those with 18" wheels experience a smoother ride then the those with 19" setup? & if I have navigation does that guarantee the ability to adjust M mode setting specifics? or is it not that simple when shopping?

Need tech package for MDM, mDrive, and other stuff on the 2008/2009 which includes Nav, EDC, etc. Now the new 2011's I believe come with an M button even if you don't order Nav but this is not true of the earlier cars.

Yes, 18's are smoother than 19's. depends where you live. where I live in california, 19's are difficult to deal with and I think the 18's ride much better. other areas with glass smooth roads like phoenix metro area in arizona... 19's are fine. From what I remember about Florida about 5-6 years ago, the roads were pretty good... the turnpike, etc. It's really up to your individual preference and it truly isn't hard to change after the fact. there are tons of people buying/selling M3 wheels on this forum all the time. remember that 2008/2009's have different tire pressure monitoring sensors than 2010 and up models, which use different sensor units. you will get an error if you don't have the matching sensors in your car.

Highly recommend a 2009 for better navigation. The 2008 Nav is the older generation.

[GolfProGiff]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[CBS]

Just wanted to add my Welcome to a "soon to be" fellow E90 M3 Owner!

I believe you will enjoy a 2009 best and this Forum will be very helpful.

[The Flying Scotsman]

Welcome Golfprogiff!

You are going to be very happy with the change. Your E9x M3 will be your dream car! I have a coupe and love it!

You will have a lot more variety of modifications for the M3 vs. the M5.

Are you looking for a DCT or a 6 mt?

I see that you live in south Florida. I do also! Which part?

[Ateam]

I would go for the LCI year for tail lights too. Was that 2010 or 2009? They look a hundrned times more modern and better.

Also there was a guy not too long ago who had went from an e39 m5 to a e92 m3 and he kept feeling the car had no power and was not overly happy driving around the city and missed hte low end torque of the m5. I would definetly make sure you are absolutely ok and willing to live above 6k and with that comes a lot of great engine noise but noise nonetheless. It is a slug in the low revs v. the m5 is the exact opposite that peters out at 6800.

I prefer the e92 but only have driven the e39 a handful of times. The m3 is so much more refined it is a huge step up trust me. Feels like a true race car which the e39 definetly does not.

[GolfProGiff]

MY09's seem difficult to find. My guess is maybe there are more MY08 because of 3 year leases?? I do prefer the lights on the MY09 but I isn't a deal beaker.

I had a S2000 prior to the e39 M5 so I figure the e90 M3 is somewhere in the middle... I really don't want to sell my beast... I just can't afford to keep her in the fashion she deserves! The six figure odometer reading is new to me and scares me!

http://gallery.me.com/golfprogiff

[Ateam]

the e39 was so great and the ultimate stealth because it was the last M to really look almost completely normal and downplayed but had a bitching motor and suspension etc. Understated M's no longer exist. Not that I do not like the aggressive styling but its nice to have a mix of both types.

[GolfProGiff]

Originally Posted by Ateam

the e39 was so great and the ultimate stealth because it was the last M to really look almost completely normal and downplayed but had a bitching motor and suspension etc. Understated M's no longer exist. Not that I do not like the aggressive styling but its nice to have a mix of both types.

True... But the 1 M is a step in the right direction... Unfortunatly only 800 steps in the US and price gauging aplenty. I see the M3 as the perfect blend. I told my wife it has the LATCH system. ;-)

[03BeastCharmer]

Originally Posted by GolfProGiff

2001 Anthracite with Full Ext Caramel

My "Beast" It could to be hard to say goodbye...

http://gallery.me.com/golfprogiff

Man your interior is in great shape. My '03 also has the Caramel extended leather, and the side bolster is losing some of it's color. Nice Beast I'm also looking to join the E9x ///M3 family soon, but the wife says the M5 isn't going anywhere

[smmmurf]

Originally Posted by GolfProGiff

MY09's seem difficult to find. My guess is maybe there are more MY08 because of 3 year leases?? I do prefer the lights on the MY09 but I isn't a deal beaker.

I had a S2000 prior to the e39 M5 so I figure the e90 M3 is somewhere in the middle... I really don't want to sell my beast... I just can't afford to keep her in the fashion she deserves! The six figure odometer reading is new to me and scares me!

http://gallery.me.com/golfprogiff

FYI, I have an S2000 in addition to my E90 M3, and the E90 is not nearly as fun or responsive as the S. The M3 feels a lot more isolated. The throttle response on the S2000 is much, much better. The M3 is a lot faster and more practical than the S though

I would say that the E90 is a better, faster, newer version of the car you currently have (it is just as comfortable).