Should I buy a 2011 or 2013 M3

[mrvedit]

Looks like I will be joining the M3 club in the next few days.
I currently have two 2008 335xi; both have been tracked, as will the M3.
Got into BMWs in the '80s and I became the founder of the Motor City chapter of the BMWCCA.

After driving a variety of 2011-2103 M3s, both Manual trans and DCT, I have decided on manual for the personal engagement. Sure DCT is faster on the track, but I'm not out to set lap records.

I now have two excellent choices and need to decide this Monday:

2013 M3 with Competition package, Carbon Fiber roof, LeMans Blue with tan interior, 29,000 miles for $49K. Michelin Pilot Sport tires in excellent condition. Still has factory warranty till December 2016.

2011 M3 with Competition package, LeMans Blue with black interior, 39,000 miles for $37.5K. Bridgestone Potenza tires in marginal condition.

Both prices are right at Blue Book.
Including sales tax it is a $12K difference.

On the 2013 I just need to sign the completely ready papers at the dealer.
The 2011 would be a private owner sale and a lot more hassle with the DMV, etc.

Any opinions on whether the 2013 is worth $12K more than the 2011?
Did 2013 have any significant upgrades/improvements?
Which would you buy?

[bkdore]

All else being equal I'd choose the 2011 and the $12K savings. There weren't any major changes after the 2011 Competition package came out. For 4K you can get a warranty that will last way longer than 8 months, for 2K you can get a brand new set of tires and you still have 6K for any modifications or issues you find. It will also depreciate a lot less than the 2013 will over the next 10,000 miles.

[IN54NITY]

Yep, what bkdore said. + camber plates and coil overs.

[Mr. BMW]

I'd go with the newer car with 10K less miles that has some warranty left.

[1MOREMOD]

Save the money, get 11

[Agent-GHQ]

2013 gots the updated flywheel, tail lights, Eng cap, center controls, etc

[Tupug]

get 11 dont waste $12 grand its a lot of money. There is really no difference

[loveskiing]

Add my voice to getting the 2011...save the $$$ and use it to get more important things like clown midget hookers in the trunk....

[6ixSpd]

Originally Posted by Agent-GHQ

2013 gots the updated flywheel, tail lights, Eng cap, center controls, etc

Incorrect.

[mrvedit]

Thank you for the feedback so far, but keep it coming.
As mentioned the $12K savings is plenty for warranty, new tires, brake pads and much more.
I just wanted to be sure I wasn't missing anything important. The carbon fiber roof on the 2013 is cool though.

Yes, I would get an extended warranty. I have CarCheck on my 335xi and so far it has covered an engine replacement ($12K), trans leak ($700), A/C compressor (???) and some incidentals. Service guy said CarCheck gives him less warranty hassle than what the dealer sells for extended. Great warranty service; hopefully I'm not on their blacklist.

[Law]

Originally Posted by Agent-GHQ

2013 gots the updated flywheel, tail lights, Eng cap, center controls, etc

The flywheel & clutch were updated for the 2009 model year. The rest of these changes were introduced throughout the 2011 model year.
All E9X M3 from 2011.75 - 2013 are identical in spec and available options



03/2010~08/2010: 2011
-E92/93 gets LCI tail lamps (E90 already got LCI lights as of MY2009 09/08 build)
-Competition package (ZCP) added as an option for E90/92
-Mineral white added as a color option for post 06/2010 builds.

09/2010~02/2011: 2011.5
Many threads reference the 2011.5 as the "September Changes".
For the M3, this includes:
-Automatic start/stop function added
-Additional bluetooth & smartphone connectivity, including bluetooth audio streaming (Combox)
-The aforementioned mineral white paint option
-18-inch Style 219M/260M alloy wheels receive bright silver finish in place of Ferric Grey finish
-Manually-adjsutable front seats introduced on E90/92 (USA only)
-Bi-color Novillo leather upholstery in two different combinations (Palladium Silver + Black or Fox Red + Black) offered for E90/92 (USA only)

03/2011~09/2011: 2011.75
-BMWApps/BMW Connected Drive added to the iDrive (6NR)

[jphughan]

OP find out the production month of the 2011 or get the option list. Either one will identify whether it's an original 2011 or a 2011.5 since the latter started in 9/2010 and the package names were changed. As mentioned above, 2011.5 would bag you Combox for Bluetooth audio streaming, album art when connected over USB, not needing a Y-cable, text message display on iDrive, and other minor stuff. You may not care for a $12K difference, but it never hurts to have the information.

[cmo_93]

For me, it had to be '12 or better bc I needed the BT Audio. $12k for BT Audio

[spiderspider]

*scratches head* My 2009 has bluetooth audio

[tommy///M]

Originally Posted by spiderspider

*scratches head* My 2009 has bluetooth audio

Are you sure? Can you play music through Bluetooth?

[spiderspider]

Originally Posted by tommy///M

Are you sure? Can you play music through Bluetooth?

You know what, I did have to buy that $80 adapter thingy that connects in the console. Tune2Air. Works so flawlessly I forgot it wasn't factory. Yes, I stream Tidal, Pandora, navigate with Waze through my phone, take calls over the car bluetooth, all seamlessly.

[calicolorado]

Originally Posted by mrvedit

Looks like I will be joining the M3 club in the next few days.
I currently have two 2008 335xi; both have been tracked, as will the M3.
Got into BMWs in the '80s and I became the founder of the Motor City chapter of the BMWCCA.

After driving a variety of 2011-2103 M3s, both Manual trans and DCT, I have decided on manual for the personal engagement. Sure DCT is faster on the track, but I'm not out to set lap records.

I now have two excellent choices and need to decide this Monday:

2013 M3 with Competition package, Carbon Fiber roof, LeMans Blue with tan interior, 29,000 miles for $49K. Michelin Pilot Sport tires in excellent condition. Still has factory warranty till December 2016.

2011 M3 with Competition package, LeMans Blue with black interior, 39,000 miles for $37.5K. Bridgestone Potenza tires in marginal condition.

Both prices are right at Blue Book.
Including sales tax it is a $12K difference.

On the 2013 I just need to sign the completely ready papers at the dealer.
The 2011 would be a private owner sale and a lot more hassle with the DMV, etc.

Any opinions on whether the 2013 is worth $12K more than the 2011?
Did 2013 have any significant upgrades/improvements?
Which would you buy?

I'd go with the 2011 and save yourself the money and trouble of a keeping a beige interior clean. I have a beige interior and though it looks beautiful and is inviting, it requires significantly more attention to keep looking perfect. Black interiors are more forgiving. Both are the same outside and 39k on a 2011 is a-ok. Just my .02

[Rat3d ///M]

Originally Posted by cmo_93

For me, it had to be '12 or better bc I needed the BT Audio. $12k for BT Audio

pretty sure my 2011 has BT audio.

OP: get the 2011. Take the $12k you saved and buy yourself a nice suspension setup, BBK, and ESS SC kit = win. The car will be a beast and you won't regret it. The 2011 is listed at a great price as is even needing new tires and there is virtually no difference between the two model years so it really comes down to options and which one you like better.

[ajee622]

Depends on your budget man. I'd say 2013 if $12k doesn't matter to you.

I do agree with everyone else though. I'd personally go with 2011 because $12k is like a 30% difference. Also I'd probably kick myself if I spent $50k on a 2013 m3 and since the newer body style is dropping in price you could probably have the new style in about a year, year and a half at $50k

My budget was $40k max and I wanted specific options and color. I probably paid $1-2k more because of this but I only wanted specific things and at the time it was what's available

That said I have a 2011 and love it.

[MrSlacker]

Save $12k and get the 2011. You will not notice a difference. When it will be time to sell, they will depreciate to the same level and you will be able to gain $0 extra for having a 2013 instead of 2011.

I have a 2011.5 and absolutely love it.

[cmo_93]

Originally Posted by ||||||||||

pretty sure my 2011 has BT audio.

OP: get the 2011. Take the $12k you saved and buy yourself a nice suspension setup, BBK, and ESS SC kit = win. The car will be a beast and you won't regret it. The 2011 is listed at a great price as is even needing new tires and there is virtually no difference between the two model years so it really comes down to options and which one you like better.

AFAIK, the 2011s made later in the year had BT Audio. I was exaggerating. lol

In all seriousness, OP, I would naturally opt for the newer car but not for THAT much more money. Figure what options you must have and go with the best bang for your buck.

[Ludey]

All personal preference factors being equal (colors, CF roof, etc), and money is not an issue, the question becomes simply 'would you want a 2011 M3 or a 2013 M3?' because everything else is factored out. Logic dictates 2013 is the correct answer in this scenario.

If liquid cash *is* a factor, then no question the 2011 is the correct choice since they're basically the exact same cars, but financial roadblocks hinder you from acquiring the higher valued asset.

If personal preference factors are *not* equal, then you choose the one that suits your tastes.

Simple as that.