Noob here, picking up my M3 this weekend

[Peahi]

Moonstone is awesome color....wish I had moonstone.

If that car was on sale where I live, it would be gone in a flash. Try to get a good price of course, but don't cry if someone walks up and buys it while you are conducting a internet discussion.

That car does look sweet!

[corrado79]

Originally Posted by Peahi

If that car was on sale where I live, it would be gone in a flash. Try to get a good price of course, but don't cry if someone walks up and buys it while you are conducting a internet discussion.

This made be chuckle. Thank you.

[SDPRT]

Congrats Dude. I just picked mine up three weeks ago. Needless to say you will have a great weekend (if its still there).

[pedrobot]

Originally Posted by Peahi

Moonstone is awesome color....wish I had moonstone.

If that car was on sale where I live, it would be gone in a flash. Try to get a good price of course, but don't cry if someone walks up and buys it while you are conducting a internet discussion.

That car does look sweet!

No worries. I locked it down with a deposit.

[k5ng]

Congrats on your new ride!!

[freshwhite335]

looked at the pix on ebay and i think who ever said it was TiAg is right

[Titanium Silver]

Originally Posted by tibra1

Congrats ..nice color choice..

First order of business..lower those gross wheel offsets...this car has so much room under its fenders its a crime they come with wheels tucked in so much

Here is mine spacered out..ET 15 all around.

Attachment 641181

No offense to Tibra, but I would reconsider the advice of putting spacers on your car. This can cause plenty of problems and the car looks fine without them. I personally don't think BMW engineers committed any crimes the way they have the car setup from the factory.

Oh yeah, CONGRATS on the new car! Looks good. I like the color combo. You will enjoy it!

[tibra1]

Originally Posted by Titanium Silver

No offense to Tibra, but I would reconsider the advice of putting spacers on your car. This can cause plenty of problems and the car looks fine without them. I personally don't think BMW engineers committed any crimes the way they have the car setup from the factory.

Oh yeah, CONGRATS on the new car! Looks good. I like the color combo. You will enjoy it!

No offense taken..as long as they are hub centric and use the correct lenght lug bolts..I dont agree that its unsafe, in fact adding wheel spacers widens the overall "track" (or width) which increase cornering stability..ideally its always best to use correct wheel offset with the wheels..but in the case of the ZCPs they only come in the OEM offsets.

[Nutinup]

Pedrobot,

I am from SA as well, and maybe we can hook up next year (in Afghanistan until Dec 12) my car will be there in Aug - Sept so we can def meet up. NICE color my friend. Where in Houston...

Originally Posted by pedrobot

1. How do I check for this? I know it's under warranty but I want to know if there's anything else I can use as wiggle room to bring the price a bit lower.

2. As it stands a little under 42k.

I'm in San Antonio but driving to Houston to pick up, that's where the car is.

Thanks Nate, thanks cacofonix.

[runnerguy1979]

Originally Posted by tibra1

No offense taken..as long as they are hub centric and use the correct lenght lug bolts..I dont agree that its unsafe, in fact adding wheel spacers widens the overall "track" (or width) which increase cornering stability..ideally its always best to use correct wheel offset with the wheels..but in the case of the ZCPs they only come in the OEM offsets.

I'm on the fence about spacers myself.

I've read the threads, and both your comments sparked my interest. Spacers do look brilliant on the car but, I'm one of those guys that put his faith in BMW's Engineering department who didn't put spacers on the car from the factory. I suspect there was probably a reason for this.

I on the fence because they do look incredible and lots of M owners on this forum have them....still thinking, hmmmm...

[pedrobot]

Originally Posted by freshwhite335

looked at the pix on ebay and i think who ever said it was TiAg is right

D'oh!
Car is silverstone II metallic NOT moonstone.
Oh well, car still looks great.

Picked car up yesterday afternoon/evening.

Sales rep was wrong in color but right on everything else. The car is in great condition.
Drive back from Houston last night could have been a major fail as a pair of deer attempted to become hood ornaments.

Speeds of >/= 80mph + stationary deer = Oh FAK!

Pics to come later.

[pedrobot]

Originally Posted by Nutinup

Pedrobot,

I am from SA as well, and maybe we can hook up next year (in Afghanistan until Dec 12) my car will be there in Aug - Sept so we can def meet up. NICE color my friend. Where in Houston...

Hey man, thanks for chiming in. Yeah, would be great to meet up with some local M owners. Definitely post up once your back in town, maybe we can drum up some other locals to meet up.

Car was at a luxury used dealer near the Galleria, Nxcess Auto. Easiest auto purchase I've ever made.

If anyone on here is looking at a pre-owned luxury auto, give Viet a call at Nxcess. That guy was responsive and very professional. Only thing he got wrong was the color, but hey, that's splitting hairs as the pics really do all the talking.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by runnerguy1979

I'm on the fence about spacers myself.

I've read the threads, and both your comments sparked my interest. Spacers do look brilliant on the car but, I'm one of those guys that put his faith in BMW's Engineering department who didn't put spacers on the car from the factory. I suspect there was probably a reason for this.

I on the fence because they do look incredible and lots of M owners on this forum have them....still thinking, hmmmm...

I had BMW install my 18" x 8" winter wheel set (they are style 220m replicas not OEM) Anyway they are the same size on all four corners. Front's look okay, the rear looks so so ... a bit too far in of course. When I asked my SA and BMW Parts Manager about spacers they strongly recommended not to use them.

So I will not, besides I only put the winter set on in case the roads are nice and dry then I take my M3 for a spin otherwise I use our DD. So no spacers for me.

I think it has to do with the following ...

1) changing the studs two times a year will or can result in damaged threads or studs. After all 20 studs have to be removed and longer ones installed if spacers are used.

2) the spacers must fit just right or there be chances of the wheels not being mounted concentric resulting in vibration and premature tire wear.

So I don't care if my rear wheels look a bit strange during the winter months, besides during that time my M3 is mostly a garage queen staying nice and warm in my garage. Pictures of both (summer and winter) wheel set ups can be seen in my 2012 M3 Garage, photo 1 and 2 respectively.

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by tibra1

No offense taken..as long as they are hub centric and use the correct lenght lug bolts..I dont agree that its unsafe, in fact adding wheel spacers widens the overall "track" (or width) which increase cornering stability..ideally its always best to use correct wheel offset with the wheels..but in the case of the ZCPs they only come in the OEM offsets.

I agree - there is no safety issue with running high quality spacers when correct length lug bolts are used, and spacers can improve and/or help fine tune handling characteristics. The M3 GT4 comes with front and rear spacers from the "factory"...

[pedrobot]

Quick photo

[PNWM3]

Originally Posted by pedrobot

Hello everyone. I'm excited to be picking up my M3 this coming Saturday. I found the exact color I wanted, moonstone silver, with black leather interior. Classic color with timeless interior style.

I've been trolling this website for the past several weeks and have enjoyed reading your posts. Here's a pic from the dealer website.



I will post pics this weekend after I pick her up.

But........before I drop my hard earned $$ and sign on the dotted line. Are there any known problems I should look for before pick up?
It has a clean VIN and although used, 2008 model, it has low miles, 29k and it's still under warranty.

I appreciate any of your feedback on this and thanks in advance!

Congrats! Nice color and sounds like a good price.

[PNWM3]

Originally Posted by pedrobot

Quick photo

You sure that's not Silverstone II? Looks like it...

[pedrobot]

Originally Posted by pedrobot

D'oh!
Car is silverstone II metallic NOT moonstone.
Oh well, car still looks great.

<SNIP>

Originally Posted by PNWM3

You sure that's not Silverstone II? Looks like it...

It is. See easier post.

Took it for a 1 hour romp across town.
FAK!!!
This car wants to get my license revoked! With an OH $HIT grin on my face!!

[flpnout]

Originally Posted by tibra1

The difference really is noticeable with spacers vs without.

My experience last month: I had 15mm spacers all around on my M3 for two weeks and I had them taken off due to a bit of vibration and a slight pull to the right. After removing them, it was back to normal: drove straight, no vibration. I enjoyed the look, but would rather have a solid feel and confidence drive wise.

[tibra1]

Originally Posted by flpnout

My experience last month: I had 15mm spacers all around on my M3 for two weeks and I had them taken off due to a bit of vibration and a slight pull to the right. After removing them, it was back to normal: drove straight, no vibration. I enjoyed the look, but would rather have a solid feel and confidence drive wise.

I have 15mm F and 10mm R ... no such issues..thats most certainly an install error..or poor spacers..which brand did you use?

[flpnout]

Originally Posted by tibra1

I have 15mm F and 10mm R ... no such issues..thats most certainly an install error..or poor spacers..which brand did you use?

I used a reputable shop: ALEKSHOP. He has done a lot of work on my cars before without any issue. He used RS Technik. It was a costly trial. It cost me $470 not including the re-balancing, and was refunded $290 since he spent time trying to fix whatever was causing it. I ended up having my tires balanced. Swapped the two front wheels, then I finally had them completely removed. It was back to normal after the removal. He said it was unusual that I had the symptoms I had experienced.

[tibra1]

Originally Posted by flpnout

I used a reputable shop: ALEKSHOP. He has done a lot of work on my cars before without any issue. He used RS Technik. It was a costly trial. It cost me $470 not including the re-balancing, and was refunded $290 since he spent time trying to fix whatever was causing it. I ended up having my tires balanced. Swapped the two front wheels, then I finally had them completely removed. It was back to normal after the removal. He said it was unusual that I had the symptoms I had experienced.

Very unusual..myself I used Macht Schnell spacers as they come with the extended bolts..I just have to check the torque on the lug bolts once in a while for good measure.but have had none of your issues.