Possible new owner with questions

[mark896]

Hello all,

I'm currently eyeing a 2009-11 M3 coupe and have a few questions. I didn't see a newbie sticky or FAQ so I hope I'm not stepping on any toes.

How reliable are these cars? It would be a daily driver, and I've never owned a BMW, only domestic. I'm comfortable doing almost all of my own maintenance especially fluid changes.

How can you tell if the car you are looking at has the competition package?

When shopping for one, what are some things to look for/ask about? I've heard the 1200 mile service is a MUST have and can void the warranty?

Any special options you recommend?

Like I said, I'd be daily driving it, NEVER tracking or abusing it. Just want a nice ride that I can 'open up' every once in awhile.

Thanks for any and all replies.

Mark

[MTM]

Lots of good info out there. Here are a few to start you off:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=436655

http://m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=310273

My experience has been great. 2009 with DCT, 33k, used as daily driver. Had an issue with the connection for the iPod control, and the air emissions control valve got stuck and had to be replaced. Warranty took care of all of it. If you buy from a dealer, the standard 4 year 40k warranty also covers maintenance.

Biggest thing with these cars (generally) is that it is SO much fun, you go through gas, brakes and tires.

Word of warning!!!! Do NOT test drive one unless you have already decided to buy it!

[Prince_of_Persia]

M3s are pretty reliable (like tanks). Never had any problem. Love my M3, best car I have ever owned!
If I were you, I would get the nav as you can control your whole car with it so it is not only a navigation system. other options you should decide to see if you need them.

[MDSKIER]

Originally Posted by MTM

Word of warning!!!! Do NOT test drive one unless you have already decided to buy it!

Exactly!

[mark896]

Cool. What's the deal with this 1200 mile service?

[Michaeljh2000]

Originally Posted by mark896

Cool. What's the deal with this 1200 mile service?

My understanding is that for the first 1200 miles a special oil is used to allow the engine to break-in properly. As for maintenance though, with BMW's your covered for first 50,000 miles or 4 years. So, its unlikely the service was never done.

I've got an 09 as my DD and has been great. I absolutely love this car.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by Michaeljh2000

My understanding is that for the first 1200 miles a special oil is used to allow the engine to break-in properly. As for maintenance though, with BMW's your covered for first 50,000 miles or 4 years. So, its unlikely the service was never done.

I've got an 09 as my DD and has been great. I absolutely love this car.

no special oil. just during the intial run in the oil gets fairly dirty. they are the most reliable car bmw makes and also possibly the best to date.

[Mike van D]

Originally Posted by MDSKIER

Exactly!

Totally agree...no turning back once you test drive.

[luis_m3]

Originally Posted by NeedMoreToyz

Totally agree...no turning back once you test drive.

Yeap... Don't do it unless you're ready to pull the trigger.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by MTM

4 year 40k warranty also covers maintenance.

Biggest thing with these cars (generally) is that it is SO much fun, you go through gas, brakes and tires.

Word of warning!!!! Do NOT test drive one unless you have already decided to buy it!

Agree with all this ....^^^

Originally Posted by Prince_of_Persia

M3s are pretty reliable (like tanks). Never had any problem. Love my M3, best car I have ever owned!

..... and ^^^ this

Originally Posted by mark896

Cool. What's the deal with this 1200 mile service?

Oil will be changed to remove any micro particles that ended up or found themselves in the engine during the assembly. Also any imperfections like little tiny metal burrs to remove them with the startup oil.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now if you purchase a brand new car your maintenance needs are looked after for the first 4 years this service is included with your warranty. After 4 years or 50,000 miles you are free to do whatever you wish maintenance wise on your car. Then there are things that I did on my 2002 M3 that I would not be able to do on my 2012 M3. Technology as we all know marches on

Should you purchase used and that is a good option since the car is build for high speeds on the Autobahn ... if you find a good used one with low milage just look out for ...

a) make sure it was not abused on the track (maintenance records would point to that in way of work done to the car on file at the BMW Maintenance Department).

b) make sure the car underwent a full inspection at a BMW dealership and the report is available to you.

c) if "b" above was not done then ask for it to be done while it is being done ask the AS at the BMW maintenance department about an extended warranty for the car you have an eye on. When you do this they will make sure (I am thinking) that they inspect everything 100% since it will be there dollar if they don't.

In the end the BMW inspection report will tell you what if anything needs to be done and it will provide you with a hard document to negotiate a final selling price.

In closing; this car even as a DD is an excellent car true words are spoken by a previous poster when he wrote "like a tank" i.e. very well build the ///m Division takes a normal 3 series BMW and replaces about 50 to 60% of the 3 series parts and modifies up to 80% of the entire 3 series to design a M3. and every generation they are getting better and better. Finally; do that the warning seriously "Don't drive one unless you do plan to get one" it does get under your skin, it's just that good of a car my friend.

Good Luck finding what you seek

[mark896]

Originally Posted by Rolf-Dieter

Agree with all this ....^^^



..... and ^^^ this



Oil will be changed to remove any micro particles that ended up or found themselves in the engine during the assembly. Also any imperfections like little tiny metal burrs to remove them with the startup oil.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now if you purchase a brand new car your maintenance needs are looked after for the first 4 years this service is included with your warranty. After 4 years or 50,000 miles you are free to do whatever you wish maintenance wise on your car. Then there are things that I did on my 2002 M3 that I would not be able to do on my 2012 M3. Technology as we all know marches on

Should you purchase used and that is a good option since the car is build for high speeds on the Autobahn ... if you find a good used one with low milage just look out for ...

a) make sure it was not abused on the track (maintenance records would point to that in way of work done to the car on file at the BMW Maintenance Department).

b) make sure the car underwent a full inspection at a BMW dealership and the report is available to you.

c) if "b" above was not done then ask for it to be done while it is being done ask the AS at the BMW maintenance department about an extended warranty for the car you have an eye on. When you do this they will make sure (I am thinking) that they inspect everything 100% since it will be there dollar if they don't.

In the end the BMW inspection report will tell you what if anything needs to be done and it will provide you with a hard document to negotiate a final selling price.

In closing; this car even as a DD is an excellent car true words are spoken by a previous poster when he wrote "like a tank" i.e. very well build the ///m Division takes a normal 3 series BMW and replaces about 50 to 60% of the 3 series parts and modifies up to 80% of the entire 3 series to design a M3. and every generation they are getting better and better. Finally; do that the warning seriously "Don't drive one unless you do plan to get one" it does get under your skin, it's just that good of a car my friend.

Good Luck finding what you seek

Thanks a lot for that. Can I take the VIN of a certain car and just call a BMW dealership to find out what the deal is with a certain car? They wouldn't charge me for that would they?

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by mark896

Thanks a lot for that. Can I take the VIN of a certain car and just call a BMW dealership to find out what the deal is with a certain car? They wouldn't charge me for that would they?

I've never done that, however, I don't see it to be a problem. Should it be I would ask a good friend that drives a BMW to ask his Service Adviser to plug the VIN number in and get the record.

Should you consider purchasing a used M3 make sure you get all the information and insist as part of the deal to have the car inspected at a BMW dealership. I would then also mention to them that you would be interested in extended warranty (even if you don't plan to get it). This I believe will make sure that the car is inspected from A to Z and it will give you a good tool to agree on a final selling / purchasing price.

When I sold my e46 this was done and a rear spring was changed and some other minor items totalling about $1K I then got my asking price.

Goof luck ..

[crabman]

Yep, I thought I would check one out, went for a spin, and..... Well, I had to have me some of that. Finished negotiations yesterday, will get the car on its way Monday. Do not test drive, you have been warned!

[mark896]

Thanks, man. One last question. Is there a way to tell if a car has the competition package by just looking at it? I know the stance is a little wider, but the problem is I'm going to most likely be traveling a far distance to obtain my car (it'll be a used one), and I for sure want one with the comp package. I guess I could run the VIN at a dealership but I don't have one near..

[aajami]

Originally Posted by mark896

Thanks, man. One last question. Is there a way to tell if a car has the competition package by just looking at it? I know the stance is a little wider, but the problem is I'm going to most likely be traveling a far distance to obtain my car (it'll be a used one), and I for sure want one with the comp package. I guess I could run the VIN at a dealership but I don't have one near..

The Competition Package was introduced in MY11 to coincide with the coupe's LCI (refresh), so look for the updated tailights for starters. Next, check for the Style 359M wheels, which were part of ZCP (Comp Package). Beyond that, it'll be hard to tell. ZCP cars will sit a bit lower than those without, but it's tough to eyeball 10mm. The only way to be sure is to run a VIN or ask for the original sticker.

[GIdriver]

Originally Posted by MTM

Word of warning!!!! Do NOT test drive one unless you have already decided to buy it!

Best piece of advice you'll get.

[runnerguy1979]

I agree about the test drive.

The first test drive for me was incredibly satisfying...but, you don't realize until a few hours/days later how good it actually was until you find yourself doing other things but still thinking about driving the car again. In my case, I test drove 3-4 times to make sure it wasn't just a love affair that would fizzle. I wanted to be sure. I test drove different transmissions, body styles and packages in all different types of terrain. I'm actually thankful I did this because I realized I didn't care for how the convertible drove (the model I nearly purchased).

Unfortunately, the sedan isn't being built any longer. I think teamed with the 6MT, this was the tightest and most satisfying ride. My next choice was a coupe 6MT with competition. I can't wait for delivery...waiting is a painful painful process I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.