For those with base M3s...

[mdosu]

the only grief you'll get is on the forums, where people hide behind their monitors and tell you how shitty your car is.

don't worry about it, an M3 is an M3 is an M3. As long as you have that S65 under the hood, it's all the same.

I have a pretty loaded M3, and then people give you shit for having seat heaters, moonroof, no ZCP, 18 inchers, etc....it's as if your M3 doesn't have ZCP, you have civic or something.


Congrats, btw, check out the local regional forum set up.
http://www.m3post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=152

[SamS]

Originally Posted by HBspeed

A no-option M3 is the best breed of M3, and will be worth the most in the future. Wait 10 years and see how cool people are going to think an ugly and antiquated I-Drive display/interface is. No one is going to look back and "value" low-tech and likely issue plagued first generation adjustable suspensions and dual clutch transmissions. M-drive just has people pay extra money so they can press a single button to "unlock" their sports car's full potential at their whim.

If you've ever looked closely at the collector car market, or even the used performance car market for vehicles from 20/30/40 years ago, you would realize this is not true at all.

Fully optioned cars from the factory always bring more $$ and are more desirable. Even when the tech is way outdated. For example, even factory 8-track option brings more than a comparable car without it, for the highly desirable cars.

There's nothing wrong with wanting/appreciating a stripper. The only concern could be resale. Some people may pass over the car completely. I rarely read about someone passing on a loaded car because it has one "extra" feature. But the opposite could be true. Someone could pass on a car because it has everything but ZCP, for example.

But of course you should never buy a car "for the next guy" Buy whatever makes you happy, a stripper, or loaded to the gills!!

[Erie Von Otto]

I love strippers.

[SD-E93-11]

Originally Posted by Mr Friese

Do you guys catch a lot of grief for having a base M3? I just picked up an '11 AW Coupe with literally no options - no EDC, DCT, M-Drive (it is a pre-Sep production) and from reading through this and other forums, it seems that it is almost frowned upon to have an M3 as such. I can't get enough of this car, but some of these people almost have me 2nd guessing my decision, lol.

I came from a pretty much stripped Porche 911, and never found this kind of environment in the Porche community.

I'm going to have to disagree with you somewhat. As a former Porsche owner and visitor to their boards I see some similarities in posting themes with the M3 boards. Especially with the customization available on Porsches I saw many an owner crowing about Sport Chrono or their crested headrest or some trivial interior trim piece that had been painted in exterior color. Is the 'S' vs. 'base' that is a favorite topic over there much different than the base vs. competition package that is much discussed here? Or the cabriolet is not a real 911 argument much different than the e93 is not a real M3?

I will say that the Porsche boards seem more collegial with less angry and mean-spirited postings than the m3 boards. I suspect that's an age of average owner thing.

[Nine]

People who sit on both extremes are morons, there are merits to having both a loaded car vs. a stripped base model.

In ALL cases, the descision should be based on what you WANT, not what others think.

[bruza]

I don't care much what other people order in their M3's. My M3 on the way is near loaded but it's all personal preference.

In the end, it's all which options you will actually use.

Kinda surprising how my final order turned out. Last year when I started looking at M3's, my initial build was definitely more "base" than it is now. I ultimately ended adding Premium, Convenience and even Competition (very late in the order). I didn't want any regrets when I pick her up next month.

[Space Ghost]

Originally Posted by ottoblotto

I love strippers.

This.

I bought it stricly for performance then added my own options.

[duk]

who cares what they think? u have an M3! they aint payin for ur car!

[eisenb11]

Who cares what they think, you're buying the car for you.

There really are 2 mentalities for this car: performance enthusiasts who get the stripper version and those who want a high performance GT car who get it loaded.

I fall into the latter category. It's all a matter of taste and what you're after.

[JonnyM3]

Personally the idea of a stripper car sounds appealing in a GT3. You're not going to be breaking records without having an idrive, hifi system etc. Though I will say, there is nothing wrong with your car and anyone who looks down on it, as stated got the car because of the badge.

[valeram]

I do not see any issue with a base M3 or any car for that matter. It is your choice and yours alone (maybe your other half will have a say into it).

[stefan]

I think a lot of the resale value is focused on options. And since a lot of people on here buy/sell cars often, it seems to be a big deal.

It's funny actually as all I wanted was mdrive, but literally every used M3 at the local dealership was loaded (or close to), inflating the price to near $90+ for a lightly used M3. Maybe people just want the prestige of owning the most expensive 3 series. Anyway it ended up being cheaper to buy new based on what I wanted.

[Apolonios]

Originally Posted by christopherchenm

actually i dont really use the idrive especially i hate the navi system. My car comes with idrive but i always use my garmin navi. The only reasons i got idrive just because it makes the dash look better

Amen to that!!! I barely touch the I-Drive at all and the navigation although usable is a far cry from a $100 Garmin.

But it definitely makes the dash look nicer.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by Space Ghost

This.

I bought it stricly for performance then added my own options.

Amen.

[skroars]

I just picked up my new 2011 e92 a week and half ago. And like you, I looked to keep it simple, just carbon leather trim and heated seats, though I caved a little and got the competition package. I think if I was doing it again, I'd just get the 19"s that are not part of the ZCP and call it good.
I don't like the iDrive dash either. We have an X5 with it and I find it annoying and distracting while driving. But that's only a personal taste thing. Some people enjoy and love the newest tech gadgets and it makes their driving/ownership more rewarding for them.
I like listening to mechanical noises, intake/exhaust noise, shifting with clutch etc. My last fun car was a '91 911 C2. It was a relatively simple car, it made lots of different mechanical noise and it was personally engaging to drive. I will someday own another air cooled 911 just because of that.
Some folks like driving and being involved or connected to the road through the car... some enjoy technology and the things technology can do for a car and for their driving experience.
Different people find enjoyment and reward in different things/experiences. They silly ones believe their experience is better than what makes someone else happy. Enjoy your car! Enjoy what makes you happy!

[BMRLVR]

Some people worry too much about what other people think. A person should buy and option a car for themselves and not worry at all about what other people think.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

I looked for a basic equipped car and found it at a dealership. All I wanted was a MT and the same 19" wheels I had on my e46 (220m BMW Stock). I found it and the Fox Red interior, Sports Seats and winter package was a bonus.

In my humble opinion the more options one has the more chances there are of something going wrong. One additional comment I can make I was happy to get back into a car that was equipped with normal tires I so hated the rough ride in my previous 2 Bimmers (e89 and e85 both nice cars mind you) that were stock with RFT.

[TeKNiC3]

Reminds me when I was looking for my gf's car. I called a store that showed they had a AW one in stock. The salesperson told me they still had it in stock and that it just came in, but "it was a pretty low optioned one with only comp package and ipod hook up" in a disappointed tone.

Needless to say, I was excited and went up the next morning and picked it up.

6MT, ZCP, Carbon Trim, Speed Cloth, and Ipod hook up were the only options.

[coogs08]

who cares?? as long as you enjoy it!

[Mr Friese]

Originally Posted by username11

+1

Grief from who?

Does the OP have people following him around, offering their opinions at awkward times and berating him for his taste in luxury cars? I don't..

No, just on the forum in general. I've looked at posts by other people who have base M3s and saw that the responses were rather condescending for the most part.

I personally love my car, this is just something I've observed on here.

[bigjae1976]

My euro delivery guy, PCD instructor, and anyone else who is a car guy has said the base M3 is the best.

I agree.

[Joey]

Dude chill. Wait 6 years when all the Edc cars break, the Dct is old crap and doesn't work, and the navi is worthless. I have a 40 dollar nav app on my iPhone that is unreal. Ask most of the old m3 guys (like me) options mean nothing when the cars are out of warranty. My m isn't a stripper but it's not loaded. I ordered it exactly as I wanted. Everyone will want a manual. Just like the e46. Smg was the latest and greatest now it's slop and unreliable.