M3 build quality vs. other BMW's

[yahtzee]

I am currently selling my 08 535i after sitting in and driving a new M3. Ironically, the room in the front seat of both cars is practically identical and I will be giving up some cargo capacity (as long as a set of golf clubs fit, I am fine with it).

My question is this.....My 535i seems like such a well built machine, especially compared to a regular 3 series.....how much extra goes into the build quality of the M3's? I also cant believe that i am about to consider buying a black car but it looks so sharp and I am hearing that SSII looks a little like baby blue - which just wont work. Only other option would be white so we shall see.

Thanks for the replies regarding build quality....just want to make sure that i wont be disappointed. I know that I have sat in one and driven it but that doesn't make up for getting it home and it being yours. Thanks.

[///austin]

I have been really impressed with the build quality of my ///M3. My last few BMWs included a 2006 750i, 2006 M3 convertible, and a 2003 Z8. With the exception of the Z8, I think the build quality of the new ///M3 is superior to my last one and I am more impressed with the M3 over the 7, but that may no be a fair comparison since they are totally different cars.

[skierman64]

The 3 series in BMWs bread and butter. I would think built quality is at a high level no matter what BMW you buy.

[rvacha]

I own a bunch of BMWs and they are all uniformly excellent. The cabin materials in the Mini are sub-par, but that's not fully a BMW anyway. Certainly the M3 is as good as my 330xi interior-wise. Panel fit on the exterior is perhaps a shade lower on the M3 than the 330xi. The largest difference is that the M3 has rather unflattering orange peel on the plastic quarter panels

[KonigsTiger]

BMW's very well built and finished. Quality is pretty good!!!

[JuniorDee]

I owned a 335i and now a M3, from owning the M3 for a few days now I feel that the M3 is a slightly more solid car. For instance, when I start it, the car does not vibrate as much as the 335i and less vibration is felt through the manual transmission while driving.

[apw2607]

I'm looking forward to hopefully no rattling passenger seats, front door speakers and rear shelf ... unlike the last E46 M3 !!

[KonigsTiger]

My rear shelf is already rattling a bit!!! Crap!!!!

[M-Maika]

Originally Posted by BMW-M-Mexico

My rear shelf is already rattling a bit!!! Crap!!!!

Why this is happening?

That is not supposed to be normal.

[KonigsTiger]

Originally Posted by M-Maika

Why this is happening?

That is not supposed to be normal.

God know why!!!! It isn't bad and it seems to go away after a a few minutes. Will take it back to the shop if it persists, but I don't do that because service is soooo bad that it takes weeks to get these simple things looked at!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pancho]

Originally Posted by BMW-M-Mexico

God know why!!!! It isn't bad and it seems to go away after a a few minutes. Will take it back to the shop if it persists, but I don't do that because service is soooo bad that it takes weeks to get these simple things looked at!!!!!!!!!!!

Probably the modifications that you have done to your car have something to do with it. Also the streets that you have in Mexico City could be a factor.

[AlpWtE92]

No problems so far with my car - at least for the first 600 miles. Everything is solid and well put together. There is some annoying rattling when a bottle is in the cup holder, but I guess that's not really a problem. I actually expected some problems to start because my prevoius car - a 530i - had some problems when I first got it, but then was issue free for 2 years.

[Pancho]

I already have 4,250 Kms. and no problem whatsoever.

[KonigsTiger]

Originally Posted by Pancho

Probably the modifications that you have done to your car have something to do with it. Also the streets that you have in Mexico City could be a factor.

Nop, it does it when I start the car up not when I am driving!!!

[m3tor]

Originally Posted by BMW-M-Mexico

My rear shelf is already rattling a bit!!! Crap!!!!

Me too. The shelf rattled on my E46 M3 as well and the dealer fixed it by adding some felt pads around the edges of the shelf. My E92 M3 passenger door also rattles - not sure if its the map pocket or something in the door. Not overly happy with either rattle. Am taking car in for break-in service tomorrow and asked dealer to take a look at the rattles too.

[KonigsTiger]

Originally Posted by m3tor

Me too. The shelf rattled on my E46 M3 as well and the dealer fixed it by adding some felt pads around the edges of the shelf. My E92 M3 passenger door also rattles - not sure if its the map pocket or something in the door. Not overly happy with either rattle. Am taking car in for break-in service tomorrow and asked dealer to take a look at the rattles too.

Let me know how they fix it and I'll attempt the same with mine!!! Thanks!!!!

[S65B40]

I also have a 535i, it's my daily driver. The build quality is better than the M3 and the ride quality is superior. The is the fact the the 5 series is aiming towards comfort and luxury in everyday driving which serves a completely purpose as a M3 is. A M car is always more raw, more rough, and more sportier.

[E90330iS]

I think all BMWs have high quality build in general.

[m3tor]

Originally Posted by BMW-M-Mexico

Let me know how they fix it and I'll attempt the same with mine!!! Thanks!!!!

Couldn't reproduce the rattles with the mechanic in the car - typical..... we agreed I'd take the car back after another couple of thousand kms - if its still rattling then, they'll take another look. Maybe it will rattle less as the weather warms up.

But I did get the break-in service done so the shackles are off

[KonigsTiger]

Originally Posted by m3tor

Couldn't reproduce the rattles with the mechanic in the car - typical..... we agreed I'd take the car back after another couple of thousand kms - if its still rattling then, they'll take another look. Maybe it will rattle less as the weather warms up.

But I did get the break-in service done so the shackles are off

Hahahaha!!! Yes, absolutly typical!!! Have fun reving it up and driving like a crazy man!!!

[GT3 Tim]

Originally Posted by JuniorDee

I owned a 335i and now a M3, from owning the M3 for a few days now I feel that the M3 is a slightly more solid car. For instance, when I start it, the car does not vibrate as much as the 335i and less vibration is felt through the manual transmission while driving.

I test drove a 335 yesterday. IMHO, the M3 seemed to have a much better build quality, especially the interior. Hard to comment on the mechanicals, etc....

I spoke with a buddy of mine that owns a BMW/Porsche repair shop. He was telling me they had a 335 on the rack the other day and when looking at the underside of the car, the 335 can't hold a candle to the new M3 (which he also put in the rack, just to see). A lot of the 335 suspension, etc. is galvanized metal, etc., where as the M3 is Aluminum, etc. He said its not that the Al stuff is really "better", other than being lighter and maybe a bit stronger, but it is in general, a higher quality component, etc.

I thought it was interesting though. It appears they put a lot of thought into the M and built it well, with high quality components, etc.

[KonigsTiger]

All true Tim, in fact, this is supported by the fact that the M3 shares less than 20% of its parts with the 335!!!! I believe among the only things they share are the doors, trunk lid, front/rear lights and a few interior items of course.