F10-550 or M3 Individual -2011 - Thoughts..??

BMRLVR wrote

He is in Canada so he can order "Individual" Colors, Interiors, and Trims.

In Canada we do not have all of the individual options available to us on 3-Series cars but we do get to choose from a limited number of the Individual options.

I see you got the ride I was thinking of - very cool. I am pretty pumped to go individual. I am fighting between Azurite Black (Champagne) and Moonstone Metallic.

graider wrote

simple.

would you take the panamera or m3? if your answer is panamera, then m5 is for you.

I am BMW fan boy and it would very very hard for me to go for the Panamera. Not only that, it does not come in manual and the 911 has got to be one of the most uncomfortable daily driver cars I have ever driven.

The only Porsche I might consider ever would the 6spd. Manual Cayenne GTS.

Crops wrote

Joe, you have been told you can buy an M3 "Individual"? With the choice of exterior colors, interior leathers, seam striping, woods, etc., that would be great news to me.

Hey Crops..

This what I was thinking Azurite Black Exterior and Champagne Interior with Piano Black trim.. thoughts?

mkoesel wrote

How does that help him decide between an M3 and 550i?

OP got me confused, haha. who the hell would cross shopping a 550 and m3?

my bad for not reading the title carefully. but I would never cross shop a 550 and m3. m5 vs m3 makes more sense. In that case, the new m5 will be somewhat of a competitor to the panamera.

graider wrote

OP got me confused, haha. who the hell would cross shopping a 550 and m3?

my bad for not reading the title carefully. but I would never cross shop a 550 and m3. m5 vs m3 makes more sense. In that case, the new m5 will be somewhat of a competitor to the panamera.

Someone looking for a 4 door manual performing car

uhn2000,

If you pick the M3 will you chose the 19" or keep the 18"? Reason I ask is that the difference in ride quality can be quite noticeable if your roads are bad.

footie wrote

uhn2000,

If you pick the M3 will you chose the 19" or keep the 18"? Reason I ask is that the difference in ride quality can be quite noticeable if your roads are bad.

I dont agree with that and the OP lives in the same city as I do, and I have had both wheels on my M3, and have found very little difference from experience between the way both wheels ride! (mind you I have EDC)

So its a personal choice which ones he goes for, However on the E90 the 18s suit better IMO and the E93/E92 look better with the 19s!

uhn2000 wrote

Hey Crops..

This what I was thinking Azurite Black Exterior and Champagne Interior with Piano Black trim.. thoughts?

We have a similar setup on our individual 760. Its Azurite Black/Platinum Merino Leather with Piano Fascia.

I think the Platinum Merino suits the Azurite Black better, however the champagne merino would complement the ruby black better in my opinion.

However, you cant go wrong with either option

M3 vert wrote

I dont agree with that and the OP lives in the same city as I do, and I have had both wheels on my M3, and have found very little difference from experience between the way both wheels ride! (mind you I have EDC)

So its a personal choice which ones he goes for, However on the E90 the 18s suit better IMO and the E93/E92 look better with the 19s!

I also had the EDC on my M3 E92 with 18", tried both before settling on the 18" but then my normal back road are bloody awful.

I hear you - just messin with ya.

But keep in mind that both cars (M3 and 550i) are 400hp-ish sport sedans with a 6MT. That seems to be his primary concerns. The E60 M5 has a 6MT option yes, but it is not so great, and plus that model has one foot in the grave now. F10 M5 reportedly won't have a 6MT option (although nothing in confirmed yet).

graider wrote

OP got me confused, haha. who the hell would cross shopping a 550 and m3?

my bad for not reading the title carefully. but I would never cross shop a 550 and m3. m5 vs m3 makes more sense. In that case, the new m5 will be somewhat of a competitor to the panamera.

uhn2000 wrote

Thanks chief. I tried the DCT and while others might completely disagree I found it no better "experience wise" than SMGIII. Its the same concept just quicker shifts. Its the control and engagement of the car/engine that I miss. However I would love to try a 6 speed 550i - they can't get here fast enough

+1... My only regret on the E92 M was opting for the DCT. It is a big improvement over the SMG as far as shift smoothness/ speed but still rather have the control the 6MT offers.

As far as your dilemma...as others have reasoned, the M3 is the more logical choice between the two.

GL

GregW / Oregon wrote

+1. Naturally aspirated, agile and manual is the way to go. And I'm over 60!

Wow, over 60 and still modding!?!? Way to go!

OP, get the M3.

Guys I wish I had time to share the crazy story of selling my M5 to a Dubai guy - its nut man. Will find time to put it together in a bit and post it. Car is not gone yet but I am getting closer

footie wrote

uhn2000,

If you pick the M3 will you chose the 19" or keep the 18"? Reason I ask is that the difference in ride quality can be quite noticeable if your roads are bad.

actually I don't think it is much of a different. I had my 17" winter on the m3 before, not much noticeable difference between that and my 19. maybe i'm young

graider wrote

actually I don't think it is much of a different. I had my 17" winter on the m3 before, not much noticeable difference between that and my 19. maybe i'm young

Yes youth is definitely on your side (my son is only a few years shy of your age) but then again you might not be driving the roads that I regularly do.

footie wrote

Yes youth is definitely on your side (my son is only a few years shy of your age) but then again you might not be driving the roads that I regularly do.

how did you know my age? LOL

uhn2000 wrote

Hey Crops..

This what I was thinking Azurite Black Exterior and Champagne Interior with Piano Black trim.. thoughts?

If you're thinking about Azurite, don't even bother. I have it, and want to remain the only one that has it - that I know of

All kidding aside, Azurite is beautiful. I had put up a post with pics, including some close ups, here:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=263778

The close ups are of a less-than-ideally-clean car (with what appear to be some scratches, but are NOT, LOL).

I'd be happy to show you the car, but just noticed you are in TO

i had a tough time picking Azurite, as I had nothing to look at. The dealer's sample card was horrible (and scratched to shit), so it was a leap of faith.

I'm glad i went with it, though. It's a fantastic colour. Lots of people comment on it, and even experienced auto fanatics ask "how the hell did BMW get the paint to glow like that?"

Good luck!

Oh, and with regards to the 550 or M3 debate...... a 550 is a 550. Nice car, but, unlike the M3, not a GREAT car. Just my two cents.

Seems you are not opposed to buying cars often so, how about this...

M3 now, F10 550 when they get the bugs worked out. If you're not happy with the M3, you get the 550 later. If you are happy with your M3, then you have the last of a breed and continue to enjoy. One thing I definitely wouldn't do is buy the first model year of the F10 550.

Hans Delbruck wrote

Seems you are not opposed to buying cars often so, how about this...

M3 now, F10 550 when they get the bugs worked out. If you're not happy with the M3, you get the 550 later. If you are happy with your M3, then you have the last of a breed and continue to enjoy. One thing I definitely wouldn't do is buy the first model year of the F10 550.

Also the F10 550i M/Sport will be out by then and there should be a sweet chip tune on offer if you are into such things.

Exactly what I was thinking, M3 now and then when they work out the kinks then go to the 550 or an M5 if they make it in manual but I know that is wishful thinking.

However I am having one hell of a time selling my M5 - even being the lowest '08 on the market. I think I need to post it more places and improve the quality of the posting, will work on that later on tonight.

TTBear wrote

If you're thinking about Azurite, don't even bother. I have it, and want to remain the only one that has it - that I know of

Oh, and with regards to the 550 or M3 debate...... a 550 is a 550. Nice car, but, unlike the M3, not a GREAT car. Just my two cents.

I had a similar decision almost two years ago - 550 or M3. I was also looking forward to some luxury and "gadgets" that the 550 had. However, I had (and still have) a '97 Mountaineer as my only vehicle the previous 11 years so getting the M3 would actually give me more luxury and gadgets. I figured I might not have a good opportunity for awhile to get an M3 since I was going to buy a house. So, I'd recommend the M3 and I'm glad I got it. And besides, the M3 will be more fun to drive.