Cosmetic Differences b/w USDM and Euro Car?

Not possible to order a car in the U.S. with the Euro bumper. It's a safety regulation. In fact, last I heard, you can't even get a Euro bumper shipped to the States anymore (although I haven't verified with any vendors like Rennspec).

Another big difference is location. Euro cars tend not to be in the U.S.

BCA wrote

Not possible to order a car in the U.S. with the Euro bumper. It's a safety regulation. In fact, last I heard, you can't even get a Euro bumper shipped to the States anymore (although I haven't verified with any vendors like Rennspec).

Correct. I have been told that without a euro VIN on your car, you can't even order the euro bumper.

Biggest difference? Price. Try 80,000 Euros ($115,000 aprox.) for a stripped M3.

serge wrote

Biggest difference? Price. Try 80,000 Euros ($115,000 aprox.) for a stripped M3.

How true is that!

kyoo wrote

or i mean just when they order the m3.. from germany? to skip the us bumper and just keep add on the euro bumper

Won't happen. US cars have to have the front relectors to meet DOT regulations.

serge wrote

Biggest difference? Price. Try 80,000 Euros ($115,000 aprox.) for a stripped M3.

CATCH_M3 wrote

How true is that!

100% true! When I was living in Germany for the launch of the E92, the local German dealership was the first in the area to actually have an M3 that you could look at. I went there and saw their price tag! CRAZY!

if your worried about the orange reflectors so much and dont want to do what 95% of M3 owners on this site have done of putting painted (body colored) or clear/smoked reflectors to replace the orange. You have another option of doing what I did, which is having the bumper filled!

kyoo wrote

I seriously think the USDM M3 is uglier just for that reason alone - those orange reflectors are horrible! I wonder if you can ask the dealer when u order it to attach the euro bumper

The ugly reflectors are exactly the reason I will be installing a European Bumper on my M3 soon as it arrives in May!!!

As for getting a European Bumper..... The dealer will not be able to order you one without a European VIN and BMW will not install one on a car that will be registered in North America. Even a car bought through the military sales program and delivered in Europe will have a North American bumper due to the fact that they are North American spec.

I sourced my Factory Painted European Bumper from IND Distribution.

BMRLVR wrote

I sourced my Factory Painted European Bumper from IND Distribution.

Recently? Just curious because I thought that they're nearly impossible to get now...

CATCH_M3 wrote

How true is that!

Very true

although the base spec model in Europe comes with Rear PDC, idrive, leather, and probably a few other things you dont get as standard in the US.

Starting price is £50,000 which works out at roughly $75,000

Euro looks artificially expensive due to the ridiculous exchange rate. the currency is very much overvalued. Euro m3 works out at £75,000 for us, but we only pay £50,000

Says it all that buyers from europe are flocking to our country to buy cars like the lotus elise as they are ridiculously cheap for them over there

BCA wrote

Recently? Just curious because I thought that they're nearly impossible to get now...

Yes..... Actually it just shipped from Europe a few days ago.

BMRLVR wrote

Yes..... Actually it just shipped from Europe a few days ago.

tuners will have their "methods"

you wont walk into your dealer an order it however. But as with all things, just because your dealer wont supply you one, doesnt mean you cant get one

BMRLVR wrote

Yes..... Actually it just shipped from Europe a few days ago.

MrLOL wrote

tuners will have their "methods"

you wont walk into your dealer an order it however. But as with all things, just because your dealer wont supply you one, doesnt mean you cant get one

Huh. Well that's awesome. BMRLVR...PM sent

Just fill your bumper.... If it shows in a couple years, fill it again.... You can do that about 4 times before you reach the cost of the euro bumper.

we have front PDC, no reflectors in front bumper, RHD and its 120K since import duties are ridiculous!!!

J08M3 wrote

Just fill your bumper.... If it shows in a couple years, fill it again.... You can do that about 4 times before you reach the cost of the euro bumper.

Thanks for the suggestion but I like the idea of OEM paint. No one does it better than the robots!

The front seat cushion is different on Euro cars, i believe they get the E93 front seat cushion standard on all their models

there's no difference with the headlight itself? isn't there an orange in it?

edit: nvm, there is - i wonder what it takes to get it out

kyoo wrote

there's no difference with the headlight itself? isn't there an orange in it?

edit: nvm, there is - i wonder what it takes to get it out

No, there isn't a headlight difference.

No E92/E93 have orange in the headlights.

Curious. Does the DSC button still say DSC, or a different acronym for German??

I know this is interior and not exterior, but I was curious because I was going to buy a T-Shirt that says DSC on it for a friend in Germany, but realized they probably used different acronym??

slammedm3 wrote

No, there isn't a headlight difference.

No E92/E93 have orange in the headlights.

Are you sure?

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=270304

If you look at the pics, it's one of the first things this guy did