If you could order your M3 again would you do anything different?

[Erie Von Otto]

Originally Posted by username11

IMO the base stereo is more than adequate for this car considering the amount of road and tire noise.

I think you are quite right, but every now and again... I just think the "base" system in the car should have at least included an EQ. Rarely do I even listen to the music, its about the V8 99% of the time.

[bigjae1976]

I'd like to get leather door panels with my cloth seats. I love the speed cloth seats...there is a function to it. The cloth on the door panels? Meh.

[BLACK OPS]

Originally Posted by Moxie

Here too

Here three. Although my wife would say a set of back doors!

[Denk]

I reordered and changed from black to fox red/black/black interior. It'll be here next week!

[///Montreal3]

Individual Paint

[blinkme323]

I would have waited 3 months and bought a 2011.5 instead of a 2011 and got the standard M-button, etc.

[Merlosso]

DCT. I have always had manuals and love them but the DCT seems like a better match for this car.

Of course, if I had ordered it with DCT, I would have answered this by saying I should have ordered a manual.

[tico1028]

CF roof and individual paint.

That being said, I wish I knew about this site before I ordered my e92!

[ki__]

I didn't know about the individual paint when I picked up my car as much as I do now, I would have gotten a Individual paint, like Monte Carlo Blue, Speed Yellow, Fire Orange, or Brilliant White.

As for as interior, I love my two-tone Black and Fox, just wish it was extended, which I don't think they do that anyways.

Other than that, I love it!

[kmarei]

I've owned both
But if I had to order again
No ZCP or edc
My 08 was perfect without both
Edc is a cool gimmick
But I rarely use it
The non edc was perfct most of the time, except when you wanted it firmer
ZCP is a bit too hard on comfort, fun insport
Never noticed the point of normal
Only nice thing about the m drive
Is the sport steering when it gets stiffer
EPS kicks the HIFIs ass
Sounds much better, much more power
So I guess I had it right the first time
My 08 had premium, cold, iPod, and sat radio (which I uninstalled and sold)
My 2012 has premium, heated front seats, ZCP, eps, BMW apps

[spdy330]

I would not change a thing. I ordered it exactly as I wanted it from the factory.

[spmd11]

Originally Posted by Merlosso

DCT. I have always had manuals and love them but the DCT seems like a better match for this car.

Of course, if I had ordered it with DCT, I would have answered this by saying I should have ordered a manual.

Very interesting thought! There is no right answer on that. We have a 135i Sport with manual as well. We bought the M3 for my wife as daily driver and she insisted on the DCT. After owning the car now for 6 months and driving stick and DCT back and fourth in our household.. while DCT is nice in many ways, if it wasn't for my wife's desires, I'd rather have a 6mt for the M. Yes, the DCT does so many things so well.. it's just that you are not quite as involved in the driving experience. Initially, I was absolutely wowed by the DCT, but once the amazement of it's performance wears off, you realize that you are somewhat of a bystander as you click away. But we like both transmissions... like I said, no wrong answer here. But looking back, I can see how a test drive would woo someone over to the DCT immediately. It takes months of driving to really know what you would prefer long term. There are things that the DCT can do that the 6mt cannot and that's great.. but in the end it's what your preference is, "involvement" or "performance/convenience". Here's another interesting thought. We won't part with at least one car with manual in the household... we would miss it too much...

[SamS]

I ordered mine for ED, so I got to pick all the options I wanted/need. It ended up being practically fully loaded (no cold weather package, just heated seats - by choice). That being said, if I had to do it again, I'd probably spring for Individual Paint, probably Midnight Blue. I have Jerez, now. $5K seemed like a lot at the time, and still does. But it sure would look good!

[CPB]

No, I just took one from the lot.

[Raptor251]

Originally Posted by VVG

I am really quite happy with everything about my M3 but if I could do it again, I would do an individual interior with contrast stitching. I think it adds such a nice touch to the interior look. I honestly don't know why BMW couldn't just do this from the start. It's not like using a different color thread from the beginning would cost any more. My wife's Audi A4 S-line comes with contrast stitching and Alcantara/Leather seats and it looks so nice.

I would do this! My neighbor just got a frozen gray with blk leather/red stitching and I'm really jealous of the interior!

[bimmergoat]

I would have gotten the cold weather package with my first e90M. Not being able to fold down the rear seat was really a pain in the butt sometimes. My current M has the cold weather package with the heated seats, etc. I'll never buy another M without it.

[CCLSVTM3]

Heated steering wheel....

[Darth One]

Originally Posted by VVG

I am really quite happy with everything about my M3 but if I could do it again, I would do an individual interior with contrast stitching. I think it adds such a nice touch to the interior look. I honestly don't know why BMW couldn't just do this from the start. It's not like using a different color thread from the beginning would cost any more. My wife's Audi A4 S-line comes with contrast stitching and Alcantara/Leather seats and it looks so nice.

i think BMW has been listening. i saw the F30 335i in my local dealer's showroom today and it has red contrast stitching on a black leather interior. i'm pretty sure it wasn't an individual order, but could be wrong.

so hopefully this will be an option on the next M3

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by kmarei

I've owned both
But if I had to order again
No ZCP or edc
My 08 was perfect without both
Edc is a cool gimmick
But I rarely use it
The non edc was perfct most of the time, except when you wanted it firmer
ZCP is a bit too hard on comfort, fun insport
Never noticed the point of normal
Only nice thing about the m drive
Is the sport steering when it gets stiffer
EPS kicks the HIFIs ass
Sounds much better, much more power
So I guess I had it right the first time
My 08 had premium, cold, iPod, and sat radio (which I uninstalled and sold)
My 2012 has premium, heated front seats, ZCP, eps, BMW apps

kmarei - Your old car was impeccably optioned. Being fresh on the market for these, it's basically exactly what I'd envision. I've literally looked at your for sale add, more than once, and cringed because I'd like it so much. Steering wheel with the interior/exterior colors. All win. I'm not a big fan of red, but yours just came together well.

Thanks for your input on the options, everyone. Great thread.

[saildoc]

Bought a porsche cayman...
Really, would have skipped the DCT, the trouble I had with mine ruined my BMW experience.... Loved the space gray and fox red interior...

[Chowster]

Originally Posted by CCL16M3

Heated steering wheel....

No such option... although it's something I miss from my E60 alot. Why would one in Burbank CA need a heated steering wheel anyways?

Individual interior for me as well!

[crabman]

I ordered so in theory I'm getting exactly what I want when it arrives. On the other hand I decided to give the DCT a try and I'm a life long stick guy.......