New to me M3 - Couldn't have spec'd it better if I'd ordered it new!

2011E90ZCP · 02-22-2021, 09:38 PM

Hi All! Introducing myself as a new M3 owner. I have wanted an E90 for YEARS and recently got serious about buying one. I had a nationwide search saved on cars.com and checked it daily but never found exactly what I was looking for. Then two weeks ago the perfect spec popped up 8 miles from my house! I went straight to the dealer and bought it. I've since made contact with the previous owner and he is a great guy. Really did an amazing job caring for the car. The interior still has that BMW smell. I believe he said he was the former president of our local BMW CCA chapter. I went to his house to pick up some spare parts and he had a gorgeous E36 that is his track car. He also provided a huge amount of service records. The latest Blackstone analysis said they expect the car to go 250k miles or more!

Anyway here she is:

2011 E90 M3 sedan
Space Gray
6MT
Competition Package
Slicktop
No iDrive (this was the hardest thing to find)
94k miles

It won't be my daily driver but I definitely plan to put some serious miles on it. Its going in for rod bearings a week from today. Super excited to finally have my dream car and look forward to being active on the forum.

CalgaryX3 · 02-22-2021, 09:45 PM

A great find and a rare one at that. The tinted glass adds a classy touch too. Welcome to the E90 ZCP club.

2011E90ZCP · 02-22-2021, 10:12 PM

Thanks! I did some research and I figure there were maybe 50 or less e90 zcp 6MT slicktops with no idrive sold in North America. Amazing it popped up so close to home.

fs34 · 02-22-2021, 11:06 PM

Great car, great spec. Congrats and enjoy!

Wally1552 · 02-23-2021, 12:25 PM

What a perfect spec. Best to you and many years of enjoyment

Helmsman · 02-23-2021, 02:55 PM

Dang, 8 miles away after years of dreaming - congrats man! And, welcome to The E90 ZCP Club...👍

Ps. Few more pics hey?

SYT_Shadow · 02-23-2021, 03:00 PM

congratulations! welcome to the forum! Beautiful car!

I also struggled to find a 2011.5 E90 with cloth seats and no idrive! and no sunroof!

B8bydesign · 02-23-2021, 04:39 PM

Congrats and welcome! Excellent find, awesome it was local too.

2011E90ZCP · 02-23-2021, 06:18 PM

Thanks all! Forgot to mention it came with fabspeed x-pipe and epic tune as well. Only bummer is no M button on the steering wheel. Its in the garage right now so I can't take great pics but here are a couple interior shots for those that like single hump dashboards.

Dammit...not sure why the pics are upside down.

ando · 02-23-2021, 06:56 PM

Congrats on finding a rare one so close to you! Cheers to many happy miles ...

Helmsman · 02-23-2021, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sitzlejd

Thanks all! Forgot to mention it came with fabspeed x-pipe and epic tune as well. Only bummer is no M button on the steering wheel. Its in the garage right now so I can't take great pics but here are a couple interior shots for those that like single hump dashboards.

Dammit...not sure why the pics are upside down.

Ah, thats why it was for sale, interior mounted up side down...

Looks awesome inside, the seats/Novillo leather are quite fragile and have clearly been looked after here.

No M button is a ...why?? Never understood why shipping an M3 without, over here it wasn't an option not to. On the other hand you'll learn to live the separat adjustements.

InnerBlueSkies · 02-23-2021, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sitzlejd

Dammit...not sure why the pics are upside down.

2011E90ZCP · 02-24-2021, 06:25 AM

Thank you!

roastbeef · 02-24-2021, 07:29 AM

That's a rare bird. Best color, too! Congrats on a great find.

vitalsigns · 02-24-2021, 08:00 AM

Very nice. Congrats, and welcome to the single-hump club!

lagunablue1 · 02-24-2021, 09:42 AM

Awesome spec - patience is a virtue and it sounds like it paid off!

Blindside_137 · 02-25-2021, 08:35 PM

She looks great for that mileage! Healthy 10k a year.

How did you go about getting in touch with previous owner? That is super cool you could meet! Like you I wanted one of these for a decade. Got mine in 2019 and previous owners address and name is in the car history in iDrive. I debated shooting him a Facebook message but thought it would be creepy.

2011E90ZCP · 02-28-2021, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blindside_137

She looks great for that mileage! Healthy 10k a year.

How did you go about getting in touch with previous owner? That is super cool you could meet! Like you I wanted one of these for a decade. Got mine in 2019 and previous owners address and name is in the car history in iDrive. I debated shooting him a Facebook message but thought it would be creepy.

Actually I saw his name on the service records. Googled him and found his work email. Sent an email starting with "No worries at all if you don't want to respond and I hope you don't mind me tracking you down..."

He was actually glad I got in contact with him. I had a hunch he wouldn't mind since he obviously took great care of the car and had put a lot of time into it. He actually asked that I contact him first if I ever go to sell it down the road.

Blindside_137 · 02-28-2021, 09:05 PM

Very cool! I might shoot mine a Facebook message then.

Scrippy · 02-28-2021, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sitzlejd

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blindside_137

She looks great for that mileage! Healthy 10k a year.

How did you go about getting in touch with previous owner? That is super cool you could meet! Like you I wanted one of these for a decade. Got mine in 2019 and previous owners address and name is in the car history in iDrive. I debated shooting him a Facebook message but thought it would be creepy.

Actually I saw his name on the service records. Googled him and found his work email. Sent an email starting with "No worries at all if you don't want to respond and I hope you don't mind me tracking you down..."

He was actually glad I got in contact with him. I had a hunch he wouldn't mind since he obviously took great care of the car and had put a lot of time into it. He actually asked that I contact him first if I ever go to sell it down the road.

I wouldn't be bashful reaching out to a prior owner. A lot of us love these cars and to know it went to a person who truly values the car is kinda cool. This forum is one of the most active I've seen when compared to other brand forums. The E9X M3 is a very special car and there are enthusiasts galore all around. My M3 has created a meeting place for strangers, car folks and enthusiasts more than any of my other cars or trucks have. People love to talk about them and often do when I'm out and about.

GotV8? · 03-06-2021, 08:36 PM

Welcome to the M family!! Nice single spec especially with the 3rd pedal!!! Happy Motoring!!

darren p. · 03-09-2021, 04:32 PM

That is a great spec for sure, congrats on finding it and so close.

I found my dream spec sans slick top and wish I hadn't settled although I'd probably still be looking if I hadn't

You can swap in an M-Button, there is a thread on here detailing what is involved and it doesn't seem too bad if you're handy.

02-22-2021, 09:38 PM	#1
2011E90ZCP Private 138 Rep 93 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW M3 E90 ZCP Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	New to me M3 - Couldn't have spec'd it better if I'd ordered it new! Hi All! Introducing myself as a new M3 owner. I have wanted an E90 for YEARS and recently got serious about buying one. I had a nationwide search saved on cars.com and checked it daily but never found exactly what I was looking for. Then two weeks ago the perfect spec popped up 8 miles from my house! I went straight to the dealer and bought it. I've since made contact with the previous owner and he is a great guy. Really did an amazing job caring for the car. The interior still has that BMW smell. I believe he said he was the former president of our local BMW CCA chapter. I went to his house to pick up some spare parts and he had a gorgeous E36 that is his track car. He also provided a huge amount of service records. The latest Blackstone analysis said they expect the car to go 250k miles or more! Anyway here she is: 2011 E90 M3 sedan Space Gray 6MT Competition Package Slicktop No iDrive (this was the hardest thing to find) 94k miles It won't be my daily driver but I definitely plan to put some serious miles on it. Its going in for rod bearings a week from today. Super excited to finally have my dream car and look forward to being active on the forum. Attached Images
	Appreciate 10 chief208.00 aerosynch322.50 slcook541863.00 ando2000.50 Davey2767.50 WWM3964.00 ES BMW67.50 neilum896.50 Crazy8.M3276.00 GotV8?1050.50 Tweet Quote

02-22-2021, 09:45 PM	#2
CalgaryX3 Captain 169 Rep 659 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 335i / 2011 E90 M3 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Calgary, Alberta Canada iTrader: (0)	A great find and a rare one at that. The tinted glass adds a classy touch too. Welcome to the E90 ZCP club.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-22-2021, 10:12 PM	#3
2011E90ZCP Private 138 Rep 93 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW M3 E90 ZCP Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	Thanks! I did some research and I figure there were maybe 50 or less e90 zcp 6MT slicktops with no idrive sold in North America. Amazing it popped up so close to home.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-22-2021, 11:06 PM	#4
fs34 Lieutenant 395 Rep 416 Posts Drives: E46 M3 Join Date: May 2019 Location: Huntsville, AL iTrader: (1)	Great car, great spec. Congrats and enjoy!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-23-2021, 12:25 PM	#5
Wally1552 First Lieutenant 122 Rep 334 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: HI iTrader: (0)	What a perfect spec. Best to you and many years of enjoyment
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-23-2021, 02:55 PM	#6
Helmsman Major General 4465 Rep 7,109 Posts Drives: 2011 AW E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Stockholm, Sweden iTrader: (0)	Dang, 8 miles away after years of dreaming - congrats man! And, welcome to The E90 ZCP Club...👍 Ps. Few more pics hey?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-23-2021, 03:00 PM	#7
SYT_Shadow ///M Powered for Life 11478 Rep 10,328 Posts Drives: E90M/E92M/M4GTS/M4GT4/X5M Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Greenwich, CT iTrader: (2)	congratulations! welcome to the forum! Beautiful car! I also struggled to find a 2011.5 E90 with cloth seats and no idrive! and no sunroof! __________________ DIY: S65 Rod Bearings E9X PFC Z54 BBK on F8X BK harness bar + seats: fit 6 tires in an M3 do88 Cooling Goodies GTS Twins: GTMore project
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-23-2021, 04:39 PM	#8
B8bydesign Lieutenant Colonel 680 Rep 1,527 Posts Drives: '11 BMW M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (10) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [10.00]	Congrats and welcome! Excellent find, awesome it was local too. __________________ New: '11.5 e90 M3 \| DCT \| Space Gray/Novillo \| ZCV \| ZCW \| ZP2 \| ESS 625 \| BPM \| M Performance \| iPE \| BC Racing \| BPM \| iND \| LUX \| Volk \| Coby \| Recaro Sold: '11.5 e92 M3 \| DCT \| Mineral White/Novillo \| ZCP \| ZCV \| ZCW \| ZP2 \| M Performance \| ACM \| BPM \| iND \| Thule \| LUX \| Macht Schnell \| Broadway Static \| Rogue Engineering \| BBS \| Challenge \| Metak
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-23-2021, 06:18 PM	#9
2011E90ZCP Private 138 Rep 93 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW M3 E90 ZCP Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	Thanks all! Forgot to mention it came with fabspeed x-pipe and epic tune as well. Only bummer is no M button on the steering wheel. Its in the garage right now so I can't take great pics but here are a couple interior shots for those that like single hump dashboards. Dammit...not sure why the pics are upside down. Attached Images Last edited by 2011E90ZCP; 02-23-2021 at 06:23 PM..
	Appreciate 1 ando2000.50 Quote

02-23-2021, 06:56 PM	#10
ando Colonel 2001 Rep 2,148 Posts Drives: i5 eDr40, G80 and F80 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 BMW i5 eDr40 [10.00] 2022 BMW M3 [7.50] 2015 BMW M3 [0.00]	Congrats on finding a rare one so close to you! Cheers to many happy miles ...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-24-2021, 06:25 AM	#13
2011E90ZCP Private 138 Rep 93 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW M3 E90 ZCP Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	Thank you!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-24-2021, 07:29 AM	#14
roastbeef Lieutenant General 11585 Rep 12,724 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (4)	That's a rare bird. Best color, too! Congrats on a great find. __________________ Instagram; @roastbeefmike
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-24-2021, 08:00 AM	#15
vitalsigns Second Lieutenant 192 Rep 201 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: So Cal iTrader: (1)	Very nice. Congrats, and welcome to the single-hump club!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-24-2021, 09:42 AM	#16
lagunablue1 Second Lieutenant 348 Rep 207 Posts Drives: E90 M3 / F97 X3M Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: ON iTrader: (1)	Awesome spec - patience is a virtue and it sounds like it paid off!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-25-2021, 08:35 PM	#17
Blindside_137 Lieutenant General 6702 Rep 10,597 Posts Drives: 2011.75 SSII E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (2)	She looks great for that mileage! Healthy 10k a year. How did you go about getting in touch with previous owner? That is super cool you could meet! Like you I wanted one of these for a decade. Got mine in 2019 and previous owners address and name is in the car history in iDrive. I debated shooting him a Facebook message but thought it would be creepy.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-28-2021, 09:05 PM	#19
Blindside_137 Lieutenant General 6702 Rep 10,597 Posts Drives: 2011.75 SSII E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (2)	Very cool! I might shoot mine a Facebook message then.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-06-2021, 08:36 PM	#21
GotV8? Captain 1051 Rep 836 Posts Drives: Jerez E92 M3 ZCP "12" Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: OHIO iTrader: (0) Garage List 1996 Honda Prelude ... [0.00] 2018 BMW F85 X5M [0.00] 2012 E92 M3 ZCP [0.00]	Welcome to the M family!! Nice single spec especially with the 3rd pedal!!! Happy Motoring!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-09-2021, 04:32 PM	#22
darren p. Private First Class 68 Rep 119 Posts Drives: B5 S4, MkII GTI, E90 M3s Join Date: May 2020 Location: NYC iTrader: (1)	That is a great spec for sure, congrats on finding it and so close. I found my dream spec sans slick top and wish I hadn't settled although I'd probably still be looking if I hadn't You can swap in an M-Button, there is a thread on here detailing what is involved and it doesn't seem too bad if you're handy.
	Appreciate 0 Quote