BMW M3 (model year changes)

[Porterror]

New member on this board. Currently shopping Certified BMW M3's in the NJ/PA/DE area. I see a ton of 2008 M3s available in the area, but would like to know if there are any differences between each model year? I've tried searching and have come up short.

[AndyzDad]

2008 will be the pre-lci model and will have the older version of the non-hd based navigation system

[BimmerM]

There's an old thread about this in more detail but the important stuff that you will probably care about is the technology gizmos inside the car. Other than that the car is pretty much the same. Some noticed small changes with the oil cap, etc. but the engine, tranny, are pretty much the same.

2008: Old iDrive, non HD screen, old iDrive control knob, old DVD based CCC Navigation

2009-2010: New CIC iDrive with HD screen, Harddrive based Nav.

2011 (March 2010-Sept 2010): Competition Package available, LED taillights.

2011 (Sept 2010-March 2011): CIC iDrive has COMBOX with added features.

2011 (March 2011-Nov 2011?): Optional BMW Apps available.

2012 (same as above).

[cjrivera]

I was looking at an 08 M3 also, but would love to have the CIC iDrive.
Is there a way for a dealer to upgrade the old iDrive to the CIC?
How much better is the new system vs. the old iDrive?

[dadealus]

Originally Posted by cjrivera

I was looking at an 08 M3 also, but would love to have the CIC iDrive.
Is there a way for a dealer to upgrade the old iDrive to the CIC?
How much better is the new system vs. the old iDrive?

No way I would buy a car with the old DVD based I-drive .... But I'm one of those people who think the new I drive layout is perfect

[THE TECH]

:

[mdosu]

Originally Posted by cjrivera

I was looking at an 08 M3 also, but would love to have the CIC iDrive.
Is there a way for a dealer to upgrade the old iDrive to the CIC?
How much better is the new system vs. the old iDrive?

dealer can't do it, but there's a $3000 aftermarket upgrade you can do, but given the minor difference in price in 08-09 cars, just get the 09.

I have an 08 "old" I-drive. I have sampled the 09 CICs, it's more intuitive in the layout of the physical buttons on the controller, but the menu is probably more cumbersome to use. The buttons and knobs are also easier to push.

[malter2.0]

2009-2012s have lower quality materials on interior as part of cost cutting. sun visor feels like paper in comparison to 2008. same with interior dome lights i believe. signal sound sound coarser

[roscomare83]

Originally Posted by malter2.0

2009-2012s have lower quality materials on interior as part of cost cutting. sun visor feels like paper in comparison to 2008. same with interior dome lights i believe. signal sound sound coarser

Since I had both an 08 M3 and now a 12 M3, i cant agree with that assessment at all - the interior quality in terms of how its built has definitely moved up by a good bit. I havent compared the sun visors but the rest of the car feels much, much nicer. Similar step as the 1series did from pre-facelift to post-facelift.

[Rich_Jenkins]

Very glad I ended up with an 09.

[S65V8]

if you care a lot about CIC Nav/Gadgets, and want the Comp Pkg. , lease a '12 from Ryan Amico and call it a day. If you care mostly about the engine and chassis, the cars haven't changed since '08. Depends what you're objectives are with the car.

[malter2.0]

Originally Posted by roscomare83

Since I had both an 08 M3 and now a 12 M3, i cant agree with that assessment at all - the interior quality in terms of how its built has definitely moved up by a good bit. I havent compared the sun visors but the rest of the car feels much, much nicer. Similar step as the 1series did from pre-facelift to post-facelift.

it really isn't about agreeing or disagreeing it's fact that that introduction model year had slightly finer materials. trunk area saw changes too...

[S65V8]

Originally Posted by malter2.0

it really isn't about agreeing or disagreeing it's fact that that introduction model year had slightly finer materials. trunk area saw changes too...

I do like the tilting head rests, headliner matching sun visors, and I saw an air pump back there the other day? that on the '12s, too? etc. - they were nice surprises I noticed after I bought the car haha...

[malter2.0]

more stuff cut down on to reduce the cost:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=646160