[M3-FAST]

Right, after a lot of deliberation and playing with figures, I have 95% decided that my next car is gonna be an E90 M3

My mate is a business manager at a dealership about 30 miles away. He basically can order me one in whatever spec I want and the dealer principle will run it for 3 months and after that it is mine (at a VERY attractive discount) - I would obviously prefer one with delivery miles on but I can't get the figures to stack up This one will have a max of 2.5k miles (been told that it will be probably be a lot less), and the first service will have been carried out. Car will be in 100% perfect condition when handed over.

So, onto the spec - I have so far ordered it as:

• Alpine White
• Novillo Fox Red Leather
• 19" M double spoke alloys
• DCT 7 speed transmission
• Heated front seats
• Hi-Fi with prof DSP
• 6FL USB
• Bluetooth Phone prep with Telematics

There are a couple of options I am unsure about and can't decide wether they are 'worth' the extra money -

First being high gloss shadowline? I can appreciate this on an SE as it replaces the chrome with black, but an M has the black surrounds anyway. Anyone got any pics of an M with and without the shadowline? Seems quite an expensive option at £345? Any thoughts?

Second one is sun protection glass? I have never been that keen on the darkness of the rears compared with the front and am considering having the car tinted professionally so the fronts are done to the legal limit with the rears just a little darker to give a more even finish. Again, anyone got any thoughts on this. My other option is to order the sun protection glass and then just get the fronts done? I reckon I could get the whole car done though, for the cost of the option (£215)

Also has anyone got any experience of the Hi-Fi with Prof DSP - what exactly does it offer over and above the normal hi-fi option.

Going to have to keep this one for 3 years so want to make sure I spec it right!

.....and yes, I know it's got four doors but with a 10yr old lad and another due in 11 weeks, a coupe just doesn't make enough sense, even though I really really want the carbon roof

[TMP]

Wow, that deal is awesome and your spec is my ideal (maybe different colour)

I like the look and quality of the factory sun protection glass so would advise you go with that. If you then decide you want the fronts done you can, albeit at a lighter tint.

I love the look of the E90 M3 - as much as I like the couple IMO the saloon makes more sense if you want that extra bit of practicality

[doughboy]

Read the reviews in mags that know what they're talking about and they rate the saloon as the better drive too.

I'd save a load of dosh and go for the manual - get a load of other options instead. Not seen a single review that rates rates the DTC.

BTW, Me and the wife are from stafford, watch out for a silver 335i touring in your mirrors when we're visiting!

[jjbirch]

i know this is not a e90 m3, but i like this colour, what do you think
http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_d...BL92050PP88419

[CrimsonRedE93]

Good luck to you Red, tell me when it is in and I will try it out for you

I am sure we could get Carlos to run it in for you as well

[willhollin]

Originally Posted by jjbirch

i know this is not a e90 m3, but i like this colour, what do you think
http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_d...BL92050PP88419

I think thats "Metallic Baby Shit"

[jjbirch]

looks different
lol

[Porscha!]

Well you've gone for the best colour scheme Sounds lovely, what happened to a Porsche though?

Automatic gearbox hmm. . .

Hi gloss I presume is a shiny surface rather than a flat one, if this is the case it would look better on a white car what's £350 when your speccing a £40k car anyway? No way would I be bothered about a couple of hundred!

[dxb335d]

Sounds awesoem red.

[dxb335d]

I would go with saddle brown leather over red though.

[M3-FAST]

Originally Posted by TMP

Wow, that deal is awesome and your spec is my ideal (maybe different colour)

I like the look and quality of the factory sun protection glass so would advise you go with that. If you then decide you want the fronts done you can, albeit at a lighter tint.

I love the look of the E90 M3 - as much as I like the couple IMO the saloon makes more sense if you want that extra bit of practicality

I know what you mean about the quality of the factory tints, and it s the back window with all the little dots that are difficult to tint neatly. I may opt for the glass and just get the fronts done at 30% or whatever is legal.

My second colour choice is silverstone II but is a little too popular now, and I wanted the 'vert in white but the missus talked me out of it! She reckons that white will suit the muscular M3 tho'

[M3-FAST]

Originally Posted by doughboy

Read the reviews in mags that know what they're talking about and they rate the saloon as the better drive too.

I'd save a load of dosh and go for the manual - get a load of other options instead. Not seen a single review that rates rates the DTC.

BTW, Me and the wife are from stafford, watch out for a silver 335i touring in your mirrors when we're visiting!

I heard that the saloon is higher rated....I wonder why?

I will keep an eye out for you in Stafford also

Originally Posted by jjbirch

i know this is not a e90 m3, but i like this colour, what do you think
http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_d...BL92050PP88419

Looks different in that colour, not sure I could go for something that unusual tho!

Originally Posted by CrimsonRedE93

Good luck to you Red, tell me when it is in and I will try it out for you

I am sure we could get Carlos to run it in for you as well

LOL, bet you will!

Originally Posted by Porscha!

Well you've gone for the best colour scheme Sounds lovely, what happened to a Porsche though?

Automatic gearbox hmm. . .

Hi gloss I presume is a shiny surface rather than a flat one, if this is the case it would look better on a white car what's £350 when your speccing a £40k car anyway? No way would I be bothered about a couple of hundred!

I still really really want the 997 but just cant justify spending that amount of money for a car to leave it sitting on the drive all the time as it wont fit in buggy's and other baby 'items'

It is an auto (ish) but not really - double clutch transmission - 7 speed with paddles and racey throttle blips on the downshift

As for the high gloss, I know what you mean but not sure it will really make much impact on a car that has black surrounds anyway? I cant find a pic of one with and without to compare. £40k....I wish....it is up to £55k already lol!

Originally Posted by dxb335d

I would go with saddle brown leather over red though.

It is a close call between the two - not seen saddle in the flesh though, and the red does look the dogz!

[dxb335d]

So does the saddle mate. Honestly.

Get the factory tints deffo. Also the DCT AWESOME

[M3-FAST]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

So does the saddle mate. Honestly.

Get the factory tints deffo. Also the DCT AWESOME

mmmm, decisions decisions! I need to see the red and saddle in the flesh I think before I defo decide.

Tints are being added to the list tomorrow

I have driven the M5 with DCT and bloody loved it. He is trying to get me a demo car with the DCT box this weekend hopefully. They have just sold their demo M3 unfortunately.

[dxb335d]

M5 had SMG which is very violent which i like, ive been led to believe the M3's DCT is much smoother? Id like to hear your views on the DCT for sure.

I think when im in the market to buy a E9X M3 I will buy a DCT-T one.


Im very excited for you.

[willhollin]

Folding mirrors.

Comfort access.

Rear sunblinds, for the little one.

Split folding rear seats.

EDC.

Sliding armrest.

Front ISOFIX and passenger airbag deletion.

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by willhollin

Folding mirrors.

Comfort access.

Rear sunblinds, for the little one.

Split folding rear seats.

EDC.

Sliding armrest.

Front ISOFIX and passenger airbag deletion.

sliding armrest is good, only started using mine a month ago.


Blind is cool too.

EDC is a must on M/// Tree


dont they all come with split rear seats?

[M3-FAST]

Originally Posted by willhollin

£250 - Folding mirrors.

£490 - Comfort access.

£255 - Rear sunblinds, for the little one.

£330 - Split folding rear seats.

£1265 - EDC.

£110 - Sliding armrest.

Front ISOFIX and passenger airbag deletion.

Jeez Will - thats another £2700 lol - I dont often park where I need to fold the mirrors, comfort access is nice but if I have the keys in my pocket I am sure I can press the button to unlock the doors, Split seats would be nice but £330 for a couple of hinges! Besides I will be lugging any crap around on the missus car . Did consider the sunblinds but the sun protection glass should cover it. Sliding armrest would always be fully back anyway as I am tall and have the seat quite far back, so little point in that also. Isn't the ISOFIX option already fitted?? I cant find it as an extra option.

[M3-FAST]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

EDC is a must on M/// Tree

Do you reckon Carlos, even bearing in mind it will prob never see a track day? For road use do you think it is worth it? If so why?

[willhollin]

Originally Posted by redE93cab

Jeez Will - thats another £2700 lol - I dont often park where I need to fold the mirrors, comfort access is nice but if I have the keys in my pocket I am sure I can press the button to unlock the doors, Split seats would be nice but £330 for a couple of hinges! Besides I will be lugging any crap around on the missus car . Did consider the sunblinds but the sun protection glass should cover it. Sliding armrest would always be fully back anyway as I am tall and have the seat quite far back, so little point in that also. Isn't the ISOFIX option already fitted?? I cant find it as an extra option.

Well don't the dealers always say that options never add to resale costs??

Having seen the blinds on Floyds car I would say they were great, tuck nicely into the side windows and a rear blind as well. Sun protection glass never worked that well on my old car for our babby.

[dxb335d]

Wow thinking about it, my car is pretty loaded.

Anyhow, I would get the mirrors. Do you have them now? I do have them and thin there brill and saqves you 300 quid a mirror when some tw*t takes it off when parked up somewhere.


Ive not driven an E9X M3 but have read the EDC is superb.

I would spec it up to the hilt considering your getting a hefty discount after 3 months. A poorly specd car will piss you off after a while and at re-sale time.

[Carrera RSR]

Go on and get it done. Very, very jealous. I would go for an E90 M3 over a E92 everyday.

As for the spec

So, onto the spec - I have so far ordered it as:
Alpine White - Any colour you like as long as it's (Jerez) Black. I believe White is very now. It'll wear off when everyone has white in 2-3 years.
Novillo Fox Red Leather - Yes over Saddle.
19" M double spoke alloys - Oh yes, unless you plan to find some v. nice replacements
DCT 7 speed transmission - Nooooo!
Heated front seats - Yep, wish I had gone for these over the last few months
Hi-Fi with prof DSP - Yes
6FL USB - Yes
Bluetooth Phone prep with Telematics - Yes

Others to consider

Adaptive headlights with High Beam Assist
High Gloss Shadowline
Extended Leather - will look good with Fox, Black and Carbon Trim
Sun Protection - As you said the rear screen will never be as good as factory, just get the fronts done as I did.
Black Carbon Trim

Just my thoughts to add to the mix