Significant difference between 2015 and current model M3?

[JDMAF]

Been waiting forever for my M2 allocation at a local dealership. Just doesn't seem to happen. However there is a 6spd 2015 M3 there with 12k miles that looks very appealing and optioned as I would like it.

Question is, are there any significant downsides to a 2015 M3? Was 2015 the first year for this model? Thanks

[Arcades]

Late 2014 is the start.

And no besides from standard stuff being added in. Minor stuff. I prefer get my car new though so

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by Arcades

Late 2014 is the start.

And no besides from standard stuff being added in. Minor stuff. I prefer get my car new though so

2015 was the first model year designation, even though they began building them in 2014. My M4 was built in July 2014, but it is a 2015 model.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by JDMAF

Question is are there any significant downsides to a 2015 M3? Was 2015 the first year for this model? Thanks

The M3 got its LCI for MY2016, so the MY2015 will lack the updated tail lights and iDrive 5.0 among other minor changes.

Then, for MY2018 which starts production in July of this year, the headlights will also change.

If you care about such things, you could always switch them but it would be a bit pricey.

[JDMAF]

thanks - doesnt sound that significant to me. Will have to drive the beast. Thanks

[SaMaster14]

I have a '15 M3. The only difference - at least how I would spec the car - would be ZCP (competition package). I think there are only slight interior changes and the LCI taillights otherwise.

[onetrader]

I was in the EXACT same boat. Pulled trigger on 2015 M3 6sp while waiting for my allocation for the M2. (Still waiting!).

Best decision I've made. Buy the M3

[KevinM]

Pretty sweet that there is MT M3 at your dealership...as mentioned, the LCI stuff (mostly the LED tail lights) and the availability of the ZCP option are the major changes. Might want to jump on this car if you get a good deal. Save the manuals.

[DL3]

Originally Posted by SaMaster14

I have a '15 M3. The only difference - at least how I would spec the car - would be ZCP (competition package). I think there are only slight interior changes and the LCI taillights otherwise.

I'm just curious as to why, outside the obvious. I'm on the fence as to which one to order.

[Blksnowflake]

Biggest differences are just cosmetic. There is an update to the ecu programming as well, but not sure if this is really worthwhile.
For me the LCI upgrades were welcome. The ambient lighting in the interior makes the interior look ten times better plus the redone AC stuff so that its white during the day to match the gauges with much better lettering.

Then if course the led tails. Huge difference to me as well, especially when the competition all has LEDs, car cost too much to not have them.

Those things all have their own perceived value to each individual. The car itself is the same.

[Gibson6594]

Surprised no one has brought up the revised bedplate or the different suspension components that started appearing in the 16s.

[dmk08]

If a used 15 is in your budget and a new one isn't I say go for the 15 as its still a fantastic car for its purpose.

I upgraded the tail lights on my 15 and while it was cool it didn't make the car any more fun to drive. Now I'm in a 16 M4 with the oldschool tail lights and guess what.. doesnt change how the car drives If tail lights are a huge deal I only paid like $600 bucks to upgrade mine.

I also think the new headlights look worse than the current ones. Look at some pictures and see if its really worth it to you.

[MFore]

This thread is confusing to me. The choice is between an new M2 or a used M3 but you ask what the differences are between the '15 M3 and the '17 M3. If the '17 M 3 isnt an option why do you care what that car has to offer? I will say some folks just really like to be the original owner for various reasons. Some would like to save some money/upgrade and get used. So you have to decide which kind of person you are. There are also other considerations between the differences between the M2 and the M3. Size, performance, hardware specs, number of doors, cargo space etc. Good luck. This is an awesome problem to have and honestly no matter what you choose you are going to love it.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by MFore

This thread is confusing to me. The choice is between an new M2 or a used M3 but you ask what the differences are between the '15 M3 and the '17 M3. If the '17 M 3 isnt an option why do you care what that car has to offer?

He never said a new M3 wasn't a possibility. He just wanted to know what he would be getting into if he were to buy an older one. Doesn't seem like too strange a question to me.

[MFore]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

He never said a new M3 wasn't a possibility. He just wanted to know what he would be getting into if he were to buy an older one. Doesn't seem like too strange a question to me.

The more I think about this thread the more my head hurts.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by MFore

The more I think about this thread the more my head hurts.

No problem. We've got it covered, so feel free to move onto other threads.

[bmrwrld]

What comes down to. It doesn't matter if you get a 15, 16 , 17 cause the next year something will be different and your car is already out dated as soon as you drive it off the lot. Go with what they have now and enjoy it rather then sitting at home thinking about next years release.

[smr123]

Originally Posted by bmrwrld

What comes down to. It doesn't not matter if you get a 15, 16 , 17 cause the next year something will be different and your car is already out dated as soon as you drive it off the lot. Go with what they have now and enjoy it rather then sitting at home thinking about next years release.

Nice and well said, I went for a known owner '15, with everything I wanted basic. My thought was to save money for a few nice mods like KW springs, spacers, exhaust, black grills.. etc. The tail lights... seriously? Not an issue for me.

[bmrwrld]

Originally Posted by smr123

Nice and well said, I went for a known owner '15, with everything I wanted basic. My thought was to save money for a few nice mods like KW springs, spacers, exhaust, black grills.. etc. The tail lights... seriously? Not an issue for me.

[MFNATIK]

Newer is always better. BMW makes small improvements over the production run and if you are going to spend this kind of money, get the latest and greatest. Just iDrive 5.0 is a pretty big upgrade if you care for that sort of thing. This may be subjective but my 2017 seems a bit better put together than my 2016 and doesn't rattle or creak (yet).

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by MFNATIK

Newer is always better. BMW makes small improvements over the production run and if you are going to spend this kind of money, get the latest and greatest. Just iDrive 5.0 is a pretty big upgrade if you care for that sort of thing. This may be subjective but my 2017 seems a bit better put together than my 2016 and doesn't rattle or creak (yet).

My 16 nor my 15 rattle or creak. Luck of the draw there it seems.

As for always getting better I dont agree. In the e92 the interior parts got cheaper as the run went on with 13s having the most cheap parts.

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by JDMAF

Been waiting forever for my M2 allocation at a local dealership. Just doesn't seem to happen. However there is a 6spd 2015 M3 there with 12k miles that looks very appealing and optioned as I would like it.

Question is, are there any significant downsides to a 2015 M3? Was 2015 the first year for this model? Thanks

2017 models have wireless charging for phones as standard, iDrive 5.0, and I believe the Adaptive M Suspension is now standard as well