3er's Alpine White F80 M3 Build (04/25/2016: Rain & AMMO)

[Mandi90TT]

Nice, keep us informed on the install.

[Xerxes480]

Great pics. Seriously considering both these items for my own ride.

-X-

[PaulBailey@ltbmw]

Great thread

[3er]

Originally Posted by PaulBailey@ltbmw

Great thread

Originally Posted by Xerxes480

Great pics. Seriously considering both these items for my own ride.

Originally Posted by Dave 90TT

Nice, keep us informed on the install.

Thanks, everyone!

[GHOST M3]

Garage looks CLEAN!!!!

I have an Alpine White M3
let me say you are gonna love it.



Headed to Houston in a couple of weeks for 2k15
maybe i will see you out there!!!!

[Jeffe]

Everything looks great so far! Glad to see your m3 is almost done, I know how hard it is to wait for it to show up, but it'll be well worth it once it arrives. Really excited to see how the build comes along too. Keep us updated!

[3er]

Originally Posted by GHOST M3

Garage looks CLEAN!!!!

I have an Alpine White M3
let me say you are gonna love it.

Headed to Houston in a couple of weeks for 2k15
maybe i will see you out there!!!!

Originally Posted by Jeffe

Everything looks great so far! Glad to see your m3 is almost done, I know how hard it is to wait for it to show up, but it'll be well worth it once it arrives. Really excited to see how the build comes along too. Keep us updated!

Thanks, guys! It's at the port and awaiting its vessel. Soon enough, I suppose.

[3er]

New update on Post #1 (02/16/2015).

[Money2536]

Now the hardest wait begins...

[Money2536]

Please make sure to do some listening to the HK beforehand to give us a review of the difference. If I hadn't spent like a zillion dollars over the past six months, I'd just get the BavSound upgrade. I'm saving it for Christmas or birthday...maybe.

I have a feeling this is not going to go well for either of us, more stuff for me to buy. Photos look amazing!

[3er]

Originally Posted by Money2536

Please make sure to do some listening to the HK beforehand to give us a review of the difference. If I hadn't spent like a zillion dollars over the past six months, I'd just get the BavSound upgrade. I'm saving it for Christmas or birthday...maybe.

I have a feeling this is not going to go well for either of us, more stuff for me to buy. Photos look amazing!

Lol, this forum is nothing but trouble!

Will do. I have the HK system in my 335i and my wife's X5, so I should have a very good reference point. I suspect that the HK system between the 335i and M3 will be similar, if not identical. Regardless, I'll spend some time with the stock HK system in the M3 to establish a baseline before installing the BAVSOUND upgrade and writing a review.

[Money2536]

Originally Posted by 3er

Lol, this forum is nothing but trouble!

Will do. I have the HK system in my 335i and my wife's X5, so I should have a very good reference point. I suspect that the HK system between the 335i and M3 will be similar, if not identical. Regardless, I'll spend some time with the stock HK system in the M3 to establish a baseline before installing the BAVSOUND upgrade and writing a review.

Sweet! Thanks!

[3er]

New update on Post #1 (02/17/2015).

[3er]

Given that I placed my order back in November and paid a bit of a premium, I tried to haggle over price a bit on the phone today with my dealer. Up until this point, I've had a very good relationship with them (this is my third car purchase from them). In any case, they seem to be pretty set on the original deal that we made, which is somewhat understandable. On the other hand, F8x's aren't nearly as hard to find as they were several months ago (Hell, they have six M4's in stock at the moment).

I'm trying to explore other avenues. One avenue might be a significant discount on a Dinan tune or an M-Performance Splitter, but we'll see. I plan to go up to the dealer this weekend and see what we can work out. As an aside, I get really annoyed when I hear, "It's nothing personal, it's just business." As a businessman, one should strive to make a personal relationship with a customer - loyalty is lost in today's time.

Regardless of what happens, I'll be happy. I just can't help but try to squeeze a bit more out of the dealer given the significant delay and, as stated earlier, the fact F8x cars can now be found quite easily.

[Detailers Domain]

wow congrats can't wait to see the final build with all the mods.

[Alen E90]

Great thread. Thanks for sharing and keep us posted with all the mods

[PARTS@STBMW]

Originally Posted by 3er

I planned to delay my build thread until receiving my car, but my patience has worn thin . On November 8, 2014, I placed my order for a 2015 M3 at BMW North Houston with the “promise” that it would be delivered before year’s end or early January ’15 at the latest. Well, they must not have been privy to the carbon fiber shortages. Just today, however, I found that my car entered production with an estimated completion date of February 5, 2015. Assuming all goes well, I should have my car towards the end of March.

I ended up ordering the following (order sheet picture below), but later added the Side & Top Camera package. I went into the order 60% 6MT / 40% DCT, but later cemented my choice with the 6MT after 1) driving an F82 DCT twice and an M6 DCT and 2) hearing about the fantastic 6MT from all of you. As impressive as the DCT was/is, I felt that I would soon become bored with it.




I come from a 2012 BMW 335i 6AT and really enjoy it. It’s such a great DD with nice, low-end torque – very useable on the street. The 6AT, however, is VERY boring. This will stay until the M3 arrives.




Prior to that, I owned and loved a 2012 Mustang GT (5.0L) 6MT. However, due to a wreck (other driver's fault, FWIW), I ended up letting it go. I miss it dearly - a true performance bargain! With that said, my wife HATED the car, lol.





Before deciding on the M3, I planned to go with a truck as a DD and a Porsche 911 as a "fun" car. I planned to get a 911 SC or 911 3.2, but abandoned the 80’s models after 911 prices skyrocketed. I then moved to the 997.1 911 Turbo (07-09) and later realized that the 996 Turbo (’01-’05) is much the same car (997 has quicker spooling turbos and “true” AWD) for way less money. I then got into Porsche 993’s (’95-’98 for the US) to meet in the middle between “old school” and “modern.” I found a beautiful 1995 911, but a pre-purchase inspection (PPI) detected a ton of rust on the underside of the car. I passed on this. A few weeks later, I stumbled upon a 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo 6MT X50 PCCB and ended up purchasing it after a clean PPI. The car was a BEAST. With that said, I found myself dropping ~$1,000/month maintaining and fixing odds and ends. Nothing major...but few things are "minor" on a Porsche. I later discovered that the car had an engine rebuild 20K miles prior. Long story short, this was not disclosed/known during the PPI when I pulled the trigger. After purchasing the car and later reviewing all the documents/maintenance (dumb to do this after the fact, I know), I found that little gem (engine rebuild bills). Due to my OCD nature, this weighed heavily on my mind while I had the car. What would I do if the engine had issues when I owned it? Well, given that the rebuild was ~$30K, the car would have been a very large paperweight had that occurred on my clock. While owning the car, I took an oil sample and sent it to Blackstone Labs for analysis to get an indication of engine health. If you haven't heard of them before, check them out - it's a fantastic company/service. The report came out very well (low metals in oil, etc.), but I still couldn't get past the "what if." Had this been an older 911 with a ~$10K-$15K (?) engine rebuild, I wouldn't have succumbed that that line of thinking...but I did with this. Lastly, when looking through the paperwork, I saw a comment *after* the engine rebuild that the engine oil was dirty. This was noted during the time the previous owner tuned the car. Well, perhaps this explains why an engine rebuild was in order (who the Hell doesn't change oil frequently on what was once a $150K car?!). Anyways, lesson learned - read the damn maintenance history prior to purchasing a car!




In the midst of awaiting my car’s arrival, I began prepping my garage. I’m not mechanic, but I do like to perform simple to moderate DIY’s. I still have a ways to go, but I just purchased a workbench (thanks to quiksi for helping me assemble and move it) and am currently painting. I also need to do something about the floor...






It’s a constant battle keeping the garage clean!!


My helper!


Let the painting begin! I went with Sherwin Williams 7660 Earl Grey Flat Super Paint. It’s incredibly high quality paint and I can get away with one coat (although I applied two coats in the high traffic areas). I also went with an oil-based white paint for the baseboards and cabinets. I hope to finish up the painting this upcoming weekend.






I already ordered the BAVSOUND Stage 1 package and Escort Passport 9500ci and will post pictures of them soon (and after the installation).

Fantastic! Very well done!

[3er]

Originally Posted by DetailersDomain

wow congrats can't wait to see the final build with all the mods.

Originally Posted by Alen E90

Great thread. Thanks for sharing and keep us posted with all the mods

Originally Posted by PARTS@STBMW

Fantastic! Very well done!

Thanks for the kind words .

[3er]

Topic	Post
Pre-Delivery	#1
Previous Vehicles	#1
Garage Preparation	#1
Escort Passport 9500ci Pictures	#22
BAVSOUND Stage 1 Pictures	#22
Parts Negotiation (PM for pricing)	#41
Delivery & First Pictures	#51
First "Real" Pictures	#73
BAVSOUND Stage 1 Review	#111
E90 & F80 M3 Photos	#128
iND Cosmetic Package Install	#134
Escort Passport 9500ci Review	#140
Pictures - 04/05/2015	#148
Dyno Run - Stock	#188
Pictures - 05/31/2015	#195
Photo & Editing Tips	#202
DINANTRONICS Stage 1 Review	#213
A stroll through River Oaks... (Pictures)	#223
M3 Love (Pictures)	#227
Harris Hill Raceway - First Ever Track Event	#230
BMW CCA Houston - July 2015	#231
Charcoal Filter Delete	#232
Silo Picture Shoot	#247

My car landed on American soil two days ago and my CA stated that it should be delivered on March 14; so, I'm trying to maintain my composure! In the meantime, I finalized pricing on the following with my dealership:

• BMW M Performance Splitter (unpainted) + Install
• Dinantronics Stage 1 Tune + Install
• Escort Passport 9500ci Installation

I'll likely have the splitter and 9500ci installed either the day the car arrives at the dealership (if they can both be installed that day) or a week or two after I take delivery. The Dinan tune will go on during my 1,200 mile service. Anyways, I'll post pictures as soon as I take delivery! I'd also like to take pictures of the install process of all three parts, but I'll have to see how open my dealership is with me hovering over the technician the entire time.

[AlterZgo]

Congrats! I'm sure it will be well worth the wait. I too had been plotting to get an M3 for over 4 years! Then on Jan 31, my wife told me "let's go to the BMW dealer just to look." After the dealer told me there were virtually no 6MTs and no carbon roofed M3s due to the shortage, I saw a lightly optioned AW F80 6MT w/ carbon roof that had just arrived. At first, they said it was unavailable as it was an ordered car and the owner was already there to pick it up. After I left, they called me an hour later to tell me the buyer was upside down on his lease and didn't want to cough up the cash to buy out the lease so it was mine if I wanted it. A couple of hours later, I was driving out w/ my new M3! I feel for you guys who ordered your cars and have to wait for weeks or months. I'd be going nuts! One more week...

[3er]

Originally Posted by AlterZgo

Congrats! I'm sure it will be well worth the wait. I too had been plotting to get an M3 for over 4 years! Then on Jan 31, my wife told me "let's go to the BMW dealer just to look." After the dealer told me there were virtually no 6MTs and no carbon roofed M3s due to the shortage, I saw a lightly optioned AW F80 6MT w/ carbon roof that had just arrived. At first, they said it was unavailable as it was an ordered car and the owner was already there to pick it up. After I left, they called me an hour later to tell me the buyer was upside down on his lease and didn't want to cough up the cash to buy out the lease so it was mine if I wanted it. A couple of hours later, I was driving out w/ my new M3! I feel for you guys who ordered your cars and have to wait for weeks or months. I'd be going nuts! One more week...

Thanks! It will be a touch over four months from the time I ordered to the time the car is delivered. Had I known about the delays, I would likely have been tempted to look more at other cars (or buy off the lot). With that said, though, the M3 is definitely my top pick when in 6MT form. Congrats on your car - right place, right time!

[3er]

I geeked out a bit and updated post #1 of this thread. Updates, pictures, reviews, etc. will continue to be new, standalone posts; but, I'll also link the new post to the Table of Contents that I created at the beginning of this thread to allow for easier searching.

NOTE: The Table of Contents does not work/display when viewing this thread on the Bimmerpost App (mobile devices).