AMPowerJ's F80 M3 Journey

AMPowerJ · 10-12-2014, 09:34 PM

I've seen a few of you start a journal or blog about your car and I think it's a great idea ... Keep everything about your car in one place as you mod, take trips, etc. So this post is the start of mine

I've been on the forums for a while but for those (probably most of you) that don't know anything about me, I'm a 41 year old father of five, and I've been a BMW fan for a long time. I've lived in SC most of my life; went to school at the Univ. of SC and I am passionate about cars! I've had the privilege of owning many cars over the past 25 years but my favorites have been my BMWs. In 2001 I purchased my first M3 ... a 1998.5 E36 M3 that I bought in Fort Walton Beach, FL as a CPO'd car.

I kept this car for around five years and taught myself a fair amount about maintaining BMWs, making modifications, and how addictive owing a M car really can be. My job changed in 2006 and it required me to get something more practical. Selling this car is what made me realize that I really wanted to always drive BMWs.

In 2009 I was able to get another M3. I skipped the E46 generation and went to the E90 M3. I was excited at the time that a sedan version was introduced because it fit my needs and became the best all around car I ever owned up to that point ... and to this point too not with standing the new F80 that's on the horizon. I expect it to be even better!

I loved this car ... and loved modifying it and taking it to the track. Some of you are familiar with it I'm sure, but here a few pictures of the time I had it.

Picking it up at the BMW PC:

Speed cloth!

Don't ask me about how many wheel sets I went through ...

Most of the mods I did were to enhance performance for the track:

In the summer of 2012, I was lucky enough to be able to keep the M3 and add a M5 to the stable:

I enjoyed the M5 for a few months and I wasn't driving the M3 much anymore so I made the decision to sell it. I sold it to a great guy on the forums @MilehighM3 but as he drove it away on his way back to CO I knew I'd made a mistake. The M5 was super fast, but it was too big and lacked soul IMO. Late in 2012 in took a bath on the M5 and bought another M3.

This time I got a 2013 E92 with DCT and it was loaded and had all the BMW performance parts already installed on it.

The biggest thing I missed about the M5 was the raw speed so IND fixed me up with a ESS VT585 SC and a number of other things ...

This car was great but for some reason I just wasn't in love with it and I sold it about 9 months ago.

Fast forward to now and I am picking up my F80 M3 in two weeks at the BMW PC. I can hardly wait. I really think this is going to be the perfect car for me. The E90 M3 was great but this will be much faster ... almost as fast as the M5, but smaller and more nimble. Practical with 4 doors but with great looks. I believe this will be my favorite M car yet.

I went back to the 6spd ... DCT is great and albeit faster, I missed the driver involvement. DCT made me lazy. I also liked saving $2900. The only options I ordered are active suspension, 19's, LED lights, and full leather. I didn't go with the Exec package because there were only a couple options I really wanted and couldn't bring myself to spend $4K or whatever it was for stuff I didn't need.

I told myself and my wife (LOL) that I wasn't going to mod this one and I even leased it this time to restrict myself. With that being said, I've already ordered a set of KW HAS springs for it. I have spacers ... I've already ordered & received the requisite IND front reflector replacements. I thought I would live with the chrome since my car is going to be Silverstone but I decided to go with the black theme since my wheels are black and get all the gloss black parts. I will likely go with the M Perf rear spoiler with the IND CRT SS stripe and I have my eyes on the Eisenmann exhaust. I will probably break down at some point and get some overpriced wheels and some wider rubber to get this thing to hook up. But I hope that's it! We shall see ...

Anyway if you have read this far, I look forward to capturing the life of my new M in this thread starting with the BMW PC delivery, the modifications, and just living with the car.

I'm looking forward to the ride!

Lups · 10-12-2014, 09:47 PM

This will be an interesting thread! I had to make a note to follow this.

STooK · 10-12-2014, 09:59 PM

Great story! I just got in the M boat with my first E93 past June and it certainly won't be the last. I hope to add an f80 in the future as a daily.

I'm sure the waiting is killing you slowly but at the same time it's also exciting to have something to look forward to. Can't wait for pics when you pick up the car!

JSCO · 10-12-2014, 10:09 PM

Look forward to your feedback given your history..

BurnMeWallet · 10-12-2014, 10:13 PM

Thumbs up to you and your family! 5 kids? How the heck your wife allow you to have a toy with 5 kids? She must be a very understanding wife! I give you thumbs up cause most guys your age with a family are usually too busy in life for cars... But you have beautiful cars with time to buy wheels and keep changing them, go to track, etc etc...

Black Gold · 10-12-2014, 10:54 PM

Congrats man. I just picked up my 6mt m3 at the performance center. It was an awesome experience

6mt ftw, it's a great transmission in this car

kitw · 10-12-2014, 11:05 PM

Welcome! Glad to see more of my e9x M3 brethren join the F80 side. I love the F80.

Maddict3 · 10-12-2014, 11:21 PM

Cool journal! you should of stuck with DCT, I think it fits the f80/82 platform much better than manual.

damnitBobby · 10-13-2014, 05:57 AM

Awesome man! Smart move by getting the 6MT. I think you'll enjoy the car much more.

AMPowerJ · 10-13-2014, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maddict3

Cool journal! you should of stuck with DCT, I think it fits the f80/82 platform much better than manual.

Thanks everyone ...

We will see if I made the wrong choice and if I did, I will be the first to admit. It's another reason I'm glad I'm leasing. If I don't like the choice I can fix it in 30 months or so.

Black Gold · 10-13-2014, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMPowerJ

Thanks everyone ...

We will see if I made the wrong choice and if I did, I will be the first to admit. It's another reason I'm glad I'm leasing. If I don't like the choice I can fix it in 30 months or so.

I've driven both and don't agree at all. The manual is awesome and way smoother than the e92. Manuals are great on turbo cars.

You will love it

W/// · 10-13-2014, 10:08 AM

I'm curious as to why you didn't really seem to like the second E9x as much as your sedan. Was it the transmission?

If you have time after you are doing the PC, might be able to meet up for a couple of beers and we'll bring our E9x out.

Sean@PSI · 10-13-2014, 10:12 AM

Great story! Love that E36 M3 and the E90 with cloth seats and no sunroof . . . can't wait to see your new F80!

jc05e46m3 · 10-13-2014, 10:24 AM

Awesome story! Can't wait to see what you do with this one! That leather in your M5 was

Lynchmob6 · 10-13-2014, 10:29 AM

Excellent! I'll be looking for your review too...and I have my PCD the day after yours!

991brothers · 10-13-2014, 12:15 PM

Awesome write up and cant wait to see your F80. Very nice collection of cars.

If its your daily drivers car it will beat out the E9x in a lot of categories. You made a great choice.

jeff@autocouture · 10-13-2014, 12:23 PM

nice, can't wait to see what you have planned

GOLFFRR · 10-13-2014, 12:35 PM

what a journey! can't wait to get your thoughts on your new ride compared to others once you get it.

paul @ eas · 10-13-2014, 01:39 PM

love your stories! can't wait to see pictures of your new car.

mikeyr0x · 10-13-2014, 02:28 PM

Nice story thanks for sharing!
Looking forward to your followup in 2 weeks

Nate@IND · 10-13-2014, 02:30 PM

Very cool story! Glad we could be part of it

DocWeatherington · 10-13-2014, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMPowerJ

I've seen a few of you start a journal or blog about your car and I think it's a great idea .....

Plus 1, I am as well looking forward to your thoughts. The 28th, won't come soon enough.

10-12-2014, 09:34 PM	#1
AMPowerJ One mod leads to another ... 416 Rep 2,900 Posts Drives: 2014 F10 M5 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Blythewood, SC iTrader: (10)	AMPowerJ's F80 M3 Journey I've seen a few of you start a journal or blog about your car and I think it's a great idea ... Keep everything about your car in one place as you mod, take trips, etc. So this post is the start of mine I've been on the forums for a while but for those (probably most of you) that don't know anything about me, I'm a 41 year old father of five, and I've been a BMW fan for a long time. I've lived in SC most of my life; went to school at the Univ. of SC and I am passionate about cars! I've had the privilege of owning many cars over the past 25 years but my favorites have been my BMWs. In 2001 I purchased my first M3 ... a 1998.5 E36 M3 that I bought in Fort Walton Beach, FL as a CPO'd car. I kept this car for around five years and taught myself a fair amount about maintaining BMWs, making modifications, and how addictive owing a M car really can be. My job changed in 2006 and it required me to get something more practical. Selling this car is what made me realize that I really wanted to always drive BMWs. In 2009 I was able to get another M3. I skipped the E46 generation and went to the E90 M3. I was excited at the time that a sedan version was introduced because it fit my needs and became the best all around car I ever owned up to that point ... and to this point too not with standing the new F80 that's on the horizon. I expect it to be even better! I loved this car ... and loved modifying it and taking it to the track. Some of you are familiar with it I'm sure, but here a few pictures of the time I had it. Picking it up at the BMW PC: Speed cloth! Don't ask me about how many wheel sets I went through ... Most of the mods I did were to enhance performance for the track: In the summer of 2012, I was lucky enough to be able to keep the M3 and add a M5 to the stable: I enjoyed the M5 for a few months and I wasn't driving the M3 much anymore so I made the decision to sell it. I sold it to a great guy on the forums @MilehighM3 but as he drove it away on his way back to CO I knew I'd made a mistake. The M5 was super fast, but it was too big and lacked soul IMO. Late in 2012 in took a bath on the M5 and bought another M3. This time I got a 2013 E92 with DCT and it was loaded and had all the BMW performance parts already installed on it. The biggest thing I missed about the M5 was the raw speed so IND fixed me up with a ESS VT585 SC and a number of other things ... This car was great but for some reason I just wasn't in love with it and I sold it about 9 months ago. Fast forward to now and I am picking up my F80 M3 in two weeks at the BMW PC. I can hardly wait. I really think this is going to be the perfect car for me. The E90 M3 was great but this will be much faster ... almost as fast as the M5, but smaller and more nimble. Practical with 4 doors but with great looks. I believe this will be my favorite M car yet. I went back to the 6spd ... DCT is great and albeit faster, I missed the driver involvement. DCT made me lazy. I also liked saving $2900. The only options I ordered are active suspension, 19's, LED lights, and full leather. I didn't go with the Exec package because there were only a couple options I really wanted and couldn't bring myself to spend $4K or whatever it was for stuff I didn't need. I told myself and my wife (LOL) that I wasn't going to mod this one and I even leased it this time to restrict myself. With that being said, I've already ordered a set of KW HAS springs for it. I have spacers ... I've already ordered & received the requisite IND front reflector replacements. I thought I would live with the chrome since my car is going to be Silverstone but I decided to go with the black theme since my wheels are black and get all the gloss black parts. I will likely go with the M Perf rear spoiler with the IND CRT SS stripe and I have my eyes on the Eisenmann exhaust. I will probably break down at some point and get some overpriced wheels and some wider rubber to get this thing to hook up. But I hope that's it! We shall see ... Anyway if you have read this far, I look forward to capturing the life of my new M in this thread starting with the BMW PC delivery, the modifications, and just living with the car. I'm looking forward to the ride! __________________ Current: 2014 F10 M5 Previous: 2015 F80 M3, 2013 E92 M3, 2013 F10 M5, 2009 E90 M3, 1998 E36 M3
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10-12-2014, 09:59 PM	#3
STooK Lieutenant Colonel 726 Rep 1,974 Posts Drives: 2013 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: NY iTrader: (6)	Great story! I just got in the M boat with my first E93 past June and it certainly won't be the last. I hope to add an f80 in the future as a daily. I'm sure the waiting is killing you slowly but at the same time it's also exciting to have something to look forward to. Can't wait for pics when you pick up the car! __________________ 2013 BMW E92 ///M3 AW/BLK ZCP CF Roof 6 Speed - Perfection 2011 BMW E90 328i xDrive Space Grey/Black - Daily 2011 BMW E93 ///M3 MW/FR/BLK 6 Speed - Gone but not forgotten
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10-12-2014, 10:09 PM	#4
JSCO Brigadier General 533 Rep 3,717 Posts Drives: AMG GT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tampa iTrader: (4)	Look forward to your feedback given your history..
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10-12-2014, 10:13 PM	#5
BurnMeWallet Private First Class 11 Rep 148 Posts Drives: M3 on it's way Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Philly iTrader: (0)	Thumbs up to you and your family! 5 kids? How the heck your wife allow you to have a toy with 5 kids? She must be a very understanding wife! I give you thumbs up cause most guys your age with a family are usually too busy in life for cars... But you have beautiful cars with time to buy wheels and keep changing them, go to track, etc etc...
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10-12-2014, 10:54 PM	#6
Black Gold Major General 592 Rep 5,396 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (15)	Congrats man. I just picked up my 6mt m3 at the performance center. It was an awesome experience 6mt ftw, it's a great transmission in this car
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10-12-2014, 11:05 PM	#7
kitw Colonel 471 Rep 2,991 Posts Drives: F91 M8, 991.2 GT3 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (20)	Welcome! Glad to see more of my e9x M3 brethren join the F80 side. I love the F80. __________________ DSC_3369 by Kit W, on Flickr
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10-12-2014, 11:21 PM	#8
Maddict3 Major 192 Rep 1,292 Posts Drives: 2015 991 GT3 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Miami iTrader: (0)	Cool journal! you should of stuck with DCT, I think it fits the f80/82 platform much better than manual. __________________ 2015 Porsche 991 GT3 Sapphire Blue Metallic 2015 BMW F80 M3 Silverstone Metallic
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10-13-2014, 05:57 AM	#9
damnitBobby Major 992 Rep 1,370 Posts Drives: 2018 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Houston iTrader: (0)	Awesome man! Smart move by getting the 6MT. I think you'll enjoy the car much more.
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10-13-2014, 10:08 AM	#12
W/// Lieutenant General 7487 Rep 12,309 Posts Drives: F82GTS, E36/E92M3, Z4M Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: SC iTrader: (13)	I'm curious as to why you didn't really seem to like the second E9x as much as your sedan. Was it the transmission? If you have time after you are doing the PC, might be able to meet up for a couple of beers and we'll bring our E9x out. __________________ Current: 16 F82 M4 GTS, Black Sapphire/Black, DCT 08 E92 M3, Sparkling Graphite/Bamboo Beige, 6MT 07 E85 Z4M Roadster, Alpine White/Red, 6MT 99 E36 M3, Techno Violet/Dove Grey, 6MT
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10-13-2014, 10:12 AM	#13
Sean@PSI 2134 Rep 5,011 Posts Drives: 2021 IOMG M3 Sedan Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oviedo, FL iTrader: (0)	Great story! Love that E36 M3 and the E90 with cloth seats and no sunroof . . . can't wait to see your new F80!
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10-13-2014, 10:24 AM	#14
jc05e46m3 Brigadier General 846 Rep 3,249 Posts Drives: '21 F90 M5 Comp Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Everywhere. iTrader: (3)	Awesome story! Can't wait to see what you do with this one! That leather in your M5 was __________________ '21 /// M5 Comp - Frozen Brilliant White/Black '18 Porsche GT3 Carrara White/Black/Red - Sold '18 /// M3 - Individual Imola/Black - Sold '15 /// M4 - YMB/SO - Sold '12 E92 ///M3 ZCP - AW/FR - Sold
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10-13-2014, 10:29 AM	#15
Lynchmob6 Major 368 Rep 1,175 Posts Drives: 2015 SO/SO F80 & 135 M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Central Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 128i Conve ... [0.00] 2015 BMW M3 [0.00]	Excellent! I'll be looking for your review too...and I have my PCD the day after yours! __________________ ///M3 SO/SO / MT / 19" Black Alloys / Executive Pkg. / Lighting Pkg. / Adaptive Suspension / Enhanced USB / HK / Full Front XPEL / 35 Tint / MODS: Custom painted engine cover and grill surrounds, Pedal Haus Kit, M-Performance Alcantara shifter/boot & e-brake boot, carbon e-brake handle, wrapped seat shells/rear headrests, M-Performance Spoiler with CRT Stripe.
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10-13-2014, 12:15 PM	#16
991brothers Colonel 501 Rep 2,391 Posts Drives: GT3 RS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Newport Beach iTrader: (1)	Awesome write up and cant wait to see your F80. Very nice collection of cars. If its your daily drivers car it will beat out the E9x in a lot of categories. You made a great choice. __________________ Currently: 2019 991.2 GT3 RS Lizard - 2016 991.1 GT3 RS Lava - 2019 991.2 GTS *SOLD:* 2022 BMW M5 Competition - 2016 GT3 RS UltraViolet -2018 GT3 Chalk - 2016 GT3 Lava - 2015 GT3 Guards Red - 2018 Audi RS7 - 2016 F80 M3 - 2015 GT3 Black - 2015 GT3 Carrara White - 2016 991.1 GTS - 2012 997.2 GTS Cabriolet - 2011 E92 M3 - 2006 E46 M3
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10-13-2014, 12:23 PM	#17
jeff@autocouture BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 966 Rep 13,780 Posts Drives: 2002 E53 X5 4.6is Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	nice, can't wait to see what you have planned
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10-13-2014, 12:35 PM	#18
GOLFFRR 10814 Rep 27,599 Posts Drives: GOLFFRR cart Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: we sell BMWs to "ALL" US states iTrader: (4)	what a journey! can't wait to get your thoughts on your new ride compared to others once you get it. __________________ BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR NEXT BMW, EMAIL OUR GUY KOTE FIRST! Kote M Sales:Kotem@bmwofcamarillo.com Cell:805-368-9101 vipfinance@bmwofcamarillo.com for warranties!
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10-13-2014, 01:39 PM	#19
paul @ eas BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 11 Rep 384 Posts Drives: 15 M4 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (0)	love your stories! can't wait to see pictures of your new car.
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10-13-2014, 02:28 PM	#20
mikeyr0x Lieutenant 131 Rep 516 Posts Drives: 21 x5, 22 m550 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Parkland, FL iTrader: (1)	Nice story thanks for sharing! Looking forward to your followup in 2 weeks __________________ 21 x5 s40 - wife 22 m550 on order - me past rides 18 x3 m40i, 17 i3 rex, 17 bsm f80 zcp m3, 15 ymb f80 m3, 13 s4, 09 ss e90 m3, 07 328 pics
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10-13-2014, 02:30 PM	#21
Nate@IND BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 2868 Rep 11,374 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chicago iTrader: (19)	Very cool story! Glad we could be part of it __________________ IND DISTRIBUTION \| 866-963-4520 • FACEBOOK • INSTAGRAM • FLICKR
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