M3 shopping

[clubracer6]

Been M3 shopping for a month or so. First and foremost, some great information in this forum.

Looking to replace my 17 Chevy SS (which is a great car), a 16 VW GLI and 04 E46 330ci. The SS only has 3900 miles, a one year color and a manual, which makes is a bit rare. 1 of 125 to be exact. It's a great car:
Pros:
Great sounds
Fits the family amazingly well
Steering and handling are great by modern standards
Truly a special car – last of a breed.
A total sleeper color aside

Cons:
Too big
Speed does not live up to the sound
The tech could be better - the way you interact with it, not the tech itself
Seats are not great for track days
I've made it precious (which I could overcome at some point)

The M3 is great, not perfect, but maybe the practical solution to have just one car (still might get a cheap Miata to go with it). Great interior, size, power, tech, looks and decent MPG. Concerned about the visceral engagement and that's about it. I log the most miles in the GLI and I figure if I can live with that then the M3 should be just fine.

So far two short test drives in a 17 comp pack 6 speed and a 17 non ZCP DCT. The ZCP car had snow tires on and I'm not sure the pressures were right, so honestly did not feel a ton of difference between the two. The DCT was amazing, but really want the manual.

Seems like pricing is lining up like this right now.
16's mid $40's to lower $50's little to no warranty left
17's in the 50's. ZCP's mid to upper 50's. ~2 years of warranty
18's high 50's to low 60's. ZCP a little higher yet. ~3 years of warranty

Sunroof cars seem harder to find than manuals. Private sellers are a bit rare too as it seems most people lease these.

All over the place on where to land and think it will come down to getting as close to the perfect spec as possible.

Saving $10 to $15k to give up the warranty and maintenance sounds good, plus the depreciation will be slower, but I find myself looking at the 17's and 18's more, simply for peace of mind. 18's have some amazing colors, but it is worth $20k more…

My main wish list: a sunroof, manual, exec package, comp package and the cloth interior would all be ideal. No black. My perfect car would be Nardo Gray, 6 speed, comp package, sunroof and cloth. Have yet to see one.

I have time on my side to find the right one.

So a quick hello and thank you for all the helpful information. I am most pleased to see how reliable these seem to be. That is a big factor in my decision.

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by clubracer6

My main wish list: a sunroof, manual, exec package, comp package and the cloth interior would all be ideal. No black. My perfect car would be Nardo Gray, 6 speed, comp package, sunroof and cloth. Have yet to see one.

The overwhelming majority of M3s were ordered with the standard CF roof, DCT, and leather interior. Throw in Nardo Gray and you're probably talking a handful of cars if it even exists. Probably a unicorn.

See this thread for a breakdown of the production numbers: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1551939.

A quick recap for the U.S.:
Sunroof: 2,879, CF roof: 13,178
Manuals: 4,548, DCT: 11,509
Cloth: 1,510, Leather/Special: 13,940

[KevinM]

As you can see from the link above, MT + sunroof are likely to be quite rare (but they do exist!). If you are willing to take one with CF roof you'll have a much easier time.

GL!

[elinstylez]

I've been in the market for a while looking for a '16+ f80 6mt with zec and zcp. Your wish list will make finding your car difficult unless you're willing to look nationwide and pay a decent premium. Zec includes leather so you won't find many getting that option and turning down leather for cloth interior.

I'll keep an eye out for you though. GL!

[clubracer6]

Thanks guys! Yeah the Nardo car probably does not exist. I'm open to most colors except black.

Didn't some of the ZEP options become standard in 17 and 18?

I almost never end up buying cars here in Chicago. I shipped my last 911 from the Bay Area and the SS came from NC.

[Poiseuille]

I agree: private seller, no CPO. Took me about two minutes to find this one in Roundel online. To get the color you want, and especially with the sunroof you'll have to be patient and be willing to travel, but they're out there.

[clubracer6]

Originally Posted by Poiseuille

I agree: private seller, no CPO. Took me about two minutes to find this one in Roundel online. To get the color you want, and especially with the sunroof you'll have to be patient and be willing to travel, but they're out there.

Thank you, I do check there from time to time. It would be my number one place to find one.

[zamboni]

This one is in SoCal.

https://www.bmwbuenapark.com/new/BMW...41cbaa8752.htm

[clubracer6]

Originally Posted by zamboni

This one is in SoCal.

https://www.bmwbuenapark.com/new/BMW...41cbaa8752.htm

Looks like it has the carbon roof. If I go this high it truly has to be the perfect M3. Ideally I'll keep it under $60k.

[Tommy L Garage]

It took me 6 months to find my 2017 sunroof ZCP Manual. Yas with black leather. I love it. I own it out right.

But if the price was right I’d sell it and trade it for a Porsche I think...

[clubracer6]

Originally Posted by Tommy L Garage

It took me 6 months to find my 2017 sunroof ZCP Manual. Yas with black leather. I love it. I own it out right.

But if the price was right I’d sell it and trade it for a Porsche I think...

Ha, we just talked on your YouTube video about the exhaust sound. Really hope you found the solution. I have a line on a twin to your car at a dealer but we can't agree on price.

If I didn't just have twins 7 months ago and a 7 year old, I would not even consider the M3. 911 all the way.

[Tommy L Garage]

Originally Posted by clubracer6

Ha, we just talked on your YouTube video about the exhaust sound. Really hope you found the solution. I have a line on a twin to your car at a dealer but we can't agree on price.

If I didn't just have twins 7 months ago and a 7 year old, I would not even consider the M3. 911 all the way.

I thought that was you!!

Funny. As I wrote my previous comment I started searching for some 911s on autotempest. Then I started thinking about how I sometimes pick up my daughter from daycare after work. And I'm like - I can do it with a 911! .....Then I realized I've got another baby due in March. So a 911 would not work. I'm in the same boat as you - gotta stay with the M3 for now.

But yes - don't settle for a DCT - get the manual. It will keep you engaged. And I absolutely love my sunroof. I keep it open all the time and it makes the car feel so roomy.

I also suggest you opt for the Executive package - worth it for the heads up display and 360 camera.

Cloth seats are cool and all but I prefer leather.

[clubracer6]

Congrats! Better get the new exhaust on and video done soon. You're time to do that stuff is going to dwindle.

[RRedline]

I spent 6 months looking for my 17 ZCP MN6. It ended up having full leather, which was something I never paid any attention to until I sat in and drove the car. It vastly improves the interior -- makes it feel so much richer compared to without with virtually no price impact on the used car.

[HMM]

I also spent about 6 months actively looking. 1st test drove a 2015 DCT in 2016 but didn't really start looking until 6 months ago. I originally wanted a 2016/2017 with under 30k miles. But I found my 2018 with 8,500 miles in Pittsburg (10 hour trip back south).

I wanted an Alpine White that was a manual with executive package and black leather. My wife preferred the sunroof (she mainly liked the top being white) and that's what I found. Took a while but I'm glad I didn't settle.

[MrSmartyPants]

I wouldn't worry about the car being visceral. It's a real Jekyll/Hyde car. It can be mellow or mean. If you are really driving it or pushing it it's very capable and more than a little fun.

[TheDailyDriven]

Took me about a month and half to find my 2018 F80. The moon roof will be hard to find with those specs. I agree with the manual and for me it was a must. If you see a vehicle that falls in line with your specs but is priced a bit high, throw in a offer and the worst that can happen is they say no. I had the situation but it worked out for me and I was able to secure my F80. Goodluck!

[zamboni]

Originally Posted by clubracer6

Looks like it has the carbon roof. If I go this high it truly has to be the perfect M3. Ideally I'll keep it under $60k.

I recently pickup a 6MT FY18 Imola Red with CP, Executive package, driving assistance and Carplay blind spot wireless charger and under $69K from SoCal. plus tax & license.

[georgere]

My recommendation is to get a car from private seller so you have better idea about the car history, 4-6 months of warranty is enough for piece of mind. As long as the big ticket options match, don't worry about the rest. This car doesn't need any options except for one - proper exhaust. I got MPE and love it but there are many others.

[georgere]

Originally Posted by zamboni

I recently pickup a 6MT FY18 Imola Red with CP, Executive package, driving assistance and Carplay blind spot wireless charger and under $69K from SoCal. plus tax & license.

And you have no relationship/friends at the dealer? Just doesn't sound like regular Joe deal.

[clubracer6]

Originally Posted by zamboni

I recently pickup a 6MT FY18 Imola Red with CP, Executive package, driving assistance and Carplay blind spot wireless charger and under $69K from SoCal. plus tax & license.

Wow, I would love that set up as I had a Imola Red 330i ZHP back in 04. One of my favorite cars.

[MWM]

Don’t overpay for a used car. I just scooped a stripper brand new 2018 for $60k. CPO is nice but if not CPO, why not go no miles and full warranty left ?

I don’t understand the used market on these cars — it confuses me almost as much as the used market on Toyota Tacoma trucks. If I can have new for minimal spend over used (e.g., less than a dime for every mile I roll back the odometer), why in the F wouldn’t I buy new ?