Tips on buying an E92 M3

Hey guys,

Probably I'm going to trade my car for a e92 m3. Well, I'm still in doubt with the e60 m5 but for what i've seen they give a lot of problems, things that i don't want.

So what are your advices guys?

Should i go for a pre lci or for a lci for a 6k $ difference? What problems should i look for mainly?

Thanks

Decide what options are important to you, what your budget is, and start looking online. Do a nationwide search so you get a bigger selection and can see different prices and options. Look at pictures and learn to identify the different major options: dct/6MT, CCC/CIC, premium sound, cold weather, M drive, competition pkg, CF roof, speed cloth, etc. Decide if you want a warranty or not. Search for issues with the evaporator, throttle actuators and rod bearings. If you are on a budget, price out maintenance costs as some things can be more expensive than you might expect. (oil changes, new battery, etc.) Read through the general forum here and you'll learn a lot.

I've been doing some research and guess i'm going to the DCT.

My big question is, lci is worth the 6k$ difference? I've been searching and i've seen that idrive is one difference, what are the other ones?

Probably I'm going for competition package. Is it worth the money?

If you have already decided on the competition package, then you don't need to worry about LCI changes, it wasn't available until after the LCI refresh. Start pricing cars with DCT and Competition in your area in the colors you are considering. Your choices will start to narrow down pretty quickly and then you get to decide what other options you want (comfortaccess, leather, nav, CF roof/Sunroof, cold weather, premium sound, etc.) Once you get to comparing specific cars then you can better tell if an option is worth what they are asking or not. You aren't ordering from a dealer - what is available out there and what prices they are available at is always in flux. Price is also going to be more influenced by year model, mileage and condition, not so much by the options.

Here seems to be a decent outline of what is different through the years. If you don't need anything on there, then it's not worth the extra 6k.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=826190

As for competition, I liked the wheels and it being a bit lower so it was worth it for me.

existence wrote

I've been doing some research and guess i'm going to the DCT.

My big question is, lci is worth the 6k$ difference? I've been searching and i've seen that idrive is one difference, what are the other ones?

Probably I'm going for competition package. Is it worth the money?

LCI? No, b/c you can buy LCI Tails for about $450-$500 and do it yourself.

However, if you opt for navigation, it might be worth getting an 09+ for the upgraded navigation system. Upgrading to the new version costs at least a grand.

I've been searching this around but no clue how to do it.

Is it possible to update navi maps without bmw ? like diy ?

oh and thanks guys for the answer, mreed that topic really gave me a big help

Buying a car is a personal choice, to each their own the same goes for options.
However some options add functionalities to the car and getting them is always better such as competition package, premium sound, navigation, convenient access. Other options are a personal choice such as 6MT/dct and e93/e92/e90.

existence wrote

I've been searching this around but no clue how to do it.

Is it possible to update navi maps without bmw ? like diy ?

You need an FSC code, and there are plenty of people who can help you with that. Look in the Coding and Electronics topic. http://www.m3post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=127

Additionally Bimmer-Tech or Mike Benvo can also help.

You can update the maps with the code, but 09 has the newer Navigation module and to my understanding that can only be upgraded with a new navigation unit ($$).

mreed wrote  

You can update the maps with the code, but 09 has the newer Navigation module and to my understanding that can only be upgraded with a new navigation unit ($$).

This.

OP, did you consider Googling the below 2 search phrases before creating this thread? If not, try them now and in the future. That "site" modifier is a useful tool in general, FYI.

buying tips site:m3post.com
buying advice site:m3post.com

CCC can be upgraded with a new DVD (free) and CIC-NBT require a USB update + a FSC Code ($)

OP get Comp if you really desire M359 wheels, because in daily driving and all reality the drop is negligible. LCI vs pre-LCI is also up to you, because LCI tails can be bought and installed (DIY) for 500-600. The navigation is super dated, as is the user interface, on the 2008 models. But if you can over look that, go for an earlier model.