First-time M3 owner

Like the title says, I bought a new to me 2013 M3 e93 last week. Single owner with 32000 miles and garage kept. I’ll probably get some chirps from people that don’t consider these true M cars. I read one person refer to it as a “tanning bed on wheels”, which actually gave me a good chuckle. However, my daily driver is an F150 so this car is plenty quick and agile enough for me. Plus my kids love riding with the top down.

As far as I know, the only mod that the prior owner made is the M Performance exhaust. That V8 sounds amazing when it opens up. I plan on getting it tuned. Any other recommendations are appreciated.

I’ve been reading through the forum a lot over the past week and it’s awesome that there’s still a thriving community for this gen. Thank you to everyone that keeps this page going.

Welcome to the forum! There's some nice DIY stickies and also one labeled "For New Owners - What I wish I knew when I first bought my E9X M3."

Noiceee make her extra loud and drop the top.

Oh man did I love my old E93 M3…now in an E92 wishing it was an E93. Enjoy!!

No one said a vert is not a true M car.
I think what the OP should have said is: 'a vert has a few hundred pounds in the trunk that the sedan or coupe doesn't. The vert is not as fast.
BMW put the M badge on there.

Welcome! I have had 2 M3 verts (and 4 other non-M verts), an E36 and an E46, and they are definitely M cars. They are simply different, slower, heavier and a little more ponderous. If you go into it knowing that and being okay with that, they are a blast to drive and one of the ultimate fun-in-the-sun cruisers. Unfortunately many grab them because they are cheaper and then are disappointed with their lack of serious performance. Thus some of the bad-mouthing they get on the forums. Don't listen to that crap, just enjoy the sound and the wind in your hair!

Welcome onboard OP!

Car is a stunner, not a proper M but close enough hey...

Well, my e90 has a sunroof so I geuss it’s not a true M car either

We all likely remember the first time we drove a natually aspirated M3, I know I do and I get that same feeling after over six years. Congratulations on the purchase and welcome.

Enjoy the ride! The car is beautiful!

Transformer style hard top, fun in the sun, lots to love. I was competitive several years ago in autocross with my e46 m3 ‘vert. All I heard was the same nonsense. I laughed while I enjoyed the car for the 90% of the time where having a vert didn’t matter.

Are the non verts better at the limit? Probably, but I’d guess that many with vert “hate” don’t even get to 6/7 10ths with their m3.

Looks clean and Mineral White!

Congrats!

Welcome, It's great you're enjoying the car.

Did you pick this up from Ohio?

fs34 wrote

Enjoy the ride! The car is beautiful!

Transformer style hard top, fun in the sun, lots to love. I was competitive several years ago in autocross with my e46 m3 ‘vert. All I heard was the same nonsense. I laughed while I enjoyed the car for the 90% of the time where having a vert didn’t matter.

Are the non verts better at the limit? Probably, but I’d guess that many with vert “hate” don’t even get to 6/7 10ths with their m3.

Some excellent points here. As an e90 owner the amount of times, per year, that I drive my car 6/7 10ths is few and far between. I am not proud of it, rather it is the truth.

I would be lying if I said the e93 concept DIDN'T intrigue me once in a while. Even with the e90 (with some exhaust work), with all of the windows down and sunroof open it a completely changes experience compared to fully isolated windows/roof closed. With that said it could just be by coincidence as I tend to drive spiritedly when the weather is nice whereas in winter (windows closed) I tend to loaf around more and use the car more as an A to B appliance.

Anywho, I would think a modified e93 would be an absolutely blast on a nice summer day through some beautiful roads. Something for me to consider as I plan to add a DD and move my e90 to pure weekend status...

importraceram wrote

I would be lying if I said the e93 concept DIDN'T intrigue me once in a while. Even with the e90 (with some exhaust work), with all of the windows down and sunroof open it a completely changes experience compared to fully isolated windows/roof closed.

Truth. Not a lot of tunnels where I live but there’s an overpass on my way home that I drop the windows, mute the stereo, and let er rip. Would love that in an e93!

fs34 wrote

Truth. Not a lot of tunnels where I live but there’s an overpass on my way home that I drop the windows, mute the stereo, and let er rip. Would love that in an e93!

LOL, yeah, not many tunnels here at all, but Martin Rd is close or the Bridge Street lower deck parking garage.

tbuck wrote

LOL, yeah, not many tunnels here at all, but Martin Rd is close or the Bridge Street lower deck parking garage.

Martin Rd baby! South Huntsville represent!

Welcome! Car looks great! And don't forget that with a little bit of grinding and welding you can always modify your car into proper M. Is it DCT?

NiBe wrote

Welcome! Car looks great! And don't forget that with a little bit of grinding and welding you can always modify your car into proper M. Is it DCT?

Thanks! Yes, it's the DCT. What better way to work on my fabricating skills?

Exotich wrote

Did you pick this up from Ohio?

Dallas area

Welcome to E93 life lakehoustonnative! Beautiful car!

Make sure to keep that origami top in tip top shape! Here’s a DIY i posted on keeping the mechanism lubricated and seals conditioned:
https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1819261