Is anyone ordering or have bought a no / limited option M3?

I built my own 2011 M3 on the BMW NA website with no options except the DCT. Jet black, cloth seats, keep the CF roof and DCT. That's it. Has anyone ordered one or own one like that? Do you regret not getting the bells and whistles?

I wasn't planning on getting the navigation after the big disappointment with my Z4 M Coupe's nav unit. But during the test drive, I must say I'm very impressed with the nav in the M3. Also it is nice to have the iDrive. So, I wanted the nav and I also wanted to get the ipod/usb connection. At that point, it made more sense to get the convenience package which also includes rear parking sensors and alarm.

Other than that, I'm also cloth seats and DCT. One thing I know, I won't miss the power seats. Totally useless feature in my opinion.

I also wanted the competition package because the ZCP is 10mm lowered, so I don't have to deal with aftermarket.. Also the EDC is really nice to have in a car like M3. I'm intending to track this car so that made it easy decision for me to get the ZCP.

I had an E46 M3 and now an E92, both with few options. Mine has DCT and comp package, that’s it. Obviously, it’s purely personal preference. I’ve never been much of a sun roof fan, and I like the standard seats. A plain car like that has appeal to a smaller market than does one fully loaded, so it is a disadvantage from a general re-sale perspective.

g2 wrote

I built my own 2011 M3 on the BMW NA website with no options except the DCT. Jet black, cloth seats, keep the CF roof and DCT. That's it. Has anyone ordered one or own one like that? Do you regret not getting the bells and whistles?

Hmm... interesting. You may be the first guy to consider doing that.

No Premium package
No Competition package
No EDC (Dynamic Damper Control)
No Cold weather package
No Convenience package
No Navi
No Enhanced Premium Sound

IMO I think that the only super critical one is the EDC.
You'll save about $10K.

Another option could be to purchase a pre-owned M3
with all the bells and whistles and save about the same
amount or more.

Premium - Prefer cloth seats
Comp / EDC - I'd rather buy AST's or Motons and BBS wheels
Cold - Don't need the heated seats or headlight washers
Convenience - Would like the alarm but do not want he navi or the rear park sensors. My e46 navi stinks and a garmin is much better.
Premium Sound - I'd rather take it to BSW for a true preimum sound.

It's really not about the money although it would be nice to find a used one at a good price.

erhanh wrote

Other than that, I'm also cloth seats and DCT. One thing I know, I won't miss the power seats. Totally useless feature in my opinion.

Do the cloth seats sit lower than the power ones? Helmet room...

g2 wrote

Do the cloth seats sit lower than the power ones? Helmet room...

Idk. I don't have my car yet. I never had a issue wiht my helmet in my Z4MC. I'm 5.8 though But my taller friends didn't have any issues either. So I'd be VERY surprised if M3 has less headroom than Z4.

g2 wrote

Convenience - Would like the alarm but do not want he navi or the rear park sensors. My e46 navi stinks and a garmin is much better.

I believe e46 and Z4 shared the same navi unit. And yes it does suck. But take a look at the navi in M3. It is VERY good. Also, someone may chime in on this, but sport+ setting for the throttle was only available with idrive? I'm not really sure about this.

Ah, 6.4 with a long torso. I have to lean the seat back in my e46m3 just to daily. My e30 track prep car has custom mounts that but the seat on the floor board.

I also think the lack of navi give the car a much cleaner look. I also believe your are correct with the sport setting but I'm wondering if aftermarket software can correct this.

g2 wrote

I built my own 2011 M3 on the BMW NA website with no options except the DCT. Jet black, cloth seats, keep the CF roof and DCT. That's it. Has anyone ordered one or own one like that? Do you regret not getting the bells and whistles?

That is exactly how I would order today if I got a coupe except:

- I don't like black or white so I'd pay for a different color
- I would get the ad hoc BMW Assist option because it saved my ass when I locked myself out once. Plus, bluetooth.
- I would probably get 6FL/6NF because its convenient

I might go with the aluminum trim because the plastic Ti Shadow is just a bit cheap looking.

But I definitely would skip ZCP, ZCV, ZPP2, and ZCW, yes.

mkoesel wrote

I might go with the aluminum trim because the plastic Ti Shadow is just a bit cheap looking.

agree, I hate to admit but the one option I would need to go with is the trim upgrade.

Jeff_DML wrote

agree, I hate to admit but the one option I would need to go with is the trim upgrade.

okay, I agree with little things like that. My basis for the thread was personal preference and if anyone thought like I do...

g2 wrote

okay, I agree with little things like that. My basis for the thread was personal preference and if anyone thought like I do...

if I custom ordered mine, I would go almost base, sedan + comp package + trim upgrade + fold down seats, so cloth and 6MT. M3 stock is good enough for me, prefer not having to mod it.

I have a 2008 coupe with premium pkg, extended leather and ipod option. Fairly lightly optioned. I don't regret anything. The main option that I'm concerned about is not an option -- the S65 V8 plus the chassis and handling that it brings.


Cheers.

if you really feel like you don't need all that stuff, then buy the stripper version. If you're really just on a budget, then I say buy pre-owned.

My suggestion is, buy a pre-owned.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=366319

I went through the same questions you did. In the end, I bought a preowned, and I don't regret it at all. You should def. look for a low mileage preowned car.

I could have done without (in order of priority):
Premium sound
ipod adapter
moonroof
Navi
comfort access
heated seats/headlight washer
sunshade
EDC


I def. needed these features:
fold down rear seats
leather

But once you start using all the features, it's really really nice to have!

my build was fairly base and I don't find myself wanting the gadgets I didn't order

I made it a point to avoid getting navi because I plan to keep this car long term and it looks like it's a huge pain to do any sort of upgrading on the factory nav unit

James T. Kirk wrote

You'll save about $10K.

And probably around 100lbs. Maybe more.

Though yes, if he went 6MT that's another 60lbs saved too.

BTW, if I were doing it again I would get ZCP.

Cheers.

erhanh wrote

Also, someone may chime in on this, but sport+ setting for the throttle was only available with idrive? I'm not really sure about this.

The new manual confirms this is true.

But honestly, do you really need Sport+? MDM and Servotronic Sport are there standard now. Sport+ isn't a compelling reason to get IDrive, IMHO. Sport throtlle really is hair trigger enough, IMHO.

My last two cars were a zero option Cayman S and an Elise. I typically prefer low option cars because I have other "luxury" vehicles to drive and want my sports car to be light and as track ready as possible. This time around I did get the convenience package because of all the stuff it adds in this particular car. I also happen to think the 11.5 idrive is quite good. I could see only ordering bluetooth though. I'd probably miss the comfort access most. It's nice to never have to bother with keys.

DEFINITELY get the EDC. If you are truly doing to get a bare minimum driver's car, it has to be 6MT though.

I wonder how much navi weights. I'm pretty sure alarm and parking sensors don't add much since they're all pre-wired. Also I wonder how much the EDC adds.

mkoesel wrote

The new manual confirms this is true.

But honestly, do you really need Sport+? MDM and Servotronic Sport are there standard now. Sport+ isn't a compelling reason to get IDrive, IMHO. Sport throtlle really is hair trigger enough, IMHO.

I haven't driven the car in Sport+ (during my test drives), but from what I read in this forum, it looks like an overkill as you said. I just wanted to point out because I saw some people likes very sharp throttle response.