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

with the 08, 09 models, Sport + was included in non-Mdrive, non-navi M3s.

From a taste perspective - to each their own.

From a resale perspective - it's going to be hard to get rid of this car later. Most (not all) people don't want a luxury sports coupe that's missing a lot of the luxury.

If I were purchasing used, premium is a must have and comp, comfort are highly desirable.

erhanh wrote

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.

Gotcha, yep. I guess my reply sounded kind of like I was questioning you - sorry bout that. I meant those to be rhetorical questions.

mdosu wrote

with the 08, 09 models, Sport + was included in non-Mdrive, non-navi M3s.

Not true. Sport+ is not available on any non-IDrive M3 of any year. The reason is that there is no way to engage it without the MDrive IDrive menu.

eisenb11 wrote

From a resale perspective - it's going to be hard to get rid of this car later. Most (not all) people don't want a luxury sports coupe that's missing a lot of the luxury.

This is a debateable point. The demand for a stripped car may be low but so will the supply of stripped cars. Anyone looking to build a track car in a few years, for example, might be inclined to look for a no frills car. Yes, that is a small group of people, but again at the same time there will be a small supply of such cars to choose from. In the end I would be surprised if options have any real tangible effect depreciation rate.

mkoesel wrote

This is a debateable point. The demand for a stripped car may be low but so will the supply of stripped cars. Anyone looking to build a track car in a few years, for example, might be inclined to look for a no frills car. Yes, that is a small group of people, but again at the same time there will be a small supply of such cars to choose from. In the end I would be surprised if options have any real tangible effect depreciation rate.

Try finding an e46 m3 without a sunroof now. They go for a premium price *if* you can find one.

g2 wrote

Try finding an e46 m3 without a sunroof now. They go for a premium price *if* you can find one.

The diffference for e46 is a roof with or without sunroof.

For E92, it is a difference of carbonfiber roof or steel roof with sunroof. I think that makes a difference.

In other words, now you're giving up carbonfiber roof to get the sunroof. For E46, you don't give up anything.

erhanh wrote

In other words, now you're giving up carbonfiber roof to get the sunroof. For E46, you don't give up anything.

I think his point is that the decontented car has become more valuable.

So, back in the day people probably thought that the sunroof was a no brainer option because like you say "you don't give up anything" (actually you give up a little weight but I don't want to split hairs). But now it turns out those cars fetch a premium. I won't go as far as to say that means that a decontented E92 M3 will fetch a premium as well. However, I will maintain what I say earlier that supply and demand will at the very least remain relatively in balance with respect to a car with a given set of options.

mkoesel wrote

I think his point is that the decontented car has become more valuable.

Oh yeah you're right. My bad.

mkoesel wrote

I think his point is that the decontented car has become more valuable.

So, back in the day people probably thought that the sunroof was a no brainer option because like you say "you don't give up anything" (actually you give up a little weight but I don't want to split hairs). But now it turns out those cars fetch a premium. I won't go as far as to say that means that a decontented E92 M3 will fetch a premium as well. However, I will maintain what I say earlier that supply and demand will at the very least remain relatively in balance with respect to a car with a given set of options.

Agree.

If I don't order a new one I will need to find a used one with the CF roof (No sunroof), no exceptions. We might find out that after 100, 150 or 200K that the DCT is repair prone and I would easily go with the 6MT. If I had to, I'd just pull the 16? motor power seats and go with a nice set of recaros.

mkoesel wrote

I think his point is that the decontented car has become more valuable.

Only way to know for sure is if he does this and tries to sell it, but rarity and value don't always correlate.

If we're speaking on just financials, options generally depreciate at a greater rate than the car as a whole. In that sense, a decontented car would depreciate less. However, a decontented car also has a significantly smaller demand than an optioned one.

The problem then, is that one can pick an optioned car that caters to the desires of 80% of the population, but sells at a slightly higher depreciation or cater to, say, 7% of the population, but sell for lower depreciation.

Being that the M3 is a mass production car, I don't believe that anything could make it "more" valuable... just less, less valuable!

In my case, I generally change cars every 4 years so being able to sell the car easier is worth the increased depreciation costs. I'd rather not have to deal with finding the buyer who's a needle in a haystack.

eisenb11 wrote

Only way to know for sure is if he does this and tries to sell it, but rarity and value don't always correlate.

True. But there is a business case for a stripped car. Like I said, some people want the lighter no frills car for track use. Or someone might prefer it just because there's less to worry about going wrong for that matter.

Being that the M3 is a mass production car, I don't believe that anything could make it "more" valuable... just less, less valuable!

I was speaking in a relative terms as compared to an otherwise similar car with the moonroof option. I didn't mean that in an absolute sense.

I'd rather not have to deal with finding the buyer who's a needle in a haystack.

With the internet, particularly a forum like this one, buyers are easy to find.

It boils down to a matter of preference, I think. I honestly don't believe that anyone is going to have a hard time selling an E92 M3 at a fair price irrespective of how it is optioned. For me the last reason I choose an option is with resale in mind. But again, that's a matter of opinion and I can appreciate the opposing view and the potential market considerations.

I think if you go to trade a less optioned car in, it won't make much difference. The dealer is just going to look up auction prices, black book, etc. As another poster said, the options depreciate more than the car. Some options don't even show up when you're trying to find book value.
Trying to sell the car on your own is a different story, you will definitely have less demand if you have less options, how much less is an unknown. You only need one buyer.

erhanh wrote

In other words, now you're giving up carbonfiber roof to get the sunroof. For E46, you don't give up anything.

you probably hurt resale on a E92 if you get a sunroof, especially on a light colored cars. Got to have the weave:rolleyes:

erhanh wrote

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.

Agree. Yes, OP, Garmin is great, but i'm very happy with the built-in navi and idrive in my '11. Very glad to have it.

Ordered my 09 E-92 with every possible option except the extended leather.

I spec'd my M with no options except for leather and extra $ for the paint. I didn't bother with EDC because I put on KW V3's. I wasn't diggin the speed cloth after seeing and feeling it in person. So the extra $900 or so for leather was with it. The only thing I would do over again if I could would be to add Premium sound and SAT radio. The standard system is horrible.

I quite enjoy both DCT and EDC, but if I were ordering today, I'd get 6sp, cold weather package, the ipod adaptor and that's about it. Maybe throw in the universal garage opener.

Not a fan of the navigation. I'm in southern california, but have actually been using a the heated seats a lot lately, along with the fold down rear.

The value of the ZCP is compelling though.

Mine has DCT, ZCP, carbon leather trim, and ipod/Sat. Weighs 3,440lbs stock without fuel. The cloth seats are awesome. Strongly recommend them. After I added brembos, recaros, and some other light weight bits, its now under 3,200lbs

No options is a waste of money unless you're building a racecar. Or you just want an M3 badge. Could just order one for a Honda civic..

3200 is unbelievable.. Where did you get it weighed? Where's the slip?

Only option I got was bluetooth/ ipod. Single hump 6mt. No regrets at all.

ring007 wrote

Mine has DCT, ZCP, carbon leather trim, and ipod/Sat. Weighs 3,440lbs stock without fuel. The cloth seats are awesome. Strongly recommend them. After I added brembos, recaros, and some other light weight bits, its now under 3,200lbs

It is off-topic, but can you please shed more light on your mods? If you have before/after weight list for the parts that will be awesome. Thank you!

I have leather, bluetooth and ipod. I dont miss any of the other options. people seem to think that a low optioned m3 is not a luxurious sports car. They are wrong.