2012 M3 – One Year+ Ownership Experience

2012 M3 – One Year+ Ownership Experience

Maintenance

1200 miles - initial BMW service - no problems - no charge
12K miles – one quart of oil
15K miles – BMW service – no problems - no charge
15K Miles switched out Conti SportContact3s for Michelin Pilot SportPS2s
BTW Passport BMW – matched Tirerack's published on line price and mounted
my new Michelins for free – nice frequent flyer perk

16K+ miles with my M3 - experience...

........ S U B L I M E

After 13+ months and 16K+ miles, my appreciation of my M3 only grows in intensity. I have owned many nice cars but without a doubt – irrespective of price – no car has provided such satisfaction and keen delight. My M3 represents the perfect nexus of dynamic capability, purposeful aesthetics, and accommodating functionality. I savor the experience of pushing the start button – blipping the gas – vrrooom – and being transported by the guttural rhapsody of M Song to that sublime place where perception, road and machine become one – to live in the exhilaration of the M moment.

M3s are cool.

It looks and sounds eerily like my experience and view of this magnificient car. The only difference is that I have two years and 30k miles and I got Michelin Pilot Super Sports at 12k miles from tirerack that my dealer ordered for me and mounted to a minimal cost. I often find myself thinking "It doesn't matter how good the new M3 is, it's not going to be better than this". I hope I'm wrong since I'm likely getting one in a few years.

Originally Posted by Capobranco

2012 M3 – One Year+ Ownership Experience

Maintenance

1200 miles - initial BMW service - no problems - no charge
12K miles – one quart of oil
15K miles – BMW service – no problems - no charge
15K Miles switched out Conti SportContact3s for Michelin Pilot SportPS2s
BTW Passport BMW – matched Tirerack's published on line price and mounted
my new Michelins for free – nice frequent flyer perk

16K+ miles with my M3 - experience...

........ S U B L I M E

After 13+ months and 16K+ miles, my appreciation of my M3 only grows in intensity. I have owned many nice cars but without a doubt – irrespective of price – no car has provided such satisfaction and keen delight. My M3 represents the perfect nexus of dynamic capability, purposeful aesthetics, and accommodating functionality. I savor the experience of pushing the start button – blipping the gas – vrrooom – and being transported by the guttural rhapsody of M Song to that sublime place where perception, road and machine become one – to live in the exhilaration of the M moment.

M3s are cool.

Ditto

Originally Posted by solstice

It looks and sounds eerily like my experience and view of this magnificient car. The only difference is that I have two years and 30k miles and I got Michelin Pilot Super Sports at 12k miles from tirerack that my dealer ordered for me and mounted to a minimal cost. I often find myself thinking "It doesn't matter how good the new M3 is, it's not going to be better than this". I hope I'm wrong since I'm likely getting one in a few years.

There are faster cars, prettier cars, better handling cars, more comfortable cars, and certainly more luxurious cars but in terms of my needs and desires, my M3 is perfect....When called to action - the car goes about its work with grace - exhorting me to be a better driver - performance is accomplished via a feeling of connectivity. The car feels alive - I feel alive. My M3 has the power to put a smile on my face. I too hope that the new M3/4 will advance the state of the art, but irrespective of the future new car's enhanced performance, the current M will stand as a pure expression of BMW prowess.

I change cars frequently, but recently I exercised my option on my GEICO policy to extend my warranty of my M3 to 100K miles. Although new is usually equated with being better, I suspect, in a few years, I might still be learning new tricks with my old fella, sporting a giant grin from ear to ear.

Originally Posted by Capobranco

There are faster cars, prettier cars, better handling cars, more comfortable cars, and certainly more luxurious cars but in terms of my needs and desires, my M3 is perfect....When called to action - the car goes about its work with grace - exhorting me to be a better driver - performance is accomplished via a feeling of connectivity. The car feels alive - I feel alive. My M3 has the power to put a smile on my face. I too hope that the new M3/4 will advance the state of the art, but irrespective of the future new car's enhanced performance, the current M will stand as a pure expression of BMW prowess.

I change cars frequently, but recently I exercised my option on my GEICO policy to extend my warranty of my M3 to 100K miles. Although new is usually equated with being better, I suspect, in a few years, I might still be learning new tricks with my old fella, sporting a giant grin from ear to ear.

Yo mind sharing how much Geico charge for the ext warranty? BMW wants $6880 for the 7 years 100K miles coverage.

Originally Posted by 1zamboni

Yo mind sharing how much Geico charge for the ext warranty? BMW wants $6880 for the 7 years 100K miles coverage.

General info copied from my policy:

"Mechanical Breakdown Insurance

Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI) is an insurance coverage that pays for repairs to your vehicle (excluding routine maintenance and normal wear and tear).

GEICO's MBI coverage:

• Covers repairs to all mechanical parts like your engine, cooling and electrical, transmission, brakes, and air conditioning.
• Saves you money by charging only a small premium each policy period, instead of a large lump-sum payment up front.
• Allows you to have your car repaired wherever you like. With a dealer warranty, you are often required to use their location, even if you are unhappy with the service.

MBI is only available for new or leased vehicles that are less than 15 months old and have less than 15,000 miles. This coverage also carries a $250 deductible*."

Bumper to bumper coverage - effective coverage - 7 years/100,000 miles commencing from purchase date of car.

Cost varies - my cost $78 a year.
Obvious catch - you have to initiate coverage while your car is still under the BMW warranty - still not a bad hedge if you think you might keep your M beyond four years - BMW's very expensive extended warranty is definitely an eye popper and a deterrent to keeping the car. GEICO is counting on me getting bored and trading the car - which is what I have always done in the past - but maybe not this time.....

there is nothing in the world like the e9x M3. i have only 8,000 miles on mine since i got it memorial day weekend 2012. i already lament having to give it up at one point in the distant future. its 8/10 or better in everything that a car has to be, dynamics, luxury, speed, comfort, etc etc. a dream come true this car is.

BMW MPE next

Originally Posted by highyo

there is nothing in the world like the e9x M3. i have only 8,000 miles on mine since i got it memorial day weekend 2012. i already lament having to give it up at one point in the distant future. its 8/10 or better in everything that a car has to be, dynamics, luxury, speed, comfort, etc etc. a dream come true this car is.

BMW MPE next

BMW MPE - YES!



It's on the list.

Originally Posted by Capobranco

BMW MPE - YES!



It's on the list.

haha yeah i think that what i'm going to do over the next few years is a big mod a year. so this year the MPE, maybe next i'll do new diff/pulleys/dinan tune, and then who knows.

one thing i wont do is put a blower on her. thats going to far. and i'm still a little on the fence about the new diff

but the MPE? hell yeah. can't wait. lurking on Ebay right now

Originally Posted by Capobranco

General info copied from my policy:

"Mechanical Breakdown Insurance

Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI) is an insurance coverage that pays for repairs to your vehicle (excluding routine maintenance and normal wear and tear).

GEICO's MBI coverage:

• Covers repairs to all mechanical parts like your engine, cooling and electrical, transmission, brakes, and air conditioning.
• Saves you money by charging only a small premium each policy period, instead of a large lump-sum payment up front.
• Allows you to have your car repaired wherever you like. With a dealer warranty, you are often required to use their location, even if you are unhappy with the service.

MBI is only available for new or leased vehicles that are less than 15 months old and have less than 15,000 miles. This coverage also carries a $250 deductible*."

Bumper to bumper coverage - effective coverage - 7 years/100,000 miles commencing from purchase date of car.

Cost varies - my cost $78 a year.
Obvious catch - you have to initiate coverage while your car is still under the BMW warranty - still not a bad hedge if you think you might keep your M beyond four years - BMW's very expensive extended warranty is definitely an eye popper and a deterrent to keeping the car. GEICO is counting on me getting bored and trading the car - which is what I have always done in the past - but maybe not this time.....

That is way too low for ext warranty only 478 per year?

Capobranco, your post provides me with further confidence in my recent choice. I just ordered an M3 coupe yesterday. Like yours, it will be Silverstone w/ black except that I went with the carbon fiber roof. Estimated time for delivery is mid to late May. Both color and transmission type were the toughest choices. For now, I am going with DCT but I can easily make a case for a MT.

Originally Posted by highyo

haha yeah i think that what i'm going to do over the next few years is a big mod a year. so this year the MPE, maybe next i'll do new diff/pulleys/dinan tune, and then who knows.

one thing i wont do is put a blower on her. thats going to far. and i'm still a little on the fence about the new diff

but the MPE? hell yeah. can't wait. lurking on Ebay right now

Best price I have found about $3500 - expensive.

At one point I was thinking about going Borla route - I installed Borla exhaust and headers on a 911 a few years ago with awesome outcome ....but I think I am staying all BMW this time. The M3 is just so well rounded - a perfect equilibrium - that I am willing to essentially spend more, for a little less performance, and have an outcome, more in tune with original intent - I am especially wary of droning.

Originally Posted by 1zamboni

That is way too low for ext warranty only 478 per year?

yep - $78 a year

Originally Posted by nhman

Capobranco, your post provides me with further confidence in my recent choice. I just ordered an M3 coupe yesterday. Like yours, it will be Silverstone w/ black except that I went with the carbon fiber roof. Estimated time for delivery is mid to late May. Both color and transmission type were the toughest choices. For now, I am going with DCT but I can easily make a case for a MT.

Good news - there are no bad choices. Funny, I thought that the CF roof was one of my "must haves". I had no time to order my car - I had to take something from inventory within 100 miles of my dealer - well, after 13+ months and 16K+ miles - I luv the moon roof and use it almost daily given any temp over 40 degrees. I especially appreciate it at night on my drives in the mountains - stars blazing - M3 purring...just wonderful sensual experience. As to DCT - I was leery of it but It is fun. I especially appreciate having it when I encounter the inevitable Metro DC traffic abomination. Aesthetically I have grown to prefer my Silverstone sans CF roof - the car appears to be carved out of a solid billet of aluminum alloy. I did see a Silverstone w/CF roof at my dealer last week - it was gorgeous - as I said, no bad choices.


European Car had a review of M3 vs. RS5 in its current issue - The summary is worth quoting;

" You can keep your Porsches and Ferraris; in my opinion, these (M3 & RS5) might be the best cars in world. Both take you to a place few can match, with a practicality and convenience to make them genuine daily drivers. They're cars you fall in love with, rather than a means of transport. They deserve enthusiast owners who can exploit their enormous potential and neither is the wrong decision; simply one is more right than the other."

Of course, the M3 was the "more right" one. I adore my M3.

drone is a huge issue for me too, i really need to sit in someone's MPE equipped M3 to truly decide. sitting in the middle of a bass speaker at a certain RPM is not my idea of a pleasurable experience. and certainly drone is very very subjective.

2900 is the currentl lowest offer i have seen

It's a hoot! Getting my break-in service done next week!

Good thread. So you like the car?

Wow, quite a compliment to a car I didn't buy.

Originally Posted by Dave 330i

Wow, quite a compliment to a car I didn't buy.

Porsche Turbo....hmmm....nice car - been there done that - I have very fond memories of the brand and PCA, but I do not want to go down that road again.

I always thought of Porsches as being less compromised, more focused, sportier machines - having the advantage of being genetically endowed from conception as sports cars. BMW Ms - being modified sedans - often suffer in comparison. However, when I was testing back to back a new 997 PDK vs M3 DCT, I found the M3 to be not only the superior less compromised daily driver, but also the more satisfying sports car.

Different strokes for different folks....

I miss mine, and can't wait to get another.

As to my 911: lots of good memories, particularly on track days. But unlike the M3, no urge to get another one; crossed it off my bucket list.

Sent from my HTC Inspire using BimmerApp

Originally Posted by Capobranco

" You can keep your Porsches and Ferraris; in my opinion, these (M3 & RS5) might be the best cars in world. Both take you to a place few can match, with a practicality and convenience to make them genuine daily drivers. They're cars you fall in love with, rather than a means of transport. They deserve enthusiast owners who can exploit their enormous potential and neither is the wrong decision; simply one is more right than the other."

Of course, the M3 was the "more right" one. I adore my M3.

And that is why it is a great time to be an automotive enthusiast - choice. I went with the RS5 but that is a choice that was more due to my teenage years addiction to the RS line. Love the M3 and I only hope that the new model can match the outgoing one. So far it has been the case. I probably would still miss the glorious V8 since it is all about down-sizing (think forced 6). However it will always be "The king is dead. Long live the king" and that is part of the magic of being able to experience it all.

Originally Posted by Revn

And that is why it is a great time to be an automotive enthusiast - choice. I went with the RS5 but that is a choice that was more due to my teenage years addiction to the RS line. Love the M3 and I only hope that the new model can match the outgoing one. So far it has been the case. I probably would still miss the glorious V8 since it is all about down-sizing (think forced 6). However it will always be "The king is dead. Long live the king" and that is part of the magic of being able to experience it all.

as you said on another thread.....

"If you don't mind a forced 6 I'd say wait but with the current trend I'd say this is one of the best V8s out there that will surely go down in history as one of the most glorious triumphs is engendering excess . Will we see more efficiency? Yep. More power? Yep. Cost savings? Yep. Fun? ... Not sure about that."

+1 yep

...fun? - I'm especially not so sure about that...it remains to be seen what new duds the new "king" will be sporting...I live in hope and trust in M, but I will not die in despair if the new "king" is buck naked - I'll jus' keep my paean to "glorious excessive" fun!

BTW I appreciate that your fascination with the RS line is rooted in your teenage years - likewise the allure of BMW for me.

Congrats on your RS5 - sexy ride.

Thank you. It's way better than I expected. Here's to gloriously excessive fun!