Hey guys, i'm seriously looking into considering a NEW M3 sometime in '03 if I play my cards right. Or even maybe a used '02 if it has all the options I want. A few questions, the fully loaded M3 with NAVI, stock 19's, etc. goes for how much out the door? Is the M3 something I have to preorder? Are there typically any of these sitting in dealer lots? I know the first year the new M3 came out, there were some serious engine issues. I remember reading the issues were related to a certain production date and before that.... How are the new M3's coming off the lot? Can I expect my engine to blow up? Thanks.

 

DO IT!!!! NOW!!!!

 

How's the SMG (Sequential Manual Gearbox)? Is this another slushbox? Or is it just as comparable as a traditional stick?

 

LOL. I wish I could. See ya at the meet..........

 

Wait until you test drive the new V8 S4..... you may never look back....

 

You'll most certainly have to preorder. You may be able to find out on a dealer lot, but more than liely it won't be what you want...

Out the door, I'd expect to pay real close to sticker, whatever that is. Expensive, that's for sure.

And the engine issue has been fixed according to BMW.



Go for it man... I'll come up and wash/wax it for you.

 

Nah... I will be only at his driveway to "wash and wax" his

2004 SL AMG !!!

 

did you see the numbers on that car? not very impressive at all unless your talking about that 80K car they have coming out.

 

where are the numbers.... I know it's 340 HP V8!

 

You can find a slightly used M3 for under $50K

 

Euro Spec 344hp, not bad...

M3 is 343 outside North America due to location of the cats...

But, the S4 is even more of a pig than the M3, 300lbs heavier

 

Why do you say that? The s4 will still be slower.............

 

4WD and lot of lower end toruque and 7000 rpms RL for V8 would be a rocket!

 

The SMG transmission is pretty cool, it's not like our slushbox, it's a true manual the has an electronic clutch or something like that. I drove one a while ago, I think that would be the way I would go.

 

www.bmwusa.com

goto M series, then M3
then, build your own M3

Expect 55-57K loaded

 

M3 with Navi is preorder only from europe. I dont think you'll find one on a lot with a nav in it. It was very hard for me to get a 325 with a nav when i was looking for a car.
Also, try waiting for the S4 if you can. And then decide. Just a suggestion.

 

Well, I used to drive an s4 and was on both the Audiworld and Audizine car boards a lot.

The consensus on both boards is that the new s4 is slow and will be a pig. 5.6 0-60 is slower than the current gen s4. The looks are bland.

In fact, the price of my s4 went higher after the s4 info was released. Why? can't mod a v8 as easily as the turbo and the b5 looks better.

I'd still take the m3 over the s4, especially teh csl version.

 

I knew i shouldnt have had a BMW meet with acura owners.

Ginash, Pm me if ya need info or a saleman.

 

smg/ss, whatever you wanna call it its all the same, a auto with a manual shift mode. is there really a difference. if so, what? maybe one shifts with a quicker response. but then all you gotta do is learn your delay time and shift accordingly. btw, what is a "slushbox"?

 

A slushbox is an auto. The SMG is not an automatic tranny, it is a manual that can be shifted electronically, so there is still a clutch-just no clutch pedal.

 

try this link first synth if you're seriously thinking about buying. Next year is M3 year for me. We have a 330 now and yes, you will have to order it. It's cool b/c you can track the manf process on the web as a member of BMW Owner's Circle. I work across the street from the dealer where we bought our car and actually managed to watch it being driven off the truck b/c I followed it on the web. Cool.

http://www.eurobuyers.com/

 

Here are some information on M3 that may be of help. The spec. on my M3 are as follows.

MY2002
SMGII Transmission
19" stock M-parallel wheels
Premium package (sun roofs, memory seats, etc.)
Cold package (heated seats and some other stuff)
Bi-Xenon lights
Carbon Black metalic paint
Harmon Kardon stereo
Navigation System
CD-Changer

Eh ... basicly everything but the comfort steats (loaded, per your inqueries in the 1st post). The final price (after tax, etc etc.) came to about $64,000.00.

Yes, you have to pre-order it. Once the production starts on your M3, expect 1 -> 1.5 months until delivery. The total wait time for now is probably 6 months max.

Another thing, the Euro spec M3 has 343 HP and the US has 333.

SMGII - Weird at first and not smooth. However, after owning it for about a month, you'll get very smooth and truely appreciate it when racing.

Engine - Yes, Nov 2001 production cars has had many spun bearing problems. It's due to a technical change in the bearing size between .3 and .4 mm. However, since then BMW has fixed this problem. No more spun bearings.

Kevin.

 

thanks everyone for the responses!