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In Reply to: What options are a must when buying a M3? posted by M3guy on September 23, 2001 at 16:44:42:
depends, the manuals weigh less (less weight = more hp)
If no one else is driving it, I'd say manual
Would I be better off buying a car with aftermarket Exhaust / Suspension or should I look for OEM everything.
it seems everyone else's idea of modifications is their own and has no relation to anything, besides personal taste and size of pocket book I guess. Read Bob Tunnell's page (http://www.tunnellracing.com/M3toBSP.html) on exhaust for the REAL story
Some people like ugly aftermarket body kits and spoilers, I don't, but that's not to say someONE else MIGHT.
It's always a safe bet to assume that the car was used "differently" if it has mods as opposed to one without.
Here's *my* personal *must have* list:
cruise: real pita without it if you drive anywhere on open freeways. Difficult to add later
armrest: MUST have IMHO, EZ later add later for $2-300
sunroof: at nearly 6'4" I thought I didn't want one, but with manual seats I fit in my sedan (more headroom that a coupe) well even with a Snell 95 helmet. I actually like the thing and use it now that I have it. Aftermarket ez to add, ju$t bring $$$$.
sedan vs coupe: love the sedan, stiffer and quiter than a coupe, easily more practical as the family car (only 1 kid). Really hard to add
that's it, the rest are observations on the avail options:
CD changer: Mine came with - you can add later easily, $2-300 again
wheels: I was lucky and got the OEM forged wheels, I use 10 spokes for autox use, my son likes the 10 spokes, except they are a PITA to clean brake dust out of. Had the "heavy" contours, ez to clean, ok look. Prefer the wheel appearances in this order: 1st forged (duh) 2nd 10 spokes (even if they are a PITA to clean) 3rd contours 4th ANY aftermarket wheel (IMHO,, YMMV, etc) EZ to change
spoiler: have grown to HATE the looks of any spoiler on the M3, seems to ruin the lines of the car, whether coupe or sedan. Glad mine DOESN'T have one. EZ to add one, factory installed ones have the CHMSL in the spoiler.
HK: I'm not an audio expert, this system works well, I'm sure the OEM is ok too. Mine came with it so .... Any aftermarket stereo is an ez add
fold-down rear seat: only an option on the sedan-more weight=less hp, it IS heavier and comprimises the integrity of the sedan body. I've only had a couple of instances where it may have been useful. Glad mine DOESN'T have it, besides, you lose the kool arm rest/drink holder/storage bin the non fold down rear seat comes with. Difficult to add
heated seats: are you kidding???? I live in Scottsdale, AZ, what a STUPID option. This is probably a GREAT option if you live where it gets cold, are you going to use this car as a winter beater? Difficult to add
alarm: I bought an aftermarket simple door unlock and lock type with the key fob control, $99 installed. EZ add
Lux package: 95-97 only, yuk. I hate the fakey wood and chrome crap. (IMHO, YMMV, etc) It comes with the OBC, cruise, power seats, heated seats and sunroof, contours and the 318 front bumper and skirts. Some may like it that way, I think it looks less "mean" than the standard front bumper cover. Different leather on the door panels and you lose the M stripes on the seats. I WOULD NOT buy one. Difficult to add.
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