Sold the M3....and bought another M3

"Too many M's" (toomanyms)
03/11/2015 at 18:47 • Filed to: None

The headline doesn't really leave much suspense in this story. I even purchased the same model. An E90 M3 with the 6-speed manual.

Here's my previous one. A 2008 in Sparkling Graphite over Bamboo leather I purchased from the original owner. He was only selling to purchase an Alpina D3.

It served me well through the 15 or so months I owned it. It was fairly basic options wise, passive suspension, no NAV, only the premium pack including the leather seats, sunroof, fancy dimming mirrors and finally heated seats. I wish it was a solid roof but I can't complain for the price I paid for it.

I had casually listed it for sale not thinking I'd get many offers over the winter months. I was toying with getting a P-car or finding another E46 M3 to build into a full-on track car to replace my aging E36. I had a few tire kickers and lowballers then finally a lad called me up and pretty much bought it over the phone. We had a quick test drive, the funds were in my account the next day and it was gone within a couple days.

Shortly after it was gone I had an itch. So I went to the doctor and got some cream for it. Then I wanted to find my P-car or get into a new F80 M3. My problem with the new M3 is, while brilliant in every way, just doesn't make me feel a part of the experience. I've had quite a bit of seat time in DCT versions and it's too much like a video game. Maybe I need to find a manual version to try but I just haven't fallen head over heels for it yet. I wanted to wait for the M2 but info wasn't coming fast enough and my auto ADD is pretty terrible.

So onto the rest of the story...

Let me say, the X1 is a fine machine. But while it's built upon the E91 platform it just isn't as big as the 3er wagon. Nor does it come with a manual transmission for the US market. It does come with an optional N55 inline-6 motor making 300hp and as many torques. For a vehicle in this segment it is quite a sleeper and the M-sport package does some clever things with the diff to give up to 80% of the power to the rear wheels.

The interior is typical BMW albeit more 1-series than a 3er. The steering wheel is great to grip and the paddles work just fine. Plus it has a regular gear selector instead of the crazy toggle mechanism that is typical these days.

So whilst all these points are fantastic and it's a great family vehicle it just wasn't what my wife wanted to drive everyday. Before kids we had a R53 Cooper S that she adored. We tried the Countryman afterwards but it couldn't live up to the little hardtop. I thought more power could be the answer. After 14 months with the X1 she just wanted to row through the gears again. She enjoyed driving my E90 while I had it. And this gave me an idea...

I regretted selling my E90, no doubt. The S65 is a special motor in my eyes and I wanted to keep one of these in my stable. I saw a local US-spec E90 in the local auto listings and gave a call to the owner. He was selling to buy a new X5 and raise capital to build a house so I arranged a test drive for my wife and I. She loved rowing the gears again and funny enough there is actually more front seat room with our rear-facing baby seat than in the X1. My wife was sold.

Specs are: LeMans blue over Black leather. Nearly all options save for park-distance control. I would have preferred fewer gadgets but the X1 had just as many and my wife actually uses them.

The X1 is leaving the fleet soon. We enjoyed it, but in the end the desire for a third pedal won out.

#savethemanuals :D

Below are some additional pics of the car and my friend's E90 M3 in Interlagos Blue.

Meanwhile, I'm still trying to figure out what I want again. I'm waiting for more info on the M2, weighing that against the LCI F80 M3 or a used P-car. #firstworldproblems for sure, but life is too short to drive boring cars.

DISCUSSION (38)

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Too many M's
03/11/2015 at 18:51

Shortly after it was gone I had an itch. So I went to the doctor and got some cream for it. Then I wanted to find my P-car or get into a new F80 M3.

sounds contagious :P

JDIGGS > Too many M's
03/11/2015 at 19:49

baller, such an amazing engine and chasis.

Alex Zapata > Too many M's
03/11/2015 at 21:24

So, would you reccomend the X1, over all?

I kinda want one, in Mexico we never got any wagons nor will we ever get one probably (except the 5 GT if that counts) I would get a 3.0, no turbo, I really can't be bothered to get one in running condition after the fuel pumps and all that goes bad (which apparently is pretty frequently, nearly everyone I know with the twin turbo engine has had to change it).

I really need something that can haul two huskies in the back and I really want something that feels special.

Too many M's > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
03/12/2015 at 03:59

The Germans have fantastic medicine. :D

Too many M's > Alex Zapata
03/12/2015 at 04:04

If the X1 came with a manual there's no way we would have sold it. But as far as I know it never came with a non-turbo motor. The US market only got the N20 4-cyl turbo and N55 6-cyl turbo. Both are twin-scroll single turbo setups. There might be some other options in Mexico but I haven't looked into it too much TBH.

Hauling dogs in just the rear hatch would be a stretch, we've had a rottweiler in the back and she was pretty squished in the back. With the seats down you shouldn't have any problem.

You are correct on the fuel-pump problems with the N54, I have a friend who bought one of the first E90 335i's in late 2006 and he had to replace his four times. The N55 has had far fewer reported problems with issues only arising when big power is added to the car.

Too many M's > JDIGGS
03/12/2015 at 04:06

It is, that and my kids love riding in the fun loud car versus the boring X1. hahaha

Alex Zapata > Too many M's
03/12/2015 at 13:57

Well, that is comforting to hear, though right now I can't really afford an N55 car, only maybe a previous gen 135i and that really doesn't deliver at all what I need from a car...

Otherwise I'm the kind of cynical ass that thinks that BMW should be N/A engines only (except for the N54 and N55, which are plenty brilliant and fast, even if a little underwhelming) and the opportunity to have one of the better ones in a more practical package seems interesting, given how low X1 prices have gotten (in Mex, according to my perception)

I'm selling my 4Runner so if/when I sell my Golf, I really want something that can do everything and I have no actual need for the beefy 4Runner, save for a little extra space now and again, the ability to fold down seats and take business-related stuffs on the road with me.

BKRM3 > Too many M's
03/12/2015 at 14:16

You have all the M cars you're gonna need. 997.2 Carrera 2S is what you're missing =)

Too many M's > BKRM3
03/12/2015 at 15:04

Hahaha, the more I think about the more I tend to agree with you. My hurdle is that I'd love to get a 911, but I don't want the hassle of buying a Euro model since I have to move back to the states eventually. If I got one I'd have to sell it before I go back and the unique way taxes work over here someone would get stuck paying the 19%.

Another option is to ship one from the states, which isn't terrible I just haven't reached the comfort level of buying one sight unseen yet. But I really want a P-car before I turn 30 so I might need to get with it. :)

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Too many M's
03/12/2015 at 16:07

Before you turn 30?! I'll be lucky to get one by 50 - ha!

BKRM3 > Too many M's
03/12/2015 at 16:19

I think you do need to get with it! One of the nice things about buying a Porsche is that the owners are even more fanatical than owners of M cars - and so are the Porsche specialty shops that would be performing a pre-purchase inspection for you. I'd be as hesitant as you are about buying sight-unseen, but at least with a P car you get the benefit of everyone involved being super anal. It's not like buying a used Jetta on eBay lol!

You aren't 30 yet?! Man, you've either been very good at something or very lucky at this point in your life, or both. My birthday present to myself on my 30th birthday was my M3. It's an important birthday. Seeing as how you've already got quite the stable, maybe you should live a little for your 30th. I'm thinking F430. =) Enjoy it for a while, dump it before heading back to the states and get your P-car upon your return. See? I'm super helpful!

Too many M's > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/13/2015 at 02:04

Just a life goal I guess. And more specifically a 911 since those have a back seat for my kids :D

Too many M's > BKRM3
03/13/2015 at 02:12

True and that's one thing I've noticed in my research over the last couple years. I really wanted to get into a GT3 but can't get past the two seats thing. With two kids and a not-insignificant amount of money going into one I want to be able to plop my kids in the back to share the experience. The 997.2 C2S checks most of the blocks, or the 996TT. I can get past the headlights on those :D

I'd say more luck and hard-headedness than anything. Definitely important an important birthday and I won't be heartbroken if my P-car is on the boat on the date. Just knowing that it's coming is enough for me.

F430?! I wish!! Finding a decent gated shifter is nearly impossible over here and most can't take a kid seat in the front. I've thought about the R8 as well but always find myself gravitating back to a 911.

BKRM3 > Too many M's
03/13/2015 at 07:51

We all gravitate back to a 911. A 997.2 C2S is next on my sports car list. My ideal arrangement is: daily driver pickup or SUV, 911 weekend or sunny day driver and a BMW race car.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Too many M's
03/13/2015 at 08:38

My dad had a 356B Super 90 when he was young and single; had to let it go once he married my mom and they started having kids. So, Porsche is in my blood as well, and I'll definitely own one some day. You're smart to get your 911 while your kids' legs are short!

Too many M's > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/13/2015 at 09:00

Oh gosh I'd love to get a 356...when I lived in Stuttgart a fellow had a 356C setup for classic rally driving. Beautiful cars.

Haha, yeah I figured I can justify it for now. The rear seat cushions are removable on those to make boosters fit perfect.

Too many M's > BKRM3
03/13/2015 at 09:04

When I return stateside I want to build a SpecE46 race car. It's a fairly new class that seems to be getting some real traction across the US. "Budget" builds can be done for $10-15k depending on the price of the donor car. That or some B-spec hatch action.

I'm combing the ads on Rennlist and Autotrader looking for a nice .2 C2S. I've seen one listed here locally through the winter but I don't know its fate. Looks like I need to contact my shipping company :D

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Too many M's
03/13/2015 at 09:07

Had no idea about that - nice!

BKRM3 > Too many M's
03/13/2015 at 12:33

I know all about Spec E46! I'm a member of the Facebook group even lol. I have a friend (or two, I can't remember at the moment) doing the build now. Mostly people who have outgrown spec E30 or E36 IS or J-stock club racing cars.

SE46 is definitely where I'd like to be racing in a few years. Although I could foot the bill for an entire build myself I don't want to allocate that much capital to a race car. I'm waiting for the right opportunity to come along to split a car. Will you be living in the northeast when you get back? I'm happy to split a $3,500 donor 330i with you and use it for HPDEs until you get back =)

I spent 6 months looking at Rennlist and Autotrader every morning for a C2S...finally found one and was making plans to drive over to Ohio (I'm in Philadelphia) to get it, and that morning my E90 M3 came up for sale on M3post... I sent a deposit to the guy with M3 an hour later. That's what happened to my C2S ambitions lol

Too many M's > BKRM3
03/13/2015 at 17:02

hahaha, there are some options for me near Harrisburg. Still not sure at the moment where we'll end up. I'm from California originally but haven't lived anywhere in the states for over ten years and I don't really know where home is over there.

I have a friend on the SpecE46 page moving to Indiana in a couple months and he's been working with a couple of the local guys to find a donor. For a while I thought I wanted to try the GTS series but the crazy budgets some of those guys have just seems to take the driver's talent edge out of the equation. For SpecE46 I'd love to get a Euro-330 touring to race in the series. Unfortunately there's no provision for that body-style but if I could get it built maybe I could convince the rule makers to allow it, lol.

Still time for a C2S, plenty of CPOs to be had. I'm on the hunt for the next couple of months now :D

BKRM3 > Too many M's
03/13/2015 at 17:19

A 330 touring running in SE46 would blow my mind. That's the crowd who really appreciates a wagon. You'd be the envy of the field!

Here's a story that's almost unbelievably coincidental: about 20 minutes after I replied to you about wanting to race spec E46 my friend sent me a message that he had found a 2001 330i (sedan) 5 speed near Baltimore for an outrageously low sum. It has a check engine light on or something but we think it's likely a sensor of some sort. We're driving down to check it out in the morning. Might be too good to be true, but we have verified that it exists at least. Proof:

Kinja'd!!!

I'm excited and I'm not even the one buying it lol. My friend wants to use it for track events with our club for a little while before going full race car.

Too many M's > BKRM3
03/13/2015 at 18:46

I have yet to bring the idea to the guys in the forums, hopefully it's met with some enthusiasm :D

So awesome! It's the same color as my first car I really learned stuff on. Wrenching, fixing the nut behind the wheel, etc. A 325i, still miss it.

Kinja'd!!!

Manuél Ferrari > Too many M's
03/13/2015 at 19:24

M3s, M3s everywhere!

BKRM3 > Too many M's
03/13/2015 at 19:39

Wow what a gorgeous E46!! Is that....Hockenheim? How does the E46 non-M platform compare to what you've tracked more recently? I hope the skills I've developed over 20 track days in the E9X transfer back to the prior generation lol

Too many M's > Manuél Ferrari
03/13/2015 at 19:45

I'm pretty sure my garage is a breeding ground for them :D

Manuél Ferrari > Too many M's
03/13/2015 at 19:55

Haha they have been mating!

If I had not diversified to other brands and had just stuck with M cars then my garage would be just like yours. Though if I kept the 2 M cars and added an M5 then M cars would go from the majority to the vast majority.

Too many M's > BKRM3
03/13/2015 at 20:04

Yep, my first time at Hockenheim. That's Sachs curve pictured.

My non-M vs others is interesting. I kept fairly sticky but skinny rubber (225-45-17) on it and it was more suspension than power (maybe 190 crank). Slow car fast was very rewarding. I learned a lot about car control with it and made the transition to the E36M a bit easier.

Going back and forth between the platforms though is a load of fun. For me, learning on a more analog chassis let me develop my skills a bit faster and respect the power the M-cars had. I was running DSC off on my old E90 and still do on the E46 on the Nordschleife and Hockenheim.

Too many M's > Manuél Ferrari
03/13/2015 at 20:07

They're a dirty bunch they are.

I'm really pushing for a P-car. A 997.2 C2S or a 996TT has been in my sights for a while now. More likely the 997 since they're better looking, but I'm also in the minority who doesn't mind the 996 headlights.

Manuél Ferrari > Too many M's
03/13/2015 at 20:35

Haha they are dirty. They probably look at bimmer porn when you're not there.

I actually love how the 996TT looks. I was never a fan of the 997 generation of turbos. The 996 turbo models were by far the best looking 996s. But I think the 997 turbos may have been the worst looking of the 997s.

I think you should decide based on your driving requirements. I have a 997.2 C2 and it's an amazing car. If you want N/A sound and feel, reliability, modernity, and a great overall package then go 997.2 C2S.

If you want something bonkers then go 996TT and tune it. So much power potential!

pjhusa > Too many M's
10/28/2015 at 07:13

So... how do you buy cars? Search for used US-spec in the classified? Special request US-Spec from the dealer?

And how would you import it back to the states?

Many questions, many answers needed... :)

Too many M's > pjhusa
10/28/2015 at 07:22

I can purchase new cars through manufacturer military/diplomatic sales programs. They sell US Spec vehicles to folks that are temporarily living overseas. Also soldiers and other civilians in the same living situation can bring their cars from the states and may choose to sell them to other Americans overseas on local private sale lots or Craigslist-style website.

Any new car purchased through the military/diplomatic sales programs are eligible for US import without modification since they’re US spec cars anyway. Think of it as doing a 2 or 3 three European Delivery with BMW. I can take the car back since it was originally desinged for the US market.

pjhusa > Too many M's
10/28/2015 at 07:26

Hmm... Interesting. So if I moved to Germany, I could get a 320d or something and bring it back? Or it’s strictly US engines, options...

Not to pry into your personal life, but why are you in Germany?

Too many M's > pjhusa
10/28/2015 at 08:00

No you’d have to get a model that was built to be sold in the US, so the M3s were both US Spec and my M4 is a US market car as well. Funny enough the European 320d is same motor as the US 328d.

pjhusa > Too many M's
10/28/2015 at 12:52

Okay, cool

I saw an A3 (Euro-Spec) with USA plates here once. Legal or not?

Too many M's > pjhusa
10/28/2015 at 13:19

Could have been a foreign diplomat. They're allowed to bring vehicles to the states on a temporary basis.

pjhusa > Too many M's
10/28/2015 at 14:18

Well, it was owned by a civilian. No diplomat plates.

Too many M's > pjhusa
10/28/2015 at 14:25

Hmmm, couldn't tell ya. Was it a newer one? They've imported some on a temp basis, they did it with the last RS4 Avant (gorrrrgeous car)

pjhusa > Too many M's
10/28/2015 at 14:28

Kinja'd!!!

US Regs on the back