Picked my new M3 Coupe up yesterday!!

As many of us here, I have been living in this car vicariously through BMW press, the media, and our ROTW (rest of the world) friends. Nothing, NOTHING, compares to the real thing, in looks or experience.

I will not go into depth, because the weather was really crappy here when I picked it up (maybe not compared to Ohio or Toronto) with rain and cool weather (low 40s). So, I chose to drive straight home, and just took it our for another short spin, so only 20 miles so far.

The dealer (Rasmussen, Portland) did the detailing themselves to get it to me quicker (they normally have a detailing shop do it.). Looked really good.

Arrived at the dealer with my wife, and was greeted by my salesperson within 5 minutes. I dropped off a bottle of wine to my service guy who hooked me up with the buyer for my '01 M3 (perfect timing, as it sold 2 days ago). Scott walked me through the basics, then went up into the upper garage to see the car. Looked stunning in the flesh. Twin was setting in the next parking spot, except black leather instead of Fox. He said they had just gotten a black sedan in and had it prepped that morning, and it sold immediately to the first person who saw it. Front license plate holder was NOT installed, per instructions. 10 miles on the odo (seems a little high, but hey, not going to complain about that). Full tank of gas.

After a brief fondling, went back to the the CA's office, then down to the business office. Paper work was signed and done with in 6 minutes. Requested Oregon custom plate "V8 M3" or "E92 M3". Only $50 "documentation fee". Scott gave me a whole bag full of BMW detailing stuff, a quart of oil, etc. M3 mats were also in the car at no cost. Went back to the car for familiarization. Spent most of half an hour going through all the iDrive settings, since I have not played with it before. Doesn't seem that daunting, but will take some playing around. He expalined that almost all the settings are key-dependent, so you can program almost everything for each driver.

I got Comfort Access, Bluetooth and iPod, so he showed those to me. iPhone dock with music capability would be great.

After that, I basically just drove home, since the weather was crappy. VERY initial observations:

- Car feels so much tighter and better than my E46. It would feel antiquated getting back into that car.
- Seats feel great. Bottom bolsters feel just fine for street use.
- Not even sure what setting the EDC was in (assume "normal"), but the feel was both comfortable and sporty at the same time. I think BMW has lived up to it's suspension reputation on this one.
- A few 7/8 throttle blasts to 5,500 last night felt really good. There is a good exhaust note, maybe 25% too subdued for my tastes. Rear exhaust system is definitely in my future.
- Clutch is light, but easily adapted to; not a negative issue. Hill holder fuction is nice. Shifter feels light and precise. Made me realize the synchros on my old car were wearing.
- The Significant Other (wife) likes it a lot, though she hasn't driven it yet.
- Enhanced Premium Audio sounds superb. No overly thumping bass, but very good reproduction thoughout the range for a car.
- HD radio sounds equal to CD quality; iPod significantly less. May be switching my music to WMA Lossless and using a 60 Gb hard drive.
- Ambience lighting is subtle, but nice.
- Some controls (like wiper stalk) are hidden behind the wheel spokes in normal position.
- Oh, and Fox Red? Under the lighting I've seen it I like it a lot. I haven't seen it in sunlight yet. I wish it was a "little" more red than orange, but I think it is a far better choice than the other "blah" colors.
- Carbon Leather looks really good, to my architect's eye and even to my furniture manufacturer's rep. wife's.

I've been so overstimulated on waiting for this I just had to leave it in the garage last night, to be played with this weekend. I will get good photos when the weather clears up. Will install the color-corrected halo and cornering lamps today. May test fit the RG4s and do all the iDrive and HomeLink programming. Alarm should be here next week.

I'm leaving for Sun Valley in a week, so I'm glad it got here so soon. It's been a long wait (10/05 deposit for me), but believe me, it's worth it!!!! My sig pic is getting changed soon.

I Just stop buy My BMW dealer and he had a Blue coupeM3 and a very nice black on black sedan M3.
After seeing them in person I know I have to get 19" for my 335i
anyway enjoy its nice see someone with the patience to wait for the new M3 I'm sure its worth it.

Thanks for the initial impressions. I look forward to hearing how it compares to the E46 when you're able to push it harder.

Picked it up 3/14; first customer car for Rasmussen BMW, Portland. Love so far. Had the time (and weather) to take a few quick shots today. I discovered just how hard it is to get Fox Red to look like it does to the eye, even with a Nikon D300 and Photoshop. It's a little more terra cotta than orange, though hard to tell in the photos.

Album location: greg-w : photos : 2008 M3 Coupe- powered by SmugMug

OMG such a nice color combo beautiful ride, congrats! did it come w/ the fire extinguisher or did you put that in?

lol, you have griot's garage stuff w/ disposable gloves in your trunk. i do the same thing

Wow, simply gorgeous. I was thinking of white/silver but I think after seeing yours I'll have to have my sedan in the white/fox combo. Thanks for sharing the pics.

Sweet ride. Is that coral red interior exclusive to the M3? Looks really good. I'm waiting for my Alpine White 335i coupe and I'm so glad I chose white after seeing yours. Later.

Originally Posted by DMan335i

Sweet ride. Is that coral red interior exclusive to the M3? Looks really good. I'm waiting for my Alpine White 335i coupe and I'm so glad I chose white after seeing yours. Later.

It's Fox Red, which is an M3 exclusive. It's more of a terra cotta (brick) color than red. Tricky color to photograph. Varies a lot on different monitors.

Originally Posted by wlin

OMG such a nice color combo beautiful ride, congrats! did it come w/ the fire extinguisher or did you put that in?

lol, you have griot's garage stuff w/ disposable gloves in your trunk. i do the same thing

I installed the halon extinguisher and Euro warning triangle (can't be too safe!). The most important thing in the red Griot's bag is a plug kit. Get a nail, and you can plug it and pump it up with the MMobility kit compressor. Still looking for a space saver spare of large enough diameter for trips.

Awesome machine...

It's gonna be a war soon...with new Skyline, C63, ISF...
and definately it's gonna be a good one.

But we already know the result. BMW stands at the summit.
(Some guys are gonna have to come out with some type of forced induction to beat Skyline in straight lines though...)

Saw a white/black and the photos do not do the white justice. It is outstanding in person. Congrats!

Good to hear the doc fee was only $50. I believe it's limited to that amount in California, and to $40 in Texas. If only all states had such laws. I hate learning of a large additional fee AFTER the price of the car has supposedly been settled.

Congratulations! Really good looking car and color combo!

Congrats on your new M3. Mine is due in a couple of weeks. It is on the water now.

My impressions of test driving the M3 match with what you say about yours. I thought the ride was very nice but still sporty. I like the interior. The hood bulge looks huge from inside the car. Very well mannered for everyday driving.

Some questions. I thought the alarm came with the car. What are you getting? Were did you get color corrected halos and cornering lamps?

very niiice

OMG!!! That is sweet. Thats the color combination I ordered but I'm getting a 335coupe

I am looking for this same M3 but with the DCG. Does anyone know how to find a dealer with no mark up.

@gregW- Your short reviews have done a lot of convincing, sounds like the new m3 is the car to get. My family is debating between e46, e92 m3 or 335 convertible, I think I got them leaning towards the new m3 now, just need to find one without the markup!

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

I installed the halon extinguisher and Euro warning triangle (can't be too safe!). The most important thing in the red Griot's bag is a plug kit. Get a nail, and you can plug it and pump it up with the MMobility kit compressor. Still looking for a space saver spare of large enough diameter for trips.

Greg .. didn't you used to have a techart 996 tt? Just curious.

Originally Posted by VENTOUX

I am looking for this same M3 but with the DCG. Does anyone know how to find a dealer with no mark up.

@gregW- Your short reviews have done a lot of convincing, sounds like the new m3 is the car to get. My family is debating between e46, e92 m3 or 335 convertible, I think I got them leaning towards the new m3 now, just need to find one without the markup!

There are many available at MSRP if you search around. Sedans are easier to come by. Good luck!