[sstrelok89]

Hello all! Been a long time lurker and just figured I'd make a profile and introduce myself. As the title says this will be my first BMW, I initially fell in love with the E46 M3 when I was in high school and drove a customer's at the restaurant I worked at. He'd had too much to drink and stayed til close of service and the proprietor told me to drive him home. This customer was a great guy and let me use it for prom and borrow it on a couple other occasions. I always told myself I'd own an M car some day. Well that day has finally come to where this isn't a horrible financial decision, but a YOLO decision (somewhat) grounded in reason. I put a deposit down last year and passed on a '24 allocation back in April after I saw here that Portimão Blue would be an option for this year. It was a tough decision as I had hoped to be in it for my 35th birthday but decided to get what I really wanted.

Anyhow though, and apologies for the blog post, I'm wondering if some of you would be kind of enough to share some insight into owning the M2. I live in Ohio and intend on parking it for the winter; regarding this storage period what should I do before & after to the car? I've seen posts here about a complimentary track day as well and looked at BMW's website, but there isn't much detail regarding it; what does this entail? Are there any other freebies/perks like this I'm not aware of? I'd also like to get people's thoughts on short term (expiration of warranty) vs. long term ownership and extending the warranty/service of the car. I've actually never owned a car that had any sort of warranty so I have no idea what's covered and what isn't and what it's like purchasing the extended coverage (can this be done after the sale of the car, for example) if someone could help me out with some insight into this.

I don't have any huge plans for the car concerning mods, some carbon fiber, intake, exhaust, and strut tower brace to replace the welded bedframe piece. I do plan on the lower grill guards and getting the car PPF'd. Anyone have any other recommendations? This car will be my primary/daily other than when I'm hauling my dog. As much as I love him I don't want his hair all over the car and I don't know that he'd fit comfortably (he's a 165lbs. white Great Dane).

Thanks everyone!

[ourlee]

I’m pumped for the car, really, but we need Dane pics

[DarkNight707]

Yeap, we will respond but first need pictures of the dog.

[TallGibbs]

sstrelok89 regarding your question on "complimentary track day." I am currently going through this process and did a bunch of research on my own (plus help from a few folks on here). There is the option with ANY new purchase for "performance center delivery." https://bmwperformancecenter.com/delivery/

My CA did NOT know about this program, so I had to get the sales manager on the phone and explain to him what I was talking about. He knew about that option, and had to submit a "requst form" directly to the performance center in SC. I'm hoping within the next 48 hours I will get confirmation but here attached is their "pending" email response (I removed my name and produciton order #).

[TallGibbs]

Word documents not able to attach? Trying it as a PDF here.

[sstrelok89]

This is Dozer, he'll be five in November. I've had him since he was about three months old. He was an Amish puppy mill rescue. I really wasn't looking for a dog at the time when I got him, but he just sorta fell into my lap and I couldn't part with him. Phenomenal dog, great temperament, loves people and kids, does well with other dogs (males he's so-so, he's intact, and got attacked every month or so when he was younger). I walk him off leash pretty much everywhere, I put him on his leash if there another dog around we haven't met for liability reasons. I've got a OneWheel that I'll ride and he just runs along with me for three to five miles or so a day. He's the perfect dog for me; he's excited when I get home home or when it's time to go do something, otherwise he's just chillin'. The dented car is from him dozing a woman who rolled a stop sign into the crosswalk when we were OneWheel'ing. He wasn't at full speed, he maybe had 15 feet or so of accelerating like a sprinter out of the blocks though.

TallGibbs, appreciate what you shared. I had hoped to take my son with me and that he'd be able to ride in the car, but he's only seven unfortunately. Any idea of how much notice you get regarding the exact date your car is delivered?

[BroDoze]

LOL! I thought my white Akbash was large. That's a big boy / man. He's all man, and not afraid to show it!

[ourlee]

Who’s a big boy. We dog park every am and there’s a 1.5 yo Dane boy who’s big like that and dad puts him in the back of a Prius it’s hilarious when he leaves with that dogs head out the window. BEAUTIFUL animal

[DarkNight707]

Woah! He is the size of a deer, magnificent dog! Thanks for sharing the pictures, he looks like a lot of family fun. I have a west highland white terrier puppy (the breed from that dog food comercial, Caesar’s food) that’s about the size of Dozer’s head. LOL

Back to the car. I live in Los Angeles so cannot help much with the Ohio situation. As far as the “freebies”, comparing my experience to others, it seems those are not allocated uniformly. The new owner experience seems to be pretty uniform all across. But there may be other certificates linked to your VIN. I got a $1k certificate that could be used or upgraded to any of the M Performance Center experiences. Others reported different or did not know about it. If the dealer doesn’t mention anything to you, I would call BMW to confirm any certificates. They expire a year after your purchase.

A few other thoughts: The g87 is my daily as well. As far as mods, the Mishimoto skid plate and the Zunsport grills are very popular options but there are a few more out there. If you like your wheels clean and don’t want to be a slave of your wheels, you will need to change the eom pads. They dust like the Sahara on a bad day! There is extensive discussion in this forum if you want to know more about this. Also, if this is your first sport car, be ready for the attention in the road and idiots doing some crazy sh@t around you.

Enjoy!

[TallGibbs]

Originally Posted by sstrelok89

Attachment 3500409Attachment 3500410Attachment 3500411Attachment 3500408


TallGibbs, appreciate what you shared. I had hoped to take my son with me and that he'd be able to ride in the car, but he's only seven unfortunately. Any idea of how much notice you get regarding the exact date your car is delivered?

I'm still trying to figure out the EXACT answer to this question, but it appears they will not assign a date until sometime after production is completed. Here is the latest email I got from them:

"Unfortunately, since this vehicle is an imported model, we can’t determine/schedule a delivery date at this time:



Please inform your customer that we will send you another e-mail with information regarding a tentative delivery date, once all the following conditions have been met:

For ALL Imported vehicles – the vehicle must complete all the processes at the VPC and MUST BE ASSIGNED A WORK ORDER COMPLETED DATE (see example shown below)
-If applicable, both the Engineering Data and Release holds have been removed (see example shown below)
-If applicable, all Stop Sales MUST BE removed."

My CA is new to this so he doesn't know for sure at what stage all these criteria are met. So I'm assuming it is sometime after the build is actually finished. Hopefully it can happen before the car is imported into the US, but it may not be until after it actually lands in the US and only then would they try and schedule my delivery down in SC.

[two_three_two]

once the car is on the boat, the real countdown starts. i think i was about, or a little under, 3 weeks from boat to in my garage. if you have port installed anything, good luck trying to guess. some people were waiting weeks more.

[baron95]

I'll pay $100 (in dog food) to see the Dane get in the back seat of the M2, and $200 (in dog food and wine) to see the Dane and the owner ride in the back together for 1 hr.

[DarkNight707]

Originally Posted by baron95

I'll pay $100 (in dog food) to see the Dane get in the back seat of the M2, and $200 (in dog food and wine) to see the Dane and the owner ride in the back together for 1 hr.

OP we are waiting for your response. LOL

But in all honesty I dont think you will find any of us (owners) riding in the back seat… not even for a minute. No way! Hahaha

[RockCrusher]

Regarding putting the car away for the winter, the owners manual has this:

Taking the vehicle out of service
When the vehicle is shut down for longer than three months, special measures must be taken. For more information, contact an authorized service center or another qualified service center or repair shop.

Some actions are pretty common: Change oil/filter, fill up tank. (Fuel "stabilizers" are not advised.) Air up tires to near max pressure to avoid flat spotting.

Put in a system to ensure the battery is kept charged up. This will require a battery charger/maintainer.

But as I posted above contact your local BMW service department for what BMW calls for.

While I don't live as far north as you -- although I spent several years in the KC MO area -- I don't (and didn't) put my German sports car away for the winter. I drive it whenever the road were clear of snow and reasonably dry. I left the high performance tires on the car. If the snow accumulation is too constant I could have bought a set of winter tires/wheels. I still would have avoided driving the car in the worst of the winter weather but I could have taken it out without worry about the high performance tires.

That being said I *did* occasionally drive the car on its high performance tires even in the snow. I got caught out a few times. I managed but I was lucky. Since that first time experience owning a sports car in winter I avoid straying too far from home when I drive my M2 in winter.

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by M2siast

First, kudos on signing up even after lurking for a long time, takes balls!

To your warranty question, you live in the US, so your car is covered by manufacturer's warranty for 4 years or 50,000 miles, as you may know.
It covers everything that could be defective or exhibit signs of earlier-than-normal wear. It does not cover consumable items, as they are meant to wear (for example, worn brakes, tires, clutch, wiper blades, etc. would NOT be covered under warranty or service).

It also comes with "free" service for up to 3 years, which will cover your brake fluid change, engine oil and filter changes, etc. After that, you pay for service, even if the car is still under warranty.

If your headlights fail, for example, they are replaced under warranty. So beware as many folks installing chinese modules to change the DRL from white to yellow are experiencing headlight issues, and these are not covered by warranty as you modified and broke your headlight.

As to after warranty coverage, once warranty is over warranty is over, there's no way to extend it.
What you can buy is insurance. Talk to your dealer later (no rush while covered under warranty and service) to explore insurance coverage options after 4 years.
These plans normally cover issues you have with the car to parts listed under the contract, and, again, wearable items are not covered.
It might be a good idea to have it, as the engine is absurdly expensive, and if it fails, you will essentially lose your car. I recommend finding insurance that covers ALL parts BUT the ones listed. Most companies write it in [...]

One addition.
There is a federal emissions warranty.

Things like O2 sensors, fuel pump, catalytic converter, injectors, and anything that would have the check engine light comes on that is emissions related is 8 years and I forget how many miles.

[sstrelok89]

Originally Posted by DarkNight707

Woah! He is the size of a deer, magnificent dog! Thanks for sharing the pictures, he looks like a lot of family fun. I have a west highland white terrier puppy (the breed from that dog food comercial, Caesar’s food) that’s about the size of Dozer’s head. LOL

One of Dozer's dog friends is a Westie. Dozer definitely has a thing for small dogs. He really wants them to chase him and get him. It's hilarious to watch because most of them have to jump up to get him and when they do he'll fall over like "ohh you got me".

Originally Posted by baron95

I'll pay $100 (in dog food) to see the Dane get in the back seat of the M2, and $200 (in dog food and wine) to see the Dane and the owner ride in the back together for 1 hr.

Can I counter offer with a box of Macanudo Cru Roayles, a case of liquid death, and a light detail of the car after? I'll even sweeten the pot with an hour of being able to pet, belly rub, and wrestle with Dozer.

Thanks for all the advice and feedback everyone has provided. I am definitely leaning towards keeping this car long term as we (appear to be) near the ICE's end of life. I just spoke with my (new) CA today after sending them my build through the configurator and doing ID.me for the mil/veteran discount. I was initially concerned hearing my previous CA retired, but was assured that I am still number two for an allocation. From here on out it's just patiently waiting as best I can for the car!

[baron95]

Originally Posted by sstrelok89

Can I counter offer with a box of Macanudo Cru Roayles, a case of liquid death, and a light detail of the car after? I'll even sweeten the pot with an hour of being able to pet, belly rub, and wrestle with Dozer.

Thanks for all the advice and feedback everyone has provided. I am definitely leaning towards keeping this car long term as we (appear to be) near the ICE's end of life. I just spoke with my (new) CA today after sending them my build through the configurator and doing ID.me for the mil/veteran discount. I was initially concerned hearing my previous CA retired, but was assured that I am still number two for an allocation. From here on out it's just patiently waiting as best I can for the car!

We'll negotiate once you get the M2.

Re allocation - they are now being filled very fast BMW is pumping out a lot of M2s and the wait lists at most dealers are pretty much zeroed out.

Good luck.

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by M2siast

There is a major emission control warranty that is EPA regulated (federal), not specific to BMW, but it doesn't cover any of the items you described. Also limited to 80k miles, it covers the cats, the OBD and ECU.

I don't think there is any insurance that covers cats or ECU/OBD anyway, so you would rely on the EPA warranty, but I could be mistaken.

Something to be aware of so you don't pay for anything like that should you decide to keep your car after 4 years until 8 years or 80k miles.

That emissions warranty covers any emissions related parts. O2 Sensors, leaky injectors that cause failures at a smog inspection, evaporative emissions.

How do I know?
Chrysler minivan and an E90 both failed at a California emissions check. Both repaired by the dealer under California and EPA emissions.

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by M2siast

Ah I see, you’re referring to the CARB SULEV warranty. That’s not 8 years, and the OP is not in a SULEV state.

Nope not a CARB warranty and no SULEV.

This my repairs and recalls for failing emissions were federal.

But we'll, end this discussion.

[fangelov]

Originally Posted by M2siast

Yes, because the documents on this are clear. If you wanted to support your claims you could’ve provided the docs online for us to read. Agree it’s not an argument, I was just providing the right information based on the regulations.

Here is the BMW take on the applicable emmission related warranties.