Stripped M3 worth it?

[spotshooter]

Hi All,

I've been test driving 135i's now for the last few weeks. Great car, fun to drive. It got me thinking, would a stripped M3 be worth it, or is the M3 only good with all of the techno gizmo add-ons (M Drive, etc)?

I want to do ED, so buying used in the US is not an option. I could afford a base M3, MT, and cloth interior. Anyone out there driving a stripper? Your experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Chris

PS: I have arranged a test drive tomorrow.

[Paddy]

Originally Posted by spotshooter

Hi All,

I've been test driving 135i's now for the last few weeks. Great car, fun to drive. It got me thinking, would a stripped M3 be worth it, or is the M3 only good with all of the techno gizmo add-ons (M Drive, etc)?

I want to do ED, so buying used in the US is not an option. I could afford a base M3, MT, and cloth interior. Anyone out there driving a stripper? Your experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Chris

PS: I have arranged a test drive tomorrow.

All my cars have been strippers, though my M3 has premium, no tech, it wasn't by choice, rather I got an awesome deal on a lot car. I always order stripped.

Less gizmos equal better reliability IMO, plus I like simplicity.

FWIW, you may get a better deal on end of lease buyout with a stripper (I have) as its resaleability is not as good as a fully loaded car.

[FrankieP]

Get the stripper...

You can't compare a fully loaded 3 or 1 to an M3. ANY M3.

[kmarei]

i have an M3 with premium and cw package
i love it!
its back to basics
regular springs
no EDC
no m drive
just throttle, brake and clutch

[spotshooter]

Anybody gone for the Anthracite & Black Cloth/Leather interior? Got a pic?

Chris

[rzm3]

One thing to keep in mind is that "stripped" cars would usually not have very good resale values since most buyers would expect a car in this price range to have at least premium and nav.

[StripM]

I have a stripper (leather and ipod only) and I would draw your attention to MDrive which gives you M-Dynamic-Mode. It's the only thing I regret not getting as TC is quite intrusive and I'm not brave enough to turn it off completely (in Canada we get a few more goodies I think like CW package and CA so not completely a fair comparison maybe)

[getlucky]

Go get it. The stock interior looks good. You will be driving a M3, need we say more?

[VanM3Lover]

I think an M3 fully loaded or stripped really doesn't matter that much, but at least get the leather seats.

The car is still a 3 series, no matter how many options you get, it still won't as luxurious as a 7 series, because the quality is just not up to the 7 series standards.

Performance wise it does not make any difference too, the M3 is already a heavy car. The car does have a lot of power but you can feel the weight when driving hard. A stripped M3 does not equal a Lotus Elise.

[Doru in Romania]

gizmos are nice but there are not making the car. there is no comparison between any other bmw car and the m, even fully stripped. m is lightyears ahead.

[Ca$hOnly]

I wouldn't get a stripped M3. I'd take a fully loaded 335 instead. I need my tech gadgets.

[Cab5er]

I'd save up for a little bit so you can get some options. Unless you are a track rat, a stripper M3 is kind of lame. Resale will also be a bitch later on.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by spotshooter

PS: I have arranged a test drive tomorrow.

Make sure you find both a ZTP and a non-ZTP car to test drive.

As someone pointed out above, probably the most important thing you miss without ZTP is MDM DSC mode. It allows you to turn the traction control off partly. If you are not comfortable driving with DSC set to OFF, you might want to consider the ZTP pacakge. Keep in mind that even a 135i and 335i have the ability to turn traction control off partly (its called DTC mode on those cars though, and is not strictly for the same purpose as MDM). Everything else: EDC, sport+ power, sport steering, and MDrive are nice to haves but will not ultimately be missed if you never have them to begin with.

Basically a non-ZTP E92 M3 has the exact same functionality as an E46 M3. Just two throttle mappings (normal and sport) and just two DSC settings (on and off). No suspension and no steering adjustments. And one nice thing about the E9x btw, is that the power-button setting is remembered when you turn the car off. On the E46 you had to turn it on every time you started the car.

One other thing to keep in mind is that you cannot order Comfort Access on an M3 seperately like you can on a 335i or 135i. It only comes with the ZTP package.

[NewM3driver]

Get the M.

[kmarei]

i think we can all agree to my suggestion
get the stripper IN the m3

[ADubM3]

I've got a stripper. (Hey, did that sound right?)
Anthracite, 19" wheels, carbon leather trim, heated seats, sirius, and few other small things. I couldn't be happier!!! All the money I saved (a good 10k) is all going to my mods. 19" wheels are already in the basement. lol. Springs and exhaust are next and I'll still have some cash to get a real stripper!!!! (and some more mods if I wanted)
Dude this your car! If you have some haters, just show them the M badge when you are pulling away from your jealous friends in their 65K 335's.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by StripM

I have a stripper (leather and ipod only) and I would draw your attention to MDrive which gives you M-Dynamic-Mode. It's the only thing I regret not getting as TC is quite intrusive and I'm not brave enough to turn it off completely (in Canada we get a few more goodies I think like CW package and CA so not completely a fair comparison maybe)

+1 i think the m mode is a must. Otherwise the dcs is too involved or not at all. its not scary to turn it off but the little extra safety net with mdm on is really nice.

[kentonspr]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

And one nice thing about the E9x btw, is that the power-button setting is remembered when you turn the car off. On the E46 you had to turn it on every time you started the car.

Is there a specific place to set that? I have to turn mine on every time I start the car.

[Paddy]

Originally Posted by kentonspr

Is there a specific place to set that? I have to turn mine on every time I start the car.

I think your key fob stores it.

[Mr Tonka]

Yes, it's worth it.

[woodchuck]

Hey, I'm looking at the same thing 135 vs. M3

I would get a stripped M3 not for cost purposes but because I *hate* tech gadgets in cars. I want no iDrive in either case.

My main question is : can I get all the M3 drive control options without an iDrive? I see I can get EDC as its own option, but I can I get the MDM traction control option without an option that gives me iDrive?

I also like the fact that I can get cloth seats in the M3. I want the simplest, most fun BMW I can find that is also an okay commuter (Z4M Coupe is too rough to commute in).

For me the pros and cons are :

135 :
lighter & smaller, feels more nimble
more low end torque, quicker 0-30

M3 :
better (stiffer) suspension and steering
I like the suspension/traction control options
cloth seats and decent interior trim options
no turbo lag feel in the throttle

[arr0gant]

M3 stripped FTGDMFW!