Tips on buying an E92 M3

existence · 11-28-2015, 04:11 PM

Hey guys,

Probably I'm going to trade my car for a e92 m3. Well, I'm still in doubt with the e60 m5 but for what i've seen they give a lot of problems, things that i don't want.

So what are your advices guys?

Should i go for a pre lci or for a lci for a 6k $ difference? What problems should i look for mainly?

Thanks

bkdore · 11-28-2015, 07:56 PM

Decide what options are important to you, what your budget is, and start looking online. Do a nationwide search so you get a bigger selection and can see different prices and options. Look at pictures and learn to identify the different major options: dct/6MT, CCC/CIC, premium sound, cold weather, M drive, competition pkg, CF roof, speed cloth, etc. Decide if you want a warranty or not. Search for issues with the evaporator, throttle actuators and rod bearings. If you are on a budget, price out maintenance costs as some things can be more expensive than you might expect. (oil changes, new battery, etc.) Read through the general forum here and you'll learn a lot.

existence · 11-29-2015, 06:13 AM

I've been doing some research and guess i'm going to the DCT.

My big question is, lci is worth the 6k$ difference? I've been searching and i've seen that idrive is one difference, what are the other ones?

Probably I'm going for competition package. Is it worth the money?

bkdore · 11-29-2015, 07:35 AM

If you have already decided on the competition package, then you don't need to worry about LCI changes, it wasn't available until after the LCI refresh. Start pricing cars with DCT and Competition in your area in the colors you are considering. Your choices will start to narrow down pretty quickly and then you get to decide what other options you want (comfortaccess, leather, nav, CF roof/Sunroof, cold weather, premium sound, etc.) Once you get to comparing specific cars then you can better tell if an option is worth what they are asking or not. You aren't ordering from a dealer - what is available out there and what prices they are available at is always in flux. Price is also going to be more influenced by year model, mileage and condition, not so much by the options.

mreed · 11-29-2015, 11:21 AM

Here seems to be a decent outline of what is different through the years. If you don't need anything on there, then it's not worth the extra 6k.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=826190

As for competition, I liked the wheels and it being a bit lower so it was worth it for me.

Rich150001 · 11-29-2015, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by existence

I've been doing some research and guess i'm going to the DCT.

My big question is, lci is worth the 6k$ difference? I've been searching and i've seen that idrive is one difference, what are the other ones?

Probably I'm going for competition package. Is it worth the money?

LCI? No, b/c you can buy LCI Tails for about $450-$500 and do it yourself.

However, if you opt for navigation, it might be worth getting an 09+ for the upgraded navigation system. Upgrading to the new version costs at least a grand.

existence · 11-29-2015, 12:56 PM

I've been searching this around but no clue how to do it.

Is it possible to update navi maps without bmw ? like diy ?

existence · 11-29-2015, 12:59 PM

oh and thanks guys for the answer, mreed that topic really gave me a big help

Rajmun340 · 11-29-2015, 01:44 PM

Buying a car is a personal choice, to each their own the same goes for options.
However some options add functionalities to the car and getting them is always better such as competition package, premium sound, navigation, convenient access. Other options are a personal choice such as 6MT/dct and e93/e92/e90.

mrMTB · 11-29-2015, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by existence

I've been searching this around but no clue how to do it.

Is it possible to update navi maps without bmw ? like diy ?

You need an FSC code, and there are plenty of people who can help you with that. Look in the Coding and Electronics topic. http://www.m3post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=127

Additionally Bimmer-Tech or Mike Benvo can also help.

mreed · 11-29-2015, 03:10 PM

You can update the maps with the code, but 09 has the newer Navigation module and to my understanding that can only be upgraded with a new navigation unit ($$).

jphughan · 11-29-2015, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mreed

You can update the maps with the code, but 09 has the newer Navigation module and to my understanding that can only be upgraded with a new navigation unit ($$).

This.

jphughan · 11-29-2015, 04:48 PM

OP, did you consider Googling the below 2 search phrases before creating this thread? If not, try them now and in the future.

That "site" modifier is a useful tool in general, FYI.

buying tips site:m3post.com
buying advice site:m3post.com

BimmerRookie · 11-30-2015, 08:56 AM

CCC can be upgraded with a new DVD (free) and CIC-NBT require a USB update + a FSC Code ($)

OP get Comp if you really desire M359 wheels, because in daily driving and all reality the drop is negligible. LCI vs pre-LCI is also up to you, because LCI tails can be bought and installed (DIY) for 500-600. The navigation is super dated, as is the user interface, on the 2008 models. But if you can over look that, go for an earlier model.

11-28-2015, 04:11 PM	#1
existence New Member 5 Rep 10 Posts Drives: bmw e46 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: portugal iTrader: (0)	Tips on buying an E92 M3 Hey guys, Probably I'm going to trade my car for a e92 m3. Well, I'm still in doubt with the e60 m5 but for what i've seen they give a lot of problems, things that i don't want. So what are your advices guys? Should i go for a pre lci or for a lci for a 6k $ difference? What problems should i look for mainly? Thanks
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

11-28-2015, 07:56 PM	#2
bkdore Second Lieutenant 103 Rep 251 Posts Drives: 2015 435i GC Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Lafayette, Louisiana iTrader: (1)	Decide what options are important to you, what your budget is, and start looking online. Do a nationwide search so you get a bigger selection and can see different prices and options. Look at pictures and learn to identify the different major options: dct/6MT, CCC/CIC, premium sound, cold weather, M drive, competition pkg, CF roof, speed cloth, etc. Decide if you want a warranty or not. Search for issues with the evaporator, throttle actuators and rod bearings. If you are on a budget, price out maintenance costs as some things can be more expensive than you might expect. (oil changes, new battery, etc.) Read through the general forum here and you'll learn a lot.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-29-2015, 06:13 AM	#3
existence New Member 5 Rep 10 Posts Drives: bmw e46 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: portugal iTrader: (0)	I've been doing some research and guess i'm going to the DCT. My big question is, lci is worth the 6k$ difference? I've been searching and i've seen that idrive is one difference, what are the other ones? Probably I'm going for competition package. Is it worth the money?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-29-2015, 07:35 AM	#4
bkdore Second Lieutenant 103 Rep 251 Posts Drives: 2015 435i GC Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Lafayette, Louisiana iTrader: (1)	If you have already decided on the competition package, then you don't need to worry about LCI changes, it wasn't available until after the LCI refresh. Start pricing cars with DCT and Competition in your area in the colors you are considering. Your choices will start to narrow down pretty quickly and then you get to decide what other options you want (comfortaccess, leather, nav, CF roof/Sunroof, cold weather, premium sound, etc.) Once you get to comparing specific cars then you can better tell if an option is worth what they are asking or not. You aren't ordering from a dealer - what is available out there and what prices they are available at is always in flux. Price is also going to be more influenced by year model, mileage and condition, not so much by the options.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-29-2015, 11:21 AM	#5
mreed Private First Class 38 Rep 160 Posts Drives: 2013 M3 \| 2020 X3M Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	Here seems to be a decent outline of what is different through the years. If you don't need anything on there, then it's not worth the extra 6k. http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=826190 As for competition, I liked the wheels and it being a bit lower so it was worth it for me. __________________ 2013 E92 M3 w/ Competition Package 2020 X3M Competition
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-29-2015, 12:56 PM	#7
existence New Member 5 Rep 10 Posts Drives: bmw e46 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: portugal iTrader: (0)	I've been searching this around but no clue how to do it. Is it possible to update navi maps without bmw ? like diy ?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-29-2015, 12:59 PM	#8
existence New Member 5 Rep 10 Posts Drives: bmw e46 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: portugal iTrader: (0)	oh and thanks guys for the answer, mreed that topic really gave me a big help
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-29-2015, 01:44 PM	#9
Rajmun340 Major 413 Rep 1,178 Posts Drives: 2013 E92 M3 ZCP factory order Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	Buying a car is a personal choice, to each their own the same goes for options. However some options add functionalities to the car and getting them is always better such as competition package, premium sound, navigation, convenient access. Other options are a personal choice such as 6MT/dct and e93/e92/e90.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-29-2015, 03:10 PM	#11
mreed Private First Class 38 Rep 160 Posts Drives: 2013 M3 \| 2020 X3M Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	You can update the maps with the code, but 09 has the newer Navigation module and to my understanding that can only be upgraded with a new navigation unit ($$). __________________ 2013 E92 M3 w/ Competition Package 2020 X3M Competition
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-29-2015, 04:48 PM	#13
jphughan Brigadier General 594 Rep 4,488 Posts Drives: '16 Cayman GT4 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	OP, did you consider Googling the below 2 search phrases before creating this thread? If not, try them now and in the future. That "site" modifier is a useful tool in general, FYI. buying tips site:m3post.com buying advice site:m3post.com __________________ '16 Cayman GT4 (delivery pics, comparison to E92 M3 write-up) Gone but not forgotten: '11.75 M3 E92 Le Mans \| Black Nov w/ Alum \| 6MT (owned 5/2011 - 11/2015)
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11-30-2015, 08:56 AM	#14
BimmerRookie Major 469 Rep 1,320 Posts Drives: E93 Cavalier Z24 M3 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	CCC can be upgraded with a new DVD (free) and CIC-NBT require a USB update + a FSC Code ($) OP get Comp if you really desire M359 wheels, because in daily driving and all reality the drop is negligible. LCI vs pre-LCI is also up to you, because LCI tails can be bought and installed (DIY) for 500-600. The navigation is super dated, as is the user interface, on the 2008 models. But if you can over look that, go for an earlier model.
	Appreciate 0 Quote