Impulse Buy? Frozen Grey E90 M3 **Updated May 30 With Images** Page 5

[FMLYSDN]

**Updated July 7**

Latest post indicates that I will be possibly trading this fine car in.....its been a great two years.


Hey everyone

So I thought I would love to hear from the members about my dilemma. I know it's kind of a first world problem.

For the last year I've been meticulously upgrading and changing my 2008 Melbourne Red E90. Exhaust, SC and cosmetic items. This is the second Melbourne Red that I have owned. Both cars have been manual transmissions.

The car is just starting to get close to where I want it including an upcoming LCI conversion.

But alas, my love affair may have ended yesterday. The key word is may. As is customary with myself and my girl, INVDL///M, we visit the dealerships while we travel. We are always curious to see what is for sale. We had kind of wanted to see if there was any F80 competition packages as we had not seen them in Canada yet and was curious to see what the 666 wheels were like in the flesh. I stand corrected, Caroline has seen the wheels.

So when we pulled into the dealership, there it was. A MY2011 Frozen Grey sedan.

It's a two owner car and it looks well cared for. My dilemma is this.....it's a DCT.

I know many may bemoan the whole DCT vs Manual. I get that.

But what does everyone think?

Is this an impulse buy? This may be one of the few chances to buy an Individual E90. I don't think there was many manuals produced given a total of ~30 cars for the entire Individual E90 production run. During my time watching the market, this is only the second Individual to come to market. With that being said, I've only ever seen 4 Melbourne Red sedans over the last 4 years with the exact same spec as mine.

The production numbers for the Frozen Grey E90 is 3.....just 3!

Call me crazy?

Current Car

[FMLYSDN]

The Temptress

[BrewRifle]

I'd go for it, but I like to have a version of a car that is more rare. Very unique E90 M3.

[FMLYSDN]

Originally Posted by BrewRifle

I'd go for it, but I like to have a version of a car that is more rare. Very unique E90 M3.

Totally agree with you on the exclusivity aspect. But will I feel like a made a mistake going to a DCT after been driving manuals my whole life!!!

I know Caroline will never let that down

[E46M3forRay]

Not worth it and not even a slicktop. Melbourne Red is a great color. Keep your 3rd pedal and keep smiling as you row those gears.

[RoundelObsession]

Originally Posted by E46M3forRay

Not worth it and not even a slicktop. Melbourne Red is a great color. Keep your 3rd pedal and keep smiling as you row those gears.

+1

[FMLYSDN]

Originally Posted by E46M3forRay

Not worth it and not even a slicktop. Melbourne Red is a great color. Keep your 3rd pedal and keep smiling as you row those gears.

I would agree with you if this was my only car, but we are fortunate enough to also have a FR F80 in our stable which is a 6 speed.

That somewhat lessens the impact of going DCT.

[RickP]

Get it, but I'm a little biased.

[FormulaMMM]

Looks like it has some cosmetic items that aren't ideal imo, but easily fixable.

I owned a manual E90 for 3 years, and now a DCT E90 for approaching 3 years.

Consider my E90 experience "complete" having owned both.

Also have a manual S4 in the garage along with my DCT right now. Sounds like you're in a similar position with a manual F80.

It's fun and advantageous having access to both transmissions for sure.

Go for it...

[scrammer]

My previous M3 was a red E90 6mt and with a set of BBS CH painted in Sparkling Graphite, it looked a lot like your ride.

My current car is an E92 M3 ZCP in frozen grey with black wheels and DCT - also a rare car. The issue is that in the used market there are very few 6mt cars available and after six months of looking I decided that I would have to "settle" for the right car ... One without a clutch.

Here is how I overcame the transition ... I never use the paddles???

I ALWAYS shift with the selector - pull back to go faster & push forward to downshift while decelerating.

Seams insignificant, but how my hands interact with the steering wheel and shifter is much more engaging and although my left leg is out or the equation, it really feels like I am driving a manual.

Try it out when you buy the frozen car ....

[FMLYSDN]

Originally Posted by scrammer

My previous M3 was a red E90 6mt and with a set of BBS CH painted in Sparkling Graphite, it looked a lot like your ride.

My current car is an E92 M3 ZCP in frozen grey with black wheels and DCT - also a rare car. The issue is that in the used market there are very few 6mt cars available and after six months of looking I decided that I would have to "settle" for the right car ... One without a clutch.

Here is how I overcame the transition ... I never use the paddles???

I ALWAYS shift with the selector - pull back to go faster & push forward to downshift while decelerating.

Seams insignificant, but how my hands interact with the steering wheel and shifter is much more engaging and although my left leg is out or the equation, it really feels like I am driving a manual.

Try it out when you buy the frozen car ....

Great point about not using the paddles.

Something that I will try when I test drive it again.

I think the main item here is the exclusivity of the car. The used market is very difficult and I had even pondered going from an E90 to E92. That wasn't a concession I was willing to make yet unless it was something that I truly desired such as a LSB.

Given the fact that we also have a F80 6 speed, it may make this an easier decision. But with all impulse buys, it is so easy to rationalize the decision. To make matters worse I knew my fellow forum members would help justify my impulsiveness.

[FMLYSDN]

Originally Posted by FormulaMMM

Looks like it has some cosmetic items that aren't ideal imo, but easily fixable.

I owned a manual E90 for 3 years, and now a DCT E90 for approaching 3 years.

Consider my E90 experience "complete" having owned both.

Also have a manual S4 in the garage along with my DCT right now. Sounds like you're in a similar position with a manual F80.

It's fun and advantageous having access to both transmissions for sure.

Go for it...

You are correct in your assessment of the cosmetic issues. Currently th car has some less than desirable;

Plastidipped Roundels
Wrapped side indicators
Tinted reflectors and rear lights

Although these may be a personal style, not really my thing.

The car is currently wrapped too. I believe this has been done to protect the paint. It would be the first issue to address for me as there are seams everywhere and it really takes away from the car up close. I would make a point of having the entire car redone.

Apart from that our SA at Calgary BMW originally sold the car and knows it well.

Likely a good example.

[Kong Sheng Han]

Keep red E90, buy grey E90.

[scrammer]

Note that the rates for 2011 ///M cars are at 1.9% for finance and Owners Choice so it could be a good time to buy from a dealer - depending on your requirements.

Is the car CPO?

[FMLYSDN]

Originally Posted by scrammer

Note that the rates for 2011 ///M cars are at 1.9% for finance and Owners Choice so it could be a good time to buy from a dealer - depending on your requirements.

Is the car CPO?

It is a CPO and the current rate is 2.9% advertised. Where have you seen 1.9%

[FMLYSDN]

Originally Posted by Kong Sheng Han

Keep red E90, buy grey E90.

Lol.....that is funny because that was another thing I was trying to use a logical solution to purchase the car.

Keep the SC'd Melbourne and buy a stock Individual.

Perfect logic!

[Blindside_137]

I think a melbourne red E90 6MT is an absolute unicorn, I wouldn't get rid of one for frozen gray.

[///Mstvpxs]

I wouldn't care about DCT or Manual. This car is incredibly rare... I would buy it to at least flip it in ten or so years. Plus it would make a great Daily Driver, Manuals are definitely more involved, making them more fun on the track, but a pain in the ass to drive in traffic/city.

However it's more pragmatic to have a DCT in traffic or just driving around the City. Plus the DCT is still plenty of fun with the Paddle Shifters. The kick you get from them when in sport mode is somewhat reminiscent to gear changes in a manual.

I would say get it, use it as a daily driver and keep your other M3 for the track. You can always resell the car if you don't like it. I am sure others would definitely be willing to buy it.

Regardless it's your choice, just make sure you do what suits you best

[cmo_93]

I'm not a fan of red cars but in this case, I say keep the red.

[kerrit]

There were only ~200 melbourne red e90's sold in north america

the color 'pops' way more, I've had mine for 4 years and still love looking at it on a sunny day

[scrammer]

Originally Posted by FMLYSDN

It is a CPO and the current rate is 2.9% advertised. Where have you seen 1.9%

... from BMW.ca. The dealers like to play with the rates for a little extra cash!

http://www.bmw.ca/en/topics/details/...al-Offers.html

2011 All BMW M Models

Lease* (24,36,48 months) - 2.90%

Retailer Finance* (24,36,48,60,72,84 months) - 0.90%, 0.90%, 1.90%, 1.90%, 2.90%, 2.90%

OwnersChoice©* (24,36,48,60 months) - 0.90%, 1.90%, 1.90%

[Frozen]

Originally Posted by scrammer

Note that the rates for 2011 ///M cars are at 1.9% for finance and Owners Choice so it could be a good time to buy from a dealer - depending on your requirements.

Is the car CPO?

I was under the impression that BMW dealerships weren't selling the cars right now due to the Takata Airbag Recall? No?