Need M3 to be less flashy, sleeper as possible...

[Spleen]

Hello,

I'm considering buying a 135i or an M3 and I thought I might get some feedback from guys about both.

The issue is that I currently live in a not so nice area and I don't want a car that sticks out too much. I wouldn't park it outside but I don't want it to stand out or anything.

There are essentially zero 1 series in my area so that wouldn't stand out much. And the 1 series looks pretty clean and non-flashy.

The car will be black and have all the badges pulled that I can (don't know if front badge can be pulled without leaving a mark on the hood or grille).

Wheels should be spinning when I'm driving so people might not really see "BMW" when I'm pulling up.

I guess what I'm asking is that if I keep it as plain as possible with factory wheels, and black the grill, pull the badges, etc. Is it going to be docile enough?

Or will it shout...Damn, that dude has a $70,000 car.

It's also pretty cold here so it will be fairly dirty most of the time.

I'm looking for a sweet car, not something to stand out.

Either 135i or M3 should have more than enough performance.

Thanks guys,

Oh, by the way I drove the 135i and it was great but I haven't seen the M3 in person. Only in the photos on this forum. They always look different in person.

[lebreeze]

I wouldnt get a m3 if you are so scared you have to debadge bmw off the hood

[tunawi7cheese]

Originally Posted by Spleen

Hello,

I'm considering buying a 135i or an M3 and I thought I might get some feedback from guys about both.

The issue is that I currently live in a not so nice area and I don't want a car that sticks out too much. I wouldn't park it outside but I don't want it to stand out or anything.

There are essentially zero 1 series in my area so that wouldn't stand out much. And the 1 series looks pretty clean and non-flashy.

The car will be black and have all the badges pulled that I can (don't know if front badge can be pulled without leaving a mark on the hood or grille).

Wheels should be spinning when I'm driving so people might not really see "BMW" when I'm pulling up.

I guess what I'm asking is that if I keep it as plain as possible with factory wheels, and black the grill, pull the badges, etc. Is it going to be docile enough?

Or will it shout...Damn, that dude has a $70,000 car.

It's also pretty cold here so it will be fairly dirty most of the time.

I'm looking for a sweet car, not something to stand out.

Either 135i or M3 should have more than enough performance.

Thanks guys,

Oh, by the way I drove the 135i and it was great but I haven't seen the M3 in person. Only in the photos on this forum. They always look different in person.

Do it like this guy...

[SS32]

debadging and blacking it out is one thing, but removing the roundels is taking it pretty far. Do cars really get vandalized that often? And if you're not parking outside, then what are you worried about?

[Kev]

Gee-Louise, I would consider moving out of that neighborhood first.

As far as badges goes, all the exterior M badges and BMW roundels, with the exception of the M3 emblems on the trunk, sit in recesses. When you remove them, there'll be all sorts of holes and recesses left on the car.

[ISAR]

If you can afford a BMW M3 you can afford to move. Why would you live in an area like you describe unless you can't afford to move?

[Spleen]

OP here.

A long time ago I had a 91' 318is then a 98' M3 and most recently a really lame car for my business.

I've de-badged them all. Even when I was a little kid I didn't like stickers and I cut the labels out of my clothes. My "North Face" down vest my girlfriend got me has a black piece of nylon sewn over it.

I just don't like things that stand out and say "I use this brand" or "I drive XXX expensive car"

I'm looking for the car not the branding or image.

The neighborhood isn't really ghetto or anything but there definitely aren't any 08 or 09 M3's or similar cars on my street.

Not concerned about vandalism at all...just trying to make it look as plain and bland as possible. Also it helps with all the dumb ass high schooler kids trying to race you all the time.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by Kev

Gee-Louise, I would consider moving out of that neighborhood first.

As far as badges goes, all the exterior M badges and BMW roundels, with the exception of the M3 emblems on the trunk, sit in recesses. When you remove them, there'll be all sorts of holes and recesses left on the car.

The wheel center cap BMW roundels can be replaced or covered over easily.

[montreal red]

seriously... if you dont want a flashy car why do you want to get an m3??? what the heck is wrong with a 335 sedan? you can put some under the hood mods and make it go like stink without it looking much different from any other car on the street...

or just stick to the 135 and mod that ...

i just think its silly for you to buy a car that you think is to flashy to begin with and have to spend money after the purchase to "tone it down". just save the money from the start and purchase something less expensive.

[BMWI6]

Originally Posted by montreal red

seriously... if you dont want a flashy car why do you want to get an m3??? what the heck is wrong with a 335 sedan? you can put some under the hood mods and make it go like stink without it looking much different from any other car on the street...

or just stick to the 135 and mod that ...

i just think its silly for you to buy a car that you think is to flashy to begin with and have to spend money after the purchase to "tone it down". just save the money from the start and purchase something less expensive.

1+
Oh and I think deep down you are an attention whore, I could be wrong but who the hell buys a BMW to remove the roundels and expect people to think its a kia or something. Get real man..

[Splinter4784]

Bounce from ur neighborhood

WTF, y would u live there, if u cant afford to move, dont get an M3

[badfish]

Replace all the badges with Audi badges and you're set...

[MJC///M3]

where do you live?

if your not parking it outside...why are you worrying?

[valeram]

BMW is a BMW no matter what you do. People will recognize it. I am a little bit confuse on what you want to do or prove. Just get what you like, want or need. Don't worry about what other people are saying as long as you are not doing anything wrong.

[MJC///M3]

if its any consolation..i live in the Bronx (relatively nice area)...getting my E92 in June...a guy down the block from me has a Laguna Seca Blue E46 M3 vert....parked it on the street everynight....needless to say I asked him about it and he has never had a problem with vandalism/attention/...etc.....i however, will keep mine away in my garage...hehe

[SlammedR8]

I must say, this is a very odd post!

Unless your going to change the front of the car completely, almost anyone including an old grandmother can recognize a BMW when they see one. Come on, BMWs are pretty distinctive and hard to mix up with a Honda or Hyundai. Dont you think?

As many others have said, I would worry about moving out of that area before purchasing a rather expensive car like an M3.

[Mr Tonka]

Uh, the more pressing issue is that you're comparing a 135i with an M3. totally different vehicles. I say that if the 135i wags your flag poll, then get it.

The car you see below doesn't do a very good job blending in. And it's stock, with exception of the ride height.

[spyderco10]

man, where do you live, detroit?

[ismelllikepoop]

you clearly want the attention. trying to get a semiflashy car and make it non-flashy? give me a break, you can get jackets that function just as well as a northface that doesnt have the brand name, or get a less ostentatious car that performs just as well as an m3. hell get an rs4 and put a4 2.0t badges on it, no one could tell.

[Tommy350]

are you worried about people keying your car? or breaking into it?

if its about getting keyed or something like that, you should just wrap it in clear bra.... and get a dark color....
non the less, any person that sees a bmw, benz, or lexus would thing its "flashy" its the name/ brand of the car.... i wouldnt trip just get a m3 i've test drove it and its a beast

[argonboy]

If you don't want a BMW's "marketing" 3-series then just get a 335xi, since you said it's cold where you are. You would be getting the M3 because it's "the M3" since you say you haven't seen it much less driven it.

You can get a debadged Porsche Cayenne Turbo for the "engineering feat" since not many people consider that it is good looking.

[ersin]

Low profile, nondescript, not flashy? Let's see. Get a dark color -- no Melbourne Red or White. Tint the windows, but not too much, say 50%. Get the 18" wheels. Replace the side reflectors with ones painted the same color as the car. Don't leave anything in the car in plain sight; put it the trunk or glove compartment if you have to leave it in the car. This might sound counter intuitive but park it in a well lit place at night and a wide open space in the day. People are less likely to mess with it if they think others can see them.

Lastly, don't sweat it. Most people will know that it's a BMW in any case, but won't know that it's an M3 or even what an M3 is. If you do pull the badges just take off the biggest ///M3 badge (in the back). The dealer will probably do this for you free. And besides, it's just a car. It will get scratched, dented, etc. no matter what you do. Just respect the cars power and be safe.