Dad want's to get a M3

My dad is planning to get a 2005 BMW M3 Coupe. He wants to get the car pretty much fully loaded. He is planning to get the Competition Package, but I don't think he should spend an extra $4000 thousand on it. Do you guys think he should or should not? Is it even worth it? Do you guys think he should get the Premium Package instead which ain't peferomance, but interior. And do you guys think the cold weather package is necessary? What do you guys have on your 2001 and up M3's? Is it fully loaded with the navigation system, premium sound system, and such?

Competition Package:

M Cross Spoke forged lightweight alloy wheels, 19 x 8.0 front, 19 x 9.5 rear; 225/40R-19 front and 255/35R-19 rear performance tires*
Cross-drilled compound brakes*
M track mode for DSC*
Competition Package Aluminum Interior Trim
Alcantara steering wheel* and handbrake
More direct steering ratio

Premium Package:

Nappa leather upholstery
Power-adjustable front seats with 3-setting memory system for driver’s seat, and outside mirrors
Power, glass 2-way moonroof with remote, “one-touch” operation and sliding interior sunshade
BMW Assist is a Global Positioning System and wireless communication system for Automatic Collision Notification, Emergency Request, enhanced Roadside Assistance, and Concierge Services. Bluetooth® wireless technology is standard with the BMW Assist option. For more information on BMW Assist, click here

Bluetooth® Wireless Technology
Bluetooth® is a wireless communications technology that connects mobile phones enabled with Bluetooth® to a vehicle for hands-free calling. For more information on Bluetooth®, click here

Cold Weather Package:

3-stage heated front seats
High-pressure liquid headlight cleaning system
Ski bag

It all depends what your dad wants to do with his M3. If hes going to use it as a daily driver, and isn't all that concerned with track driving, I would go with the Premium Package. If hes a very performance oriented guy, and just wants a really fun track car, or if hes interested in rarity, the Competition Package would be a better option.

As for the cold weather package, I havn't known too many people who bring 3-series up to the mountain, let alone M3s, so the ski bag is kinda dumb. The headlight washers aren't all that needed, just another thing to break. You can get heated seats as a stand alone option. So my position is unless your actually going to be in the snow, just get the heated seats and skip the package.

I don't think my dad is interested on taking this car to the track and driving the hell out of it. So I should convince him that it's not a good investment. Yeah the cold weather package is pretty useless and I doubt my dad would take a car that expensive in the snow and mountains.

why are you trying to convince your dad to NOT get the competition package??? tell him to order both the premium and Competition package if he wants it fully loaded. Bottom line is, if your getting a new 05 M3, dont worry about 4,000 dollars when your purchasing a 50 grand+ sticker priced vehicle.. convince your dad to get the comp. package, as the upgraded wheels and suspension are well worth it

why are you trying to convince your dad to NOT get the competition package??? tell him to order both the premium and Competition package if he wants it fully loaded. Bottom line is, if your getting a new 05 M3, dont worry about 4,000 dollars when your purchasing a 50 grand+ sticker priced vehicle.. convince your dad to get the comp. package, as the upgraded wheels and suspension are well worth it

Yeah, my dad should just get everything. I'll talk to him about it. Doesn't the suspension and wheel upgrade come with the competition package?

Yeah, my dad should just get everything. I'll talk to him about it. Doesn't the suspension and wheel upgrade come with the competition package?

No suspention upgrades w/ competition coupe. It comes with CSL Wheels (very cool), better brakes, M Track mode, a more direct steering ratio, and different interior. The main reason I would go with the standard M3, as opposed to the ZCP, is that the competition package decreases the M3's appeal as a touring car. The interior isn't as good, you lose the steering wheel controls (which I like), and the more direct steering ratio is a pain on long highways.

The only thing you cant get aftermarket is the M Track mode for the DSC. Brembos are better then BMW's breaks, and you can get CSL Style breaks for ~$1,800-$2,000. Personally, I would just go with the premium package, and save the money for other stuff.

No suspention upgrades w/ competition coupe. It comes with CSL Wheels (very cool), better brakes, M Track mode, a more direct steering ratio, and different interior. The main reason I would go with the standard M3, as opposed to the ZCP, is that the competition package decreases the M3's appeal as a touring car. The interior isn't as good, you lose the steering wheel controls (which I like), and the more direct steering ratio is a pain on long highways.

The only thing you cant get aftermarket is the M Track mode for the DSC. Brembos are better then BMW's breaks, and you can get CSL Style breaks for ~$1,800-$2,000. Personally, I would just go with the premium package, and save the money for other stuff.

What is M Track mode and what's more direct steering ratio? Are these stuff necessary? So like we could just get the brakes seperately?

The M Track mode makes it so the DSC is almost all the way turned off. DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) is a system that BMW installs on all of their newer cars that prevents you from sliding and skidding. When sensors feel that your wheels are about to slip, the car breaks for you, preventing the slide. This is good for daily driving, not so good for racing, where a little bit of sliding isn't too bad, but overzealous breaking is, however the M Track mode can be turned off.

The more direct steering ratio makes it so that you need to turn the steering wheel less to make turns. Again, bad for daily driving because the car becomes a little harder to keep the car goin strait on longer highways, but better for track/racing because its easier to turn. This doesn't imply that the regular M3 is difficult to steer, infact its probably one of the best handling cars on the road.

For a daily driver, M track mode and the closer steering ratio are pretty pointless, but for higher performance driving, they are nice to have.

Many BMW owners replace the stock M3 breaks with Stoptech or Brembo breaks for performance driving, but they aren't needed for daily driving IMO.

Tell your old man to forget the M3 and get a Vette, for the same money you get a car that EVERYONE notices, will outpeform the German junk and will retain FAR more value. The only people that notice beamers are other snobbish beamer owners.

Tell your old man to forget the M3 and get a Vette, for the same money you get a car that EVERYONE notices, will outpeform the German junk and will retain FAR more value. The only people that notice beamers are other snobbish beamer owners.

Wow, just wow. This guy completely missed the point. Its rant time.

Something like 75% of people who are considering the M3 wouldn't consider the Corvette. They look at the CTS-V, S4, and C55 AMG. They are completely different cars. Most people who buy M3s don't have that childish need for attention that you (dhspring) seem to have. The M3 is not an all out sports car like the Corvette, and you just don't get it. There are sports cars, and there are luxury cars, the M3 is just about right in the middle of the two categories. The M3 has 5 seats, the Vette has 2. The M3 comes with an incredibly high quality leather interior, the Corvette doesn't. The M3 is viable daily driver, I wouldn't want to drive a Corvette down the street for more then a half hour. The M3 is considered by most people who have ever driven one to be one of the most fun cars in existence (yes, more then the Corvette). As for retaining value, your quote is complete BS. BMW is famous for having one of the highest resale values in the world (especially the US), while GM's resale value is complete trash. The entire point of the Corvette is to be a pure sportscar. It has a terrible interior, but has great power, speed, and handling. The M3 has great power, speed, and handling, but instead of having just that, they have a luxury interior, and subtle, more elegant styling. I respect the Corvette as a sports car, but don't ever compare it to the M3, they are completely different cars. Its like saying a Dodge Caravan is better then a Honda Accord because it has a bigger interior. Its just different leagues.

In conclusion, I would rather be a "snobbish beamer (bimmer) owner" then an ignorant Corvette guy who probably hasn't driven either car.

-end rant

My my Diana it must be that time of the month or your daddy didn't love you as much as you wished. Were you supposed to be a boy? Umm too bad. You should come and offer your shoulder to my friend who's sickly M-THREE is in the shop and the krauts can't seem to repair it. Da vunderbahs blumbling kraut technicians are completely kaput and out of ideas!! Blah blah blah. Vettes are American Icons. The M3 will be phased out in a couple years. But then who cares. I invest my time and money in other more productive endeavors besides mechanical toys. Have fun with yours and don't get too upset because other opinions don't align with yours, that's life, get used to it.

My my Diana it must be that time of the month or your daddy didn't love you as much as you wished. Were you supposed to be a boy? Umm too bad. You should come and offer your shoulder to my friend who's sickly M-THREE is in the shop and the krauts can't seem to repair it. Da vunderbahs blumbling kraut technicians are completely kaput and out of ideas!! Blah blah blah. I missed nothing about snobbish beamers. I don't miss $140 oil changes. Vettes are American Icons. The M3 will be phased out in a couple years. But then who cares. I invest my time and money in other more productive endeavors besides mechanical toys. Have fun with yours and don't get too upset because other opinions don't align with yours, that's life, get used to it.

My my Diana it must be that time of the month or your daddy didn't love you as much as you wished. Were you supposed to be a boy? Umm too bad. You should come and offer your shoulder to my friend who's sickly M-THREE is in the shop and the krauts can't seem to repair it. Da vunderbahs blumbling kraut technicians are completely kaput and out of ideas!! Blah blah blah. I missed nothing about snobbish beamers. I don't miss $140 oil changes. Vettes are American Icons. The M3 will be phased out in a couple years. But then who cares. I invest my time and money in other more productive endeavors besides mechanical toys. Have fun with yours and don't get too upset because other opinions don't align with yours, that's life, get used to it.


ROFL!!! HOLY SHIT!! are you one big dumbass.



Corvette's are cool and all, and have their own unique look, but i think trying to tell someone that the Germans arent masters of sheet metal is a stupid idea. a Corvette may be aobut as top of the line as GM gets, but you cant beat the Germans interior and handling, engine doesnt matter as much when the car can beat ANYTHING on the road in ANY car review mag. Corvette gets beat by German genius.

Nicely and beautifully put m3 special. Dhspring is a complete asshole. And is probably one big redneck. (Gotta have me a Chevy) LOL what an ignorant fool. I wish I could afford an m3, but since it is my dream, and i mean DREAM car, i know a shitload about it. m3 power!!!!