The addiction continues... at this rate I'm going to have to change my name to Firm.
'11 M3 sedan, the last year with the N/A 4.0 V8. One of these was my first "cool" press car, and to this day it's one of the greatest driving experiences of all time. Also would like to add to counter all the EV talk around here - it's getting 18.2L/100km in solely city driving, driving like a bit of a BMW blowhard.
Alpine White, black full leather, 89,000km, one owner car. Has the optional Executive Pack with rear sun blinds, adaptive seats, dual-zone climate, Comfort Access etc. First thing I did when I got home was install the baby seat in the back... my 18 month old loves the noise this thing makes.
The spec is the whole trifecta that the BMW autists don't want, and everything that I do want:
-DCT as opposed to manual... I have enough manuals (especially the E39 M5) that makes me want a fast-shifting DCT in this.
-"Double Hump", which means it has the iDrive interface. This is updated so it has bluetooth audio, but I can retrofit Apple CarPlay pretty easily, which is nice in a daily
-Sunroof as opposed to "slicktop", because I'd rather have the sunroof over perceived StRuCtUrAl RiGiDiTy in a car that I'm daily driving and only tracking once or twice each year
PS - had breakfast with Firm earlier this week and we established we're both at 13... a tie for the first time ever in ~20 years of friendship
(https://i.imgur.com/hosLT7M.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/PRGcq9E.jpeg)
This is a really nice car, if I was going to own a BMW, this would be near the top of the list for me. Enjoy it, don't mess with it! Was great catching up in person earlier this week!
Sweet find!
Nice! How are these DCT's holding up?
Funny enough, some of my coolest press cars have been BMW's too: the i8, 6-Series'vert, M240i and i4 M50 all left me with smirks and great impressions.
I have a new value replacement clause with the Crosstrek, and at the price these things are today, had last week's event happened in my car, a certified '24 i4 with less than 30k on it is within that budget.
It's a cool car. I've shopped and driven them.
Definitely understand the allure.
Geez, you're like Canadian Hoovie with your fleet of Hoopties.
Another beauty. Nice!
Nice car indeed and glad you admitted how it is t the spec that most enthusiasts seek when looking for these. Although I do kind of disagree with the wording of "perceived" structural rigidity, isn't it known or did BMW do something with the structure to account for the hole, like how a convertible version of a car typically has extra bracing for this purpose?
Quote from: Johnnymac on Mar 26, 2026, 04:52 PMNice car indeed and glad you admitted how it is t the spec that most enthusiasts seek when looking for these. Although I do kind of disagree with the wording of "perceived" structural rigidity, isn't it known or did BMW do something with the structure to account for the hole, like how a convertible version of a car typically has extra bracing for this purpose?
Who knows... I know the "slicktops" are more sought after, especially for weight savings. I genuinely do prefer the sunroof because it's a cruiser.
First track day lined up in June already for it... front Michelins are new, rears will get roasted that day.
That's a beauty for sure! Just me or do the taillamp's bother anyone else on that gen? Almost like the trunk lid was from another car, they don't line up. I believe the X3 was also like this. None the less, love the styling in every other way.
I went to an autocross event and some dude had one of these with a great exhaust on it, holy man did she sound awesome. Great purchase!!!
Nice!
A friend of mine has an engine from one of these as a coffee table (glass top), there's a hole in the side where all the expensive bits exited on the back straight at Mosport.
Quote from: blur911 on Mar 27, 2026, 04:08 PMNice!
A friend of mine has an engine from one of these as a coffee table (glass top), there's a hole in the side where all the expensive bits exited on the back straight at Mosport.
These have issues with bearings....which was never resolved....
Sadly, as some point Adi will likely be doing them on his car. :(
Quote from: RRocket on Mar 27, 2026, 08:54 PMQuote from: blur911 on Mar 27, 2026, 04:08 PMNice!
A friend of mine has an engine from one of these as a coffee table (glass top), there's a hole in the side where all the expensive bits exited on the back straight at Mosport.
These have issues with bearings....which was never resolved....
Sadly, as some point Adi will likely be doing them on his car. :(
Lies...you know he'll dump it before it's second oil change ;D
Quote from: RRocket on Mar 27, 2026, 08:54 PMQuote from: blur911 on Mar 27, 2026, 04:08 PMNice!
A friend of mine has an engine from one of these as a coffee table (glass top), there's a hole in the side where all the expensive bits exited on the back straight at Mosport.
These have issues with bearings....which was never resolved....
Sadly, as some point Adi will likely be doing them on his car. :(
Bit of an internet myth - we have MANY of these M3s, and the later F80/F82 M3/M4s in our service rotation. We do rod bearings pretty often as pre-emptive for BMW idiots wanting them done. The actual failure rate is close to zero.
That said, these have been done. ;D
Quote from: TheHire on Mar 27, 2026, 11:01 PMBit of an internet myth - The actual failure rate is close to zero.
That said, these have been done. ;D
That definitely wasn't my impression during research on the model (or other BMW models and bearings), that's for sure. So we'll agree to disagree. Has Porsche IMS bearing vibes to it....
That being said, good news yours has been done. Aftermarket, improved bearing? WPC coated OEM bearing? Stock OEM bearing?
In 2026, in Canada, what's the average going rate for a preemptive bearing job on these?
Very nice ride. Have always wanted one of these but with a manual. Nothing wrong with having iDrive and the sunroof though.
Quote from: RRocket on Mar 28, 2026, 12:23 AMQuote from: TheHire on Mar 27, 2026, 11:01 PMBit of an internet myth - The actual failure rate is close to zero.
That said, these have been done. ;D
That definitely wasn't my impression during research on the model (or other BMW models and bearings), that's for sure. So we'll agree to disagree. Has Porsche IMS bearing vibes to it....
That being said, good news yours has been done. Aftermarket, improved bearing? WPC coated OEM bearing? Stock OEM bearing?
In 2026, in Canada, what's the average going rate for a preemptive bearing job on these?
Isn't the IMS failure rate in the low single digits?
Quote from: Oliver on Mar 30, 2026, 03:20 PMVery nice ride. Have always wanted one of these but with a manual. Nothing wrong with having iDrive and the sunroof though.
Quote from: RRocket on Mar 28, 2026, 12:23 AMQuote from: TheHire on Mar 27, 2026, 11:01 PMBit of an internet myth - The actual failure rate is close to zero.
That said, these have been done. ;D
That definitely wasn't my impression during research on the model (or other BMW models and bearings), that's for sure. So we'll agree to disagree. Has Porsche IMS bearing vibes to it....
That being said, good news yours has been done. Aftermarket, improved bearing? WPC coated OEM bearing? Stock OEM bearing?
In 2026, in Canada, what's the average going rate for a preemptive bearing job on these?
Isn't the IMS failure rate in the low single digits?
Single Row Bearing: 8%
Dual Row Bearing: less than 1%
I deliberately bought a car with the dual row.