Flying out tomorrow for my new E93

[M3_92101]

Hello All:

Just a quick intro... I've been a fan of M3s for a long time. The wife and I are flying from San Diego to Pennsylvania tomorrow (June 8) to buy a 2008 E93 with 3,000 miles. When I found it, I couldn't resist buying it. The original owner is selling due to health issues. I'm not looking for a track car or the fastest 0 to 60.... I just want an awesome car to put a smile on my face when not busy working my butt off or driving my DD (Mercedes E250 diesel). I specifically wanted the E93 with a manual, preferably a White one with Black interior so this seems like winning the lottery (info/options listed below)! Of course, it was priced a bit higher than your typical '08 because of the low miles... But I'm willing pay a little more for a practically new car. Of course, I would have preferred an '09 or newer, but I guess can't get everything every time!

We plan to tour the North East for about 9 days and drive from PA up to Boston, Maine, Vermont, hopefully Toronto, and end up in Columbus, OH on June 18. Flying back to San Diego from there and shipping the car back on a truck (don't want to put an additional 2,500 miles on it).

Thanks for all the great info on this forum! Any pointers, feedback etc is always appreciated. Just hoping everything goes per my plan and there are no surprises. Not sure if I could be any more excited!!

E Series E93 (M3)
Transmission MECH
Colour ALPINWEISS 3 (300)
Upholstery LEDER NOVILLO/SCHWARZ (NCSW)
Prod. Date 2008-07-02

S1CAA Selection of COP relevant vehicles
S223A Electronic Damper Control (EDC)
S2MDA M Drive
S2VBA Tire pressure display
S313A Fold-in outside mirror
S319A Integrated universal remote control
S322A Comfort access
S431A Interior mirror with automatic-dip
S441A Smoker package
S459A Seat adjuster, electric, with memory
S490A Adjuster, backrest width
S494A Seat heating driver/passenger
S4AEA Armrest front, retractable
S4MZA Fine wood sycamore mirror gr. anthracite
S4NAA Interior mirror with digital compass
S4UTA Load-through hatch with int. trans. sack
S521A Rain sensor
S522A Xenon Light
S524A Adaptive Headlights
S534A Automatic air conditioning
S540A Cruise control
S563A Light package
S5GAA Preparation alarm system
S609A Navigation system Professional
S620A Voice control
S639A Preparation f mobile phone cpl. USA/CDN
S645A BMW US Radio
S693A Preparation BMW satellite radio
S694A Provisions for BMW 6 CD changer
S6AAA BMW TeleServices
S6ABA Control for Teleservices
S6FLA USB/Audio interface
S6UHA Traffic Information
S752A Individual audio system
S845A Acoustic belt warning
S853A Language version English
S876A Radio frequency 315 MHz
S8SCA Telematics access request,country-spec.

[///Mbitions]

Wow 3k miles on an 08?? Thats a great find. Congrats and enjoy New England, a lot to see. Toronto is also a cool city. Now this is just me worrying, but hopefully nothing goes wrong with the car that is 10 yrs old with only 3k miles. I’m sure it’s prefectly fine, I’m one of those people who thinks you gottta drive cars or stuff will break!
Again I’m sure it’s fine and I’m just crazy lol. Enjoy that road trip!

[carenthuziast]

Awesome choice. You won't regret it.

[M3_92101]

Originally Posted by ///Mbitions

Wow 3k miles on an 08?? Thats a great find. Congrats and enjoy New England, a lot to see. Toronto is also a cool city. Now this is just me worrying, but hopefully nothing goes wrong with the car that is 10 yrs old with only 3k miles. I’m sure it’s prefectly fine, I’m one of those people who thinks you gottta drive cars or stuff will break!
Again I’m sure it’s fine and I’m just crazy lol. Enjoy that road trip!

Thanks! And yes, I've also been wondering whether the infrequent use over the past 10 years could lead into issues. I've heard some serious car collectors comment that people worry about that too much. I'll go with that opinion for now and hope for the best! I'll post updates along the way.

[Helmsman]

3k miles...!! Wow, welcome to the board and congrats to that find!

[msan]

Congrats on the car! Pics please! If the tires are original you might think about replacing them first thing.

[thkfast]

As long as the seller is the original owner, there shouldn't be a problem. He should have BMW service records showing yearly oil changes and other particulars despite the ridiculously low mileage.

My initial concern about low mileage cars is that they might have been CRASHED and have SAT for years in a body shop not driven waiting to be repaired. That's all. Enjoy!

[jazzy1999]

Congrats.. Be sure to make sure all the recalls have been performed on the car. You may need to go to the dealer to find out. Correct me if I’m wrong but the engine break in period is 1500??

[eatsleepboost]

Wow that is a new car as far as miles go. I would check the tires for dry rot before putting on too many miles. Congrats. Good time of the year to come see us in the Boston area too. Most of the year you wouldn't want to be driving around here especially when trying to enjoy a vert.

[BOOF-M3]

It never happened if there are no photos of the car. I wouldn't drive over 60 if those are the original tires. But I do however like the fact that they are the original tires if in fact they are. I would store the tires after purchasing new ones when you get the car home. In another ten years from now if you keep the miles to an absolute minimum I think it can retain its value and would be neat to offer the car with as many original items as possible. Same goes for hoses if you end up changing any of those out. Keep it all and pass it on. Imagine having a 1957 507 with everything original on it. Ok, an 08' E93 will never be a 507 but you get the idea.

[DSilk]

Congratulations. Before setting off on an extended road trip I would change all fluids and filters, replace all belts and hoses, and drain the fuel tank and refill it with fresh fuel. Other than that (and fresh tires) you should be good to go. Rubber and neoprene parts age even if they aren't used, and I wouldn't trust old belts and hoses.

[Mr. BMW]

Post in the New England forum when you might be in the area and maybe some of us could meet up with you.

[dpsb]

Awesome! Congrats! I'm flying up to Oakland from San Diego today myself to pick up my 2011 E90 M3. Maybe we'll recognize each other later this morning at the airport by our giant anticipatory grins! Enjoy your trip and hope to see you on the roads around San Diego soon.

[timothy2001]

+1 to belts, hoses and fluids and congratulations on a great find!

Pics or you are making this up.

[M3_92101]

Originally Posted by timothy2001

Pics or you are making this up.

Thanks for all the replies and advice! Flying out in 5 hours. It's gonna be a nerve racking 24 hours. Will stay in a hotel tonight and drive 2.5 hours tomorrow morning in a rental car (one way rental).

I'll post pictures tomorrow night if all goes well with the purchase. I don't want to jinx it by posting photos before the title is signed over!

[Rainer M]

Congrats on the new to you car.

Nothing better than driving with the top down.
What a blast.

On a side note, it states
Transmission Mech
Ista software says the same about my E93 and it is a DCT?
Are all M3 are
Transmission Mech?


Anyway, have a save flight and a fun trip with the car.

Rainer.

[Timujin]

Drive her home! Congrats.

[KevinGS]

From one E93 owner to the next, you're going to be in heaven.

What a find, and a nice build too.

I'm sure you've already had the car thoroughly checked out by a local, reputable BMW mechanic, so you should be fine.

If you were headed South this weekend, we'd certainly connect. Hec, I'll be in Philly myself on Sunday (I live in MD).

A few tips:

*The convertible top will rattle a bit over the rough northeast roads, but that's normal.

*Immediately program your M button to your liking, so you can have a one-push rush ready at a moment's notice.

*Though you can put the top up or down up to like 35 mph (and I do it ALL the time while moving a bit), make sure the roads ahead are fairly smooth....basically, avoid hitting bumps while the top is operating.

*I assume you're out of the engine break-in period since the car is 10 years old, so turn your shift lights on. Go into I-Drive, then to M Drive settings, click to the right (to set your M button), and then click to the right AGAIN...to set your initial car settings (basically, you have the option to start the car with that key with the Power Light defaulted to "On", and you have the option to match the Power Light option with the Shift Lights On or Off...choose On. You want to see as much Shift Lights as possible, because it adds to thrill as you approach red line. )

Enjoy the car!

San Diego is year-round convertible weather....us in the northeast are soooo envious.

[BayE30]

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

It never happened if there are no photos of the car. I wouldn't drive over 60 if those are the original tires. But I do however like the fact that they are the original tires if in fact they are.

my e90 m3 still has the original Continental EC2 tires on it...and i just completed a 1000 miles roadtrip 2 weekends ago.

top the OP, sounds like its gonna be an awesome trip, i am a little jealous of the fun you will have!

[pcohen15]

Originally Posted by SFCM3

my e90 m3 still has the original Continental EC2 tires on it...and i just completed a 1000 miles roadtrip 2 weekends ago.

top the OP, sounds like its gonna be an awesome trip, i am a little jealous of the fun you will have!

I think we have to assume that the car has spent a significant amount of time sitting around. So I think there's a difference between flexible products, like tires, that are used regularly as opposed to the same products that go unused and are allowed to become stiff and dry. I'm having serious second thoughts about that last sentence, but I think you know what I mean.

With all that said, it is a rare find indeed and just about everybody on here is jealous. Enjoy the drive, enjoy the car.

[are0lies]

Originally Posted by KevinGS

From one E93 owner to the next, you're going to be in heaven.

What a find, and a nice build too.

I'm sure you've already had the car thoroughly checked out by a local, reputable BMW mechanic, so you should be fine.

If you were headed South this weekend, we'd certainly connect. Hec, I'll be in Philly myself on Sunday (I live in MD).

A few tips:

*The convertible top will rattle a bit over the rough northeast roads, but that's normal.

*Immediately program your M button to your liking, so you can have a one-push rush ready at a moment's notice.

*Though you can put the top up or down up to like 35 mph (and I do it ALL the time while moving a bit), make sure the roads ahead are fairly smooth....basically, avoid hitting bumps while the top is operating.

*I assume you're out of the engine break-in period since the car is 10 years old, so turn your shift lights on. Go into I-Drive, then to M Drive settings, click to the right (to set your M button), and then click to the right AGAIN...to set your initial car settings (basically, you have the option to start the car with that key with the Power Light defaulted to "On", and you have the option to match the Power Light option with the Shift Lights On or Off...choose On. You want to see as much Shift Lights as possible, because it adds to thrill as you approach red line. )

Enjoy the car!

San Diego is year-round convertible weather....us in the northeast are soooo envious.

Did you program the car to do this, or is it just a feature built into the system?

[bobllama]

Originally Posted by are0lies

Did you program the car to do this, or is it just a feature built into the system?

I think Carly will let you enable this.