RE: M3 Shopping List <LONG>

[Jordi Cuervo <cueja@xxxxxxxxxx>]

>Date: Sat, 12 Dec 1998 07:49:10 -0800
>From: "Brad Houser" <bhouser@domain.elided>
>Subject: M3 Shopping list
>
>My SO isn't buying car parts, but she is letting me order an M3 Convertible
>for European delivery. I would like to know what people think about the
>various options.
>
>First the seats. For a convertible, the heated seats sound like a must
have,
>and for $415, not too expensive. For another $785 the power seats can be
>ordered. Since I would hardly change the setting, it doesn't seem worth it.
>What do Digest readers think?
>
>Next is the tranny. I personally want the stick. Automatic is out.
>
>The 17" forged wheels are $1450 over the standard cast allow wheels. Worth
>it? Why? I would like to see pointers to pictures.
>
>How about the Trip Computer? I don't think it is worth the $500 being asked
>to see gas mileage. Do people who drive M3's really care?
>
>And what about the $975 premium sound system? (I am seriously considering
it
>for top down driving.)
>
>I don't think I'll be getting the hard top, since it will be off half the
>year and when it is on it will not be as faded as the rest of the car in a
>couple of years.
>
>What about cruise control? I will probably go for it, but I am interested
in
>the digest readers' opinions.
>
>Brad Houser

Brad,
    I'll go through your list step-by-step:

1. For $415, heated seats don't sound like such a bad deal. $785 for the
power seats is a bit
 steep, though. I personally have the manual seats and I'm very happy with
the range and ease
of adjustment.

2. Tranny: Manual is the only choice for me in an ///M car. It's enough that
we don't get the real
M3 engine. An Automatic only makes the US M3 more of a fake ///M car.

3. I like the styling and weight of the forged rims. If you're going to be
tracking the car, the
forged rims are a good buy since they reduce the unsprung weight in the car.
I've also heard
that the Forged rims are less prone to bending than the standard M3 rims.

4. I like having the full trip computer (OBC). I do a lot of highway driving
and like to know
when I should be getting to my destination, what my gas mileage is, and how
much further
I can go with what I have left in my tank. If you can do without these
features, just don't check
the OBC box on your order form.

5. I personally wouldn't get the premium sound. The difference in quality
between the standard
stereo and the premium one is not worth $975. Your money would be better
spent on an
aftermarket in-dash CD player (Alpine makes great ones) and maybe some
replacement
speakers (can't go wrong with MB Quart or Boston Acoustics).

6. I kind of like the hard top on the convertibles. It makes the car just a
bit more useable in
those harsh weather months. I just don't know how much you'll be using it.
If your car is
going to be a garage queen during the winter, I wouldn't buy the hard top.

7. I'd get the cruise control if you're going to be doing a lot of highway
driving. My current M3
doesn't have it and boy do I miss it. My old <heh> '95 M3 had cruise control
and it did not
detract from the car's sporting nature. Some Digesters have something
against cruise
control in an M3. I can't find anything wrong with it. I say go for it if
you'll be using it.

Have fun picking it up in Germany. I know I would!!!

Jordi Cuervo
cueja@domain.elided
'97 M3/2

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