New M3 - EDC a Vital Option?

[roadsweeper]

Hi

I have a mate who has a new M3 on order. He has specified literally everything on the options list except EDC at £1,200. Evo magazine this month contains a review of the M3 and states something along the lines of, "Like Porsches and PASM, virtually all M3s will have EDC specced because of the drastic effect of not having it on residuals." My mate is now worried and although his dealer have assured him it's not going to impact the residuals, he's wondering if he should add it (if he can because it might be too late already).

Thoughts of M-powered PHers would be much appreciated.

Cheers,

roadie.

[roadsweeper]

Anyone?!

[outnumbered]

I'd have thought EDC is likely to be pretty commonly specified in the UK , given our uniquely crap roads. So your mate may have made a mistake there...

[DoctorD]

I drove the M3 for EVO magazine and contributed my thoughts to the article you read. I found EDC to be pretty ideal in practice, we could soften it to ride better than the RS4 we drove alongside, but in full sport mode it gave no body roll and yet was still reasonably compliant. I understand from BMW that the conventional springed M3 (without EDC) will be slightly softer than in the full SPORT mode of EDC, so it seems that the sportiest option is with EDC, hence the comment that we think it will become standard as on a 997.

Edited by DoctorD on Saturday 4th August 19:22

[EC2]

Electronic damping is a worthwhile option on any car you can get it on if you want to drive it. Mind it hardly any 987s or TT2s come with PASM or Magnetic ride resp so punters don't seem to care.

[roadsweeper]

Thanks all.

[Zod]

I'd get it. I use the "soft" and hard setting son the m5, never the middle one. The soft one is great around town and on motorways. One press of the M button and I'm in full attack mode.