Buying an F80 M3 CP

[TheGreatDane]

Hi All,

I'm due to have spinal fusion surgery in 3 weeks so I've had to sell my 335i as I don't know when I'll be able to drive again.

On the back of that, I've decided I want to get an F80 M3 CP in a few months time so I'm starting my research now.

I'm after a Marina bay blue one with black interior + HK (I simply cannot live without a decent-ish audio set up any more in a car).

Is there anything I should look out for?

Any options I should want that I've not considered?

Appreciate its been asked many times but the caveat for me here is, I do not drive like a loon at all, at most I'll accelerate firmly to the speed limit and stick to it (residual effects of a 140mph shunt in which I should have died) thus I don't need options to make it the ultimate track toy/speed machine.

Budget is up to 45k.

Thanks

[Wills2]

Marina bay blue, that'll be a difficult find do you mean Yas Marina blue?

In terms of option I think full leather really transforms the interior and HUD is a nice option, fancy lights are always nice as well.

Edited by Wills2 on Monday 5th April 10:05

[TheGreatDane]

Not particularly a fan of YMB, I'm quite set on Marina Bay blue or if the price is within my budget San Marino blue.

To give an example this is ideal https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104020... sans the non icon headlights.

[Wills2]

TheGreatDane said:

Not particularly a fan of YMB, I'm quite set on Marina Bay blue or if the price is within my budget San Marino blue.

To give an example this is ideal https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104020... sans the non icon headlights.

I didn't mean you should buy YMB I was just clarifying MBB, as I think that's a very rare colour so second hand the choice will be minimal and that restricts the market in terms of spec if that's important to you..

Looks a nice colour though, although the one on the link looks like San Marino to me.

Edited by Wills2 on Monday 5th April 11:56

[Mr Whippy]

I’ve been looking at these. But maybe a manual as it’ll be my only car and I’d die a bit inside having an automatic

It seems if you want to get the right spec, being flexible on colour is key.

If you lock down on colour then it becomes much more needle in a haystack.

[PorkInsider]

Marina Bay Blue is extremely rare.

I don't think you'll have a lot of choices when it comes to options to look out for because there aren't going to be many to pick from.

I'd definitely go for full leather if you can, not the standard extended leather.

[PorkInsider]

Mr Whippy said:

I’ve been looking at these. But maybe a manual as it’ll be my only car and I’d die a bit inside having an automatic

It seems if you want to get the right spec, being flexible on colour is key.

If you lock down on colour then it becomes much more needle in a haystack.

Manuals are already needle in a haystack territory! They seem like a good idea but when it comes to the crunch, nearly everyone buys the DCT.

To put it into perspective, in the last quarter of 2020 there were 1,888 M3 Comp DCTs with current tax.

And 38 manuals...

[Mr Whippy]

PorkInsider said:

Mr Whippy said:

I’ve been looking at these. But maybe a manual as it’ll be my only car and I’d die a bit inside having an automatic

It seems if you want to get the right spec, being flexible on colour is key.

If you lock down on colour then it becomes much more needle in a haystack.

Manuals are already needle in a haystack territory! They seem like a good idea but when it comes to the crunch, nearly everyone buys the DCT.

To put it into perspective, in the last quarter of 2020 there were 1,888 M3 Comp DCTs with current tax.

And 38 manuals...

I’d have to drive one of each. Then wife will have the final say.

But I’ve already decided *if* I buy one that colour is going to have to be secondary consideration.

Ideally it wouldn’t be black though, with black wheels, and black interior.
Silver with silver wheels with non black interior ftw!

[Mr Whippy]

OP, I’m googling Marina Bay Blue F80, but even photos of it of one on the internet are rare!

You’ve definitely set yourself a challenge!

[Smuler]

Mr Whippy said:

OP, I’m googling Marina Bay Blue F80, but even photos of it of one on the internet are rare!

You’ve definitely set yourself a challenge!

One the list on Bimmerpost, there's a grand total of 1 in Marina Bay Blue

San Marino Blue, is a better bet.

[interstellar]

Only one car was built in marina bay blue and that was left hand drive according to BMW registry.

[TheGreatDane]

Bloody hell, I assumed with SMB being the individual colour there would be more MBB about.

Well SMB it is, but as you guys have said and how clearly apparent it is I may need to flex on colour then to find one that fits the bill.

[interstellar]

Marina bay blue is individual too but obviously only one person ever went there. San Marino is very popular as it’s lovely and the colour pops in different lights.

Probably the most in demand colour at the moment.

Edited by interstellar on Tuesday 6th April 12:55

[TheGreatDane]

I'm open to silver, greys and blues so I'll broaden my horizons.

I'm not a fan of red and I swore to never buy a black car again (despite them looking amazing) due to how quickly they get filthy.

[PorkInsider]

SMB isn't really a 'full on' individual colour - hence more of the SMB around than many other blues.

Well, to be precise, SMB 'was' a full individual colour to begin with for the F8x but then later became only a £1K option. I think that coincided with the M4CS release as it was a standard colour available on that.

The full individual colours are £4K+

[Stephen-733s2]

Out of interest, if you don’t drive like a loon and are having spinal surgery, how come you’re going for an M3?

[TheGreatDane]

Stephen-733s2 said:

Out of interest, if you don’t drive like a loon and are having spinal surgery, how come you’re going for an M3?

You don't need to drive aggressively to have a car like an M3.

And it will be purchased in a couple of months once I've recovered.