Took delivery of '08 M3 (dual clutch trans)

I picked up my new M3 yesterday. After going back & forth over whether to get silver or white, I ultimately decided on white because I love the look of it with the carbon fiber roof. Plus, I've had plenty of silver cars and have never owned a white one. I'm planning on tinting the windows, which I think further compliments the white ext with carbon roof.

I'm going to hold off for a few hundred miles before getting on it hard, but so far I'm loving the new transmission. The shifts are quick and smooth. The interior noise is very quiet and the quality of the interior is a big leap over my previous M3s. I'm not as crazy about the exterior as I was about the E46 when I first got it, but I'm sure it'll grow on me.

Here are some pics...
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I appreciate all of the comments & well wishes.

I drove it to work today and got a better feel for it than I got to on the way home from picking it up. I'm holding off for a few hundred miles before really getting on it, so I'm sure my opinions & impressions will continue to change as I log more miles, but so far I'm liking the transmission. The shifts are lightning quick as expected, but you don't get the kick/jolt you get from driving & shifting hard in an F1 Ferrari or SMG BMW, for instance. It's just a super smooth transition into the higher gear, so in that sense it feels sort of like a powerful automatic.

I'm wondering if the "decrease in feel" might not be well received by some drivers who love to feel the power at their hands & feet. No doubt many will love the technology and super fast shifts though. For now, I'm enjoying every second in it and can't wait to drive it more.

On a side note, I know seeing all of the tiny blemishes you see on the paint when you get very close is going to bother the hell out of me. I'm thinking about putting 3M Stoneguard on the front & partially the sides (which would be the full kit). Anybody have any recommendations on if it's worth it? My only concern is that with the car being white, I'll probably see those tiny little blemishes on other areas of the car that the 3M doesn't cover. Is it just unavoidable with a white car or would putting the 3M kit probably cover 90+% of the problem areas?

 

Thx for the tip about the clear bra. I guess I'll have to take my chances or find a good alternative bcz I'll feel better than having no protection on hardest hit areas. I'm waiting on a price from Cauley Ferrari, whom I've had install 3M Stoneguard on at least 5 cars, and they do a phenominal job every single time (although none has ever been on a white car). The only concern is the price, especially because I might consider protecting more of the body than I usually do and that can get very pricy real quick.

I haven't been reading reviews about the M3, so I hadn't heard about the throttle complaints. It was actually the first thing that was crossing my mind when I drove it out of the BMW building. Picture driving any car you've ever owned and accidentally starting to drive after realizing you just accelerated with the parking break still pulled. That's what the throttle lag had me thinking on more than one occasion. It's going to take some getting used to.

I hear ya about the break in mileage. It's actually 1,250 and I believe 5,500 RPMS to stay under, although I could be mistaking about that. I'll stick to the rules, but it certainly isn't easy.

I'm not impressed with the sound, nothing special at all, unfortunately. I was just browsing the site you referenced and saw this thread -
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138647
I might look into getting the same exhaust. He said he was going to post a sound clip of it, but I didn't see it in the thread. Hopefully it's in another thread posted by him or somebody else. I have a TUBI on my 599 (which makes everything else sound like a dustbuster) and will make a short video/sound clip of both the 599 and M3 within the next couple of days.