Newbie about to purchase

[austinl]

Hi All,

Am about to take the plunge into M3 ownership as I plan on purchasing a White 2008.5 M3S GT in the next week or so.

I have been taking my time trying to absorb all the great information on the forum so far and it is quite helpful and mind blowing at the same time.

I have one question that is perplexing me as I am not a guru as some of you all are.

In regards to tires, I know I will need a set of winters for the 08/09 winter season but my question is with the stock RSA's will these be ok for my first season of driving or should I see if I can work a deal with the dealership to trade in the stock alloys and tires for a set of steelies and snows and purchase a dedicated set of summer/ performance all seasons and sporty rims? I am not an aggressive driver by nature but would love my new car to handle well.



i have been looking at the falkens through some of the great sponsors on here.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this and am sure I will have many more questions as I start to MOD my soon to be new ride.

Cheers

[Cudgel]

Congrats in advance! I just picked up my Crystal White Pearl (2008) about a week ago too.

I think it depends on the area that you live in (whether you get a lot of snow/ice or not). The new stock all season tires should be okay for the first season but I think going with dedicated snow tires will be definitely better. Remember, the worst snow tires will be better than any all season tires in the winter. If you plan on modding your car (which sounds like you will), then see if you can work out a deal with the dealership.

I'm using my stock tires on aftermarket rims and I plan on buying winter tires for my stock rims unless someone wants to buy them from me....:chuckle. If so, I would then just buy some steelies for winter.

Here's my car. http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=24149

Good luck with your purchase.

[austinl]

Car has been ordered....however changed my color choice to Black Mica....picking it up tommorow.....time to shop for wheels and tints :)

[Fuman]

get the 3M film for the front of the car.
That is one thing I regret not doing.

[Cardinal Fang]

Get a dedicated set of winter tires. It's that simple. This issue of the RSA's in the snow has been betten to death. They're not good. PERIOD. What you also have to remember is that the RSA's and all season tires for that matter, have a drop in performance when the temperature is less than 8 degrees Celcius. It's because they are harder tires for the heat of summer driving. Winter tires will give you the added benefit of a softer compound which allows for better grip on the roads.

Generally, I've found that our sponsors are extremely competitive with snow tire packages.

[MSMitch]

Prior to my MS3, I drove Jeeps and the Audis for a number of years - had dedicated winter tires for all of them. My MS3 was terrific this winter with a dedicated tire/rim package. Makes a HUGE difference, you will NOT be disappointed. Enjoy your car!!! BTW I liked your first colour choice better - faster you know!!! :chuckle

[JiNuWiNe]

Hi and welcome!

[tinythetiger]

I think everyone misunderstood him. He IS planning on getting winters for winter no matter what, it's just a matter of whether or not he's keeping the stock rims and RSA's. If he wants to switch, he'll switch with the dealer for steelies and a set of winters, then go get his own rims and summer performance tires. IMO the stock tires aren't shabby at all, haven't had any problems with it, but then again, I've been on winters for over half the life of my car (got it in Oct) and I've just switched back to the all seasons. I think you'll probably want your own rims sooner or later though sooo :P I'd go with getting summer performance tires lol (keep in mind the extra grip comes with some drawbacks though, such as reduced treadwear life and noise and decreased gas mileage.
+1 on the Black MIca :D (touch up paint is a must though)

[austinl]

Update,


I picked up my ride last night :) and took the long way home, I must say I am already loving this car.

I cant wait till I break it in so I can have some real fun with it. I went with the Black Mica M3S GT with moonroof, just need to get some tints and rims for the summer and grab some winters in the fall as I think I will ride the stock RS-A's till they wear out.

I will upload some pics shortly

[Cardinal Fang]

Well done and congrats on your purchase. Have a look at our sponsors section for tires, tints, rims and anything else that strikes your fancy and takes money out of your wallet.

[Fuman]

congratz man =)

[Cudgel]

Update,


I picked up my ride last night :) and took the long way home, I must say I am already loving this car.

I cant wait till I break it in so I can have some real fun with it. I went with the Black Mica M3S GT with moonroof, just need to get some tints and rims for the summer and grab some winters in the fall as I think I will ride the stock RS-A's till they wear out.

I will upload some pics shortly

Awesome! Congrats.

Sounds like you took my advice too. :)

[Broli]

welcome to the club, hopefully we will see you out and about this season.

congrats on the ride

[tinythetiger]

niiice! exact same as mine other than it being 08.5 ... unless you don't have LP :P

and don't forget touchup paint (sorry for doublepost, but i wonder when i'm going to be allowed to edit my posts)

[JiNuWiNe]

and don't forget touchup paint (sorry for doublepost, but i wonder when i'm going to be allowed to edit my posts)

When you have 50 posts (which is very close, I heard.

[Tokic_o]

and don't forget touchup paint (sorry for doublepost, but i wonder when i'm going to be allowed to edit my posts)

100 posts and you can edit
50 posts and you can post in BST Classifides IIRC

[austinl]

Well here are some pics of my ride from when I did my first detail of the car.....sorry if they are a little blurry the GF took the shots.

I hope to get some nice ones up at the cottage this coming weekend....should be a nice drive up too :)

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii225/kraizzed/IMG_4897.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii225/kraizzed/IMG_4898.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii225/kraizzed/IMG_4899.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii225/kraizzed/IMG_4901.jpg


Also a quick question, does anybody notice a very low whirring noise from engine when idling? Can only hear it when out side the car.

[el_gato]

congrats and welcome

[Cudgel]

Congrats! Very nice and shiney!

[mit-gee-mui]

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/belleTM3s_pics/IMG_4899.jpg
Looks like someone was shy....:chuckle



Also a quick question, does anybody notice a very low whirring noise from engine when idling? Can only hear it when out side the car.
Like this?
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=10481&highlight=idle+noise
Or this?
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=9431&highlight=idle+noise
Or this?
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=12649&highlight=idle+noise
How about this?
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=24199&highlight=engine+whirring
Or this?
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=22814&highlight=engine+whirring

[Aggy]

Need some pics with the moonroof tilted up lol!

Sweet ride!


Well here are some pics of my ride from when I did my first detail of the car.....sorry if they are a little blurry the GF took the shots.

I hope to get some nice ones up at the cottage this coming weekend....should be a nice drive up too :)

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii225/kraizzed/IMG_4897.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii225/kraizzed/IMG_4898.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii225/kraizzed/IMG_4899.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii225/kraizzed/IMG_4901.jpg


Also a quick question, does anybody notice a very low whirring noise from engine when idling? Can only hear it when out side the car.

[austinl]

I will post some more pics hopefully tommorow after Iget my tints done, going to audio heaven tommorow, and maybe some new rims if I can squeeze it in.


mit-gee-mui Search > me lol

Thanks for the links....i guess its nothing to worry about.