2009 BMW M3 Sedan: Mosaic

Damn you, Edmunds.
Damn you, BMW.

Sweet pics, it would be nice if we could see them larger though

You can see them larger by clicking on the photoflipper in the intro:

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/LongTerm/articleId=146346

Definitely one of the best looking sports sedans out there.

I have a two week old Lemans Blue / Silver extended leather 2009 E90 M3 with brushed aluminum trim and I think it look a little more unique but the white with fox red is still very cool.

Donna I love your job.

droooooool

Love the pics!

@philly19-

How do you like the extended leather? It's steep but it looks beautiful. I've been looking at a '10 M3, CTS-V, or considering waiting for an RS5. Your color combo sounds hot.

Best sports sedan out there and I love the carbon fiber trim you can get over the silver on the dash and doors.

BEST. CAR. EVER.

Ok no, but it's pretty close.

Nice pics, yes. But I noticed you left out a picture of the ugly, plain, and cheap looking dashboard & center console. I'm just saying not all elements of the M3 are nice.

Ive always liked that matte finish BMW executes so well. The best part is that all the materials and textured surfaces have that same finish which make everything tie together so well. It simple, muted, modern but can be a bit too sterile depending on color combinations.

I watched a video on the design of the 3 Series a few months ago and BMW went the extra mile to ensure all the different panels that were the same colors stayed that way in different levels and types of lighting regardless of the material used.

Ive seen drastic color differences in a lot of cars while under different levels of light and while using different light sources (halogen/LED ETC ETC) and it can quickly ruin ones perception of quality. Yes, I know most people wouldn't go that far but I'm all about craftsmanship and attention to the most small of details. Owning a renovation company (we specialize in historic/old structures) forced me to look for and expect a higher level of materials and craftsmanship.

Wunderbar!

Still not sold on the exterior style but others are so that's cool.

Love the interior.

Do NOT like that plastic box they stick on the engine to hide it. For this price I want to open the open and see a work of mechanical art.

Not the box it comes in.

whoops....I mean't open the hood

Sorry...I like my car better. I wouldn't have bought it otherwise.

I could take the same pictures of my car. It even has a round emblem!

These are the kinds of photos that you see on promotional material. They distract you from the meat and potatoes of the car.

bimmerjay

In my opinion extended leather is the way to go with the M3 interior as it lightens it up considerably (in any color but black). The stock interior is too dark although very nice.

If you shoot me your email I will send you pics of my car. I love my combo...its a throwback to the first E36s I fell in love with back in college but never had the money to buy...the electric blue with the white leather interior.

'10 CT-V or S5 is a great choice as well. Drove them both, traded in my leased '06 CTS-v for the M3. The CTS-V is a great large hotrod sedan but does not give you the same nimble handling and connection to the road that you get with the M3...kinda of like doing 0 to 60 in 4 seconds in your living room. The S5 is the best looking GT coupe on the market but it felt a little underpowered for me coming from the V.

The more I see Fox Red, the more I like it. And Extended Fox Red is stunning.

But I'd go with Carbon Leather trim over aluminum.

Exterior: Alpine White or Jerez Black. My favorite color was Sparkling Graphite, but that was discontinued for the '09 model.

Hoping to pull the trigger some time in the next few months!