[CMW M Fan]

I'm looking at a 2015 6MT Alpine White M235i w/Coral Red interior with 52k miles and looks to be in immaculate condition and fully loaded for $23k. Wouldn't spec this car any other way. I'm going to look at it over labor day weekend. The common fail points haven't been replaced yet and I'll need to spend another $2k for scheduled maintenance and to redo window tint that is too dark for my states regulations

I've also been looking at a 2018 6MT Mineral Gray Metallic M240i w/Oyster interior with 17k miles, warrantied until 2022, and fully loaded. I can get it for right at the edge of my price range for 33k w/Shipping. This is literally the only 6MT Car with premium package in my price range that isn't over priced that I've found in the past month.

I'd be happier with an M240i for the tuning potential and I like the looks of the LCI refresh better as well. It's very hard to find 6MT M240's in my price range specced the way I like. I want to get into a car before winter as my current one struggles now but with the rarity of 6MTs a better deal is unlikely to pop up.

The only thing I dislike about the M240 is the Oyster interior and is the whole reason I'm posting. Beige interiors just don't feel sporty to me which is what I'm going for. I can't visit the car in person and don't know if I'd be able to live with it. How much and how difficult would a seat/interior swap be if I found black or red second hand market seats. Would this even be worth my time?

I'm having trouble deciding between the car I really want that's warranted but with a sacrifice or one that I want less with no sacrifices and is cheaper but some work needed.

[TonM3]

Originally Posted by CMW M Fan

I'm looking at a 2015 6MT Alpine White M235i w/Coral Red interior with 52k miles and looks to be in immaculate condition and fully loaded for $23k. Wouldn't spec this car any other way. I'm going to look at it over labor day weekend. The common fail points haven't been replaced yet and I'll need to spend another $2k for scheduled maintenance and to redo window tint that is too dark for my states regulations

I've also been looking at a 2018 6MT Mineral Gray Metallic M240i w/Oyster interior with 17k miles, warrantied until 2022, and fully loaded. I can get it for right at the edge of my price range for 33k w/Shipping. This is literally the only 6MT Car with premium package in my price range that isn't over priced that I've found in the past month.

I'd be happier with an M240i for the tuning potential and I like the looks of the LCI refresh better as well. It's very hard to find 6MT M240's in my price range specced the way I like. I want to get into a car before winter as my current one struggles now but with the rarity of 6MTs a better deal is unlikely to pop up.

The only thing I dislike about the M240 is the Oyster interior and is the whole reason I'm posting. Beige interiors just don't feel sporty to me which is what I'm going for. I can't visit the car in person and don't know if I'd be able to live with it. How much and how difficult would a seat/interior swap be if I found black or red second hand market seats. Would this even be worth my time?

I'm having trouble deciding between the car I really want that's warranted but with a sacrifice or one that I want less with no sacrifices and is cheaper but some work needed.

I've taken almost every interior piece off the car putting in speakers and a new head unit.

Not that difficult except for the rear panels in the back. mine is a convertible so the coupe may be different.

Seats easy, door panels super easy, center channel medium.

There are several full sets on eBay though hard to tell the condition from pictures. I have wanted to get an oyster interior for my convertible, but would just do the seats and leave the rest of the interior black.

I've been watching this set forever on eBay

[4Hockey4]

sounds like you should by his !!!


I love the gray/tan combo, always loved on 911...esp. the old ones. I'm unique

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by 4Hockey4

I love the gray/tan combo, always loved on 911...esp. the old ones. I'm unique

Actually, you are not! I agree with you completely.

My first BMW was anthracite over tan and it had a classic sporting look. I get that red might more expressive and fun. But, no need for OP to make it feel closed in, hot, and dark with black. More funereal than sporty.

[CMW M Fan]

Originally Posted by TonM3

I've taken almost every interior piece off the car putting in speakers and a new head unit.

Not that difficult except for the rear panels in the back. mine is a convertible so the coupe may be different.

Seats easy, door panels super easy, center channel medium.

There are several full sets on eBay though hard to tell the condition from pictures. I have wanted to get an oyster interior for my convertible, but would just do the seats and leave the rest of the interior black.

I've been watching this set forever on eBay

What's your interior color now? If I picked up the M240i and the seats aren't different from Coupe and Convertible would you be up to swapping? If it's black I'd be up for just doing the seats. The interior door trim actually looks ok to me. I don't mind the beige as an accent the seats as just the one color is just too much of it.

[CMW M Fan]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Actually, you are not! I agree with you completely.

My first BMW was anthracite over tan and it had a classic sporting look. I get that red might more expressive and fun. But, no need for OP to make it feel closed in, hot, and dark with black. More funereal than sporty.

The hot seats are definitely a downside for sure. I've got Recaros with black leather bolstering in my current vehicle. The cushions on the bottom and back are mesh so that part doesn't get hot but the sides definitely can get you.

I've always loved beige as a more luxurious feel but never had it in a sports car. It's also seemed like more of a classy choice rather than sporty. But like I said I can't actually go check out the car in person. Would hate to have it delivered and be upset with it. The rest of the car is great though. Maybe I need to go into my local bimmer dealership and see if they have any oyster specced coupes that I can sit in.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by CMW M Fan

The hot seats are definitely a downside for sure. I've got Recaros with black leather bolstering in my current vehicle. The cushions on the bottom and back are mesh so that part doesn't get hot but the sides definitely can get you.

I've always loved beige as a more luxurious feel but never had it in a sports car. It's also seemed like more of a classy choice rather than sporty. But like I said I can't actually go check out the car in person. Would hate to have it delivered and be upset with it. The rest of the car is great though. Maybe I need to go into my local bimmer dealership and see if they have any oyster specced coupes that I can sit in.

Does this help?

http://www.2040-cars.com/Ferrari/348...terior-835794/

[CMW M Fan]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Does this help?

http://www.2040-cars.com/Ferrari/348...terior-835794/

Definitely does look pretty good on the Ferrari lol. Maybe I'm being a bit too picky.

[dradernh]

[FCBuff]

I think oyster looks great. Would be happy with that all day.
I do not think the swap would be a good idea from an economic point of view, not to mention the hassle of sourcing it, shipping it etc. These cars aren't that special. Is it really worth it? maybe. That is up to you I guess. Get the gray/oyster m240 and be happy. In the end, if oyster interior bugs you, I would just go with m235 that you like. Or wait until another one pops up that meets your requirements. Sometimes patience is the best route.

[perryair]

i have oyster. its nice. picks up a bit of coloration after time, but also isnt nearly as hot and provides a respite from the dark void of all black interior.

[TonM3]

Originally Posted by CMW M Fan

What's your interior color now? If I picked up the M240i and the seats aren't different from Coupe and Convertible would you be up to swapping? If it's black I'd be up for just doing the seats. The interior door trim actually looks ok to me. I don't mind the beige as an accent the seats as just the one color is just too much of it.

Mine is the pleather black. But the rear seats are different on the convertible.

[NISFAN]

If it must be manual go for the N55 car.

Putting a manual in a 240 is like retrofitting an 8 track player because some think that old school is cool. It really isn't.

But in any case the seats and interior can be improved.

[TonM3]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

If it must be manual go for the N55 car.

Putting a manual in a 240 is like retrofitting an 8 track player because some think that old school is cool. It really isn't.

But in any case the seats and interior can be improved.

Anti-manualites

[RoundelM3]

Oyster really doesn't look like beige until you hold a piece of white paper next to it - works really well with Melbourne Red:

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by TonM3

Anti-manualites

No, Superior Beings.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

If it must be manual go for the N55 car.

Putting a manual in a 240 is like retrofitting an 8 track player because some think that old school is cool. It really isn't.

I cannot find any logic in this statement. If one prefers a manual transmission, and the rest of the car is packaged as desired, how does this at all relate to "old school" based on which six cylinder engine is present and what does being "cool" have to do with personally enjoying a manual?

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

I cannot find any logic in this statement. If one prefers a manual transmission, and the rest of the car is packaged as desired, how does this at all relate to "old school" based on which six cylinder engine is present and what does being "cool" have to do with personally enjoying a manual?

The two engines are quite different in character. B58 with newer engine management, throttle by wire, dual mass flywheel, makes the B58 compromised as a manual. My opinion of course.

Manual vs ZF8? I'm definitely not anti manual. There is nothing like a 6 speed Porsche flat 6 stick shift for pure driving reward. Modern manual BMW's are just a sloppy compromise and not the better of the two when compared with ZF8, especially so in B58 flavour.

[Pray for Mojo]

N55 has "newer engine management" whatever that means, drive by wire throttle, and a dual mass flywheel. You're acting like there was a quantum leap between the two akin to carburetion vs fuel injection.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

Putting a manual in a 240 is like retrofitting an 8 track player because some think that old school is cool. It really isn't

Originally Posted by NISFAN

The two engines are quite different in character. B58 with newer engine management, throttle by wire, dual mass flywheel, makes the B58 compromised as a manual. My opinion of course.

The facts about the engine are not the issue. The OP is looking for a rare car here...a manual trans 6 cylinder. He's looking at used cars, not new, so budget is an reasonable issue and choices are limited. He found a relatively new 2018 car in great shape with low mileage that essentially meets his desires. The part I find not "cool" is applying condescending purist standards to a reality-based opportunity. High confidence he will love the car.

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by Pray for Mojo

N55 has "newer engine management" whatever that means, drive by wire throttle, and a dual mass flywheel. You're acting like there was a quantum leap between the two akin to carburetion vs fuel injection.

No, B58 has the next generation ECU from Bosch. It has features that give you 'rev hang' on gear change, an emissions or anti HC feature. Look it up. The control strategy takes drive by wire and throttle by VANOS a step further, makes the connection between your right foot and what the engine does even more remote.

Don't forget the manual car is now the afterthought version, not the lead like it was in e46 days. The B58 programme is built to produce an engine for the 7 series, 5 series, 3 series, etc. Non of the top models are manual. They all share the same tuning characteristics.

That's why I say the N55 is a better manual application.

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

The facts about the engine are not the issue. The OP is looking for a rare car here...a manual trans 6 cylinder. He's looking at used cars, not new, so budget is an reasonable issue and choices are limited. He found a relatively new 2018 car in great shape with low mileage that essentially meets his desires. The part I find not "cool" is applying condescending purist standards to a reality-based opportunity. High confidence he will love the car.

It's a forum. The OP asked for an opinion. My opinion is an MT is not the most polished version of these cars. But if needs must the N55 is a better choice.

That might prompt a rethink about the more popular ZF8 version and help the OP out. Who knows?!?!? I'm sure the OP is a big boy and will enjoy whatever he decides to commit to.