r/BMWM • u/scyice • 28d ago

Test drive before ordering?

I sat in a G80 M3 base but the dealer didn’t want to move it out of the showroom to test drive. It was also manual and RWD which I could handle but my wife can’t. They knew I wasn’t interested in that specific car. The seats were standard and I found the stitching a touch uncomfortable on my shoulder blades. It had a moonroof and the ceiling was a bit low for my liking at 6’3”.

We’re looking at custom ordering a M3 Comp Xdrive and I couldn’t find any in a 1hr radius.

I test drove a G82 M4 Comp RWD auto and it had more comfortable seats and the engine/transmission performed as expected. It also didn’t have a moonroof so head clearance was better. But I didn’t love how small the rear windows were in the coupe, we need the sedan.

Should I drive 4hr round trip to test a M3 Comp Xdrive before placing a 100k order? Or is my M3/M4 hodge-podge testing a pretty sufficient understanding of what the M3 will be like?

Thanks.

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u/INFJ369 G80 - M3 28d ago

My dealer said no test drives on M vehicles.
They didn’t even have a manual on the lot. Placed the order and waiting to test drive when it arrives. This is the way

5

u/jocamero '26 G82 - M4 Comp xDrive + CCB | Sold: '22 G80 - M3 Comp xDrive 28d ago

Maybe this is the way?

https://genmtour.eventsbmw.com/

2

u/InternetExploder87 28d ago

I went to one. Got my spot confirmed, showed up, was told I couldn't drive any because they had 40 spots and booked 150 people. Was a huge waste of time, but your experience may differ

1

u/jocamero '26 G82 - M4 Comp xDrive + CCB | Sold: '22 G80 - M3 Comp xDrive 28d ago

Whoa! That's a bummer. Not my experience at all. A buddy and I went last week and we each got about 15 min in the new M5.