"New" around these parts

[blue-mw]

Hey gang, been lurking around this forum for nearly a year now and thought I would finally pop in and say hello. I feel as though I’ve learned a lot from just browsing around here, so thanks to those that go out of your way to share your wealth of knowledge and experience.

I had an opportunity to get into an S85 M5 a few years back only to find that its price was too good to be true (rebuilt). That got me to Bimmerpost where I discovered the intoxicating beauty of the M3. Originally, I set my sights on a 2011 E92 Alpine White/Fox Red combo.

After eight months I had gone through too many PPI’s, too many scraped Frozen White/Blue Editions (where are the reds?!), too many warranty quotes, and way, way too many paranoid-inducing rod bearing discussions. I almost gave up at one point two months ago, but I’m glad I didn’t. Just before I almost called it quits I found a 2013 Interlagos Blue/Novillo combo that was only a day’s drive away from home. Under 25k miles, ZCP/PPKG/CWP.

Before seeing the car in person I thought Interlagos Blue was a very bland flavor, especially compared to LeMans. This was mostly due to the pictures I had seen being taken in overcast or low light conditions, but regardless I could not have been more mistaken. After a test drive and PPI I pulled the trigger. A good friend and I booked a one-way flight and returned with the car later that night. The way this color scheme adapts to light is absolutely stunning! And the best part is that I hadn't seen it under the sun until after it was brought home.

The following weekend I met up with another friend to learn how to give the car a proper detail and so we got to work at the crack of dawn…











Extended maintenance and soon signing off on a Fidelity warranty (factory ends first of the year). First “mods” will be cosmetic (tint, reflectors, gloss black front/side grilles, mirror caps, H5 V8 Lux Angel Eyes). Planning on repainting the front bumper imperfections then applying a clear bra over most of the car. Eventually looking forward to a Dinan DCT tune, intake, and doing the OEM exhaust mod, but I’m eager to hear any suggestions you guys might have on changes that can enhance the driving experience.

Religiously obeying operating temps and still saving myself for my first 6k+ RPM pull. Glad to be here and could not be more thrilled

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by blue-mw

Hey gang, been lurking around this forum for nearly a year now and thought I would finally pop in and say hello. I feel as though I’ve learned a lot from just browsing around here, so thanks to those that go out of your way to share your wealth of knowledge and experience.

I had an opportunity to get into an S85 M5 a few years back only to find that its price was too good to be true (rebuilt). That got me to Bimmerpost where I discovered the intoxicating beauty of the M3. Originally, I set my sights on a 2011 E92 Alpine White/Fox Red combo.

After eight months I had gone through too many PPI’s, too many scraped Frozen White/Blue Editions (where are the reds?!), too many warranty quotes, and way, way too many paranoid-inducing rod bearing discussions. I almost gave up at one point two months ago, but I’m glad I didn’t. Just before I almost called it quits I found a 2013 Interlagos Blue/Novillo combo that was only a day’s drive away from home. Under 25k miles, ZCP/PPKG/CWP.

Before seeing the car in person I thought Interlagos Blue was a very bland flavor, especially compared to LeMans. This was mostly due to the pictures I had seen being taken in overcast or low light conditions, but regardless I could not have been more mistaken. After a test drive and PPI I pulled the trigger. A good friend and I booked a one-way flight and returned with the car later that night. The way this color scheme adapts to light is absolutely stunning! And the best part is that I hadn't seen it under the sun until after it was brought home.

The following weekend I met up with another friend to learn how to give the car a proper detail and so we got to work at the crack of dawn…











Extended maintenance and soon signing off on a Fidelity warranty (factory ends first of the year). First “mods” will be cosmetic (tint, reflectors, gloss black front/side grilles, mirror caps, H5 V8 Lux Angel Eyes). Planning on repainting the front bumper imperfections then applying a clear bra over most of the car. Eventually looking forward to a Dinan DCT tune, intake, and doing the OEM exhaust mod, but I’m eager to hear any suggestions you guys might have on changes that can enhance the driving experience.

Religiously obeying operating temps and still saving myself for my first 6k+ RPM pull. Glad to be here and could not be more thrilled

Finally you bought her and with some advice from a guy from Belgium !
And she looks fantastic with her showroom shine ...your pics deserve the frontpage from a car magazine !

Congrats my friend !

[jiggz]

Welcome to the forum - great find!

I recently bought an Interlagos Blue M3 as well, and couldn't be happier with the color choice. I also added the Dinan DCT software, something you mentioned you might do, and I noticed the change immediately. It will change the default to D2, and also to auto mode - some people don't like this but I'm really happy with it. Definitely reduces the clunkiness, especially when slowing for traffic/light.

[BimmerRookie]

Gotta love ILB! I think it looks beautiful (when it's clean) under direct sunlight. The color has such depth and wet-ness to it!

[IB M]

Congrats! Great pics, looking forward to more pic updates as you add the Mods.

[GVIFlyer]

Great pics! Great looking car. Congrats!

[JJH]

Congratulations! From another IB owner from the other side of the world ....

[Mr. BMW]

Congrats! Nice pics! IB was the only color for me.

Change out your chrome grills and gills for some black chrome ones and the car would be perfect...

[New2Roundel]

Really dig the color--I now sort of wish I waited for something that wasn't white! Congrats on the purchase.

[blue-mw]

Thanks everyone

Originally Posted by jiggz

Welcome to the forum - great find!

I recently bought an Interlagos Blue M3 as well, and couldn't be happier with the color choice. I also added the Dinan DCT software, something you mentioned you might do, and I noticed the change immediately. It will change the default to D2, and also to auto mode - some people don't like this but I'm really happy with it. Definitely reduces the clunkiness, especially when slowing for traffic/light.

Appreciate the insight! Just out of curiosity did you have a BMW dealership add the tune or an indie shop? I know BMW endorses Dinan so it doesn't affect warranty (I think?) but just wondering if it would make a difference on who installs it.

[tenman]

Gotta love a ZCP

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by blue-mw

Appreciate the insight! Just out of curiosity did you have a BMW dealership add the tune or an indie shop? I know BMW endorses Dinan so it doesn't affect warranty (I think?) but just wondering if it would make a difference on who installs it.

BMW dealership.

I don't think you'll find an indy shop that can install Dinan stuff, it has to be an authorized Dinan dealership. Maybe there's some indy shops that are authorized by Dinan, but none that I've heard of. I guess EAG would be an example, but they're different from what I think you're referring to.

[DSilk]

I have always liked the Interlagos Blue. It's a great color for the M3. Congratulations!

[Beemdog]

Interlagos is nice, but just a touch slower than LeMans Blue...

[DSilk]

Originally Posted by Beemdog

Interlagos is nice, but just a touch slower than LeMans Blue...

But you can make up for it by adding an extra "M" badge. Everyone knows how much faster that makes a car!

[steveff4]

Great color combo. I had an Interlagos Z4MC and when I started looking for an M3, there was no other color for me. The way it can go from a purple to a dark blue based upon light conditions was what originally caught my attention.

[blue-mw]

Thanks everyone! I agree steve, it's like a blue chameleon. Nothing beats the reflections off the sun, but I equally love the way it looks at night under a fluorescent beam.

Two quick questions:

Out of curiosity, have any of you used clear bras to wrap the rear bumper? Tempted just for the peace of mind of avoiding light scratches from shopping carts or traffic "taps" but not sure if the cost is worth the possible benefit.

Also, the car will receive BMW maintenance care for some time, but I want to change my oil more frequently (say, ever 5k). My dilemma is is this: warranty wants paperwork showing proper maintenance, so I likely can't DIY since I'm not "certified." So I'd have to go to someone who is. Do I ask the shop not to reset the service interval so that BMW will still change the oil at 10k when the "light" comes on? Or will BMW still change it on that interval regardless of what CBS says?

Any input would be appreciated.

[noremaC]

This makes me want to get a paint correction for my IB

Looking solid

[loveskiing]

Originally Posted by Beemdog

Interlagos is nice, but just a touch slower than LeMans Blue...

You're correct and both of those are slower than the fastest of them all, SG

[blue-mw]

Popping back in after several months of ownership. This color has grown on me more than I could imagine. Since my first pics I’ve been busy with a few small things:

Gloss black side gills
Matte black hood vents
Gloss black/M-metallic grille
Jet black mirror caps
XPEL Ultimate Clear Bra (front clip, rockers, door edges)
Charcoal-based tint
IB XPEL’d reflectors
Glacier Black OEM exhaust mod
Dinan DCT Tune
Verstraße-style carbon fiber Paddles
Rear fog lights
Escort IX
BMW Floorliners
Fresh oil, cabin filters, spark plugs, differential fluid, and brake fluid

Still thinking over some:
Gloss black ZCP 359’s
Front splitters or lip
Jet black spoiler/trunk lip
Rear diffuser
Dinan CAI

And here’s where we’re at:

[MachinesWithSouls]

Interlagos blue is best blue.