EDC -- A must have?

[Bubbles]

I'd appreciate any input regarding EDC. Is it a must have? Car will be tracked and driven daily. I have an opportunity on a stripped M3 but it lacks EDC. Thank you in advance.

[M3twins]

I wouldn't pass up the tech package.. I wouldn't say EDC is an absolute must, but I am really enjoying the servotronic, not to mention MDM, M-drive etc..

[drvai]

Yes, it is.. along MDM.

All the rest is optional.

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by M3twins

I wouldn't pass up the tech package.. I wouldn't say EDC is an absolute must, but I am really enjoying the servotronic, not to mention MDM, M-drive etc..

That was my minimum requirement, until this stripped M3 came along at a great price.

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by drvai

Yes, it is.. along MDM.

All the rest is optional.

Is it a noticeable difference?

[J08M3]

I don't have it, don't need it, don't miss it, and couldn't be happier I saved the money.

[MrHarris]

Originally Posted by M3twins

I wouldn't pass up the tech package.. I wouldn't say EDC is an absolute must, but I am really enjoying the servotronic, not to mention MDM, M-drive etc..

+1000.

It's too bad you can't just get MDM/M-drive/Navi separately, as these are really great options to have. The EDC is great if you're planning to leave your car stock (suspension wise), but becomes more of a pain and the fact you dropped 1k on EDC only to have it replaced can be bothersome.

[gthirtyfizle]

take it as is and put a nice coilover system in it.

[M3Alpine]

no need IMO

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by MrHarris

+1000.

It's too bad you can't just get MDM/M-drive/Navi separately, as these are really great options to have. The EDC is great if you're planning to leave your car stock (suspension wise), but becomes more of a pain and the fact you dropped 1k on EDC only to have it replaced can be bothersome.

I don't plan on swapping out the springs. Thanks for the input.

Originally Posted by J08M3

I don't have it, don't need it, don't miss it, and couldn't be happier I saved the money.

I drove on the track in an M3 that did not have it and it felt great. I also drove in an M3 with EDC and we kept it in the normal setting rather than sport due to the track surface, the car felt the same. I wasn't driving though.

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by gthirtyfizle

take it as is and put a nice coilover system in it.

I'm not concerned on looks (the drop), but I can only expect BMW dialed in the suspension without the need of a coil over system. But I haven't had the opportunity to drive in an M3 with a coil over system.

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by M3alpine

no need IMO

Do you have EDC? and don't use it?

[M3Alpine]

dont have it but didnt even consider it considering ill be going with a coilover setup. To each his own though. Thats just my opinion. I dont think you will be kicking urself in the ass if u dont get it.

[URBAN LEGEND]

Get it. I have it and I can feel the difference in all 3 modes.

[ajj]

get it...don't risk regretting it later. you will find few people WITH edc who regret getting it.

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by M3alpine

dont have it but didnt even consider it considering ill be going with a coilover setup. To each his own though. Thats just my opinion. I dont think you will be kicking urself in the ass if u dont get it.

Good point.

Originally Posted by URBAN LEGEND

Get it. I have it and I can feel the difference in all 3 modes.

I would only want to to adjust it for track days, do you find it helps?

Originally Posted by ajj

get it...don't risk regretting it later. you will find few people WITH edc who regret getting it.

Another good point.

[RichB]

I use it daily (MDM, sport setting suspension, and sport steering). I like the more aggressive MDM settings for DD. I also like the tighter steering of the DSC sport setting. The EDC cost pennies compared to the car. Do not skimp the last few cents. More than likely you will regret being cheap (on a $60K+ car).

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by RichB

I use it daily (MDM, sport setting suspension, and sport steering). I like the more aggressive MDM settings for DD. I also like the tighter steering of the DSC sport setting. The EDC cost pennies compared to the car. Do not skimp the last few cents. More than likely you will regret being cheap (on a $60K+ car).

It's more about availability of a 2010 in the color I want than the cost but a brand new M3 for ~57k is very appealing. The sport steering point is something I overlooked. Thank you for pointing that out.

[Finnegan]

I have thousands of miles driving one with EDC/tech and one without. While neither EDC nor tech are "essential", they're nice. Should you get EDC and Tech? It all depends on your wants/needs (and the dollars you're willing to spend/save).

The comfort setting is a plus on rough roads. As you mentioned daily driver duty for this car--it makes a big a difference under those conditions. In "Normal" it adapts to the road surface and there's less nose dive on hard braking and it does seem to adjust stiffness in cornering as well. All of that is quite nice to have--but it is my no means essential. Without EDC the suspension still rocks. It's not only less rough than the stock 335i suspension, it's much tighter at the same time (it's basically in another class, which you'd expect).

MDM, which comes with tech, is nice as you can have a bit more fun with the car w/o the DSC nanny slapping your wrist. (I'm sure you know this, but unlike the 335 you can't turn the traction control off and leave the stability control on--without the tech package it's ON or OFF for stability/traction.) Tech allows more slip in MDM mode. It's a middle ground if you will. Why MDM isn't standard--don't get me started. As RichB noted Tech gives you two steering mode options as well.

Frankly, neither the tech package nor EDC are "essential". If you're a purist they're certainly not. Both add a level of customization and fun--at least for me--to the car but by all means the car isn't like night and day with or without them. The M3 is still a very capable and potent car w/o them.

I think it comes down to what you can save with the stripped M3 in terms of dollars and whether you think you'll regret not having certain options. Another thing to note on the stripped M3: if it doesn't have rear folding seats, DCT, nav, tech, premium stereo, etc. that shaves somewhere in the neighborhood 100-130 pounds off the weight of the car too....

[chmura]

No tech or EDC for me when I order my M3.

I want a "raw" sports car. By the time i'm 40 I want to purchase a new GT3. That is the ultimate car I will love and keep for a long time. Who cares about navigation or adjustable suspension in a raw sports car. A pure enthusiast could car less about it IMO. Hopefully after the M3 I can upgrade to a GT3.

[r53s65e90]

Just another opinion from an m3 driver with EDC:

EDC is great! I am glad I have it. I wouldn't cry all day long if I didn't have it.

It is nice to have all these tweaks (EDC, M-drive, DCT modes) that transform the car periodically keeping it interesting and adaptive to various needs. It is a nice adjustment to play with for amateur track day enthusiasts. Also, comfort mode makes the car very civilized for everyday driving.

If you could get it, it would be great. If the deal with the non-EDC car is too sweet to pass up, you can make up for it with a nice suspension mod later on. Even a non-EDC stock m3 should be a great drive.

Keep in mind that, m3 drivers with no long term exposure to EDC cannot really appreciate it and therefore feel good about not having it. You can easily be one of them, which is a win-win situation anyway

[Nawaaz]

Originally Posted by Bubbles

I'd appreciate any input regarding EDC. Is it a must have? Car will be tracked and driven daily. I have an opportunity on a stripped M3 but it lacks EDC. Thank you in advance.

OP: I was asking the same question before I ordered my M3.

And when I did order, I skipped all options except IB paint & the anti-theft alarm system.

7 months later, I don't regret my decision one single bit.