I leased an 08 M3 when they came out and got the DCT. Ya it shifts fast but it's just boring. No excitement when driving. I leased an 11' M3 again last year and opted for the 6 speed. Without hesitation I would choose 6 speed again. It's just so much more involving and exciting to drive.

 

i'm a DCT owner too and disagree about it being boring. perhaps when driven in D mode (shifts automatically) with the least aggressive shift profile like my wife does

it makes driving fast so much easier, so if that's boring then i suppose you can call it boring. but i took mine on the track and also on the Tail of the Dragon, and that transmission performed flawlessly and in doing so allowed me to concentrate more on my line and being smooth with the brake and throttle. maybe you're a more experienced manual driver on the track - but it does make a novice feel like Sebastian Vettel out there.

i got the DCT too because i didn't want two manual cars. again, may not be applicable to you.

the M3's seem to be bulletproof so far, so buy with confidence if the car passes PPI. the gas consumption makes you die a little bit inside everytime you fill the tank, though

 

OP,
DCT: I own a 6MT E90 and have driven a DCT "enthusiastically" for an extended peroid of time. It really is up to what you prefer in a car. If you'll be stuck in traffic often, I'd say get the DCT, but if you always loved rowing a 6MT, then you may be dissappointed with how easy it is to drive the DCT. Also note, for 2008 sedans, only late models were fitted with DCT, so it's quite rare to find a 2008 sedan with DCT. DCT was an option on the coupe launch in 2008.

EDC: As others have pointed out, a "stripper" non-EDC M3 is actually quite hard to find. A few things to note, the 2008 models, EDC was either a standalone option or came with the "tech package" which also included "M-Drive" which included M-dyanamic Mode for the differential and navigation. If you're going for an 08, get the tech packaged car as it gives you the feature to store your M settings. The easiest way to tell if it has the tech package is to look for the "M" button on the steering wheel.
Second thing to note for EDC is in 2010, M3s came with the ZCP option (competition package). Aside from cool 19 inch wheels and few minor tweeks in suspension and diff setting, ZCP came with modified EDC setting when the car is put in M-Drive. It created a "dynamic" mode on the "Sport" setting. In contrast non-ZCP sport setting is a "fixed" setting, meaning the shocks stiffen and does not have too much give when you encounter say a dip on a road course.

I-Drive: I suggest getting the new I-drive 2009-2012 models. It's easier to use, and the screen is clearer, and the GUI was revamped. Is it that much better than 2008? I wouldn't say so, but given the minor differences in price for 08s and 09s, you should just buy the 09 with the new I-drive.

 

Solid advice so far from everyone.

Just an fyi that if you are concerned with EDC being "useless" once you mod the suspension, fear not. Many kits such as KW include a module to retain the EDC functionality (although the different levels are harder to differentiate).

I was 50/50 on transmission when I bought my e92 M3. Every week I flip flop whether I should have bought a manual. I've heard taking the DCT to the track cures all, which I will be trying out once the weather behaves.

Finally, I don't have iDrive and couldn't care less. Many people say it is a must have which I respect. For me it wasn't a top shelf priority in finding a car (enabled me to get a car with much lower miles/kms).

Good luck

 

I just found out that 2008 MDM and sport steering is now a easy retrofit via coding.

 

I wouldn't say easy, and there is a hardware upgrade required as well.

See this link for full details --> http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=676825

 

I ordered and currently drive a Non-EDC/No Sunroof/Manual seats/M-DCT E90 M3. I did not order the EDC simply because the standard suspension in the current is dialed with 'normal' mode. For you to achieve the best laps around a track-normal mode is best so I figured heck with EDC.

In addition, modding your suspension with EDC requires coding in most cases which adds to the cost. EDC struts are much more expensive that the standard ones. (Source: getbmwparts.com). I feel a Non-EDC car will retain its value longer considering that out of warranty-this will be the safer car to own and maintain especially as it relates to the suspension.

I also ordered my car with manual seats and no-sunroof to reduce any complexity down the road. As with any BMW-if you can avoid automation/sensors.. the longer the car will go w/o issues.

 

Personally, I would opt for the 6 speed manual. There's nothing like driving an old fashion manual Stick to the roots

 

non-edc suspension is not like "normal". EDC is dynamic. Non-EDC would be equivalent to "sport" setting for a non ZCP car, with difference in stiffness.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=197521

 

This.

 

I personally like 6 speed manual as well.