Frozen Black Sapphire G81 M3 Touring

MJBO · 07-30-2023, 09:05 AM

Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

As a long time BMW and M3/M4 fan, I was keen to make a G80 M3 my first new M car earlier this year, but plans change and I decided to go for something a bit more versatile.

Having owned an E46 M3 6 speed convertible, E90 M3 DCT sedan and most recently an F82 M4 DCT coupe, when the time came it felt only right that I should complete the body set and order a G81 M3 Touring!

Here she stands today, 6 weeks old and almost 4000km under the wheels. Damn I love it!

But, the story.

As the owner of an automotive photography and video production company, the G81 would be the ideal car for my line of work.

Originally I placed my order for build in late 2023 with delivery in early 2024, but as chance would have it, an ideal-spec landed at a dealer with a sales manager whom I had a previous relationship with from a job years earlier, and it needed a buyer as the purchaser’s finance fell through.

Black Sapphire Metallic was my paint colour of choice, and while I’d originally ordered Tartufo, the Kyalami Orange was a refreshing change and that bit more sporty.

Two weeks later, I was driving it 1000km home from just north of Sydney NSW to Melbourne Victoria. Upon arrival, I dropped it straight at the workshop to be wrapped with the same satin PPF as my 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser 300.

It was difficult to give it up so soon for over two weeks, but the result was worth it! With satin PPF across the body and gloss PPF across the trims and roof, it looks just like a factory Frozen Black car, without the hassles associated with caring for it.

There’s endless discussion across these boards about the iDrive 8 system, I for one am a big fan, and would not have bought a car with the old iDrive 7. Despite not being a big functionality upgrade, the new system feels so much fresher, with richer graphics and those big crisp displays.

Two days after the wrap was complete, I was headed another 1000km back to Sydney for a project, with the first stop being Parramatta BMW for the 2000km run in service.

A few days later, and it was rigged up and ready for its first filming project at Sydney Motorsport Park, where it performed as exceptionally as I’d hoped. Shooting fast cars requires a camera car just as fast! This was the first of what will be many outings for the G81 at performance days capturing video and photography.

Coming up on 6 weeks of ownership at this point, with just shy of 4000km and about 4 weeks behind the wheel, the G81 has proved itself to be a tremendously capable and versatile vehicle that will be both an asset to my business, and a hell of a lot of fun!

For those out there that enjoy the nostalgia, a few shots of the previous models.

Matt@Evolve · 08-01-2023, 09:14 AM

Congrats on the new car!

This excellent.

Quote:

eljay · 08-01-2023, 09:20 AM

Excellent!
Looks great.

I think that camera on the back of it is thinking: "what the heck am I doing shooting this boring SUV when I should be doing selfies all day long?!" 😉

OC_M3CX · 08-01-2023, 09:59 AM

Beautiful ride. I wish the G81 was available in the US, I'd order it in a heartbeat.

///M TOWN · 08-01-2023, 10:18 AM

Very nice indeed

hpat · 08-01-2023, 10:55 AM

Car looks great
How much does it cost to wrap a car like this?

hufington · 08-01-2023, 11:41 AM

Love the interior.

///M TOWN · 08-01-2023, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hufington

Love the interior.

Goes great with that Sinister ❕

G30M · 08-01-2023, 02:07 PM

i need one of these things without the cinema screen and the fruit ninja apple

enjoy!!

tom @ eas · 08-01-2023, 02:32 PM

Looks fantastic.

NotSharocks · 08-01-2023, 03:16 PM

Looks sick.

This has been done before however.

The better sounding version:

MJBO · 08-01-2023, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt@Evolve

Congrats on the new car!

This excellent.

Thank you! Absolutely thrilled with it and loving every minute.

You’ve reminded me I need to order a set of paddles

Quote:

Originally Posted by eljay

Excellent!
Looks great.

I think that camera on the back of it is thinking: "what the heck am I doing shooting this boring SUV when I should be doing selfies all day long?!" ��

Haha!

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Looks fantastic.

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotSharocks

Looks sick.

This has been done before however.

The better sounding version: CTS-V

My ultimate goal as my business continues to grow is to mount a Motocrane on the roof. The current rig is a bit more versatile, especially for on road, doesn’t require as many ops and fits within a wider range of client budgets.

Now I’ve got the car, it’s only a matter of time

G30M · 08-01-2023, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJBO

My ultimate goal as my business continues to grow is to mount a Motocrane on the roof. The current rig is a bit more versatile, especially for on road, doesn’t require as many ops and fits within a wider range of client budgets.

Now I’ve got the car, it’s only a matter of time

I need to start a business...

DisonKlaud · 08-01-2023, 07:15 PM

excellent car! loving the G81! Great pictures btw

G30M · 08-01-2023, 08:02 PM

i can't help but notice the front fenders are much higher than the rear wheel fenders on every pic

MJBO · 08-01-2023, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g21

i can't help but notice the front fenders are much higher than the rear wheel fenders on every pic

It's just how they sit stock. I think its partly an optical illusion because of the smaller 19-inch front wheel. Would look better with 20s all around.

n1ghtwaves · 08-01-2023, 10:56 PM

Incredible build and utility, thanks for sharing.

Also, you have some really nice lenses and cameras, would you mind posting some high res links - I really want a few as a wallpaper \m/

MJBO · 08-02-2023, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n1ghtwaves

Incredible build and utility, thanks for sharing.

Also, you have some really nice lenses and cameras, would you mind posting some high res links - I really want a few as a wallpaper \m/

Sure thing mate, give these a try!

View post on imgur.com

///M TOWN · 08-02-2023, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotSharocks

Looks sick.

This has been done before however.

The better sounding version:

Nobody really cares about that GM crap 💩 around here

n1ghtwaves · 08-02-2023, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJBO

Sure thing mate, give these a try!

View post on imgur.com

Legend, thank you!

AG23 · 08-02-2023, 06:57 PM

Great post. Beautiful car.

ResIpsaLoquitur · 08-03-2023, 12:40 AM

Such a unique application. Car looks fantastic.

The photos (especially that driver’s seat shot) could be BMW marketing material!

Enjoy it in good health and may your business continue to prosper!

07-30-2023, 09:05 AM	#1
MJBO Major 2616 Rep 1,459 Posts Drives: 2023 G81 M3 Touring Join Date: May 2012 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 23 BMW M3 Touring [0.00] 22 Toyota LC 300 [0.00]	Frozen Black Sapphire G81 M3 Touring - the ultimate stealth camera car Featured on BIMMERPOST.com As a long time BMW and M3/M4 fan, I was keen to make a G80 M3 my first new M car earlier this year, but plans change and I decided to go for something a bit more versatile. Having owned an E46 M3 6 speed convertible, E90 M3 DCT sedan and most recently an F82 M4 DCT coupe, when the time came it felt only right that I should complete the body set and order a G81 M3 Touring! Here she stands today, 6 weeks old and almost 4000km under the wheels. Damn I love it! But, the story. As the owner of an automotive photography and video production company, the G81 would be the ideal car for my line of work. Originally I placed my order for build in late 2023 with delivery in early 2024, but as chance would have it, an ideal-spec landed at a dealer with a sales manager whom I had a previous relationship with from a job years earlier, and it needed a buyer as the purchaser’s finance fell through. Black Sapphire Metallic was my paint colour of choice, and while I’d originally ordered Tartufo, the Kyalami Orange was a refreshing change and that bit more sporty. Two weeks later, I was driving it 1000km home from just north of Sydney NSW to Melbourne Victoria. Upon arrival, I dropped it straight at the workshop to be wrapped with the same satin PPF as my 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser 300. It was difficult to give it up so soon for over two weeks, but the result was worth it! With satin PPF across the body and gloss PPF across the trims and roof, it looks just like a factory Frozen Black car, without the hassles associated with caring for it. There’s endless discussion across these boards about the iDrive 8 system, I for one am a big fan, and would not have bought a car with the old iDrive 7. Despite not being a big functionality upgrade, the new system feels so much fresher, with richer graphics and those big crisp displays. Two days after the wrap was complete, I was headed another 1000km back to Sydney for a project, with the first stop being Parramatta BMW for the 2000km run in service. A few days later, and it was rigged up and ready for its first filming project at Sydney Motorsport Park, where it performed as exceptionally as I’d hoped. Shooting fast cars requires a camera car just as fast! This was the first of what will be many outings for the G81 at performance days capturing video and photography. Coming up on 6 weeks of ownership at this point, with just shy of 4000km and about 4 weeks behind the wheel, the G81 has proved itself to be a tremendously capable and versatile vehicle that will be both an asset to my business, and a hell of a lot of fun! For those out there that enjoy the nostalgia, a few shots of the previous models.
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08-01-2023, 09:20 AM	#3
eljay Colonel 1444 Rep 2,127 Posts Drives: ///M + E91 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: NS iTrader: (1)	Excellent! Looks great. I think that camera on the back of it is thinking: "what the heck am I doing shooting this boring SUV when I should be doing selfies all day long?!" 😉
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08-01-2023, 09:59 AM	#4
OC_M3CX Private First Class 613 Rep 184 Posts Drives: 2022 M3 Competition XDrive Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Beautiful ride. I wish the G81 was available in the US, I'd order it in a heartbeat. __________________ BSM G80 XDrive
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08-01-2023, 10:18 AM	#5
///M TOWN . 16567 Rep 8,425 Posts Drives: M GmbH Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: North America iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 M2 [8.83]	Very nice indeed __________________ ///
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08-01-2023, 10:55 AM	#6
hpat Private 28 Rep 87 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 m3 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Car looks great How much does it cost to wrap a car like this?
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08-01-2023, 11:41 AM	#7
hufington Major 3121 Rep 1,354 Posts Drives: 2022 X5 m50i Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 Mercedes-Benz ... [0.00]	Love the interior. __________________ 2022 BMW X5 m50i 2024 MB S63 on order '18 X5 50i / '16 BMW F10 550xi / '13 BMW F10 535i / '07 BMW E64 630i / '03 BMW E65 745i / '95 BMW E34 540i / '89 BMW E30 M3
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08-01-2023, 02:07 PM	#9
G30M Brigadier General 3792 Rep 4,143 Posts Drives: BMW M550i; Kia EV6 GT Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Australasia iTrader: (0)	i need one of these things without the cinema screen and the fruit ninja apple enjoy!!
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08-01-2023, 02:32 PM	#10
tom @ eas BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 8215 Rep 18,823 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (19) Garage List 2018 BMW i3s [5.00] 2010 BMW M3 [6.50] 2015 BMW M4 [6.20]	Looks fantastic. __________________ Tom G. \| european auto source (eas) email: tom@europeanautosource.com · web: https://europeanautosource.com· tel 866.669.0705 · ca: 714.369.8524 x22 GET DAILY UPDATES ON OUR BLOG · FACEBOOK · YOUTUBE · FLICKR · INSTAGRAM
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08-01-2023, 03:16 PM	#11
NotSharocks Second Lieutenant 888 Rep 280 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: May 2022 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	Looks sick. This has been done before however. The better sounding version: __________________ 23 A91-MT CULG, 04 M3 Carbon Black/Cinnamon 6MT, 05 M3 Interlagos Blue/Black 6MT Dinan S3-R, 00 M5 Royal Red/Extended Caramel, 00 Z3M Coupe Cosmos Black/Dark Gray/Black, 04 X5 Toledo Blue/Sand Beige 6MT
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08-01-2023, 07:15 PM	#14
DisonKlaud internal combustion engine maniac 192 Rep 161 Posts Drives: E90 325i F82 M4ZCP G82 M4C Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shanghai，China iTrader: (0)	excellent car! loving the G81! Great pictures btw
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08-01-2023, 08:02 PM	#15
G30M Brigadier General 3792 Rep 4,143 Posts Drives: BMW M550i; Kia EV6 GT Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Australasia iTrader: (0)	i can't help but notice the front fenders are much higher than the rear wheel fenders on every pic
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08-01-2023, 10:56 PM	#17
n1ghtwaves New Member 45 Rep 8 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: Bay // CA iTrader: (0)	Incredible build and utility, thanks for sharing. Also, you have some really nice lenses and cameras, would you mind posting some high res links - I really want a few as a wallpaper \m/
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08-02-2023, 06:57 PM	#21
AG23 Second Lieutenant 253 Rep 203 Posts Drives: 2023 WRX 6MT/2024 M3 On Order Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	Great post. Beautiful car.
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08-03-2023, 12:40 AM	#22
ResIpsaLoquitur Brigadier General 4094 Rep 3,673 Posts Drives: 2022 M5C Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Earth iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW M5 Competi ... [8.00]	Such a unique application. Car looks fantastic. The photos (especially that driver’s seat shot) could be BMW marketing material! Enjoy it in good health and may your business continue to prosper! __________________ Not a BMW guy...but certainly an M5 guy.
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