M3:
So I put a new driveshaft flex disc on this thing, along w/the center support bearing. The car feels a lot more precise w/throttle application now. Makes it more predictable when sideways, responsive and sharp but also playful and more predictable.

Anyway, took it to the coast for a bike race, averaged 92mph or so and at 21.1mpg, not too bad. Amazing thing is, that's about what it gets at 75mph as well. Also it's only at about 83 decibels despite the roof rack/bike on it, which is EXACTLY the same at 70mph as it is at 90mph, I'm ///M-azed. Makes a great grand tourer. I only downshifted a handful of times in a 400 mile drive.

6/3/2012 8:30:44 PM

Was behind you down Leesville/Millbrook/Pleasant Valley/into WalMart (an Esprit happened to pull in as well, which made for an interesting WalMart parking lot on a Sunday morning).

Really nice, except... sounded like ass I tried to imagine E36 noises instead.

6/4/2012 7:57:23 PM

I had my bike on top Sunday morning going to the beach for a race. Are you sure it was me?

6/5/2012 10:56:27 AM

Was pretty sure it was. Were you in the Pleasant valley area at any point Sunday?

6/5/2012 7:18:23 PM

I'm pretty sure my 330ci gets basically the same mpg (+/-1 mpg) at all speeds between 65 and 90. It's weird. I usually get around 28-29 highway and ~21 city with around 22.8 combined.

6/5/2012 10:32:09 PM

Pezking, I was def. out that way visiting a girlfriend but the bike was on the car. I can't for the life of me remember if I stopped anywhere other than to get gas. :/

I mean I really like this car and it's a ton of fun. It certainly does quite a few things better than the Porsche but it still feels impersonal and not special enough in comparison that I can't say I miss it too much. Honestly though, it's certainly a much "better handling" car and far more neutral than a 911. I enjoy comparing the two. If I didn't have the 911, I'd probably enjoy the M3 a hell of a lot better.

6/5/2012 11:24:52 PM

Without having driven a modern 911, I would guess that the M3 is pretty clearly an all-around "better" car, and that sounds like what you're describing...

It just is not, however, nearly as good at being a 911.

6/6/2012 12:22:43 AM

A BMW not being good at being a Porsche?!

6/6/2012 4:15:11 PM

I drove a total of four 911 (one modified turbo S) and didn’t like any of them at all. Cars felt out of balance with all the weight in the back. I’d agree that it is definitely not a neutral handling car. I’m sure when you push, it will murder any BMW on the track, but the driving feel was just not my cup of tea. It kind of works out, as I wanted 911TT forever and test drives made it easy to decide new used car will be E9x M3. Will also save money on maintenance and insurance.

I still love the looks of 'em tho

6/6/2012 4:40:14 PM

Well, e9X M will hold it's own against quite a few Porsches. I'm quite certain that my e46 w/just coil overs and a decent set of tires will show it's quad tail pipes to my 996 w/out much trouble. Now a chipped 996tt makes about 500hp w/brakes to match and only weighs around 3200lbs so that's harder to argue against from a performance perspective.

6/6/2012 9:51:28 PM

Done, e46 gone. Yeah yeah, it was a cool car but confused character. If I own another BMW, it certainly won't be an e46 /M. I lost some $ on it but no longer have to worry about where to keep 2 cars I care about. Meh.

[Edited on June 8, 2012 at 2:27 PM. Reason : sold and gone]

6/8/2012 2:27:12 PM