...but honey, I just went for a test drive!

[DesmoDiva]

WOW  

Nice ride.  Enjoy.  

[KnightofNi]

I've already downloaded an autobahn PDF file and loaded it on the laptop we're taking, including speed limits ( or lack of limits  ). The hard part is going to be the 30 kph in towns and villages. 18 mph is mind numbing slow.

it's a beautiful thing 
just watch out for the asshats going 70kph. they come up QUICK. at least they have good lane discipline.

[sno_duc]

it's a beautiful thing 
just watch out for the asshats going 70kph. they come up QUICK. at least they have good lane discipline.

Ja, das gefallen mir.

I know I probably used the wrong form of Gefallen/Gefault, I'm still working on my german.

[sqweak]

so does that thing have a launch control mechanism? and if so, will you consider acquiring the euro spec software?

I don't believe so (I haven't made it through the manual yet), if it did I would think it would only be on the DCT and not the manual.

so you figured 50 was close enough?  

beautiful car, really.  if i didn't need a truck... well, no, i still wouldn't buy one.  but it's sexy all the same. 

The deal was really really stupid good.  The money factor is .00025.  For comparison, an 09 MF is .00275.  I'm paying about 40% less than I should be on an m3, and even with (if not less than)  a 335. 

[derby]

The deal was really really stupid good.  The money factor is .00025.  For comparison, an 09 MF is .00275.  I'm paying about 40% less than I should be on an m3, and even with (if not less than)  a 335. 

0.6% vs 6.6% ?

[sqweak]

yep + aggressive pricing

[cyrus buelton]

How's the performance of this compare against the 335 twin turbo?

If I recall, when the 335 twin came out, it had better performance than the M3.


Is that still the case?

[Autostrada Pilot]

That's the old M3 that had 333 hp.  The new M3's are a V8 (not I6) and have like 414 hp.

335i is rated at 300 hp (but really have quite a bit more than that.....especially with a chip).  Ask Beck, he's got a 335i w/ chip.

[sqweak]

I haven't spent a whole lot of time in the E90 335, but I can give some quick impressions and comparison to the E46 M3.

The v8 is a different beast than the old I6.  More torque down low.  It doesn't really get going until about 5k RPM...but during break-in I have to keep it under 5500. 

It's a little softer than the e46 M3, a lot of that is the technology.  I leave the shocks in "comfort" for normal driving (there are two harder settings, "normal" and "sport"), but "sport" is a little stiffer than the old m.

I'm still getting used to the variable power assisted steering.  Seems not direct enough in "normal" and too artificially resistant in "sport".

Needs a short shift kit.

I think it might need an exhaust too, it sounds pretty pedestrian but I'm going to reserve judgement until I'm past break in.

[NeufUnSix]

PS if you plan on keeping it for a while, I'd avoid the BMW recommended 8000 mile oil changes. Those make no sense on a normal car, even less on a high strung V8.

If you (meaning any of you) want to experience some damn good M-powered fun, I highly suggest you try an M-Coupe. Those things are manic, fast, balanced and just plain fun. Imagine an I-6 M3 with several hundred pounds lopped off, a shortened wheelbase, and a lowered ass-on-the-tarmac ride. It's not a true "M" but it's still fantastic. I liked it more than the M5, which is saying a lot.

[gm2]

Needs a short shift kit.

I think it might need an exhaust too, it sounds pretty pedestrian but I'm going to reserve judgement until I'm past break in.

you're gonna mod your leased vehicle?