Which car to buy?

[sno_duc]

On BMW's there is a button marked "DTC". Press it and the electronic nanny is not nearly so annoying. (you can get the rear end to step out  ) Press and hold it down for 7 seconds and the electronic nanny is turned off, not really good for long tire life.

[swampduc]

I did turn it down on the m3 
the salesman wouldn't let me turn it off 

[muskrat]

Drive the c63 yet? 

[swampduc]

Drive the c63 yet? 

won't be easy to do. I'll probably have to make a trip to Houston for that.

[DRKWNG]

Find a pre-loved, late model S2000 and give Oscar Jackson a call.  They offer a centrifugal super charger kit that puts 340 to the wheels (380 in high boost configuration) and retains all sorts of drivability.  Those cars handle like you wouldn't believe, are close to bullet proof, and will walk all over cars costing significantly more any time you see a turn.   

[Randimus Maximus]

This is one reason I haven't really considered the IS-F. It's not offered with a manual.

Go drive one.



Sounds like an old 5.0 Mustang at idle, sings like an IndyCar north of 5K rpms.

Uber smooth.

And fast.

[swampduc]

Find a pre-loved, late model S2000 and give Oscar Jackson a call.  They offer a centrifugal super charger kit that puts 340 to the wheels (380 in high boost configuration) and retains all sorts of drivability.  Those cars handle like you wouldn't believe, are close to bullet proof, and will walk all over cars costing significantly more any time you see a turn.   

I sold my 04 S2k about 6 months ago. I was just tired of it. Of course, mine was stock, so it was a little lacking in grunt, but I just didn't want something that "committed" right now. Mine wasn't bulletproof, but it wasn't bad. In the 3 yrs I had it, it suffered a couple of bent exhaust valves and required one replacement convertible top.

[DRKWNG]

Shame.  I loved my '07, and really wish I had been able to keep it.  Alas, a move to DC and a big bouncy dog kept me from having that thing as an only car. 

In that case, the 335is would be a great ride.  Get some Dinan parts for the suspension, and give the crazy Jamaicans at AA a call for some software.  You'll eat M3s for breakfast.

[swampduc]

Shame.  I loved my '07, and really wish I had been able to keep it.  Alas, a move to DC and a big bouncy dog kept me from having that thing as an only car. 

In that case, the 335is would be a great ride.  Get some Dinan parts for the suspension, and give the crazy Jamaicans at AA a call for some software.  You'll eat M3s for breakfast.

I'm intrigued. Who is AA?

[sno_duc]

I did turn it down on the m3 
the salesman wouldn't let me turn it off 

You need to go out with the CA that helped us when we bought the wifes 335.
We were looking at a very low mileage 1 year old Z4.
She went out, came back in 30 - 45 minutes.
Then it was my turn. When we got back the salesman and I both had $hit eatting    .
Wife gave me the classic "whatda you do" looks.....I shrugged my shoulders and said "you don't want to know"      
While I was out stress testing the tires and suspension, she wandered the lot and found her 335.

The really fun part was we were both in "work on the house" jeans and sweat shirts, so when we said Ok, they kinda gave us the 'look', then they ran our credit IIRC 838 at the time.......you can take it home today  .

[swampduc]

Sno duc, earlier you had asked about ethanol in fuel. E10 is standard, but there are 5 stations that sell pure gas. That's what the SBKs always get. On a road trip it woul be different of course. How common are fuel pump failures? The salesman the other day said that bmw had an extended warranty specifically on the fuel pump fir this reason.

[Kopfjäger]

Sno duc, earlier you had asked about ethanol in fuel. E10 is standard, but there are 5 stations that sell pure gas. That's what the SBKs always get.

For road trips. 

www.pure-gas.org

[sno_duc]

We have not had any problems, the wifes is an 08 with 30k on the odometer, my dad had one go out on his 135 (he splits time between CO & TX), mines a 2011 only 2k.
From what I've been reading it is a problem, and I really think the ethanol is to blame. Of course no one is going to stick their neck out and map the problems vs ethanol %. Ethanol is kinda the fair haired child right now. However as more auto maker go to direct inject using either a Bosch HPFP or one under license from Bosch, at some point the Feds will have to admit that ethanol is for medicinal uses only.
If your set on a 3 series, consider the 335d. (go test one, it ain't your fathers Olds diesel)

Another BMW to consider is a 1st generation Z4 M. It's more of a pure sports car with a 330 hp NA (no HPFP) six.
Because Alaska doesn't use ethanol, when it comes time to replace my 135, I'll propably go with a Z4 3.5, taking delivery in München.

[Howie]

Premature fuel pump wear has been a problem since E10 hit the market.  The ethanol reduces the lubricity of the fuel.  Direct injection uses higher pressure and the pressure is more critical so the problem is showing up earlier.  You will see this on more brands in the future.

[mitt]

Premature fuel pump wear has been a problem since E10 hit the market.  The ethanol reduces the lubricity of the fuel.  Direct injection uses higher pressure and the pressure is more critical so the problem is showing up earlier.  You will see this on more brands in the future.

But E15 is OK for all cars after 2007 right (sarcastic smiley)?

mitt