Three Changes in Sept 09 - two of auto interest (??) & one very sad...

[vdk]

Sad to hear about Drake.


Excellent set of wheels you got there. By now I'd imagine the dealership pull out a red carpet whenever you come in to 'look' at a car.


Keep us posted!

[ovr50]

wow, a seden how rare is that

I don't know the split between M3 coupe, sedan and cab. in NA.

I have read somewhere that the M3 sedan (e90) is the slowest seller of the three, but I find that tough to believe from reading the BMW forums, the M3 Post site spefically. To me, having bought my first BMW in 1971, BMW is mainly about "sport sedans" which is what most of the early ones were.

Around here, I think the coupes and sedans are split about evenly. Personally, I prefer the looks of the sedan over the coupe (however the coupe is quite a looker as well). I like the slight edge in practicality of the sedan, and since the sedan only weighs 10kg more than the coupe, the performance differences are trivial. The drag coefficient measure of the sedan is actually slightly superior to the coupe's.

[G0dspd]

Around here, I think the coupes and sedans are split about evenly.

Same thing in O-town but I've never seen a cabrio E92.

I've noticed you got the 2010 license plates.  Are they standard or do you have to "order" them.

[ovr50]

Around here, I think the coupes and sedans are split about evenly.

Same thing in O-town but I've never seen a cabrio E92.

I've noticed you got the 2010 license plates.  Are they standard or do you have to "order" them.

I had those plates on my 535xi and tsfed them over. They are not the "standard" plate, cost an extra $25 per year with proceeds going to the 2010 Olympics.

I have not seen any E92 M3s here either. Other than the tin top, it is a much heavier car by several hundred pounds. Not sure I really "get" a cabrio M3??

[initial_D]

Very impressive car, Ovr. 

Only seen 1 M3 sedan, in Calgary, fighting for parking spots on a driveway with an X5 & Z4, all black in color.

[mmret]

Sorry to hear about Drake.

Happy to hear about the M3. 

How do you find the road/tire/wind noise between the 535 and the M3?

[ovr50]

With limited experience to date, I would say the M is a touch noisier regarding tire and road feedback. Wind noise is not a factor, nor was it in the 5er.

The wider profile, lower aspect tires on the M tend to make them follow the pavement grooves or tramline a bit but easy to get used to. I would say the cornering ability of the M is higher  .

Overall, the M demands that you pay a bit more attention to your driving. I like it (understatement).

 

[ovr50]

To all those offering condolences and words of encourage regarding the loss of Drake, I thank you and appreciate your comments.

It hurts like hell.......

[jamie1]

So sorry to hear about your dog Drake. He looks like the spitting image of our Jamie. She's getting up there too. She is about twelve. Was a SPCA rescue. I didn't think poeple who do not have pets really understand how hard they pull on our hearts.
Great choice on BOTH of the new cars. I noticed a couple of days ago your avitar was missing and a 2009 M3 was listed. I was sure you had a 535. So I thought I was losing it. Glad to see I was not.

[Giant Dwarf]

Hi Ovr, so very sorry for the loss of Drake.  Even a few years later, my family and I miss Shamus -- and from time-to-time still remind each other of funny little things he used to like to do.  A good dog is truly a beloved family member for many of us dog people.

As for the M3, well...  uhh...    .  I couldn't be more envious!  An e90 M3 in white with the pkgs you've got on your car?  Sensational!  I think I might choose the red leather interior, but if it was as good a deal as you've suggested, I'm sure I wouldn't be picky on a trivial aspect like that. 

You know I'm a die-hard stick-shift guy, but I'd be really keen to try the dct on an M3.  Good for you!!!

[safristi]

 

You know I'm a die-hard stick-shift guy,
[/quote].......


   is there a JOKE in there.............................somewhere...............somewhere........i just met a girl called Mavis..............

[ovr50]

GD - "You know I'm a die-hard stick-shift guy, but I'd be really keen to try the dct on an M3."

You would be impressed, I think, with this DCT. The shift paddles are just in exactly the correct place on the steering wheel, right side upshift, left side down. You are in control of the shift points, only difference is you don't have to work your left leg. It's easy to catch on to it quickly. One can really rip thru the shifts, and the tranny software blips the throttle for you on the downshifts. Very cool, and great sounds....

[HeliDriver]

Sorry to hear about Drake. I remember you posting pics of him years ago - he was a beautiful dog.

But... congrats on the new M3! A stunning car, and I'm sure it will be loads more fun than the (still outstanding) old one.

This time, I'm glad to hear you're not even pretending that this car might be your last. Should we have a pool to see how long this one lasts? 

[G0dspd]

GD - "You know I'm a die-hard stick-shift guy, but I'd be really keen to try the dct on an M3."

You would be impressed, I think, with this DCT. The shift paddles are just in exactly the correct place on the steering wheel, right side upshift, left side down. You are in control of the shift points, only difference is you don't have to work your left leg. It's easy to catch on to it quickly. One can really rip thru the shifts, and the tranny software blips the throttle for you on the downshifts. Very cool, and great sounds....

I've heard that BMW's 7-speed M-DCT is fantastic in the "new" M3 but that the Lexus 8–speed Paddle Shift transmission they have in the IS-F is a pain in the a$$.  Did BMW do a better job at calibrating the hardware or is 8 gears one too much?

[HeliDriver]

I've heard that BMW's 7-speed M-DCT is fantastic in the "new" M3 but that the Lexus 8–speed Paddle Shift transmission they have in the IS-F is a pain in the a$$.  Did BMW do a better job at calibrating the hardware or is 8 gears one too much?

I believe the Lexus transmission is just a torque-converter-equipped slushbox tarted up with shift paddles on the wheel.

Whole different animal than the DCT in the BMW.

[ovr50]

Here's some stuff from Motor Trend on the DCT tranny:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/112_0806_2008_bmw_m3_dct_first_drive/index.html

It's a $3900 option in Canada BTW. US article.

There are lots of links to the new M3 DCT.

[rrocket]

Here's some stuff from Motor Trend on the DCT tranny:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/112_0806_2008_bmw_m3_dct_first_drive/index.html

It's a $3900 option in Canada BTW. US article.

There are lots of links to the new M3 DCT.

Nice.......Getrag unit, eh?!!!!!

FWIW, I really liked the one in the IS-F too.

[Scaerio]

So sorry to hear about you four-legged friend. 

Congratulations on the new car, and the new winter beater.

[Allen]

Ovr condolences on your loss of Drake

[Turbo Bob]

Very sorry to hear of your loss Ovr..    A good dog is a companion for life.

And I'm not insanely jealous of your M3 at all.... no not at all.... 

It's funny 'cos when you first posted about it way back I knew you would get one, bucket list indeed. ha ha!