Which BMW?
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 39,548
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From: City Of London / Knebworth
Originally posted by ianl
Ooooo, I don't know - there is one especially bizarre incarnation with 2 wheels and a roof - fcuk knows what that is
Ooooo, I don't know - there is one especially bizarre incarnation with 2 wheels and a roof - fcuk knows what that is
The one you are referring to is the C1, heavy and slow. I am surprised how many of them I see in the City. Supposedly the roof makes them rather top heavy. If you try and corner them like a normal bike they are likely to topple over.
Banned
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 31,739
Likes: 69
From: Survivalist enclave
Well, the first way to tell the difference is that the driver wil be:
a better driver than you
more successful than you
more attractive than you
in your way, overtaking you or right up your backside
That's the stereotype and as an ex beemer owner I can see both sides. They do make some great drivers' cars and I think the price premium is worthwhile - just take a ride in a five year old M3 and V6 Mondeo - no contest on the wear and tear stakes, let alone neolithic versus star wars performance. That's what you pay for. Oh plus back up - my old dealer was simply the best professional, from any field, that I ever dealt with. I was prepared to pay for that. I still am, but I drive a Honda now and the customer is king message has some way to go.
People want what they perceive to be the best (they can afford) whether it's a car, hifi or dishwasher. I believe the market doesen't lie and if the cars were seriously overrated they would not sell as well. The drivers are another story but I think you can stereotype any make, except maybe Saab?
More seriously, it can be difficult to tell the cars apart. Looked at from the front they are all very similar (by series). M3s used to be easily identified by the large chin air intake and this is still a fair guide for E36 models. Not so good for the (faster) E46 because lots of new 330s look similar from that angle.
From behind there are clues and complications. Many owners (often those with the fastest cars) debadge them or even put a lower spec badge on the back. I took the badging of the rear of my M3 and found that lots more people wanted to race. I found the badge actually deterred most people or at least they knew there was little point, at least in a straight line on public roads. Without the badge, a rear wing and big tyres just proved too interesting....
Twin pipes together usually means a six cylinder - even the E36 M3 has a pretty ordinary twin pipe setup. Two on either side means an E46 M3 - it will kill you if it can be bothered. Six cylinder doesen't necesaarily mean fast - 320s are just OK but 328s and up are quick. Ditto 520 through to 540 (very quick) and 728 to 750 but these are heavy. Single pipe usually means 1.6 or 1.8. Twin pipes could mean diesel but they have torque and are reasonably fast.
Nerd alert!!!!!!!!
Have suddenly realised am in danger of metamorphosing into trainspotter so will sign off quick!
a better driver than you
more successful than you
more attractive than you
in your way, overtaking you or right up your backside
That's the stereotype and as an ex beemer owner I can see both sides. They do make some great drivers' cars and I think the price premium is worthwhile - just take a ride in a five year old M3 and V6 Mondeo - no contest on the wear and tear stakes, let alone neolithic versus star wars performance. That's what you pay for. Oh plus back up - my old dealer was simply the best professional, from any field, that I ever dealt with. I was prepared to pay for that. I still am, but I drive a Honda now and the customer is king message has some way to go.
People want what they perceive to be the best (they can afford) whether it's a car, hifi or dishwasher. I believe the market doesen't lie and if the cars were seriously overrated they would not sell as well. The drivers are another story but I think you can stereotype any make, except maybe Saab?
More seriously, it can be difficult to tell the cars apart. Looked at from the front they are all very similar (by series). M3s used to be easily identified by the large chin air intake and this is still a fair guide for E36 models. Not so good for the (faster) E46 because lots of new 330s look similar from that angle.
From behind there are clues and complications. Many owners (often those with the fastest cars) debadge them or even put a lower spec badge on the back. I took the badging of the rear of my M3 and found that lots more people wanted to race. I found the badge actually deterred most people or at least they knew there was little point, at least in a straight line on public roads. Without the badge, a rear wing and big tyres just proved too interesting....
Twin pipes together usually means a six cylinder - even the E36 M3 has a pretty ordinary twin pipe setup. Two on either side means an E46 M3 - it will kill you if it can be bothered. Six cylinder doesen't necesaarily mean fast - 320s are just OK but 328s and up are quick. Ditto 520 through to 540 (very quick) and 728 to 750 but these are heavy. Single pipe usually means 1.6 or 1.8. Twin pipes could mean diesel but they have torque and are reasonably fast.
Nerd alert!!!!!!!!
Have suddenly realised am in danger of metamorphosing into trainspotter so will sign off quick!
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,983
Likes: 0
From: Leyland, Lancs.
Originally posted by gaddafi
Twin pipes could mean diesel but they have torque and are reasonably fast.
Twin pipes could mean diesel but they have torque and are reasonably fast.
On the diesel thing - the instructor at Pau Arnos had a diesel 3 series on 17's (think it was a 330d) and christ that thing went!! Even with 5 blokes in the car it handled, accelerated and braked in an awesome fashion.... my 2p? You get what you pay for
Hell, I was behind and next to a G reg 318i the otherday and I have to say I was still really taken with its looks and the paintwork still looked fresh 
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 31,739
Likes: 69
From: Survivalist enclave
Originally posted by JamesM
The funny thing is......that if you actually look up the 'twin' exhaust of the older shape 3 series, it's actually only a single pipe with another 'end' welded on to make it look like a twin
. Apparantly a lot of 328i drivers were put off with the original single pipe when the car was first lauched, as it didn't look 'macho' enough
The funny thing is......that if you actually look up the 'twin' exhaust of the older shape 3 series, it's actually only a single pipe with another 'end' welded on to make it look like a twin
. Apparantly a lot of 328i drivers were put off with the original single pipe when the car was first lauched, as it didn't look 'macho' enough
What are you doing on your hands and knees looking up exhausts. I think we should be told.
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