Clean licence despite the train run, its 3 times weekly but I reckon plod is at home during my commute hours.

I may take the scenic route tomorrow, depending on how early I crawl from my pit .

DCT I know you did, we'll see whether I live to regret that decision. I might get the black grills in a few weeks...

 

Even the main road will be easier with that grunt. The manual box is fine just a bit longer than the rifle-bolt S2000. Have fun

 

So.. this is what I learned today.

The BM doesn't feel its weight on the move though its no S2000, round town it does feel big.
The wheel rim is very chunky
As an overtaking machine it is bloody effective, bordering on brutal. I dread to think what a GTR will do.
The ride is quite harsh IMO, this is contrary to what I had read I think.
16.8mpg on my way home, ouch
Bloody good fun.

Piles on speed very quickly. Revs very well, dare I say very s2 ish.

Faster than the vec dti.

 

Yes I found I used more juice in the manual (even granting it's greater lardiness as a vertible) and good word for it, brutal. Chunky indeed but good ratio. Ride is harsher on the 19s than the 18s but not so Just came across my invoice for the black kidney grills*. £72 inc VAT as new BMW parts so no reason to scrimp on fleabay. I got my dealer to 'help' fit them. Took the trained mech 20 minutes and much muttering in the beard. Good luck, get the elastoplast ready first

*I was inspired by Blurter (Dave) originally

 

Interesting, there are bmw dealers on ebay now Rog, the aftermarket ones look shit in the main

knights, who are fixing the undertray, quoted 151 retail saying they'd do them for 140.

so just twice what you paid, how kind of them. your price is consistent with oem online

this morning managed 20mpg, it was wet and in those conditions was a lot safer feeling than the S imho

 

Holy cow these things drink!

I miss my other 3'er a lot.
Still think the coupe is a very beautiful car - the wider M3 even moreso.
Still not of heard of any failed M3 lumps to date though, somewhat more complex but seem stronger than N54?

 

Fair doose Steve a double bank of F20C will drink more

Agreed Jason the stability and stopping power is leagues above the S. That day I drove back a few weeks ago when it totally p*ssed it down stair rods, at no stage was I worried, whereas in the S my pants would have been brown and dripping in my shoes.

Mine is going in for them to fix the wonky MP3 socket tomorrow, I will see if they still price the black kidney grills as when I bought from them. If so I will buy some for you, ok? It all seems a bit random to me

 

yeah Rog, if you don't mind, i'm good for credit but if you need my VIN let me know (i'll be near the car tomorrow as opposed to 140 miles away). i'm not talking to Knights on the basis of that quote ha ha.

Picking the undersealed S up on Friday, the undertray on the M gets fitted a week on Friday. It needs those black grilles, you were right on that (again). I like the combination of slightly agressive sleeper, v8 and a level of practicality. but i did when it read 8mpg on cold start, it seems to average out at 18-19mpg with moderately spirited driving (which would return 45mpg in the golf but wouldn't be as quick or much fun )

why did you flog that 335i Steve? Was that a DCT? that is a genuine sleeper imo, take off the 335i badge and only the dual exhausts give anything away

 

And the big flared arches and bonnet bulge!

More pics?

Rog need some new pics of your too really.

Tonight I saw an R8 trundle past me, then a white M3. It still makes me stop and stare...

 

Sorry no can do, not a member Funnily enough I have been driving this more than the convertible and not taken any pics. Besides its Interlagos Blue which isn't one of your colours However you will be at Snetterton shortly? My friend Josh the marshall there might be able to get us places to pose

@Nottm: I think Steve had had his fun roasting various surprised M3s and maybe one or two bits were starting to fray at the edges. The replacement sure is an ugly mofo avatar