On my way back from golf (Forest Pines)... trying to scare a friend (passenger) who barely drives above 60

I was having a bit of fun in the good weather, hope it wasn't too crazy

 

This occurred to me earlier today when I saw one on the motorway also I suspect they will depreciate to buttons.

Good write up.

 

Chilled - god knows how you ever managed 36mpg???

I drove from Notts to Kent yesterday and since I was very early decided to take it easy. Managed 37mpg at 65-70 for the whole motorway journey.

This is the most I have ever got from the car and deeply impressive from a TT 3.0 petrol IMO.

Got bored on the way back and due to having some fun with a Vantage V8 cab (not that quick are they??), my mpg dropped to 33.

How do you get 36mpg from an M3, 56mph the whole way?

 

It was 70mph, no stereo, no ac, all unnecessary electrics off, and I never slowed for the entire 2 hour journey. Motorway practically all the way.

Whereas last night I got 12mpg. went for a blast to the welsh coast.

But I got fault. One of the rear wheel abs/tyre pressure/speed sensors has died so my DTC is disabled at the moment.

 

12 mpg

Never tend to get lower than 17 even with very hard driving.

DTC... mine is switched off most of the time during the summer. The traction is improved as the e-diff is enabled when the DTC is completely off. It's not that great though as the inside wheel can still spin... I really miss not having a real LSD.

 

The e-diff on the M3 is great. My record is now 1.5 times round a roundabout in a single drift. And I could do more I if I didn't want to keep my rear tyres.

 

TBH, the e-diff is a lot more idiot-proof, as well as cheaper than a Torsen (I always think of Linda Thorsen when I type that - dinosaur). I can see why they're catching on. But a proper diff is better.

That MPG is really quite impressive though. No wonder these hypercharged engines are the next killer application.

The dubious, possibly good, news is, the next einser gets a longer wheelbase, a more E90 bodystyle and hopefully its weight is kept in check.

 

I hope so.

My lease terms are usually 2 years, so 370Z in May 10 and then hopefully an M 1er in 2012!

Chilled - I thought the M3 had a real LSD? (I thought all M's had LSD's).

 

So if this is a mid term report, after a year, does it mean you are changing in a years time?

 

My apologies, it's an M-Diff
What is the M Differential Lock and how does it work?
The M Differential Lock, fitted as standard equipment to every E46 M3, is an advanced version of the traditional limited slip differnetial. Though still entirely mechanical in operation, the M Differential Lock is activated when there is a difference in rotational speed between the two rear wheels. This difference pressurizes a viscous silicon fluid, which then operates a multi-disc clutch that directs more power to the wheel with the greatest traction

Don't know when I'm going to change. it's mid-term. There's more than one term in a semester...