£500! The salesman missed a trick there

Off the top of my head, and I think there's more:

- Harman Kardon
- Bluetooth
- Funny little armrest thing
- Fancy floor mats
- Shadow line exterior trim
- 6 CD changer
- Heated seats

The original purchase price was north of £50

I have to say, the M cars do seem to be well equipped as standard.

 

Went to collect it yesterday.

It's alright I suppose

It's one hell of mile muncher, it made the 250 miles back from Liverpool seem more like 100. It's much more comfy than I was expecting.

I got over 30mpg which is something I haven't seen for ages and probably won't see too often.

It's rides very well given it's on 19s and is less crashy than my Legacy.

I'm getting used to the gearbox, still a tad jerky at low speeds but I'll get there.

I've almost perfected the 'SMG lift' when giving the beans but there's a way to go yet. It's a challenge and I like challenges.

It's early days yet but it doesn't feel quite as tactile as the Legacy, not a problem as I wasn't expecting it but it just goes to show that EVO is full of shit.

It goes like stink. Unfortunately the Caterham has taken the wow factor out of it for me but it's a very different prospect having all that power off the race track.

I don't think I'll ever get bored of the noise, it's just beautiful. I've been driving round all day getting severely buffeted with all the windows open. The inhumanly perfect blip on a downshift has me grinning like idiot every time.

I've not really pushed it in the bends yet but or done anything silly like switch the DSC off but curiosity will get the better of me so I may visit Mr Walsh at North Weald before the year is out.

Love all the toys, I keep finding new ones and am just about to order some kit for the iPod so I'll have everything I need bar cruise control.

I like M cars

 

Will you be modifying?

 

No plans to, it's quick enough and loud enough already.

That said, it doesn't look much like the diesel estate I was supposed to be buying

 

Enjoy it Graham, mine was marvellous.

Over 30mpg is really achievable on motorway. 12mpg on a b road thrash and 8mpg on track.

I do think that overtaking is the M3's party piece.

My favourite bit of the SMGII gearbox was the blip going from 2nd to 1st.

Finally, you have to try a full bore upshift. You can only set it to most aggressive if you switch the DSC off.

 

I haven't switched the DSC off yet but I did a couple of flat out upshifts with it set to 6, no banging from the diff and quite smooth.

It seems you need to be totally 'on it' for it to work properly.

Just had a very gently drive into work, nice noise to start the day with

I really need to sort out a new phone, bluetooth is working but not with the address book and none of the workarounds seem to do it.

Also need to get the nav upgraded for postcodes.

And get a boot liner.

Another thing, my accelerator pedal seems to have 'step' in it towards the end of it's travel, is this normal?

 

there was no step in mine. Maybe it's an SMG thing?

Doesn't the shift go up to 7?

 

Just the 6 on mine.

Maybe 7 is with DSC switched off?

I've also got this 'M-Track' mode button on the steering wheel to play with.

I still think a lot of this stuff is OTT and aimed squarely at pub boasting tw@ts but I'm keeping an open mind

 

Seriously, you need to try a full bore on 7 shift.

 

All in time, you need a serious amount of clear road in this thing