BMW and M Power Owners

panthro · 23 Dec 2014 at 18:06

Didn't know that about the X3 and the Mk4 nav. 2011 cars with Mk4 lol.

panthro · 24 Dec 2014 at 17:08

mrk said:
Oh for sure Jez but what I mean is I've spent several years lusting over owning an M3 one day and one in the perfect colour combination and now it just so happens a nice example of just that has turned up, and it's soon to be mine.

I honestly have not felt the same about any other car as IMO the E46 represents everything I love about cars from the style of the cabin to the style of the body and a timeless look and appreciation that spans globally

I know I'll have faster and more powerful cars in the future but they won't embody the emotion that this one carries I feel and that makes it all the more special.

Wow, did you break down in tears after writing that?

panthro · 26 Dec 2014 at 12:48

mrk said:
Hopefully permanently losing the hardtop this weekend. I've attempted to make space in and out of the house but it's just not going to happen and keeping it serves no purpose so I'd rather £500 in my pocket

Big mistake IMO. Soft tops make too much wind noise and are a PITA to clean. Can't you leave it round your parents house or something?

panthro · 27 Dec 2014 at 17:30

I nearly bought an e46 m3 vert with a hard top a few years ago. Glad I didnt now, I'm far too lazy for all this hard top removal business.

panthro · 27 Dec 2014 at 18:03

mrk said:
Solution: Use the softtop only.

I don't like them, just my personal preference. My folding hard top is noisy enough for me.

panthro · 28 Dec 2014 at 16:07

mrk said:
Which car?

Z4 35i M Sport. I should really update the OP.

panthro · 1 Jan 2015 at 08:07

kona786 said:
Looking great mrk...but I bet your kicking yourself now your real fave colour combo has popped up for sale...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...dividual-smg-auto-3-2-2dr-convertible/2689663

I like that

panthro · 3 Jan 2015 at 10:59

They should put the DCT gearbox in the 435i like they did with the later 335i's.

panthro · 3 Jan 2015 at 11:10

thewanted said:
Have you tried the ZF 8HP? It's damn quick in sport mode and doesn't have that annoying tendency to jerk in town like a dual-clutch 'box.

Yes I've driven several cars with the 8 speed gearbox extensively. My DCT gearbox has never been jerky around town or in general, unless you put it into the fastest settings.

panthro · 3 Jan 2015 at 11:12

J1nxy said:
Why? The 8 Speed ZF box is a perfect match for the x35i engine. Fast changes when in sport/manual mode and can be bounced off the limiter if you want to. Other times it just shifts seamlessly and lets you pottle around quite happily.

I prefer the DCT gearbox, it's faster and more responsive.

Then again I'm probaby in the minority of x35i engine owners. For every day driving the 8 speed is smoother and easier to live with. Max attack the DCT is the better gearbox.

panthro · 3 Jan 2015 at 11:16

J1nxy said:
Have you tried it in a x35i car such as the M235i? Slow is not something that I would ever call it when shifting in full sport/manual mode.

I have; I test drove an M235i a couple of months ago, and have done several hundred in an M135i. I never said it was slow!! The DCT shifts faster and you feel more connected. The downshifts are more entertaining too. The 8 speed is a fantastic gearbox though. I just find it odd that they offered it on the later 335i and then took it away for the new models.

panthro · 6 Jan 2015 at 08:55

330d needs new calipers, discs, pads and the fluid changed due to the caliper seizing and warping the discs. £667 for the whole job, rip off or not a bad price?

panthro · 6 Jan 2015 at 10:11

It's from an independent garage that specialise in BMW. Car gave up on the way to work yesterday so got it recovered back to the garage and they're in the process of fixing it. Its only the front brakes.

panthro · 6 Jan 2015 at 13:37

I've owned my Z4 19 months and only just realised I can stream my Spotify via Bluetooth to the stereo

panthro · 7 Jan 2015 at 10:40

I'd be surprised if you get 20bhp from a CSL map only. You'd get more from the CSL ECU and a custom remap.

EDIT - then again I'm just speculating.

panthro · 7 Jan 2015 at 16:36

mrk said:
I can attest to this, and so can the people in my rear view mirror

I'll point comparison to the N42 4pot in my dedicated M3 thread because I have some valid points to make about it and its merits.

Dear God, when you buy anything you really become a fanboy. Do we really need a dedicated M3 thread just because you now own one?

panthro · 7 Jan 2015 at 18:57

mrk said:
snip

Ok so that's clarified, a new car thread, not a dedicated thread to the BMW M3, which is what I thought you implied. For the record I enjoy your posts and contribution to the forum. My posts are very dull compared to yours because I don't have as much time to post or take decent photos

panthro · 7 Jan 2015 at 19:12

Howard said:
I think it was fairly obvious he was referring to his new car thread.

Well I just took it at face value and was wrong.

panthro · 8 Jan 2015 at 19:21

Z4 is now sold. Sad day for me, it's been the best car I've ever owned.

panthro · 9 Jan 2015 at 14:03

Dr House said:
So I had a 3 hour test drive of a i8 today.

First, the doors are a massive pain it makes the car very hard to get in and out of.

The synthesised engine note to me was quite obvious, its a very easy comfortable car to drive and quick enough around town. However it really struggles to accelerate from 70 to 100.

It feels very well planted and completely stable at high speed. Overall its a lovely car but I would not buy one as if I am paying £100k for a car I would want something with a bit more grunt.

I was supposed to have a test drive this weekend but had to cancel. I've got no intention (or £100k!) to buy one either but it's such an intriguing car. I've heard that the power output is one of the only issues people have, but the overall package is what makes it desirable I guess.

Basher said:
I was sad to see mine go, too. What have you replaced it with?

The new car for me feels much faster than the Z4 ever did.

We can share each others pain. It doesn't get great write ups in the press but I still think it's the best car I've owned. Loved the drive, the interior, gearbox, folding roof, looks etc. The only thing I didn't like was not having cup holders!! Not going to replace it just yet. Sold it because we're moving house and I wanted some buffer money in case we need anything doing that is outside of the budget. Hopefully it won't be and I'll buy another BMW in the summer. Not sure what I'd replace it with yet but I like the idea of a 640d or a 640i. If I can find a good deal on a 5 series touring that's also an option. For now I've got an E46 330d touring, which is perfect for getting me to work and back and for cycling trips.
That's interesting you say the M135i feels faster than your Z4 because I thought it was the opposite. There wasn't much in it, but I thought my Z was slightly faster. Did you have the DCT gearbox in your Z4?