Just arrived from IND and ECS, Mineral Grey Painted Fender Trim, Painted Front Reflectors, and Europe factory-correct ///M side badges.
Sh't's gettin' real.
BJ
I'm just doing what BMW is doing. They've created a car called the M235i which, to my eyes, is no different than what a 235i would have been with the M-Sport package and M-Sport suspension. So my 428i with the same bits (some would argue better bits) can be referred to as an M428i. Am I missing something?
I am not against the M3 or M4.BJ I am part of the main BMW group here. We have over 900 members within the twin cities and yes a very high number of those that have M3s track them. I would put that number at 50%+. They are weekend warriors that do autocross or go up to Brainard raceway for events among others in other areas of the country. I am curious to know where you got the average age of an M3 owner is. Here is a poll of one of the forums. While I know this is not 100% of the population, but I bet it is fairly close sample of the population demographic. Your 60+ age is more in tune for an M5 not the M3.
16 to 25 206 26.28%
26 to 35 308 39.29%
36 to 45 184 23.47%
46 and up 86 10.97%
You are right there are more things to performance than just horsepower and this is where a true M car trumps the rest of the line from the DCT transmission to the CF drive shaft to turbo design and suspension to name a few. I have no problem with what you do to your car. It's your car, but come back to the real world when you want to compare cars. JV is no doubt a smart guy and I have respect for him, but I am also an industry professional and there are tons of smart people in the automotive industry.
Thanks! I'm on a boat that docks in NJ on 12/17. Looks like 12/19 will be the day. I just hope it's nice enough out to get some good photos, don't need a blizzard.BJ when are you taking delivery? Looking forward to your first impressions of the GC!
Great post (and great photo, beautiful family).BJ, You can say that you are not trying to get people going, but I know you are having fun getting people going. Your 4GC is an excellent good looking ride and special to you for your own reasons.
I'm not one to brag about my material possessions for many reasons. As much as I love my M3 and current/previous material possessions I would rather brag about wife and kid, but this isn't a wife and kid forum so I'll attempt to explain why the M3 is a special car, at least to me.
First, I've wanted one since a well to do kid at my High School in Milpitas, CA had a brand new white one. It is the only material l thing I think I have ever vowed to own and I made it happen. Strange thing is it kind of happened by accident. It's been a strange and awesome past couple of weeks. Back story aside, on to the car.
First and foremost I don't want to stop driving it. It is easily the most fun, engaging car I've ever driven. Yes even during mundane errands or commuting to work. This is on a much smaller square set of 245/45 R18s for stock. The seats are sculpted and have much softer more supple upgraded leather. Speaking of which, it has the full leather package and it really makes a big difference as to how the interior looks. The same idea keeps coming up as I didn't think it would make that big of a difference, but it does. The static suspension is so much better than the soft xDrive suspension. I know, duh. It is firm, but very easy to live with for a DD. I didn't think there could be a smoother tranny than the ZF 8 AT, but I was wrong and the DCT is. The M steering wheel is much better than the sport wheel. The stock 18s are forged and extremely light. The engine and sound are awesome. It was kind of funny when I took delivery my CA started it up and it drew crowd when we drove it out of the 2nd floor delivery area at the dealership. I can tell the engine is something special even though I've been driving it very sedate due to winter weather and the break in period.
I didn't think it would be as night and day between my MPPK/MPE equipped 335 xDrive, but it is. I haven't even gotten to the really fun parts about the car yet. I can't wait until May when the weather gets better and put it through its paces. Any way, I know this is a partly tongue in cheek thread, but I could care less about badges. I do care about how the car feels to me and that is all that is important. Get the car you can afford and makes you the happiest and forget the rest. Now I just hope I didn't royally screw up dumping xDrive . So far so good though.