Cars We Drive!

Originally Posted by gnatty8

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I think a car like the M3 is just not the same without the manual transmission..

This is all that matters. The 2 door would be my first preference, but like you said, sometimes the coupe just isn't practical. But as long as its 6MT, it's still an M3 in my books.

To me the appeal for BMW is the driving dynamic, my dad use to have the S class two generation ago before he switch to Jaguar. The first time I drove his Merc (when I first got my license... scary thought, could possibly wreck his S class...), my feeling was, wow super comfortable, but so disconnected, it's not like I am driving a boat. It does response (abite not so quickly) and goes where it suppose to (as long as you're not push to the limits or anything), just in a very disconnected way.

That's why to this day I still prefer BMW. I have to say Audi has gotten a lot better these days, I wouldn't even look at Audi 5, 6 years ago, now they actually do have very competetive offering. I do have to agree with you on S class though, I wouldn't buy anything else in that range, not BMW 7 not Audi A8, not Jaguar XJ, not even Maserati Quadropotte (or whenever how you spell that thing). For smaller ones there is a tougher fight (would take BMW 3 series over anyone else).

To me, another surprise is Caddlic CTS, the only American car besides Corvette that I would consider buying (baring heavy duty cars, I would buy American pick up and semi, just don't have any use).

Now that's all empty talk... still live in NYC, need to make a lot more for buying nice car to "make sense"...

Originally Posted by gnatty8

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Believe it or not, not very many.. I am not a car nut in the classic sense of the word, but took these shots to send to my brother, who drives an Acura..

I love M3, would have gotten the two door, but again I don't have wife and kid, would probably be doing the same thing as you if I have a family. 6 speed is a good choice of weapon

Originally Posted by clee1982

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To me the appeal for BMW is the driving dynamic, my dad use to have the S class two generation ago before he switch to Jaguar. The first time I drove his Merc (when I first got my license... scary thought, could possibly wreck his S class...), my feeling was, wow super comfortable, but so disconnected, it's not like I am driving a boat. It does response (abite not so quickly) and goes where it suppose to (as long as you're not push to the limits or anything), just in a very disconnected way. That's why to this day I still prefer BMW. I have to say Audi has gotten a lot better these days, I wouldn't even look at Audi 5, 6 years ago, now they actually do have very competetive offering. I do have to agree with you on S class though, I wouldn't buy anything else in that range, not BMW 7 not Audi A8, not Jaguar XJ, not even Maserati Quadropotte (or whenever how you spell that thing). For smaller ones there is a tougher fight (would take BMW 3 series over anyone else). To me, another surprise is Caddlic CTS, the only American car besides Corvette that I would consider buying (baring heavy duty cars, I would buy American pick up and semi, just don't have any use). Now that's all empty talk... still live in NYC, need to make a lot more for buying nice car to "make sense"...
I can see how you thought of the S-Class as being a boat mainly because you're talking about the 92-99 style, I had one of those and they were a boat, but the new S550 drives unbelievably well, it does 0-60 in 5.4 secs (which is amazing for a sports car and this is a luxury saloon) and handles superbly, if you ever drive one of these you may change your mind about the way Mercs drive. But yes, BMWs are know for being unbelievable drivers. And + on the CTS, great car, the new facelift is great. John

Originally Posted by clee1982

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I love M3, would have gotten the two door, but again I don't have wife and kid, would probably be doing the same thing as you if I have a family. 6 speed is a good choice of weapon

I like he 3-series coupe, but not the M version - the hood bump and sideskirts ruin the elegant lines of the E92 for me, while they make the sedan look more brawny.

Originally Posted by gnatty8

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Already had these cued up in imageshack for another thread:

Lovely color contrast.

Originally Posted by gnatty8

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And I can't stand the other colors the M3 comes in. I mean red? Yeah, that'll look fly as I pull up to let my son out at school.. White? Gets too dirty and I think it's a chick color in BMW. In other words, this was about the only color that appealed to me. Also, my last one (330i) was a very similar color, so I didn't have to get lost in parking lots..

To be honest, I get more compliments on the color of this car than any other I've had, so I think you may be in the minority on this one..

LeMans Blue? Interlagos? Space Grey? Either of those paired with bamboo leather is absolutely ****.

Regardless, nice car.

Originally Posted by gnatty8

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I think a car like the M3 is just not the same without the manual transmission..

Have you tried the new DCT? It's unbelievable.

Originally Posted by LeatherSOUL

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Have you tried the new DCT? It's unbelievable.

In all honesty no, I never considered anything but the 6MT..

Originally Posted by Hayling

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My 2001 Honda Prelude. Fun daily driver. Obviously I'm just a poor college student so this isn't very impressive compared to a lot of cars on here, but it's mine and I like it

This pic was from my road trip from Maryland to the Florida Keys late last year.


+1 on the jdm fogs...sold mine for a profit after i got rid of my 01ebp...miss that car!

1999 Toyota Solara - still chuggin' along.....

^^ Nice, what's in the engine compartment?

Great looking machine.

Originally Posted by Charger1

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Small-timer economy coupe.









Suspension: Ground Control systems double adjustable coilover suspension with camber plates (the camber plates allow me to adjust the front easily, although I tend to run crazy race camber even for daily use). Ground Control front and rear adjustable anti-swaybars. Lowered quite a bit compared to stock. Wheels are RAC Monolite RG-4s, cold forged in Japan and purpose built in limited numbers for the M3 (these were the first set), running Michelin PS-2s for the street.

Powertrain, etc.: AFE cold air intake. Conforti engine management software. Eisennman exhaust. Autosolutions "ultimate" short shifter. 4.10 rear differential. Brembo GT brakes all around.

Cosmetic: Most of the North American plastic interior bits have been replaced with nappa leather pieces from BMW Individual (BMW's in house "bespoke" fitters, which were unavailable in the US for the E46)...e.g., the dash and center console are leather rather than plastic. Trim pieces are in carbon fiber that I also had made in Germany using the same type of carbon fiber that is used in the M3 CSL.

I used to track and autocross quite a bit, but not these days.

- B