I think i'm in love!
Discussion
Picked up my first M3 on tuesday - and i have to confess i think i'm in love!
A few things have surprised me about the car to be honest, the comfort, definately the speed, and the confident and controlled way it handles is severely grin inducing! A few stone chips and bits to sort out, but small jobs and purely cosmetic
Picked up off the pistonheads classifieds ( http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/985715.htm, pics below (i've linked to them as they are quite large)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30532420@N00/
Only got a couple of niggles and questions really - maybe someone can help?
1. The digital aircon controler seems to be intermittent, i suspect its a faulty resistor problem i've come across on other forums - any ideas? the display comes on fine sometimes, then dims and becomes non-responsive, only to randomly come back on again when it feels like it - motors and blowers all work ok so cant think of another problem it could be.
2. The aircon does not blow very cold when it is working - this may be tied to the first problem.
3. Changing from 1st to 2nd gear under acceleration takes a lot of concentration to stop the car 'lurching' of jerking at the change - driving sedately there is no problem, so i'm more inclined to think its my driving and lack of familiarity with the gearbox than anything else - any hints/tips/clues?
4. Should the clutch be heavy? i've come from a Ford Puma so that was rediculously light compared to this. Clutch does not slip, bite point is spot on and everything feels fine.
5. nope - thats it - none more that i can think of!
Need to get the geometry looked at as shes had new shocks, springs and bushes recently, going to book it in at Thorney motorsport in MK for a good going over to check she's all on the level and then hopefully get myself on an advanced driving/control course to learn to make the most of her 'potential' in a legal and safe manner.
looking forward to the future and many happy years with my new love
A few things have surprised me about the car to be honest, the comfort, definately the speed, and the confident and controlled way it handles is severely grin inducing! A few stone chips and bits to sort out, but small jobs and purely cosmetic
Picked up off the pistonheads classifieds ( http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/985715.htm, pics below (i've linked to them as they are quite large)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30532420@N00/
Only got a couple of niggles and questions really - maybe someone can help?
1. The digital aircon controler seems to be intermittent, i suspect its a faulty resistor problem i've come across on other forums - any ideas? the display comes on fine sometimes, then dims and becomes non-responsive, only to randomly come back on again when it feels like it - motors and blowers all work ok so cant think of another problem it could be.
2. The aircon does not blow very cold when it is working - this may be tied to the first problem.
3. Changing from 1st to 2nd gear under acceleration takes a lot of concentration to stop the car 'lurching' of jerking at the change - driving sedately there is no problem, so i'm more inclined to think its my driving and lack of familiarity with the gearbox than anything else - any hints/tips/clues?
4. Should the clutch be heavy? i've come from a Ford Puma so that was rediculously light compared to this. Clutch does not slip, bite point is spot on and everything feels fine.
5. nope - thats it - none more that i can think of!
Need to get the geometry looked at as shes had new shocks, springs and bushes recently, going to book it in at Thorney motorsport in MK for a good going over to check she's all on the level and then hopefully get myself on an advanced driving/control course to learn to make the most of her 'potential' in a legal and safe manner.
looking forward to the future and many happy years with my new love
www.pheonixmotorsport.co.uk are well worth contacting re uber attention to all aspects of //M setupdom. 
Congrats, btw: love the saloon thang.
Congrats, btw: love the saloon thang.
1. The digital aircon controler seems to be intermittent, i suspect its a faulty resistor problem i've come across on other forums - any ideas? the display comes on fine sometimes, then dims and becomes non-responsive, only to randomly come back on again when it feels like it - motors and blowers all work ok so cant think of another problem it could be.
There's a guy on Ebay who'll repair it for about £35, or you can do it yourself if you're handy with a soldering iron
2. The aircon does not blow very cold when it is working - this may be tied to the first problem.
Probably not linked - sounds like it needs a re-gas
3. Changing from 1st to 2nd gear under acceleration takes a lot of concentration to stop the car 'lurching' of jerking at the change - driving sedately there is no problem, so i'm more inclined to think its my driving and lack of familiarity with the gearbox than anything else - any hints/tips/clues?
You'll get used to it
4. Should the clutch be heavy? i've come from a Ford Puma so that was rediculously light compared to this. Clutch does not slip, bite point is spot on and everything feels fine.
It will seem heavy compared to a Ford clutch, but shouldn't be too bad. If it doesn't have one, get a braided clutch hose on asap
There's a guy on Ebay who'll repair it for about £35, or you can do it yourself if you're handy with a soldering iron
2. The aircon does not blow very cold when it is working - this may be tied to the first problem.
Probably not linked - sounds like it needs a re-gas
3. Changing from 1st to 2nd gear under acceleration takes a lot of concentration to stop the car 'lurching' of jerking at the change - driving sedately there is no problem, so i'm more inclined to think its my driving and lack of familiarity with the gearbox than anything else - any hints/tips/clues?
You'll get used to it
4. Should the clutch be heavy? i've come from a Ford Puma so that was rediculously light compared to this. Clutch does not slip, bite point is spot on and everything feels fine.
It will seem heavy compared to a Ford clutch, but shouldn't be too bad. If it doesn't have one, get a braided clutch hose on asap
2. The aircon does not blow very cold when it is working - this may be tied to the first problem.
The air con is crap on all of them. Has been on both of mine, even after a re-gas.
3. Changing from 1st to 2nd gear under acceleration takes a lot of concentration to stop the car 'lurching' of jerking at the change - driving sedately there is no problem, so i'm more inclined to think its my driving and lack of familiarity with the gearbox than anything else - any hints/tips/clues?
Again, you'll get used to it
4. Should the clutch be heavy?
Yes. They're all heavy. If it doesn't have one, get a braided clutch hose on as that helps. I've got a brand new one lying around if you want it.
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The air con is crap on all of them. Has been on both of mine, even after a re-gas.
3. Changing from 1st to 2nd gear under acceleration takes a lot of concentration to stop the car 'lurching' of jerking at the change - driving sedately there is no problem, so i'm more inclined to think its my driving and lack of familiarity with the gearbox than anything else - any hints/tips/clues?
Again, you'll get used to it
4. Should the clutch be heavy?
Yes. They're all heavy. If it doesn't have one, get a braided clutch hose on as that helps. I've got a brand new one lying around if you want it.
[/quote]
akurei_2000 said:
1. The digital aircon controler seems to be intermittent, i suspect its a faulty resistor problem i've come across on other forums - any ideas? the display comes on fine sometimes, then dims and becomes non-responsive, only to randomly come back on again when it feels like it - motors and blowers all work ok so cant think of another problem it could be.
I can point you to a step by step, with pictures repair on this. Its dead easy, you need a soldering iron and a 10p part from Maplins. Let me know if you need it.Travis Mcgee said:
akurei_2000 said:
1. The digital aircon controler seems to be intermittent, i suspect its a faulty resistor problem i've come across on other forums - any ideas? the display comes on fine sometimes, then dims and becomes non-responsive, only to randomly come back on again when it feels like it - motors and blowers all work ok so cant think of another problem it could be.
I can point you to a step by step, with pictures repair on this. Its dead easy, you need a soldering iron and a 10p part from Maplins. Let me know if you need it.Cactussed said:
2. The aircon does not blow very cold when it is working - this may be tied to the first problem.
The air con is crap on all of them. Has been on both of mine, even after a re-gas.
I disagree, mine worked very well after the pump was replaced. IME, aircon regassing is usually a waste of time. It loses pressure because there's a leak somewhere.The air con is crap on all of them. Has been on both of mine, even after a re-gas.
Oh and Maplin are a rip off - the capacitor cost me 58p!
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