Discussion
All done for today. I didn't do the wheels today, I'll give them a proper going over another day. Today was about the paint work.
Quick wash, clay, rinse and dry, quick hand polish, IPA wipe down and then 2 coats of Gtechniq C2.
Also gave the exhausts a clean up - didn't have a proper metal polish so I'm fairly happy with how they've turned out - before
After
Quick wash, clay, rinse and dry, quick hand polish, IPA wipe down and then 2 coats of Gtechniq C2.
Also gave the exhausts a clean up - didn't have a proper metal polish so I'm fairly happy with how they've turned out - before
After
Krikkit said:
Lovely work.
I'd get the oil changed in the DCT - I know it's "sealed for life", but that's a bodge to save on servicing costs imho. With another change it'll be flawless for the rest of its days with you. That and the diff oil.
I've already messaged my indy about the gearbox, if they can do it, they will be asked to do so. I also contacted a gearbox specialist near me who said they could also do it no problems.I'd get the oil changed in the DCT - I know it's "sealed for life", but that's a bodge to save on servicing costs imho. With another change it'll be flawless for the rest of its days with you. That and the diff oil.
The diff oil will likely be done when its next service is up (November, although I'll probably do it a month or so earlier).
One thing I am impressed by is how comfortable the seats are, they really are lovely. The interior quality doesn't feel as good as the Lexus, but I wouldn't expect it to. The sun visor leather (if that's what it is) feels very rough compared to that of the Lexus.
However, it does have a stonking V8 with loads of charm
I'm looking forward to getting the minor bits done next week, and then the big bits next month!
However, it does have a stonking V8 with loads of charm
I'm looking forward to getting the minor bits done next week, and then the big bits next month!
cerb4.5lee said:
zek said:
RS Grant said:
Yep, similar averages here... from memory my old E92 manual was ~16mpg average and my current F80 manual is sitting around ~26mpg.
The newer car is better in every measurable way. However it doesn't sound even 50% as good as the older V8 car, which I really miss and have weighed up a step back a few times to be honest.
Not really. The E9x has proper Steering feel (hydraulic steering), more driving feedback, higher quality interior materials, more comfortable and softer seats, is smaller (5cm narrower), has no turbo lag, less road noise, better ride quality. The F8x is a better daily and excels in other areas but not all IMO. The newer car is better in every measurable way. However it doesn't sound even 50% as good as the older V8 car, which I really miss and have weighed up a step back a few times to be honest.
As a weekend car I think I would go for the M3 over the M4. Regarding the steering the M4 does have a great turn in, but I also liked the steering in the M3 though. However I remember quite a few reviews slating the steering a bit in the M3 for some reason.
donkmeister said:
TyrannosauRoss Lex said:
One of my colleagues at work, who drives a Toyota Auris said "what's the point in getting something so fast if you can't go over 70?"
"Well you can't go over 70 because you have a Toyota Auris"
"All the better for not being stuck behind people who drive an Auris" "Well you can't go over 70 because you have a Toyota Auris"
Induction noise under full throttle is rather special, too.
cerb4.5lee said:
TyrannosauRoss Lex said:
Induction noise under full throttle is rather special, too.
The E9x M3 is easily the best car I've had for induction noise Ross. It always puts you on cloud 9 I reckon! 
I once saw 165 on the digital speedo readout in mine...in Mexico of course!!
MrCD said:
TyrannosauRoss Lex said:
roadie said:
What tyres are you thinking of replacing the Cups with?
Pilot Sport 4, or if they aren't available then 4S.As an aside the Cup 2 tyres - it's 4 degrees here today, and it's been drizzling most of the day. I'm still alive
they really aren't bad and seem to be fine, I didn't push hard but for daily use they're not a concern. The fronts have loads of tread left but the rears are on 3mm or so, so they're being done this coming Monday. Edited by TyrannosauRoss Lex on Tuesday 7th March 17:09
Earlier today a colleague of mine, who has an E90 320d "M Sport" said the only difference between the M3 and the 320d was the engine. When I said the suspension is different he said "no, mine has the M Sport suspension"....he actually thinks it's the same 
Ignoring the fact the M3 has a totally different axle (wider width, for starters), different brakes, gearbox, several body panels etc etc
The indy have got back to me and they will do a full service of the gearbox, too. As per the redish motorsport website they generally seem to be solid gearboxes, although there are a few areas from which they can leak. When one considers the cost of a basic fluid and filter change vs the cost of doing that plus replacing the parts that can cause them to leak (and then having to do the job all over again) it seems daft to not just do the whole thing - so it's getting that done. It'll be a seriously big bill to start me off but will give me good peace of mind for the engine and gearbox. I plan to keep this car for a long time so seems prudent to do so.
I once saw 165 on the digital speedo readout in mine...in Mexico of course!!When my dad had his he managed 167 with me as a passenger which was quite funny.Nice one! 
It is great to read about how much you're enjoying yours too.
I am very much enjoying it. Personally the newer ones don't do it for me, sure, they're noticeably faster but the E9x generation is more than adequate, makes a glorious noise and (allegedly) rides better too.
Ignoring the fact the M3 has a totally different axle (wider width, for starters), different brakes, gearbox, several body panels etc etc The indy have got back to me and they will do a full service of the gearbox, too. As per the redish motorsport website they generally seem to be solid gearboxes, although there are a few areas from which they can leak. When one considers the cost of a basic fluid and filter change vs the cost of doing that plus replacing the parts that can cause them to leak (and then having to do the job all over again) it seems daft to not just do the whole thing - so it's getting that done. It'll be a seriously big bill to start me off but will give me good peace of mind for the engine and gearbox. I plan to keep this car for a long time so seems prudent to do so.
cerb4.5lee said:
TyrannosauRoss Lex said:
cerb4.5lee said:
TyrannosauRoss Lex said:
Induction noise under full throttle is rather special, too.
The E9x M3 is easily the best car I've had for induction noise Ross. It always puts you on cloud 9 I reckon! I once saw 165 on the digital speedo readout in mine...in Mexico of course!!
It is great to read about how much you're enjoying yours too.
Krikkit said:
TyrannosauRoss Lex said:
The indy have got back to me and they will do a full service of the gearbox, too. As per the redish motorsport website they generally seem to be solid gearboxes, although there are a few areas from which they can leak. When one considers the cost of a basic fluid and filter change vs the cost of doing that plus replacing the parts that can cause them to leak (and then having to do the job all over again) it seems daft to not just do the whole thing - so it's getting that done. It'll be a seriously big bill to start me off but will give me good peace of mind for the engine and gearbox. I plan to keep this car for a long time so seems prudent to do so.
Doesn't seem too silly a price considering the parts alone will be nearing £400, plus the oil at £30-odd a litre.The total bill will be just over £3k but, once done, I will have peace of mind the major jobs have all been done (actuators already done by previous owner).
Edited by TyrannosauRoss Lex on Wednesday 8th March 17:30
Court_S said:
TyrannosauRoss Lex said:
Earlier today a colleague of mine, who has an E90 320d "M Sport" said the only difference between the M3 and the 320d was the engine. When I said the suspension is different he said "no, mine has the M Sport suspension"....he actually thinks it's the same Ignoring the fact the M3 has a totally different axle (wider width, for starters), different brakes, gearbox, several body panels etc etc
I used to have a similar debate with a colleague about our company cars; mine was a diesel vRS and his an A3 S Line. Both were manual cars with 184PS, MQB chassis etc but didn’t share any components! Ignoring the fact the M3 has a totally different axle (wider width, for starters), different brakes, gearbox, several body panels etc etc He still didn’t agree even when I pointed out the VW / Audi logos on my discs! Jhonno said:
TyrannosauRoss Lex said:
Krikkit said:
TyrannosauRoss Lex said:
The indy have got back to me and they will do a full service of the gearbox, too. As per the redish motorsport website they generally seem to be solid gearboxes, although there are a few areas from which they can leak. When one considers the cost of a basic fluid and filter change vs the cost of doing that plus replacing the parts that can cause them to leak (and then having to do the job all over again) it seems daft to not just do the whole thing - so it's getting that done. It'll be a seriously big bill to start me off but will give me good peace of mind for the engine and gearbox. I plan to keep this car for a long time so seems prudent to do so.
Doesn't seem too silly a price considering the parts alone will be nearing £400, plus the oil at £30-odd a litre.The total bill will be just over £3k but, once done, I will have peace of mind the major jobs have all been done (actuators already done by previous owner).
Edited by TyrannosauRoss Lex on Wednesday 8th March 17:30
I also need to change my username......
iqbalr said:
The best engine I have ever driven. I had the convertible variant. 10 miles per gallon was not great but the engine was just so sonorous and it was a joy to drive.
I think it is one of the all time great engines. The noise and theatre, it is absolutely wonderful. I have been in numerous faster cars, the only one which has an engine that may be as characterful is the F Type R coupe. It is much faster than the M3, but also sounds fantastic. It is more "typical" V8 turned up to 11, and not as sophisticated a noise as the M3. Many other cars (eg the layer 4.4 V8 M6) are also much faster but dreary in comparison. The M3 saloon is still a plenty fast car, but not so quick it's just stupidly so and not usable.
I absolutely love the car and am looking forward to getting the work done to it.
cornershop said:
Nicely done Sir
I nearly bought one back in 2021 but insurance was crazy for me for some reason, more than the outgoing v12 vantage.
I ending up buying your cars grandfather - 4 door too - that car is all about the engine and intake noise. I imagine yours is similar?
Yep, the engine and intake noise do rather dominate the experience! I nearly bought one back in 2021 but insurance was crazy for me for some reason, more than the outgoing v12 vantage.
I ending up buying your cars grandfather - 4 door too - that car is all about the engine and intake noise. I imagine yours is similar?
So I was at work today, parked in the car park, and some old duffer (maybe 75+) was trying to park next to it, my colleague grabbed me and said "I think they've just hit your car!". I went out and sure enough, there are some marks to the rear bumper.
I knocked on their car window, and said they'd hit my car and they said "If it wasn't parked like that I wouldn't have hit it" to which I replied "but it's in a parking space, and it is parked like that, and you've reversed into a stationary object and caused some damage. We need to exchange insurance details".
She got out, looked at the damage and said "your going to make a claim for that?!" to which I said "yes, because it's damage that you have caused".
Took her details, I have 2 witnesses, and have already filed a claim on my insurance who said they'll contact me and her soon. No changes will happen to my premium because the vehicle was parked and I wasn't even in it.
Have emailed photos to my trusted bodyshop. Yes, it's minor, but I don't see why I shouldn't have it put right.
I knocked on their car window, and said they'd hit my car and they said "If it wasn't parked like that I wouldn't have hit it" to which I replied "but it's in a parking space, and it is parked like that, and you've reversed into a stationary object and caused some damage. We need to exchange insurance details".
She got out, looked at the damage and said "your going to make a claim for that?!" to which I said "yes, because it's damage that you have caused".
Took her details, I have 2 witnesses, and have already filed a claim on my insurance who said they'll contact me and her soon. No changes will happen to my premium because the vehicle was parked and I wasn't even in it.
Have emailed photos to my trusted bodyshop. Yes, it's minor, but I don't see why I shouldn't have it put right.
cerb4.5lee said:
I bet you were annoyed to say the least Ross. I'm sorry to see that, and I hope that it gets sorted for you as quickly/easy as possible.
I'm loving your forum name change by the way!
Yes I'm pretty miffed to be honest, the marks will get sorted but her attitude absolutely stunk, that has annoyed me more. You could tell her car had been through similar numerous times! Check out this image.....!I'm loving your forum name change by the way!
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