This isn't how it was meant to be...

[Matt80MINI]

So, finally, today is the day.

At 4PM I go and pick up my 330i M Sport from BMW Park Lane.

After years and years of waiting to be able to buy and run a powerful BMW (I know its not an M3, but it's as near as I can get for now)the wait is almost over.

Got about 3 hours sleep last night (felt like Christmas as a kid). Draw the curtains this morning...

Bollacks. Snow. Heavy.

Not ideal.

I shall be spending most of the morning at work willing it to warm up and stop bloody snowing.

Please keep your fingers crossed for me!

Matt

PS. Any suggestions as to what I should change my nickname to?

[Bing o]

Matt80MINI said:

So, finally, today is the day.

At 4PM I go and pick up my 330i M Sport from BMW Park Lane.

After years and years of waiting to be able to buy and run a powerful BMW (I know its not an M3, but it's as near as I can get for now)the wait is almost over.

Got about 3 hours sleep last night (felt like Christmas as a kid). Draw the curtains this morning...

Bollacks. Snow. Heavy.

Not ideal.

I shall be spending most of the morning at work willing it to warm up and stop bloody snowing.

Please keep your fingers crossed for me!

Matt

PS. Any suggestions as to what I should change my nickname to?

OLM330i?

[The Wookie]

I can sympathise, I picked up my brand new 997 Carrera on Sunday (although it's not really mine, I just won the use of it for a year). Tried to get to work yesterday and gave up after 40 minutes and less than 2 miles as I was crapping myself doing about 11mph.

This morning I had to get my girlfriend to drop me off in her Mini because I couldn't get the porker off the driveway

[Matt80MINI]

The Wookie said:

I can sympathise, I picked up my brand new 997 Carrera on Sunday (although it's not really mine, I just won the use of it for a year). Tried to get to work yesterday and gave up after 40 minutes and less than 2 miles as I was crapping myself doing about 11mph.

This morning I had to get my girlfriend to drop me off in her Mini because I couldn't get the porker off the driveway

What a wounder.

Nice prize! How did you win that?

[Garlick]

I collected my 'new' Chimaera last December in the snow. At least it teaches you to be careful for the first few days

[Matt80MINI]

Garlick said:

I collected my 'new' Chimaera last December in the snow. At least it teaches you to be careful for the first few days

Mine's not brand new either (I believe they've stopped building the 330i Saloon now anyway). at least I've got some computers helping out. The TVR must have been a total nightmare. I'd be nervous enough driving that thing for the first time as it is!

[The Wookie]

Matt80MINI said:

The Wookie said:

I can sympathise, I picked up my brand new 997 Carrera on Sunday (although it's not really mine, I just won the use of it for a year). Tried to get to work yesterday and gave up after 40 minutes and less than 2 miles as I was crapping myself doing about 11mph.

This morning I had to get my girlfriend to drop me off in her Mini because I couldn't get the porker off the driveway

What a wounder.

Nice prize! How did you win that?

It is indeed, very shiny too! I won my category in a Porsche Championship.

The only problem is that I have to give it back in a year's time

[frosted]

Why did you feel the need to tell us you bought it from BMW Park Lane ?

It doesn't make it anymore special , or maybe I'm jealous I can only afford cars from Croydon and White city

[Matt80MINI]

frosted said:

Why did you feel the need to tell us you bought it from BMW Park Lane ?

It doesn't make it anymore special , or maybe I'm jealous I can only afford cars from Croydon and White city

Sorry, didn't mean to offend.

Maybe I'm mistaken in thinking that a motoring forum is somewhere where you can share you experiences/stories/thoughts about cars.

In actualy fact, Park Lane had the car I was interested in, and its probably my second closest dealer. So far the service I've had from them has been seemless - something else I might share.

If had found the car in Moss Side, I would have mentioned that too - but I didn't.


What are you trying to suggest anyway?

[Garlick]

I'd like to get a car from Park Lane, looks like a cracking showroom and I think the location will enhance the experience too.

[ludicrous speed]

Snow will just make it a bit more fun/interesting. New car, rear wheel drive, bit of snow, oversteer a bit much and clip a schoolkid, sounds perfect!

Enjoy

[Gizmo!]

Garlick said:

I'd like to get a car from Park Lane, looks like a cracking showroom and I think the location will enhance the experience too.

Central London stands a chance of having been gritted too.

[Matt80MINI]

Garlick said:

I'd like to get a car from Park Lane, looks like a cracking showroom and I think the location will enhance the experience too.

They had a pre-registered M3 GTR in there on saturday afternoon. My salesman Barry took the time after we talked about my car to have a chat and let me have a good look over this ultra-rare monster. Brilliant stuff. They are having an //M event in the new year where they are going to fill the showroom with //M legends past and present. Offered to get me an invite, which I thought was immense. I'm pretty sure my car is small fry to those guys - more used to selling 1 year old X5s for 50k. They have the diplomatic sales section there too - so amoured cars etc. Actually really enjoyed my afternoon there, and looking forward to going back later on.

They do a nice brew too - which is always a winner.

Still - maybe I would have had a better experience at BMW Toxteth?

[carmadgaz]

I have the opposite problem, my 4x4 isn't finished yet

As was said above the roads around there have probably been gritted so enjoy

[Jasandjules]

AS above, I should imagine Central London will be gritted properly and traffic will be moving well. Just take it very easy.

Oh, and congratulations.

[B.J.W]

Matt80MINI said:

frosted said:

Why did you feel the need to tell us you bought it from BMW Park Lane ?

It doesn't make it anymore special , or maybe I'm jealous I can only afford cars from Croydon and White city

Sorry, didn't mean to offend.

Maybe I'm mistaken in thinking that a motoring forum is somewhere where you can share you experiences/stories/thoughts about cars.

In actualy fact, Park Lane had the car I was interested in, and its probably my second closest dealer. So far the service I've had from them has been seemless - something else I might share.

If had found the car in Moss Side, I would have mentioned that too - but I didn't.


What are you trying to suggest anyway?

I think he was trying to suggest that he is an idiot, by attempting to make something out of a completely innocuous comment

[Alfa numeric]

The Wookie said:

It is indeed, very shiny too! I won my category in a Porsche Championship.

The only problem is that I have to give it back in a year's time

You know the answer then- win it again next year!

[frosted]

B.J.W said:

Matt80MINI said:

frosted said:

Why did you feel the need to tell us you bought it from BMW Park Lane ?

It doesn't make it anymore special , or maybe I'm jealous I can only afford cars from Croydon and White city

Sorry, didn't mean to offend.

Maybe I'm mistaken in thinking that a motoring forum is somewhere where you can share you experiences/stories/thoughts about cars.

In actualy fact, Park Lane had the car I was interested in, and its probably my second closest dealer. So far the service I've had from them has been seemless - something else I might share.

If had found the car in Moss Side, I would have mentioned that too - but I didn't.


What are you trying to suggest anyway?

I think he was trying to suggest that he is an idiot, by attempting to make something out of a completely innocuous comment

That's what exactly what it is

[The Wookie]

Alfa numeric said:

You know the answer then- win it again next year!

Easier said than done, next year I'm bumped up to Pro, so I'm up against the Buffet Slayer and the Used Car Salesman!

And that's ignoring the fact that it's a pretty expensive way to get a rental car, and I don't have a bottomless pit of money available

[Magic919]

How very PH this thread is. Maybe dropping out Park Lane or at least saying used BMW would have soothed the hounds.

I can see you are excited about the car. Your use of the word 'immense' suggests youth. Most of us were just as excited by this kind of thing back then too, so don't take it to heart :-)

RWD won't kill you and you don't need to be a hero to survive. Just take it gently and get in the higher gears as soon as possible. Get all the mirrors and seating right before you take off. Enjoy!