Great to have my M3 back.

[ARCHER]

My wife had a seminar in Dallas this week. We were crunched for time before her flight so I was unable to put the child seats in my car. As much as it irked me, the M3 was relegated to airport parking for three days while I drove the 330i.

Being that this was the most seat time in the 330 since last May, I was seriously pining for the directness and involvement of my car by the end of day two. Things like fishing for the clutch engagement point, hit-or-miss throttle response and vague steering feel (even post-retrofit) gave me a much renewed appreciation for my M3. The 330 is much stiffer and that is readily felt, but it needs more torque - that too is readily felt.

In short, it has been a testament to the fact that no matter how good one's car is - given enough time, we become desensitized to even the most endearing characteristics. Which is why I should probably never drive an E30 M3... or an Elise for that matter... at least not until my kids are grown.

[Rob]

I understand that feeling exactly. For me, it wasn't 3 days in an e46 that reminded me, it was a single test drive of a 330 equiped with the zhp package. That's one of the reasons I think TD is nuts to sell his car without letting it sit for a week or two and driving it again first.

[ARCHER]

I understand that feeling exactly. For me, it wasn't 3 days in an e46 that reminded me, it was a single test drive of a 330 equiped with the Performance Package package. That's one of the reasons I think TD is nuts to sell his car without letting it sit for a week or two and driving it again first.

I've not driven the ZHP so I can't comment. But I feel relatively confident that I would still prefer my car by a wide margin.

TD's a waffler. I won't believe it until it happens.

[zcasavant]

I understand that feeling exactly. For me, it wasn't 3 days in an e46 that reminded me, it was a single test drive of a 330 equiped with the Performance Package package. That's one of the reasons I think TD is nuts to sell his car without letting it sit for a week or two and driving it again first.

:paranoid:

[ARCHER]

I understand that feeling exactly. For me, it wasn't 3 days in an e46 that reminded me, it was a single test drive of a 330 equiped with the Performance Package package. That's one of the reasons I think TD is nuts to sell his car without letting it sit for a week or two and driving it again first.

:paranoid:

How are the new shoes -scrubbed them in yet?

[zcasavant]

I understand that feeling exactly. For me, it wasn't 3 days in an e46 that reminded me, it was a single test drive of a 330 equiped with the Performance Package package. That's one of the reasons I think TD is nuts to sell his car without letting it sit for a week or two and driving it again first.

:paranoid:

How are the new shoes -scrubbed them in yet?

I never drive my car anymore. I'll ask my girlfriend.

[ARCHER]

I understand that feeling exactly. For me, it wasn't 3 days in an e46 that reminded me, it was a single test drive of a 330 equiped with the Performance Package package. That's one of the reasons I think TD is nuts to sell his car without letting it sit for a week or two and driving it again first.

:paranoid:

How are the new shoes -scrubbed them in yet?

I never drive my car anymore. I'll ask my girlfriend.

Why is that?

[Rob]

I understand that feeling exactly. For me, it wasn't 3 days in an e46 that reminded me, it was a single test drive of a 330 equiped with the Performance Package package. That's one of the reasons I think TD is nuts to sell his car without letting it sit for a week or two and driving it again first.

:paranoid:

Apparently the Hack Edit was changed to Performance Package. I wrote z*h*p package without the asterisks.

[TD]

Hey Tim,

Why do you think I'm calling myself a waffler? I've even been somewhat reluctant to call people back when they call on my car. I more or less have completely waffled at this point and Blair is working hard to get me to waffle toward his E30 M3. But I'm also not convinced that I want to give up the degree of luxury that the E36 M3 does have (compared to an E30).

So, well, I wouldn't be surprised either if I end up keeping the E36.

[ayn]

Tom, sounds like the R32 will be perfect for ya! :lol:

[Rob]

Ok, so maybe TD isn't quite as nuts as I thought he was. :lol:

[ARCHER]

Hey Tim,

Why do you think I'm calling myself a waffler? I've even been somewhat reluctant to call people back when they call on my car. I more or less have completely waffled at this point and Blair is working hard to get me to waffle toward his E30 M3. But I'm also not convinced that I want to give up the degree of luxury that the E36 M3 does have (compared to an E30).

So, well, I wouldn't be surprised either if I end up keeping the E36.

Hell, Tom - I'm pretty much the same way on all decision fronts. I was really struck by how much the time in the 330 reinforced my affinity for the M3. It's wonderful car. No one could fault you for keeping yours.

The only thing in my current price range that might coax me out of mine, styling be damned, would probably be an Evo. But at this point, I've gotten pretty comfy sans car payments.

[zcasavant]

I understand that feeling exactly. For me, it wasn't 3 days in an e46 that reminded me, it was a single test drive of a 330 equiped with the Performance Package package. That's one of the reasons I think TD is nuts to sell his car without letting it sit for a week or two and driving it again first.

:paranoid:

How are the new shoes -scrubbed them in yet?

I never drive my car anymore. I'll ask my girlfriend.

Why is that?

My new job is in downtown Boston. I take the train to work every day. My girlfriend takes the M3 to school.

I drove the car hard tonight. The tires are awesome. I can't wait to do the front shocks and control arm bushings. That should really tighten the car up.

[ARCHER]

I understand that feeling exactly. For me, it wasn't 3 days in an e46 that reminded me, it was a single test drive of a 330 equiped with the Performance Package package. That's one of the reasons I think TD is nuts to sell his car without letting it sit for a week or two and driving it again first.

:paranoid:

How are the new shoes -scrubbed them in yet?

I never drive my car anymore. I'll ask my girlfriend.

Why is that?

My new job is in downtown Boston. I take the train to work every day. My girlfriend takes the M3 to school.

I drove the car hard tonight. The tires are awesome. I can't wait to do the front shocks and control arm bushings. That should really tighten the car up.

I'm about to shell out for Inspection II as well. I expect to be sorting through bushings and the like soon after. The car feels pretty tight, but with 68k on the clock, it's due for some attention.

[zcasavant]

I understand that feeling exactly. For me, it wasn't 3 days in an e46 that reminded me, it was a single test drive of a 330 equiped with the Performance Package package. That's one of the reasons I think TD is nuts to sell his car without letting it sit for a week or two and driving it again first.

:paranoid:

How are the new shoes -scrubbed them in yet?

I never drive my car anymore. I'll ask my girlfriend.

Why is that?

My new job is in downtown Boston. I take the train to work every day. My girlfriend takes the M3 to school.

I drove the car hard tonight. The tires are awesome. I can't wait to do the front shocks and control arm bushings. That should really tighten the car up.

I'm about to shell out for Inspection II as well. I expect to be sorting through bushings and the like soon after. The car feels pretty tight, but with 68k on the clock, it's due for some attention.

Just hit 80k here. My rear trailing arm bushings are shot too. I need to take care of that fast as the condition leads to bad tire wear.

[lemming]

TD isn't nuts.

it's just the current state of affairs.

there are so many great cars out there at such affordable prices that it is hard to not look long and hard at what is out there.

[Theo]

TD isn't nuts.

YES he is. :P

I agree with Archer. It's too comfortable without car payments, having a fun car to drive, to be looking for another. I am not that worried about it. I just turned 45K. :D She runs GREAT!!

Btw Tom, did you get that thing weighed yet!! :evil:

[TD]

TD isn't nuts.

YES he is. :P

I agree with Archer. It's too comfortable without car payments, having a fun car to drive, to be looking for another. I am not that worried about it. I just turned 45K. :D She runs GREAT!!

Btw Tom, did you get that thing weighed yet!! :evil:If you just pretend I hadn't PM'ed you yet telling you it was off the car, you wouldn't be so eager to get it. :)

Soon...

[ARCHER]

TD isn't nuts.

YES he is. :P

I agree with Archer. It's too comfortable without car payments, having a fun car to drive, to be looking for another. I am not that worried about it. I just turned 45K. :D She runs GREAT!!

Btw Tom, did you get that thing weighed yet!! :evil:If you just pretend I hadn't PM'ed you yet telling you it was off the car, you wouldn't be so eager to get it. :)

Soon...

Are you parting stuff out?

[TD]

TD isn't nuts.

YES he is. :P

I agree with Archer. It's too comfortable without car payments, having a fun car to drive, to be looking for another. I am not that worried about it. I just turned 45K. :D She runs GREAT!!

Btw Tom, did you get that thing weighed yet!! :evil:If you just pretend I hadn't PM'ed you yet telling you it was off the car, you wouldn't be so eager to get it. :)

Soon...

Are you parting stuff out?Only the strut brace so far.

[Theo]

TD isn't nuts.

YES he is. :P

I agree with Archer. It's too comfortable without car payments, having a fun car to drive, to be looking for another. I am not that worried about it. I just turned 45K. :D She runs GREAT!!

Btw Tom, did you get that thing weighed yet!! :evil:If you just pretend I hadn't PM'ed you yet telling you it was off the car, you wouldn't be so eager to get it. :)

Soon...

Are you parting stuff out?Only the strut brace so far.

My convert needs it BAD. Ask JST. Apparently makes a BIG difference!! :twisted:

[ARCHER]

TD isn't nuts.

YES he is. :P

I agree with Archer. It's too comfortable without car payments, having a fun car to drive, to be looking for another. I am not that worried about it. I just turned 45K. :D She runs GREAT!!

Btw Tom, did you get that thing weighed yet!! :evil:If you just pretend I hadn't PM'ed you yet telling you it was off the car, you wouldn't be so eager to get it. :)


Soon...

Are you parting stuff out?Only the strut brace so far.

My convert needs it BAD. Ask JST. Apparently makes a BIG difference!! :twisted:

I can imagine. Most convertibles I have driven were the same. On a day like today though, a vert would be... :cool:

I wish I was in a position to pry a few mods a way from Tom, but we are putting money into the house this spring. Mods are on hold for a bit.

[TD]

TD isn't nuts.

YES he is. :P

I agree with Archer. It's too comfortable without car payments, having a fun car to drive, to be looking for another. I am not that worried about it. I just turned 45K. :D She runs GREAT!!

Btw Tom, did you get that thing weighed yet!! :evil:If you just pretend I hadn't PM'ed you yet telling you it was off the car, you wouldn't be so eager to get it. :)


Soon...

Are you parting stuff out?Only the strut brace so far.

My convert needs it BAD. Ask JST. Apparently makes a BIG difference!! :twisted:

I can imagine. Most convertibles I have driven were the same. On a day like today though, a vert would be... :cool:

I wish I was in a position to pry a few mods a way from Tom, but we are putting money into the house this spring. Mods are on hold for a bit.Well, if I keep the car, I can't see parting with anything else.

I don't miss having the bar installed (I'm getting old).

[ARCHER]

Well, if I keep the car, I can't see parting with anything else.

I don't miss having the bar installed (I'm getting old).

Old and soft...

The next thing will be ZKWs. The stock lights are f'n useless.

[SARAFIL]

The next thing will be ZKWs. The stock lights are f'n useless.

Money well spent! Though, they appear to have gone up already since I bought mine in December. Regardless of the price increase, I still think it's an almost necessity with the E36, unless you never drive at night.

[Theo]

TD isn't nuts.

YES he is. :P

I agree with Archer. It's too comfortable without car payments, having a fun car to drive, to be looking for another. I am not that worried about it. I just turned 45K. :D She runs GREAT!!

Btw Tom, did you get that thing weighed yet!! :evil:If you just pretend I hadn't PM'ed you yet telling you it was off the car, you wouldn't be so eager to get it. :)


Soon...

Are you parting stuff out?Only the strut brace so far.

My convert needs it BAD. Ask JST. Apparently makes a BIG difference!! :twisted:

I can imagine. Most convertibles I have driven were the same. On a day like today though, a vert would be... :cool:

I wish I was in a position to pry a few mods a way from Tom, but we are putting money into the house this spring. Mods are on hold for a bit. Yeah, I am right there with you. I just spent a ton redoing my deck. Back to the mods now though. ;)

[Theo]

The next thing will be ZKWs. The stock lights are f'n useless.

Money well spent! Though, they appear to have gone up already since I bought mine in December. Regardless of the price increase, I still think it's an almost necessity with the E36, unless you never drive at night.

$439 with plug and play and stoneguard was the best I could find. :(

[Rob]

The next thing will be ZKWs. The stock lights are f'n useless.

Money well spent! Though, they appear to have gone up already since I bought mine in December. Regardless of the price increase, I still think it's an almost necessity with the E36, unless you never drive at night.

$439 with plug and play and stoneguard was the best I could find. :(

Only problem with ZKWs is they don't work with the Dinan cai (which I couldn't care less about) and the cai is requried to get the Dinan software (which I want). Well, they don't work without modification, anyway. Choices, choices.