Topic: 2011 BMW 335is; Day 1

[ovr50]

Traitors..................

[dave]

Traitors..................

Don't worry ovr, a certified series M3 sedan is still sitting at the top of my (dream) list.   

[roscoe]

do you have the graph?

No, but here is the APR link for their Stage 1, 2, and 3 programs. They have dyno graphs posted there, but done by them. I can tell you that the claims are accurate, as I had my GTI dyno'd after doing APR Stage 1, 3-inch APR exhaust, and a cold air intake. I was putting down 254 hp and 313 lb-ft to the wheels. Or, applying the 15% drivetrain loss factor, 300 hp and 370 lb-ft at the crank.

goapr.com/products/ecu_upgrade_20tfsi_trans.html

[Triple Bob]

Traitors..................

Don't worry ovr, a certified series M3 sedan is still sitting at the top of my (dream) list.   

I saw a few new M3 sedans whilst in the UK.  Much as I like the coupe shape the 4 door M3's look really good!!

[No H2O]

IMO, this is due to the fact that many of these cars are purchased for their "status" alone...

I would say that is true in our NA society, but in other parts of the world that I have visited, a 3 series is a plain everyday A to B driver.

These "status hungry" types are the same ones that crave to be seen in their vehicles. They, like some motorcyclists, will hang out at meeting points, doughnut shops, cruise the strip, etc.

Its our society. Cripes, I have seen glamourous big dollar kitchens where nothing is ever cooked in. Their owners buy their lunches (crap food) at work. There isn't a single item on any counter top. Those kitchens are just for show for when friends come over. I have to chuckle.

[tpl]

IMO, this is due to the fact that many of these cars are purchased for their "status" alone...

I would say that is true in our NA society, but in other parts of the world that I have visited, a 3 series is a plain everyday A to B driver.

These "status hungry" types are the same ones that crave to be seen in their vehicles. They, like some motorcyclists, will hang out at meeting points, doughnut shops, cruise the strip, etc.

Its our society. Cripes, I have seen glamourous big dollar kitchens where nothing is ever cooked in. Their owners buy their lunches (crap food) at work. There isn't a single item on any counter top. Those kitchens are just for show for when friends come over. I have to chuckle.

I agree. In those sensible places where one can buy a 318, a 320 or a 4 cyl diesel and have many of the great things about a BMW 3-er at a reasonable price.

[No H2O]

I agree. In those sensible places where one can buy a 318, a 320 or a 4 cyl diesel and have many of the great things about a BMW 3-er at a reasonable price.

And that is exactly what I'd be looking for in my next daily driver. Something with a solid-on-the-road feeling without the bulk and that gets me from A to B with no fancy frills.

Its funny how we in NA look upon these cars. Most think high performance; I think regular car that drives the way it should, or at least the way I think it should.

A 320d won the 24 hours at the Nurburgring...probably had to make less fuel stops.

[TopGun]

.....
These "status hungry" types are the same ones that crave to be seen in their vehicles. They, like some motorcyclists, will hang out at meeting points, doughnut shops, cruise the strip, etc.
.....

Interesting that many people see bright/flashy cars as a clear indicator of a "status hungry" person.  I don't think it needs to be the case.  I know you're with me hcrv...as you drive a yellow 911!

I would love to have my next car be yellow (911)...or Grabber Blue (Mustang)...or Orange (Lotus)...or Plum Crazy (Challenger).  Not because I crave to be seen...I just like the look of some of them.

[initial_D]

I fail to see how driving a 3-series/C-class can have some level of social status, they are as common as Corollas and Civics. The trucks here cost more, and are everywhere.

[Schmengie]

 There are so many of them around I don't really notice BMWs anymore, and when I do it's usually because the driver's done something stupid like failing to use signals or running a red light. That driver usually turns out to be a young blonde woman or a teenage boy with his girlfriend beside him. Yesterday, a brand-new 5-series cut in front of me when it was pulling out of the parking lot at - get this - Value Village, at the wheel was an elderly woman in her 80's. She didn't stop for oncoming traffic and didn't even look in my direction. Not really something to aspire to, unfortunately...

 That said, I'd still love to have a nice little 3-series. Red, of course.

 

[Ex-airbalancer]

I'd still love to have a nice little 3-series

3 series is not too little anymore

[No H2O]

Interesting that many people see bright/flashy cars as a clear indicator of a "status hungry" person.  I don't think it needs to be the case.  I know you're with me hcrv...as you drive a yellow 911!

I never thought of the colour aspect and don't consider it as a "clear indicator of a "status hungry" person". Maybe it is for some.

Ask me this time last year if I would have bought a Speed Yellow 911 and I would have told you, "are you crazy, German cars should be silver". I also thought that when I saw pics in the ad, but once i saw that particular yellow in person, it was a done deal.

As for being seen, good luck finding me. I'm on back roads where there is no traffic. I'm also not a show 'n shine type to bring my cars/motorcycles to malls or hang out at the local Tim's.

[Triple Bob]

Interesting that many people see bright/flashy cars as a clear indicator of a "status hungry" person.  I don't think it needs to be the case.  I know you're with me hcrv...as you drive a yellow 911!

I never thought of the colour aspect and don't consider it as a "clear indicator of a "status hungry" person". Maybe it is for some.

Ask me this time last year if I would have bought a Speed Yellow 911 and I would have told you, "are you crazy, German cars should be silver". I also thought that when I saw pics in the ad, but once i saw that particular yellow in person, it was a done deal.

As for being seen, good luck finding me. I'm on back roads where there is no traffic. I'm also not a show 'n shine type to bring my cars/motorcycles to malls or hang out at the local Tim's.

Personally I find meets lots of fun, I love speaking to "car" people.  And I'm not talking about hanging out at the mall.  I don't treat cars like garage queens either, they are there to be driven, and if that means a trip to the mall for some shopping so be it.

[Snowman]

Interesting that many people see bright/flashy cars as a clear indicator of a "status hungry" person.  I don't think it needs to be the case.  I know you're with me hcrv...as you drive a yellow 911!

I never thought of the colour aspect and don't consider it as a "clear indicator of a "status hungry" person". Maybe it is for some.

Ask me this time last year if I would have bought a Speed Yellow 911 and I would have told you, "are you crazy, German cars should be silver". I also thought that when I saw pics in the ad, but once i saw that particular yellow in person, it was a done deal.

As for being seen, good luck finding me. I'm on back roads where there is no traffic. I'm also not a show 'n shine type to bring my cars/motorcycles to malls or hang out at the local Tim's.

Personally I find meets lots of fun, I love speaking to "car" people.  And I'm not talking about hanging out at the mall.  I don't treat cars like garage queens either, they are there to be driven, and if that means a trip to the mall for some shopping so be it.

  well said TB.

[No H2O]

Personally I find meets lots of fun, I love speaking to "car" people.

And motorcycle people, except they're not at meets but riders on a tour that stop at mountain pass tops or roadside stops. That makes it all the more interesting because some/most of them are from far away places.

[Triple Bob]

I don't mind motorbike people, as long as they are also car people.  I like bikes, but I can't stand listening to bike people go on about how great bikes are compared to cars.  Whatever floats your boat. (boatpeople  )

Interesting that many people see bright/flashy cars as a clear indicator of a "status hungry" person.  I don't think it needs to be the case.  I know you're with me hcrv...as you drive a yellow 911!

I never thought of the colour aspect and don't consider it as a "clear indicator of a "status hungry" person". Maybe it is for some.

Ask me this time last year if I would have bought a Speed Yellow 911 and I would have told you, "are you crazy, German cars should be silver". I also thought that when I saw pics in the ad, but once i saw that particular yellow in person, it was a done deal.

As for being seen, good luck finding me. I'm on back roads where there is no traffic. I'm also not a show 'n shine type to bring my cars/motorcycles to malls or hang out at the local Tim's.

Personally I find meets lots of fun, I love speaking to "car" people.  And I'm not talking about hanging out at the mall.  I don't treat cars like garage queens either, they are there to be driven, and if that means a trip to the mall for some shopping so be it.

  well said TB.

cheers!
 

And you never know what you might see when you're out and about...

http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php/topic,26765.msg661961.html#msg661961

[johngenx]

I'm on back roads where there is no traffic. I'm also not a show 'n shine type to bring my cars/motorcycles to malls or hang out at the local Tim's.

Not sure about the newer versions, but both of my 911's sucked in traffic.  Crawling from light to light was an exercise in frustration.  The steering was weighted perfectly for high speed work, but at slow speeds around parking lots and such work, was terrible.

In parking lots, the car was a target.  Parking at the curb was safer, but uninformed passengers could open the door into the curb unless I took care to park far out.