Ferrari Mailing List: Re: OK Thinking about a new toy car

[Tarun Kundhi (tkundhi]

Mike,

This past weekend, I instructed in a 1 series, 135i w/ an automatic 
transmission. Here are my impressions:

1. The car doesn't feel heavy. It is quite nimble & tossable by today's 
standards.
2. Broad torque curve.
3. Zero turbo lag.
4. BMW's automatic transmission is very very impressive, especially in 
DS mode. I didn't shift the car manually as it was my student's car and 
I hasn't driving it hard. It only had 1,000 miles on it. Personally I'd 
buy it with a manual or the dual clutch transmission that should be 
available in 2009.
5. The most impressive feature of the car are its brakes. Simply awesome!!!

Driving the 135i at 7/10 I kept pace with the other cars in the 
instructor group. The seriously track prepped cars didn't have the 
horsepower to blow right by me. I had to completely get off the gas to 
let them by in the passing zones.

The 135i is a lot faster than both my E30 M3 (w/ a 2.5) & E36 M3. I 
suspect it is faster than stock E46 M3s also. It is a very capable car. 
With a decent set of tires and track pads it would be amazing. If you 
are looking for a car that is at home (and fun) on the street as well as 
the track give it a look.

t.


Mike wrote:
> LOL
>
> I think with the M3 I am in a similar mode as you and your Stang (maybe a
> bit pricier on parts).  Probably I will just keep it, I have a new GTI for a
> daily driver now so the M3 is a garage queen, it's just not as pretty a
> queen as I might want :).
>
> After the Spec Miata, everything feels like it handles like a pig, but they
> all feel much faster in a straight line :).  No traction control, no ABS,
> but also no weight so braking and handling are not really a problem, you
> want a real scare, drive a 1st Gen Viper at speed...
>
> I have never considered going vintage, I guess I may be old enough now to do
> that, but I have seen a few vintage folks race and they bring the equivalent
> of an extra car in spares with them typically :).  If I hold onto a car long
> enough I end up there anyhow :).
>
> Mike
>