Today: Susan Komen drive for cancer

My wife and I will be taking the drive in Ridgefield, CT tomorrow. I'll get to spend at least 12 miles with the new E90 325 without a salesman yammering in my ear. In addition, BMW donates a buck towards a cure for cancer for every mile driven.

At last, I can waste time and kill an afternoon test driving cars and feel good about it.

While I'm at it, might try a Z4, too.

I'm in the market, my 323 is turning five years old in November - I still love it, it's been a wonderful car in every way, exceeding expectations. It still looks great, brand new actually (only has 45k on it and lives in the garage). But, while it still has some value (depreciating rapidly), it's a good idea to think about selling.

New cars on my list: E90 (not too excited about this one, I have to admit), new Miata MX5 (very excited), Honda S2000 (more excitement), Z4 (only because of the discounts, might still find it hard to get past the looks), Infiniti G35 coupe ( overlooked, imo), and finally, the new Vette (yum yum, but I'd have to save for another year).

Obviously, I'm leaning towards coupes and sports cars - we'll see, I'm in no hurry.

I'll follow-up after tomorrow's drive.

Ed

Reply » Today: Susan Komen drive for cancer

If you get a chance, drive the 330i as well. I missed two opportunities I had to do the drive. On one opportunity, I dumbassed it and couldn't find the damned place. I really wanted to get into the 330i MT since my dealer has yet to have one in stock. (They just have step.) Oh, and have fun.

Reply » Today: Susan Komen drive for cancer

Quote:

If you get a chance, drive the 330i as well. Oh, and have fun.

Thanks Patrick,

If there's a 330 available, I'll take it out. I did test drive the new 330 back in May when they first arrived. I liked it, it handled really well and it went really fast. However, I didn't love it, it was isolating and uninvolving.

Haven't tried a 325 yet - would like to do one with a SP, but I bet the komen cars are on the plebian side.

Ed

Reply » Today: Susan Komen drive for cancer

Follow up:

I drove the E90 325i with step and a sport package. I liked it a lot, it definitely is a much better handling car than my E46. In fact, it has a more nimble, tossable feel, yet it's larger and weighs a bit more than my car - an impressive achievement. The driving position and steering felt just about perfect.

The interior was a real let down, not so much the design, which I could live with, but the quality of materials - this car, at 35 large, had the exact same headliner and trim around the a pillars as our new Outback wagon and, gasp, a cheaper feeling set of switches and buttons just about everywhere from the climate control to the overhead/sunroof console area - cheap, crappy plastic - what a major disappointment.

Also, my wife hated it, so.....

I drove the Z4 3.0 - it's ugly, but WOW!!! What a car! I want one, in fact, I think I'm getting one (unless the new Miata tempts me away).

The Z4 does just about everything a car enthusiast could want, it's reasonably comfortable, it's relatively light (could be better there, though), it's fast and powerful and it handles remarkably well.... I took an entrance ramp onto I84 at..........well, let's just say it handles really well

Reply » Today: Susan Komen drive for cancer

Yeah, I was also not so thrilled w/ the e90 interior. Although, I will say that its the best of the bunch (out of the e60, 65 and 90). Nothing can beat the all-out crappiness of the e60's interior. I hate to say it, but if didnt like the e90's interior, you're going to hate the G35's. That car also has a truly crappy interior. Its like driving inside an 80s boom box.

Reply » Today: Susan Komen drive for cancer

We did this a few months ago in Tampa. We started the day by doing the Ultimate Driving Experience. In this you compare the E90 against the G35 and the A4 on a road course with professional drivers coaching you. It was a blast, and as far as a driving experience the 330i blew the doors off both the other vehicles. We were sure we wanted a 330i.

Afterwards, we drove a number of vehicles in the Susan B. Kohlman (Sp?) event. We drove a 545i, two Z4s, a 650(?) and 7series. All were awesome. We especially loved the Z4s- great torque that really forced you into the back of your seat and a sound that when you stepped on it just made you grin!

A two seater doesn't fit in our plans right now, but a Z down the road is something we would really like.
The 545 sold us on the 5 series and a 530i is now on order for ED.

You will love the SBK drive. Drive as many vehicles as you can. It will be a very memorable day.

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