Pick up my M3 this evening!

[pdavison]

I will be collecting my E46 M3 coupe this evening, really can't wait ... spec as follows:

2002
Oxford Green 2
Individual Champagne Leather
18's
Harmon Kardon
Sunroof
Wood trim
Plus a few other little bits

Just got to find out if it needs the engine recall (pretty sure it will do).

Also, it will need new rear tyres fairly soon, any pointers as to which are the best to go for?

This week I shall mostly be grinning like a cat that got the cream!

>>> Edited by pdavison on Friday 17th September 14:03

[mondeoman]

Congrats!

Get some nice black rubber tyres for the back and you wont go far wrong!

Conti sportcontact2 or Michelin Pilots would be top of my list for replacements.

[anniesdad]

Manual or SMG?

[john_p]

P-Zero Neros are a great choice of tyre.

[pdavison]

It's a manual.

So far it's great, just getting used to the gearchange which appears to be notchy when the car's cold.

It's not quite as quick as the Cerbera I had before but it feels so much more planted and a damn site more comfortable.

[rallycross]

A friend of a friend of a friend that I met in the pub might be able to get you some 18" remoulds for the back matey.

I can't guarantee the brand, but I can guarantee you'll be exiting roundabouts backwards as soon as it rains!

[shadowninja]

rallycross said:

A friend of a friend of a friend that I met in the pub might be able to get you some 18" remoulds for the back matey. I can't guarantee the brand, but I can guarantee you'll be exiting roundabouts backwards as soon as it rains!

think you'll find they're Avons then
(ok ZZ3s aren't as bad as ZZ1s)

I heard F1s are the best. Can't remember the brand though. Goodyear? SXOC.comers rave about them...

[rich_b]

pdavison said:

It's a manual. just getting used to the gearchange which appears to be notchy when the car's cold.

Welcome to bmw ownership

[pdavison]

I'm thinking of upgrading to 19'' alloys, I know they are not supposed to be quite as good for the handling but I know come resale they appear to help and they look great.

What's a good price for a set of 19's with tyres (BMW OE only)?

[juliann]

pdavison said:

I'm thinking of upgrading to 19'' alloys, I know they are not supposed to be quite as good for the handling but I know come resale they appear to help and they look great. What's a good price for a set of 19's with tyres (BMW OE only)?

They tend to be around the £1500 mark complete. I would make sure you get them with the Michelins though as from previous experience the Conti's are awful - far more prone to aquaplaning.

[medicineman]

19in, handling, ride and theft issues. Get some McGards ultra nuts and keep the locks on you. I've heard various horror stories about the conti's.

[veetwin]

Paul,

Well done mate! Can't beat the old Beemer.
I am currently looking at a 2002 M3 SMG in Silver with Laguna Seca leather. Still got the Duke although haven't ridden much this year due to the poxy British weather.

How does it compare to your E36? Much more planted I would assume.

Catch you soon hopefully

James

[pdavison]

Hi James,

The E46's engine is just fantastic, the E36 was good but this goes mental in the upper rev range.

Handling is very solid, as you know my E36 was a soft top so I'd be interested to hear how you think the two compare.

The SMG is great fun (I drove them almost back to back)and a big improvement on the E36, but for me a manual was always going to be the way to go!

Catch up soon.

Paul