[jjbirch]

i have just learnt a lot and it hasnt cost me a thing lol

[booforty]

You learn a lot on this forum and its not all about cars...

[squeezebm]

Prefer the Coupe but gotta get the nephew out to Tescos on sat now

[Serjames]

carlos you no like my car ?

SJ

[CrimsonRedE93]

I thought everone would like something that goes like a train and has no top on, but perhaps its just a few people

Really do like those wheels

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by PhilR

Carlos

Do you feel the same way about a Lambo Gallardo Conv?

I've never driven an M3 so couldn't really comment if it ruins the car's drive.

But lets be honest how many M3 conv customers really use the car to it's full potential.......it's for posing......right up your street I would have thought?

PhilR

YES I DO MATE, i wouldnt have one... I mean why on earth do lambo and ferrari build fantastic road cars (coupe) like the gallardo and the F430 then chop the roofs off
I may be a poser, but i dont want a heavy vert hindering acceleration and the lack of torsional rigidity affecting what is a fantastic hadling car in coupe form.

I will never own a convetible!

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

The Boxter is one of the best balanced cars about and that's a vert, or at least it was when I last looked

No its not a CONVERTible is it. It doesent convert, as the carerra gt does not either anyhow there both mid engined mate.

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by Serjames

carlos you no like my car ?

SJ

SJ i think your car looks great and is a great spec. Cant help but think it would be quicker tho without that extra KG's though. It suits you very much and yes it will get double takes. Im just a purist at heart and feel cars that are built with a roof should not have it loped off.

[quattrogmbh]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Im just a purist at heart and feel cars that are built with a roof should not have it loped off.

The E93 isnt simply an E90 with the roof lopped off. Its designed from the platform up without a roof, hence the internal chassis strengthening and chassis members are somewhat different to an E90.

No Convertible these days which just has the roof lopped off would survive the EuroNCAP.

The theory is that the balance should still be 50:50 and the centre of gravity lower in a convertible. Gone are the days of excessive scuttle shake in convertibles :-)

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by quattrogmbh

The E93 isnt simply an E90 with the roof lopped off. Its designed from the platform up without a roof, hence the internal chassis strengthening and chassis members are somewhat different to an E90.

No Convertible these days which just has the roof lopped off would survive the EuroNCAP.

The theory is that the balance should still be 50:50 and the centre of gravity lower in a convertible. Gone are the days of excessive scuttle shake in convertibles :-)

I have driven Sj car, and although i didnt push it round any bends (only in a straightline) i didnt notice any ill handling, im sure they handle mighty fine but would have to compare coupe vs vert on track. The weight alone is a deficit.

[beemerbird]

Prefer the M3 in E92 guise - agree the E90 doesn't look the money really.

Originally Posted by squeezebm

Prefer the Coupe but gotta get the nephew out to Tescos on sat now

Calvin - what are you going to say to ALL these swooning women then. "Want to see my 4 pots luv?"

[squeezebm]

Originally Posted by beemerbird

Prefer the M3 in E92 guise - agree the E90 doesn't look the money really.



Calvin - what are you going to say to ALL these swooning women then. "Want to see my 4 pots luv?"

Luckily i've found a cracker so was only joking (good idea tho H)

[M3-FAST]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

I have driven Sj car, and although i didnt push it round any bends (only in a straightline) i didnt notice any ill handling, im sure they handle mighty fine but would have to compare coupe vs vert on track. The weight alone is a deficit.

Carlos - do you only judge a car by it's performance round a track??

Surely not?

All car's have different benefits and compromises - yes, the couple will almost certainly handle a little better than the 'vert BUT the vert has been designed with the extra weight in mind and the chassis tuned appropriately during the design stages.

The trade off for the slight dulling in performance is the ability to drop the roof and enjoy open top motoring without any unsightly roll bars whilst still having four full seats and decent performance.

BMW even uprated the engine in the verts - my 325i has a 3.0 litre, the equivalent 325i coupe at the time was only a 2.5 litre. This was BM's way of trying to address the trade off.

Just because it might go round the track a second slower does not make it a worse car. Not many people drive around the road like knobs thrashing the nuts out of there cars anyhow, so would be unlikely to notice any of the issues,

You really should get into the real world. 99.99% of motorists NEVER put there car on a track. There cars will have been designed for road use! They will be happy with there road use performance.

Your constant 0-60, 0-100, 1/4 mile, time round a track, etc yardsticks are pretty pointless on todays speed camera'd, traffic congested roads surely?

I am not just saying this cos I drive a vert, cos it seems any car that anybody raves about on here, you seem to have an arguament not to buy it/drive it cos there is a better alternative.

There will ALWAYS be a better alternative, but may not provide what the prospective owner requires from there new proud purchase!

[Serjames]

by the way We've found about 20 pounds of dead weight that can be removed from the e93. about 2 or 3 pounds on the exhaust pipe and a huge counter weight on the frame below the rear suspension.

Birds are removing these for me as we speak.

(don't panic they're noise and vibration dampers, not something I'm worried about.)

have attached some pics

[M3-FAST]

mmmm - me thinks 400 bhp will be easier to achieve next time

[jjbirch]

the car looks clean under too

[Serjames]

yeah there's lots of covers under there.. looks filthy from the front lol...

SJ

[mikem]

Look forward to reading the report SJ.

[Serjames]

Spent the whole afternoon yesterday with kevin and matthew, wrestling with the downpipes.

Is really difficult to get them sorted on the right hand drives because the steering column gets in the way and it's just impossibly tight in there.

Took all three of us and 6 hands to get it sorted !

In the end we had to lower the subframe unbolt the engine and push the engine up to get clearance.

Still not 100% happy with the fitment as the pipes are sitting right on the frame, but he ho.

Finished up yesterday about 6pm byt fabricating some extended Lambda sensors which are fed in behind the secondary cats to ensure we get no nasty Cels.

Quaife's in, rear harge roll bar is in, still got the front to do.

Boost gauge and Procede modifications on Monday !

Intake arrives tuesday, but I can fit that myself.

SJ

[mikem]

Car`s really coming together SJ , what`s the ultimate goal ?

I`m trying to convince myself that I now have enough power but the roads are getting drier and drier, soon it`ll be Michelin Cup weather and I also need a bigger speedometer.

[Bumps]

Originally Posted by PhilR

Why would you want to do that!!

Your looking at this from the wrong angle.

I never go shopping etc on a weekend without my 1 Year old lad. He's a true babe magnet.......An instant converation starter...I have never been so popular

Forget bars and clubs.........Tesco's on Sat PM is the place to go - ha ha

PS Don't tell the wife

Not wrong Phil! My (very blonde, blue eyed) boy has exactly the same effect.

Like the M3 E90; I always go for the 'anti-establishment' choice, and something just appeals about a 4 door M3. After all, WTCC cars are based on 4 doors so why not?

[Bumps]

Originally Posted by Serjames

Spent the whole afternoon yesterday with kevin and matthew, wrestling with the downpipes.

Is really difficult to get them sorted on the right hand drives because the steering column gets in the way and it's just impossibly tight in there.

Took all three of us and 6 hands to get it sorted !

In the end we had to lower the subframe unbolt the engine and push the engine up to get clearance.

Still not 100% happy with the fitment as the pipes are sitting right on the frame, but he ho.

Finished up yesterday about 6pm byt fabricating some extended Lambda sensors which are fed in behind the secondary cats to ensure we get no nasty Cels.

Quaife's in, rear harge roll bar is in, still got the front to do.

Boost gauge and Procede modifications on Monday !

Intake arrives tuesday, but I can fit that myself.

SJ

Wow! Pretty extensive tinkering there James. Looking forward to seeing the end results