Darth Maul Tuner M3

I think I kinda like the look of this one - maybe I'm just a sucker for the orange highlights or something. More details over here (but there's no performance stuff done to it - all just looks)

My Favorite Ad

I know, I'm biased (not that I have this version of course). And one of the cool things about this is it's actually real video with camera slots cut into the side of the engine, along with the needed light holes as well. I've never seen the inside of an engine when it's running before - have you?

Dreams

Just when you think you can't imagine your car being any better than it is, someone down the road puts up for sale a car with all the mods you'd do if you had an unlimited supply of money......

New M3 isn't that fast

At least compared to this competition. Even though you know what's going to happen before you see it, you still feel compelled to watch....

Car Control Clinic

Today was my first venture in the car that involved a bit of closed track action - the learners starter place known as the Car Control Clinic. This is a mandatory (I think anyway, if not, highly recommended) prior to the driving school I'm going to in a couple of weeks (I got my helmet yesterday).

Of course, it was all brand new, so I was a little scared, but after easing gently into the slalom, I gradually got faster and kept it all under a semblance of control. After slalom was the skid pad - two large circles next to each other - one wet, one dry, just so you could feel the difference in grip. I think it was my favorite part of the day - getting the tail to lightly drift out as your pushing it was a lot of fun.

Finally was the emergency braking section - stop as quickly as you can, first in a straight line, and then as you're turning. ABS obviously makes this a lot easier than it used to be, but it was still fun. Unfortunately, during the braking, the car started making some weird scraping noises, so I pulled out before the end, and a few of the very helpful staff there took a look and gave me a hand working out what was going on. It all turned out fine in the end - I had a small rock stuck in between the rotor and caliper, and it managed to pop out as we were driving home, with no damage done. I think I turned white before I knew what it was though - obviously imagining the worst, and wondering if I'd even get home.

Anyway, still recovering now - the clutch leg is a little achy, and the face is definitely sore from all the grinning I've been doing. Heidi took lots of photos and vids, so I combined all the slalom ones for your viewing pleasure below. And can I just say in my defense (before you get started with the abuse brothers), the first couple I was told to go pretty slow....

BMW M3 Offical Details and Advert

So I told you I wouldn't mention this again until it was all official, so they went and made it all official. Specs are here, and here's the first ad (apparently every road is a racetrack....).

2008 M3 (Lot's more details)

OK - this is (probably) going to be my last post on this particular car until we get the full official press release and pics. I had sort of decided after the last M3 post that I was getting a little too obsessed, and would refrain, but there's finally some new pics and a lot more (semi) official information available here. And that's it until the press release or reviews appear (or maybe more mp3's of the engine noise, coz I liked the last one)

New M3 Pics

Almost official now, BMW released the M3 "Concept" at the Geneva Motor Show - I have to say it's looking better now than the previous snaps of the test vehicle. And that carbon fibre roof.... Still prefer my shape though ;-)