An old timer checking in..
Have your neighbors been hounding you to check the Ferrari out? I know I'd be knocking your door down if I lived next to you lol. The white w/red is just stunning!
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Toronto
I just wanted to share my thoughts after about a month and a half of owning my new car.
I could go on and on about how awesome it is and it truly is but here's a few things that have struck out to me:
Great daily driver, averaging right now about 9.5L/100 km/hr. That is better than any car that I own right now including in terms of fuel mileage. When I drove to Montreal two weeks ago I was doing around 8.1 which is downright silly for a car with this much power. I know its heresy to talk about fuel mileage with some cars but I think it demonstrates the broad range of usability some people get out of it.
The suspension with the Magnaride option allows for the bumpy road setting...the ride on our horrendous streets is much more tenable and compliant than the other two cars.
The acceleration is breathtaking, the intake and exhaust sound are downright hilarious but most of all so far my favourite feature is the transmission. From normal Drive to the full on Race, Ferrari has truly mastered the art of the flappy paddle gearbox. It's amazing.
I am also happy how everyone on the street is enthusiastic and positive about the car, It's been nothing but thumbs up and smile and waves.
I'll think of some other things If they come to mind..will post more pictures this weekend.
Oh and West6MT great meeting you!
M
I could go on and on about how awesome it is and it truly is but here's a few things that have struck out to me:
Great daily driver, averaging right now about 9.5L/100 km/hr. That is better than any car that I own right now including in terms of fuel mileage. When I drove to Montreal two weeks ago I was doing around 8.1 which is downright silly for a car with this much power. I know its heresy to talk about fuel mileage with some cars but I think it demonstrates the broad range of usability some people get out of it.
The suspension with the Magnaride option allows for the bumpy road setting...the ride on our horrendous streets is much more tenable and compliant than the other two cars.
The acceleration is breathtaking, the intake and exhaust sound are downright hilarious but most of all so far my favourite feature is the transmission. From normal Drive to the full on Race, Ferrari has truly mastered the art of the flappy paddle gearbox. It's amazing.
I am also happy how everyone on the street is enthusiastic and positive about the car, It's been nothing but thumbs up and smile and waves.
I'll think of some other things If they come to mind..will post more pictures this weekend.
Oh and West6MT great meeting you!
M
Didn't see this until now. It was great meeting you too! Definitely look forward to hanging out again when one of us is in the other's neck of the woods. 
Thread Starter
Suzuka Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,271
Likes: 236
From: Maryland
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Joined: Dec 2001
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Thread Starter
Suzuka Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,271
Likes: 236
From: Maryland
So I'm thinking about getting a smaller reasonable daily driver and letting my wife use the Range as she has a smaller commute out of the two of us.
I narrowed it down to these choices;
Fiesta ST, Golf GTi, Mini Cooper S or JCW. My neighbour down the street is also selling his pristine 2005 M3 Competition that is very tastefully modded with BBS wheels. Looks like this...
The dealer also threw a bone at me and is leasing me a 2015 XJ at an absurd price but it's a big car and I'm afraid I will get bored. I'm a bit all over the place but I've been in the mood for a small compact for a while now.
I narrowed it down to these choices;
Fiesta ST, Golf GTi, Mini Cooper S or JCW. My neighbour down the street is also selling his pristine 2005 M3 Competition that is very tastefully modded with BBS wheels. Looks like this...
The dealer also threw a bone at me and is leasing me a 2015 XJ at an absurd price but it's a big car and I'm afraid I will get bored. I'm a bit all over the place but I've been in the mood for a small compact for a while now.
Joined: Sep 2008
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What about the Ford Focus ST? Local buddy Marcel has a JCW and he friggin LOVES it.
I drove my buddy's Fiesta ST and it was a blast, actually.
I think the power you're used to though, will leave you a little bored.
I say you outright purchase that M3...regardless of what you lease!
Did you smoke that guy on the strip?
Saw an RS4 and Panamera Turbo GTS racing on the highway yesterday. Well, I didn't really know they were racing initially because all I saw was a Pana go by me at 120 and then ten seconds later the Audi trying to catch up.
I drove my buddy's Fiesta ST and it was a blast, actually.
I think the power you're used to though, will leave you a little bored.
I say you outright purchase that M3...regardless of what you lease!
Did you smoke that guy on the strip?
Saw an RS4 and Panamera Turbo GTS racing on the highway yesterday. Well, I didn't really know they were racing initially because all I saw was a Pana go by me at 120 and then ten seconds later the Audi trying to catch up.
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Suzuka Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,271
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From: Maryland
I actually meant Focus ST but typed Fiesta. I drove one about a year ago and absolutely loved it. I doubt I will get bored much as I enjoy different machines with different HP levels, I do miss tuning and modding cars a bit.
The M3 is flawless but he wants a bit too much for it it's got about 60,000 miles and he's asking around 24,000 which I believe becomes 27 once I pay the taxman which is a bit rich for a 2005 I think.
The race was a lot closer than you'd think. Lots of slip for me through the '60 feet allowed the Jaguar to reel me in. It was also pretty humid last night. I ran a 11.8 and he ran 12.5 through the quarter.
The M3 is flawless but he wants a bit too much for it it's got about 60,000 miles and he's asking around 24,000 which I believe becomes 27 once I pay the taxman which is a bit rich for a 2005 I think.
The race was a lot closer than you'd think. Lots of slip for me through the '60 feet allowed the Jaguar to reel me in. It was also pretty humid last night. I ran a 11.8 and he ran 12.5 through the quarter.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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I actually meant Focus ST but typed Fiesta. I drove one about a year ago and absolutely loved it. I doubt I will get bored much as I enjoy different machines with different HP levels, I do miss tuning and modding cars a bit.
The M3 is flawless but he wants a bit too much for it it's got about 60,000 miles and he's asking around 24,000 which I believe becomes 27 once I pay the taxman which is a bit rich for a 2005 I think.
The race was a lot closer than you'd think. Lots of slip for me through the '60 feet allowed the Jaguar to reel me in. It was also pretty humid last night. I ran a 11.8 and he ran 12.5 through the quarter.
The M3 is flawless but he wants a bit too much for it it's got about 60,000 miles and he's asking around 24,000 which I believe becomes 27 once I pay the taxman which is a bit rich for a 2005 I think.
The race was a lot closer than you'd think. Lots of slip for me through the '60 feet allowed the Jaguar to reel me in. It was also pretty humid last night. I ran a 11.8 and he ran 12.5 through the quarter.
But, if you want some good tough-decisions to have, I'd also suggest you look up a Subaru Impreza WRX and a Mitsubishi EVO. And one vote also to scope out the BR-Z.
Joined: Sep 2008
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Focus ST it is!
Yeah, he's out of his fucking mind. I almost bought one of those off a close friend for $10-12K. He talked me out of it because of the constant maintenance.
11.8 WITH slipping? So you're high 10's on some serious tires then.
Sex.
Yeah, he's out of his fucking mind. I almost bought one of those off a close friend for $10-12K. He talked me out of it because of the constant maintenance.
11.8 WITH slipping? So you're high 10's on some serious tires then.
Sex.
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Suzuka Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,271
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From: Maryland
it's hard to find a clean S2000 around these parts. 
I also went to the dealer and negotiated on a ST for almost two hours and they wouldn't budge. Ended up with a Mini. Very happy nonetheless, can't believe how fun this is
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Los Angeles
Someone said it before... everyone has to own a Mini at least once in their life time.
It is hard to explain coming from an ex s2000 owner. It is just like s2000 except it is on the opposite side.... Hard to explain
Edit.. it was James May.
It is hard to explain coming from an ex s2000 owner. It is just like s2000 except it is on the opposite side.... Hard to explain
Edit.. it was James May.
OP: I recommend you look into getting the intake valves walnut blasted if it hasn't been performed in the last ~40k miles. It's very common to have carbon accumulate on the intake valves. A lot of R56 owners have installed methanol kits to aleviate the buildup. I have the HFS-3 kit on my R53 (sprays based on injector signal). Since the R56 has direct injection, the HFS-4 kit can also be tuned to take advantage of the MAP sensor and the high pressure fuel rail to make a better load calculation for the injection algorithm.
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Suzuka Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,271
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From: Maryland
Thanks guys! I'm having a ton of fun booting around town with it. The amount of speed I can carry in corners surprises me every time
And thank you for the sound advice v62k5, I'll book it in this week then and have them do it. Any recommendations for tuning/re flash? I want better tires already.
And thank you for the sound advice v62k5, I'll book it in this week then and have them do it. Any recommendations for tuning/re flash? I want better tires already.
There's only one guy I can recommend for tuning since he's the only person I have dealt with. He is very well known in the MINI scene and has broke a lot of new ground with the R53 platform. It's convenient that he's local but he does tuning parties all around the country since he tunes race Porsches as well. I saw him retune a WC50 R56 to meth the day I first got my non-meth tune. He has slowly ventured into the R56 platform.. I think he's bringing out a CNC'd cylinder head and upgraded cams soon. He's got a forum set up that covers his various projects and the guys there are known to give no-bs advice for maintaining/modifying your car. You should check it out: RMW Forums
Edit: I also just realized there's a meth kit group buy about to close on the forums. I don't know if it's too late for you to join but it's worth a shot.
Edit: I also just realized there's a meth kit group buy about to close on the forums. I don't know if it's too late for you to join but it's worth a shot.
Thread Starter
Suzuka Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,271
Likes: 236
From: Maryland
I've spent the last week and half or so driving an M4. The local dealer loaned me one for an extended drive in the hope I trade my F Type for one.
There's a lot of debate over the BMW forums on the new M3/4 vs the previous model. After 500 Kms or so I'm of the opinion that the new car is better as a daily driver. It's better built, feels substantially faster and is quieter. However, I do find the sound uninspiring. It doesn't sound horrible, it's just a loud sound with a lot of turbo noises. I do prefer the happier rev band of my older car but this is a beast.
Giving it back on Monday. Not trading the Jag
Just my
There's a lot of debate over the BMW forums on the new M3/4 vs the previous model. After 500 Kms or so I'm of the opinion that the new car is better as a daily driver. It's better built, feels substantially faster and is quieter. However, I do find the sound uninspiring. It doesn't sound horrible, it's just a loud sound with a lot of turbo noises. I do prefer the happier rev band of my older car but this is a beast.
Giving it back on Monday. Not trading the Jag
Just my