Getting to know the ///M . . . .
- Thread starter paulgs1000
- Start date
I've had my mc now for about two months ,and find is more a case of bonding with the car , the only real problem that I had was changing gear from first to second , but if i do that slowly it's fine ,or the same giving it some stick, but I still have the CDV fitted .paulgs1000 said:ocrx8 said:Paul, I also recently upgraded from a 3.0si (think there's a fair few of us in the last few months) and it has taken time to get used to the M. At first I missed the butter smoothness of the N52 as the S54 seemed almost rough in comparison. However, a few months down the line I absolutely love it.
The S54 has a character that the N52 doesn't, the steering is night and day better and the whole car just seems much more planted. I don't understand the comments about the Z4M (or E46 M3 for that matter) lacking torque - mine is noticeably more urgent than the N52, to the point where I've rarely felt the need to go over 5k rpm as there's already so much pace by that point. Perhaps mine is broken?
I'm with you ocrx8 - there is power aplenty at all revs and the torque is amazing mid range - no need to change down for an overtake and brilliant power (as you say) up to 5K revs (after that it is ballistic). I'm still having trouble coming to terms with the character of the ///M though and it's interesting to hear what you (and Criag3.2) have said about it taking time to get used to. Despite the steering and handling and ride (which is all I had hoped for and more - it's in a different league to the 3.0si) at the minute I'm finding it's not suiting my style of driving and I miss the use of that smooth revving N52 . . . .
ncrossy1980 said:
They were an interesting group - look track prepared and collectable - expensive . . .
D4dawg said:Hahaha oooo ohh hellllo
Glad someone understood my reference to Terry Thomas . . . :lol:
Dave.c said:I've had my mc now for about two months ,and find is more a case of bonding with the car , the only real problem that I had was changing gear from first to second , but if i do that slowly it's fine ,or the same giving it some stick, but I still have the CDV fitted .paulgs1000 said:ocrx8 said:Paul, I also recently upgraded from a 3.0si (think there's a fair few of us in the last few months) and it has taken time to get used to the M. At first I missed the butter smoothness of the N52 as the S54 seemed almost rough in comparison. However, a few months down the line I absolutely love it.
The S54 has a character that the N52 doesn't, the steering is night and day better and the whole car just seems much more planted. I don't understand the comments about the Z4M (or E46 M3 for that matter) lacking torque - mine is noticeably more urgent than the N52, to the point where I've rarely felt the need to go over 5k rpm as there's already so much pace by that point. Perhaps mine is broken?
I'm with you ocrx8 - there is power aplenty at all revs and the torque is amazing mid range - no need to change down for an overtake and brilliant power (as you say) up to 5K revs (after that it is ballistic). I'm still having trouble coming to terms with the character of the ///M though and it's interesting to hear what you (and Criag3.2) have said about it taking time to get used to. Despite the steering and handling and ride (which is all I had hoped for and more - it's in a different league to the 3.0si) at the minute I'm finding it's not suiting my style of driving and I miss the use of that smooth revving N52 . . . .
ncrossy1980 said:
They were an interesting group - look track prepared and collectable - expensive . . .
D4dawg said:Hahaha oooo ohh hellllo
Glad someone understood my reference to Terry Thomas . . . :lol:
i read people having this shift problem all the time, I've never had a problem with my car, infact the gear box is one of my fave bits off the car, really really nice change and feel to the box..
Low speed 1st to 2nd took some work for me too. In the 2.5si it was a case of removing the CDV and being a bit smoother. With the ///M the CDV removal doesn't seem to do much (although it depends on who you speak to, but let's not get into that here!) and I've found the opposite cure for the first shift - just punching the clutch in and out, regardless of speed, seems to make for smoother shifts. Any kind of clutch laziness results in a jerky shift. The rest of the box is great. 4-8k is where all the fun is, and working it in that range is properly intoxicating, when you get the chance.
abar121
Active member
Beedub said:Dave.c said:I've had my mc now for about two months ,and find is more a case of bonding with the car , the only real problem that I had was changing gear from first to second , but if i do that slowly it's fine ,or the same giving it some stick, but I still have the CDV fitted .paulgs1000 said:I'm with you ocrx8 - there is power aplenty at all revs and the torque is amazing mid range - no need to change down for an overtake and brilliant power (as you say) up to 5K revs (after that it is ballistic). I'm still having trouble coming to terms with the character of the ///M though and it's interesting to hear what you (and Criag3.2) have said about it taking time to get used to. Despite the steering and handling and ride (which is all I had hoped for and more - it's in a different league to the 3.0si) at the minute I'm finding it's not suiting my style of driving and I miss the use of that smooth revving N52 . . . .
They were an interesting group - look track prepared and collectable - expensive . . .
Glad someone understood my reference to Terry Thomas . . . :lol:
i read people having this shift problem all the time, I've never had a problem with my car, infact the gear box is one of my fave bits off the car, really really nice change and feel to the box..
Yeah mine too. In fact the change is very similar to the new MX5. Lovely! Even first to 2nd.
I guess they must vary. Or people are used to thr less mechanical feel of most fwd gearchanges.
Hmm, time to re-energies this post. . . :? (if you're interested :lol: read on)
I took the ///M to the Nationals and apart from some really enjoyable isolated moments, I mainly ended up at low revs in higher gears than I would have used in the 3.0si. It handles corners and undulations so much better and ironically, because of this, I found myself missing the more challenging drive of the 3.0si for parts of the route 
. I still had a great time - it was just a different type of experience. Most the weekend I'd had Steph encouraging me to drive the ///M like I drive the 3 litre but the frustration was that there was no need - it's so capable it is a different drive. (In effect I'm using the bottom half of the ///M's envelope when I'd be using the top half of the 3 litres envelope)
HOWEVER . . .
Steph and I decided to come home over Hartside and luckily we had nothing else on the road. I'm much more used to the ///M so;
I just have to say WOW - I drove it like I drive my 3 litre (higher revs and lower gears) and we had a blast (after nearly 6 weeks I'm gaining confidence and getting to know the ///M) - 'That's more like it' Steph commented. She went on to say it was about time she got to see me really get into the drive and enjoy the ///M in the way I drive and enjoy the 3 litre. It really was thrilling - in fact, it was fantastic. :lol:
I can now begin to understand how it takes time to get to know and appreciate the ///M. It's taken me this long to have that drive - it was a fabulous moment which will stay with me.
On our way home we had to take a detour to Chollerford and this took us under a couple of overpasses/bridge and again WOW . . . the engine really does sound something else - it IS a racing engine and sounds fabulous. It's the first time we'd really picked up on that.
(Except for the thrill of the ///M's revs echoing back from the stone walls and valley of the Kirkstone Pass - which was epic)
So you could say I'm appreciating the fun to be had but in a way it's highlighted the fun I can have in the 3 litre - and more often . . . I've missed the higher revs and more demanding and challenging drive of the 3 litre at road speeds but my goodness, when you get the road, the ///M is just a fabulous drive. So where does that leave me WELL
I'm taking the 3.0 litre out again; having spent these last weeks with the ///M (and getting more idea of what it'll do) it's going to be very interesting to see how it feels. The last time I took the 3 litre out after the ///M, it felt very ordinary. Having more (satisfying) miles in the ///M, I'm fascinated to see how it will feel now. . . . . we shall see. :lol:
Decisions still out but my goodness there's getting to be more highlights! :lol: This is proving a harder decision than I thought
I took the ///M to the Nationals and apart from some really enjoyable isolated moments, I mainly ended up at low revs in higher gears than I would have used in the 3.0si. It handles corners and undulations so much better and ironically, because of this, I found myself missing the more challenging drive of the 3.0si for parts of the route
. I still had a great time - it was just a different type of experience. Most the weekend I'd had Steph encouraging me to drive the ///M like I drive the 3 litre but the frustration was that there was no need - it's so capable it is a different drive. (In effect I'm using the bottom half of the ///M's envelope when I'd be using the top half of the 3 litres envelope)HOWEVER . . .
Steph and I decided to come home over Hartside and luckily we had nothing else on the road. I'm much more used to the ///M so;
I just have to say WOW - I drove it like I drive my 3 litre (higher revs and lower gears) and we had a blast (after nearly 6 weeks I'm gaining confidence and getting to know the ///M) - 'That's more like it' Steph commented. She went on to say it was about time she got to see me really get into the drive and enjoy the ///M in the way I drive and enjoy the 3 litre. It really was thrilling - in fact, it was fantastic. :lol:
I can now begin to understand how it takes time to get to know and appreciate the ///M. It's taken me this long to have that drive - it was a fabulous moment which will stay with me.
On our way home we had to take a detour to Chollerford and this took us under a couple of overpasses/bridge and again WOW . . . the engine really does sound something else - it IS a racing engine and sounds fabulous. It's the first time we'd really picked up on that.
(Except for the thrill of the ///M's revs echoing back from the stone walls and valley of the Kirkstone Pass - which was epic)
So you could say I'm appreciating the fun to be had but in a way it's highlighted the fun I can have in the 3 litre - and more often . . . I've missed the higher revs and more demanding and challenging drive of the 3 litre at road speeds but my goodness, when you get the road, the ///M is just a fabulous drive. So where does that leave me
WELLI'm taking the 3.0 litre out again; having spent these last weeks with the ///M (and getting more idea of what it'll do) it's going to be very interesting to see how it feels. The last time I took the 3 litre out after the ///M, it felt very ordinary. Having more (satisfying) miles in the ///M, I'm fascinated to see how it will feel now. . . . . we shall see. :lol:
Decisions still out but my goodness there's getting to be more highlights! :lol: This is proving a harder decision than I thought
Liverpool
mmm-five said:I think you've fallen out of love with the Z4 after seeing my beauty in your rear-view for so long
Oh yes, it was very distracting - especially accompanied by the squeal of locked up brakes bearing down on me . . . . should have just waved you on :lol:
Thats it Paul give it some beans and keep it high up in the rev range.
I can't believe at the national you were at the bottom end! Keeping up with John and Craig in 3rd of 4th car down I was in 2nd and 3rd gear all the time
up at 6-7.5k it is just an incredible experience and don't be scared of getting it up there but I agree it does take some time to get used to it and driving it like that.
Glad you had an awesome weekend! How much do you want for the 3.0SI?
I can't believe at the national you were at the bottom end! Keeping up with John and Craig in 3rd of 4th car down I was in 2nd and 3rd gear all the time
up at 6-7.5k it is just an incredible experience and don't be scared of getting it up there but I agree it does take some time to get used to it and driving it like that.Glad you had an awesome weekend! How much do you want for the 3.0SI?
Lol at Tom
High revs / low gear in the M is the best place to drive it on a hoon, 3rd or 4th was where I was for most of the recent Kent run. But it can often feel like the car is almost more in control than you are - it's occasionally quite scary, and always requires all of your attention. I've not done what I said I would when I got an M and done some professional driver tuition, but I definitely need to now I've had it for a decent while. I'm sure there is more fun I could be having
High revs / low gear in the M is the best place to drive it on a hoon, 3rd or 4th was where I was for most of the recent Kent run. But it can often feel like the car is almost more in control than you are - it's occasionally quite scary, and always requires all of your attention. I've not done what I said I would when I got an M and done some professional driver tuition, but I definitely need to now I've had it for a decent while. I'm sure there is more fun I could be having
no better place than hereBing said:Lol at Tom
High revs / low gear in the M is the best place to drive it on a hoon, 3rd or 4th was where I was for most of the recent Kent run. But it can often feel like the car is almost more in control than you are - it's occasionally quite scary, and always requires all of your attention. I've not done what I said I would when I got an M and done some professional driver tuition, but I definitely need to now I've had it for a decent while. I'm sure there is more fun I could be having
srhutch said:
Fair point but I'm not shifting it until I'm certain I'll get as many smiles per mile in the ///M.
tomscott said:Thats it Paul give it some beans and keep it high up in the rev range.
I can't believe at the national you were at the bottom end! Keeping up with John and Craig in 3rd of 4th car down I was in 2nd and 3rd gear all the time
Glad you had an awesome weekend! How much do you want for the 3.0SI?
Hi Tom - see above, the 3 litres staying until I'm sure about the ///M but I'll contact you if I do sell.
Such high revs are a delight in the 3 litre (so smooth and where I love to be as well) my issue has been getting used to the harshness of the ///M's engine (my mechanical sympathy objects) when revving and the fact that you don't have to rev in the ///M - it'll bound along in a higher gear then corner (due to it's superior handling) without the need to balance it up at higher revs and control the weight through the throttle - which is what I enjoy in the 3 litre and miss in the ///M. I've been reluctant and lacked impetus to use the lower gears in the same way as the 3 litre for these reasons. Well I ignored my natural response and used lower gears and high revs on the Hartside Pass on the way home - it was glorious but a very different experience to the smooooth si :lol:
Therein lies my issue . . . . will I get as much enjoyment and fun from driving the ///M as I do in the 3 litre where such experiences are more accessible on the road more of the time?
As I've said, I'll drive the 3 litre after this long period with the ///M and just see if it leaves me disappointed now or if the old juices start flowing again . . . . we shall see.