SI owners opinion
- Thread starter Mikenmass
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Anonymous
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I've only had my 3.0 si Coupe for 3 weeks now. Loving it. I came from an EVO VIII MR FQ300 with 400 BHP. I chose to downgrade on power because you just can't keep going up and up which is what I had done up until that point. I decided that a well put together two seater Coupe was what I was after and the BMW ticked all the boxes. I weighed up the pros and cons of buying the //M or the 3.0 and decided that the 3.0 was the best choice and value for money for what I wanted it for.
- it looks good
- it handles really well (as good as the evo on roads i know for my ability as a driver)
- it goes pretty fast when you want it to and pootles quite nicely when you're taking it easy
- it looks really good
- it's got decent fuel economy for what it is (the EVO returned about 18mpg fr my daily drive and the Coupe is doing about 23mpg - city driving)
The //M version is obviously a superb piece of kit and if you're going to do a lot of trackdays i'd definitely buy the //M over the 3.0. Mine will be used for commuting, occasional blasts out and about on country roads at the weekend and maybe one trackday a year at most. So, in my case, it just didn't make sense to buy the //M.
With the EVO I learned that it isn't all about the power you have under your right foot. The EVO could embarrass most cars it came up against but 99% of the time you don't really get a chance to use that power on normal day to day driving. But obviously it's nice to have it there if you need/want it. Most of my driving is to and from work in the city (Glasgow) and you don't really get a chance to go particularly fast. Folk who do drive fast in the town are usually chavs in whatever chav-chariot they've managed to steal . If I see someone driving really fast or dangerously in the city in a 'fast' car I usually think 'idiot'. If you have a fast car like an EVO, an //M Coupe or a 3.0 Coupe you really don't have to drive about everywhere as quick as you can to prove it. Take it easy and let the chavs get caught by plod. You'll look much sweeter cruising by in your car than they will.
I rambled a bit off topic there. But I'm sure you all get what I'm saying anyways
- it looks good
- it handles really well (as good as the evo on roads i know for my ability as a driver)
- it goes pretty fast when you want it to and pootles quite nicely when you're taking it easy
- it looks really good
- it's got decent fuel economy for what it is (the EVO returned about 18mpg fr my daily drive and the Coupe is doing about 23mpg - city driving)
The //M version is obviously a superb piece of kit and if you're going to do a lot of trackdays i'd definitely buy the //M over the 3.0. Mine will be used for commuting, occasional blasts out and about on country roads at the weekend and maybe one trackday a year at most. So, in my case, it just didn't make sense to buy the //M.
With the EVO I learned that it isn't all about the power you have under your right foot. The EVO could embarrass most cars it came up against but 99% of the time you don't really get a chance to use that power on normal day to day driving. But obviously it's nice to have it there if you need/want it. Most of my driving is to and from work in the city (Glasgow) and you don't really get a chance to go particularly fast. Folk who do drive fast in the town are usually chavs in whatever chav-chariot they've managed to steal . If I see someone driving really fast or dangerously in the city in a 'fast' car I usually think 'idiot'. If you have a fast car like an EVO, an //M Coupe or a 3.0 Coupe you really don't have to drive about everywhere as quick as you can to prove it. Take it easy and let the chavs get caught by plod. You'll look much sweeter cruising by in your car than they will.
I rambled a bit off topic there. But I'm sure you all get what I'm saying anyways
Come drive with me, on my roads.Breaker said:Lets face it, anyone who needs more than 200BHP on the road in a good handling car is either lying or cant drive the 200BHP car properly!
I traded up from a Cooper "S" (modified) and could move that around very well, but that does not compare to a rear wheel drive with over 300bhp.
I sat here and read all the post. As a si owner, up from a 2.5 03 z,I am very happy with the car and the performance. 1st in class in the first autox entered with the car and drove the first two laps with traction and stability engaged. 6 seconds faster disengaged on a 46 sec course. 
Breaker said:
Yes and no. I'll be test driving both where I probably would not have driven the M. My impression before was that the M is a race car made for the street therefore giving up ride comfort and smoothness, that's what the revues said. I will put 20K miles a year on the car so the costs and comfort factors will be part of the equation. So we'll see where it goes from there. It may be decided by options/spec and available color. Dealers are such fun to deal with that I may just stay with the 3.0 if they low ball me on the trade. It sounds like there is not a big performance gain between the 3 litres and I can already get in trouble with what I have. I came from a GXP with 260 hp and 260 ft lbs of torque to the 3.0, it is not as quick but more responsive and no turbo lag. This is what makes enthusiasts, enthusists I guess.
Thanks to all for discussions!
Follow up post:
Since you were kind enough to comment I thought I'd follow up on my search. Test drove two 3.0SI which were nicley equiped and were great rides. The top end is where I noticed a difference in power as they reved higher and seemed more eager especially in sport mode but overall not a huge difference especially when the 300 lb sales advisor is in the passenger seat... Then I drove a 2006 MR and what a fine machine it is! I felt it was little bit like pearls on a pig for me because the first time I got on it in 2nd to 3rd gear on the curvey bumpy onramp I scared myself!
Probably a better car than I am a driver and I'll chaulk it up to the wet roads at the time and retain some of my ego, LSD acts differently and I forgot about that . The ride in the M was not as harsh as reported just a feeling of being really planted on the road, a more substantial ride if you will. Both SIs were about $29K loaded the M was $34K. The dealers with their infinite kindness wanted to give me $17k for my trade which 2 months ago they said was a steal at $22K. :x
So what did I buy? A Chevy Cobalt! :lol: Honestly, my son just got his permit an so I bought the 21 year old daughter a new car and gave him the beater that she was diving to learn on. Then I put a grand into my own beater for repairs.
Anyways, all you SI and M folks are lucky bastards and I'm still very happy with my 3.0 and getting some seat covers, mats and wheels will keep me busy through the summer.
Cheers,
mike
Since you were kind enough to comment I thought I'd follow up on my search. Test drove two 3.0SI which were nicley equiped and were great rides. The top end is where I noticed a difference in power as they reved higher and seemed more eager especially in sport mode but overall not a huge difference especially when the 300 lb sales advisor is in the passenger seat... Then I drove a 2006 MR and what a fine machine it is! I felt it was little bit like pearls on a pig for me because the first time I got on it in 2nd to 3rd gear on the curvey bumpy onramp I scared myself!
Probably a better car than I am a driver and I'll chaulk it up to the wet roads at the time and retain some of my ego, LSD acts differently and I forgot about that . The ride in the M was not as harsh as reported just a feeling of being really planted on the road, a more substantial ride if you will. Both SIs were about $29K loaded the M was $34K. The dealers with their infinite kindness wanted to give me $17k for my trade which 2 months ago they said was a steal at $22K. :x So what did I buy? A Chevy Cobalt! :lol: Honestly, my son just got his permit an so I bought the 21 year old daughter a new car and gave him the beater that she was diving to learn on. Then I put a grand into my own beater for repairs.
Anyways, all you SI and M folks are lucky bastards and I'm still very happy with my 3.0 and getting some seat covers, mats and wheels will keep me busy through the summer.
Cheers,
mike
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Anonymous
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FAIL
i was in a similar fix when i was planning to change my 2.5i to 3.0si. I looked for it for months to get one that suited me, finally i test drove one and wasnt that greatly impressed. test drove M and that was it. made up my mind. Never looked back. Its a great car, always puts a smile on my face when i get to the driveway or to my carpark at work. Starting the car and the sound blows u away(nto as goood as TVR), but great. It drives superbly. as far economy I get around 19-10mpg in city driving(which is what I do mostly), when u cruise on motorway(80-85mph) i get about 26-27mpg. Once u get to country roads it varies how u drive but thats where i enjoy most. its been 4 months since i got my M and still havent stopped loving it. I have changed 7 cars in as many years. apart from my toyota supra nothing else put a smile on my face as the M.
As people suggested go out and try for urself. Yes its probably going to be a few 100 quid more to maintain(service is around 18-24months(depends on ur driving), so I wouldnt bother with a one off cost while what u get from day to day driving is amazing. good luck mate with ur buy.
As people suggested go out and try for urself. Yes its probably going to be a few 100 quid more to maintain(service is around 18-24months(depends on ur driving), so I wouldnt bother with a one off cost while what u get from day to day driving is amazing. good luck mate with ur buy.