Thinking about it!!

[Adamski]

it has a characterful 1st to 2nd gear shift,

Can you explain whats characterful about it please

it can just be a bit notchy and kangaroos a bit if you are driving like a zombie in and out of traffic - can be a bit embarrassing. but apart from that it isn't an especially tiring drive, just a LOT more skittish than my previous 3.0si which was not obviously not a million miles off the pace, and thus seems to take more concentration in the wet or damp.

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As above. With most cars all gear changes are more or less the same.

I think it's the brutal torque (even at low revs), sensitive throttle and clutch delay valve all put together that make it a challenge to accelerate normally without kangarooing during a 1st to 2nd shift.

Don't get me wrong, it's possible to drive smoothly. I find that fully engaging the clutch before re applying the accelerator helps a lot. The down side of that is that you're not really accelerating normally, and it's not a particularly fast gear change.

Full throttle 1st to 2nd gear changes (now what crazy fool would do that, I hear you say? :roll: ) aren't so bad :wink:

 

[Bing]

Full throttle first to second changes with Sport on are sublime... And noisy. And frightening in the wet. But mostly awesome.

I've gone from a 3.0 auto to an M, both used as daily drivers, the latter for 6 weeks or so thus far. I do miss the ease of the auto sometimes, the M is less relaxed because you need to pay more attention to everything (maybe not a bad thing ?), the first / second gear change is a bit agricultural, and I've had to change my seating position completely which caused me pain for a week or two... Oh, and I am running the risk (though am nowhere near it, at all) of the car ceasing to feel special. But you can drive it entertainingly even within the speed limits :wink:

It's not much more thirsty on my commute - 23-ish vs 25-ish mixed driving over 34 miles / an hour driving, half of which (time-wise) is motorway, the other in London traffic. The auto is less fuel efficient that the manual 3.0 I believe. This I can handle easily, as it's expensed mileage. Long runs on motorway, I've had 28/29 on the two I have done so far, both M25 in weekday commuter traffic. Weekends it can be much more expensive, but that's a cost of driving it for pleasure and doesn't count :evil:

However, it sounds like you want the auto... Go test drive an M or two before you decide though

 

[Ninarvana]

As soon as I read your post the E89 sprung to mind as already echoed. Depending on budget perhaps but think about test driving the 35iS drive which is the quickest model available in the range coupled with it being DCT (auto effectively). It's also the same engine as in the 1M coupe and after having driven one of those I can assure it's a belter and being twin turbo is highly tunable. This combined with the fact it's a very chalk and cheese car when comparing with the M, designed to be more of a relaxed, comfort cruiser blaster than an over the top edgy drivers car. With the M you have to be alert at all times and I mean this at the highest level... On country roads you'll want two hands on the wheel as the feedback is so connective and tram-lining can therefore present itself. If you don't pay attention and are at speed, the car could easily bite you so it's important to be a confident driver when behind the glorious wheel of an M

 

[ChawenHalo]

If you want more performance but with a more relaxed feel it might be worth looking at Alpina Roadsters. As Woots says the M isn't really a car for half measures. I'm sure Markeg, Stuart or Perry could advise on Alpinas as they have a lot of years of ownership experience between them and Stuart has done Alpina and M.

How difficult/expensive are Alpinas to use, it would be an everyday car

Sweet car that Alpina.

 

[markeg]

If you want more performance but with a more relaxed feel it might be worth looking at Alpina Roadsters. As Woots says the M isn't really a car for half measures. I'm sure Markeg, Stuart or Perry could advise on Alpinas as they have a lot of years of ownership experience between them and Stuart has done Alpina and M.

How difficult/expensive are Alpinas to use, it would be an everyday car

Sweet car that Alpina.

sure are

 

[Bish]

As with Bing above, I have recently converted to an M as a daily driver and mirror his thoughts. I have been in mine since mid march and loving every minute. If you can put up with the costs and gearbox character it makes everyday a pleasure.

The only concern im having is (again mentioned by bing) is losing that feeling its a treat to drive. Despite my initial plans to daily drive until it gives up, I have a nagging voice in my head looking for a daily driver to make the M miles more special. That, and the knowledge I want to keep this car for a long time so limiting the miles makes sense.

For now though, im just going to carry on and enjoy the summer