Leveller

I am stuck in India for a few months with work so I haven't been keeping up to date and this was not news I was expecting when I did come online. How terribly, terribly sad. It seems today the world needs all the good guys it can get and I see we lost another. Been a while since I've been on any of the servers but I remember some good times with DNA. RIP

He and his family are in our prayers

Beautiful, our local BMW dealership has one (they have a selection of either limited editions or classics on display at times).

Not sure if it was the one I sent you a couple of years ago, just dug out the email and pinged it back again (hopefully your email is still the same).

Maybe to Ohio this summer? I try to get the family back to the UK for 3 weeks every summer and that has made it challenging for the last few years (between that, family and work it has been a challenge), but I'll take a look at dates, have been hoping to make a FF since I found GC in 2004

Well just got back from the Christmas road-trip, took my car and put 3,500 miles on her in the last 2 weeks.... Wife and 2 of the kids loaded up with all our belongings, 20 hours each way (Dallas to SoCal return) and she was faultless, although the snow/ice outside Las Cruces/El Paso did 2 things: 1) reinforce the fact I need a new set of rear tires (very pleased it wasn't a heavily worn set of OEM summer run flats, but a set of heavily worn all season Michelins) 2) reinforce the fact a real wheel drive Bimmer is not the ideal vehicle for driving on roads that are sheet ice when surrounded by 18 wheelers (some rather tense moments) The time behind the wheel did however renew my love for my car (I work from mostly from home so haven't done a lot of miles in her over the last 12 months), and made me commit to some long weekend road trips this year

Love them We've had BMWs in the family for a few years, my dad had an E24 M635CSI and followed that with an E38 735 (with a gap in between where he had a JanSpeed Jaguar XJ40 and a XJS TWR which he still has). My mother still drives a X5 3.0 diesel (single turbo, they're in Europe ). My brother had an e46 M3 convertible for a while and while it was nice, really the only thing I can recall about it was just how uncomfortable a ride it was. I have a friend with a e46 330 convertible and honestly it's a much easier car to ride in. Of course my brother now has an E63 AMG and I honestly think he'll struggle to find anything with a roundel on it that will give him the "thrill" he gets in that (puts my 335 to shame). Oh and I've heard the ride in the E46 M3 coupe is significantly better than the convertible.

Love the E30 and more than partial to your buddies E36. I had an E36 318is that I replaced with an E36 M3 GT Limited (otherwise known as the GT2), they only built 50 as the last right hand drive ones they sold. I replaced the original mirrors with AC Schnitzer ones after I had two sets of the originals stolen, but otherwise completely stock. I had to let it go when I moved to the US 9 years ago and it's the only thing I wish I'd brought over with me Currently driving a stock 2007 335ci which I'll most likely get the Dinan S2 upgrade for when I find myself being tempted by something new, and my wife has a black e39 525 wagon (no photos to hand)

Good recommendation, I'd picked them up before you posted as I'd heard a lot of good things. Played the first few "chapters" on Dead Space last night. Enjoying it so far.

I think the OE tires are summer Dunlops with something like a 200 wear rating, you could put a set of Michelin all seasons on there with a 350-400 wear rating, spend 2/3's as much, notice little difference in traction and get more miles out of them. I'm was lucky to get 12K out of the OE high performance summers on the rear of mine, switched out to Michelin all seasons. I've noticed a drop in traction at the absolute limit in the summer, but it makes the car better to drive this time of year and costs about $500 less when I have to change tires which I'm guessing will be after about 20-25K based on how they're wearing (they are apparently warranted to 45K miles or something so I may get a rebate when they need changing, not sure how that works)....

It sounds like you're looking at pretty much new. If I had the requirements you have above, I'd actually be inclined to look at a 2-3 year old CPO BMW 328xi (wagon or sedan). It's far from being slow c. 6 second 0-60, the straight six sounds great and you could probably pick one up that was nicely equipped between 28 and 35K, up to your 38K budget even a 335xi (a very capable all year car). With the new shape 3 series coming out in the new year, you'd probably also be able to get a great deal on a new one. Full disclosure, I have a 335 coupe and my wife drives an older 525 wagon so we're a BMW family and both love our cars, but honestly with the CPO program and the ability to extend the 0 cost maintenance program etc. it's not a bad option. I also know some people would rather walk than be seen driving a BMW......... I'm a sucker for the WRX STI if the truth be told and it would be a hell of a good choice, but having had "hot hatches" in the past I know that at least for me the fun factor wears thin when I have do more miles than my daily commute.

Been travelling for the last couple of days, will be back online tonight and over the weekend...

I know it's a 6-7 hr drive to Dallas from you, but I've got some great slow cooked ribs with peach and bourbon bbq sauce about to come off the grill Stutters.......

However, I'm feeling lonely in here, didn't realize there was a web browse in Origin until now

Thanks, greatly appreciated.