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New Car! (Now THAT was a test drive!)
So, here I am again. A few weeks ago I was debating what to do about a new car since my wife decided it was time for the Mazda 3 to go. The thread can be read here:
Anyways, after countless hours searching the internet and doing comparisons, we decided that it was going to be between two cars;
a 2009 Lexus IS250 (Black) and a 2008 BMW 335i (Silver)
My vote was for the BMW all the way.
Now keep in mind, my wife and I are very.... spirited drivers. She wasnt convinced on the Bimmer until we went to drive it. We really hit the jackpot when we hooked up with our salesman. As he was pulling the car out to show us some of its features he then informed us of his previous jobs. It just so happens that our humble chaparone happened to be a former Skip Barber Racing School Instructor and a former SCCA National Champion. He then informed us that he was very confident behind the wheel and that he didnt want to scare us. I was cirtain that he was going to issue us a safe word like blueberries or something we could scream out in case things got too slippery. We tightened our seatbelts and prepared ourselves for what was to come.
After a quick explination of the steptronic transmissions capabilities and three modes you could select from, we were off. Now to bring everyone up to speed who may not be farmiliar with the bmw numbers on the rear of their cars, typically the first number is the series that the car belongs to, and the two remaining numbers denote the engine thats under the hood or bonnet if you are from across the pond. For example, our car is a 335i so that would mean it is a 3 series with a 3.5L engine.......right? Usually, yes but not in this case. This particular car is fitted with a 3.0L inline 6 and just to make things more interesting, they have fitted it with not one but two turbos ! That particular engine produces an incredible 300 horse power and 300 ft.lb. of torque. This is the fastest, most powerful 3 not to wear an M badge!
So as we left the safety of the dealership we rocketed down Scottsdale road, the car is capable of reaching 0-60 in an impressive 4.9 seconds. As we approached our turn our driver rapidly started clicking the paddle shifters to help slow the car. We approached our 90 degree turn at about 40 or so miles an hour. As Peter jerked the wheel we began to slide for a split second before the traction and stability control decided that we needed to be slowed. Peter however calmly explained how safe the car was and then quickly pressed the DTC button on the dash to deactivate the traction and stability controls. Again, rocket acceleration to the next turn banging through the gears bringing the engine to almost 7000rpms and then quickly stabbing the brakes and swinging us sideways through the next turn. As our stomaches come back from our throats and the ultra high performance tires stop screeching we settle down to a stop for a red light. My wife and I both turned a quick lap and returned to the dealer. Wow, What a ride!
I hope the story wasnt too cheesy but it really was the most unique and exhilarating test drive we have ever had. We returned to the dealership a few days later to pick up the car.
Once we got it home, we cleaned it up nice and shot some pictures. There were literally no swirls to be found. Just one small scratch behind one of the rear doors. Since these pictures we had the windows tinted and got a Scotchguard ClearBra put on.
Process:
Wash- Gold Class TBM
Clay- Megs mild and Last Touch
LSP- NXT 2.0 G110 Finishing Pad x2 coats
This might be my favorite part.
Parked safely in the garage. It matches too!
Thanks for looking !!!
Anyways, after countless hours searching the internet and doing comparisons, we decided that it was going to be between two cars;
a 2009 Lexus IS250 (Black) and a 2008 BMW 335i (Silver)
My vote was for the BMW all the way.
Now keep in mind, my wife and I are very.... spirited drivers. She wasnt convinced on the Bimmer until we went to drive it. We really hit the jackpot when we hooked up with our salesman. As he was pulling the car out to show us some of its features he then informed us of his previous jobs. It just so happens that our humble chaparone happened to be a former Skip Barber Racing School Instructor and a former SCCA National Champion. He then informed us that he was very confident behind the wheel and that he didnt want to scare us. I was cirtain that he was going to issue us a safe word like blueberries or something we could scream out in case things got too slippery. We tightened our seatbelts and prepared ourselves for what was to come. After a quick explination of the steptronic transmissions capabilities and three modes you could select from, we were off. Now to bring everyone up to speed who may not be farmiliar with the bmw numbers on the rear of their cars, typically the first number is the series that the car belongs to, and the two remaining numbers denote the engine thats under the hood or bonnet if you are from across the pond. For example, our car is a 335i so that would mean it is a 3 series with a 3.5L engine.......right? Usually, yes but not in this case. This particular car is fitted with a 3.0L inline 6 and just to make things more interesting, they have fitted it with not one but two turbos ! That particular engine produces an incredible 300 horse power and 300 ft.lb. of torque. This is the fastest, most powerful 3 not to wear an M badge!
So as we left the safety of the dealership we rocketed down Scottsdale road, the car is capable of reaching 0-60 in an impressive 4.9 seconds. As we approached our turn our driver rapidly started clicking the paddle shifters to help slow the car. We approached our 90 degree turn at about 40 or so miles an hour. As Peter jerked the wheel we began to slide for a split second before the traction and stability control decided that we needed to be slowed. Peter however calmly explained how safe the car was and then quickly pressed the DTC button on the dash to deactivate the traction and stability controls. Again, rocket acceleration to the next turn banging through the gears bringing the engine to almost 7000rpms and then quickly stabbing the brakes and swinging us sideways through the next turn. As our stomaches come back from our throats and the ultra high performance tires stop screeching we settle down to a stop for a red light. My wife and I both turned a quick lap and returned to the dealer. Wow, What a ride!
I hope the story wasnt too cheesy but it really was the most unique and exhilarating test drive we have ever had. We returned to the dealership a few days later to pick up the car.
Once we got it home, we cleaned it up nice and shot some pictures. There were literally no swirls to be found. Just one small scratch behind one of the rear doors. Since these pictures we had the windows tinted and got a Scotchguard ClearBra put on.
Process:
Wash- Gold Class TBM
Clay- Megs mild and Last Touch
LSP- NXT 2.0 G110 Finishing Pad x2 coats
This might be my favorite part.
Parked safely in the garage. It matches too!
Thanks for looking !!!
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