Don't feel like I drive my car hard enough..

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by Singletrack

Not true. I can have fun launching my car on an empty road. I can have fun on a backcountry road with no driveways or very few other cars. I can have fun blasting down the highway at an hour when there are no cars around me.

Of course, a lot has to do with your geography. There are many places where you cannot escape the crowds. I'm 15 mins from the city and 15 mins from the country.

Common sense goes a long way.

In this area we have roads like...

...and...

...but none of them come even close to the excitement and enjoyment of this:

[Singletrack]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

In this area we have roads like...

...and...

...but none of them come even close to the excitement and enjoyment of this:

I like the track the best also; I just disagree that it makes the road no fun.

[JIO]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

In this area we have roads like...

...and...

...but none of them come even close to the excitement and enjoyment of this:

I agree. In Oregon, we have lots of back roads to have fun, but nothing beats the excitement of Portland International Raceway. So many people who go out and buy a 400+ hp car think they they are the best drivers in the world and can handle the car with DSC totally off. If you haven't done a few track days and learn the limitations of the car and how conditions are continually changing (car gets hot, tires get hot, track gets hot, etc.) which totally affect the handling, you will someday end up in a ditch or curb...or worse. The car is powerful and it takes some experience and respect. Before my first track day 20 years ago, I thought I was the best driver in the world. After my first track day, I realized how much I really sucked as a driver. 20 years later and 8 BMW's later, I'm still learning at the track. It's the best and safest way to have fun with a powerful car. As my first instructor told me: "The car doesn't really care if you live or die". Be safe out there.

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by JIO

I agree. In Oregon, we have lots of back roads to have fun, but nothing beats the excitement of Portland International Raceway. So many people who go out and buy a 400+ hp car think they they are the best drivers in the world and can handle the car with DSC totally off. If you haven't done a few track days and learn the limitations of the car and how conditions are continually changing (car gets hot, tires get hot, track gets hot, etc.) which totally affect the handling, you will someday end up in a ditch or curb...or worse. The car is powerful and it takes some experience and respect. Before my first track day 20 years ago, I thought I was the best driver in the world. After my first track day, I realized how much I really sucked as a driver. 20 years later and 8 BMW's later, I'm still learning at the track. It's the best and safest way to have fun with a powerful car. As my first instructor told me: "The car doesn't really care if you live or die". Be safe out there.

Exactly. I've been driving for about 19 years now and thought I was a pretty good driver. But my first time taking performance driving schools (through BMWCCA) last summer were a real wake up call and a blow to my ego. Now I just want to spend as much time possible at the track because that's where I truly learn how to drive and it's the most fun that can be had in a car (not counting when you are in the back seat).

[OC3]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

The problem is, once you've gone to the track, driving hard on public roads just isn't fun anymore. I have no interest in driving the car hard unless I'm at the track. I don't care if people drive their card hard on public roads as long as they don't do it around me or my family.

+1

[Terraforce1]

Track it, maybe that will change your mind

[F82_SID]

I love my car and I keep it clean but I drive the shit out of it! I drive it as much as I can and as hard as I can when I get the chance. That being said, I dont race from light to light or red line it every time in every gear. I drive it on road trips and to the track as much as I can. I am not paying all this money for a car just to sit in my garage...

I hate when guys dont drive their cars because they dont want to get them dirty or put miles on it. THEN WHY THE HELL DID YOU BUY IT!!!!

I heard someone say that not driving your nice car is like not F'ing your supermodel girlfriend so that she is fresh and tight for her next boyfriend. Also, Cars that are designed for high performance but are not exercised properly will ultimately fail.

I have a buddy that just bought a Corvette Grand Sport and refuses to drive it. This is driving me crazy! In two months he has put less than 500 miles on it. Why god why! He doesnt even have a good reason. I want to rescue his car from him lol.

[jamze132]

I regularly hit 130-140mph on my way home from work every evening. God bless the autobahn! Depending on traffic, I can get my limiter to engage!

For anyone who gets the chance to drive on the autobahn, Sunday mornings around 7am, the roads are clear and you can really release the beast.

[Singletrack]

Originally Posted by E92_SID

I heard someone say that not driving your nice car is like not F'ing your supermodel girlfriend so that she is fresh and tight for her next boyfriend. Also,

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahahahaha!

Cars that are designed for high performance but are not exercised properly will ultimately fail.

Definitely true with the Ferrari 308, just as an example. You don't want one with stupid-low miles; they tend to have issues compared to ones that have been driven normally.

Every time I drive my wife's 328, I give it the ol' Italian tune up to keep it fresh. ; )

[davesaddiction]

I'm new to the M3 and have barely begun to explore its limits, but took my old car (low power, lightweight Mazda 3 hatch) to a nearby track for one of their High Speed Touring days. http://www.hallettracing.net/ I was probably the slowest car out there, but I had a blast and learned a lot. I've also taken that car and, on other occasions, my friend's supercharged Z4 M on weekend driving trips to the Ozarks with a group of guys (some on bikes). I definitely plan to do more of these trips with my M3 and will eventually take it to the track for HST (warranty expires early next year).

I see benefits and advantages to both, but using your brain should always be part of the equation. We definitely don't take our leisurely time through the Ozarks; there are sections where you don't see another car for miles and feel like you're on your own personal Nurburgring, but if we're going through towns or near homes we definitely back it off. The thing I love about those trips is the scenery, the variation and challenge of not knowing what's next, and the stops at all the cool places along the way.

The track is a place for you to really work on your skills in a controlled environment so that you can take a little more risk and test the limits of yourself and the car. The repetition allows you to focus on and perfect every little thing until you get that corner just right. Maybe you do turn off the DSC, just to how the car handles without it (something I'd never do on public roads). No fear of tickets, but is anyone's insurance okay with them tracking their car...?

I'd never own a car like the M3 without taking it to the track or driving quickly on public roads, when the conditions allow. That's what the thing is made to do. Makes me think of this quote, which I love:

"A ship is safe in the harbor but that is not why ships are built." - William Shedd

That story of the guy with the Grand Sport reminds of a guy I know with this really nice watch. Never wears it; keeps it in a drawer...

[John Tanglewood]

18mpg

[808@702]

I drive my M3 hard. And it makes me hard

[Shredicus]

Originally Posted by Singletrack

I beat on my shit like it owes me money.

Sorry to necro an old thread but this comment made me spit my coffee out on my screen.

[modkrazy]

Given the thick oil, babying the car is probably doing more harm than good. Whip that bitch like she owe you money!

12.9MPG, son!

Originally Posted by E92_SID

I heard someone say that not driving your nice car is like not F'ing your supermodel girlfriend so that she is fresh and tight for her next boyfriend. .

Holy thread necro, Batman, but this is an epic analogy.

[Wilsel]

OP sounds like a 335i would be better for you. The M3 was meant to be driven hard, to handle trackdays, etc. The 335i is a better car for commuting. If I wasn't a track junkie that's what i would of got.

[Yvette]

some replies amuse me
if one had no idea how much m3 cost brand new, they would think m3 is par with ferrari... the heck bugatti owner might have m3 for commute to work. no seriously. i bought m3 to get laid. if m3 dont work i will have to work harder my ass so i can get r8

[Wilsel]

Originally Posted by e90sexion

some replies amuse me
if one had no idea how much m3 cost brand new, they would think m3 is par with ferrari... the heck bugatti owner might have m3 for commute to work. no seriously. i bought m3 to get laid. if m3 dont work i will have to work harder my ass so i can get r8

Let me save you some money. A high dollar sports car isn't going to get you laid. Guys with total beaters get laid all the time. Sure it might attract some gold diggers, but if you don't support them you're not getting far. While the guy going dutch on dates brings all the girls back to his place that he shares with a roommate.

[duk]

to drive this car hard is i think only achievable on the track

[Yay-Z]

You gotta spank the car regularly man or it'll get flabby and soft

[///WeissBisBlau]

Originally Posted by duk

to drive this car hard is i think only achievable on the track

+1

You wind all those gears out to 8300 often, on public roads, and you'll have a public servant of the state interested in your activities. Found this out the hard way...

[hjernazian]

Originally Posted by Rekrul

The M3 is my baby as I'm sure it is for all of you as well. I love every minute that I am in it and look forward to driving it every day. That being said, I really feel like I don't drive it hard enough because of said reasons. I'm averaging over 18pmg in mixed driving...70% city. They say you only live once, but I simple can't flog on this perfect machine! Anyone else feel this way?

Drive the shit out of it, responsibly. Everything else is your head getting in the way. You are not hurting your baby by pushing it, trust me. Just don't be an idiot about it, trust your knowledge, and don't be afraid to let it rip. That's exactly what it's made for bud.

[hjernazian]

Originally Posted by e90sexion

some replies amuse me
if one had no idea how much m3 cost brand new, they would think m3 is par with ferrari... the heck bugatti owner might have m3 for commute to work. no seriously. i bought m3 to get laid. if m3 dont work i will have to work harder my ass so i can get r8

you bought an M3 to get laid? Assuming you got it new and paid about 70k out the door... you could have invested in 70 top notch hookers, costing about a grand each, and never had that problem. One at a time, or all 70 at once, still pretty impressive. But instead, you spent 70k on a tool to make your odds of getting laid slightly more favorable.

Just bad financial planning.

I would stick to the hookers if I were you.