Your spouse and the M

[Jive]

Before giving the keys over to your significant other, were there rules and procedures you told them to follow? When my gf drives, she knows she has to adhere to the following rules:

1) Take it easy until the oil is at or near 210 degrees F
2) The front bumper is lower than most cars, so watch out for parking curbs and take steep driveways/inclines at an angle and slow!!!
3) The rear wheels are wide, so be careful when parallel parking and for rouge curbs/islands when turning.
4) And finally, in parking lots, parks on the edges in a cushy spot to avoid door dings!

I am very proud of her when she takes steep inclines slowly and at an angle and i dont even have to tell her! Makes my day! I gave her the keys today for the entire day without my presence and i wasn't even worried one bit.

I unfortunately learned about rouge islands/curbs the hard way, curb rashed the RR making a tight right turn a few weeks after i bought her.

[knicks0819]

Originally Posted by Jive

2) The front bumper is lower than most cars, so watch out for parking curbs and take steep driveways/inclines at an angle and slow!!!

This is the second biggest one for me. I always have to remind her, but I don't blame her. I mean, most people never have to think about bumps and curbs in their normal driving routine.

The biggest one (i.e. most frustrating) that I have to give reminders about, by far though is that even in D mode, the car isn't going to drive like her Rav4 or any other fully automatic car. She has a tendency to take her time going from the brake to the gas pedal. In the Rav4, this will get you off to a smooth rolling start going forward (even if you're on a slight uphill). In this car though, you'll immediately start rolling backwards if you don't hit the gas soon enough at a red light.

[AR155]

None really. The Mrs is what I would regard a 'Top Chick' She knows how to wash and wax a car, how to parallel park, change a tyre, and even commands me to 'gun it' past a slow driver whilst keeping an eye out for cops. My only concern is sometimes for drivers side airbag deployment as she can be a little less patient than I am for those drivers who are oblivious to basic driver etiquette, and takes to reaching across and applying the horn forcibly rather than my apparent 'flashing the lights like a girl' technique.

[OneMmmm]

I provided two simple suggestions until she's comfortable driving it:

1) Never turn off DSC
2) Don't hit the M button

By her own admission she's not confident behind the wheel of the M3, but I think she's a good driver. Can't wait to see her enjoy this as much as I do.

[rabman5]

One rule.

Never drive my car. She hasn't.

[UCBPhD]

_Nobody_ has ever driven my car . . . I may let one person drive it eventually, that being the person who originally introduced me to BMW, via loaning me his 335is.

[rcracin]

Don't hurt yourself and bring it back in one piece please.

It's just a car. Plus I know how crazy she is about her own car so I don't expect any less respect towards my car.

[JJunkins]

Originally Posted by rabman5

One rule.

Never drive my car. She hasn't.

[deletedelete]

I don't have a spouse but my gf's know not to touch my car and my future spouse won't be driving it either. I get to drive hers though.

[i001947]

Originally Posted by rabman5

One rule.

Never drive my car. She hasn't.

Exactly!

[happos2]

I don't say anything...it is a car. When she drives, I let her drive the piss out of it just like I do.

[OneRib]

After having manuals all my life, I am actually looking forward to having my wife drive the M3. She can drive manual, but hasn't done so in a while and doesn't feel comfortable driving my 335i now. She doesn't want to mess it up.

I think common sense prevails and it's only fair to tell anyone driving a different car what things they should look out for. You can't expect everyone to know every car type inside and out.

So that being said these are the things we will most likely discuss:
1- Car rides low so watch curbs and speed bumps (take at an angle)
2- Park in spots away from high traffic and where only one side of the car is exposed to another car (prefer the other cars passenger side).
3- Keep the revs under 5500 until further notice/no M button (break in)
4- Skip any street parking for now
5- Have fun

[Obioban]

Drive her own car.

[Grail05]

my only rules is to watch over bumps, potholes and whatever that can cause damage to my car.. .other than that... ITS ALL YOURS..

[KIS]

My wife couldn't care less. She thinks it's too low to the ground and prefers her Lexus SUV.

[mlambert890]

Considering until recently her car was the 335xi it will be to pay close attention because Im curious to see what she perceives the differences to be and particularly if she finds it "less zippy" (her term for "needs more torque"). My guess is she will find it zippy enough

I never really mind letting people drive. I allowed friends to drive the GTR, my SC NSX, modded Vette and 911s. The one exception would probably be if I had something *really* collectible since at that point the risk would be too high.

[choiceE93]

The Mrs. has driven a manual almost the same as I have and she's pretty good.
Plus she doesn't drink so we can take the M3 to social events with the comfort of her being the DD.
All the points
1) Take it easy until the oil is at or near 210 degrees F
2) The front bumper is lower than most cars, so watch out for parking curbs and take steep driveways/inclines at an angle and slow!!!
3) The rear wheels are wide, so be careful when parallel parking and for rouge curbs/islands when turning.
4) And finally, in parking lots, parks on the edges in a cushy spot to avoid door dings!

have been well covered and much continuously reminded.

I would like to add a number 5.

5. If she takes the car out NEVER Valet it.

[DMW2315]

1) Take it easy until the oil is at or near 210 degrees F
2) The front bumper is lower than most cars, so watch out for parking curbs and take steep driveways/inclines at an angle and slow!!!
3) The rear wheels are wide, so be careful when parallel parking and for rouge curbs/islands when turning.
4) And finally, in parking lots, parks on the edges in a cushy spot to avoid door dings!
5) If she takes the car out NEVER Valet it.


Adding 6.) No food or drinks and 7.) Please shut the door by pushing the actual door shut and not by grabbing the window!

[RingMeister01]

Originally Posted by rabman5

One rule.

Never drive my car. She hasn't.

+1000 Amen

[Transfer]

My wife knows how expensive it is and babies it pretty well when she (rarely) drives it. She's definitely cautious with curbs and the low lip and only drives in D without M-mode. It really is only a car though and in the unlikely event that she did happen to damage it somehow I'd be annoyed but get over it real quick. Going crazy over stuff like that is not a good way to make your wife happy.

[osteome]

Originally Posted by happos2

I don't say anything...it is a car. When she drives, I let her drive the piss out of it just like I do.

+1

Get over it or find a smarter significant other that does not need a list to follow. Do you pick out recipes for her as well?

[Mike van D]

No restrictions...none needed.