Nottm_S2

8k miles in 18 months @ 18mpg around £2.7k

forgot operation black uo Rog.. £80 ish

mine hasnt had a service yet, it was done under AUC so needs one in June it reckons. BMW confirmed this as i was worried, that's 24 months

I still havent been nudged by Alfa about the car, very limited supply apparently. like a f@#king xbox

Nottm_S2

Year 1 running
Insurance year 1 £750
Petrol 18-19mpg ~ 4k miles so 222gals @ £5.50 avg = £1.2k
Tax £490

MODS
Wheel refurb £180
Window tint £60
Black grills £80
Gearknob £70
OEM modded exhaust £260

Year 2 running
MOT £50
Warranty £630
Belt & Inspection £240 (broken, cost below warranty excess)
Tyres £600 (£60 back)
Tax £490

The rears have lasted about £8k miles


These aren't ruinous expensive cars on reasonable miles, i expect a chunky service cost next year.

In the winter i'm in love with it, safe handling, stonking grip, quick, great heater, great window defrost/demist

10/10

MB

THey are great, I'd have another like a shot if I needed something in that category. Thinking back, I did feel I missed a little bit of involvement from the box on daily driving. Think I used the paddles about 10% of the time, as there was rarely an opportunity to give it big stick. But then that can be looked at as a plus point, as you aren't getting GT3 clutch leg syndrome in traffic

Nottm_S2

i have a tight ITB and even through the worst of that i could drive it.


for 30 minutes before i could barely walk

The S was worse with the lower seat position actually.

i've not noticed it's heavy. the box itself is very agricultural and that really annoyed me at first. I do think the mechanism could use some lube actually but it feels looser now. i did put an E46 performance nob on it which sits lower and doesnt flex like the oem E90 one

new boots finally went on today but not had chance to try it, i was down to the wear markers and sliding around like a speedboat lately

arsie

Just done an overnight trip to the smoke. Hopefully no NIP coming! I find I use the paddles "all the time" for overtaking bursts then settle down to cruise on auto. Weekly, as weather and road conditions permit, a spirited local road drive on the paddles but, again, flipping into auto in traffic. Average 22-23 mpg local-trip driving.

Winters on a couple of weeks back. Very much preferring the ride on 18s and will go there for next summer's new tyres. But I must get up to Nottingham more if 97 octane petrol is so cheap there Jason: 122p/litre



What's an ITB? Anything like what hit Swanage and LTB?

Nick Graves

Individual Throttle Bodies?

Nottm_S2

Iliotibial band, hard to spell hence the tla

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iliotibial_band_syndrome

A band that runs down your leg. Mine are tight which causes what can be pretty bad pain on the bursa outside your hip, especially from driving with straightish legs

That was an est avg Rog however under 130p is common

phil121081

funny, I only learned what an ITB was at my newly formed running club the other week. funny how these things come about.

a quote from the chap looking at our 6

"Bmw have had lots of bits of back order in Germany. This engine shares a lot of bits with v8 m3's and they are failing quite a lot now so big demand for parts."

keep those warranties topped up boys and good luck.

Nottm_S2

Thanks

I dont see much evidence of failures on M3cutters etc but will be keeping warranty unless i flog it next summer

Its great with the new boots. Much more traction!

Nottm_S2

25mpg on a run to the coast yesterday and i've learnt that the BM isnt a great family car.

The suspension is too stiff so on sub standard lincs b roads its a really bad ride, really struggles. The frameless front windows can be noisy in very heavy wind. Its fairly noisey at speed (my exhaust mod does not help i admit).

So it could be jack of all trades, master of none? Not sure. I think it would make a pretty quick track car, especially on a circuit like silverstone where you get to stretch the legs a bit. Its a very agile, grippy car and the engine is one you can fall in love with, it sounds great, it pulls well from tickover through to its redline well north of 8k, an example of NA done incredibly well for me, much like the S.

I'm undecided still what i'll get next. It could be a dull family motor and an Exige or similar, or the Alfa...