Draco-REX

Did a quick search and there are no manual coupes near by to test drive. I'll check out the one at CarMax and see if I like the interior.

Not precisely, but losing the back seat usually means less ride comfort and less luggage space. Part of this effort is to be able to use my own car once in a while on trips.

So the more I think about this, the more and more I'm not feeling it. This sucks because I can't come up with an alternative that really sparks my interest.

A 4.0l V8 that revs to almost 8500rpm.

Well, I'm reasonably confident I can see if the heat extractor and oil cooler are replaced. We'll see. I expect a phone call tomorrow with an update.

The paperwork came through and I was able to take it for a short test drive after work. I'd like a better test drive, but there just wasn't much time and traffic was killer. Lots of good, and lots of bad. The good: It really is a great car. It drives well and has almost every creature comfort. I was especially surprised when the car HANDED ME my seatbelt! LOL. The ride was very nice in comfort mode. I do think it rode better than my S5. It wasn't bad in traffic. Like the Audi, it was a nice place to be inside. The bad: For 250 wtq, I was expecting a bit more punch. It's not a deal breaker by any means; it didn't feel under-powered, just not as punchy as I thought it would be. (You were right Aaron). The seating position feels kinda high. That struck me as odd, but I can get used to it. The front bumper was repainted. Looked like the shop didn't fully strip the bumper to paint it either. The REALLY bad: Someone drove this thing over a parking block or up a pole. There was damage under the front bumper and the oil cooler was bent upwards like a rainbow. THIS is a potential deal killer. The oil cooler and associated aero has to be replaced at a minimum. The radiator and radiator support needs to be checked too. CarMax will have to take care of this or come WAY down on the price or I'll have to pass on this car. This sucks. It's a beautiful car. At first look I was going to drive it tonight and likely buy it tomorrow. After the drive, I was tempted to see if I could get it done tonight and drive it home. But once I took a good look underneath, now I'm not sure I want this particular car. Grrrr..

Very nice. Bet it's a really cush ride.

It's sitting at the local CarMax now... But the paperwork isn't through yet, so I can't drive it yet. So close.....

Price lowered. Must sell.

Yeah, autocorrect strikes again.

It's just surface rust. I should get under there with a flapper wheel and some undercoat.

Yeah, trying to get more than Carfax offered.

I'm selling my STI Hatch. $28,500 or best offer, need to sell quickly. 2011 STI Hatchback, base model. 42K miles Mechanically stock (No engine or suspension mods, only cosmetic) SPT catback 3 sets of wheels/tires OE BBS wheels with worn snow tires Rota D 18x9.5 in Gunmetal with 265/35-18 Dunlop ZII tires Sparco Terra 17x7.5 White with massive 225/55-17 Pirelli snow tires (I will sell sets separately) Homelink Mirror upgrade DRL delete Mega-bright LED switchback front turn signals Tap-Turn flasher relay WC Lathewerks 2" Copolymer sphere shift knob RallyArmor UR mudflaps in Red Llumar Ceramic tint 35% all around Milled STI front plate bracket cover (I forget who made it) Adam's Rotors slotted rotors CarboTech 1521 brake pads Blue Batmobile red-out tails with smoke centers (not applied) Fumoto oil valve EcoHitch hitch receiver (for a bike rack) Perrin wing lift kit Brand new windshield Trans/diff fluids changed to Motul300, engine oil changed with Amsoil Signature. Bad stuff: The previous owner thrashed the paint, and it didn't have an easy life at my apartment either. Needs work. Rust along rear fenders due to paint splitting after the fender roll. Just superficial. I need to sell this within the next two weeks. Shoot me an offer.

My S5 had the DCT. It felt on par with the other 300ish hp cars I've driven. Probably due to the extra weight offsetting the extra 50 or so hp. I expect the M3 to feel similar off-curve.

Ok, under further research, I'm not going to worry too much about the rod bearing issues. If the engine isn't ticking in this car, and I like it after the test drive, it will likely be a go.

Hmm, seems I didn't dig deep enough. The engine forum on E90post.com is scary... Grumble Grumble

LOL. True. But it doesn't change the fact that on a forum filled with the exact same engine in every state of tune, I'm only the 4th car it's happened to.

:fuuuu: To be honest, it isn't just failures that have driven me away, but also a lot of questionable design decisions and general annoyances. White, yes. Tan, no. Can't stand tan interiors in anything but a Ferrari or an air cooled Porsche. As above, I don't think it will be an issue. But I'll be sure on the test drive. For 51k CarMax better let me put it through its paces.

I learned to keep a high revving engine in its sweet spot with the BRZ, but I'll get a test when it shows up. As for the rod bearing issue, from what I've read, it doesn't seem to be a common issue, and it happen mostly in the earlier E90 engines. I'll look a bit more into it.

I've just been so soured by the big 3 that much as I think the CTS-V coupe is neat, I'm not going to add it to the list. As it is, this will be the most powerful car I've owned or driven (by maybe 70hp or so). Fun as big hp is, I just don't seek it out; driving feel is higher on my list.

I'm not locked into this car, so I'll try to remember to bring my helmet with me. The BRZ is staying as my AutoX/Street Carver/Pure Driver car, so I don't plan to AutoX the M3 much. But it will likely see a cone or two. There's time before it arrives. There are a couple others I may look at; this one is just the really easy choice. Carmax just makes everything so convenient. Yeah, I just wasn't feeling it. But, it won't be another black on black car when I'm done, and any color I do add (caliper repaint?) will POP. Ultimately, I've had too many bad experiences with domestic cars. The Big 3 have really turned me off. If I go against my gut and get a domestic and it turns into a headache, I'll kick myself. As for being a BMW driver, yeah there's that, but whatever. :lolguy:

Already has one, unfortunately. But if it's just a matter of two holes in the bumper, that's easily corrected.

So, I have very unsuccessfully tried to fend off the new car bug. It bit me hard and no countermeasures have been effective. I miss the comfort and amenities of the S5, but not the DCT. The Fiancee doesn't enjoy long trips in the STI, and frankly, I'm not digging it either. Apparently, at some point I wasn't looking, I got old. But I'm not giving in to Father Time just yet! It's gotta be comfortable. It's gotta be fun. and it's GOTTA have a stick shift. I've tried nice cars with autos twice, and both times I was happy to get into a lesser car with a stick. I'm not going to make the mistake a third time. I looked at a lot luxury brands, but I kept coming back to BMW. And really, what car enthusiast doesn't know about, or want a M3. The latest ones have had a good dose of comfort added as well. I really want a M4, but I just couldn't figure out a way to make it happen. So that brought me to the E92 with it's screaming V8. These things seem to have a MASSIVE churn rate. There are quite a few for sale, but they pop up and get sold quickly. Refining the choices makes it even harder. I wanted a manual, coupe, fixed roof, EDC, and as I researched them I added the Competition Package to my list. The comp. package lowers it 10mm without changing spring rates, gives a wider range of damper control, and widens the track by 10mm. It also adds 19" forged rims. This car is on the way: 19K miles, $51K I wasn't feeling the grey/grey at first, but the more I thought about another black car, the more I felt that I've owned enough black cars. I think this one will look great in a grey/black scheme. My only beefs with this car aren't big ones. 1. I'd rather the sexy CF roof instead of a sunroof. 2. A kid of one of the owners at Dennis drives a Grey E9x M3. So. Am I insane? I'm not committed to this car yet. Or should I snatch it up as the last N/A generation M car and one of a dying breed of manual cars? BTW, my 2011 STI hatch is for sale..

:fuuuu:

ZB got the valve cover off and was able to get a good look at the damage. He confirmed rocker failure as the cause. Unfortunately when the rocker came loose it damaged the head. So the engine is getting pulled and the head removed. We'll give the cylinders a good look and see if forged internals is warranted. I really wish there were aftermarket rockers available. No pictures yet.