(this is long, but you may enjoy it)
Most of you know my dad builds high-performance engines for BMW's....and he always has his personal car which he tastefully modifies. He had an S14 powered 2002, then a supercharged 3.0L S50 318ti, and now an E30 M3 with a custom aluminum block S50. He has always been extremely anal about letting us kids drive any of his cars---and he has never let us. Ever.
On Sunday, after we finsihed up some stuff on my car, I mentioned to him that it is a nice day and would be perfect to take the M3 for a drive. He grinned and complied.
We set out towards some backroads. He was really laying into his M3; I've never been in the car with him during spirited driving such as this. 8/10ths + on this sweeping backroad. His smoothness amazed me. I was astonished. I now know that I cannot drive anywhere near his level.
So we start heading back home on the interstate, when he pulls over on the shoulder and gets out, and tells me to hop in!!!!!!!
He told me to keep the revs under 7500, and I agreed to go along. I rolled off in 1st, watching traffic. He said, "goose it." I immediately gave it WOT and experienced the most ungodly out-of-the-hole acceleration of my life. (His car has a 3.46 rear end with a 1:1 5th gear.....equivalent of a 4.27 in an E30). I hit 2nd gear and proceeded to redline through 3rd. It was astonishing.
Crusing on the highway at about 60, I left it in 4th and squeezed it....the engine just sang as the car pulled HARD.
He then told me to get off the highway, and get back on coming the opposite direction. As I was coming down the on-ramp, he told me to leave it in 2nd and go about 40mph to merge. The traffic flow was pretty heavy and at about 70mph. He glanced over to check traffic and then said.........(waiting, waiting)...."NOW!" With no delay, I stuck it as the E30 absolutely stormed out, swatted 3rd gear and got way ahead of traffic. :)
Getting off the highway, coming up on the top of the ramp fast, beginning to slow down...He said, "wait wait ok hit the brakes." The E36 M3 front brakes stopped the E30 in a heartbeat.
Shocked, and amazed....I casually drove it home. His mentioning that my car would have similar performance left me a little scared...though extremely happy. I had a ridiculous smile on my face for about the next 20 minutes.
I can't express in words the sound and feel of the car at WOT....it is just something that has to be experienced.
That made the last 18 years of my life.....just thought I'd share.
Here is a picture of the car:
Most of you know my dad builds high-performance engines for BMW's....and he always has his personal car which he tastefully modifies. He had an S14 powered 2002, then a supercharged 3.0L S50 318ti, and now an E30 M3 with a custom aluminum block S50. He has always been extremely anal about letting us kids drive any of his cars---and he has never let us. Ever.
On Sunday, after we finsihed up some stuff on my car, I mentioned to him that it is a nice day and would be perfect to take the M3 for a drive. He grinned and complied.
We set out towards some backroads. He was really laying into his M3; I've never been in the car with him during spirited driving such as this. 8/10ths + on this sweeping backroad. His smoothness amazed me. I was astonished. I now know that I cannot drive anywhere near his level.
So we start heading back home on the interstate, when he pulls over on the shoulder and gets out, and tells me to hop in!!!!!!!
He told me to keep the revs under 7500, and I agreed to go along. I rolled off in 1st, watching traffic. He said, "goose it." I immediately gave it WOT and experienced the most ungodly out-of-the-hole acceleration of my life. (His car has a 3.46 rear end with a 1:1 5th gear.....equivalent of a 4.27 in an E30). I hit 2nd gear and proceeded to redline through 3rd. It was astonishing.
Crusing on the highway at about 60, I left it in 4th and squeezed it....the engine just sang as the car pulled HARD.
He then told me to get off the highway, and get back on coming the opposite direction. As I was coming down the on-ramp, he told me to leave it in 2nd and go about 40mph to merge. The traffic flow was pretty heavy and at about 70mph. He glanced over to check traffic and then said.........(waiting, waiting)...."NOW!" With no delay, I stuck it as the E30 absolutely stormed out, swatted 3rd gear and got way ahead of traffic. :)
Getting off the highway, coming up on the top of the ramp fast, beginning to slow down...He said, "wait wait ok hit the brakes." The E36 M3 front brakes stopped the E30 in a heartbeat.
Shocked, and amazed....I casually drove it home. His mentioning that my car would have similar performance left me a little scared...though extremely happy. I had a ridiculous smile on my face for about the next 20 minutes.
I can't express in words the sound and feel of the car at WOT....it is just something that has to be experienced.
That made the last 18 years of my life.....just thought I'd share.
Here is a picture of the car:
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