BMW M3 (E46)

This is no ordinary E46 M3, this is MY M3!

A recent service and MOT by BMW and the mechanics commented what a fine example this car is. Having covered 70,000 miles and being 8 years old, there are no dents, scuffs or any sign of neglect so I’ve decided to give my pride and joy some loving on my day off.

E36 and E46 M3 Convertible
E46 M3 Convertible

E46 M3 Convertible Interior

My old E46 M3 with Schnitzer suspension and interior / exterior modifications.

E46 M3 AC SchnitzerE46 M3 Coupe with AC Schnitzer modifications

Performance car choices circa £30k

Having been firmly in the BMW M3 corner for a number of years, I fancy a change. What I’m after is not just performance, looks and excellent build quality, but good resale value, long service intervals, minimal known manufacturer faults and something unique about the car. Of course, I am sticking German!

So, the current line up includes: –
BMW M3 (E46 CSL)
3.2 litre straight six with around 360 bhp, fantastic handling, acceleration but not very comfortable and only available with an SMG box.

BMW M6
5 litre V10 with 507 bhp, comfortable, good looking, high quality interior but looks boring standard and have heard of issues with the vanos and again SMG box.
BMW M6 Convertible

BMW Z4M Coupe
3.2 litre straight six with 340 bhp (same engine as E46 M3), 2 seater, real sports car feel, fantastic handling, available with a manual. No complaints really, a bit more noise would be nice as can be said from the E46 M3,

Mercedes SL55 AMG
5.4 litre V8 with 500 bhp, amazing acceleration noise (sounds like thunder!), good looks, very comfortable but Mercedes build quality which includes issues with wheel sensors, interior trim rattle, pumps and very minor parts. I could live with this for the noise alone.
Mercedes SL AMG

Porsche 911 (930 turbo)
3.3 litre flat 6 with 330 bhp, reasonably high servicing/running costs, however they do look fantastic.
930 Turbo

Porsche 911 (964 turbo)
3.3 or 3.6 litre engines ranging in power from 330 bhp – 380 bhp, phenominal road presence (Bad Boys film), little known faults with the car but you sit very close to the windsreen and in right hand drive, sit a little sideways.

Porsche 911 (993 C2s, C4s or turbo)
3.6 S engines with 285 bhp and the turbo with 380 bhp, last of the air cooled 911’s and prices seem very stable to on the increase. Not much interior differences to the 964 but everything feels very well made and nearly over engineered – certainly not a complaint.
993 Carrera

Porsche 911 (996 GT3 or Turbo)
3.6 litre 380 bhp (GT3), 420 bhp (turbo), 3.6 litre engines of similar design to the 993 engines and therefore no engine issues. Not a fan of 996 interior quality or the over sized head lights but at current prices these cars offer alot for the money. The reason for not including the Carrera’s is that I hear they are prone to engine troubles.

Porsche 911 (997 C2s)
3.8 litre 380 bhp, best looking 911 in my view with very good interior quailty and finish – feels like the old air cooled days of over engineering. Porsche 911 Carrera S

There is certainly, good reasons to stick with the E46 M3 or move to the E90 as I’ve never had any problems but I do fancy a change.

Any thoughts or other recommendations welcome.

F1 2010

The team that I suspect will receive the most press world wide leading up to the first race is Mercedes GP – http://www.mercedes-gp.com

Not only do they have Ross Brawn, they also have Michael Schumacher, albeit now 41, he is reported to be in better shape than ever for this year. He is not back just to have a seat again, Schumacher’s only concern will be the world championship! Partnered with Nico Rosberg, it is officially England vs Germany according to the papers. Have they forgotten Ferrari still exist?

Mercedes GP F1 Car

Goodwood FoS 2010 – VIP

GSO welcomes you to Goodwood!

http://www.gso.co.uk/motorsport.html

Three action packed days:

  • Friday       2nd July
  • Saturday   3rd July
  • Sunday     4th July

VIP Tables

The Festival of Speed is now the biggest motoring garden party in the world, attracting film stars, rock stars and royalty to the beautiful grounds of Goodwood House. You will see the latest Formula One cars and their superstar drivers, as well as the greatest legends of decades gone by.

The Festival of Speed is a fantastic place to do business, to entertain and reward your clients and customers.

There is simply nothing like it anywhere else in the world.

Mingle

THE ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE, new for 2010 is a bespoke experience created to ensure you get the very best out of your day. Based in the Gurney Pavilion, you will be able to entertain 30 people and enjoy all the privileges of being one of our VIP guests, including enhanced menus and wines, your own private viewing and chill out area, VIP shuttle service and wi-fi for your laptops. The Goodwood House Butler will ensure you have everything you need and a Goodwood Event Planner will co-ordinate your day including theming the pavilion and branding opportunities. You will also enjoy free transfers to the Land Rover and Porsche action arenas, a guided tour of the paddock, advertising in the programme and visits from star drivers. It doesn’t get any better.

HILL and GURNEY PAVILIONS offer a classic entertaining experience with any combination from a table for two in the restaurant, a table for 10 in a shared pavilion to your own private pavilion for
30 guests and upwards. Whatever your choice, you will enjoy a delicious three-course lunch and have magnificent views right onto the track.

LIBRARY LAWN is offered exclusively to our hospitality guests on Friday and Saturday. Entertain in a traditional marquee, or sit out on the secluded lawns away from the crowds. Library Lawn offers tables of 2 to 12 and is perfect for private or corporate entertaining.

A short walk from here takes you to your private grandstand at the Crossroads corner where you will have a great view of the cars and motorcycles on the track.

Enjoy

Whatever entertaining option you have chosen, all guests, valued clients, customers and friends will receive the following:

Light breakfast on arrival
Champagne reception
Three-course lunch with 1/2 a bottle of wine per person
Beer and soft drinks throughout the day
Afternoon tea
Admission tickets
Reserved car parking label
Event programme and Goodwood Radio earpiece
Prices for each entertaining experience are per person and exclusive of VAT

  • THE ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE Price available on request
  • HILL AND GURNEY   £520 per person
  • LIBRARY LAWN       £420 per person

BOOKING INFORMATION

For more information, to check availability or to make a booking please call our hospitality team on 01403 753178 or email events@gso.co.uk

A day at the Festival of Speed is the perfect way to entertain friends, clients and customers. The Golf & Sporting Occasions team is dedicated to helping you get the very best out of the excitement and spectacle that is so often described as the ‘greatest show on earth’.

Make it a date in your diary for the summer of 2010.

End of Season Grand Prix Event

Powered by Mercedes-Benz Live, the Brooklands brand experience center will be hosting the End of Season Grand Prix Event on Sunday 8th November. Four tickets have been past to FastGerman.com – a big thank you from us!

Pictures will be uploaded after the weekend and can be viewed from the homepage.

Mercedes-Benz World F1 Event

Special appearances from Lewis Hamilton, Heikki Kovalainen and the Vodafone McLaren-Mercedes Grand Prix car

Driving action from the Brawn GP team

Special appearances from David Coulthard and Mika Hakkinen

DTM driving action from the Mercedes-Benz Team

Live action from the Formula 3 Euro Series

Live interviews with the Vodafone McLaren-Mercedes Grand Prix and Brawn GP Teams

Autograph sessions

Live outdoor action on the tracks

Fun driving activities for all the family including AMG hot laps, kids driving, off-roading and blindfold tests

Videos of the day