First read drive impressions

MickOpalak · 07-23-2013, 07:47 AM

I've had my E89 for a little over a month now but have only been able to drive it around town and on the highway. This weekend I got the opportunity to finally drive it in anger up in the mountains. Based on the online reviews that I'd read, I was expecting a bloated pig that understeered through every corner.

I was very happily suprised. The car handles very well with nice sharp turn in and decent grip. My biggest complaint would be turbo lag coming out of the corners. Also, the car is simply too quiet in stock form.

Once the car is out of warranty I plan on swapping out the run flat tires for something more grippy and adding an aftermarket chip for more power. All in all I'm very pleased with the performance and comfort.

jparnes1 · 07-23-2013, 09:45 AM

Your RFT's will need replacement way before your warranty is up, unless you're driving about 3K a year. There is no problem with your warranty if you run non-RFT.

vasmir · 07-23-2013, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickOpalak

My biggest complaint would be turbo lag coming out of the corners.

Isn't a problem if you downshift before the turn!

jparnes1 · 07-23-2013, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vasmir

Isn't a problem if you downshift before the turn!

+1 - haha!

MickOpalak · 07-23-2013, 04:56 PM

Good point. I left the transmission in the sport setting figuring that it would be more aggressive with the shifts in the corners but it was a bit lacking.

jparnes1 · 07-23-2013, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickOpalak

Good point. I left the transmission in the sport setting figuring that it would be more aggressive with the shifts in the corners but it was a bit lacking.

You're right on with that assessment. You have to drive it in manual if you want the full experience.

Asbjorn · 07-24-2013, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jparnes1

You're right on with that assessment. You have to drive it in manual if you want the full experience.

OP also needs DSC=off (which enables sports steering as well) a female passenger AND the roof down (lower center of gravity etc) to get the full experience.

nicknaz · 07-24-2013, 07:35 PM

Glad you enjoyed it!

Out of curiosity, how hot did you get the oil and did you get to the traction limit?

Just curious if it you were holding back due to lack of run off etc or if you were going all out (track day style!)

MickOpalak · 07-25-2013, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicknaz

Glad you enjoyed it!

Out of curiosity, how hot did you get the oil and did you get to the traction limit?

Just curious if it you were holding back due to lack of run off etc or if you were going all out (track day style!)

I never noticed how hot the oil got. I was driving about 8/10, so I didn't exceed the tires grip except for a hint of understeer at the limit.

nicknaz · 07-25-2013, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickOpalak

I never noticed how hot the oil got. I was driving about 8/10, so I didn't exceed the tires grip except for a hint of understeer at the limit.

Let us know if you meet the unsteer piggie you reference in your original post when you layer on the last 2/10ths

Glad to hear you are enjoying the car. I would say 8/10ths on the street with top down and your favourite passenger on board is our car's sweet spot

mbetoni · 07-26-2013, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicknaz

I would say 8/10ths on the street with top down and your favourite passenger on board is our car's sweet spot

Guys, not trying to be a party pooper here, but just more curious - really, 8/10ths?

If 0/10ths is parked in the driveway, and 10/10ths is helmet on, WOT on the straights, hard braking in the corners, apexing well balls-to-the-wall track driving, are we really driving 8/10ths on the street? Knowing this car's power, seems to me that would make for a pretty scary driving experience for the non-initiated, not to mention be HIGHLY jail-able.

I could be just misunderstanding, if I am, all apologies made.

MickOpalak · 07-26-2013, 12:36 PM

8/10s, really. We're up in the mountains in the middle of nowhere with very little other traffic to have to deal with. My wife won't ride with me any longer. She gets too scared. =-)

mbetoni · 07-26-2013, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickOpalak

8/10s, really. We're up in the mountains in the middle of nowhere with very little other traffic to have to deal with. My wife won't ride with me any longer. She gets too scared. =-)

Fair enough. My wife also gets jumpy anywhere above 5/10ths. 5-7, she screams and laughs and then screams again, 7-10 she's legit scared, white-knuckle style. I only do that alone or with my best friend, who's like me.

Owning two E85s over the course of 8 years, I knew that car so well. I'm still learning the E89, not to mention haven't passed the 1200 mile break in yet (200 to go!).

Last weekend I drove out to Fermilab and trashed it a bit on those closed roads, def starting to learn it more each time I drive it. Excited to know it as well as I knew the E85.

nicknaz · 07-26-2013, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbetoni

Guys, not trying to be a party pooper here, but just more curious - really, 8/10ths?

If 0/10ths is parked in the driveway, and 10/10ths is helmet on, WOT on the straights, hard braking in the corners, apexing well balls-to-the-wall track driving, are we really driving 8/10ths on the street? Knowing this car's power, seems to me that would make for a pretty scary driving experience for the non-initiated, not to mention be HIGHLY jail-able.

Obviously need to be smart about where and when to drive "8/10ths"

But really, the driving style can include max effort (but early) braking, trying to "nail" an apex (but an apex that results in corner exit still in your lane) and traction limit mid corner and full throttle on exit (but only when the sightline is clear)

I would like to think we all understand the difference between track days with run off and paramedics on site and the middle of nowhere canyon driving, where you can die from running off a cliff that's 1" off the road....

As an aside, I LOL when I read

Quote:

"Knowing this car's power"

because I think there isn't that much power.. even a chip and full bolt ons I don't think N54 can trap over 120mph. this isn't a sports bike or a 600hp/3000lb mid engine rear driver...

mbetoni · 07-26-2013, 02:57 PM

And that, sadly, is the trap with communicating like this vs in person, the loss of intonation/delivery.

Sorry, I didn't mean 'this car's power' as in 'holy crap this car is like the Millennium Falcon!", I meant literally "this car's power", as in the available power in this specific car.

It ain't a Viper or a sport bike as you mentioned, but it's also not a Chevy Aveo (or worse, a Prius). You get on the gas and it scoots, enough to cause serious damage if you don't know what you're doing.

nicknaz · 07-26-2013, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbetoni

And that, sadly, is the trap with communicating like this vs in person, the loss of intonation/delivery.

Sorry, I didn't mean 'this car's power' as in 'holy crap this car is like the Millennium Falcon!",

haha, yea agreed. gotta love the internet sometimes

I do wish we had that level of power though. I would give a wookie roar every time I hit the gas if this thing trapped 130+

07-23-2013, 07:47 AM	#1
MickOpalak Enlisted Member 0 Rep 35 Posts Drives: 2007 Lotus Exige S Join Date: May 2013 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	First read drive impressions I've had my E89 for a little over a month now but have only been able to drive it around town and on the highway. This weekend I got the opportunity to finally drive it in anger up in the mountains. Based on the online reviews that I'd read, I was expecting a bloated pig that understeered through every corner. I was very happily suprised. The car handles very well with nice sharp turn in and decent grip. My biggest complaint would be turbo lag coming out of the corners. Also, the car is simply too quiet in stock form. Once the car is out of warranty I plan on swapping out the run flat tires for something more grippy and adding an aftermarket chip for more power. All in all I'm very pleased with the performance and comfort.
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07-23-2013, 09:45 AM	#2
jparnes1 Colonel 245 Rep 2,387 Posts Drives: 2016 340i, 2012 Z4 35i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (1)	Your RFT's will need replacement way before your warranty is up, unless you're driving about 3K a year. There is no problem with your warranty if you run non-RFT. __________________ 2016 340i XDrive, EBII/black, 6 MT, M Sport, Track Handling, Cold Weather, Tech, Lighting, Driver Assistance Plus. 2012 Z4 35i, ED 2/24/2012, Melbourne Red Metallic, Black Leather, Carbon Trim, 6MT, M Sport, CW, PP, PS, NAV, CA.
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07-23-2013, 04:56 PM	#5
MickOpalak Enlisted Member 0 Rep 35 Posts Drives: 2007 Lotus Exige S Join Date: May 2013 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	Good point. I left the transmission in the sport setting figuring that it would be more aggressive with the shifts in the corners but it was a bit lacking.
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07-24-2013, 07:35 PM	#8
nicknaz Lieutenant General 3187 Rep 10,509 Posts Drives: C6Z Join Date: May 2008 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0)	Glad you enjoyed it! Out of curiosity, how hot did you get the oil and did you get to the traction limit? Just curious if it you were holding back due to lack of run off etc or if you were going all out (track day style!)
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07-26-2013, 12:36 PM	#12
MickOpalak Enlisted Member 0 Rep 35 Posts Drives: 2007 Lotus Exige S Join Date: May 2013 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	8/10s, really. We're up in the mountains in the middle of nowhere with very little other traffic to have to deal with. My wife won't ride with me any longer. She gets too scared. =-)
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07-26-2013, 02:57 PM	#15
mbetoni First Lieutenant 19 Rep 317 Posts Drives: 2014 Z435is Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	And that, sadly, is the trap with communicating like this vs in person, the loss of intonation/delivery. Sorry, I didn't mean 'this car's power' as in 'holy crap this car is like the Millennium Falcon!", I meant literally "this car's power", as in the available power in this specific car. It ain't a Viper or a sport bike as you mentioned, but it's also not a Chevy Aveo (or worse, a Prius). You get on the gas and it scoots, enough to cause serious damage if you don't know what you're doing.
	Appreciate 0 Quote