Just about a week out from heading over. I've narrowed down my search to M2 or M4. I'll post some pictures when I settle in a bit, and update on the vehicle situation as it develops. Also, as part of my going away gift my coworkers got me a day of drift and limit handling training at the Nurbergring facility driving a Caterham 7. How frikkin cool is that? I don't think they let you drive the nordshleife but still. I'll post some videos here from that and any track days I will do.

http://www.nuerburgring.de/en/drives...ft-slalom.html

 

Hi guys, I am here, and so far enjoying my euro trip. I am sort of moved into my house (with enough clothes for 3-4 weeks depending on outcome of smell testing). I start work next week, and been filling out ungodly amounts of paperwork this week. Welcome to Germany.

For now all I can say is I've gone full Euro and inadvertently joined the infamous "Station Wagon Mafia". I guess that's a thing in Germany. You know, the guys in family wagons doing 140mph on the autobahn. I have a rented Volvo V60 turbo diesel manual which is actually pretty nice to be honest. The craziest part is it has drive modes, and in "Dynamic" the character of the car changes a lot. Decent throttle response and torque for days. It's an interesting experience driving a car with lots of tq but not much HP. 1400rpm to 4000 pulls pretty hard, then falls on it's face. I've driven diesels before that didn't seem to have either tq or hp, so this is a nice change. That is all for now. Started the search for a family car. Mine will be later.

Talk to you soon and Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

 

Glad all is going well so far! And Happy Thanksgiving to you.

 

Happy Thanksgiving, Marty. Glad everything's going well for you over in Germany

 

Happy thanksgiving!

 

Ok, y'all, been quiet here for a while. I went to see a vehicle today, all the way to Munich. That's about 3 hours from where I now live. I won't say anything more in case the deal doesn't work out, but here is a vid of top speed of my rental Volvo on the way back to Stuttgart. 146mph on the Autobahn in a diesel! Not bad.

 

Glad to hear things are going well for you over there.

146mph in a diesel Volvo? I'd say that is a little better than "not bad" . . . made me wonder if that was actually KPH, but I see you already did the math

 

To be honest it was slightly downhill. Not sure about the wind direction.
Hope all is well on your side too Bert!

 

Just came back from Munich. I took an ICE train after work. and got there in just about 2 hours. The train was nice and comfortable, and averaged about 98mph. For 35 Euro, not bad at all!

So why did I go to Munich again? To pick up my BMW M2. It's a 2017 with 10k miles, and 6 speed Manual of course. The wait is over, I now have a German race car to replace the Mustang with.
First impressions: Wow, it handles. Feel light and nimble. It weight is at 3450, which isn't super light, but it hides the weight quite well. It feels tight and there is 0 steering slop. Any little bit of wheel input has an immediate reaction. I couldn't put all the power down tonight as it was wet and sometimes snowy (and the Micheline Pilot Super Sports don't like that), but on dry stretches the car felt seriously fast. I hit 155mph already. Serious pull up top. You definitely know when the turbo spools up, and down low is eh. It sounds seriously good too. Even compared to the Coyote. Not better, but different, and still good.

Here are a few pictures. I think I chose the right weapon in the fight for high 7 minute laps on the Ring.

 

Congrats!! Looks great, you're gunna love it. The N55 is a great engine, really easy to add power too if you want to go that route

 

Thanks Joe! So many firsts for me here. First German car, first I6, First Turbo. I am a fan of the feeling when boost kicks in :-) I want to review this car in depth against the Mustang, but I need time. And winter tires. Here are some more daylight photos.

 

Sweet ride congrats looking forward to a high speed run on The Autobahn video from you soon.

 

Funny thought just leaped into my head... that kind of is the German version of a Mustang! The German stylists have a bit of catching up to do though.

 

Great choice - enjoy!!

 

Nice BMW I remember Motor Trend Magazine saying BMW I6 was behind the times back in the 80's when everyone else was going to V6's. Now, Motor Trend 'raves' about the I6 being so smooth and powerful. I have an I6 in my 1991 F150 .

 

Thanks gents! Yeah, I'm enjoying it for sure! Loving the 2 piece rotors and 15" huge brakes, loving the sound and the super tight and composed feel, loving the feeling of lightness and nimble handling. Plus it's faster than most other things on the road for a change. I can't even begin to tell you how GOOD it feels to actually have a fast car in Germany for a change!

Fawls, I think you're right. It has a similar feel, it gets looks and it sounds different and very identifiable. Just like the Mustang.
Mustang Freak, ask and you shall receive So I found the electronic speed limiter at 165mph, or 267kph. Sorry for the shaky video, GoPro is still back home.

 

What an idiotic thing to ever think. Anyone who's ever driven a BMW inline six has surely felt how incredibly smooth, powerful, and fantastic a motor they truly are.

 

Hey there Marty, looks like you have yourself a very sweet M2. Congrats and look forward to seeing some videos

 

It's my first Beemer, so I have no experience with their engines before this. But is seems very smooth at high RPM and quite happy to blip. Must be low weight flywheel or just low engine inertia. But the funny this is at idle it shakes the car, like a V8 in a Mustang or a Vette would. That may be a software doing it though, because it comes with a very distinct sound, almost lopey-like.
Thanks Rocky, I'm home for the holidays now. Will be bringing the family over after the New Year but for now t's good to be back in the US of A!

 

most BMWs have huge rotors. It' kinda funny that it may be overkill in America....especially for little old ladies....