dhp

i am glad you went that way. I bet it was that whole "player" image huh?....j/k just get a good PPI done, esp on the chassis crack.

time for pros and cons list (some of these are personal experiences from test driving and borrowed driving and others are what i have heard from friends and read on the internets) For M3 - higher purchase price for same mileage + lower depreciation rate +enthusiasts will still want one with 70-80K miles when you wanna sell + peak power available at low gears + SMG (better compared to Auto) - SMG means possible redlined engine - possible SMG pump/clutch replacement + slightly better handling + many upgrades on interior from regular E46 (some awesome color combinations) - interior is cramped esp back seats - Insurance is higher - image of a single /player/ young professional who is a weekend racer For C55 + Lower purchase price - higher depreciation rate - not many people looking for a C55 with 70-80K miles (not enthusiasts) - real power doesn't come in until higher gears/speeds - autotragic + hard to redline engine (i think) - tranny is a weak point with all that power - slightly softer handling compared to M3 - minor interior upgrades from regular C - interior is cramped but i think the C55 has split rear folding seats for runs to Home depot + insurance is lower + image of a more mature (read boring) stable (usually WHITE) man who gets someone else to do his landscaping if you have any plans for a baby seat in the near future then i would NOT consider the E39 M5 too big. I have had a few friends' car seats in the E39 and it makes the front seats a lil cramped (and I am only 6ft tall). Either one of the cars you're considering would be impractical as a baby hauler. The E39 M5 is just too expensive (BRAKE$) to maintain as a DD, also not having a spare wheel can be a hassle. again, i am not trying to steer you in any (BMW) direction but this is just my 2 cents... hope it helps

this is a tough decision....... if I was given the option, it would definitely be the E46 M3. but then i wouldn't DD it or consider it as a family car (esp in OH with all that nasty weather, you will need winter tires - i used to live in Cinci). The M3 is much more fun to drive IMO. I think the M's are going for low 20s with plenty of CPO left. On the E46, have a PPI for vanos, sub frame cracks, coolant reservoir leaks, fan clutch, etc. I am hoping you have driven both of them and considered the true cost of owning both of them. I DIY most of the stuff (on E39), but the maintenance (brakes, belts, pulleys, tensioners, etc.) can be costly and repairs (clutch, SMG pump, etc.) will be staggering. If you DIY, both engine bays are cramped full of all sorts of goodies, but is a bitch to work in. Good Luck with the search and have fun test driving cars. Watch out for douche bag salesmen at BMW store and Merc steelership

you turn off the OD when you're going down a hill (to stay in a lower gear) so you can maintain a controlled speed without using the breaks. IF you don't then the vehicle would be in perpetual acceleration and you would have to use your brakes to maintain speed. It is also safe to drive with OD off when roads are very slippery (ie iced up here in the US). This way, all you have to do is take the foot off the car and the vehicle will immediately start to decelerate. This is esp. helpful on RWD vehicles. The last thing you want to do is tap the brakes when you have little to no traction and start sliding and get sideways.

I don't agree with their E30 M position either. Its no Zonda F but it deserves better...

no, that's a 790 rice rice baby! but for each their own...

yeah. me thinks the same. If not, commandatori will be turning in his grave. The expensive suped up SU/AV market is already pretty well saturated with the Cayenne S and the up coming X5M and X6M. IMHO these combo sports car/ utility vehicles that are suppose to be the "best of both worlds" are actually good at neither.

I would say one that is parked or going down hill sorry, couldn't help it but you might wanna narrow your criteria a bit. Its not a fair comparison to put luxury SUVs with 3rows of seats to a purpose built SUV or a smaller Suzuki type SUV. If you plan on spending 2-7 mil on an SUV you probably have more requirements than simply their fuel economy (seating capacity, ride quality, ruggedness, IMAGE, etc). The guys here are pretty good at pointing you in the right direction if you can give a lil bit more info Good luck with your search

congrats with the baby. I hope you also showed him some car pics so he can get a well rounded education. be careful with the claws man. our cat has scratched two kids in the face. We might have to increase our liability insc. if this keeps up. I was in gaithersburg last month, also made a stop at spice lanka on the way and stocked up on some essentials.

cool pics. I was just thinking about the Veyron...LA to miami =2750 miles, @10mpg(conservative driving) that's 275 gallons of gas. that's 10 fuel stops (26gal tank) I guess they had one of these in the race too

I have a 99 maxima and I have heard of a similar issue from other owners. This could be due to the front-02 sensors going bad. From what I know, a bad intake-02 sensor(s) play a vital role in adjusting the fuel mixture and RPMs to stall the engine. I personally have a failing rear-02 sensor and haven't caused any issues yet, but that just fine-tunes the mixture to get lower emissions but the front 02 sensors will actually effect your engine operation.

that vehicle has Subaru, Pontiac , F1, F2 and Greyhound stickers....WTF? did someone just randomly put brand names and letters. Reminds me of this old sticker on a 3-wheeler in SL saying "4WD" I have the same reaction the guy in the 1st pic has...literal face-palm

1.if steel is being exposed then it will rust 2.you apply primer on top of the putty (body filler) alternately until you're happy with the finish and then you apply the paint. Paint should go on primer and no putty. The curing time really depends on the paint, number of coats, temperature and humidity. In most cases you wet-sand the primer, wash it off, let it completely dry and then paint..in practicality it ends up being the next day

Nice Ride Chamal. a lot of my ME buddies ended up at Cummins. I went to UK and lived in KY for 7 yrs.. I am sure its quite different from Cali sssshhh! dont ask questions, he has mafia connections man....

sorry about the confusion.... there are some nice portable grills out there. If you're making one with barrels, try to get a flat bottom made for the charcoal tank or you will have uneven heat and wasted coal. Thanks, I'll be waiting for the pics

Have you guys thought about getting some of the components brought down for a gas-grill? I know that LP gas leaves a synthetic taste in the meat but its a whole lot easier and lot less messier. If you really wanted the wood smell in food, you can burn small pieces of cedar under the meat. I personally have one of these but you can buy the components like replacement grils, hoods, thermometers, etc. from char-broil directly. I once had an ambitious plan to assemble them in SL and re-brand it and sell to public under the name char-max now for the threadjack - I was wondering if you outdoor-culinary experts can give me some pointers on how to make a kottu-griddle (or what ever its called). I can get a T off the propane line and add a 2-burner cooker and then add some aluminum or stainless surface to beat the kottu. I think they use AL wrapped around a steel frame for this in SL... I would really appreciate if someone can confirm.

I think "Mean green" is correct. You need some path for the air to travel until the turbo spools down. IMHO it also holds a little extra air for the first time when you start the engine and the turbo-fan is still off. I had a similar but plastic version in my vigor or accord... It still amazes me to learn new things about cars and combustion engines...

Its just a dealer from Georgia (or South Carolina)......Yeeeehaw - I know I am stereotyping here, but that's OK when it comes to an idiot who blames Toyota (who makes 60% of their NA cars in the US and employs Americans) for not being able to sell Fords. On the same note, lets not stereotype all US automakers using this one retard. There are so many reasons for the slump (from Bush, to auto execs to oil prices etc.) but blaming Honda, Toyota, Hyundai and BMW (all have US plants for NA mkt) is just as the tired old "Be American Buy American" campaign....

it really depends on what your car was designed for. The higher the compression ratio, the more chance of detonation and you need to increase the octane value to prevent this premature combustion. If you put a lower than spec octane then you take a chance of detonation in the cylinders and if you put a higher than spec octane then (depending on the tolerances) you're either getting no added benefit or causing slower than ideal combustion. IMO, save the extra money and use it on other recommended maintenance and the car will run better

hey, how did you hear about the Nigerian guy? I gave him my info. I should be getting my millions any day now...

congrats... and you have another arm and a kidney left (hopefully) so stop complaining

my contacts in SL are no good anymore but i was thinking of the yacht guys. Those guys are known for bending hard wood like teak. There might be someone who wants to take a shot at it. It would be awesome if you could get a custom wheel made in an uncommon timber... just a thought. btw. have you see these?

i have to disagree with you guys here.. the fastest police cars are in Sri Lanka! with our cop cars, the police officers can finish their shift at 6pm and be home by 5.30pm..and thats after picking up the kids, getting the groceries etc. try beating that with a lambo

I have had some exp designing and testing components that used 12 and 24v ckt breakers for industrial machinery. They have their uses and are more pricey than most fuses. May I ask why you're considering them; are you having to replace fuses often? just curious if you're upgrading or trying to fix a symptom instead of the root cause.

nice pics man! can i get more info on the photography group and their events? maybe I can tag along next time I am in SL I just made the brad/angelina comment cos they're the most paying pics for paparazzi