[M4TW]

Originally Posted by ciaranob

Curious about the wind noise comment - would def have expected newer models to improve in this regard - had not read this comment on other reviews, any more specifics i.e. only at certain speeds or...?

Also the Sport/Sport+ exhaust drone: I wonder how much of this might be related to the sound amplified via mic (i.e. ported in) vs 'true' drone?

Sound deadening v weight reduction seems to result in a bit of a trade-off. I noticed at the auto show photos that they didn't add any hood insulation for instance. The Car & Driver comparo with the 911 measured the interior sound level at 68 db at 70 mph, which is pretty good and on par with what I could find on my e90.The Spanish magazine recent comparo between the M3 v M4, on the other hand, had it at 72 dbA at 120 kph.

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...hlight=Spanish

I will say that there is more noise, but not dramatically more or annoyingly more. This is at a minimum of 120 kph.

The exhaust drone I think has to do with the exhaust bypass valves in the mufflers but it could be wrong.

Originally Posted by leletyM3

Nice write up! Is your M4 AW or Mineral White? I miss Italy and I really want to do a ED!

Mineral White. What I liked about it was the way it light up in bright conditions like AW, but took on deeper hues in shadows.

Originally Posted by Dackelone

@Zero4910 & @M4TW

The M3/M4's use Castrol SAF-XJ (API GL5, 75W140 weight) as a factory fill oil for the diff. BMW NA uses the same oil but with a friction modifier(+FM). BMW calls it SAF-XJ+FM

The reason why BMW NA uses the +FM oil, is to cut down on customer complaints from a noisy differentiation operation at low(parking) speeds.

When parking(or doing full lock turning) you might notice some grinding or shatter from the diff's clutch pack. This is not a harmful/deferential noise, but BMW NA doesn't want customers to be upset with their new cars... so they spec an oil that eliminates this "chatter". BMW also says once you start using +FM oil, you shall always use it. There is no going back to the regular oil.

REAR DIFFERENTIAL OILS:
bmw p/n 83 22 2 282 583 SAE 75W-140 SAF-XJ + FM BOOSTER (you get 3, 0.5l bottles)
bmw p/n 83 22 1 470 080 SAF XJ w/o Friction Modifier (1, 0.5l bottle)

German BMW dealers do not stock this gear oil(!)... but they can order it and get it the next day or in a few days(depending on how they order it). My local BMW dealer(Zentrum) gets two delivers from BMW AG every day!

The +FM oil is not cheap, I think around 130 euros for the three, 0.5l bottles, over here in Germany.

Also note IF you have your manual trans oil changed, most German doeals only stock the MTF-LT3 oil used for the e9x M3's. The 1M and the new F8x M3's/M4's use MTF-LT5 trans oil! So double check what your dealer uses. (of course BMW says a trans oil change is not needed at 2K kms... but I would do it).


All the 1M owners went thru this same ordeal when the 1M came out. You would think BMW would have learned it's lesson then.
CORRECT 1M Fluids List [Engine, Transmission, Differential]
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=620282

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Thanks for the informative post. I might have looked into acquiring some before leaving Munich. Imagine what a baller you'd be if you showed up for your break-in service in Europe with your own differential oil.

Originally Posted by lkw15

Great post, OP. Love your car!

Just be careful where you park if you can help it. This happened to me in Parma the night before last.

OMFG! I never saw anything like that before. It looks like they tried to rip off your trunk lip too and just ended up breaking it. I'm glad you're back on the road again and hope that it is smooth sailing for the rest of your trip. I can't wait to see the video and your report. Also I am sure many posters would appreciate learning about your experience with insurance and BMW while on ED.

A pox on those responsible.

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Another tip for you guys who MUST go to Venice(everyone should go at least once in their life!!)... my advice is to stay on a small island/peninsula called: Jesolo (30016 Jesolo VE, Italy) sometimes it's called Lido di Jesolo... its a nice island... tallest buildings are ten stories by local zoning law. Stay at one of the many nice hotels in that area... mostly only German's and Austrian go to Jesolo. When in Italy ALWAYS park in a garage or secure hotel parking area with a GATE!

A nice hotel that I like in Jesolo is "Hotel Lido". lidojesolo.com

Most every hotel in Jesolo has a reserved section on the beach, with table and chairs. This is a family seaside town. At night(7pm) they close the main one way road that runs the four miles along the beach... the stores stay open until 11pm. Its a nice area. At the end of the island of Jesolo is also a water park called Aqualandria. hey have a slide that you can get up to 135 kph going down this water slide!! NOT for the faint of heart!

When you want to go to Venice you can take a boat/ship from the beach or drive to the Southern end of the island (10km's away) pay a few euros(~8) to park your car in a secure area. Take the public water-bus ships(~8 euros for a 24 hour ticket) from Jesolo into Venice. THE only way to enter Venice is taking a boat right into Via San Marco. This is THE way everyone should be introduced to Venice. You can even get off of one of the "other" ship stops on the way. Murano-Burano is a nice island on the water-bus ride into Venice!

here are some pics...

And another informative post! We took a water taxi via the Grand Hotel and had to walk the plank to enter our hotel - Palazzo Pisani. That first breathtaking experience of Venice set the stage for the rest of our stay. Not related to where you stayed, Hotel Lido was the name of the hotel we stayed at at Alba Adriatica. It had reserved chairs at the beach, and as an added bonus, breakfast, lunch and dinner was included in our rate (about $200 per night).

Originally Posted by solstice

I created an account but unfortunately they require a license plate number which I don't think is possible to retrieve at this point in time. Well, it was worth a try.

My M3 has these options:

- Alpine white on full black leather.
- Sunroof.
- Black 19s
- Executive package.
- HK audio.
- Rear sunshade.

Question, anyone here who has experience of using an American ( no chip ) credit card in the toll booths?

Crap, bad luck with getting the wheels stolen! So no wheel adapter needed on the F8X 19s as was the case with the optional 19s on the E9X?

Damn. Can you check with BMW if they know your plates? I've noticed that they are working on a series M 2*** Z from the photos and the plates have expiry dates to cover your car until it is expected to leave the country. I say this because perhaps they are assigned early in the process.

The toll booths swallow your card completely and then spit it out. The chip is for your PIN. The machine would be using your strip. I am sure your card will work fine - imagine how many Americans would be calling for service at the toll booths otherwise.

Originally Posted by MattUK

Great write MT - how long do you have to wait from hand back until you see it again over the pond?

Depending on your distance from a port, 6-8 excruciatingly long weeks.