Thrills vs frustrations in daily driving

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by harperium

I hope you're right. There are gas-guzzler taxes already around MPG levels. I think states could enforce a power-to-weight ratio limit on cars - they could refuse to allow cars to be sold unless they were under the limit. It wouldn't be enforced on the streets. I would hate this - I'm just saying, if the trend continues, acceleration limits could become a reality

Technically possible, sure. But I still don't see the current state of the art increasing likelihood of this type of regulation any more than it has in the past. We've long since reached the point of ridiculous performance levels being achieved in street legal vehicles. There's little to be gained by saying "Ok, you can have that super-duper insane vehicle over there, but this slightly more super-duper insane vehicle here is going too far." I just don't think its on enough people's radars, and few would care about arbitrary limiting choices like that. Much bigger fish are out there to be caught and fried, such as automated vehicle regulatory concerns.

[Nikolas]

I work from a home office. I also live in the mountains where we only have bad traffic on holidays and powder days. I did the commute thing for years......never again.

[Aaaaaaaaa]

My daily commute is half backroads where all the rich people live in their horse ranches. Hardly any cops so I put it in full Sport+ and it’s enough for me to justify the car. Plus 6MT so you know more engaging and all that bull$hit

[harperium]

Originally Posted by pheerIx

Plus 6MT so you know more engaging and all that bull$hit

I swore off manuals awhile ago but do see the point of them - it's not about the fastest 0-60 - those are fast enough already. It's about enjoying every mile, while not worrying about getting a ticket. Will have to give the 6MT a second look when it's time for the next car.

[Aaaaaaaaa]

Originally Posted by harperium

I swore off manuals awhile ago but do see the point of them - it's not about the fastest 0-60 - those are fast enough already. It's about enjoying every mile, while not worrying about getting a ticket. Will have to give the 6MT a second look when it's time for the next car.

Look fast. Rumors are G80 won't have manual. There's always the M2 I guess.

[knightarmor]

I know exactly how you feel. I've lately been thinking how little I get to really enjoy the M. But when I do it's awesome. I have another fun car that's not as comfortable or subtle as the M. I've been considering trading it in for a Nissan pickup truck. So sad.

[Velon]

Well I use my f80 as a daily driver and I have quite a few tunnels on my way too and home from work, do I need to say more?
But I do drive it quite calm, much traffic in the mornings. I keep the douche driving when I'm alone on the countryside.

[DBACE]

Originally Posted by harperium

How does one safely and legally enjoy an M car?

What % of the time do you drive aggressively or “make moves”? Or do you just never do this?

Do you end up frustrated more often than thrilled? Isn’t that basically why we don’t all drive Camry's?

Otherwise digging into the throttle is limited to fractions of a second. It’s like watching porn but not being allowed to, well, you get the idea.

I sold my 320i b/c it wasn’t powerful enough; ironically I spent a lot more time at WOT in that car than the 340. In that sense it was more fun.

OP, You have to just go and purchase one first of all. The 340 is underwhelming in comparison to an ///M, but seeing you acknowledge yourself as being idiotic, you might want to stick with your current car. As you said it is powerful enough you rarely do WOT and easily hit triple digits.

I cannot quantify a percentage of driving aggressively, but I can say it occurs when the time is right. There is ample opportunity.

I am never frustrated driving my F80, because I cannot tap into its potential power of the car whenever I want to. The frustration typically occurs with other drivers around me. Should you get one you will learn, the car is awesome at any speed. My other car is a Camry Hybrid, which is a great car!!

Driving an ///M is exactly like watching those flicks, but without using your hands (their busy at 9 & 3) while watching your favorite episodes. There's a constant build up throughout the entire drive, even when you are not driving like an idiot.

It is a well documented fact that less powerful cars that can be driven at their limits, is far more fun than driving a more powerful car at a fraction of its potential.

Should you decide to take the plunge, you will enjoy it.

[harperium]

Originally Posted by Velon

I keep the douche driving when I'm alone on the countryside.

so you tone it down. yeah, I need to do that. obviously.

My lease on the 340 is up in 2 years. If I can get a G80 I will, but otherwise the F80 - used if necessary. I really do love the M3 - every time I see one go by my heart skips. I just need to come to terms with how to drive with restraint and control.

The M2C looks great too, but I prefer 4 doors + bigger trunk. The M5 looks awesome, but so much more $.

[SunnyD]

Originally Posted by Jewson

In some regards, it's easier to have more fun in a slower car when driving daily on the street.

This is exactly why I daily a Fiesta ST. Not a fast car by any means, but it has enough power for me to actually push the car while not traveling at go-to-jail speeds.

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

Originally Posted by Thescout13

just waiting for this thread to blow up like the DSC off thread.

Bro I hope not lol

Originally Posted by MicaCeli

Nothing to do with power.

- On/Off ramps, slow down to get a bunch of room between you and the guy in front of you.
- Do a few pulls in a safe manner (no cars in the area)
- Go to track days or autoX, you need to get the aggression out somewhere.

For not getting pulled over:
- Use WAZE app
- Don't weave through traffic
- Use your turn signals

That sums is up quite well. Assess your traffic situation. If its relatively thick traffic and everyone going 40 (Im talking three lane highway) sometimes its fun to bounce around lanes in low gear( aggressive...but, at the same time; no need to trying to reach speed because ultimately you'll run into a squeeze...I drove my dad's lexus today and I had this suburu outback driving like he had a death wish. Legit boxed him in and forces his car in. Would have hit me if I didnt have a death wish. Next, hes riding someone in the left lane almost driving on the median. (Ultimately his goal is to drive so friggin erratically and recklessly to scare people out of his way...and honestly it works. Now if I had the M(the lexus simply doesn't have the acceleration needed to be the pace car) out today I would made him go through a set of brake pads playing enforcer...anyway besides my tangent.

Two aggressive driving tickets means either one or two things. You have a lot of cops and your extremely unlucky. or number 2 that you are driving way to agressily more often than not. Your not getting anywhere faster, unless you can maintain 100mph for extended periods of time, which is simply not feasible due to traffic and constant fear of police. Now I get the pang to rip it too...you have to make space, plan your weaves; which can lead to some rewarding satisfaction on the road. But don't make the granny you cut off weaving; have chest angina because you didn't have finesse. Ill purposely wait a good ten seconds behind a car on on/off ramp simply because I know I am going to take it at extreme speeds. and want to merge at 80+mph. No point in not giving your self space...because the other driver is not going to change. Actually people are frightened to merge...and I get it especially with slow cars and sloosh boxes. If, you see some wide open daylight in front of you; sure why not hit 120-130. but don't think its a maintainable speed. The acceleration is the best part anyway... I've had a lot more sympathy for people on the road, as drivining for some people can be anxiety inducing. But just stay out of the left lane, and be vigilant and yield to me when you see my headlights approaching at an alarming pace. Yet so many left lane enforcers

Tl;DR Have some finesse when driving. Think of it like a sport...Create space and penetrate

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

Originally Posted by harperium

Let me just say, Chicago PD doesn't like having aggressive moves made on them. Stupid, stupid me.

When driving to chicago from the east cost. I've never encountered such a well enforced highway US-70 by the Ohio Highway patrol. Legit an officer per nest..which I am sure eliminates most hooning. That show of force really stopped me speeding. God knows if one gets out and is watching you from afar.

[mephiska]

As the saying goes, "It's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow."

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by harperium

How does one safely and legally enjoy an M car? On a daily basis, I mean - track use is such a tiny fraction of miles driven for M cars.

Is it ? I figure my track use is about 25%~30% of the miles I put on the car, and my M4 is my 4-season daily driver.

The dual capability of the M3/4, practical daily driver and track toy, is what has gotten me in my first M3 (E46) 17 years ago and why I keep coming back. An M3/4 has performance potential way beyond what can be sanely exploited on public streets. IMO, the only place that one can truly appreciate the performance potential of these cars is on the race track. That being said, some folks just like to know the performance potetial is there, without really tapping into it, and there is nothing wrong with that. Sure, one can do a quick 0-75mph acceleration or take a cloverleaf on-ramp near the cornering limit, but that too would be only a very small proportion of the driven miles.

For the remaing 70-75% of my driven miles I mostly appreciate the practicality, luxury and comfort my M4 provides.

[backagain]

In my DD, I get a good amount of thrills (qualifier: when traffic is light, before someone starts to call me irresponsible ). But the frustration is they are mostly short bursts, and I am only able tap into maybe 20-30% of its full capability. For that reason, I've been contemplating to get a Cayman instead of a Carrera after F80.

[Thescout13]

Originally Posted by backagain

In my DD, I get a good amount of thrills (qualifier: when traffic is light, before someone starts to call me irresponsible ). But the frustration is they are mostly short bursts, and I am only able tap into maybe 20-30% of its full capability. For that reason, I've been contemplating to get a Cayman instead of a Carrera after F80.

I'm sure you have driven the Cayman. Love how it drives, but it's so tiny. Not practical at all. But if that is the last thing in your consideration do it! Although I will say the base 718 Cayman is almost as fast as the f80 to 60. So you may not use all the power there anyway. Now the 981, you will be on the revs constantly making it much more enjoyable.

[NoMoreAudi]

Mitigate your appetite by riding a 1000cc sport bike. Driving fast in cars is never the same.

[swagon]

Had the F80 for less than a week and all I've done was highway miles en route from the dealer, but from the past experience with the 135i (similar power to your 340i), I can say that I only mash the pedal when overtaking, merging onto highways or other roads at intersections. Other than that, on a daily basis, I barely use all the available power.

[Aaaaaaaaa]

Originally Posted by NoMoreAudi

Mitigate your appetite by riding a 1000cc sport bike. Driving fast in cars is never the same.

Yea because you're alive in a car

[harperium]

Originally Posted by DBACE

The 340 is underwhelming in comparison to an ///M, but seeing you acknowledge yourself as being idiotic, you might want to stick with your current car.

I upgraded from 320 to 340 b/c I wasn't ready for an M3. It's like training wheels, right?

I will say, though, that I have seen more than a few M drivers in Chicago pull some crazy moves beyond what my underwhelming 340 ever did. Like 70+ mph on Lower Wacker in the straightaway (speed limit is 30, and there are completely blind curves and stretches with slick wet concrete where I have lost traction even at 40 mph).

[NoMoreAudi]

Originally Posted by pheerIx

Yea because you're alive in a car

Yeah I got lucky. 15 years of crazy shit. Thankful to be around haha.

[harperium]

Originally Posted by pheerIx

Yea because you're alive in a car

When I was a kid my uncle gave me a ride on his motorcycle. I was sitting on the gas tank up front. I opened my mouth to say something about how I was having the time of my life, and a big ass giant Wyoming bug flew into my mouth and down my throat.

Haven't been on a motorcycle since. Those Wyoming flies are huge; probably still digesting it.