[2e9x's]

Hello all...

I am in the middle of my ED adventure. Over the past 7 months I have been lurking on these forums, not really adding much because I WAS not an e9x owner.

Well I have my 335i Coupe and have to say that I totally love it! We drove 275 miles yesterday from Munich to Lake Garda. During open stretches of freeway I tried hard not toe exceed 100mph. This car's acceleration from those speeds is just astounding!

The nav routed us around a closed section of autobahn. The computer must have read my mind...the roads were twisty, narrow, and really fast! The handling and brakes are beyond reproach. This car pulls hard out of corners and is just totally stable. Pounding along pretty hard (considering break-in and everything) in 100+ heat, a/c on full, with 4 people and 3 weeks worth of luggage over alpine roads, the oil temperature stayed at 250 the entire time. Unreal...

I am also impressed by the ride quality and lack of road noise at 100+. It has been a number of months since I have driven a BMW and I forgot how really solid they are. What an incredible car!

I was expecting to hate iDrive, but I don't. Same with the nav...it works fine if not quite as well as the one in my Honda. Still I think it is better than other people say it is.

I am ecstatic with my car!!!! Let the fun and games continue...

[RANJHA]

congrats!

+1 about the road noise, you go 100 in this car and it feels like 60 in a normal car lol

[STE92VE]

Best of luck with your new ride! Those weeks waiting for redelivery will seem like forever.

[Gripster]

Fantastic! Wed did ED Italy last year and it was awesome. Now get off the computer and get driving around Europe!! You can post about your adventures when you get back - you will need something to keep your mind off the wait for redelivery....

Oh and

[Zephyr15]

I'm glad you're enjoying your trip, but I'm mostly impressed by the fact that you managed to fit four people and three weeks worth of luggage in an e92.

[Gort]

Congratulations! Lake Garda is pretty. Stop by Verona if you get a chance. Its not far away. It has lots of Roman ruins and was also the setting for Romeo and Juliet. Great food and people too.

[japac1]

Sounds like you're enjoying yourself. Post some pics.

[ksfrogman]

That ED route seems like quite the experience. Congratulations, and yes, some pics would be

[JamieA]

I am jealous as all hell. Enjoy your time with your new baby

[bartman32]

Congrats! Lots of fun to be had! I hope you aren't dropping the car off in Italy though. It's better to drive over the border and drop it in Nice. In Italy they drive your car back to Munich and it takes an extra week. (Who wants to drive the brand new BMW who's owner you will never see?) In most of the other countries they truck it directly to the shipping point.
Good luck and have LOTS of fun!

[nusevad]

Congrats, sounds like one fun helluva trip, be sure to post pics.

[Zeeman]

I am so envious. I wish I had arranged for the ED.

I have driven in that area...unfortunately I was driving a Fiat rental. I would love drive those mountain passes in the 335!!

Hopefully you're staying Garda...it's a beautiful place.

[2e9x's]

Here are some pictures. Thanks everybody for the good wishes...


Today I was driving from Lake Garda to Rimini. We were on a stretch of autostrada when this guy in a gold Alfa Coupe 2.0 twin spark decided to have a run. I was behind him at the start…he got to about 1xx and pulled right. I applied throttle and literally exploded past. At the next clump of traffic we slowed to about 85 with him right on my rear bumper. Grab 4th and apply about ¾ throttle to about 5,000 rpm (still being break-in conscious). Repeat in 5th, shifting to 6th at 5,000. Up to 6th and I backed out of it at 1..(well, let's leave the details out but suffice it to say it was really fast). He was a small dot in the mirror. This car just pulls like a freight train. It is very stable at those speeds and remarkably quiet. There is almost no wind noise and very little engine noise.

I am going to put the kids to bed now and get ready for a big day at Oltremare (similar to Sea World) tomorrow. Hope you all enjoy your cars as much as I am enjoying mine!

[2e9x's]

Originally Posted by bartman32

Congrats! Lots of fun to be had! I hope you aren't dropping the car off in Italy though. It's better to drive over the border and drop it in Nice. In Italy they drive your car back to Munich and it takes an extra week. (Who wants to drive the brand new BMW who's owner you will never see?) In most of the other countries they truck it directly to the shipping point.
Good luck and have LOTS of fun!

Thanks bartman. No, we are dropping it off at MADA in Munich. The idea of somebody else driving my car Hell, I don't even valet...

[KP22]

Any comments about the traffic behaviour in Italy? I went there couple of weeks ago first time in my life and think people drive like crazy and roads are in really bad condition. Views are nice though but can´t really enjoy them because needs to keep eyes on the road and keep on avoiding accidents. When finally crossing the Swiss border its like going to totally different world.

[2e9x's]

The Italians are very aggressive drivers. In general however I don't worry too much about it. When in Rome...

I find the roads to be pretty good, and generally better than US roads.

The only thing you need to do to survive driving in Italy is to be aggressive. Everybody around you is being aggressive. There is more of an accident risk if you are timid because they expect other. If it is any comfort take a look around at their cars...you almost never see banged-up cars here. So despite their level of aggression maybe they are doing a good job of avoiding each other...

[Panoz]

Originally Posted by KP22

Any comments about the traffic behaviour in Italy? I went there couple of weeks ago first time in my life and think people drive like crazy and roads are in really bad condition. Views are nice though but can´t really enjoy them because needs to keep eyes on the road and keep on avoiding accidents. When finally crossing the Swiss border its like going to totally different world.

I totaly Dissagree with you. I've been driving plenty of times in Italy (Northern) and I find the Italian drivers very good as well the roads/highways are beyond any comments. On the other hand driving in US was a horrible experience as drivers were changing lanes without signals and with no caring if another vechicle was comming from behind in higher speed...very annoying.

White05X3 : I'm so jealous of you you are living in Italy...I wish i could come over more often to drive along Superstrada & AutoStrada. Amazing places and amazing roads. Enjoy your car ..its really a piece of art.

[MB330]

Originally Posted by White05X3

The Italians are very aggressive drivers. In general however I don't worry too much about it. When in Rome...

I find the roads to be pretty good, and generally better than US roads.

The only thing you need to do to survive driving in Italy is to be aggressive. Everybody around you is being aggressive. There is more of an accident risk if you are timid because they expect other. If it is any comfort take a look around at their cars...you almost never see banged-up cars here. So despite their level of aggression maybe they are doing a good job of avoiding each other...

Tell you the truth, after lived in LA for more then 15 yr - I feel driving in Italy not so hard. Looks like the same idiots araund you, and you know what to do.
Congratulation with your new and excelent trip.