I done a quick write up
I thought I would do a quick write up on a BMW Car Club weekend road trip which I went on and thoroughly enjoyed. I had never been on one before.
Had an absolutely fantastic trip on the BMW Car Club trip to Wales. I would say this was the first time I "properly" drove the CS.
Previous trips included from London going to Pistonheads Sunday Service to Silverstone (not to track the vehicle) and back or London to Brighton and back which to be honest do not take very long.
Mileage before trip was about 33990 miles. Now is about 34665 miles. So about 200 miles per day. Really great car. Engine is strong loves to rev. Brakes were not too good initially and felt quite soft (which Grant mentioned may well do because brand new). At the end felt much stronger. I still think they could do with a little more bite and actually i prefer the 520d's brakes. The handling great so much fun I think the Michelin Pilot Sport 2s really help here.
The weather was good on all the days. The trip to Wales was M4/M25/M40 and A roads. Had a little play with a 2012 Aston Vantage S Coupe on the M40. I got there in 4 hours or just under. Was about 200 miles to hotel.
The trip itself in Wales did everything A roads, B roads, single track roads, cyclists, sheep in the middle of the road, dual carriageways, driving through villages, there was a little town driving.
I generally only fill up with Shell V-Power on the CS but had to go out of my way to the Beacons some 30 miles away to fill up. Wales is not well served for Shell petrol. So Sat evening made the trip there. I arrived there just in time for the Car Club dinner for 8.
Sunday morning we did a convoy drive to Aberswayth coast town and all the cars had some special display on the promenade. Was bored but was interesting in the convoy. But occasionally hanged back left a big gap and redlined it. Afternoon we had a choice of drives easy/medium/demanding with 60/80/100 miles respectively. I chose demanding because I thought I come all this way. Mainly A roads and B roads and some single track roads. I actually felt tired once I got back to hotel as I think you have to concentrate a little more than say on a motorway.
Monday I took the very very long way home. So down through the Beacons again to fill up. Down to Newport. I passed by BMW Synter Dealer so had a little look round. On the M4/M5 a few junctions. Down some little village called Chepney and some other one. All the way to Cheltenham then some fast A roads (dual carriageways) going near Circumcester to join M4 straight home. Absolutely covered in flies.
But overall epic engine, decent brakes (but I think could be a little stronger), great handling and good grip from tyres. Nice sound when accelerating. I used the Sport button most of the time on the trip which generally I only ever rarely use. Made me think M3's talents is truly wasted in London as you cannot drive and no fun in traffic or London roads.
Never done anything like this before but was great fun.
The fuel consumption overall was 20.0mpg.
Thanks very much
Some snaps
Having had a BMW Oil Service; New BMW M-Differential Oil; New BMW Manual Gearbox Oil; New BMW Air Filter and New brake discs all round and new brake pads all round all to M3 CS specification I was very much looking forwards to the trip.
Taking out of the garage
Mileage when I started
Just about to turn 34000 miles
Had a great trip along M4/M25/M40 then some A roads. Made it from
London to Wales location just in time for dinner at 8pm. I left about 4:30pm.
When I arrived in Wales I saw this on the road which was a shock to the system on route to hotel
Car park at hotel just some of the BMWs
M5s
Fuel consumption
Day1
Had to drive to Breacon Beacons 30 miles away before Sunday morning road trip to get Shell V Power as I did not want supermarket or Texaco.
Sunday mornings route
At the seafront
More to follow
mod will move the post for me.
so we used the easy option.
