[Dave]

Low power US version, but has some modest mods done so it makes like 270bhp instead of 240. Not entirely sure since I'm not gonna shell out money to have it dyno'd.

[hannu]

European spec make 320 standard.

Have you tried one of those Gmeters? Seem OK for getting a rough idea of a cars power.

[Dave]

Yeah I know the Euro-spec E36 M3 made 320, but BMW wanted to keep the price of the E36 US M3 under $40k iirc.

And no, I haven't tried one of those gmeters on it. I had one back in high school to test changes on my 1970 Skylark GS, but those days are long gone.

[hannu]

Yeah I know the Euro-spec E36 M3 made 320, but BMW wanted to keep the price of the E36 US M3 under $40k iirc.

Don't see why?

They were selling for over £40,000 sterling in the UK. What was that, about $85,000?

Seems like US BMW buyers had a good deal to me.

[Dave]

US buyers of BMWs ALWAYS have a good deal, but the E36 M3 BMW specifically wanted to have cheap.

The current M3, with some dealer markup and options, tends to go for around $65,000 here. Not too shabby considering it's way more capable and 10 years of inflation.

Besides healthcare just about everything is much cheaper here in general. So as long as you're not a weakling living here is a pretty good deal--especially for gearheads.

[hannu]

Latest M3 is £50,000 plus in the UK.

To big, fat & bloated even though it does have over 400 horse.

[stalker]

And 11 years old now.

I don't really need anything else. Only ostentatious idiots drive around in Moscow (of whom there are a lot, hence the traffic jams).

I think these are the best transportation methods:







Only thing I need it for is to drive 120km to the country house. Rarely longer distances. And best of all no-one feels the need to vandalize/loot it. The downside is its generally crap featurewise, but I can live with that.

I've currently got better ideas for spending money. Amazingly it has never broken down seriously. As soon as it does I'm going to buy a used foreign car with good safety/other features and fuel efficiency, can't say what as of now though, haven't studied the issues. Never much interested in cars.

[Notorious B.i.G.]

Isnt the definition of drive, basically, to control or influence the motion and direction of a thing* that moves?

*object, lifeform, etc?

Yeah probably, but I wanted to poke the bear to see who would bite.

Besides healthcare just about everything is much cheaper here in general. So as long as you're not a weakling living here is a pretty good deal--especially for gearheads.

Yeah it's an odd one with cars. The Pontiac GTO (a GM Holden Monaro) Sold for much less in the US than in Australia despite being built here, and the Aus version price suffering from no transport costs, and the US version being of better spec. But I guess that is persistent dumping for you.

[Dave]

Similarly, most BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes are cheaper here than in Germany.

[Adrien]

But then again the Euro is ridiculously high.

I do think car manufacturers are among the first to complain about our misguided currency policy.

[Dave]

It's not causing Germany many problems, since Germany is so much more competitive and just gets more competitive. Germany is still the world's largest trade surplus country. BMW enjoyed another year of record sales in the USA, with higher profits than ever.

The best thing about the Euro is that asshole countries who rely on devaluation are now getting slaughtered since they can no longer devalue.

[Thunderhawk]

Yeah it's an odd one with cars. The Pontiac GTO (a GM Holden Monaro) Sold for much less in the US than in Australia despite being built here, and the Aus version price suffering from no transport costs, and the US version being of better spec. But I guess that is persistent dumping for you.

Australians have been suckered into accepted a HUGE markup on all their products.

[Yeddi]

Australians have been suckered into accepted a HUGE markup on all their products.

We also have CRAZY Taxes

[GrantG]

I can't drive yet I'm always open to suggestions as to what I should try to get.

[Notorious B.i.G.]

I can't drive yet I'm always open to suggestions as to what I should try to get.

I can tell you what not to drive...

DO NOT GET A SKYLINE!!!!

[Dr House]

I can tell you what not to drive...

DO NOT GET A SKYLINE!!!!

You fail SOOOOO hard.

Adrien, can I plz pretty please post an epic fail for this guy?

-Dr House

[Il Duce]

So many hoons get skylines it isn't funny. In Australia people generally picture skyline drivers as ethnic hooligans. Like these:

[Dr House]

So it's like Australia's Civic?

It's still a technological marvel. I don't think any other car has a center diff as good as the ATTESA. Nor are many engines as good tuner platforms as the rev-happy RB26.

-Dr House

[Rancid]

Maas,

What kind of distance do you cover on the bike to work?

[hannu]

Similarly, most BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes are cheaper here than in Germany.

I think this is due to the US models being 'Low Power' versions.

I'm assuming that if BMW offered the full power version at low prices then europeans would just re-import.

Are these 'Low Power' US versions supplied for safety reasons to cater for American drivers? Correct me if I'm wrong but American motorsport drivers don't seem to be able to cut it on the World stage. Is that a reflection of American drivers in general?