New toy for the week

[Gary]

Just taken my M3 in for some work (repairing damage to a wing that soemone bashed with their door) and got a pleasant surprise when i saw the courtesy car.
They'd said I'd probably get a Mercedes CLK which i wasn't looking forward to driving, instead they've given me a 335 convertible with 1500 miles on the clock.
I wasn't that keen on them when i first saw photos when they came out, but in the flesh they look awesome. They also sound really good, better than my M3 at lower revs when the turbos kick in.
It also feels pretty quick but not quite so sharp as the M3, bit like a toned down version of it.
My only criticism so far is the gear box, it is an auto with an option to use the paddles (like an M3) or flick the gear lever up or down for changes, but doesn't feel anywhere near as good as my SMG box on the M3.
Got it for a week so lookign forward to giving it a proper drive at the weekend.

[adood84]

the Auto will never be as quick as the SMG because the SMG is a manual, post some pics up :) , and looking forward to know how it handles with the CC roof

[Gary]

Will take some when i get a chance, probably the weekend. Might need someone to tell me how to post them though, photography side is no problem as have a Canon 30D and work for a magazine, but useless when it comes to getting them into the right format on a computer!
It actually has paddles on the steering wheel but haven't managed to work out how to get them to work yet (if in fact they work the same as an SMG box), can get to change up but not down! No instructions or manual of any sort when i picked the car up!
Seems to work ok using the gear stick to change up and down, guess I'm just used to the speed of the changes on the SMG which i always have on setting 5.
Will give you a bit more feedback as I'm driving up to Cheshire tomorrow and then down to Dorset at the weekend so should do around 600 miles in it before it goes back.

One thing I'm very impressed with is the hard roof and the speed and ease with which it folds away, although haviung never had a convertible before i haven't got a lot to compare it with.

[Vin]

The paddles are actually toggle switches, as in both sides can change up/down. while it may not be the fastest gear changer the zf 6 speed is a fantastic unit especially the way it changes down for corners etc.

trust me it may feel fast because you're admiring the bus stop ballet that is the roof, but try it in a sudden shower and it will feel like forever. would take about 22 secs.

hope the weather holds out on your travels

[Gary]

Just returned the 335 and got my M3 back, must admit i really missed it.
Got the hang of the paddles, took me a day to work out though!
You're right Vin, it is actually a pretty decent box for an auto, the only thing that annoyed me is that if you put your foot down slightly harder than you intended to, such as picking up speed again on a motorway after being stuck behind something, it has a habit of downshifting into 3rd and flying round to the red line!
I was surprised that the fuel consumption was about the same as my M3, expecting to get more.
Overall though i was impressed with it, it makes a lovely noise at lower revs than the M3, but it felt a bit tame. The M3 is fairly raw in comparisson to the 335 which seems to have a softer suspension and the steering isn't as sharp. Never felt quite as confident when throwing it into a corner, the M3 sticks to the road and almost encourages you to give it more power.
On a long motorway journey though the 335 wins hands down, it is quieter and more comfortable.
I love the look of the 335 and the roof is very impressive - like a transformer! - but didn't really have a chance to use it much as it rained most of the time i had it.
Enjoyed having it for a week but won't be getting rid of the M3.
I did take some pics but am not sure hows to post them up - they are JPEGs at the moment.