[ScullyD]

Originally Posted by MadBimmeRad

You know what, I couldn't agree with you more. I've always said, to me at least, the only opinion that matters is those of the people who put their hands in their pockets; the owners of the cars - all else is conjecture.

I'll be visiting mine toward the end of the month; the excitement and anticipation is enough to give you a heartattack.

Did you get the seat situation squared away? At least you are likely to get some good weather before we do in the states. As soon as I see 60+ I’m swapping on Cup2s.

[jpdchicago]

Originally Posted by Asymmetrick

The fixed buckets are AMAZING and very comfortable. They really are. It's just sad that no automotive journalist is willing to take the 15 mins necessary to undo a couple of Torx 50 screws to adjust the incline and height of the seat to ensure it fits their body type. Frankly, this is just lazy and it does not strike me as a case of journalistic integrity to then blame the seat comfort for their unwillingness to do their job properly.

As a fyi, the seat adjustment coming out of the factory is set at a pretty straight angle and high, which did not suit me (6'3" / 200 lbs). Once the seat was lowered and the angle adjusted to my body type, I could not believe how comfortable I was in the CSL. So happy I got the fixed bucket seats!

So true about the seat adjustment…
Awful from the factory. Too high for me (that totally depends on the person so not an issue for some) but mostly set up way too straight and very uncomfortable that way.
I remember one of the testers on the track saying that the seats were set up too straight and that they might have gotten a better time with the proper adjustment but they did not have the time to do it. What kind of a test is that?.
I now have mine in the lowest position and with the widest angle incline setting.
It was very comfortable coming back from the dealership that way.
I will give more feedback once I am able to spend more time at the wheel.

[MadBimmeRad]

Originally Posted by ScullyD

Did you get the seat situation squared away? At least you are likely to get some good weather before we do in the states. As soon as I see 60+ I’m swapping on Cup2s.

Well, I may have indirectly. I'm negotiating a deal to swap cars with someone whose car is not arriving till late April.

He'll get to have his car immediately, if the deal goes through, and in return, I'll get the racing buckets.

It's probably going to cost each of us a few grand given its being done through an intermediary.

Here is the first photo of the beast received yesterday from the dealer 600 miles away.

[ScullyD]

Originally Posted by jpdchicago

So true about the seat adjustment…
Awful from the factory. Too high for me (that totally depends on the person so not an issue for some) but mostly set up way too straight and very uncomfortable that way.
I remember one of the testers on the track saying that the seats were set up too straight and that they might have gotten a better time with the proper adjustment but they did not have the time to do it. What kind of a test is that?.
I now have mine in the lowest position and with the widest angle incline setting.
It was very comfortable coming back from the dealership that way.
I will give more feedback once I am able to spend more time at the wheel.

Yeah mine need to be significantly adjusted and lowered as wel, but it’s comfortable cause I’m not pinched by the seat in the thigh area at all. So I know once I get it in the ideal spot, I’ll be fine.

[Chicane_]

So the CSL struggles to put down its power. Isn’t that a good thing assuming you’re a competetent driver who wants to be entertained and feel rewarded? Cars like these should be an event and not be easy to drive. There are plenty of other cars to choose from for those seeking something more planted and safe.

[IMG]

I’ve been running Cup 2s on the csl since day one.
I started with stock size on the fronts and 295s on the rears and looked bubblishes so I went back to stock size on the rears but I might go back to the 295s.
Car felt more planted on the 295s, or at least for my driving style.
d

[ScullyD]

Originally Posted by IMG

I’ve been running Cup 2s on the csl since day one.
I started with stock size on the fronts and 295s on the rears and looked bubblishes so I went back to stock size on the rears but I might go back to the 295s.
Car felt more planted on the 295s, or at least for my driving style.
d

Different wheels or the stock wheels?

[IMG]

Originally Posted by ScullyD

Different wheels or the stock wheels?

Stock wheels

[ScullyD]

Originally Posted by IMG

Stock wheels

Do you have a pic of how it looked? I think you are on to something with that change.

[IMG]

Originally Posted by ScullyD

Do you have a pic of how it looked? I think you are on to something with that change.

Define I’m on to something plz.

Obviously I’m pushing this thing on cup 2s in high 30s low 40s temps lol but I feel the car is more planted in the rears through high speed corner exits.
Front grip is amazing.

I find myself correcting the car more out of corners on the 285s on the read compared to the 295s.

[ScullyD]

Originally Posted by IMG

Define I’m on to something plz.

Obviously I’m pushing this thing on cup 2s in high 30s low 40s temps lol but I feel the car is more planted in the rears through high speed corner exits.
Front grip is amazing.

I find myself correcting the car more out of corners on the 285s on the read compared to the 295s.

I see what you mean on bubbled look but f it, I’d do that trade off for more grip.

“On to something” as defined by Merriam Webster:

[IMG]

Originally Posted by ScullyD

I see what you mean on bubbled look but f it, I’d do that trade off for more grip

Exactly my point.
I’ve never left a car bone stock cause I hate the wheel gap and etc.
so mind as well slap the 295s back on since I’m not even lowering the car.
It’s compression and rebound in soft setting is perfect for me and if I lower it on stock shocks, I’m gonna loose a lot of the road feel and corner speed I think.

[IMG]

Originally Posted by ScullyD

I see what you mean on bubbled look but f it, I’d do that trade off for more grip.

“On to something” as defined by Merriam Webster:

Lol. I know what the term means haha
I was asking as in terms of positive or negative

[ScullyD]

Originally Posted by IMG

Lol. I know what the term means haha
I was asking as in terms of positive or negative

Lol it’s always a positive

[IMG]

Originally Posted by ScullyD

Lol it’s always a positive

😊🙏🏼
This is sitting on the 285s on the rears

[Hit_Apex]

Originally Posted by IMG

Define I’m on to something plz.

Obviously I’m pushing this thing on cup 2s in high 30s low 40s temps lol but I feel the car is more planted in the rears through high speed corner exits.
Front grip is amazing.

I find myself correcting the car more out of corners on the 285s on the read compared to the 295s.

Are those with spacers? I have 295 for the rear waiting to go on next week and will post pics.

[IMG]

Originally Posted by Hit_Apex

Are those with spacers? I have 295 for the rear waiting to go on next week and will post pics.

Yes with spacers.
15/12
I get a slight rubbing on the front fender liner in reverse with the wheel turned.
Other than that no issues.

Please post pics

[BLKSAPPE92]

Originally Posted by MadBimmeRad

I'm damned confused now; are those fixed buckets comfortable or not? I recall ScullyD saying they were great. How then did these guys find them so awful on the road?

Carbon buckets are so comfortable once you’re in them. Entering and exiting the vehicle takes time to get used too but after a few days it’s normal

[JK479]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

It can be pretty confusing.

Car and driver tested the x3 m40 in 2018 with 20" wheels and loved it.
They just tested the 2022 version which is the same car, also with 20" wheels, and if you read both reviews you really have to wonder if someone is off their meds.

Look for yourself
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15887757/2018-bmw-x3-m40i-test-review/
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a39744796/2022-bmw-x3-m40i-by-the-numbers/

It can be really confusing when the same mag has such disparate opinions on essentially the same car.

Problem is- Car and Driver is no longer the authority on car reviews. It’s showing- for years the bias for BMW was there. It’s gone now- and we’re all noticing. Objectively speaking, they aren’t being objective at all.

[JK479]

Originally Posted by MadBimmeRad

It's enough to make your stop reading altogether

While back I used to love Car & Driver- they tried testing base bmw manual cars - had a real penchant for the sporting aspect of BMW. They’ll all sold out to YouTube and compete with YouTube personalities. Sad this happened…

[M4CompConv/X7]

Well, they echo what I felt about the carbon buckets. I don't need to pay over $4k to be uncomfortable. What surprised me were all the negative comments left by people after the video.

[zero21]

Originally Posted by JK479

Problem is- Car and Driver is no longer the authority on car reviews. It’s showing- for years the bias for BMW was there. It’s gone now- and we’re all noticing. Objectively speaking, they aren’t being objective at all.

I think it's important to understand the context of a review.

When they did the lightning lap, they commented how great the car is, but felt like a boat next to a GT4RS. I mean duh.

In this case the review was a bit surprising to me being on its own, with nothing to compare it to since the original review was so good. But as mentioned...tires.