Back on Track

[Victorofhavoc]

Kumho V730 is a great option for 200 treadwear though, but they don't come in a ton of sizes. I'd really like to get them in 275/30, 19 inch, but almost nothing comes in that size. On the Eibach pro kit springs I'm really leaning towards going with 275/35. Otherwise 265/35. I really wish I had a set of 18 inch rims but same situation, 6 track days a year makes it hard to justify a second set of wheels. Falken RT660 comes in 275/30, but they don't get a lot of good reviews for track use.

So example of the v730,

265/35/18 runs 860 a set
275/35/19 is 1268
275/35/18 is 900

So after a few sets of tires you start to offset the cost. You also get the benefit of more torque with a shorter tire vs the 19, more inherent adjustability, and the peace of mind that if you pop one on track you'll still be able to drive home.

That's the argument I use to justify things to my wife . Ymmv

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[StingertimeNC]

Ha ha! Damnit. The thing that holds me back from really going all in is my history of keeping a car 3-4 years then moving on.

 

[Victorofhavoc]

Ha ha! Damnit. The thing that holds me back from really going all in is my history of keeping a car 3-4 years then moving on.

Yeah I hear you. I still have over 4k in wheels and tires for my gti sitting in my garage and basement. It's a lot harder to sell aftermarket parts than people think. The only parts I got rid of quickly were the bnib ones.

That said, I've once again been looking at G80 m3. I'll probably jump ship the moment my baby can be in a forward facing carseat, so the its is on borrowed time.

 

[optronix]

Yeah I hear you. I still have over 4k in wheels and tires for my gti sitting in my garage and basement. It's a lot harder to sell aftermarket parts than people think. The only parts I got rid of quickly were the bnib ones.

That said, I've once again been looking at G80 m3. I'll probably jump ship the moment my baby can be in a forward facing carseat, so the its is on borrowed time.

I'm aware of your thoughts on the ITS build quality and how that has put a severe damper on your overall ownership experience... but I've gone back and forth on the G80 several times myself. I've definitely gotten over my revulsion to the aesthetic, I actually don't mind it all now and think it looks great (although nowhere near as good as the f80, or ITS for that matter...). And I'm sure it feels like a supercar as far as power is concerned, and is far more capable of putting down blistering lap times.

But I just can't get over how much fun the Integra is to drive. I can't imagine spending 2x as much (despite that one guy that hates me because he can't do simple math- the ITS costs a hair over $50k and the M3 is WIDELY considered a six-figure car at this point in time, this is objective fact, I don't care what the website says is MSRP for a base model...)- or even if you buy used, ~$30k or so delta AT BEST for what I use the car for. Unless you just have money to burn, or simply can't stand the thought of continuing to drive the ITS, OR are just thirsting for more power... I can't reconcile the cost difference.

I may feel differently if BMW does something very interesting for the next gen M3- especially if they somehow buck the industry trend and find a way to reduce weight (Porsche seems to be able to do it, why not BMW?). But for now I've talked myself down and have once again lost interest. The ITS remains best in breed for sporty sedans, especially for the cost.

 

[Victorofhavoc]

I'm aware of your thoughts on the ITS build quality and how that has put a severe damper on your overall ownership experience... but I've gone back and forth on the G80 several times myself. I've definitely gotten over my revulsion to the aesthetic, I actually don't mind it all now and think it looks great (although nowhere near as good as the f80, or ITS for that matter...). And I'm sure it feels like a supercar as far as power is concerned, and is far more capable of putting down blistering lap times.

But I just can't get over how much fun the Integra is to drive. I can't imagine spending 2x as much (despite that one guy that hates me because he can't do simple math- the ITS costs a hair over $50k and the M3 is WIDELY considered a six-figure car at this point in time, this is objective fact, I don't care what the website says is MSRP for a base model...)- or even if you buy used, ~$30k or so delta AT BEST for what I use the car for. Unless you just have money to burn, or simply can't stand the thought of continuing to drive the ITS, OR are just thirsting for more power... I can't reconcile the cost difference.

I may feel differently if BMW does something very interesting for the next gen M3- especially if they somehow buck the industry trend and find a way to reduce weight (Porsche seems to be able to do it, why not BMW?). But for now I've talked myself down and have once again lost interest. The ITS remains best in breed for sporty sedans, especially for the cost.

I do not disagree with most of your points.

I'll add the dealership experience is also a partial factor. I dropped off a wheel recently to replace a tire with a nail in it and it took them 6 hrs for one tire. When I got it back the rim was scratched up, still covered in a mountain of lube, they used the wrong color wheel weight, didn't remove the tape from the old wheel weights, and gave me a tire from first week in January 2023. That's some Kia level service...

I'll also point out that I don't want the most expensive competition level m3... I actually prefer the base model and as I want it it will be 78k. Last time I chatted with the dealer they were willing to go 7k under msrp or so. Acura would only do 2k under. Still to your point it's a 20k difference, but I personally feel that 20k goes a long way. It feels more like a 40k-50k difference.

For me, it's mostly my daily driver with the kids in the back. Some extra silence, insulation, and "numbness" would be a welcome thing. Not too much, though. Ideally I'd love the Porsche style electric mounts that stiffen with different settings, but those come with their own set of pros and cons.

I won't argue the its is a great car to drive. I passed quite a few Porsche this past weekend and that was on a fully stock car. No miata, brz, s2000, or boxster/cayman kept up with me in it. I even chased down a couple c5 and c6 vette... One was a Z06 . The ctr guys were cheering and waving from the overlook. It's a fun and fast car and as a stock car it's pretty decent.

 

[optronix]

I do not disagree with most of your points.

I'll add the dealership experience is also a partial factor. I dropped off a wheel recently to replace a tire with a nail in it and it took them 6 hrs for one tire. When I got it back the rim was scratched up, still covered in a mountain of lube, they used the wrong color wheel weight, didn't remove the tape from the old wheel weights, and gave me a tire from first week in January 2023. That's some Kia level service...

I'll also point out that I don't want the most expensive competition level m3... I actually prefer the base model and as I want it it will be 78k. Last time I chatted with the dealer they were willing to go 7k under msrp or so. Acura would only do 2k under. Still to your point it's a 20k difference, but I personally feel that 20k goes a long way. It feels more like a 40k-50k difference.

For me, it's mostly my daily driver with the kids in the back. Some extra silence, insulation, and "numbness" would be a welcome thing. Not too much, though. Ideally I'd love the Porsche style electric mounts that stiffen with different settings, but those come with their own set of pros and cons.

I won't argue the its is a great car to drive. I passed quite a few Porsche this past weekend and that was on a fully stock car. No miata, brz, s2000, or boxster/cayman kept up with me in it. I even chased down a couple c5 and c6 vette... One was a Z06 . The ctr guys were cheering and waving from the overlook. It's a fun and fast car and as a stock car it's pretty decent.

Totally with you on the dealership experience. For me, warranty work EXCLUSIVELY. I think I'm even done with the free maintenance. My own personal experience is enough to realize that Audi and BMW both are just on a different level of dealership experience. Acura is Honda with free coffee.

I would get the base with the manual too... but I'd option it to the hilt and would probably still be near $100k. Good to hear that dealers would be willing to work with you...

BUT, this might change things: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly341xr45vo

The DE5 and the FL5 are weapons on the track in competent hands... but lately I've kind of fallen in love with it all over again for how great it is on the street.

 

[Victorofhavoc]

Totally with you on the dealership experience. For me, warranty work EXCLUSIVELY. I think I'm even done with the free maintenance. My own personal experience is enough to realize that Audi and BMW both are just on a different level of dealership experience. Acura is Honda with free coffee.

I would get the base with the manual too... but I'd option it to the hilt and would probably still be near $100k. Good to hear that dealers would be willing to work with you...

BUT, this might change things: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly341xr45vo

The DE5 and the FL5 are weapons on the track in competent hands... but lately I've kind of fallen in love with it all over again for how great it is on the street.

You are absolutely not wrong that checking off a few options can make it a 100k car quickly! The extended leather package and wheels are two that I wouldn't do personally, but I can imagine others would.

Yeah, don't want to get political, but our economy is slowly being turned upside right now. Who knows what will happen in the next 3 years, especially with imported goods and exports that we're being boycotted on. Crazy times.

I do like having a manual in a street car again. Automatics, dsg, dct, pdk, or otherwise are just so boring on the street! Especially with how overly capable cars are these days!

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