Test Drive Hopefully Tomorrow

[spta97]

Have the exact same car as you. Best upgrade I can recommend is a steering wheel. Really, the only part that is lacking. Totally transforms the interior and the driving feel. The CF hood vents are an improvement over stock as well. You'll want to do some coding, mainly to eliminate the nanny-nags at startup. Congrats! Fantastic automobile.

Awesome! First thing I noticed was the steering wheel was too thin and I would totally upgrade it However, my gf has tiny hands so she loves it and finds mine too thick (giggidy ).

We have our eye on the CF hood vents and possibly spoiler but want to live with it a while to see what she really wants. I was all gung-ho for the spoiler but seeing it without it looks great as well.

Also want to be selective on the CF parts to keep it classy.

I've got BImmercode for my X3MC so we will be removing those nannies this weekend

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[freeform911]

Ha ha! If it were up to me should would be sprawled on the hood

Nice!

Don't be shy we also need pic of that...

Congrats again you two will love the car...

 

[satx_phantom]

PURCHASED!!!

First impressions - it's AWESOME! GF loves it!

The ride quality is excellent (in comparison to my X3MC) and steering a lot more forgiving (M cars are pretty brutal).

We ended up going with Dealer #2 after they called and apologized for the manager's behavior. It was local and the best deal (~9% off MSRP) so we were ok with it. Sales kid was nice throughout.

Prep quality was not what I am used to - still some dirt/grease spots around, wheels were not to my standards (inside of wheels were dirty in spots), windshield had streaks, and they didn't vacuum behind the driver's seat (she has it nearly all the way up). Overall it was passable but I will be detailing this weekend.

We are also going to get pricing on full PPF/Ceramic coating so they will do the paint correction (noticed fine clear coat swirls on the headlights and hood emblem).

But I'm nit-picky and super anal when it comes to cars. I'm sure most people wouldn't notice. Important thing is no damage so I'll take it from here!

BIG THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR HELP

Congratulations to you guys!

Check with the dealer too in case they have a company that does wraps/PPF for them. My dealer referred me to the detailer they use to wrap their vehicles and they gave me the price they charge the dealer for work, which saved me several grand as compared to other quotes. We did full car XPEL Stealth (I have the Phantom paint) with ceramic, and the quality of work was excellent. YMMV, but it can't hurt to ask and get a quote.

 

[outxlove]

Congrats! I didn’t contribute to the thread but it was entertaining popping in and out as this unfolded!

 

[freeform911]

FYI...Your girl should really take advantage of the free track day Toyota offers...
It will definitely make her more comfortable with the car...

 

[spta97]

Congratulations to you guys!

Check with the dealer too in case they have a company that does wraps/PPF for them. My dealer referred me to the detailer they use to wrap their vehicles and they gave me the price they charge the dealer for work, which saved me several grand as compared to other quotes. We did full car XPEL Stealth (I have the Phantom paint) with ceramic, and the quality of work was excellent. YMMV, but it can't hurt to ask and get a quote.

Thanks! Yes, the sales guy gave us a card of a place he uses so we will give them a call while getting estimates.

 

[spta97]

Congrats! I didn’t contribute to the thread but it was entertaining popping in and out as this unfolded!

Thanks!

 

[spta97]

FYI...Your girl should really take advantage of the free track day Toyota offers...
It will definitely make her more comfortable with the car...

She was interested but I am concerned to track it while in the break-in. Do most people wait until after the first service?

Also the track beats the hell out of the car, no?

 

[Andrew4Supra]

Also the track beats the hell out of the car, no?

~ I feel that it does. Rock debris, heavy tire wear on the edges, etc.

Now if they let one use their cars... I’d be all about it.

Too ocd about my personal car.

 

[freeform911]

She was interested but I am concerned to track it while in the break-in. Do most people wait until after the first service?

Also the track beats the hell out of the car, no?

I'm gonna guess shes never been on a track before...
As a newbie on the track everything is done at a very slow pace...you drive faster on the street then most new drivers at the track...
She wouldn't be pushing the car hard enough to get a whole lot of wear on the tires or brakes or suspension or anything else....

Going to the track is more about learning herself with the car...nothing more..she can drive the pace she's comfortable with pace...please she'll have an instructor 100% of the time...

I have a 17yr daughter n shes been driving on the track for 3 yrs...It made her a better driver...a more aware driver...

I would recommend to anyone to go to the track atleast 1 time....

And yes you are right do not track the car during break in period...
You have a year to use your day from Toyota...

You should look into it alittle more...

Steve

 

[spta97]

~ I feel that it does. Rock debris, heavy tire wear on the edges, etc.

Now if they let one use their cars... I’d be all about it.

Too ocd about my personal car.

For my car, I'm with you. I would have no problem doing 1/4 drag strip but the little "track" time I had (BMW M event in a parking lot) was hell on the cars.

I'm gonna guess shes never been on a track before...
As a newbie on the track everything is done at a very slow pace...you drive faster on the street then most new drivers at the track...
She wouldn't be pushing the car hard enough to get a whole lot of wear on the tires or brakes or suspension or anything else....

Going to the track is more about learning herself with the car...nothing more..she can drive the pace she's comfortable with pace...please she'll have an instructor 100% of the time...

I have a 17yr daughter n shes been driving on the track for 3 yrs...It made her a better driver...a more aware driver...

I would recommend to anyone to go to the track atleast 1 time....

And yes you are right do not track the car during break in period...
You have a year to use your day from Toyota...

You should look into it alittle more...

Steve

Good points - I will give her the pros/cons and let her make a decision.

 

[spta97]

Well we decided on a PPF shop based upon the glowing reviews. Stopped by last night and left a deposit for the full PPF/ceramic.

This shop is crazy - they had a McLaren, Lambo, and other exotic cars in there but the price was in line with smaller shops and better than a lot of them. The shop inside looked like a high end house! We're scheduled for late next week.

She also ordered the gloss black wind deflectors for the mirrors from IND. We wanted to go with the Twisted ones but they were out of stock and we need to get them on before the PPF/Ceramic goes on.

So car will be out of commission for about a week. Next upgrades I think will be low dust brake pads and all season tires and of course the Bimmer code changes. She decided against the spoiler as she likes the look now.

Seems she is happy with the stereo (boo - was looking forward installing a sub/amp) but I'll do the port mod posted here.

One thing I'm surprised about is the nearly complete absence of lighting in the cabin. It is already dark and they only have one light (and, to my dismay, no ambient lighting ). I was setting my seating position in memory at night and had to open the door as I could not see the buttons.

On the bright side, this is the first car I don't think really needs tinted windows lol.

 

[freeform911]

Interior is definitely dark....
I have 5% tiny all around so evening personally like that its dark... makes me feel like I'm in a cockpit....Hahaha...

 

[freeform911]

Damn auto correct....*tint

 

[spta97]

Damn auto correct....*tint

I actually liked the "tiny" lol.

My X3MC is way brighter and has the ambient lighting as well so I guess I got used to that!

I feel Toyota could have squeezed a dome light in there. Actually, this may be a good excuse to look into brighter LEDs

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