How does the E-9 feel-fun factor-performance?
Where to start--having been a Coupe owner/care-giver for over 35 continuous years and now with over 500,000 seat miles in Coupes on every conceivable type of roadway, mountain twisties, back roads, dusty conditions so thick I thought I would never get it all out, through most of the far Western US, the majority of the National Parks in the West and mountain roads throughout, the Southwest, the Mid-west, North to Minneapolis, North Dakota, Montana and on and on, Western Canada North to Edmonton, and South of the border to parts of Mexico have all rolled under the wheels of the BLUMAX--remember these cars stock when fitted with most factory options, fueled and ready to roll only weigh 3225+-pounds=1465 Kilos--a light-weight compared to most of todays cars-they are 300-400 pounds less than the 3 series:
Let me try to describe with the following input--starting with an almost new 2800 CS I drove it for 325K miles bone stock with 4 speed, then we planted a 3.0L instead of re-building the 2.8L--the 3.0 L did not have the "soul" of the 2.8 L-so about 40K later the 3.0 was replaced with a stock 3.5L, noticably more torque with same Zenith carbs, then about 5K ago we built a nice 3.5L around a special Hans Herman camshaft and fitted it with twin 38/38 Webers--Hans advised me to be prepared for a major change of character--was he ever right!
To summarize:
1) I haver never tired of mounting up and hitting the trail in BLUMAX-and being blessed by living in a mild climate-am able to do this nearly year-round--was out briefly today for a few miles.
2) Had two other CS's at one time and an M-1 in the garage to choose from-admit that the M-1 got the nod often but BLUMAX was always waiting-so as to avoid getting flat spots on his tires-he and I would spend a day together.
3) when new BLU felt as if carved from one piece--unlike any Detroit iron, new or otherwise that had come along-and more agile than most comparable Euro cars
4) overall performed better than most other cars of the same vintage-with grace-while delivering excellent gas mileage when fuel was leaded and had octane ratings of 96+
5) having replaced all of the bushings and suspension bits in recent months, BLU today feels very taut on the roads-once again like carved from one piece
6) when driven quickly on real twisties it is not as agile as an '02-but most cars of similar vintage could simply not keep pace with a fresh '02 or a CS
7) have driven many other Coupes in varying conditions that have ranged in feel from very nice to down-right like junk!-each having its own personality.
8) today-while still badged as a 2800 CS-BLU, while appearing cosmetically stock-and is-however a far departure mechanically having many desirable upgrades
9) generously admired wherever he goes-even here in jaded SoCal where almost every other car is a "special" vehicle.
Today-BLUMAX has a freshly built 3.5 with Hans Herman cam and twin Weber 38/38's, a 5 speed OD, Carl Nelson springs, beefy sway bars, Bilsteins, 16" staggered Alpinas, 4 wheels all vented, s/s lines, upgraded cooling system, etc. With this set-up it is very firmly planted and nearly as quick as the stock M-1--is more torquey, stronger in 4th at 2500 rpm and up, passing other vehicles at speed is really quick and fun-rarely needing to go beyond 5,000 rpm, smooth and docile on the street unless prodded slightly, lazily tours at 90 or so when given the opportunity-even with 408,000 miles under his drive line.
I imagine some new newbie owners are expecting a "hot-rod" or similar performance set of wheels-but no-they are not-but can be made quick enough to be lots of fun, a high speed tourer with soul, and sound enough to be a very reliable driver, will keep up with most traffic and do so with more elan' than virtually anything else on the road.
Get it, groom it, enhance it, make it as good or better than when new, always give it proper care, respect what it is, and my my suggestion, don't try to make it over to something it was never designed to be unless you are going to commit it to vintage racing, and don't treat it as you would just another car as you will inflict damage whether intending to or not.
JMHO
