Don't get me wrong, a Porsche is definitely what I would buy if I could afford it. If and when I do get a Porsche, I want it to be brand spanking new, and with the exact options I choose. But even a late model is outrageously expensive. I can't justify spending that much money.

I am pretty sketchy about BMWs, but being in Colorado I know a lot of people with VWs and Audis and yes, compared to Toyotas they are lacking in reliability. But they don't seem to be excessively fragile like a Land Rover or Jeep.

The only reason why I initially considered an Audi is because I read in Consumer Reports that they rate high in quality. The TT RS has become the subsequent driver. I think the newer TTs look great, but that lighter I5 engine is what makes the RS very intriguing.

I will be testing both next week. Who knows, I might end up with a Subaru WRX or Toyota truck or SUV and keep the Z.

Keep the z. Buy a tundra 4x4. Problem solved. A compromise car will just piss you off day in day out.

Agreed, you can't go wrong with a truck and it will come in handy when you twin turbo the Z lol!

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Yep. I'm about to swap the econobox daily driver for a big *** truck. Sold it to the wife as "we need a vehicle that can get us to safety through a hurricane" when I really meant "can trailer the z, track car and take me hunting and fishing".

Lol, I have a 2002 GMC 2500 4x4 duramax with 240k on it that runs like a dream. We have made two trips to Oregon hunting and golfing and lots of trips to the track and the shop with the Z this year lol! The best thing is the truck and the Z are paid off!

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I have owned three Tacomas, which I drove all to Moab MANY times and even rock-crawled with Ivan Stewart. They are so bullet-proof; between all three the only issue I ever had was a faulty O2 sensor. I even love Ford and Chevy trucks as well, so the option is very compelling.

A dealer called me to let me know that a guy was getting his guided tour to his new TT RS, so I checked it out. I love the looks:

http://www.the370z.com/members/black...t-rs-front.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/black...tt-rs-rear.jpg

While I was there I test drove the TT S and a RS3. The interior, instruments, size and visibility are all amazing on both cars. You could definitely feel the TT S wants to understeer, but it also wants to stick to the ground no matter what, and the driving modes make things interesting. Turbo lag for the TT S was insane, but I suppose you could learn how to work with it. Once it got going, even the 4 cylinder really got going. With the Quattro and turbo, it is definitely faster than the Z, but boy, you really appreciate the Z's handling and flat powerband not to mention the lower center of gravity.

The RS3 was less jankey than the TT S, but when it got going, it is a crazy, controlled rocket. I can only imagine that engine in the TT RS. The only problems with the RS3 for me are the looks and that it is a sedan. Very nice car though.

So the TT RS is definitely on the top of my list. I may test drive the M240i, but to be honest I just don't want to drive a BMW.

One thing that I do know is that if I get the TT RS, I will buy it instead of lease and I will keep the Z. I really hate the 20" wheels and those would be replaced immediately.

A couple of weeks ago I test drove a 2018 BMW M240i xDrive and surprisingly liked it.

The good:

- xDrive is very grippy with only a hint of understeer.
- The drive modes are pretty cool. When going from Comfort to Sport and Sport+ you can definitely feel things tightening up and getting crazy under the hood and the exhaust sound is pretty good.
- The interior is pretty nice.
- The aesthetics and shape are growing on me, with the rear-end being the only "meh" area. The smaller wheels and wells are pretty cool. I do like the stock wheels.
- It's quick with barely any turbo-lag. Plenty of usable daily driver power and because of the xDrive is only a tenth of a second "slower" than the M2. I imagine that you could beat a M2 off the line due to the extra grip.
- The price!

The bad:

- Even compared to the Z and the Audi TT it feels really small. This is mostly due to the proportion of the body compared to the cockpit. On the flip side the visibility is excellent.
- This is one of the few cars I do not like in black. I would be going for the gray.

So this car is definitely in the running especially since being $20K cheaper than the Audi TT RS. IF the Supra has the option for a similar engine in the M240i then Toyota will have something fun since it will have to be lighter.

http://www.the370z.com/members/black...-3-4-front.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/black...drive-side.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/black...e-3-4-rear.jpg

Hey Bob I drive a Camry for DD driven by a chauffeur! Lol
Btw you going to Zday?

LOL, I like your style!

Yes, that is my plan. I'm just waiting to hear from Tony (Fast Intentions).

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Nice review of the M240i. I still have my 2014 M235i. Almost 90000km's. Full service done this week. Still no issues. The intake valves are spotless. The N55 is not known at all for intake valve coking/carbonization.

I will ask my superb mech and dealer if they have any insight into the new motor in the M240i.

My paint and interior quality is excellent and holding up quite well. The dealer changed my valve cover and the head and cam/valvetrain was spotless.
I use 5w-30 Castrol from the dealer per the LL04 BMW spec. I change it between 12 and 15000km's. Clearly the oil has no issues nor does the engine in terms of dirt/residue. The mech as very pleased to see how clean it all was. I shall post pics soon of the motor for you to see.

Good luck if you get a BWM. :tup:

That would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the insight :tup:

Do you have the xDrive? I have heard that it is a potential weak spot.

I will pass the enquiry today