Why the 2-series Active tourer makes sense, and will be a success

"AM3R" (AM3R) 02/15/2014 at 19:24 • Filed to: BMW

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Sure, people think it's ugly, and it's a FWD bmw. That doesn't mean it won't sell.

My neighbor owns a Range Rover sport. It's a nice SUV, he uses it as a family hauler for his family of 3 + a dog. The other car in his driveway is a Prius. His wife drops him off at the metro 20 minutes away and he takes that to work. Then she drives herself to work. They don't have a long commute, but they don't want to pile slow town driving miles on their range rover, getting abysmal gas mileage.

That's why they chose a Prius. The thing is, the range rover spoiled them. They got used to sitting in a lovely interior with soft leathers listening to music on their 19 speaker meridian sound system. The Prius feels like exactly what it is. A commuter car. Takes you from point A to point B without using a lot of gas. They want something better. They want to make that morning commute in comfort, in a car that doesn't look bad (Prius<2 series active tourer). There are tons of people like my neighbors. People who want an economical car but want something a little more prestigious and luxurious than a Prius or Volt.

The market is certainly there for cars like this. Look at the Lexus CT200h. It sold a little over 15k units in 2013 in the USA. BMW can steal a lot of those sales with a good enough ad campaign and a warm reception when the car comes out. Lexus marketed the CT200h as a sporty car for young people, Most lexus owners are the parents of that demographic. BMW already does well enough attracting young people into showrooms.

Sure, I don't really like the idea of a FWD bmw, but I'm not gonna be buying it so why cry about it. If BMW makes good money selling these and continue to offer an M3 and a regular 3 series with 3 pedals, I won't complain.

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R 02/15/2014 at 19:30

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True it probably will be a decent commuter and sell well.

The only thing I can't figure out is why they launched it under the BMW brand?

The Mini keeps getting bigger and bigger. I thought the bigger versions of the Mini were the FWD BMWs for commuting.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > AM3R 02/15/2014 at 19:36

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I pretty much hate everything BMW has done since they discontinued the E46. Only the 1 series gets a pass. It makes me sad really, because I don't really like any of the German cars right now. I like what Jaguar is doing, I like what Cadillac is doing, I like what Ford is doing, I like what Mazda and Subaru and even what Toyota are doing, but it makes me sad that there isn't a single new German car that I would really like to own. BMW is getting softer, Audi is still too clinical and Mercedes has never excited me. I don't like a world where the Germans aren't making exciting cars.

AM3R > Manuél Ferrari 02/15/2014 at 19:37

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Good point, I actually said the same to myself when I first heard about this.

Isn't Mini the FWD BMW?

They probably put it under the BMW name to make it more "upmarket" with a higher price.

It does kind of fill a gap in the BMW line up. The 3 series hybrid is a poor excuse for an economical car. The 328d does a pretty good job, but it's big(well, bigger than the 2 active) and it's a diesel, which for some reason some people still think only belongs on v-dubs and trucks.

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R 02/15/2014 at 19:40

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Yeah that must be the reason- MOAR $$$$$$

The 320i, 328i, and 328d seem like very economical cars to me. I would never go with the hybrid. Then again I'm used to getting 12MPG city, haha

AM3R > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 02/15/2014 at 19:40

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Drive an E90. -biased owner haha.

But in all seriousness, the E90 and E60 aren't THAT bad. The E90 is still a very capable car that handles well as isn't too big. You gotta give BMW credit for being one of the last German brands to STILL offer a manual on a lot of cars.

AM3R > Manuél Ferrari 02/15/2014 at 19:42

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I'd be fine DD'ing a 320i with the M sport package and 3 pedals haha.

At least when you step on the pedal, you get a lot more smiles per gallon!

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > AM3R 02/15/2014 at 19:43

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I hate the E90, IMO it's incredibly ugly - former E46 owner. The E90 was a massive downgrade in the looks department from the E46. The E60 and the E39 aren't even in the same conversation from an aesthetics standpoint. New cars are supposed to be better than the old ones, not worse.
I will give BMW credit for offering the manual yes, but I still hate the direction they are taking.

AM3R > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 02/15/2014 at 19:45

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I agree with you on E39>E60, but an LCI E90 is better looking IMO than any E46 short of an carbon black M3.

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R 02/15/2014 at 19:46

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haha exactly!

bmw needs to make a 7MT for the next generation cars

i know some people think 6MT is the max but i don't agree. i am up for the challenge of the 7MT

i think it has to do a lot more with gear ratios than how many gears you have. to me the perfect 7MT would be setup so that the first 6 years have very similar ratios to the current 6MTs. then the 7th gear would just be a really tall overdrive gear and only used when on a high speed highway or freeway. 7th gear should be optimized for going over 70MPH

JustWaitingForAMate > AM3R 02/15/2014 at 19:48

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This car has no doors, I see a major design fault.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > AM3R 02/15/2014 at 19:48

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I could not disagree more. HATE HATE HATE the E90. Especially the stupid little accents at the top of the kidneys, they're better on that one because they're not fucking chrome but they're still awful. It's still bloated and it's still ugly. Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one, and you are entitled to yours but I will never ever agree with you on this.

AM3R > Manuél Ferrari 02/15/2014 at 19:54

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The FI 6 cylinder M3/4 should already be a big step up in efficiency. I would've loved a 7MT if they stayed NA V8. I really hope the F30 M3 with a 6MT can get close to 30 on the highway. I would unwisely go out and buy one ASAP and DD it. I've been hearing the F10 M5 with a 6MT has been getting mid 20's on the highway, so that's promising.

AM3R > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 02/15/2014 at 19:56

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Haha no worries. "Opinions are like armpits, everyone else's stink."

For my needs, the E90 is perfectly sized. Sure, pre LCI E90's are meh stock, just a few minor mods transform it into a wonderful looking car. The only real problem I have with E46's is that they reeeaaaally show how much they've aged.

AM3R > JustWaitingForAMate 02/15/2014 at 19:57

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It's for aerodynamics.

It also looks a lot like a GTI... Just me?

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > AM3R 02/15/2014 at 19:59

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And we will continue to disagree, I think that few cars have aged as gracefully as the E46. It's a timeless design IMO, one of the all time greats. I still regret selling mine, and would own another in a heartbeat.

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R 02/15/2014 at 20:00

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I think it definitely is possible the new M3 will hit 30 MPG hwy. It's the smallest displacement car in it's class. The new AMG will be a 4L TT

My E90 has the 7 speed DCT. The gear ratios are really short. It was setup for performance only.

I would have preferred a different setup since I don't track the car. A different final drive could have always been used later if I did decide to track it. My 7th gear feels like 6th gear in most cars. It should have been taller.

Even if the first 6 gears had the same ratios the 7th still could have been taller. You only use it when cruising at high speeds. Who cares if you have no passing power in 7th? Downshifting in a DCT is instant.

JustWaitingForAMate > AM3R 02/15/2014 at 20:03

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Like a GTI and an X6 had highly efficient German sex with each other.

AM3R > Manuél Ferrari 02/15/2014 at 20:20

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Jeeze it's gonna be hard to convince myself to not buy an F30 M3 and have it as my only car!

That's a weak point for DD'ing M3's with a DCT. I would imagine it would be much better with a 6MT, but you have much more experience with the M3 than I do so I could be completely wrong haha.

On the other end of the spectrum, the E60 M5 was a beast on the highway equipped with the SMG transmission.

AM3R > JustWaitingForAMate 02/15/2014 at 20:20

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Can't be unseen.....

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R 02/15/2014 at 20:26

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Haha the F30 M3 will be one HELL of a DD. Anyone who wants one car to do it all really can't pick a better vehicle. It's big enough to carry passengers. It's fast. It has a real size trunk. It will get good gas mileage for the power. Anyone who can afford to buy one new and have it as their only car should. And you can always extend the warranty and maintenance plan as you get close to 50K miles.

The decision of 6MT vs SMG vs DCT all depends on the model and the situation. When I am driving around town I wish I had the 6MT. It's way more fun to putter around with a stick.

When I'm in bad traffic on the freeway I love the DCT. And when I'm driving hard and want to focus on the road it's good too.

The perfect transmission would magically switch from a 7MT to a 7DCT when you say a code word :)

Some people hate SMG but I don't. I find it pretty fun. It takes more effort to drive than a DCT. So you get the advantage of no clutch pedal when in heavy traffic but still need to shift the gears yourself. Auto mode is near flawless on the DCT but terrible on SMG.

AM3R > Manuél Ferrari 02/15/2014 at 20:33

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If the local BMW dealers want to give me a fair offer on my E90, and have BLUE M3's in stock, I'll probably end up with one haha. I'm not too worried about maintenance as I DIY whatever I can. It really is the perfect all arounder, if you can afford it.

You said it perfectly, around town I want a 6MT, most other places I want a SMG/DCT. When I hit up local backroads, I drive HARD and it REALLY makes a 6MT fun.

In all honesty if it comes down to the dealership having 2 M3's, one the perfect color combo with all the right options, but with a DCT, and the other a meh color combo with decent options but a 6MT, I'd probably go with the DCT.

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R 02/15/2014 at 21:36

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I think the E9X M3 will be a lot easier for DIY maintenance than the F30. The F30 seems like a much more complex car.

I totally know what you mean about color combos. It's hard to pass up on a car with flappy paddles if you find the perfect color combination, option and mileage at the right price.

Same thing goes when I look at dream cars. I look at listings for used Ferraris and Lambos all the time. Sometimes you see the perfect car for a good price but the only issue is the lack of the gated shifter.

It's especially hard to get the right color combo that you want with a used Ferrari or Lambo. Ferrari has multiple shades of red and blue, which are my favorite colors for the F430. And Lambo has multiple shades of blue and a regular and pearl white, which are my favorite colors for the Gallardo. And then both have lots of options for interior color, stitching color, brake caliper color, etc.

AM3R > Manuél Ferrari 02/15/2014 at 23:10

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Yeah I mean you never know, I might find the perfect E9x M3 and just buy that instead haha!

It's painful how often I find the perfect color combo with the right options, but it's just outrageously overpriced. Sure I'd probably spend a little more getting the perfect color car, but not $10k more than what it's valued at.

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R 02/15/2014 at 23:21

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i fully support buying an E9X M3! if you don't need 4 doors get the E92, it's freaking sexy. if you need 4 doors or might need them in the future go for the E90.

you would save so much money over getting an F30 M3. the better fuel economy from the new car wouldn't make up for how much more the car itself is. i bet the car will sell for way over MSRP for at least 2 years after launch.

it's so hard to even find the right color combo when buying used, even if you're willing to pay more than you should. sometimes you find the right exterior color but the interior isn't what you want. it's tough.

speaking of giving up the transmission you want for a color combo check out this car:

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…

if i could afford this right now i would go for it even though it doesn't have the gated shifter. it's so hard to find matte blue. waiting for a matte blue car with the gated shifter could take forever

AM3R > Manuél Ferrari 02/15/2014 at 23:39

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That blue is amazing! I have a thing for blue cars. I love how understated it is, it isn't bright and showy. It's about as lowkey as it's gonna get in a Lambo haha.

Honestly if I could find a interlagos blue E92 M3 on cinnamon or fox red locally.... It would be bought IMMEDIATELY.

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R 02/16/2014 at 03:01

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Holy shit!

Dat blue you posted is amazing!!

How much would it cost to repaint my car?

Ugh I should have waited for that color :(

AM3R > Manuél Ferrari 02/16/2014 at 11:27

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BMW individual Monte Carlo blue...... I have yet to find an M3 in this color for sale though. If i did I would buy it immediately. It just looks amazing!

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R 02/16/2014 at 16:09

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Oh I've seen Monte Carlo blue once when shopping for my E90. It had a little bit less miles but was over $10K more! I wanted that blue but didn't want to spend that much more.

But had it been Interlagos blue I would have done it! I like that one even more.

AM3R > Manuél Ferrari 02/16/2014 at 16:41

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Oh man interlagos blue has almost made me do some crazy things... Before I bought my E90 I was looking at an Interlagos Blue E60 M5! Luckily I convinced myself that SMG wasn't for me and got myself out of the showroom before signing anything haha.

Currently shopping for an interlagos blue competition package 6MT E46 M3 on cinnamon leather.... Unfortunately a unicorn! Probably gonna end up settling on a Carbon black on cinnamon or just get interlagos on black.

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R 02/16/2014 at 16:45

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oh lord that looks soooo good

if you find it you have to make it happen!

AM3R > Manuél Ferrari 02/16/2014 at 16:58

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So rare, I'm having trouble finding a good picture of one haha! But if I could find one, I see myself keeping it for a VERY long time

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R 02/16/2014 at 19:00

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so nice

what if you found a clean one that had a black or grey interior?

AM3R > Manuél Ferrari 02/16/2014 at 19:08

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I could manage with a black interior, it's my second choice. I don't know what it is about gray, I just hate gray interiors. My opinion would probably be different if I could see blue on gray in person, but so far all the silver on gray BMW's I've seen in person just look so bland and have pretty much turned me off gray.

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R 02/16/2014 at 19:14

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I agree black would be better.

I don't hate blue on grey bimmers though. My E36 325is was blue on grey. And it looked pretty damn good!

AM3R > Manuél Ferrari 02/16/2014 at 19:48

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I have yet to see a blue on gray bimmer in person. It probably looks much much better than silver on gray, and maybe it'll change my mind! A gray interior I wouldn't mind is on an Avus blue E36 M3 with vaders!

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R 02/16/2014 at 20:03

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You're right gray on gray looks bad. It's too boring.

For some reason the E36 looked good with a dark exterior and gray interior. Newer cars don't look very good with gray interiors though.

AM3R > Manuél Ferrari 02/16/2014 at 20:23

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Yeah on newer cars I'm really liking cinnamon/saddle brown. It still looks sporty but it's also classy and not too in your face.

Now I just wish I could get an M3 with the two tone interior on the E39 M5!

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R 02/16/2014 at 20:50

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Oh that reminds me

What do you think of the new leather option on the F30 that looks like a football?

I kind of like it

AM3R > Manuél Ferrari 02/16/2014 at 21:01

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I actually like it too. I'd love to get a look at it in person, that with a dark blue would be a really good combo.

I think it's called individual gold brown leather (according to the f30forum I found the picture on)

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R 02/16/2014 at 21:53

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I haven't seen it in person but like it based on the pics too.

There was this other option I had seen for the 4 Series concept car. Dunno if it made it to production. It was dark like that but also splotchy like a football. I tried to find it on the BMW website right now by building a car. But the car configurator won't work for me!

AM3R > Manuél Ferrari 02/16/2014 at 22:31

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I'd really like to see that on a black car. Really nice combo, imagine that on an M5.

Just thinking about it makes me think of the old audi baseball mit interiors haha!

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R 02/16/2014 at 23:23

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I had never heard of that Audi interior! I just looked it up. It's awesome!!

And that reminds me of this 458 interior I saw:

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R 02/16/2014 at 23:50

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OMG

Look at this dark brown interior:

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…

I'm in love

AM3R > Manuél Ferrari 02/17/2014 at 11:16

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I'M IN LOVE! That's an amazing color combo, I'm surprised it works so well on a Ferrari but honestly i'd take that over red ANY day of the week. I would never get sick of that interior

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R 02/17/2014 at 15:19

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I am too!

I would sell my soul to get that car

Where do I sell my soul? Craigslist?

AM3R > Manuél Ferrari 02/17/2014 at 16:03

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Hmm I was planning on starting up a bid for my soul on eBay. Hopefully I can sell my soul for a little more than a mercedes CLA haha!

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R 02/17/2014 at 17:18

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Good idea! eBay attracts more bidders.

AM3R > Manuél Ferrari 02/17/2014 at 19:50

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And less creeps! -guy who is always browsing for cars on craigslist

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R 02/17/2014 at 19:56

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LOL

Can we also promise to sell future children?

Maybe we could get big money for promising to give up a future baby. Then before the baby is born we move and change our identities.

AM3R > Manuél Ferrari 02/17/2014 at 20:36

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I like how you think, I say we promise 7-8 children, sell whatever 8 cars we end up getting for big $$, move to Europe with new identities and buy any car we want in search of the best driving road in the world.

Then we can move back after the statute of limitations comes into effect.

Jeeze.... I've spent too much time thinking about this LOL

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R 02/17/2014 at 20:51

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haha that's a good extension of the plan!

maybe it would be easier to just create the next Flappy Birds game

AM3R > Manuél Ferrari 02/17/2014 at 20:53

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OH MAN you don't know how many get rich quick ideas I have......

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R 02/17/2014 at 20:54

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make one of them happen now so you can post pics and videos of your new cars to oppo!

AM3R > Manuél Ferrari 02/17/2014 at 21:14

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Haha if anything, I could use HELP from fellow oppo members.. Then we can all share the success!

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R 02/17/2014 at 22:00

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idea -

let's create our own car blog site and take all our oppo buddies away from Jalopnik

(just kidding Gawker/Kinja overlords!)

AM3R > Manuél Ferrari 02/17/2014 at 22:12

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Nice plan, get Gawker/Kinja to let their guard down.... Then (like the Maserati Super Bowl commercial suggests) we strike in the night!

Much easier idea than anything I've thought up, all my ideas require work ... Why would I work when I can browse oppo?!

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R 02/17/2014 at 22:13

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haha work is hard!

which FP writer do you want to emulate?

i want to be Torch. that way i get to focus on rear-engine cars :)

AM3R > Manuél Ferrari 02/17/2014 at 22:23

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I wouldn't mind being Patrick George, he's based in DC, I live right outside of DC. I could spend some time uhh shadowing and eventually my writing should be on par with his.. That's how it works right??

He also usually has a wider range of topics he covers. Now that you think about it, being Zach Estrada would be pretty fun because raptor Hoonage.

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R 02/18/2014 at 00:11

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He's actually my favorite regular contributor!

Patrick George seems like a guy you could actually hang out with

AM3R > Manuél Ferrari 02/18/2014 at 08:11

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Yeah I do enjoy reading his articles. He does seem like a cool guy. All his articles just spark a conversation, it would be great to hang out and just talk cars with him. Doubt it would be hard to think of what to say haha!

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R 02/18/2014 at 14:43

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we need to steal him over to our new car site!

AM3R > Manuél Ferrari 02/18/2014 at 16:08

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Step 1) think of clever name for said site

Step 2) offer him a meaningless position that sounds really cool (grandmaster lord of writing, etc.)

Manuél Ferrari > AM3R 02/18/2014 at 16:11

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good plan!

i gotta think about #1

AM3R > Manuél Ferrari 02/18/2014 at 16:17

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I can't say I haven't spend all day thinking of one haha! No good ones yet though....

Dr. Understeer > AM3R 02/19/2014 at 01:10

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Has Kink? Will drive.