Power Bulge bother you?

T Bone · 04-15-2008, 11:05 PM

I love the power bulge as much as the next heterosexual male but when I had the M3 for the test drive, I just found it to be in the way and wierdly shaped and viewing from the driver's side.

I have clean lines with the 335xi. The E46 M3 power bulge wasn't as wierd.

Anyone else?

behemveh · 04-15-2008, 11:18 PM

I know what you mean! The cod piece was distracting to me when I first drove the car too... but I've gotten used to it and it doesn't bug me at all anymore.

HeadOn · 04-15-2008, 11:19 PM

Heck - the power bulge is what drew my attention to the car in the first place!

Coming from a 911 where the hood is not visible at all (just a glimpse of the humps that lead to the headlights, I was kind of worried about this. But when I test drove the M3, I didn't find this to be a problem for me. Once my M3 gets in I will have a slightly better perspective, but in my experience, you quickly adapt to whatever is in your field of view and stop noticing these things after time.

Herms · 04-16-2008, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T Bone

I love the power bulge as much as the next heterosexual male but when I had the M3 for the test drive, I just found it to be in the way and wierdly shaped and viewing from the driver's side.

I have clean lines with the 335xi. The E46 M3 power bulge wasn't as wierd.

Anyone else?

I think it makes the car look weird. Moreso in pics than in person though.

kbk_75 · 04-16-2008, 12:51 AM

I was taken aback at the power dome the first time I sat behind the wheel of an E92 M3. It doesn't bother me at all though.

oneginee · 04-16-2008, 01:07 AM

:Quite simple. Open the hood and look at how the engine just fits under the dome. It really needs the extra clearance. I had to check that when I testdrove

Then after that it won't bother you anymore. It is not just for looks.

inmotion · 04-16-2008, 01:22 AM

it's one of the many items that make the car stand out from a 3 series. Noticed it initially, but didn't take more than several days to forget about it.

Big Windy · 04-16-2008, 02:04 AM

i think it looks sweet and is definitely unique. haven't sat behind the wheel unfortunately, but i've heard it is certainly noticeable.

msing · 04-16-2008, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneginee

:Quite simple. Open the hood and look at how the engine just fits under the dome. It really needs the extra clearance. I had to check that when I testdrove

Then after that it won't bother you anymore. It is not just for looks.

he didn't say the hood is there just for looks nor did he sound as if he didn't know what it's for.

DonM3 · 04-16-2008, 03:51 AM

Agree T-bone. Behind the steering wheel its an eye sore. I actually found it annoying on my test drive. Not a deal breaker, though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by T Bone

I love the power bulge as much as the next heterosexual male but when I had the M3 for the test drive, I just found it to be in the way and wierdly shaped and viewing from the driver's side.

I have clean lines with the 335xi. The E46 M3 power bulge wasn't as wierd.

Anyone else?

OzStriker · 04-16-2008, 03:59 AM

Okay well I watched a TopGear Series 1 episode today.
Apparently bonnets these days have to have a certain level of pedestrian protection, be it a "pop up" bonnet which, on impact, raises the bonnet to allow it to deform, or simply a bonnet with a 3" space between the bonnet and the engine into which the bonnet can deform.

I suppose this is why many cars these days have big power domes.

Gearhead999s · 04-16-2008, 05:02 AM

I do not even notice it,but I sit tall in the car anyways.

ase2dais · 04-16-2008, 06:02 AM

I think the bulge hood is sexy, but I havent driven one everyday yet... so my attitude may change. I hope not.

hks786 · 04-16-2008, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herms

I think it makes the car look weird. Moreso in pics than in person though.

+10000000000

It's a 1000 times worse from a side profile. You can see it isnt even parallel to the shape and flow of the hood.

SS32 · 04-16-2008, 06:35 AM

I love it, but I'm tall so it doesn't get in my way

monsta · 04-16-2008, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T Bone

I love the power bulge as much as the next heterosexual male but when I had the M3 for the test drive, I just found it to be in the way and wierdly shaped and viewing from the driver's side.

I have clean lines with the 335xi. The E46 M3 power bulge wasn't as wierd.

Anyone else?

Great another 335 troll

just teasing Tbone...I think it looks great but to others I know its annoying, I think another aspect is how high your seat is adjusted so your view isn't blocked with the bulge and your looking over it not past it...

T Bone · 04-16-2008, 07:07 AM

Looks like I wasn't alone.... I don't think it is a dealer breaker for anyone but first impressions are usually right and I just thought, that is wierd looking from the inside.

batchelorc · 04-16-2008, 07:08 AM

The ladies love my power buldge...

T Bone · 04-16-2008, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by batchelorc

The ladies love my power buldge...

Do they know that only one of your 2 inlets is functional?? The other one is there just for looks to balance it out.

montreal red · 04-16-2008, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T Bone

Do they know that only one of your 2 inlets is functional?? The other one is there just for looks to balance it out.

yea i guess bmw didnt want to make the car look like a ricer with a lop sided inlet.

rai · 04-16-2008, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneginee

:Quite simple. Open the hood and look at how the engine just fits under the dome. It really needs the extra clearance. I had to check that when I testdrove

Then after that it won't bother you anymore. It is not just for looks.

I agree, but also happen to like the looks. It shows where the engine is (way back in the engine bay behind the wheels) to show the correct placement of a front engine IMO. Could it have been somehow less pronounced? Probably but at least it's not fake show.

ase2dais · 04-16-2008, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by batchelorc

The ladies love my power buldge...

I bet they do w/ those two side staggered tires

04-15-2008, 11:05 PM	#1
T Bone Brigadier General 532 Rep 4,021 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi Coupe Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The land where we kill baby seals iTrader: (0)	Power Bulge bother you? I love the power bulge as much as the next heterosexual male but when I had the M3 for the test drive, I just found it to be in the way and wierdly shaped and viewing from the driver's side. I have clean lines with the 335xi. The E46 M3 power bulge wasn't as wierd. Anyone else? __________________ "Aerodynamics are for people who cannot build engines"......Enzo Ferrari
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04-15-2008, 11:18 PM	#2
behemveh Private 11 Rep 50 Posts Drives: 2008 e90 M3 6MT SG Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: California - SF Bay iTrader: (0)	I know what you mean! The cod piece was distracting to me when I first drove the car too... but I've gotten used to it and it doesn't bug me at all anymore.
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04-15-2008, 11:19 PM	#3
HeadOn Private First Class 21 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 08 M3 Spark. Graph. 6MT Coupe Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 M3 Coupe [8.00]	Heck - the power bulge is what drew my attention to the car in the first place! Coming from a 911 where the hood is not visible at all (just a glimpse of the humps that lead to the headlights, I was kind of worried about this. But when I test drove the M3, I didn't find this to be a problem for me. Once my M3 gets in I will have a slightly better perspective, but in my experience, you quickly adapt to whatever is in your field of view and stop noticing these things after time.
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04-16-2008, 12:51 AM	#5
kbk_75 Lieutenant 24 Rep 404 Posts Drives: Alpine White E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bombay, India iTrader: (0)	I was taken aback at the power dome the first time I sat behind the wheel of an E92 M3. It doesn't bother me at all though.
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04-16-2008, 01:07 AM	#6
oneginee Banned 16 Rep 415 Posts Drives: GT3 RS Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: SE iTrader: (0)	:Quite simple. Open the hood and look at how the engine just fits under the dome. It really needs the extra clearance. I had to check that when I testdrove Then after that it won't bother you anymore. It is not just for looks.
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04-16-2008, 01:22 AM	#7
inmotion Lieutenant 10 Rep 528 Posts Drives: where do I start? Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Newport Coast, CA iTrader: (0)	it's one of the many items that make the car stand out from a 3 series. Noticed it initially, but didn't take more than several days to forget about it. __________________ E60 M5 Silverstone, Balloon White Gallardo Spider, Rosso Corsa F430, Audi CG Q7 Sportline, IS R8 before and DG R8 now, Basalt Black Carrera GT, SG M3 DCT, Orange GT3RS, IS CLK63 Black Series On order: 2010 R8 V10
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04-16-2008, 02:04 AM	#8
Big Windy Major General 152 Rep 5,124 Posts Drives: None Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	i think it looks sweet and is definitely unique. haven't sat behind the wheel unfortunately, but i've heard it is certainly noticeable.
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04-16-2008, 03:59 AM	#11
OzStriker Captain 61 Rep 924 Posts Drives: Ford Falcon Ute, Ducati 1198S Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW E92 M3 [0.00] 2009 Ducati 1198S [0.00]	Okay well I watched a TopGear Series 1 episode today. Apparently bonnets these days have to have a certain level of pedestrian protection, be it a "pop up" bonnet which, on impact, raises the bonnet to allow it to deform, or simply a bonnet with a 3" space between the bonnet and the engine into which the bonnet can deform. I suppose this is why many cars these days have big power domes. __________________ BMW E92 M3 6MT, G-Power SKII supercharged, custom exhaust with 100 cell cats and Remus Sport mufflers, Brembo 380mm BBK, BMW Performance steering wheel, LUX H8 angel eyes, CF CSL boot, Hamann CF diffuser, Vorsteiner CF lip, CF grilles, CF gills, CF bonnet vents, BMW Performance stripes, RAC RG63 wheels, Eibach lowering springs, camber modifications.
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04-16-2008, 05:02 AM	#12
Gearhead999s Major General 817 Rep 7,887 Posts Drives: RR Velar R=Dynamic M2C R1200GS Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	I do not even notice it,but I sit tall in the car anyways.
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04-16-2008, 06:02 AM	#13
ase2dais //Mdicted 347 Rep 9,988 Posts Drives: a Cop Magnet Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: 495 Ring iTrader: (18) Garage List 2009 e92 M3 DCT CF ... [10.00] 2015 S-Works Roubaix [0.00] 2013 Trek Madone 5.9 [9.50] 2012 Scott - CR1-Pro [10.00] 2008 e92 M3 6MT (Up ... [10.00] 2002 e46 M3 Cabriol ... [7.00] 2006 e90-325i (DD) [7.00] 2002 e39 M5 (retired) [9.50]	I think the bulge hood is sexy, but I havent driven one everyday yet... so my attitude may change. I hope not. __________________ Oo\(lll)'(lll)/oO : 2009-e92 ///M3 SpaceGry DCT CF Rf/Trim ZTP ZPP ZCW Sat/PrmSd : \_lOOl___lOOl_/<< Clickies
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04-16-2008, 06:35 AM	#15
SS32 Major 156 Rep 1,429 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (0)	I love it, but I'm tall so it doesn't get in my way __________________ V1 DIY - Blinder M45 DIY - Exhaust Cutouts - Removed Clutch Pedal Spring DIY - Fiamm Air Horns
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04-16-2008, 07:07 AM	#17
T Bone Brigadier General 532 Rep 4,021 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi Coupe Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The land where we kill baby seals iTrader: (0)	Looks like I wasn't alone.... I don't think it is a dealer breaker for anyone but first impressions are usually right and I just thought, that is wierd looking from the inside. __________________ "Aerodynamics are for people who cannot build engines"......Enzo Ferrari
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04-16-2008, 07:08 AM	#18
batchelorc Captain 52 Rep 607 Posts Drives: Deez nuts Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Kansas City iTrader: (0)	The ladies love my power buldge...
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