Some track time would be great but I'm not keen on buying a new set of RFT's just yet.

We haven't planned it yet but we had been talking about a couple of weeks in Italy. I suppose that can still happen if we drive from Munich. :D Luckily I don't think it would take much convincing because my wife would enjoy it too. The one big question will be what new BMW I would be getting in 2008. :dunno:

I will definitely call you up when the planning gets going.

That is our July trip...we start in Munich then work our way to the southern tip of Italy and back. In all we plan to spend about 2 weeks in Italy.

How many miles already on those RFT's? Wouldn't you like to improve the ride quality of your car by dumping those?

Hope to see you and your wife soon!

Molto Bene!!!
July is best time to be in Italy IMO- a little hot and humid but - it's Saldi season. Was there last July as well and rented a Opel . Funny thing the Autostrada did have a max speed limit , but boy no one seemed to care or pay attention to it. Plus they know how to drive there. Slow pokes stay on the right lane. How its suppose to be!!!!!

It should be a nice trip I hope...I don't think my personal preference would be to go in Summer, but what the heck. What is "Saldi" season?

Saldi is when everthing goes on sale. For Tourists , visitors who love to shop this is the time of the year to go to Italy. Nothing like Italian leather , not like the ones we get overhere which is mostly made in China, (unless you can afford to shop at the high end luxury stores) nothing against China made products but it is night and day from the Italian leather goods at unbelivable prices. An example is the drving shoes they have to offer ..you can tell the difference immeditaely , soft and suptle , fit and finish is simply amazing.

If you are going through Florence, make sure to stop by the famous Flee Market, walking distance from the Ponte-Vecchio..... Lake Como is also beautiful along the border of Switzerland.
We rented a GPS from Hertz , something like 20 euros a day, worth every euro dollar, drove all over the Italian Tuscany.

5th gear
 

White05...check it out, not only does Jeremy Clarkson dislike BM, looks like so does Fifth gear. Those Brits.......


http://www.dailymotion.com/visited/s...35i-fifth-gear

That review seemed pretty positive. I mean, besides the styling, that's about it. :confused:

precisely my point ...kudos to the motor, but subpar design. Think about Aznmpower32, would you buy a car thats ugly?

Thanks...I have seen that review many times. Fortunately beauty is all in the eyes of the beholder. Personally I really like the e92! I think it is one of the best looking cars BMW has produced in a while. I also like how the X3 looks. As you know, many people consider the X3 to be very ugly. And so once again I go against the tide of common belief...

The interesting thing is that people buy ugly fast cars all the time...look at the WRX and the EVO for proof. I bought a WRX wagon when it first came out despite thinking it was hideous (it was and still is IMHO). Many people I have spoken to think the Elise is really ugly although, once more, I dissent.

Thank you for the information about Saldi!!!:thumbup: I will enjoy the bargain hunting. And thank you for the suggestions on the itinerary. We have been to Lake Como in the past and really enjoyed our stay there.

Our trip itinerary is somewhat dictated by a couple of factors: The family function in Lamezia Terme and having 2 young kids along. As carrots to dangle in front of the kids for good behavior, we are going to Gardaland (an amusement park near Lake Garda) and Mirabilandia (another amusement park, this one near Rimini). I plan to take them to the Perugina Chocolate Factory near Perugia. Our stay in Salzburg will include the salt mines and the Hellbrunn Castle with its trick fountains and gardens. I also feel compelled to end the trip in Munich because I have been informed that it gets to the port most rapidly from that drop-off point.

white x i hope you enjoy your trip :thumbup: :thumbup: i live in Germany for 4 years and i miss it a lot...