Which helmet is best?

[Peter H Reinhart <reinhart@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

G'day all,

I've been in the market to replace my aging econobox (Mazda MPV) with
something more enjoyable for the last few months.  My requirements were 1)
FUN, 2) 4 doors and four seats, 3) less than $40k, in that order.   After
months of test-driving (a lot of fun and no age discrimination....ouch!) I
finally narrowed my choice down to the Audi A4, BMW 328i, Lexus GS300, and
Mercedes C280.  I won't bore you with my impressions of these 4 cars.
Suffice it to say that in my opinion, all had their good points and their
weaknesses, but the one that registered the highest on the 'this is fun'
scale was the 328i.  This was just before the E46 was due to arrive at the
dealers, so I do the obvious and .....wait.  A few more weeks in the
econobox won't kill me (although it may bore me to death....).

The big day finally comes. The E46 is here, and I'm ready for a testdrive.
After 3 separate test drives, I finally admit to myself what I felt within
60 sec of the first testdrive.  I'm disappointed.  There is no doubt the
E46 328I is a GREAT car.  Everything about it is seems better than the E36,
and I didn't get to try the sports package, yet........ somehow the car is
more grown up, and at the same time not as much fun to drive (funny how
those two things seem to go together....).  So the dealer I was at suggests
'try the 540i, if you don't think that's fun you're in trouble'.  How can I
resist an offer like that?  I strap in and try the 540i.  FUN, FUN, FUN!!!!
 THIS is FUN.  Feeling that push into the seat as I floor it in second,
seeing the speedo approach 100 in third without trying, this is FUN.  Hit
some twisties, and the car really hangs in, although I do feel that all
that extra space weighs something.  There are only two downsides.  The car
is much bigger than I need, and I'm seriously violating requirement #3.  

The obvious finally hits the salesguy and myself at the same time.  Why not
try an M3?  Why not, indeed?  I try one and I'm in love.  This is the
perfect car for me.  That same feeling of instant throttle response, razor
sharp steering, and temptation to take that next corner just a bit
faster......  Don't know why I didn't save myself a few months and drive
this car first.  

I placed my order, managing to 'almost' keep to requirement #3, and then
found out that they don't make the four door anymore.  Then .... I found
out they could get one off another dealers lot, and took possession of it
four days later. The car is simply amazing.  Never thought anything but a
spousal equivalent could be this exciting.  I've now put 1000 miles on it
in a week, and am looking forward going beyond 5,500 rpm.  Made a deal with
myself that I'd attend at least three drivers schools/autocrosses before
doing anything to the car  (I already have my eye on the Bl/SS - ERK combo,
and some of those Kinesis K20s, and a Conforti upgrade, and a cone filter,
and Milos' carbon fiber heat shield and...... ).   

Anyway, there's a question in here.  I just signed up for the Tarheel
Chapter 'Tarheel and Toe' Drivers School, and there is mention of needing a
Snell-rated helmet.  Back in my 'bike' days a full-face Bell helmet was the
implement of choice, but the Bell web site only seems to talk about bike
helmets.  Are there any recommendations about 'good' vs 'less than great'
helmets out there?  There was talk recently about helmet ratings, but which
helmets do people like, and where can you get one?  Couldn't see that
information even on Ben's site!  Any help/opinions etc. are appreciated.

Peter Reinhart
M3/4 (totally stock .....for now)

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