Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

I am after a sierra diff, if any knows of one kicking about. 7" or 7.5", LSD pref, bolt on flanges -100 or 108mm.

Always loved the Z8, apart from the moody steering wheel...

I know, I know another Manta. So lovely. Needs lowering 20mm all round, I think though..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Opel-Manta-i200-1984-Real-Manta-Irmscher-200-Restored-and-in-perfect-condition-/391045793487?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5b0c2546cf

The LSD is a bearing swap, what ratio are you looking for?

Yeah I have a spare set of 5 with decent hub caps....the wheels do need a refurb and came off my touring as I bought a set of better condition with new tyres two still had the paper on!

They are going up in value, check the prices on ebay.

No one mention the 750il... brilliant car and once the engine issues were sorted good cars but the image is always tainted so were really cheap....couple of k cheap or even cheaper as the valve seals would go and people would think it was the nicasil bores going again.....

Was it the first car that bmw limited to 155?

I do like a manta...but in the andrews heat for hire paint job.

Loving the paint job:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in_lehKi248

3.9

So when is the car appreciation cruise/tunnel run/meet up gonna happen? :)

BRM - are Mk3 Granada / Scorpio diffs the same? There might be more of those in the scrapyards these days.

Yep. It's the bolt up flanges that are important.

100mm

Yeah and they are going to be in good nick...the diff he is after is the sierra 4 pot petrol diff that has been modified with a limited slip bearing, the ones with lsd will be a cosworth. The scorpio/granda diff is different...casing but unsure of the rest. Also if the car has traction control no LSD.

Spoke to my ford man and he said go for the new quaife diff. The ford diffs are getting old hence find one that isn't worn is a pain. The 'new' reproduction parts aren't as good as the ford made ones, hence why people are going to the quaife. Some people are going for the BMW diff as they are still in production and easily available, and better ratios are available..

BMW is a good idea. Strikes me, also, that there must be thousands of terminally rusty C and E class Mercs littering yards up and down the country with lovely bulletproof diffs and sorted rear suspension.

the set-up i am looking to put together is made for the 7 inch sierra diff with the 100mm flanges.

even buying a reconditioned cosworth LSD unit is £1k - cheaper i think, than finding a bmw 323/8 unit (which prob makes the lsd option more difficult), then having some shafts made up, then modifying the diff cage.

it's the next step once the new engine is in, so i just need to be patient. one will turn up. i will look a bit further into using a different unit.

Why would anyone make a car that rusts? They live outside ffs!

so you'll buy a new one after a few years...

Someone was listening to @Hefty

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=47&t=1483572&nmt=

I thought someone might eventually. #needs17s

@Hefty @NurseHolliday For the prices they are now, a well looked after 996 really is a sweet car for the money.

Got offered a 250 GTO. Never been on the market. Went to see the car today (its in the UK). I cried a little. Also currently have available 288 GTO, 206 SP and a Porsche 550 Spyder.

...In other news my mini is nearly back on the road. Its had a full floor done and a partial respray. Cant wait to drive it again.

If any of you ever need any paintwork or repairs done do let me know. The paint and bodyshop I use do all the classic main dealers in London, are literally the best, and also 25% the price of other shops. This forum has been very good to me so happy to offer what I can to help others on here.

e.g. Some cunt keyed every single panel of my Range Rover the other day...twice. Got the car resprayed, in 2Pac, for £900 and had it back in two days.

Who's going to goodwood?

http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/175012/1987-trabant-ratbant-2000-essex
Also...MAJOR WANT

What's the deal with Landy Defenders and air-con? Been looking at a few online and it seems only the very new models have it (not buying a new one), I've seen some conversion kits for older models but that looks like a massive ballache...

It gets bloody hot in Queensland...

Just got back from my first real long roadtrip in the Bimmer, bit worried about the steering. At low speeds it's fine, but anything above 60mph it feels a bit vague and it's really sending some nasty shakes through the steering wheel when hitting bumps or potholes. Think the bushings need looking at, hopefully it's nothing too expensive. The garage I bought it off gave me a 3 month warranty from these guys http://www.warrantyfirst.co.uk/dynamic.php so hopefully it's all covered.

@>>>>>>: Have you passed your test?