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

I do hope you're driving an entertaining car that'll do a journey like that some justice.

I drove through Switzerland at the beginning of this month without knowing this fact. They let me through the border (both directions) without stopping me.

Have I got away with it or is a fine incoming?

I don't know, I went through Switzerland a couple of weeks ago, but I knew in advance about the sticker thing. Annoyingly it lasts for the rest of the year, and not for A Year, so I've missed out on 6 months of Swiss motoring.

@V-L if you pass the Rheinfall stop for 10 minutes and have a look, it's quite impressive, I saw a beaver there too, which was unexpected.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhine_Falls

Do not speed in Switzerland.
Turn off your engine at traffic lights.
In fact avoid Switzerland altogether.

I guess i'll have to wait and find out.

I was also definitely speeding for a lot of the journey (that includes France and Italy) but slowed for cameras etc.

Nothing through the door yet.

I'm planning on doing a road trip down to Lake Como next year, so do come back with stories of continental motoring!

Was riding in the Pyrenees last week, had a rental car. Had a good few top wrong side of the road LOLZ. Roundabouts were the worst! Also, Ford C Max 7 seaters ar HORRIBLE.

Seems like a good time to ask this question with E30s coming up a bit in the last few pages.

I'm in the market for one but have no real knowledge of what to look for in terms of reliability and what marks one out as more viable than another. Manual transmision, right side drive is Preferable and that is as far as I've got!

Worth mentioning I'm not an expert, as is obvious, but have always loved the shape and now have some spare wonga and wanted to splurge.

Any advice keenly received!

Rust. All the ones I've seen for sale seem to have had it creeping into the wheel arches (and the door sills as well on a couple).

I've got a lot of time for the E30 Touring, I wonder if anyone would part ex one for my W201.

Right on Sunday im driving from London to Ibiza. Will then be heading to monaco switzerland italy etc....What are your tips/essentials?

Stop at a Marché for some grub, best roadside food places there is

Avoid the 316 and 318's - a little underpowered for my liking.

The 320 and 325's are decent cars, but the 325i will be juicy.

The parts aren't too costly, but servicing can be a bit toppy. My M3 shares a hell of a lot of parts with the non-M badged counterparts and BMW built thousands of the fuckers, so there will always be plenty of donor cars. Also, get on a couple of the BMW fanboy forums that are out there.

@diable's your man for E30's - he might even sell you his!

Also, they're not too challenging for the home mechanic. A Haynes manual and you're away...

Magnificent cars.

@b&d much appreciated. It's all helpful. Not afraid of home mechanics either.

@diable Hoooooo weeeeee. Always said I would never buy a white car but this looks so right.

might be too late, but get a Toll Tag

i bought this.

IMG_3816 by Samuel Doman, on Flickr

IMG_3925 by Samuel Doman, on Flickr

Series 2?

Needs Barbour.

beauty!

If in the unlikely circumstances anyone finds themselves in Gyor, Hungary, it only costs £1.80 to tour the Audi factory

So jell of this guy, sweet car and a hot babe in the passenger seat #inspiration

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KM4y_JsvPc

That cunt doesn't deserve a car like that.

It's almost as if the world isn't a meritocracy...

Many, many LOL's

Almost. It's a series 3. Got it for a very good price, as it's a bit tatty, and was running a bit lumpy. However; the chassis is pretty immaculate, and after a good service and adjusting the valve clearances (inlet on third cylinder was at 4.5mm, hence lumpy running), it's running sweet. It's a 2 1/4 diesel, which are pretty hard to find nowadays, as most of them were run into the ground, as farm vehicles. Very pleased with it, and as a bonus; it's tax exempt!

Went out for a 5am hoon on the B660 between Bedford and Peterborough last weekend, good road, and I'm pleased my revised ride height, tyre pressures, and damper settings have made the car more compliant over shit roads. However I think the new set up with the old alignment has introduced an element of neutrality tending towards understeer, you really have to try to get the back end moving around! Not sure whether to keep it like that or go get a new alignment.

I was going to be booking a Brands Hatch evening session at the end of August but it looks like I may have a free week long cruise courtesy of a friend over that time, so I'm off to Knockhill on 5th September with some Scottish friends and taking in a 500 mile highlands tour the day after.

ace! i'd love to do knockhill. i have family down the road.

i am at brands on the 13th. need to get my dizzy in, rolling road on wed and a048rs on next weekend...