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

great investment as they'll only go up but check out the different models as some can be lemons - or if you have bags of cash you can get a modern version...

http://www.107sportline.com/the-107-sportline/

The sub frame mounts were totally gone and the door sills and wheel arches are scrap too. It was going to need a lot of attention (more than the cost of a new one) to get it roadworthy. A lot of the damage was done after spending a lot of it's 190k miles in the Highlands. A shame really as the engine is still running nicely.

So this is my entry for this years Banger Rally at work:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Benz-W210-E320-87-000-Miles-MOT-til-Oct-/122004055901?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=lVaRy7YNgRcQJ60fGUN1iB6lzlw%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

900 miles to Poland in September (where it'll then be left for scrap).... I am amazed at how much car you can get for so little. Only minor annoyance is that i'll need to MOT it as it only runs to Sep 13th & the rally is on the 16th.

That seat pattern >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

No that's the recommendation as its a closed listing. Click on the link above...black leather

This probably a bit late notice but I'm doing this on wednesday evening, its going to be a lovely sunny evening and i've not seen the price this low so close to the event date so worth a punt if you're free!

http://www.msvtrackdays.com/car/calendar/2016/july/20-sn-road-eve.aspx

Wroclaw via Leipzig ,

1st day is about 13hrs driving, 2nd day 3-4 hours...

Had one of those in the family from merc used 6 months old. Was the worst car I have ever known, and at 4 years old it was returned to merc and scrapped. Had zero rust protection and part of the rear sub frame/diff mount came away and cluttered into another bit of floorpan making it terminal.
If it doesn't fail for rott it'll prob be fine, most issues with them get sorted in first 1-5 years as many electrical faults, think locks, airbags, and abs type issues.

That's well low. You'll still burn at least two tyres and most of your brakes, but for entry not seen one that cheap since <2010

I'm having a serious dilemma at present, and would like to hear thoughts on what you specifically would do if you were in my situation.

Brought my car, a clean e39 520i msport with a lot of history, to London with me when I moved here from Ireland. I knew the past 3 owners of the past 6 or so years, so it was a known entity when I bought it. I went through the motions of putting it on a UK registration plate, which was quite easy given it is a RHD UK/Ireland spec car.

It's needed a few bits since I bought it, most of which I had sorted before I moved here. Cooling system refresh (rad, hoses, etc), and a service.

It passed the NCT (Irish version of MOT) back in January with an advisory on the front tyres being older than 8 years old, albeit within limits on tread depth. It then passed the MOT in June with advisories on rear brake lines, rear brake discs, rear tyres, and minor engine oil leak.

Now I'm also at a point where I am thinking of changing the car anyway, I very nearly bought a fiesta st a few weeks back, but on further consideration I cancelled it as I don't drive enough to justify a £20k car. I'm still thinking of changing, but for something 25% of the price, and a bit more exciting. I used to do quite a few track days in my clio 172 in Ireland, and would quite like to get back into a few per year for fun. An e46 M3 would be my ideal car, but at the same time I wouldn't be at all interested in running one with a few track days per year. I had an e36 m3 and am fully aware of how much they cost to keep in good shape. Really I want something small and light with enough power to be fun on a trackday but comfortable ENOUGH to drive back to Dublin or to South France once or twice a year. As much as I would love one, I think I am slightly too tall for a lotus/vx220.

TLDR, would you throw the £1000 at the e39 and drive it for another year, or buy a mk3 mx5/mk3 mr2/s2000/etc.?

A new Binky episode came out friday

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252470468076?clk_rvr_id=1066132323319&rmvSB=true

Advice is just that.

if you have enough to spank that sort of money, can't you keep both?

Or have you got the space to do the work yourself?

Two cars and two lots of insurance :(

2 cars, 2 times the insurance, 2 times the running cost...not interested in that at all.

Used to work on cars myself but that was when I lived in Ireland and had a garage and tools, it's parked on the side of the road outside my flat in London...not lying under a car on the side of the road.

I really want one car for maybe £5-7k that can do it all, probably edging more towards fun than being practical. I ride my bike to work, we do our shopping online, the car gets driven once a week maybe for short spins, and 2-3 times a year for long spins.

Like I say, M3 is my ideal car, but I know how much they cost to run, even with limited mileage.

Maybe I should just get back in a RS clio...

I want a wood panel station wagon.

To update, I've bitten the bullet on a set of Michelin PS4 and PS2 in 235/45/17 and 255/40/17 respectively. I couldn't seem to get a full set of either in OE fitments, so had to mix axles. Seems they're phasing out the PS2's and phasing in the PS4's.

Looks like I'm committed to keeping the E39 for another 6+ months in that case!

Fair enough, but there was talk of 20k cars, a few track days a year, etc. That's all I am saying.

A 4k mx5 and a 1k beemer will cost less to run than a new focus st.

I had put down a deposit on a fiesta st, pcp deal, but realised there is no way I would be comfortable trackdaying a pcp'd 20k hatch and pulled out last minute.

It would be tough to justify 2 cars for 5000 miles a year at most, with 4-6 trackdays, while living in London.

I've comitted to keeping the 5 series a bit longer now, so maybe I'll revisit in the new year.

Megane RS for more comfort on the longer journeys

Changed my route home recently and now pass a cherished mk1 MX-5 and a Clio 182 Trophy, doing absolutely nothing for my lust levels

Actually are you into TVR territory there?

Oh and a TVR T350/Typhon (not sure)

@Colm89

Do you want a GT car with low-ish running costs that can be tracked OR a track focused car that won't beat you into submission on longer journeys.

Ultimately, the real question is which are you going to do more? Drive it on the road or drive it on the track? I think for all of us, bar @BRM, the answer is always road, hence why my MX5 is genuinely a retarded car to own, so get a GT car that can do you the miles and the open road enjoyment, while still not frustrating you on track.

Ignoring all that, an R56 Mini with choice upgrades would be a good option.