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

Some of them I have replaced already (coffin arms). I'm not saying I will not replace the bushings - if they need it they'll get done.

Good point. My my aim is to build a well serviced, rust free and pretty road car that I take on track once or twice a year. Any money spent will be to improve day to day useage primarily. Having said that I do love to tinker.

My friend, Donnie, is selling his SM...

You need a car right?

Such a cool car.

I should listen to my own advice. But tinkering is easier with less time investment needed. Don't know when I'll fit in my track day tuition...

Cool, I was sure you wouldn't miss an opportunity to fix or improve the car.

I was wrong, it isn't his but another one in Brisbane... Who knew there were two pristine SMs in this dump?!?

My friend, Donnie, is selling his SM...

Hah, I'll stick my 850R in a container at my end, you stick that in a container at your end, four weeks later we've got a result.

It's not a boring answer, it's very valid, however my counter to that is -

On a 20+ year old car that's racked up some miles, that OEM suspension is going to be pretty tired and wanting replacing anyway. If you're replacing the suspension, why not upgrade? Brand new OEM Mazda suspension is going to be in the same price region so it makes sense. Just because your dampers haven't failed the MOT yet, doesn't mean they're not fucked, they're just not dangerously fucked yet.

I wholeheartedly agree that driver training is one of the best things you can do to go quicker and be more consistent on track, and that's why any time it's on offer I always take it, but spending £800 in driver training is quite a lot! That's probably 2 full days of on track tuition.
A lot of TDOs include free 25-30 minute slots on a 1st come, 1st served basis, and every time I've managed to get one, I've learned something from the instructor, and been quicker as a result. I'd say, even if you were only doing 1 or 2 trackdays a year, it's a very cost effective way of improving your driving ability.

TDO?

track day organiser

Agree with all of that.
Money wise, I'm going buy Aussie pricing. Track days are spendy as is the tuition. But well worth getting into a club as you get reduced rates etc. Also making the right friends does help.

And talking suspension, had my gti6 looked at for things to fix. Everything a-ok, already has solid bushings in the lower control arms so their fine, the dampers which are original and driven around aus (310,000 klms) are still fine. Nuts! But the strut top mounts are fooked. Time for some eccentric top mounts 😀

Finally pulled the trigger on that v70 drivE. Really pleased with it, least powerful engine available = great mpg and low annual tax. Whoever specced it spent the dough on leather, programmable drivers seat etc. instead. Just needs a polish and a software update so I can schedule the diesel heater at different times when winter hits here. Best bit is not browsing for used cars for a few years hopefully!

I'd suggest bad. They do like a slurp of dinosaur juice.

New BMW z4 is looking good.
https://www.designboom.com/technology/bmw-z4-concept-leaked-08-17-2017/

Girlfriend had a scrape when rushing to park the other day. 3rd party wanted to go through insurance. We're not fussed about damage to ours and I've just had a look on Admiral's website as I'm not clued up about this. It says:

If you don’t make a claim but a third party does, and we pay out, you don’t have to pay your excess.

That doesn't sound right to me - Can anyone confirm?

That looks lovely though it's a soft top so wondering what it'll look like with the cloth up...

Looks like a Merc

It's just so fucking polite. Jovi Nagashima would be turning in his grave if he was dead.

Did the designer leave a pic of the 6 series in his pocket on a hot wash?

He put his trousers on, felt something in his pocket, it was a bit wrinkled, folded up, visibly shrunken from the hot wash it had been through. He squinted as he unfolded, trying to work out what it was, a 6 series, but smaller?

Honey.... get me BMW on the phone, I've got something they're going to want to take a look at.

Was investigating how easy it is to remove the interior side panels to properly fit the hardtop and discovered this. Was feeling pretty deflated yesterday but have since discovered the parcel shelf is a bolt in piece so hopefully won't need any welding, finger crossed eh. Will investigate properly at the weekend but not looking forward to it. Rust on an MX-5 who would have thought?!

2 Attachments

I read Concept BMW North America. Does that mean it's folly?

Wow. Really like that!

@jambon ouch. Hope it's not too bad.

Iz it for sellz?

My brother's just picked up one of those lancias...

1 Attachment