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

In before Alibaba

For some reason, I'm really taken with the idea of getting something ridiculous like this for that little money.

What's likely to go wrong with it first?

but I'm hoping that a 62,000 mile BMW that has seen ~8k miles/year and been serviced by BMW each year should have fewer surprises in store.

That's what I thought about the RS6. Boy, was I wrong about that. Engine's coming out soon, I fear, so another big bill. Still, it's cheaper than the Minor and I haven't even driven that yet.

Not listening.

It is odd how slow a V10 M5 feels.

I thought it felt pretty fast, but only if you absolutely rev the tits off the engine - a result of it being a 100bhp per litre NA engine, I suppose. That's why I didn't get one. That and the gearbox. I've never been convinced by single clutch semi-autos.

Can confirm my 85k A4 dropped a 2k bollock* this year. :o$

*Nothing to do with my GANGSTER driving style.

You mean 'La la la la la, not listening' while putting your fingers in your ears?

Get something with a normal torque converter auto, large capacity v8 and simple understated looks. Problem is I can't really think one apart from a Holden (Vauxhall) older BMW or older Merc AMG thing.

I guess that’s what I meant. I expected a 5 litre V10 to feel torquey. The E39 V8 felt torquey.

If you go diesel look out for DPF faults or even the next service interval as they need changing around 120,000 mark.
Auto boxes for harsh shifting or slipping.
Early E60's suffered from CCC units freezing that can be expensive, they are not a bad car but a lot of people reminisce for the E39

E39 touring and spend the savings on refurbishing it?

Are rotor backing plates essential? Mine are rusted and look dreadful. I’m thinking about asking the garage to just remove them when they look at my tracking. Will I die?

Ask them to fit new ones.

I think I paid <£10 for the last ones I bought.

Yep

Well that one specifically has photos from 2013 seemingly snapped from a monitor but I think generally they're pretty solid. There's various things that should have probably been changed by now - check the pistonheads buying guide for a rundown.

Cheers. I will enquire.

Every year for the last 11 years I've ground off a bit more rust, added a bit more filler and squirted some aerosol at the front of my VW bus, delaying the inevitable front panel replacement.

I gave in this year and done a @Dammit

What started as just replacing the front clip became the inner cross member and both side steps. And if you're painting the front and both steps you may as well keep going with the gun. And if you're doing that then the seals will never go back in so they may as well be new.

I fear the originally agreed figure of £700 may be a distant memory. :(

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^ VW Bus looks glum.

@sasmon has the 535d m sport. Chatting g with him now. His response:

Rear air suspension bellows fail.
Some get water in the boot which fries the electrics
Uses all of the diesel
Eats rear tires if you go fast
Pros: goes really fast, even with a boot full of camping gear.
Has 2 turbos

Also ask him about that time he got it very sideways at big speed on a not very big road.

2007 £9,490, 75,000 miles

Or

2009 £13,950, 62,500 miles

Loving the appropriated roof box

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Win win win.

2nd one has the better interior; panoramic roof, lighter leather and, most importantly, pro nav which is a must.

sarah's old man has that leather in his newish 3 series. do. not. want.