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

Nice, more photos! Love engines.

Similar, but different.

Tomorrow or Thursday is see how bad the porker is. Curing the three wheeledness by borrowing an Ikea flat trolly and a few straps to hold in place

Start a book at the extent of the damage:
Just the suspension bit? Chassis rail damage, can be straightened oe needs chasis rail replaced, finally, being a cabby, shell twisted beyond economical repair.

@NurseHolliday well done. You have quite the big brass pair of balls.

They draw so much blood they tend to affect my judgement...!

So chipping cars - bad idea or an easy way to boost performance?
The figures look a bit too good to be true.

Was looking at https://www.chipexpress.com/

Easy way to boost performance, but results very varied dependant on type of engine. Normally more benefit with forced induction for example, as the pressure is easy to increase.
There are variations in maps and 'chips' between tuners, too.
Downside is that it costs, as does the insurance change usually required, insurers aren't always big fans of modifications.
You might also reduce the longevity of components but there's so many variables concerned with this.
What's the car?

Good work with the turbo brick! I think you've bought a very well sorted car.

Got a 2014 plate Audi A4 Avant Quattro 2.0 TDI S-Line

Diesels are forced induction right?

Yours is a turbo so yes, that's the forced induction part.

Diesel turbos respond well to mapping. So find someone good and give them a call. They'll tell you what bhp ftlbs you can expect to achive.

I would avoid Chips - get a remap if you want more performance.

Chips are one size fits all, a proper mapper will monitor various metrics to ensure that the map is less likely to cause problems.

Interestingly, I've had a long discussion with the guys at Evolve many years ago about this.

Given Evolve's current reach around the world and the number of success stories, I'd argue that they know what they're talking about, so that's my reference or backup as it were.

They say that a "tune" on a modern ECU is just telling different components what to do based on a variety of sensors. If this, then that but on a big scale.

So, if you tell the ECU to do something slightly different to stock, you can ensure that the tune is still safe for 99% of engines. If you want to eek out that last bit of final power then you can adjust an individual car's tune, or if you've added aftermarket parts then you would need an individual tune, but a stock car can take a one size fits all tune and respond very well, especially with a well calibrated dyno run afterwards to confirm that the car is behaving as it should and performance is not pushing the engine beyond the envelope of what is safe.

Saying that, I wouldn't go to Chips,

Revo, AMD, or Regal probably the best bet for Audis?

Car advice... @coldharbour told me to ask here once he'd given up trying to persuade me to buy a Volvo. Contemplating purchasing a 2008ish 5 series BMW estate. Good/bad/terrible idea? Anything specific to look for? This is meant to be a fairly long term purchase - needs to be used for family purposes (have two kids), transporting bikes, etc. Want petrol due to living within south circular and upcoming low emissions zone thing. We've got a 2003 320d at the moment, which has been good but is too small. I know very little about cars so apologise in advance for not understanding complicated answers...

Sounds like a fine idea! Budget so we can bombard you with examples?

Would you consider any other marques or are you dead set on a Bimmer?

Guessing around about 6-7k. Open to other suggestions providing they're at least as big. Plus comply with my partner's slightly unpredictable criteria.
To be honest, for our needs we would be much better off getting a Berlingo or similar ugly van car... But have enjoyed driving current car too much to go down this route.

Apart from the lack of pro nav, this seems like a bargain to me.

As @NurseHolliday said, what's your budget?

I saw that one earlier, that's somewhat over budget - slightly higher mileage ones seem to be more in our price range.

e. g.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201801102619964

Having just purchased one. I am your man. I know then inside out now.

How many miles are you doing and what kind? That will determine fuel type.

Mixture of driving - some around town, usually monthly or so down to sussex and back to visit parents, then longer distance holidays to scotland, etc once or twice a year. But relatively low mileage overall, not using it for commuting or anything.
However pretty deadset on petrol because, unless I've got confused, after 2019 owning any pre 2015 diesel is going to get expensive within South Circular (which is where we live).

Goodwood Revival: What's the best day to go?

I've just done some more research that shows it's 2020 that the ULEZ will extend to within N/S circular, and current residents will be given a 3 year grace period so you don't have to change until 2023. Which gives me 5 years to enjoy both my non-compliant cars and then I don't know what I'll do.

Based on Member's Meeting, I'd say Sunday because you get to see them racing rather than "practicing".

However I think you'll miss a couple of races because they schedule some on Saturday.

I didn't know about the 3 year grace period - that does take some of the pressure off. Though at the same time on principle it seems sensible to go for something that is as long term as possible. I've been meaning to sell current car for the last year and not quite getting round to it, I can see the same thing happening again.
Also, our parking charges are based around emissions so being slightly lower (as post 2007 5 series seems to be) makes a small saving.

I'm looking at the hospitality packages too as it coincides with our wedding anniversary. The Kennels only offers Friday or Saturday, but looks pretty good value and I don't have to park in a potentially muddy field.

Take into account that value might drop once they tighten the rules on diesels.

Apparently second hand diesels in Germany are dropping in value. Tempting to research it more tbh, would be lovely to pick something cheap (less expensive rather) up