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

Dunno. Like this!

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It is a sliding caliper. I would bet that issue is the sliders. Calipers were replaced bet the issue was the sliding pins and wrong lubricant used.

Thanks. I’ll be taking it to a different garage.

Take it to the original garage and see what they say.

Are you in London? Discs, pads and caliper service using the correct spec BMw sliding pin grease. BMW have a specific grease for sliding pins, I'd get sachets of the grease.

If it's a single piston caliper it could well be the slider pins that are sticking, not the piston. Quite common due to corrosion on the sliders. Second opinion sounds like a good idea.

My spot from today

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that is just awesome.

I have been looking at XMs recently. Mainly because I keep seeing one being used regularly near me when I am out on the bike. Estate version like that would be super rare here. And don't ever recall seeing wheels like that on one before.

That's a Xantia though, not an XM.

ah yeah. so it is. equally rare!

BIL has just purchased a McLaren. He’s paid £67k for a 2013 MP4 12C with 5k miles.

The bloke sent a video tour of it. It has a FMSH.

Oh and for some inexplicable reason, because well over 40, he’s insured me.

I did warn him about warranties ending and the potential for crippling engine-out servicing requirements, but he’s doesn’t seem especially worried about it.

How long is he intending on keeping it? If it’s a summer runabout that gets flogged in Autumn then all he has to be concerned with is 6 months depreciation and possibly the finance costs.

He's bought one without an ongoing warranty? Does he have tens of thousands he needs to get rid of?

It’s a long term keeper and it’s his second car.

I told him just to buy a Porsche.

Anyway, according to his accountant he’s in a position to be able to write any costs off. Fuck knows how that works though

Not that I know anything about McLarens, but on the tv show Counting Cars this week a MCL was in for a paint job. The owner said that only MCL can do any maintenance on it as the engine is enclosed/encased somehow and only MCL can access it. Is that the case?

I have no idea - I think he’s fucking mad.

I know it’s going to enjoy it, but I’d get so stressed owning something like that

There's a couple of McLaren builds on YouTube at the minute (tavarish and vtuned each have one). I don't think either have been in the engine, but they certainly look pretty intimidating.

Knew someone who used to work at Ford. Apparently they had an 'engine beautification' project at one time whose job it was to scare owners away from the engine and leave maintenance to the dealers. Could be a similar story?

I’d be inclined to give it to a McLaren specialist after the warranty has expired, but there aren’t too many of them. He’s going to keep it long term, so I’m not sure he’s too worried about the long term costs.

Not quite a mclaren but faster than my old '99 polo. Amber garage in Shoreham fixed the suspension issue for me, hopefully the last issue with it for a while (touch wood). Loving it so far

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He’s paid £67k for a 2013 MP4 12C with 5k miles.

So it cost the original owner (assuming one only) £100k ish (+ servicing etc) for 5k miles? That's nuts.

Wonder why they dropped the car when they parked?

£20 a mile. Insane.

Estimate of Tesla ownership over the next three years: £0.93 per mile (including insurance, electricity and lease cost).

Close to Ricardos, tho.

EDIT: For those that don't know, the McClaren engines are built (also designed/developed in conjunction) in Ricardo facility in Shoreham.

Knew someone who used to work at Ford. Apparently they had an 'engine beautification' project at one time whose job it was to scare owners away from the engine and leave maintenance to the dealers. Could be a similar story?

If memory serves me, that was a similar time that ford were looking at no service engines, the complete engines would be swapped.

I really like the look of these, don't see that many around.

This is absolutely wonderful! Superb lines!

Re: The McLaren, once it inevitably blows up a K24 Turbo swap would be fantastic!