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

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  • I drove the 996 first thing, on empty country roads this morning. Doesn't take long to re-discover why these are great cars.

  • I’ve spent this morning appreciating the aesthetics, the engineering etc too. 3000 miles in this now. I can’t really imagine how any car can be more comfortable and fit for purpose whilst being so engaging to drive.


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  • I think those are the best looking of the various 5 series Tourings.

  • Camper place finally gave me an answer- van will not be delivered to them in early November, it'll be either week 2 or week 4 in January. Probably.

  • This ^ older cars especially brands like Mercedes where quality and longevity are bywords make for a great car ownership experience.

  • At least you have an answer, even if it's disapointing.

    Can you order one from VW or get a nearly new?

  • VW - delivery would be, if I ordered now, 2023.

    Nearly new are so close to the price of the one from CJL that I may as well get brand new.

    So the question is whether I got something older/cheaper.

  • Front it out. Probably.

    You buy something older, you will spend the whole time comparing it to the fantasy of what might have been, if only you had waited 3-4 months.

    Also, how quickly will an "older/ cheaper" arrive?
    and how much use would there be in the time difference?

    EDIT: I have totally misread your post, I read it as they will get the van in Nov, and get it for you in Jan.

  • I'd mentally prepare for it not to be delivered by VW until March/April. There's a lot of chat over on Pistonheads (the lease thread specifically) about delivery of VAG group cars being pushed back time and time again, so your situation doesn't surprise. I'd stick with it though, just temper your expectations on when you'll get it.

    How long will CJL take to turn it around once they get their hands on it?

  • . edit I misread everything!
    Ignore

  • How long will CJL take to turn it around once they get their hands on it?

    Two weeks from the time they receive it.

  • My two cents is...You know what you want. You have found a company (admittedly with terrible communications thus far) that will do it and do it to a good standard. You might regret not getting what you want over what is likely to be a matter of a few weeks.

  • You know what you want to do, if you actually listened to us you would be riding around on Shimano brakes...

  • My two cents is...You know what you want. You have found a company (admittedly with terrible communications thus far) that will do it and do it to a good standard. You might regret not getting what you want over what is likely to be a matter of a few weeks.

    Yeah, that's basically my conclusion.

  • This and @Fixedwheelnut ‘s e30 touring (pretty sure that was it, grey, photo taken on the docks in London, sexeh) are probably my favourite forum cars.

  • Just think that E30 and E30 tourings' used to be worth very very little a decade ago. My perfect (clean rust free shell had lacquer peel on the boot and bonnet) 2 owner E30 touring LUX was £400. Two years later, after getting the bonnet and boot repainted, rebuilt the diff ( As it was a low ratio diff and they all whine), new tyres and a better more upmarket model leather interior was worth 2K.

  • I had a burnt out number plate bulb which I'd not noticed - garage changed that and it got it's MOT with no advisories:


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  • My mates dad had a E39 528i in that nice dark green. Had it since new and did over 400,000 kilometres in it. He sold it last year after 3 years in a row of many $thousand services. Suspension parts, cooling system. Random electronic failures, window regulators etc. Funny thing is, doesn't turn me off at all. They still have huge appeal. My mates dad still misses the car but still has his 80 series LandCruiser to roll around. That's on 600,000 kays

  • @StevePeel cheers Nef, the E39 was the last good 5 series in my opinion and a lot of customers that upgraded to the E60 regretted it.

    My 335i is in the body shop at the moment, just took some progress shots today whilst dropping a new door up there, can't wait to get it back going 'San Marino Blue' :D U

    Having to use the 318i the throttle pedal is more like an engine volume switch than a method of increasing speed :D

    Intensive Car Unit in Southend getting it prepped for paint :D

  • Had an E34, that went between a few friends. It had the manual 5 series 6 pot 2.5 pre vanos engine. Had the usual BMW overheating problems that were cured by a new radiator, water pump and thermos stat and viscous fan. All those bits, as each was replaced in turn but the problem went away with everything replaced.

    But only ever serviced when I owned it. By service, I mean oil, oil filter and air filter. While the spark plugs were replaced once. Always started and so controllable to drift.

    That car went through suspension rubber bits at every MOT. Not replaced by me but paid a garage to do the work. The quality of the replacement parts was questionable as some were replaced year on year.

    Finally killed by having someone run in to the side and was an insurance write off as the a and b pillars were damaged as well as wheels and suspension. The engine and box went off in to a series race car that had some 'fame' while the interior and diff lived on in other cars.

  • Not having had an E39, I liked my E34.

    Then the 3 series post E30 doesn't do it for me.

  • The E36 after the E30 wasn't as good in my opinion, while I appreciate seeing a well looked after one I think the later E46 3 series was better and probably the last decent 3 series.

    Modern cars are designed with fuel economy and emissions as the prime goal hence the additions of electric power steering, whilst good economically as it only puts resistance on the engine when required it just doesn't give you that driveability feed back from the road.

  • Thanks @Nef
    @TRA I’d like mine to have the same long and busy life. I always admire cars like that because they’ve all been through several uneconomical repairs which shows the love the owner had for it. That’s why these used to be £1500 and now they’re a lot more, all the unloved ones have died or are on the way.

    @Fixedwheelnut wow that looks intense, so exciting having bodywork done.

  • The E36 after the E30 wasn't as good in my opinion, while I appreciate seeing a well looked after one I think the later E46 3 series was better and probably the last decent 3 series.

    Have had a few E30 and driven a few E36 compact and salons and agree with you. Not owned an E46 so can't comment. But agree with your opinion as I trust you.

  • Berlingo looking unintentionally rad.
    I think I need a new rear axle assembly.


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

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