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

Ah, makes sense. I’m still planning on getting the e46 mapped at GKR, who actually put it on a dyno rather than just plug in and play preset stuff. And I’m also unlikely to actually do anything else to the engine beyond the map - I hadn’t considered the fact that the map would be useless if you change anything on the engine (despite how obvious it is).
A big part of the appeal of GKR was that they came recommended and it sounds like they offer a bit more of a bespoke service.

What engine have you got in your superb? 350 is a lot of horses!

The map wouldn't be useless, but it might tip into too lean or too rich in certain scenarios with certain mods. It's one of the bits that's frustrating about modifying cars that if you do it properly, it's a huge fuck on.

Mine's the 2.0 TSI 280, the same engine as the MK7 Golf R (and other VAG cars), in nerd speak it's a 2.0 EA888 Gen 3 with the IS38 turbo. The reason mine's 280-290bhp from the factory while the Golf R is 300-310 is purely a different ECU tune, VW couldn't have an A6 sized Skoda having the same power as their flagship hot hatch.

The JB4 should theoretically allow mine to achieve the same power as a Golf R with the JB4 as it's the same unit and wiring loom for all EA888 Gen 3 models.

That’s pretty rad tbh. Interested to hear how it all goes!

I want to get my girlfriend a track day for her birthday. I know she'd love to race around in some sort of supercar (I know nothing about cars).
I'm in the southwest but castle coombe doesn't have supercars just a fancy Ford Focus which doesn't really fit the bill.
Does anyone have any recommendations? Would consider traveling and near Manchester (or on the way to Manchester from Devon) would be great as we're visiting up there soon anyway.
Thanks 🙏

I've had a good time at Thruxton the couple of times I've been and that should be alright if you're Southwest? They have all sorts of cars to choose from and you get to lap the full proper circuit and not some naff coned runway. I did a Ferrari and Aston one a while back which was cool, but had a much better experience the second time I went and did a package with more laps in a Lotus Exige.

If it's the thrill of ticking off supercars then go for that, but if she'd rather time on track and have a bit of coaching along the way I'd go for something like the Alpine A110 one-2-one experience, that looks pretty good bang for buck.

I did one at Thruxton which I enjoyed, it was I think 5 laps in a Cayman with coaching then 3 laps in a Formula Ford single seater. Very good fun and a reasonable amount of time actually driving. EDIT this one: https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/experiences/racing-car

Not sure where you are in the south west, but Smeatharpe near me does regular drive supercar days, but they aren't round a "proper" track, its an old airfield which they lay out into a track.

Ooh la la
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/13591680

They've aged so well.

Banging car.

Goodwood near Chichester, let me know if you fix it, take her for lunch afterwards at the Kennels, I can get you in there it is members only. Google is your friend, Goodwood Motor circuit or Goodwood Kennels. I am local if you need any tips.

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Anyone interested in a Fiat 500 4x4 Twinair? Needs some work, and at the moment it's 2WD only as the rear propshaft flange has exploded. Buyer collects.

P.S. Not mine. Just found it on a trail in the moors above Sheffield.

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Not exciting, but I've done two insurance renewals recently.

The first auto renewal came back near as dammit the same as I could get after checking a comparison site, fair enough.

The second one though could be had for half the price of the renewal quote. Even the same insurer was offering it over 10% cheaper on the comparison site - I thought that was a no no these days?

As a heads up the automatically populated car values on the comparison site were also laughable in today's market, thousands out if I wanted a like for like from autotrader.

Big lol. Joyriders or vastly over confident greenlaners?

Saw this today , when Aston did it just right

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And whilst not being a huge fan of the vanity plate this made me chuckle

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Difficult to say, but probably joyriders. We were trying and failing to see how it could have overturned without considerable assistance or stupidity.

I guess this had to be joy riders too, or just standard BMW, but never underestimate the stupidity of the great British public.

That was Tower Bridge Rd earlier in the week, a 20mph zone. Car has hit, at a lot more than 20mph I'd guess, and completely removed from the pavement one of those huge fuck off bell bollards, seen to the right of the car.

Love the flimsy tokenistic 'we got this' police tape.

Formula Ford single seater will be much more of an experience (in some ways) than a Lamborghini- I drove a Diablo back to back with one and the race car made the Diablo feel like a lorry.

I also didn’t fit in the Diablo but did fit in the Ford.

Please enlighten me about this: is it a kitcar of some kind or a rare version of the e-type I have not seen before?

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‘67 E-Type 4.2 according to the website of the RDW here in the Netherlands. Maybe a coach built body?

Possibly, as the bonnet doesn't look standard, the front bumper has disappeared and the rear quarter light window has ceased to exist (I haven't even looked carefully).

Looks like a low drag E-type. Either a copy or insanely valuable.

Edit: Seems there's only one original low drag E-type so it seems it's a copy.

Thanks all. I think it's this modern take on the rare one-off. IIRC it can be ordered for around half a mill.
https://www.eaglegb.com/52/jaguar-e-type-special-editions/eagle-low-drag-gt/outcome

I think you're right, it's probably an early attempt as the indicator hasn't been flush mounted, but the quarter light delete is identical.