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

what are doing with the golf, joel?

^ Not sure mate, why?

Thanks dry and NurseHolliday - I shall release the hounds of search!

With either the E34 5 series or the E32 7 series are there any 'must have done' pitfalls to look out for? Thanks.

Big BMWs from that era suffer track rod/steering bush failure around 60k+ if the steering feels vague on a test drive, budget a couple hundred to get that tightened back up.

BMW leather is durable so if the steering wheel, gaitors, and interior is looking pretty tired then it has been thrashed, it takes a lot to rip a BMW gear gaitor, and I've seen what happens to the interior of an unloved and thrashed E30 M3 after 100k miles. It looks fucked.

As Dammit said, the V8 or V12 are the E32s to go for, but despite the low purchase price, they still command high running costs. Tyres, petrol, servicing etc. It's a heavy car that's heavy on parts.

Also you want to start reading about Vanos and how to know if it's failing about this time last year.

^ Not sure mate, why?

oh, just asking really. that astra is giving me the shits and i like that little car. let me know if you decide to sell it.

Blimey, these Beemers are sounding less attractive by the second! High running costs, likely to fail for a year or so before going terminal...

Richie, will let you know if I do decide to release the GTI - still no rust and running clean. What's up with your Astra dude?

The E32 is pimp, but the E34 is more realistic. A 525i Sport or 535i Sport will be really nice as a GT car, but if you just wanted a barge to cruise about in, the non sport 525i is good.

We should really just all drive minis.

Blimey, these Beemers are sounding less attractive by the second! High running costs, likely to fail for a year or so before going terminal...

Richie, will let you know if I do decide to release the GTI - still no rust and running clean. What's up with your Astra dude?

it is just a shit car. i hate driving it and it is starting to need stuff. i have paid £400 for a new belt/water pump. the air cond needs re gassing and it also needs an alignment.

it's prob worth £500 (? - <20k mile '98 astra). i would rather maintain a car that i like, even if it is the runabout

seriously, though. drop me a line if you punt it.

it is just a shit car. i hate driving it and it is starting to need stuff. i have paid £400 for a new belt/water pump. the air cond needs re gassing and it also needs an alignment.

it's prob worth £500 (? - <20k mile '98 astra). i would rather maintain a car that i like, even if it is the runabout

seriously, though. drop me a line if you punt it.

Sorry to hear that Richie, I'll let you know if I do decide to swap.

Any common reason why my electric window might only be going down a few inches? Not on the rails properly or something?

motor sounds fine for the few inches which makes me think it isn't that

Zzz

Cars or bikes, cables can do one.

Bugger. Just been landed with a £1500 bill for fixing the air-con in the Piglet. What makes it particularly galling is that this is on top of the £800 bill for fixing the air-con in September 2011, at which point two pipes were replaced which have apparently needed changing again. I think a 'phone call is in order - surely the pipes fitted in September 2011 should have lasted for more than 2 years.

it is just a shit car. i hate driving it and it is starting to need stuff. i have paid £400 for a new belt/water pump. the air cond needs re gassing and it also needs an alignment.

it's prob worth £500 (? - <20k mile '98 astra). i would rather maintain a car that i like, even if it is the runabout

seriously, though. drop me a line if you punt it.

Bugger. Just been landed with a £1500 bill for fixing the air-con in the Piglet. What makes it particularly galling is that this is on top of the £800 bill for fixing the air-con in September 2011, at which point two pipes were replaced which have apparently needed changing again. I think a 'phone call is in order - surely the pipes fitted in September 2011 should have lasted for more than 2 years.

Why do you need air con in the UK?

Can't tell you how much I want this.
As a starting point for a dedicated track car, I think it's fucking awesome.

A fucking bus in comparison to the E30.

Why do you need air con in the UK?

You can use it to keep warm too!

Lies. That's climate control.

A fucking bus in comparison to the E30.

I like both cars, a lot. The 190E is far more affordable though, and arguably more useable. I have friends who daily-drive them in the UK, 200k+ miles on the clock, reasonable insurance and surprisingly good MPG.
Meanwhile, most E30 M3s appear to sit largely unused, owners obsessed with how much they're supposedly worth. Probably parked next to Integrales. I can't remember the last time I saw one on the road. The prices now are utter bullshit.

To me, the 190 Cosworth is like a really great pair of jeans. The E30 M3 is a Dior suit. I don't wear suits very often.

And as far as in-depth comparisons go, I think this one's pretty good.

BMW E30 M3 Vs Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16! - Head 2 Head Episode 12 - YouTube

An E30 doesn't have to be an M3.

I have an M3 and the last thing I obsess over is the value of the fucker. If I ever get any money back then I'll see it as a bonus. Owning an M3 is a labour of love - you don't own it because you expect to see a "healthy return". You own it because you adore it. It's not an asset that I'll ever see any money out of. The driving experience is everything and knowing that you own a piece of history is as good as owning a Peter Blake.

I could never own a 190 because Paul McCartney had one.

The w124???

Seriously?

My dad has a 230E... There is no way that has anything to do with speed and m3s... Fucking tank and over engineered but fuck not fast...

The 190e/d/Cosworth is the W201 platform, not the w124. Did anyone mention W124s? Sorry if I'm getting my wires crossed here.

I could own a 190e despite the fact that McCartney owned one; I think it's more attractive than the W124 and probably a fair bit more frugal, and much cheaper/less rusty than W123s. Does anyone have firsthand experience of the ride quality vs the W123 and W124?

McCartney=deal breaker.

It was Ringo Starr (an even bigger cunt) wot done owned a 190E. Not McCartney.
'Celeb' ownership means fuck-all to me anyway. The only important name associated with the car is this one.

I really miss my old Merc, it was fucking ace. Being a 1.8 Auto it couldn't deprive a rice pudding of its skin, but a great car all the same.

Unfortunately I need an Estate nowadays, and wish that North American BMW dealers had taken on the E30 Touring and E36 Touring.
They didn't, which is a massive shame. I'd love an E30 325i Touring right now.
Can't even find a W202 C280 Wagon for sale here.