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

Look at that dash though! It's like a boat!

Boat/mid-century sideboard.

I quite like the look of the e61 estate - especially from the back. Considered one before I decided to get a Skoda.

Got an occasional wobble about 40-60mph but disappears after that. I got some new tyres and the tracking/balancing sorted and I didn't feel it for about 200 miles but now it's back. Any ideas?

Hoping the erratic nature of it means my engine isn't about to detonate

E61 interior is a pretty nice place to be too - miles ahead of the VW and Audi estates I've sat in recently.

I still want a 550 but no fucker bought one new.

I wouldn't mind a 550 Touring but they didn't even import them.

The US got the M5 Touring with a proper auto though - not the SMG that the UK had as the only option.

I think you can only get the 5 series hybrid with a big engine isn’t it? The 535? The Merc purports to do 65mpg.

Actually that’s a good point. How well does the 535 Hybrid go compare to the 550?

You could get one of those.

I’ve googled it.

A 550i has 440bhp.

With just a remap you could get a 535 hybrid to over 400bhp.

Did I mention I now mostly drive (and love) a Renault Zoe? I think I should probably make that clear before you consider my suggestions on cars.

I think you might be referring to the current generation? I'm looking at spending a maximum of 15k.

You can get a new one for £15k, with the government cash back.

Oh wait. You mean the BMW?

They’ve been around since 2012/13. Are those not £15k yet?

I suspect you mean a Zoe rather than a 535d or 5501?

I know. I done a funny.

If you can’t get the Beemer for £15k then I revert to my E300 suggestion.

The E300's are around 20k for a car that has 80k+ miles, a 2009 535d M Sport Touring with 62,000 miles is 14k.

Now, I bought my 911 with 60,000 miles and then spent money on it that really surprised me, in a bad way - but I'm hoping that a 62,000 mile BMW that has seen ~8k miles/year and been serviced by BMW each year should have fewer surprises in store.

I may live to rue those words.

Lower-spec 535 hybrids are hitting £15k.

On autotrader now there’s a 540 sport and 550 se for £10k. Or an M5 touring for £23k which is the sensible option.

M5 Touring - The Internet tells me that the gearbox will turn into a fine metallic mist, and cost more than the Apollo program to reconstitute.

Also, The Internet also tells me that the engine has less torque than an electric toothbrush.

Sounds right up your street then!

It is odd how slow a V10 M5 feels.

I guess much of that is the expectation that it will properly slog you in the back. Which it doesn’t.

This one looks ok - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201612190703164?model=5%20SERIES&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&aggregatedTrim=535d&postcode=se233un&sort=sponsored&advertising-location=at_cars&make=BMW&body-type=Estate&radius=1500&page=1

I've got the 911 to be the low, nippy thing - what I'm after for this is something that I can leave in the airport carpark for a couple of weeks etc.

@Dammit i think you need some of these

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RbJbh2PraI

Hah, I've still got a set of 17" wheels which I might put back on the car after I've had a chance to back-to-back them with the 18's currently on there.