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

Glass half full, you'll be doubling the value of the vehicle when you next fill up.

Fill it up and it will definitely vanish!

Is it an estate and ulez compliant?

Hippys whip?

Paging @Dammit:

https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/2008-bmw-e61-m5-touring-3

I saw the videos on the Drivetribe youtube channel about the M5 they bought (I think it's the same one). They sound frighteningly fragile / expensive.

I really want one, and I think that I will have one at some point, but I don't have the cash for it right now.

DIY rebuilt engine (with help from about 80 years of Sulzer ship engine guys from next door) now done about 6k, one oil change at 200 miles, then 1000 miles, then just done 5k. All good, gone back to being pretty black again though, diesels, they never stay clean for long.
Been running around back on old standard injectors and a fairly low map. Finally turned it back up, flashed the more aggro map that had on it before the rebuild.
Ass dyno says feels the same, but exhaust a LOT cleaner, helps that compression is all super even now, and low RPM vibrations mostly gone (needs a new DMF still).

Need to go up a turbo size or two, currently a K14 which are known to be small, but its a VW van engine, so low end usefulness was the name of the game when designed. Current turbo done nearly 300k and never replaced, leaks a bit of oil, but minor really considering.

Anyone up on VW T4 2.5 tdi engines/ scene? Who's good just now for turbos. One thats been recommended before makes a K14/K16 hybrid with a billet wheel, looses a tiny bit of low end, replaces it with ability to rev without choking itself on hot air. Straight geo turbo, no VNT which limits things these days!

Ha! Eric is banana van.

Continuing the yellow theme I saw a Frankensaab pickup today.


And I was getting full 70's family holiday feels off this lovely old VW.

two more awesome spots. reckon I would be happy driving either of those. though the Saab is a little too yellow. nice one dude

I like AMG estates, I think I've proven that. I absolutely cannot understand why this is at £4,500 with four days to go because it is totally fucked and would cost an absolute fortune to put right.

How fucked is fucked? Because that looks like an utter bargain

because it is totally fucked

Out of curiosity how do you know?

(assuming you're not just talking about the seat colour in conjunction with the exterior)

I can't spot a panel without rust when clicking through the pictures, and it appears to have some front end damage based on how the bumper is hanging.

It would need, potentially, all five doors, both wings, a bumper, bumper supports, likely a rear sub-frame and a complete re-spray - before you got into the mechanical parts.

How did you run it in?

Not in to the debate, just being nosey.

Halfords are offering £10 off a minimum £20 spend when joining the halfords motoring club. Club is free to join.

Good to see that 99 pick up is still going, it's been around a while.

That type 4 variant is fantastic.

After 2.5 years with my 325i we parted ways on Tuesday evening. We got off to a rocky start, but it has been utterly dependable since it brought us home to Ireland in June 2020. Lot of memories made in that car, including taking our first born home from hospital to the sweet 6 cylinder soundtrack. It’s gone to live its next life as a daily driver stablemate to a z3m coupe.

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The €1,200 a year on motor tax was punchy enough, and when petrol crept above €2 a litre, with the car averaging 27mpg, it pushed me over the edge and it was time to say goodbye. I’ve lost the love for driving lately, and there are more affordable ways to not enjoy driving, so we’re trading my wife’s corsa in against a 4 year old approved used 1.6d vw touran (because something deep down inside me won’t agree with buying a soft roader).

It’s all the things I thought I’d never drive, but at €200 a year to tax, a 1.6d that does a claimed 64mpg, and enough room to get changed in after a bike/swimming race, I’m looking forward to the change. It’ll make life a lot easier getting the car seat and buggy in, and plenty of room for two greyhounds!

So anti it’s actually cool?

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Pfft, I like my Touran. Blacked-out rear windows and folded down rear seats means I can get changed for a race in privacy :)

I keep seeing things about the new GR-Corolla and now it's all I can think about. The GR-Yaris is super cool and I love the shape of the Corolla therefore it's even better - but at the moment it looks like it's US only and there's no plans to release it over here. Boo. (Not that I could really afford one anyway at the moment, but still.)

I'm with you, really like the GR-Corolla. Won't be coming here at all though.

I'm hoping it makes to Aus. Can't imagine why it wouldn't. I would have the gr Yaris in a heartbeat, but still need a useable hatchback with 5 doors.

anyone got any experience of getting learner driver insurance ? I'm looking to borrow my brother's car while he's away and looked at getting learner insurance from veygo, just wondered if there's anything to be mindful of ? I know I'd need to have L-plates, and be supervised by someone 21+ with a full driving licence which has been valid for 3 years.

Oddly it was cheaper for me to be the primary insured driver on our car despite having never passed. Apparently people who can't drive are more careful.

But yes, L plates on front and back and supervised and you can't go on motorways. Other than that it's terrifyingly easy