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

Revisiting the not shit looking single DIN DAB headunit upgrade options.

Requirements:
DAB radio with simple pre-sets (most likely to be using windscreen mounted aftermarket aerial)
Good quality Bluetooth audio connection to stream Spotify (android and i phone)
Ability to receive and make calls
Not compulsory but CD, built in mic and rear USB would be added bonuses

Budget around £200 so that rules out the Bremen. These don't look bad but i'm not sure if the Bluetooth audio streaming would allow me to use Spotify via an Android phone and how good Blaupunkt audio quality is (currently using a Kenwood which is very good)?

https://www.incarconnections.co.uk/blaupunkt-car-stereos-car-radios/blaupunkt-essen-200-dab-bt-in-car-radio-with-dab-radio-bluetooth-cd-usb-mp3-aux-inputs.html

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blaupunkt-Barcelona-200-DAB-BT-black/dp/B08S4596LQ

Some Googlefu on current Blaupunkt gear suggests it's below par in terms of sound quality

Not sure on what model you’d want but a pal put this continental in her e30 and it looks great. She has no CD, just DAB/Bluetooth, sadly the one with CD does look a bit busier.

https://www.continental-automotive.com/en-gl/Trucks-Buses/Interior-Cabin/Infotainment/Radios/FM-AM-Radio-with-CD-USB-Bluetooth

it's nice to think that someone else is going to put it to good use and get lots of smiles out of it. probably best to just think of that. such a great car.

Thanks, always liked the look of the continental/VDO range but not sure how they stack in terms of sound/usability. Be nice if when streaming Spotify via Bluetooth i could see what's playing and scroll (easily) between playlists. Currently the only way i can change playlist is to stop and select on my phone.

Buying a used car for the second time ever, current is an 07 Golf 2.0 TDI that we got for £400 or something off a family friend (best deal ever?). Might keep it too.

I now want to get a bigger car and it's between an A4 Avant TDI (16/17) or BMW 3 series touring. I've already had the "why don't you get a Skoda/VW" comments. As estates are generally mile munchers i am keen not to buy a dud.

Apart from timing belts/water pumps is there anything I should be looking out for?

Favouring the A4 at the moment as the cockpit just looks amazing.

What age/year BMW? And what’s a ballpark price? Any particular mileage you’re looking for? ULEZ? I assume diesel if Mike munching is the intended use. Auto or manual?

we need photos of this E30 :)

So near yet so far awaiting more coolant hose bends and shapes to complete the rerouting of hoses, but front going back together .
Having previously mounting the fan so neatly, with the engine out, with the engine now in it hits the crank pulley ffs so I have had to lift it 10mm and turn at a 30degree angle🙄
Re-taped the loom and routed in position and fitted the bumper and spoiler ♥️
& test fit of air flow meter clearance to the master cylinder

https://flic.kr/p/2nSZAV5

Shit luck about the fan, but looks like it’s cracking on now!

No great photos of the e30, this photo is about 2 years old from when she bought it.
Ignore the dent on the door, lol.

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Hoo hoo !! Another lonely Italian come to live at my house!
What have I done, that’s now 5 at the moment anyway!

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Nice car. Health to drive. Did you employ a photographer to take the pic?😀

I am trying harder , I did mean it to a bit blurry.

Group buy anyone?

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I’m finding the ride of the Model Y incredibly jarring. I read reports of this in reviews but didn’t expect it to be quite as jolting as it is. Anything to be done?

16 inch steelies and 50 section tyres

👍🏼

Wow - I was in Aspen over the weekend where it was 18 degrees and pure sunshine. Pyramid Peak isn't that far away is it?

Nevermind - different Pyramid Peak

This gets good reviews.

It's definitely the thing I hate about the car.

Yeah, or Kienzle for old Benz's

What size wheels and tyres does it have?
It's stupid that a car of that size and purpose rides badly.

And @Soul err, spending on coilovers to fix the suspension on a brand new car is stupid.

@umop3pisdn suggestion is actually a good one

Failing that .. go buy a Citroen C5x...

You haven't experienced the wonder of the Tesla Model Y suspension...

They're heavy though.

There's no way they are 16", the smallest you'll fit on a Model Y is probably 18" due to the caliper size.

@Tenderloin If you see what size wheels and tyres you've got now, you can plug different 18" tyre sizes in this calculator https://www.willtheyfit.com/ to work out what will keep a similar diameter.

Googling suggests the standard 19" wheels and tyres are 19x9.5 and 255/45 R19.

Trying an 18x9 with a 255/50 R18 gives almost the exact same diameter (0.01% error) and a little bit cheaper cost. However, the tyres available in that size aren't as good performance as they are the Michelin Primacy 4 and I believe Tesla fit Michelin Pilot Sport 4 or 5 as standard. Tyre manufacturers won't make all of their tyre models in all sizes.

If you accept a -3.5% speedo error (acceptable to me), you could fit 255/55 R18 tyres which are a more common size due to being OEM size on many manufacturers' models. This makes them more plentiful and therefore much cheaper at £150-170 fitted rather than £250 as your current tyres are. They're also available in lots of different premium brands and tread patterns. With tyres, less popular sizes actually end up more expensive because they can't make as many of them - basic economises of scale.

With that reduced cost of tyres, you could find some nice sensible looking and more lightweight wheels, which will help with the ride quality and probably sell your nearly new wheel and tyre package and break even.

That will be the most economic way of improving ride quality, messing around with coilovers and spring rates will send you down a 3-5k warranty-voiding hole.

Thanks this is helpful. Mine has Hankook tyres.
I'm obviously a total n00b but I was pretty shocked at how bad the ride quality is vs the XC60 - with the above is it going to give a much better ride or just slightly? Or do I just sell it and get something else :/