The cars and bikes thread!

[Samanator]

I’m torn between replacing the Z4 or just fixing the issues with it (some dents from vandalism, a little freshening up faded paint and badges, potential hydraulic leak with the top) and buying something like a generation or two old GTI as a daily/winter car and just cutting my losses on the Z4, selling it as is, and trying to buy something that’s closer to a “do it all” kind of car. Which irks me, because I’ve always been a “two cars are better than one” type of person; I value focus over attempting to be a jack of all trades. But, the reality of it is that it’s expensive to run two cars, especially in a world where I barely drive anywhere at the moment and don’t really have a place to keep a second car unless I stash one at my mother’s house. Although, something like an E93 M3 with a proper manual could ease the pain of losing a proper sports car experience.

I’ll be honest, over the last few years, I’ve felt a little…I don’t know, exposed, I guess, in my Z4. Whereas I used to love every aspect of driving with the top down, recent events, including both country-wide, and personal, not limited to yelled comments, remarks, and threats have left me feeling the need for something perhaps a little less flashy, or where I’m a little less noticeable. Sadly, the reality these days is that I feel a need to protect myself. The compliments I used to get are rarer than before, the stares more nefarious, attempts at intimidation more common. I finally see the value in a hardtop convertible; it allows me to not feel so guilty when driving with the top up, if I so choose. A little anonymity doesn’t feel so boring anymore.

I think it has more to do with location than vehicle. Where I live everyone would think you are just one of the many doctor's or lawyer's here. In this case one of those would be true. Additionally there are many places here to enjoy any sporty car. If that would happen to be a Porsche about every other weekend at the Sebring Raceway you could have a track day.

I'm very glad I decided to keep my XK-8. It's not the back road scalpel the F-type was but it's one of the last few Jaguar's that exhibit the traditional Jaguar values of excellent handling that does not compromising ride while being wrapped in the luxury of soft leather and wood. It is such a pleasure to cruise in it with the top down on a sunny day. It's also one of the few convertible GT that you can take even your wife's idea of luggage for a 3 day weekend.

Watching some of the Daniel Craig Bond movies I also miss my 2006 XJ-R which seemed to be M's ride in those. Everything I said about the XK-8 applied to that minus the top down, but adding about 175 extra hp and aircraft arrester cable brakes. if it didn't have such a shallow trunk for such a large car I would still have it. I guess my point is you can have a good time in either type of car. Neither can be boring if you enjoy them. Sadly Jaguar stopped building both of these and the last generations of each were not as good as the previous one IMO(we had both generation of each).

[WWII70]

https://www.motor1.com/news/567225/d...as-faster/amp/



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[happyscrappyheropup]

I’ve actually started to have the E90 family M3 creep into my brain lately. Mostly been thinking about the sedan, but I could be convinced to go for a convertible. I need to do my research, though. I don’t know much about common issues/pitfalls/etc.

Like the late Porsche 911 996 and 997.1 IMS issues, the S65 V8 in the E9x M3 (and the S85 V10 in the M5/6 of the same era) has rod bearing issues that can crop up. Usually caused by hammering on the car when it's cold, but when buying a used car it's tough to know how it was treated before you owned it. Other than that, throttle actuators can be an issue (the S65 has 8 individual throttle bodies - the sound is amazing!), as well as diff noise. I think those are the 3 most common. The big deal is the rod bearings, it's useful to have a good ownership history and a Blackstone oil analysis before you buy something.

https://bringatrailer.com/bmw/e90-e92-m3/

On BaT, low mileage E9x M3s with 3 pedals are going for mid 30s-50k+, depending on options, mileage, color, carfax status (accidents), and modifications. A low mileage stock Competition E92 with a clean carfax and a positive Blackstone report is obviously the most desirable, but you will pay a lot in this market.

If you're swapping vehicles in this market you will get top dollar for your car but you are going to pay a lot for something new(er).

[geoffbot]

https://www.motor1.com/news/567225/d...as-faster/amp/



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When I got caught speeding I was doing 81 in a 70. That's like the minimum you can get done for in the uk. Pathetic. Almost wish I was doing more.

[geoffbot]

I’m torn between replacing the Z4 or just fixing the issues with it (some dents from vandalism, a little freshening up faded paint and badges, potential hydraulic leak with the top) and buying something like a generation or two old GTI as a daily/winter car and just cutting my losses on the Z4, selling it as is, and trying to buy something that’s closer to a “do it all” kind of car. Which irks me, because I’ve always been a “two cars are better than one” type of person; I value focus over attempting to be a jack of all trades. But, the reality of it is that it’s expensive to run two cars, especially in a world where I barely drive anywhere at the moment and don’t really have a place to keep a second car unless I stash one at my mother’s house. Although, something like an E93 M3 with a proper manual could ease the pain of losing a proper sports car experience.

I’ll be honest, over the last few years, I’ve felt a little…I don’t know, exposed, I guess, in my Z4. Whereas I used to love every aspect of driving with the top down, recent events, including both country-wide, and personal, not limited to yelled comments, remarks, and threats have left me feeling the need for something perhaps a little less flashy, or where I’m a little less noticeable. Sadly, the reality these days is that I feel a need to protect myself. The compliments I used to get are rarer than before, the stares more nefarious, attempts at intimidation more common. I finally see the value in a hardtop convertible; it allows me to not feel so guilty when driving with the top up, if I so choose. A little anonymity doesn’t feel so boring anymore.

Buy a range rover, diamond necklace and a gun, people will think you're a dealer and won't shout shit at you. Best defensive is a good offence etc.

[Raza]

Like the late Porsche 911 996 and 997.1 IMS issues, the S65 V8 in the E9x M3 (and the S85 V10 in the M5/6 of the same era) has rod bearing issues that can crop up. Usually caused by hammering on the car when it's cold, but when buying a used car it's tough to know how it was treated before you owned it. Other than that, throttle actuators can be an issue (the S65 has 8 individual throttle bodies - the sound is amazing!), as well as diff noise. I think those are the 3 most common. The big deal is the rod bearings, it's useful to have a good ownership history and a Blackstone oil analysis before you buy something.

https://bringatrailer.com/bmw/e90-e92-m3/

On BaT, low mileage E9x M3s with 3 pedals are going for mid 30s-50k+, depending on options, mileage, color, carfax status (accidents), and modifications. A low mileage stock Competition E92 with a clean carfax and a positive Blackstone report is obviously the most desirable, but you will pay a lot in this market.

If you're swapping vehicles in this market you will get top dollar for your car but you are going to pay a lot for something new(er).

Thanks! This is a good jump off point for my research. I appreciate it!

[Raza]

Like the late Porsche 911 996 and 997.1 IMS issues, the S65 V8 in the E9x M3 (and the S85 V10 in the M5/6 of the same era) has rod bearing issues that can crop up. Usually caused by hammering on the car when it's cold, but when buying a used car it's tough to know how it was treated before you owned it. Other than that, throttle actuators can be an issue (the S65 has 8 individual throttle bodies - the sound is amazing!), as well as diff noise. I think those are the 3 most common. The big deal is the rod bearings, it's useful to have a good ownership history and a Blackstone oil analysis before you buy something.

https://bringatrailer.com/bmw/e90-e92-m3/

On BaT, low mileage E9x M3s with 3 pedals are going for mid 30s-50k+, depending on options, mileage, color, carfax status (accidents), and modifications. A low mileage stock Competition E92 with a clean carfax and a positive Blackstone report is obviously the most desirable, but you will pay a lot in this market.

If you're swapping vehicles in this market you will get top dollar for your car but you are going to pay a lot for something new(er).

Would something like this actually help the rod bearing issue?
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-be-beari...527hkstds65~b/

[happyscrappyheropup]

Would something like this actually help the rod bearing issue?
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-be-beari...527hkstds65~b/

Yes. Some people change them as a preventative measure, it's not as bad a job as it sounds. The rod bearings on the V8 and V10 can be changed with the engine in the car.

My '08 M3 has 27k miles and a clean Blackstone oil analysis, I'm just keeping an eye on it. I had an M5 with the S85 and no issues when I sold it around 75k miles, but some have failures much sooner and others never - a friend of mine is over 100k on his '08 M5 with original rod bearings.

[Raza]

As much as I’d love an E90 M3, the 08-14 STI might be my best choice. But damn would I rather have an E90 M3.

[geoffbot]

Why would an sti be better?