The Best ///M/Barge/General Rant/Look at this/O/T(Vol XVIII)

[ATM]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Do I need to do this with my 981?

[tenfour]

Someone on Reader's Wives has just bagged this:



Brave pills required to even read the thread!

[joesnow]

aw, I'm pretty tempted by an R129.
I like the idea of one as a wafty cruiser to sit alongside the RS4 and the Alfa, don't know if I'm a bit young for one though at 35. I think even the 320 would be nice to own, and easier to work on, probably than the bigger engined cars. Just need somewhere to garage it!

[joesnow]

Did anyone get to look at that Box? The advert is down now.

[ferrisbueller]

tenfour said:

Someone on Reader's Wives has just bagged this:



Brave pills required to even read the thread!

Love it. Both the car and the courage.

[shirt]

the first 3 on the 'bad bits' list made me wince on his behalf!

[W00DY]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-FERRARI-F355-SPIDER...

Fantastically pretty. I recall an image (perhaps from Top gear mag), from when I was very small with a shot of one very similar outside a Ferrari's bakery that utterly captivated my young self. Can't find it now though so perhaps I'm mis-remembering some of the details.

I promised my self I would get one someday. Still working on it.

[Fresh Prince]

I recall the very same magazine issue from my childhood. I seem to recall it was a long termer? Anyway, that is why, short of a Macca F1, an F355 Spider in that hue would be a dream come true. Maybe one day.

[Pulse]

Threadists, assemble! I need your help. Looks like my MR2 has sold (within 2 days of listing it!)... So, after 2.5 years with it (my longest time with a car), I need to find a replacement. The trouble is... I absolutely love my MR2. Over the last year especially, I have been properly learning how to drive it fast, and it's been fantastic fun!

So, what to replace it with? I ultimately have NO idea where to start, and have no criteria. This should be fun. I have a budget of an absolute maximum of £35k, but would prefer to be at a lot less than that if I can find something.

One thing I'd really love to do, as it's been on 'the list' for ages, is a classic Fiat 500. Not sure how much of a nightmare that'd be to own. Any experience? Alongside this, I've been thinking (as you'd need a normal car as well) something small and hatchy. I quite like the idea of the Audi S1 (I know, I know).

The other idea would be to replace the Fiat 500 for an Elise/Exige, and go cheaper on the hatch front; something like an Ibiza FR.

The other idea would be an 'all-in-one', like an E92 M3...

My head's all over the place. Help me threadists!

[jeremyc]

Pulse said:

My head's all over the place. Help me threadists!

S1 Elise



Don't limit yourself to a hatch as the second car, go for something much more practical.

RS4 Avant

[W00DY]

Pulse said:

Threadists, assemble! I need your help. Looks like my MR2 has sold (within 2 days of listing it!)... So, after 2.5 years with it (my longest time with a car), I need to find a replacement. The trouble is... I absolutely love my MR2. Over the last year especially, I have been properly learning how to drive it fast, and it's been fantastic fun!

So, what to replace it with? I ultimately have NO idea where to start, and have no criteria. This should be fun. I have a budget of an absolute maximum of £35k, but would prefer to be at a lot less than that if I can find something.

One thing I'd really love to do, as it's been on 'the list' for ages, is a classic Fiat 500. Not sure how much of a nightmare that'd be to own. Any experience? Alongside this, I've been thinking (as you'd need a normal car as well) something small and hatchy. I quite like the idea of the Audi S1 (I know, I know).

The other idea would be to replace the Fiat 500 for an Elise/Exige, and go cheaper on the hatch front; something like an Ibiza FR.

The other idea would be an 'all-in-one', like an E92 M3...

My head's all over the place. Help me threadists!

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Citroen-Dyane-ie-the-rev...

You're welcome.

[Scho]

jeremyc said:

S1 Elise



Don't limit yourself to a hatch as the second car, go for something much more practical.

RS4 Avant

Both those cars; serious want.

[ATM]

Scho said:

jeremyc said:

S1 Elise



Don't limit yourself to a hatch as the second car, go for something much more practical.

RS4 Avant

Both those cars; serious want.

I had a B6 S4. I found it a bit boring. Perhaps if I expand... I found the ride quite hard and the steering quite understeery. Is the RS that much better-er?

[tenfour]

ATM said:

I had a B6 S4. I found it a bit boring. Perhaps if I expand... I found the ride quite hard and the steering quite understeery. Is the RS that much better-er?

I'll let you into a little secret: I don't see what the fuss is about either. I found the B7 RS4 fairly pokey (but not OMGZ fast), nose heavy, understeery, woefully under-damped and too expensive for what it was. Decided to stick with my Z4M at the time. And I didn't rate that car much either.

For the money, I think a B8 S4 would be a far better tool.

[jeremyc]

ATM said:

I had a B6 S4. I found it a bit boring. Perhaps if I expand... I found the ride quite hard and the steering quite understeery. Is the RS that much better-er?

I haven't driven the B6 S4 so can't make a direct comparison, but the RS4 has a rear-biased split to the 4WD so hopefully is a little less understeery (it can certainly be oversteery if provoked ); the ride can seem hard but is very well controlled with the DRC dishing up some very capable handling, especially when the going gets twisty - did the S4 have DRC?

There's only one real answer: go try one.

[ATM]

jeremyc said:

ATM said:

I had a B6 S4. I found it a bit boring. Perhaps if I expand... I found the ride quite hard and the steering quite understeery. Is the RS that much better-er?

I haven't driven the B6 S4 so can't make a direct comparison, but the RS4 has a rear-biased split to the 4WD so hopefully is a little less understeery (it can certainly be oversteery if provoked ); the ride can seem hard but is very well controlled with the DRC dishing up some very capable handling, especially when the going gets twisty - did the S4 have DRC?

There's only one real answer: go try one.

My S4 just had basic dampers with no switches or gizmos. I still keep thinking about an M3 saloon but I'd miss my estate boot. Maybe it will be the inevitable 335d touring.

Edit - what about an M135i

Has the hatchback and can be fun. One on ebay now with Quaife lsd fitted.

[ATM]

M135i with LSD 2014 64 plate

Classified Ad

15,780 miles

£19,995.00

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322213519652

[tenfour]

ATM said:

M135i with LSD 2014 64 plate

Classified Ad

15,780 miles

£19,995.00

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322213519652

Still looks like an orthopaedic shoe, but I like the cut of its jib.

[Output Flange]

tenfour said:

I'll let you into a little secret: I don't see what the fuss is about either. I found the B7 RS4 fairly pokey (but not OMGZ fast), nose heavy, understeery, woefully under-damped and too expensive for what it was. Decided to stick with my Z4M at the time. And I didn't rate that car much either.

For the money, I think a B8 S4 would be a far better tool.

Buy the B6 S4 makes a great camping car, right?

RS4 rear ARB helps quash some understeer. Ride shouldn't be uncomfortable - mine had new springs, dampers and bushes during my tenure and was perfectly pliant.

Even with new and uprated bits, taking it round the Bedford GT circuit was a case of (very) slow in, fast out. Comparable to an M3 in lap time, not comparable to an M3 for finesse or enjoyment.

[Pulse]

Fantastic suggestions so far, thanks all!

Jeremy - Yep, had considered the S1 Elise route. Either buying a really well-sorted one, or buying one at sub-£10k, and putting maybe £5k into making it pretty nice. I don't think you'll lose money on a well-sorted £15k Elise over time.

Not particularly keen on the RS4. It's a great car, and one which I've loved for a long time, but at the same money I couldn't look past the E92 M3.

Woody - The Aston idea would be my first choice, but I don't think I can afford to buy a good one, or run it properly. As a close second best, I have been looking at Lotus Evoras, and may test drive one next week. P.S. The Citroen looks fantastic. I imagine I'd be beating the women away in that thing!

ATM - The M135i is hugely accomplished, but (to me at least) it's one of the most boring cars to look at. Whatever I get has to look nice (which is of course subjective, since I like the Audi S1!). If I were to go down that route, it'd be the M235i.

Please do keep the suggestions coming. I think I am going to feel very sad when my car gets driven away.