The Best ///M/Barge/General Rant/Look at this/O/T(Vol XVIII)
Discussion
from me!It's my 40th birthday today. What better way to spend it than popping into Romans, where I bought my 12C and checking out their lovely black 12C Spider. I also drove their Ferrari FF which is my wild card to replace my 12C if I don't get the Spider.
The FF has an engine to die for, a stunning interior and drives nicely (was wet and some traffic so I couldn't really push it). Where it falls down is the chassis. Felt like driving a boat after the Mac. Also the instrumentation graphics and general switchgear were poor. Stuff like that matters to me. The car had 22k miles on it, and you could tell it wasn't new, slight stretching of the leather on the door cards - so quality of materials not quite up to the McLaren. But that engine. I would like to get one some day (or a 612) and fulfil a dream of driving down to the Alps with the whole family.
Next I called in at Bell & Colville to drive an Exige V6, a car I have wanted to try for years. In this case a brand new Sport 350. Now this almost felt like what I imagine would come out of Woking if they made a fly-weight sports car. Fantastic chassis, very heavy control weights, particularly gear change, which once I'd mentally recalibrated I really enjoyed. The engine is exactly what the reviews say, workmanlike but gets the job done. Feels like a seriously quick car.
The flaws with the Exige were ergonomic. The seat back is non-adjustable - ok fair enough but so is the steering column, and the wheel felt set very low to me, which in turn made me feel like I was sitting on the car rather than in it.
I couldn't heel and toe because my knees hit the steering column, unless I put the seat really far back. Then I feel like the steering wheel is too far away from me. But maybe this is just me. The car felt, as I thought it would, like a more grown up version of my S1 Elise with a whole lot more shove. Overall, based on a first drive, really nice package but somehow didn't tempt me to buy. A car I would rather hire or borrow than own.
Nice to be out driving the Mac (even in the rain), especially as I took both my sons out in it for the first time. Spending the rest of the day preparing for my party tomorrow - just had 2 firkins of Larkins traditional ale delivered. Better get them tapped...
Have a good weekend all
Joel
The FF has an engine to die for, a stunning interior and drives nicely (was wet and some traffic so I couldn't really push it). Where it falls down is the chassis. Felt like driving a boat after the Mac. Also the instrumentation graphics and general switchgear were poor. Stuff like that matters to me. The car had 22k miles on it, and you could tell it wasn't new, slight stretching of the leather on the door cards - so quality of materials not quite up to the McLaren. But that engine. I would like to get one some day (or a 612) and fulfil a dream of driving down to the Alps with the whole family.
Next I called in at Bell & Colville to drive an Exige V6, a car I have wanted to try for years. In this case a brand new Sport 350. Now this almost felt like what I imagine would come out of Woking if they made a fly-weight sports car. Fantastic chassis, very heavy control weights, particularly gear change, which once I'd mentally recalibrated I really enjoyed. The engine is exactly what the reviews say, workmanlike but gets the job done. Feels like a seriously quick car.
The flaws with the Exige were ergonomic. The seat back is non-adjustable - ok fair enough but so is the steering column, and the wheel felt set very low to me, which in turn made me feel like I was sitting on the car rather than in it.
I couldn't heel and toe because my knees hit the steering column, unless I put the seat really far back. Then I feel like the steering wheel is too far away from me. But maybe this is just me. The car felt, as I thought it would, like a more grown up version of my S1 Elise with a whole lot more shove. Overall, based on a first drive, really nice package but somehow didn't tempt me to buy. A car I would rather hire or borrow than own.
Nice to be out driving the Mac (even in the rain), especially as I took both my sons out in it for the first time. Spending the rest of the day preparing for my party tomorrow - just had 2 firkins of Larkins traditional ale delivered. Better get them tapped...
Have a good weekend all
Joel
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I'd assume a lot was still done for the £7k though.
Edit: here's a price guide- http://www.hartech.org/rebuild-prices
Edited by Patrick Bateman on Friday 19th August 18:07
Rocket - you can justify it as less time / money spent at someone else's garage surely? 
Joel - happy sportieth smurfday sir. sounds like a good one so far. I alighted on your post partly because a Ferrari FF passed me at the station this morning. Silver, expensive 4 character private plate. I only clocked it because I heard something flutey and latinate stalking behind me. Looks good if huge. Silver not flattering either to my eyes. Enjoy the 12C and the firkins (ir)responsibly!
Joel - happy sportieth smurfday sir. sounds like a good one so far. I alighted on your post partly because a Ferrari FF passed me at the station this morning. Silver, expensive 4 character private plate. I only clocked it because I heard something flutey and latinate stalking behind me. Looks good if huge. Silver not flattering either to my eyes. Enjoy the 12C and the firkins (ir)responsibly!
S3_Graham said:
O/T picked up my M140 a few weeks ago. Enjoying it very much! Certainly a car that can do a bit of everything and making a very good daily 
Just been reading specs on these. Main difference from 135 is the water cooled intercooler for lower intake Temps. Probably a bit more boost too.Edited by S3_Graham on Thursday 4th August 17:29
My mate picked up a 135i yesterday and is loving it. One of my other friends had one and didn't like the auto box so went back to a 335i dct.
Is yours auto or man?
How you finding it?
For reasons I'm not entirely sure of, I've just returned home from acquiring this:
Just in time to miss their last race of the season (the 24 hour, this weekend).
However, I will say this: it's the right kind of ridiculous. No time today to do more than pick it up and take it for a couple of laps of the yard, and the E28 race car is in front of it in the queue of things needing attention, but other than a transponder and some tyres, this seems ready to race.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go sit in the corner and definitely not think about what I've done.
Just in time to miss their last race of the season (the 24 hour, this weekend).
However, I will say this: it's the right kind of ridiculous. No time today to do more than pick it up and take it for a couple of laps of the yard, and the E28 race car is in front of it in the queue of things needing attention, but other than a transponder and some tyres, this seems ready to race.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go sit in the corner and definitely not think about what I've done.
Output Flange said:
For reasons I'm not entirely sure of, I've just returned home from acquiring this:
Just in time to miss their last race of the season (the 24 hour, this weekend).
However, I will say this: it's the right kind of ridiculous. No time today to do more than pick it up and take it for a couple of laps of the yard, and the E28 race car is in front of it in the queue of things needing attention, but other than a transponder and some tyres, this seems ready to race.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go sit in the corner and definitely not think about what I've done.
Just in time to miss their last race of the season (the 24 hour, this weekend).
However, I will say this: it's the right kind of ridiculous. No time today to do more than pick it up and take it for a couple of laps of the yard, and the E28 race car is in front of it in the queue of things needing attention, but other than a transponder and some tyres, this seems ready to race.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go sit in the corner and definitely not think about what I've done.
Approved.
I can see Team Thread being formed for the 24 hour next year ... 
Output Flange said:
For reasons I'm not entirely sure of, I've just returned home from acquiring this:
Just in time to miss their last race of the season (the 24 hour, this weekend).
However, I will say this: it's the right kind of ridiculous. No time today to do more than pick it up and take it for a couple of laps of the yard, and the E28 race car is in front of it in the queue of things needing attention, but other than a transponder and some tyres, this seems ready to race.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go sit in the corner and definitely not think about what I've done.
C'est magnifique!!Just in time to miss their last race of the season (the 24 hour, this weekend).
However, I will say this: it's the right kind of ridiculous. No time today to do more than pick it up and take it for a couple of laps of the yard, and the E28 race car is in front of it in the queue of things needing attention, but other than a transponder and some tyres, this seems ready to race.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go sit in the corner and definitely not think about what I've done.
jeremyc said:
Output Flange said:
For reasons I'm not entirely sure of, I've just returned home from acquiring this:
Just in time to miss their last race of the season (the 24 hour, this weekend).
However, I will say this: it's the right kind of ridiculous. No time today to do more than pick it up and take it for a couple of laps of the yard, and the E28 race car is in front of it in the queue of things needing attention, but other than a transponder and some tyres, this seems ready to race.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go sit in the corner and definitely not think about what I've done.
Just in time to miss their last race of the season (the 24 hour, this weekend).
However, I will say this: it's the right kind of ridiculous. No time today to do more than pick it up and take it for a couple of laps of the yard, and the E28 race car is in front of it in the queue of things needing attention, but other than a transponder and some tyres, this seems ready to race.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go sit in the corner and definitely not think about what I've done.
Approved. I can see Team Thread being formed for the 24 hour next year ... 
Edited by L100NYY on Sunday 21st August 07:42
jeremyc said:
Output Flange said:
For reasons I'm not entirely sure of, I've just returned home from acquiring this:
Just in time to miss their last race of the season (the 24 hour, this weekend).
However, I will say this: it's the right kind of ridiculous. No time today to do more than pick it up and take it for a couple of laps of the yard, and the E28 race car is in front of it in the queue of things needing attention, but other than a transponder and some tyres, this seems ready to race.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go sit in the corner and definitely not think about what I've done.
Just in time to miss their last race of the season (the 24 hour, this weekend).
However, I will say this: it's the right kind of ridiculous. No time today to do more than pick it up and take it for a couple of laps of the yard, and the E28 race car is in front of it in the queue of things needing attention, but other than a transponder and some tyres, this seems ready to race.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go sit in the corner and definitely not think about what I've done.
Approved. I can see Team Thread being formed for the 24 hour next year ... Hadn't actually thought of this until the day but say you've arranged to see 2 cars within a few miles of each other and you 100% know you want the first one, is it best to still see the second one, knowing you're not going to buy it or phone the seller and apologise but not want to waste his time?
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I meant 100% after driving it. In the end I went to see both then put a deposit down on the Boxster subject to a pre-purchase inspection by Motortune.There's a slow leak from either the radiator or condenser at the front right which the seller pointed out (that I wouldn't have noticed). The air con is only slightly cool and not cold so we'll see what else Motortune find.
Liked it a lot though, felt special and the driving position is so much better than the 986. Shame the gearing is a bit long.
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