E61 V8 Bearding

[philmots]

Does that replace the air?

[ATM]

philmots said:

Does that replace the air?

It has 4 springs in the box I believe. Although I've not actually decided if I want to replace it. I've never put anything really heavy in the boot and I can't imagine doing so. Surely a good old coil spring is better than an air bag?

[philmots]

I'd say so...

Think the levelling is good if you're towing more than owt else.

[ATM]

philmots said:

I'd say so...

Think the levelling is good if you're towing more than owt else.

I dont have a tow bar.

[hornetrider]

Pffft. Tow bar ftw.

In other news, I've figured out a way of mitigating running a V8 for 27k miles a year.

Lease an i3 for about half the cost of my fuel bills

[dom9]

Yeah but then you're driving an i3 and not a large capacity, petrol V8... like a man.

[hornetrider]

Have you driven one? I did, yesterday. It was fugging excellent.

[dom9]

hornetrider said:

Have you driven one? I did, yesterday. It was fugging excellent.

No, I have no interest whatsoever! It could drive like a 205 GTI (we both know it doesn't) and I still wouldn't be interested as it is incredibly ugly and electric... the antithesis of what I want from a car.

God, I sound like cmoose

[hornetrider]

The point is the tech is amazing and it'll cost me less to lease than the price of my petrol. There'll be almost no fuel cost. Therefore I won't run the V8 into the ground doing 100 mile a day commute, it can become a garage queen that I can polish and stuff and use on weekends. Can't remember the last time I properly polished/detailed it.

[dom9]

Hey man, if it preserves the V8 but you still get to use it; I guess we need to be supportive of that!

I'm certainly interested in the carbon tech they've used but the electrickery - not so much!

Pics when you pic it up - would be interested in your thoughts re. Real world performance.

[VerySideways]

A friend of mine leased an i3 and the saving on fuel on his V8 M3 paid for the lease.
I was really impressed with the i3 too, cracking little car (despite the looks!).

He's now bought an MP4, so clearly the savings plan worked

[philmots]

ATM said:

I dont have a tow bar.

Then I doubt you'll miss it

[ATM]

This is the generic argument / discussion for a cheap run about. You could get a 120d and still get similarly low running costs surely?

[philmots]

hornetrider said:

The point is the tech is amazing and it'll cost me less to lease than the price of my petrol. There'll be almost no fuel cost. Therefore I won't run the V8 into the ground doing 100 mile a day commute, it can become a garage queen that I can polish and stuff and use on weekends. Can't remember the last time I properly polished/detailed it.

I don't particularly like the i3, mainly it's looks..

But see your point fully, and if the numbers work then why not? If it means you can keep the man car..

[hornetrider]

ATM said:

This is the generic argument / discussion for a cheap run about. You could get a 120d and still get similarly low running costs surely?

Electric costs are about 2 quid tops for 80 odd miles. Or free from ecotricity. Plus the car's interior is absolutely fantastic. It is also very refined at speed and of course around town. It is a lightweight trick showcase of awesome tech. But will of course be used as a tool to rack up miles and the looks are challenging, but hey its a post modern uber design right.

A 120D will sound like st, rattle like fk and average what, 60mpg? Plus it'll be a dullsville 1 series in and out. Meh. A thousand times meh.

Edited by hornetrider on Thursday 18th February 13:09

[jboy72]

hornetrider said:

New door?

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=1...

I bought exactly that one. I hope it is as "good" as it looks in the pictures. Only marginally cheaper to sort it this way but it all helps....

[ATM]

jboy72 said:

ATM said:

I had the same thing 2 weeks ago. This is pre-wash. I'm now left with a gouge below by the light and some damage to the bumper.

It is annoying isn't it.

What is particularly annoying for me is that my £500 Alfa is 16 years old and yet has the body of a 3 year old whilst my poor old BMW seems to constantly suffer unwanted attention from other road users..... Not fair.

The e46 got bashed again outside the house this weekend. This time the front corner. Wing pushed in and the indicator smashed. I'm trying not to think about it and I'm also moving house.

The Bus is having its Bilstein kit fitted.

Edited by ATM on Thursday 13th September 21:29

[hornetrider]

Mmm, rusty hubs. Lol.

Good work though. Looking forward to hearing your feedback on how the ride is

[jboy72]

Another MOT pass - no advisories! Annoyingly and very strangely the car drove home somewhat erratically following said test. By which I mean the classic steering wheel shimmy under light braking. Coincidence???? It certainly took the gloss off the pass. As luck would have it I dropped the car off this morning anyway for the door replacement and 4 wheel refurb and mentioned this as I thought a proper balance after the refurb might sort it (the only thing I could think might have caused the car to drive ok pre MOT and not OK after other than inspector error was a wheel balancer dropping off). The mechanic looked at front discs and said they appeared very worn and thought them the likely culprit. I drive says they have 10000s of miles left. Obviously a visual inspection will always trump a computer but I wondered whether others have had to replace discs or pads out of sync with what the I drive tells you?

[Mr E]

To cheer the BMW V8 owners up, and on a related MOT note.
The Merc has just failed. On the nearside indicator repeater not working.

Normally, this would be a new bulb, but as it's a module embedded in the mirror housing it's a new mirror instead. All of it.
Grrrr.