MDifficult’s E82 1M Coupe & Ariel Atom 3
Discussion
RB Will said:
Just checked with my mate and he assures me that as long as you use genuine BMW parts, the warranty will remain intact if an indy does the work.
And that isn’t just him saying that as an indy, he spent over a decade at Dick Lovett too.
That’s really interesting, thank you for the the info. I’ve checked the warranty policy info and it states:And that isn’t just him saying that as an indy, he spent over a decade at Dick Lovett too.
“All repairs must be carried out by an authorised BMW Retailer or BMW Service Workshop.”
I guess what’s unclear is the definition of the second thing. Does that mean any BMW Service Workshop? Or does that specifically mean one authorised by BMW. More digging required!
MDifficult said:
That’s really interesting, thank you for the the info. I’ve checked the warranty policy info and it states:
“All repairs must be carried out by an authorised BMW Retailer or BMW Service Workshop.”
I guess what’s unclear is the definition of the second thing. Does that mean any BMW Service Workshop? Or does that specifically mean one authorised by BMW. More digging required!
IIRC it just means any workshop/specialist that has some relationship with BMW (i.e. can update online service records etc)“All repairs must be carried out by an authorised BMW Retailer or BMW Service Workshop.”
I guess what’s unclear is the definition of the second thing. Does that mean any BMW Service Workshop? Or does that specifically mean one authorised by BMW. More digging required!
swistak said:
IIRC it just means any workshop/specialist that has some relationship with BMW (i.e. can update online service records etc)
Thanks - you may well be right!Craikeybaby said:
Is it one of those cases though, where in theory you can get the work done at "any approved garage", but BMW will make things difficult if you need any warranty work and servicing hasn't been done at one of their dealerships?
Yeah, agreed. Considering how smooth the warranty part of the most recent transaction was, that’s a worry. Long time, no update (well a long time for me anyway!).
Reason being... nothing to update really and, if I'm honest, kind of temporarily lost heart with the whole 'petrolhead' thing. The weather has been absolute dogsh*t so the Atom has just languished in the garage. Good weather always seemed to coincide with being busy and vice versa.
As for the 1M, I've hardly used it but had to do a few really long drudge drives over the last few weeks and the experience has been utterly dispiriting. The state of the roads, and the state of the driving, meant that time spent on the road seems to have gone from from one of life's pleasures to pain at best and outright fear at worse.
God help me, but I nearly (nearly) chopped both cars and bought a Golf. I think because I no longer commute every day, I just haven't realised how awful driving has got recently. Atrocious lane discipline, not just 50% of cars failing to keep left, but people wandering out of their lane into oncoming traffic. Pulling out without looking. Bump-parking FFS! Inappropriate use of speed (either unnecessarily dawdling or panic braking for no good reason, or driving like a c*nt in built up areas). It's getting to the point where I'm struggling to see the point of owning something 'nice' because either the road surface or some hopeless idiot is going to ruin it for you one way or another.
I even started looking seriously at classics instead - maybe a dose of nostalgia would reignite my interest.. E39 M5s and E30 325i Tourings have been piquing my interest even more than usual.. but not sure they're going to be any more enjoyable on today's roads, but at least they have the 'tinker' factor.
Thankfully, I didn't do something stupid and instead booked myself onto the upcoming Sunday Service at Thruxton and a spot on the skid pan. Nothing like time with other likeminded souls to hopefully lift me out of the seasonal gloom. Who knows.. if it's dry and they've not salted yet, I may even try the Atom on the skid pan
Roll on the spring - and long days so I can go back to driving while all the inattentive f*ckwits are in bed.
Reason being... nothing to update really and, if I'm honest, kind of temporarily lost heart with the whole 'petrolhead' thing. The weather has been absolute dogsh*t so the Atom has just languished in the garage. Good weather always seemed to coincide with being busy and vice versa.
As for the 1M, I've hardly used it but had to do a few really long drudge drives over the last few weeks and the experience has been utterly dispiriting. The state of the roads, and the state of the driving, meant that time spent on the road seems to have gone from from one of life's pleasures to pain at best and outright fear at worse.
God help me, but I nearly (nearly) chopped both cars and bought a Golf. I think because I no longer commute every day, I just haven't realised how awful driving has got recently. Atrocious lane discipline, not just 50% of cars failing to keep left, but people wandering out of their lane into oncoming traffic. Pulling out without looking. Bump-parking FFS! Inappropriate use of speed (either unnecessarily dawdling or panic braking for no good reason, or driving like a c*nt in built up areas). It's getting to the point where I'm struggling to see the point of owning something 'nice' because either the road surface or some hopeless idiot is going to ruin it for you one way or another.
I even started looking seriously at classics instead - maybe a dose of nostalgia would reignite my interest.. E39 M5s and E30 325i Tourings have been piquing my interest even more than usual.. but not sure they're going to be any more enjoyable on today's roads, but at least they have the 'tinker' factor.
Thankfully, I didn't do something stupid and instead booked myself onto the upcoming Sunday Service at Thruxton and a spot on the skid pan. Nothing like time with other likeminded souls to hopefully lift me out of the seasonal gloom. Who knows.. if it's dry and they've not salted yet, I may even try the Atom on the skid pan
Roll on the spring - and long days so I can go back to driving while all the inattentive f*ckwits are in bed.
If the weather holds out I should see you at the PH SS, will be in the Nomad. Won’t be on the skid pan as it goes sideways enough as is 
Looking at old BMs, you been watching Auto Alex? Much as I loved my E30 325is I think you would be disappointed stepping into one from your 1M, a nice E39 M5 should be ok though
Looking at old BMs, you been watching Auto Alex? Much as I loved my E30 325is I think you would be disappointed stepping into one from your 1M, a nice E39 M5 should be ok though
RB Will said:
If the weather holds out I should see you at the PH SS, will be in the Nomad. Won’t be on the skid pan as it goes sideways enough as is
Looking at old BMs, you been watching Auto Alex? Much as I loved my E30 325is I think you would be disappointed stepping into one from your 1M, a nice E39 M5 should be ok though
I’m seeing the attraction of the Nomad more and more - if this bloody weather carries on for 6 months I may have to swap! Looking at old BMs, you been watching Auto Alex? Much as I loved my E30 325is I think you would be disappointed stepping into one from your 1M, a nice E39 M5 should be ok though
I’ve absolutely been watching Auto Alex
sometimes it puts me off E30 Tourings and other times it makes the WANT even worse! I went to see a lovely E39 M5 at the weekend.. top of the market and beautiful but it had the double glazing and all of the panes had blows. But, everything else was fantastic. It could well be the route I go if I change.
Agreed. Get yourself a classic, and tinker with it while the weather is bad. My 30 year old E36 goes away when the weather is bad, I do the little jobs that mount up when driving it, and then enjoy it during the nicer months.
Many YouTubers will buy a crap example, as their livelihood relies on it. There will still be nice ones out there, and will be great for bumbling about on a nice day.
I also WFH, and still somehow cover 18,000 miles per year in my daily, and 2,000 in the weekend car. No clue how.
Many YouTubers will buy a crap example, as their livelihood relies on it. There will still be nice ones out there, and will be great for bumbling about on a nice day.
I also WFH, and still somehow cover 18,000 miles per year in my daily, and 2,000 in the weekend car. No clue how.
Glad you came back from the brink of packing up and taking up gardening 
Agree with you on the p*ss poor state of driving on the road and that is why i stick to track days for my fun .
Get out in the Atom at Thruxton and im sure you will come back to the fold of all things motorsport .
Agree with you on the p*ss poor state of driving on the road and that is why i stick to track days for my fun .
Get out in the Atom at Thruxton and im sure you will come back to the fold of all things motorsport .
MDifficult said:
Thankfully, I didn't do something stupid and instead booked myself onto the upcoming Sunday Service at Thruxton and a spot on the skid pan. Nothing like time with other likeminded souls to hopefully lift me out of the seasonal gloom. Who knows.. if it's dry and they've not salted yet, I may even try the Atom on the skid pan
I'm glad you had a change of heart. Maybe the weather doesn't help with the short days making things a bit gloomy? Anyway I might see you on the skid pan a I've booked on for that too.
JakeT said:
Agreed. Get yourself a classic, and tinker with it while the weather is bad. My 30 year old E36 goes away when the weather is bad, I do the little jobs that mount up when driving it, and then enjoy it during the nicer months.
Many YouTubers will buy a crap example, as their livelihood relies on it. There will still be nice ones out there, and will be great for bumbling about on a nice day.
I also WFH, and still somehow cover 18,000 miles per year in my daily, and 2,000 in the weekend car. No clue how.
The funny thing with the YouTubers is that they’re great for exposing what to look for to spot a snotter. I’m really coming around to the idea of a bit of a project - but would need to be a running, driving project or the Atom would have to go to make garage space. Many YouTubers will buy a crap example, as their livelihood relies on it. There will still be nice ones out there, and will be great for bumbling about on a nice day.
I also WFH, and still somehow cover 18,000 miles per year in my daily, and 2,000 in the weekend car. No clue how.
How on earth you’ve done 18k miles I’ll never know..
Kaveney said:
Glad you came back from the brink of packing up and taking up gardening
Agree with you on the p*ss poor state of driving on the road and that is why i stick to track days for my fun .
Get out in the Atom at Thruxton and im sure you will come back to the fold of all things motorsport .
Cheers mate - I was honestly shocked. It’s not just that people are driving badly but they don’t even seem to know. Standards have fallen so far that even the average driver is total sAgree with you on the p*ss poor state of driving on the road and that is why i stick to track days for my fun .
Get out in the Atom at Thruxton and im sure you will come back to the fold of all things motorsport .
thouse. Maybe I had two unlucky trips but I couldn’t believe it. I have so much sympathy for people who drive for a living - it must be exhausting these days. Mr Tidy said:
I'm glad you had a change of heart. Maybe the weather doesn't help with the short days making things a bit gloomy?
Anyway I might see you on the skid pan a I've booked on for that too.
Excellent! Last year on the snow was one of the most hysterical things I’ve ever done behind the wheel (and from the passenger seat) so hopefully it’ll do the job this time round Anyway I might see you on the skid pan a I've booked on for that too.
The skid pan is a good laugh, especially in something silly.
Got a slightly tricky layout going clockwise as there is a grippier patch of surface that you need to boot it through to stay sideways then goes mega slick so if you have gone 1% too much throttle round you go or you are going too fast sideways to make it round the corner and understeer off. Nothing to crash into though.
Got a slightly tricky layout going clockwise as there is a grippier patch of surface that you need to boot it through to stay sideways then goes mega slick so if you have gone 1% too much throttle round you go or you are going too fast sideways to make it round the corner and understeer off. Nothing to crash into though.
MDifficult said:
Long time, no update (well a long time for me anyway!).
Reason being... nothing to update really and, if I'm honest, kind of temporarily lost heart with the whole 'petrolhead' thing. The weather has been absolute dogsh*t so the Atom has just languished in the garage. Good weather always seemed to coincide with being busy and vice versa.
As for the 1M, I've hardly used it but had to do a few really long drudge drives over the last few weeks and the experience has been utterly dispiriting. The state of the roads, and the state of the driving, meant that time spent on the road seems to have gone from from one of life's pleasures to pain at best and outright fear at worse.
God help me, but I nearly (nearly) chopped both cars and bought a Golf. I think because I no longer commute every day, I just haven't realised how awful driving has got recently. Atrocious lane discipline, not just 50% of cars failing to keep left, but people wandering out of their lane into oncoming traffic. Pulling out without looking. Bump-parking FFS! Inappropriate use of speed (either unnecessarily dawdling or panic braking for no good reason, or driving like a c*nt in built up areas). It's getting to the point where I'm struggling to see the point of owning something 'nice' because either the road surface or some hopeless idiot is going to ruin it for you one way or another.
I even started looking seriously at classics instead - maybe a dose of nostalgia would reignite my interest.. E39 M5s and E30 325i Tourings have been piquing my interest even more than usual.. but not sure they're going to be any more enjoyable on today's roads, but at least they have the 'tinker' factor.
Thankfully, I didn't do something stupid and instead booked myself onto the upcoming Sunday Service at Thruxton and a spot on the skid pan. Nothing like time with other likeminded souls to hopefully lift me out of the seasonal gloom. Who knows.. if it's dry and they've not salted yet, I may even try the Atom on the skid pan
Roll on the spring - and long days so I can go back to driving while all the inattentive f*ckwits are in bed.
Can fully understand where you're coming from; it's gloomy out there currently and driving standards are horrific at best...Reason being... nothing to update really and, if I'm honest, kind of temporarily lost heart with the whole 'petrolhead' thing. The weather has been absolute dogsh*t so the Atom has just languished in the garage. Good weather always seemed to coincide with being busy and vice versa.
As for the 1M, I've hardly used it but had to do a few really long drudge drives over the last few weeks and the experience has been utterly dispiriting. The state of the roads, and the state of the driving, meant that time spent on the road seems to have gone from from one of life's pleasures to pain at best and outright fear at worse.
God help me, but I nearly (nearly) chopped both cars and bought a Golf. I think because I no longer commute every day, I just haven't realised how awful driving has got recently. Atrocious lane discipline, not just 50% of cars failing to keep left, but people wandering out of their lane into oncoming traffic. Pulling out without looking. Bump-parking FFS! Inappropriate use of speed (either unnecessarily dawdling or panic braking for no good reason, or driving like a c*nt in built up areas). It's getting to the point where I'm struggling to see the point of owning something 'nice' because either the road surface or some hopeless idiot is going to ruin it for you one way or another.
I even started looking seriously at classics instead - maybe a dose of nostalgia would reignite my interest.. E39 M5s and E30 325i Tourings have been piquing my interest even more than usual.. but not sure they're going to be any more enjoyable on today's roads, but at least they have the 'tinker' factor.
Thankfully, I didn't do something stupid and instead booked myself onto the upcoming Sunday Service at Thruxton and a spot on the skid pan. Nothing like time with other likeminded souls to hopefully lift me out of the seasonal gloom. Who knows.. if it's dry and they've not salted yet, I may even try the Atom on the skid pan
Roll on the spring - and long days so I can go back to driving while all the inattentive f*ckwits are in bed.
My pal finishes his UK Government contract work in Germany come Feb 2024; his E39 M5 is still in bits (over there and here at his home); but the bodywork has been completed; the chassis & shell are as new now. Engine nearly rebuilt etc
He's selling all his cars from Jan 2024 and will be using the E39 M5 solely (he's not selling his E91 320D due to it being really high miles and dead; but he'll fix that and use it for a workhorse again etc)
But like you he's had enough (only slightly); he doesn't want the hassle, more so with his more powerful cars (classic Subaru & Evo, Skyline R33, Porsche 997) and he's already got a colleague that wants his KTM xBow etc
And re AutoAlex; his 325i touring is amazing; but feck it needs so much work its scary...
Wanted one ever since Edd China worked on the blue one in an early'ish ED episode
RB Will said:
The skid pan is a good laugh, especially in something silly.
Got a slightly tricky layout going clockwise as there is a grippier patch of surface that you need to boot it through to stay sideways then goes mega slick so if you have gone 1% too much throttle round you go or you are going too fast sideways to make it round the corner and understeer off. Nothing to crash into though.
I almost managed one full lap (slalom down the hill, round the bottom and back up) when it was snow-covered last year, so I've high hopes if it's just wet! Love the idea of doing it in a Ram though Got a slightly tricky layout going clockwise as there is a grippier patch of surface that you need to boot it through to stay sideways then goes mega slick so if you have gone 1% too much throttle round you go or you are going too fast sideways to make it round the corner and understeer off. Nothing to crash into though.
d_a_n1979 said:
Can fully understand where you're coming from; it's gloomy out there currently and driving standards are horrific at best...
My pal finishes his UK Government contract work in Germany come Feb 2024; his E39 M5 is still in bits (over there and here at his home); but the bodywork has been completed; the chassis & shell are as new now. Engine nearly rebuilt etc
He's selling all his cars from Jan 2024 and will be using the E39 M5 solely (he's not selling his E91 320D due to it being really high miles and dead; but he'll fix that and use it for a workhorse again etc)
But like you he's had enough (only slightly); he doesn't want the hassle, more so with his more powerful cars (classic Subaru & Evo, Skyline R33, Porsche 997) and he's already got a colleague that wants his KTM xBow etc
And re AutoAlex; his 325i touring is amazing; but feck it needs so much work its scary...
Wanted one ever since Edd China worked on the blue one in an early'ish ED episode
I whittled down the entire world of classics to those two cars (E39 M5 and E30 Touring) My pal finishes his UK Government contract work in Germany come Feb 2024; his E39 M5 is still in bits (over there and here at his home); but the bodywork has been completed; the chassis & shell are as new now. Engine nearly rebuilt etc
He's selling all his cars from Jan 2024 and will be using the E39 M5 solely (he's not selling his E91 320D due to it being really high miles and dead; but he'll fix that and use it for a workhorse again etc)
But like you he's had enough (only slightly); he doesn't want the hassle, more so with his more powerful cars (classic Subaru & Evo, Skyline R33, Porsche 997) and he's already got a colleague that wants his KTM xBow etc
And re AutoAlex; his 325i touring is amazing; but feck it needs so much work its scary...
Wanted one ever since Edd China worked on the blue one in an early'ish ED episode
I watched some of Alex's E30 being welded up on the Yorkshire Car Restoration channel.. it's bad, but not as bad as Matt Armstrong's 6 series! Again though, weirdly it's making my desire for the E30 stronger, not weaker. RB Will said:
For the E30 fans.
If it had been a tourer I may well still have it. I swapped it out for a Legacy Spec B tourer when my dog got a bit big for the back seat of the E30
One of the Nomad guys has got his E30 M3 for sale at the mo if that is of interest
I just love the shape of the E30 Touring vs coupe, saloons and convertibles.. even the M3. Blue, Green or Red for me I think. But.. I think it's best to wait for the spring and see how I'm feeling about it all then. Plus.. I don't have to crawl under any old BMWs in the freezing cold and wet!If it had been a tourer I may well still have it. I swapped it out for a Legacy Spec B tourer when my dog got a bit big for the back seat of the E30
One of the Nomad guys has got his E30 M3 for sale at the mo if that is of interest
MDifficult said:
The funny thing with the YouTubers is that they’re great for exposing what to look for to spot a snotter. I’m really coming around to the idea of a bit of a project - but would need to be a running, driving project or the Atom would have to go to make garage space.
How on earth you’ve done 18k miles I’ll never know..
Also a good point. Some years ago, E30Zone was a great source of information, when E30s were just cars, before all being collectible blue chip investments. Having to sell the Atom would be sad, though.How on earth you’ve done 18k miles I’ll never know..
I think I live in the same area as you (between Reading and Newbury currently), and it’s a minimum 10 mile trip to do anything, even down to Theale station when I do go into work occasionally (or drive to Richmond). We also drove to Sweden… And a separate trip to Belgium… And another to The Netherlands… and various to Cornwall, Wales and the Midlands.
In terms of standard of driving you’re right, but not being a ‘road warrior’ anymore means we’re not out when driving standards are up, like on the M40 on a weekday afternoon. Even years ago, I wouldn’t travel on a bank holiday, or at peak times during holidays as all of the crap drivers are out in force.
Also, it’s not just the UK where it’s bad anyway, Belgians are still crap (although they have better lane discipline), and the knights of the road that are Germans aren’t all that many here crack them up to be. Especially in urban areas.
All of that said, I still enjoy driving over most other forms of transport. We usually drive, as while we enjoy the actual act of flying (especially if turning left), the faff that goes with it has got so bad for lots of trips it’s quicker, and more convenient to take the car. Plus BA can’t lose my sodding bag if we drive.
I’d recommend escaping this island to fall back in love with the drive, honestly. This time of year is the best time to make plans. We’re skiing next year, and taking the car. The extended family are flying, so double win. Then, we’re either heading to Portugal and Spain, or maybe Croatia and back. I can guarantee you’ll not only appreciate the act of driving, but also your cars much more. Taking a 1M on a good trip would be amazing, and would re-ignite the fire.
MDifficult said:
Long time, no update (well a long time for me anyway!).
Reason being... nothing to update really and, if I'm honest, kind of temporarily lost heart with the whole 'petrolhead' thing. The weather has been absolute dogsh*t so the Atom has just languished in the garage. Good weather always seemed to coincide with being busy and vice versa.
As for the 1M, I've hardly used it but had to do a few really long drudge drives over the last few weeks and the experience has been utterly dispiriting. The state of the roads, and the state of the driving, meant that time spent on the road seems to have gone from from one of life's pleasures to pain at best and outright fear at worse.
God help me, but I nearly (nearly) chopped both cars and bought a Golf. I think because I no longer commute every day, I just haven't realised how awful driving has got recently. Atrocious lane discipline, not just 50% of cars failing to keep left, but people wandering out of their lane into oncoming traffic. Pulling out without looking. Bump-parking FFS! Inappropriate use of speed (either unnecessarily dawdling or panic braking for no good reason, or driving like a c*nt in built up areas). It's getting to the point where I'm struggling to see the point of owning something 'nice' because either the road surface or some hopeless idiot is going to ruin it for you one way or another.
I even started looking seriously at classics instead - maybe a dose of nostalgia would reignite my interest.. E39 M5s and E30 325i Tourings have been piquing my interest even more than usual.. but not sure they're going to be any more enjoyable on today's roads, but at least they have the 'tinker' factor.
Thankfully, I didn't do something stupid and instead booked myself onto the upcoming Sunday Service at Thruxton and a spot on the skid pan. Nothing like time with other likeminded souls to hopefully lift me out of the seasonal gloom. Who knows.. if it's dry and they've not salted yet, I may even try the Atom on the skid pan
Roll on the spring - and long days so I can go back to driving while all the inattentive f*ckwits are in bed.
I sympathise with this, as I think we all go through these thoughts from time to time. I had my Elise SORN’d for October as we were away for a bit, work was busy, and I couldn’t foresee it coming out of the garage, so I promised myself it would come out in November…..well, every occasion I wanted to use it, it has pissed down so I have given up until the Spring! Reason being... nothing to update really and, if I'm honest, kind of temporarily lost heart with the whole 'petrolhead' thing. The weather has been absolute dogsh*t so the Atom has just languished in the garage. Good weather always seemed to coincide with being busy and vice versa.
As for the 1M, I've hardly used it but had to do a few really long drudge drives over the last few weeks and the experience has been utterly dispiriting. The state of the roads, and the state of the driving, meant that time spent on the road seems to have gone from from one of life's pleasures to pain at best and outright fear at worse.
God help me, but I nearly (nearly) chopped both cars and bought a Golf. I think because I no longer commute every day, I just haven't realised how awful driving has got recently. Atrocious lane discipline, not just 50% of cars failing to keep left, but people wandering out of their lane into oncoming traffic. Pulling out without looking. Bump-parking FFS! Inappropriate use of speed (either unnecessarily dawdling or panic braking for no good reason, or driving like a c*nt in built up areas). It's getting to the point where I'm struggling to see the point of owning something 'nice' because either the road surface or some hopeless idiot is going to ruin it for you one way or another.
I even started looking seriously at classics instead - maybe a dose of nostalgia would reignite my interest.. E39 M5s and E30 325i Tourings have been piquing my interest even more than usual.. but not sure they're going to be any more enjoyable on today's roads, but at least they have the 'tinker' factor.
Thankfully, I didn't do something stupid and instead booked myself onto the upcoming Sunday Service at Thruxton and a spot on the skid pan. Nothing like time with other likeminded souls to hopefully lift me out of the seasonal gloom. Who knows.. if it's dry and they've not salted yet, I may even try the Atom on the skid pan
Roll on the spring - and long days so I can go back to driving while all the inattentive f*ckwits are in bed.
Driving generally has been pretty uninspiring since our Indian summer came to an abrupt end 6 weeks ago and it does provoke thoughts of boring diesels to carry out long motorway trips for work, but I’m holding off for the time being!
Point of the post is, don’t sell either car, certainly not right now. I’m sure everything will come good soon, and you’ll be pleased you hung on to them. Here’s to Spring (and a good day for PHSS at Thruxton)!
MDifficult said:
d_a_n1979 said:
Can fully understand where you're coming from; it's gloomy out there currently and driving standards are horrific at best...
My pal finishes his UK Government contract work in Germany come Feb 2024; his E39 M5 is still in bits (over there and here at his home); but the bodywork has been completed; the chassis & shell are as new now. Engine nearly rebuilt etc
He's selling all his cars from Jan 2024 and will be using the E39 M5 solely (he's not selling his E91 320D due to it being really high miles and dead; but he'll fix that and use it for a workhorse again etc)
But like you he's had enough (only slightly); he doesn't want the hassle, more so with his more powerful cars (classic Subaru & Evo, Skyline R33, Porsche 997) and he's already got a colleague that wants his KTM xBow etc
And re AutoAlex; his 325i touring is amazing; but feck it needs so much work its scary...
Wanted one ever since Edd China worked on the blue one in an early'ish ED episode
I whittled down the entire world of classics to those two cars (E39 M5 and E30 Touring) My pal finishes his UK Government contract work in Germany come Feb 2024; his E39 M5 is still in bits (over there and here at his home); but the bodywork has been completed; the chassis & shell are as new now. Engine nearly rebuilt etc
He's selling all his cars from Jan 2024 and will be using the E39 M5 solely (he's not selling his E91 320D due to it being really high miles and dead; but he'll fix that and use it for a workhorse again etc)
But like you he's had enough (only slightly); he doesn't want the hassle, more so with his more powerful cars (classic Subaru & Evo, Skyline R33, Porsche 997) and he's already got a colleague that wants his KTM xBow etc
And re AutoAlex; his 325i touring is amazing; but feck it needs so much work its scary...
Wanted one ever since Edd China worked on the blue one in an early'ish ED episode
I watched some of Alex's E30 being welded up on the Yorkshire Car Restoration channel.. it's bad, but not as bad as Matt Armstrong's 6 series! Again though, weirdly it's making my desire for the E30 stronger, not weaker. I Always get the blues this time of year with the Caterham and get the itchy “it’s a lot of money to be sat in the garage doing nothing” feeling, every year so far like clockwork it’s starts coming on!
Fully agree’d with the state of the roads and driving these days, but what has been a real revelation to me has been buying the Alfa Romeo, honestly it’s 90% as fun as the Caterham and it’s only 85bhp. It’s fantastic actually being able to scream through multiple gears all the way to 6000+ rpm, feel like you are going 10/10th and you are barely bothering 60mph. Whereas in the Caterham you really can only enjoy the car in split second bursts on the road, probably similar to the Atom. I highly recommend trying a classic, I honestly never thought you could have fun in a really slow car until now. I’m fully converted!
Fully agree’d with the state of the roads and driving these days, but what has been a real revelation to me has been buying the Alfa Romeo, honestly it’s 90% as fun as the Caterham and it’s only 85bhp. It’s fantastic actually being able to scream through multiple gears all the way to 6000+ rpm, feel like you are going 10/10th and you are barely bothering 60mph. Whereas in the Caterham you really can only enjoy the car in split second bursts on the road, probably similar to the Atom. I highly recommend trying a classic, I honestly never thought you could have fun in a really slow car until now. I’m fully converted!
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