Technology on modern cars
Discussion
My recently aquired Volvo 'amazon' of 1968 vintage is fairly bereft of electronic technology, as you would expect. Although compared to my previous vintage car, 1928 Vauxhall, the volvo is fairly brimming with tech'. Servo brakes, reclining seats, electric windscreen wipers and washers and it goes on.
My BMW M3 of 2003 vintage is said to be also much about anologue motoring, certainly compared with the very latest model it is almost caveman transport! I exagerate of course but you get the picture.
Just where will this technology lead to ?
My BMW M3 of 2003 vintage is said to be also much about anologue motoring, certainly compared with the very latest model it is almost caveman transport! I exagerate of course but you get the picture.
Just where will this technology lead to ?
An interesting subject...
I reckon the next big developments will be in autonomous (self-driving) cars, and drivetrain technology.
I saw a chap from BMW on the TV last night suggesting that self-driving tech might be perfected by 2020/2021, and that autonomous vehicles would be commonplace on the roads by 2030.
As for drivetrains, think BMW i8 meets Tesla, for the masses (i.e. in your Fiesta, Focus, etc.)
I reckon the next big developments will be in autonomous (self-driving) cars, and drivetrain technology.
I saw a chap from BMW on the TV last night suggesting that self-driving tech might be perfected by 2020/2021, and that autonomous vehicles would be commonplace on the roads by 2030.
As for drivetrains, think BMW i8 meets Tesla, for the masses (i.e. in your Fiesta, Focus, etc.)
Dreary daily diesel cars are very efficient, but who in their right mind would be up and about at 0500hrs on a summer morning to drive the things through choice? The same probably applies to them electric cars. More tech = ideal for the M25 but where's the involvement and the interest?
For those of us who remember summer and winter oil changes it is the distance between service intervals that astonishes. Just look at the Mobil 1 experiment where they ran a BMW engine for one million miles and there was no wear. And when did you hear of someone getting out the grease gun? I still run on 20/50 though. My car is 55 years old yet has discs all roundand incredibly it CA do 0-140 in top gear with a bit of clutch-slipping to start with. Many of today's standard things were invented a century ago, like the Mitsubishi balancer shaft was introduced by Lanchester before the first world war.
I agree. Refinement over the last 50year of notoring is probably the biggest change to date. I have a big petrol lexus GS auto as a daily hack (although its 15+ years old now), and honestly I dont think ive been in a car thats been as quiet or comfy on a motorway cruising at 70mph.
Once the refinement had been nailed down in the mid naughties, car manufacturers started piling in tech goodies that were now feasible in a quieter, more comfortable cabin. Whilst the engine and drivetrain hasnt really seen a massive overhaul since the dawn of the IC, its now time to invest money in that, which is why we've seen the introduction of electric vehicles.
In reality, cars cant get that much more advanced in their current format
Once the refinement had been nailed down in the mid naughties, car manufacturers started piling in tech goodies that were now feasible in a quieter, more comfortable cabin. Whilst the engine and drivetrain hasnt really seen a massive overhaul since the dawn of the IC, its now time to invest money in that, which is why we've seen the introduction of electric vehicles.
In reality, cars cant get that much more advanced in their current format
V8 Fettler said:
Dreary daily diesel cars are very efficient, but who in their right mind would be up and about at 0500hrs on a summer morning to drive the things through choice? The same probably applies to them electric cars. More tech = ideal for the M25 but where's the involvement and the interest?
Based on no evidence whatsoever, I would suggest that this is what matters for the majority of car owners.crankedup said:
Ken555 said:
Caution Disk Brakes
crankedup said:
The mention of perfectly good cars written off due to electronic faults that cannot be fixed is of concern. Family member purchased a four year old car from dealer. Its been off road for six months whilst the electronic fault is fixed. Meanwhile dealer is suppling a loan car.
This is definitely the way things are going. Already starting to see it on cars like '04-ish Scenics with problems such as electronic parking brake failure and digital dash needing replacement. These issues cost more to put right than the car is worth, hence why they just get scrapped or stripped for parts instead!Think I'll stick to driving around in my old banger!
angels95 said:
crankedup said:
The mention of perfectly good cars written off due to electronic faults that cannot be fixed is of concern. Family member purchased a four year old car from dealer. Its been off road for six months whilst the electronic fault is fixed. Meanwhile dealer is suppling a loan car.
This is definitely the way things are going. Already starting to see it on cars like '04-ish Scenics with problems such as electronic parking brake failure and digital dash needing replacement. These issues cost more to put right than the car is worth, hence why they just get scrapped or stripped for parts instead!Think I'll stick to driving around in my old banger!
bearman68 said:
Send them to me.I can fix both (And at reasonable cost)
Your business is the future I would imagine, clean 'eat your breakfast off the floor' repairs environment. Men in white coats gazing at computer readouts. Good honest businesses will thrive such as your's I am sure. As always sadly a rich vein of cash flow for the dishonest and gullible customer.
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