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

[dom9]

De-chav it and that would be awesome!

[Diesel Meister]

E24man said:

An M30B34/5 is a trusty lump, well worthy of the term 'bomb-proof', and well capable of pushing along an E23/4/8, E32/4 and even E30 to indecent speeds still. The issue is tuning them to anywhere near an M88; simply put, it can't be done for a road car. Alpina and Hartge got 260bhp-ish out of the M30 but it won't touch an M88 or S38 for howling pace unless you blow into it. I passed up the opportunity to obtain a pretty decent rhd 635CSi turbo last year, yet another one that 'got away'.

Oh I agree they are not remotely comparable to the M88 / S38 engines - I have no illusions about tuning up an M30! 210-230bhp is plenty with the torque on offer as well, tbf. You'd need to open it up to get more and that exponentially increases costs and complexity, both of which defeat the object of the full-fat boat anchor six in my opinion


ETA: I totally agree re. the lack of differentiation between Alpina offerings and BMWs in-house efforts. I was just having this discussion with another friend of mine recently and we agree that it is sad yet also inevitable. Alpina used to be the more refined, luxurious and unobtrusive option for the discerning (and well-heeled) schnell-meister; now BMWs M-division seems pretty happy to just do practically the same thing. As cmoose says, AMG seems at least to keep a sense of humour about super-saloon proceedings with daftly feral engines.

I think it's symptomatic of the general "convergence" (for want of a more accurate adjective) that is occurring in the motoring world - it feels like real choice (i.e. based on fundamentally different objectives, philosophical approaches and execution) is illusory these days as all cars are basically as competent as they can be and are becoming some amorphous agglomeration. Between technological development and bizarre legislative requirements, we're all being funneled down the "blown, flappy-paddled, bloat-couch" route to a degree. I exaggerate heinously for effect (again) but it's a depressing state of affairs imo, despite the fact there are still a few beacons (e.g. Caterhams, Loti and selected offerings from larger manufacturers, not to mention collective back-catalogue)

Edited by Diesel Meister on Tuesday 5th December 12:54

[dannyDC2]

I'm thinking of having a bid on this, unless anyone stops me.

E38 740i

Thoughts? Haven't owned a barge before and keep looking at LS400s, but then this popped up... Looks comfortable and the ABS fault doesn't concern me that much.

[ferrisbueller]

dannyDC2 said:

I'm thinking of having a bid on this, unless anyone stops me.

E38 740i

Thoughts? Haven't owned a barge before and keep looking at LS400s, but then this popped up... Looks comfortable and the ABS fault doesn't concern me that much.

If you search the threads these have been discussed a few times. Fuel tank is a recurring theme.

[Patrick Bateman]

I expect the Jaguar XF SV8 to be a proper bargain without ridiculous miles soon enough for someone after a 400bhp cruiser-

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Output Flange]

Patrick Bateman said:

I expect the Jaguar XF SV8 to be a proper bargain without ridiculous miles soon enough for someone after a 400bhp cruiser-

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Ever tried changing the air con temperature in an XF? Or the radio station? It's like trying to panic-delete your browsing history on a broken iPhone.

[Leins]

Chris944_S2 said:

With a bit of de-chaving this could make a phenomenal sleeper. According to the seller only one ever built as Coupe.
https://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id...

Hadn't realised they only built one of those, and if true it could do with going back to "standard" IMO too. Serious piece of hot-hatchery either way though



Never seen one for sale before though, or one of the ten AMG C32 versions either

[s m]

Leins said:

Chris944_S2 said:

With a bit of de-chaving this could make a phenomenal sleeper. According to the seller only one ever built as Coupe.
https://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id...

Hadn't realised they only built one of those, and if true it could do with going back to "standard" IMO too. Serious piece of hot-hatchery either way though



Never seen one for sale before though, or one of the ten AMG C32 versions either

I would like it even more if they'd have sourced a manual - just would seem to 'fit more' with the ethos of a crazy hot hatch ( like the K55 )

[Leins]

s m said:

I would like it even more if they'd have sourced a manual - just would seem to 'fit more' with the ethos of a crazy hot hatch ( like the K55 )

Very true. What was the largest engine available with a manual - 2.3L in the early 230k? Not sure if the 350 was auto-only?

And just while on the Brabus thing :

[ATM]

A Black FF just passed me on the M6. That is all.

[BuzzBravado]

I think i'm in love:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Immaculate-condition-Lo...

[braddo]

I went on a lotus-on-track track day at Spa a couple of weeks ago so there were quite a few V6 Exiges around, including a Cup 380 and Komotec-modded one sporting 460hp if the Deutsche reg plate was anything to go by. The Cup in particular looked pretty epic in the flesh when following it around, particularly given it's straight out of a manufacturer factory.

Another highlight was a couple of GT40s attending. I loved how one turned up:



This one had stickers from Le Mans Classique so does that mean it's an original, or can they race FIA-approved recreations? Very cool either way.

Edited by braddo on Wednesday 6th December 22:40

[braddo]

And in the new pits, in the stairwell leading up to the restaurant at the top floor, was this 3 metre photo.



Any thoughts on where the photo was taken? I can't picture a spot at Spa so am thinking a different circuit.

[Cheburator mk2]

braddo said:

I went on a lotus-on-track track day at Spa a couple of weeks ago so there were quite a few V6 Exiges around, including a Cup 380 and Komotec-modded one sporting 460hp if the Deutsche reg plate was anything to go by. The Cup in particular looked pretty epic in the flesh when following it around, particularly given it's straight out of a manufacturer factory.

Another highlight was a couple of GT40s attending. I loved how one turned up:



This one had stickers from Le Mans Classique so does that mean it's an original, or can they race FIA-approved recreations? Very cool either way.

Edited by braddo on Wednesday 6th December 22:40

They can race FIA approved recreations. We have several in the Spa Summer Classic. They do make an amazing roar down the old pit straight towards Eau Rouge

[Outrun]

W00DY said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1994-BMW-850-CSi-Indivi...

Thud.




https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1997-FERRARI-355-BERLIN...

Double thud.




*Googles how to get £150k in 9 days*

My driveway from last year. 355 now undergoing a full bare metal respray, CSi being prepped for sale and the B12 5.7 still very much an ongoing project.

Would love to replace the 850 with an E34 M5 but looks like I’ve missed the boat with them. Though did hear of an Avus blue, 120k mile, 3.8 5 speed sell for £7.5k on FB today.

Edited by Outrun on Wednesday 6th December 23:45

[SidewaysSi]

barchetta_boy said:

Picking it up end of next week. Rather excited

Is that Jackal's car? Thought he would never sell it..

[Outrun]

Found it. Looks like someone got a bargain despite the colour coded body kit.

[Scho]

Dear beards,

How would one spend 15K?

Matey in the market for something interesting. Needs to fit in normal single garage. 2nd car.

Feels to me like you could practically buy anything for that kind of budget. Now with this new fangled appreciation going on it seems you don't get an awful lot of choice.

All I can come up with is a 996 C2 or an e46 M3. E60 M5 won't fit.

Caterfield too focused, Too tall for an Elise.

Help much appreciated!

[ferrisbueller]

Outrun said:

Found it. Looks like someone got a bargain despite the colour coded body kit.

Ah yea. The fabled bargain M5.

[Output Flange]

Scho said:

Dear beards,

How would one spend 15K?

Matey in the market for something interesting. Needs to fit in normal single garage. 2nd car.

Feels to me like you could practically buy anything for that kind of budget. Now with this new fangled appreciation going on it seems you don't get an awful lot of choice.

All I can come up with is a 996 C2 or an e46 M3. E60 M5 won't fit.

Caterfield too focused, Too tall for an Elise.

Help much appreciated!

Rover P4 on nitrous, plus BUPA.