The Best ///M/Barge/General Rant/Look at this/O/T(Vol XVIII)
Discussion
Fast Bug said:
JLR can't compete as they don't have the budget too, MB spend £10m a day on research for passenger cars division alone
That budget is speed across a much greater range of models though. And the niches within niches that are being shoe horned in spreads it thinner.JLR demonstrably does have the budget to compete but only at certain points in the market.
Much of it is irrelevant to me as I would struggle to create a list of contemporary cars I'd actually want. Could probably extrapolate that back to circa 2007 or earlier.
This thread has always been the refuge for those who don't follow the herd in their automotive white goods. As long as we're a small enough minority we'll conceal ourselves in the margins and avoid legislative changes which force us to give up our primitive ways.
I'm rather hoping that will be far enough off in the future not to be of too much concern right now.
Not sure you'd fit in it?
I've been watching a few of Jay Leno's garage videos. They're a bit repetitive (Leno says the same thing over and over in different videos) but there's no denying the quality of the metal. Been working my way through the Lamborghini back catalogue; some proper loveliness in there.
I've been watching a few of Jay Leno's garage videos. They're a bit repetitive (Leno says the same thing over and over in different videos) but there's no denying the quality of the metal. Been working my way through the Lamborghini back catalogue; some proper loveliness in there.
Much agreement with most of the above sentiments last few days. Was in an 400i Donk today cica 1980-ish Twin everything from oil filters to distributors airflow meters etc. Lovely Scuro blue with crema hide and blue lambs wool rugs replete with Michelin TRX's of only 13 or 14" diameter. Original radio, huge wheel and lovely thin rim, oh and a 3 speed auto........couldn't care less. On the cool-o-meter, off the scale, dynamically? probably hopeless and owner suggests 8mpg (on a good day...) 
He wants an E type, but not in replacement of the 400, because just no. The 400 was far from perfect, but over the modern kit? We think maybe 3 in Scotland or thereabouts and it oozed that thing. He owns more much 'better' cars but his feelings you could tell were for that one.
.......Oh and the Cerbera passed it'd MOT today with no advisories.....
after I'd put the Cats and the full size plate back on....
Sticky.
ps, just replaced the Brabus E class with an A7 BiTdi, and 8 days later its already doing my head in....
He wants an E type, but not in replacement of the 400, because just no. The 400 was far from perfect, but over the modern kit? We think maybe 3 in Scotland or thereabouts and it oozed that thing. He owns more much 'better' cars but his feelings you could tell were for that one.
.......Oh and the Cerbera passed it'd MOT today with no advisories.....
after I'd put the Cats and the full size plate back on....Sticky.
ps, just replaced the Brabus E class with an A7 BiTdi, and 8 days later its already doing my head in....
Love the E, would probably just about take a D type over it. It’s the sound as much as the looks, a race prepped jag of that period gracefully drifting through the Porsche curves is a lovely thing for the eyes and ears.
Also, just seen the 919 Evo lap Brands in........ 38 seconds... madness.
Also, just seen the 919 Evo lap Brands in........ 38 seconds... madness.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
x100, and, despite this, the Germans are increasingly churning out hideous, pointless, undesirable cars - what must Sacco think when he sees the total shat Gorden Wagener is doing? Not just MB either - Audi and BMW design has indisputably gone to the dogs too. And, yet, there’s a very willing audience...Edited by NomduJour on Sunday 2nd September 20:59
Looks wise it's difficult to say. There was definitely more diversity. And given everything rather looks the same, manufacturers don't appear to be trying to differentiate their products. Maybe this is a consequence of modern branding and consumerism. The vast majority of people, I would guess, don't buy a car primarily based on its abilities.
Older people who I talk to have different criteria about "good cars" and are more impressed with the overall competence and reliability of cars now, rather than comparing their appearances with their historical equivalents.
When you look at old articles and things, it's tricky to define the shifts. Ford shook things up with the Sierra. Was there another game changer between that and Bangle?
There was a point, 20-ish years ago, where one could start taking a decent level of reliability and competence for granted, which may be the point at which the rot set in with respect to the brand and image issue.
Older people who I talk to have different criteria about "good cars" and are more impressed with the overall competence and reliability of cars now, rather than comparing their appearances with their historical equivalents.
When you look at old articles and things, it's tricky to define the shifts. Ford shook things up with the Sierra. Was there another game changer between that and Bangle?
There was a point, 20-ish years ago, where one could start taking a decent level of reliability and competence for granted, which may be the point at which the rot set in with respect to the brand and image issue.
Cheburator mk2 said:
barchetta_boy said:
LOL @ FLATUS
I'm in a funny mood re cars... maybe it's do to with turning 42... kind of fed up with everything. If I could be bothered I would sell the 928, the E46 M3 and the 12C Spider and just keep the 993RS clone. Maybe buy a new Alpine. And a Range Rover to waft about in
Hmm,I'm in a funny mood re cars... maybe it's do to with turning 42... kind of fed up with everything. If I could be bothered I would sell the 928, the E46 M3 and the 12C Spider and just keep the 993RS clone. Maybe buy a new Alpine. And a Range Rover to waft about in
Similar here - I have lost most interest in cars. About 12mths ago I started riding a MTB. I used to be nuts about mountain bikes, but for one reason or another I stopped for about 10yrs.
Anyhow, I bought a trail bike and I would think that I have put more miles on it riding in Wales/England and the Balkans over the last 12mths than on my GT3!
Unlike Joel I would never sell my 928GTS 5-spd and the M3. The GT3 - if I find something interesting to replace it like a properly prepped ‘Vette would probably go...
I've also put more miles this year on the MTB than any of the 'interesting' stuff in the fleet - smiles per mile on mountain trails, and even the local woods, is currently greater than the thought of blatting the GT3 on the roads. Maybe it's the decent spell of weather but I'd much rather be out on a bicycle
Having had offers for a couple of the fleet I've been seriously thinking of letting most of them go. Just keep the Elise, the SL and the Transit Custom, which gets the most miles of all, with or without the bike in the back!
I think if I had to choose a modern at the moment it would be a 190bhp Mercedes Vito Sport van
Hold the headlines: Shock report: bunch of old guys nursing their virtual pints in a quiet bit of the internet prefer old cars to new!!
I think around 1988 was the high point design-wise for me (with a few more recent exceptions). But it has crossed my mind that that was also the year I learned to drive. Coincidence?
I also have a view that most good songs were written before about 1976 so what would I know?!
I think around 1988 was the high point design-wise for me (with a few more recent exceptions). But it has crossed my mind that that was also the year I learned to drive. Coincidence?
I also have a view that most good songs were written before about 1976 so what would I know?!
rejn said:
Hold the headlines: Shock report: bunch of old guys nursing their virtual pints in a quiet bit of the internet prefer old cars to new!!
I think around 1988 was the high point design-wise for me (with a few more recent exceptions). But it has crossed my mind that that was also the year I learned to drive. Coincidence?
I also have a view that most good songs were written before about 1976 so what would I know?!
Haha,I think around 1988 was the high point design-wise for me (with a few more recent exceptions). But it has crossed my mind that that was also the year I learned to drive. Coincidence?
I also have a view that most good songs were written before about 1976 so what would I know?!
I actually really like some of the current MB offerings - like the E/S/G under AMG intervention and AMG GT. Audi RS6/7 in certain colours also sneak in. Not a single BMW gets a look in except M6GCP, but that has been stopped now. And ask Joel - cut me and I would normally bleed blue and white despite the Porsches.
On a slightly more serious note - yes, “old” blokes don’t like new cars shocker, but I think it’s a bit deeper than that. I honestly think that between 1990 and 2000 for example there was a genuine choice between the Big Three from Germany for example. Today, they are all amazing cars (objectively speaking), yet they are all the same, hence our lack of “appreciation” for their abilities.
Final point - I remember when BMW launched the X5 and how much emphasis was put on its ability to be almost as good as a 5-Series handling wise etc. When BMW unveiled the new X5 about 3mths ago, they spent the same amount of time talking about the cooling/heating cup holders and the gear lever made of crystal glass... Enough said, I think...
NomduJour said:
ferrisbueller said:
Looks wise it's difficult to say.
It’s genuinely poor design - fake vents, fake exhausts, pointless creases - anti-intellectual “style”-over-design. “Premium” is leather with french seams and some brushed metal trim now, not actual design integrity.Cheburator mk2 said:
Haha,
I actually really like some of the current MB offerings - like the E/S/G under AMG intervention and AMG GT. Audi RS6/7 in certain colours also sneak in. Not a single BMW gets a look in except M6GCP, but that has been stopped now. And ask Joel - cut me and I would normally bleed blue and white despite the Porsches.
On a slightly more serious note - yes, “old” blokes don’t like new cars shocker, but I think it’s a bit deeper than that. I honestly think that between 1990 and 2000 for example there was a genuine choice between the Big Three from Germany for example. Today, they are all amazing cars (objectively speaking), yet they are all the same, hence our lack of “appreciation” for their abilities.
Final point - I remember when BMW launched the X5 and how much emphasis was put on its ability to be almost as good as a 5-Series handling wise etc. When BMW unveiled the new X5 about 3mths ago, they spent the same amount of time talking about the cooling/heating cup holders and the gear lever made of crystal glass... Enough said, I think...
I've been doing a fair mileage lately and the bland similarity of 95%+ of cars on the road is borderline depressing. Today's excitement was due to a Saab 900. A solitary beacon in a sea of tedium.I actually really like some of the current MB offerings - like the E/S/G under AMG intervention and AMG GT. Audi RS6/7 in certain colours also sneak in. Not a single BMW gets a look in except M6GCP, but that has been stopped now. And ask Joel - cut me and I would normally bleed blue and white despite the Porsches.
On a slightly more serious note - yes, “old” blokes don’t like new cars shocker, but I think it’s a bit deeper than that. I honestly think that between 1990 and 2000 for example there was a genuine choice between the Big Three from Germany for example. Today, they are all amazing cars (objectively speaking), yet they are all the same, hence our lack of “appreciation” for their abilities.
Final point - I remember when BMW launched the X5 and how much emphasis was put on its ability to be almost as good as a 5-Series handling wise etc. When BMW unveiled the new X5 about 3mths ago, they spent the same amount of time talking about the cooling/heating cup holders and the gear lever made of crystal glass... Enough said, I think...
The convergence of Audi/BMW/Merc offerings has been mentioned before. We were worrying about differentiation between Alpina and ///M. I fear we're farther gone than that.
stickylabels said:
Much agreement with most of the above sentiments last few days. Was in an 400i Donk today cica 1980-ish Twin everything from oil filters to distributors airflow meters etc. Lovely Scuro blue with crema hide and blue lambs wool rugs replete with Michelin TRX's of only 13 or 14" diameter. Original radio, huge wheel and lovely thin rim, oh and a 3 speed auto........couldn't care less. On the cool-o-meter, off the scale, dynamically? probably hopeless and owner suggests 8mpg (on a good day...)
He wants an E type, but not in replacement of the 400, because just no. The 400 was far from perfect, but over the modern kit? We think maybe 3 in Scotland or thereabouts and it oozed that thing. He owns more much 'better' cars but his feelings you could tell were for that one.
.......Oh and the Cerbera passed it'd MOT today with no advisories..... after I'd put the Cats and the full size plate back on....
Sticky.
ps, just replaced the Brabus E class with an A7 BiTdi, and 8 days later its already doing my head in....
You had a Brabus E class? He wants an E type, but not in replacement of the 400, because just no. The 400 was far from perfect, but over the modern kit? We think maybe 3 in Scotland or thereabouts and it oozed that thing. He owns more much 'better' cars but his feelings you could tell were for that one.
.......Oh and the Cerbera passed it'd MOT today with no advisories.....
after I'd put the Cats and the full size plate back on....Sticky.
ps, just replaced the Brabus E class with an A7 BiTdi, and 8 days later its already doing my head in....
That interests me because they also tinkered with mine
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