The Best ///M/Barge/General Rant/Look at this/O/T(Vol XIX)
Discussion
ferrisbueller said:
Cheburator mk2 said:
Cool as f
k
E30 running gear underneath
But bespoke bodywork and no idea on parts availability. BMW have become more and more arsey of late with regards to their classic line up. NLA is cropping up far too often with regards to parts for my liking. Even the E46 is beginning to suffer...
BMW seem to be losing the plot.kE30 running gear underneath
But bespoke bodywork and no idea on parts availability. BMW have become more and more arsey of late with regards to their classic line up. NLA is cropping up far too often with regards to parts for my liking. Even the E46 is beginning to suffer...
jeremyc said:
can't remember ever hearing anyone extolling their dynamic characteristics or virtues as a drivers' car. 
I've only ever seen them at car meets and in pub car parks with owners posing with the "doors" down. At which they excel.
I've only ever seen them at car meets and in pub car parks with owners posing with the "doors" down. At which they excel.
Hi jeremy
I guess that about sums it up!
I had a quick look at parts availability and it does seem poor - that car looks like it needs a new roof plus an interior refresh so probably not a good option.
Just to give you an idea about BMW and parts availability for older cars...
I am putting new conrod bearings in an early E46 M3 - it uses M11 bolts, which arent anything special. Given that the car was already subject to a recall back in the mid 2000s I thought it would be prudent to change the conrod bolts eventhough they aren't stretch to yield, and BMW specifically say that can should be re-used. My thinking was - they used to cost £25 for 12, small price to pay for an even bigger peace of mind. Turns out, BMW have discontinued the bolt and they have 60 left in Germany. The cost of ONE bolt - £112! Yes, one bolt!
But we have X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 and FWD 1-series, and FWD 2-series active tourer and all electric X3 so all is good...
I am putting new conrod bearings in an early E46 M3 - it uses M11 bolts, which arent anything special. Given that the car was already subject to a recall back in the mid 2000s I thought it would be prudent to change the conrod bolts eventhough they aren't stretch to yield, and BMW specifically say that can should be re-used. My thinking was - they used to cost £25 for 12, small price to pay for an even bigger peace of mind. Turns out, BMW have discontinued the bolt and they have 60 left in Germany. The cost of ONE bolt - £112! Yes, one bolt!
But we have X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 and FWD 1-series, and FWD 2-series active tourer and all electric X3 so all is good...
Fast Bug said:
Porsche are excellent for having a back catalogue for their older cars. I was ordering some bits for my old 924 and I asked about a back box for it. Yeah no worries was the reply, it will need to come from Germany though, is that OK?
I have a 944/928/GT3 so I am well versed... Hats off to them - more than 95% of both the 944 and 928 are still available and 100% of the GT3. Some prices are well... pricey... like the £3k for my 3d gearset which is straight off the 993 GT2 race car, but I have never seen Porsche charge £112 for a single M11x1.25 bolt!Cheburator mk2 said:
Just to give you an idea about BMW and parts availability for older cars...
I am putting new conrod bearings in an early E46 M3 - it uses M11 bolts, which arent anything special. Given that the car was already subject to a recall back in the mid 2000s I thought it would be prudent to change the conrod bolts eventhough they aren't stretch to yield, and BMW specifically say that can should be re-used. My thinking was - they used to cost £25 for 12, small price to pay for an even bigger peace of mind. Turns out, BMW have discontinued the bolt and they have 60 left in Germany. The cost of ONE bolt - £112! Yes, one bolt!
But we have X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 and FWD 1-series, and FWD 2-series active tourer and all electric X3 so all is good...
Assume the aftermarket ones people used back in the day are still available and more reasonable? I am putting new conrod bearings in an early E46 M3 - it uses M11 bolts, which arent anything special. Given that the car was already subject to a recall back in the mid 2000s I thought it would be prudent to change the conrod bolts eventhough they aren't stretch to yield, and BMW specifically say that can should be re-used. My thinking was - they used to cost £25 for 12, small price to pay for an even bigger peace of mind. Turns out, BMW have discontinued the bolt and they have 60 left in Germany. The cost of ONE bolt - £112! Yes, one bolt!
But we have X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 and FWD 1-series, and FWD 2-series active tourer and all electric X3 so all is good...
I concluded a while ago that I'm not in BMW's target demographic.
ferrisbueller said:
Assume the aftermarket ones people used back in the day are still available and more reasonable?
I concluded a while ago that I'm not in BMW's target demographic.
£195 for a set of 12 ARP bolts which are much better/stronger than the OEM bolts, especially if you are plannig to race the engine... Not exactly cheap, but BMW going from £2-3 per bolt to £112 is just daft. The bolts aren't special either - they are never torqued to stretch - just 8.8 grade torx head...I concluded a while ago that I'm not in BMW's target demographic.
As for being in their target demographic - I used to be, and was quite happy to be there I guess when the company was producing driver focused cars. Now, I have no idea what their target demographic is, and I don't think they are bothered about "us" - the older school generation. I keep saying it - look at the E46 M3 CSL and how it took the fight to the 996GT3, how the E53 X5 defined a whole segment, how the E39 M5 had no real alternative if you wanted a luxury, continent crushing sedan. And now?! A 2-series Gran Coupe?!!
It's a shame to read the above.
I remember when Mobile Tradition was a paragon for parts supply for the older cars.
It's also stupid, as the values of Classic BMWs are very buoyant, surely they are just turning away trade?
So what if front wings for an E24 were £700, they rot for fun and you could get the genuine part,
Danny Bahar isn't over there now is he?
I remember when Mobile Tradition was a paragon for parts supply for the older cars.
It's also stupid, as the values of Classic BMWs are very buoyant, surely they are just turning away trade?
So what if front wings for an E24 were £700, they rot for fun and you could get the genuine part,
Danny Bahar isn't over there now is he?
Fast Bug said:
MB are meant to be really good on classic parts. They charge a fortune, but you can get hold of a lot of things
BMW are notorious for liquidating whole lines of parts. Back in the 1980s they sold off everything they had for the M1 to a German engineer who now is Mr M1. Now they have sold off the E46 M3 CSL wheels to yet another German business and you cannot get them for no love nor money. Until 3yrs ago you could not get E30 M3 rear wings, until they relented and made some. The E46 M3 CSL boot lids went from £675 to £2500 overnight. No shortage of them, they just put them up. Word is that the E46 M3 front wings will also become NLA very soon - lots of rusty cars now that some are 20yrs old - the stock in Germany is dwindling and Parks have been told most likely it won’t be replenished. And yet only recently I ordered some parts for a 1979 928 Manual and had them delivered in 3 days from Germany! P.S. As for the M2 CS - it’s nice, but it’s not fit to be in the same sentence as an E46 M3 in terms of its standing amongst its peers and yes, at £75k my money would go on a 996 GT3/Cayman GT4/AMG GT-S/430/R8V10 etc.
Edited by Cheburator mk2 on Friday 21st May 00:07
esoteric thread resurrection.
I'd quite like a McLaren 12C. When they came out I thought they were a bit bland, but the looks are really growing on me.
This one sold on Collecting Cars a few months back for c.£65k (incl. premium).
I'm a bit of a sucker for a blue car, so that does it for me.
I'd quite like a McLaren 12C. When they came out I thought they were a bit bland, but the looks are really growing on me.
This one sold on Collecting Cars a few months back for c.£65k (incl. premium).
I'm a bit of a sucker for a blue car, so that does it for me.
They seem to be very hit and miss on both reliabilty and how good the dealers are. A chap I know has a newer one (not sure which one, they all look the same to me!), and he loves it and hasn't had a spot of bother with it. Another friend had one and couldn't wait to get shot of it, he said it was one of the worst cars he'd ever owned. There doesn't seem to be any middle ground, they do go well though
Last Friday was my first time on track for about five years, and in something I bought specifically for the trackday for under £1000 including fettling.
And (ignoring the fact it was dog-slow on the straights) it was a riot!
Properly quick through the corners, and really adjustable on the brakes.
It's given me the hurry-up to get my E28 race car back together.
And (ignoring the fact it was dog-slow on the straights) it was a riot!
Properly quick through the corners, and really adjustable on the brakes.
It's given me the hurry-up to get my E28 race car back together.
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