Pics of your Fast Estate...
Discussion
Onehp said:
A bit of a project, trying to reconcile sports car with a family estate, always a compromise of sorts but I did quite well, and having both along at any time is rather invaluable. Worth sharing for those that like the idea, this thread seemed the right place.
Bought new because couldn't find a manual 2nd hand (not UK), which was one big reason for this choice. The other two are low weight (for the space, near 600l boot) and a good basis for modification as there is a huge community and number of parts available.
So it's 1410kg kerb and handles quite well from the off.
But it was a bit aloof past 8/10ths so some work was done to get some feel back in all the controls. A few uniballs instead of big rubber bushings with voids at key locations without making the car rock hard. Light wheels. Rear arb. Lower arms, custom alignment. VAQ diff tweaks. Pads. Shortshift/stroke clutch. Basically adressing all shortcomings as I found them.
Engine upgraded primarily to improve response and top end, now FBO stage2 E85. It having a similar power to weight as an RS6 Performance is purely a side product. Or a GT4, at the same kerb weight (!). Not imagining it being equal, but don't underestimate a good Hot hatch/estate. The way it moves across very twisty backroads is amazing and completely fullfills my driving needs. Even does a pretty good impersonation of a rally car on gravel roads with its new found balance. Ideally I would want 4wd in winter but that would spoil a lot of its playfull character and the challenge of putting down that power... Can't have it all. It does transport kids and strollers in relative comfort, although the wife does complain a bit it's not the quietest of cars. But then it does convey some speed sensation, so it's a compromise. Again, can't have it all... And for what driving I get, I recon it's cheap as chips.
Edited by Onehp on Monday 7th October 12:49
Greg the Fish said:
Shakermaker said:
this was mine 
Volvo V70 T6 - so it was a 300bhp ex-police car. But, oh dear, I crashed it on Friday
Ouch by [
And that's what happens when you hit a tree at 100mph in a Volvo!!!Volvo V70 T6 - so it was a 300bhp ex-police car. But, oh dear, I crashed it on Friday
Ouch by [Now I know what he meant when he said that.
But yeah I was doing probably 40mph
Macron said:
How did rate the T6?
For the three months I had it, it was great. Fast, pretty comfortable (not as much as I was expecting given what so many have said about Volvo seats, I genuinely was more comfortable in my Superb) made a good noise when you put your foot down but most people just assumed it was a bland Volvo estate, so I enjoyed catching people unaware when they tried to get ahead on a roundabout or similar. It did like a drink, but it was cheap enough when I bought it that it all evened out compared to the Skoda.
I bought a 535d for toy-hauling, daily driver duty and motorway hack. originally planned to get a 520d as I didn't really want another thirsty performance car, but ended up in a 535d as the 530/535 seemed to be the only cars with decent spec.
Mine is SE spec, debadged and kindly mapped by the previous owner (who also fitted a laser jammer which I have disabled!) to an estimated 370bhp/650nm
some spec highlights include:
- active headlights (HID which follow the steering)
- heated and cooled 20-way adjustable confort seats (only seen two e61s with the seat cooling option)
- comfort glass to reduce noise and UV
- active steering (two settings)
- top spec satnav screen and hifi
The power is amusing as it's delivered with no fuss - no big bump as it's a sequential twin-turbo - mostly an aircraft style 'push' without much noise from the straight-6. the brakes are excellent (being eye wateringly expensive 2-piece 350mm rotors) even when towing which is very unusual for a BMW. I drove a few 'sport' spec cars and although the bodykit looks smart (particularly in silver) I realised they just rode worse - handling on an 1800kg estate is never going to be 'sporty' imho. the SE spec car is hilariously 'under tyred' with 225/60/17s but it rides lovely having ditched the run-flats.
Although the x35d mapped legend is something of a joke on here, i can say it's faster than the general public expect (esp in national trust green SE spec). seen the odd person in a 'sporty' car looking in the mirror wondering why it's still there after they have 'unleashed the beast'.
no idea what I'll replace it with once the ULEZ means I can't use it in central london. Considered a 545i / 550i but I've heard there are some issues with those engines
Towing this lot all the way to the alps was a joy - literally didn't notice the trailer - although the fuel consumption was a frankly horrendous 16mpg towing on the autoroutes, 'not noticing the trailer' has a cost with a train weight which must have been close to 3500kg.
Mine is SE spec, debadged and kindly mapped by the previous owner (who also fitted a laser jammer which I have disabled!) to an estimated 370bhp/650nm
some spec highlights include:
- active headlights (HID which follow the steering)
- heated and cooled 20-way adjustable confort seats (only seen two e61s with the seat cooling option)
- comfort glass to reduce noise and UV
- active steering (two settings)
- top spec satnav screen and hifi
The power is amusing as it's delivered with no fuss - no big bump as it's a sequential twin-turbo - mostly an aircraft style 'push' without much noise from the straight-6. the brakes are excellent (being eye wateringly expensive 2-piece 350mm rotors) even when towing which is very unusual for a BMW. I drove a few 'sport' spec cars and although the bodykit looks smart (particularly in silver) I realised they just rode worse - handling on an 1800kg estate is never going to be 'sporty' imho. the SE spec car is hilariously 'under tyred' with 225/60/17s but it rides lovely having ditched the run-flats.
Although the x35d mapped legend is something of a joke on here, i can say it's faster than the general public expect (esp in national trust green SE spec). seen the odd person in a 'sporty' car looking in the mirror wondering why it's still there after they have 'unleashed the beast'.
no idea what I'll replace it with once the ULEZ means I can't use it in central london. Considered a 545i / 550i but I've heard there are some issues with those engines
Towing this lot all the way to the alps was a joy - literally didn't notice the trailer - although the fuel consumption was a frankly horrendous 16mpg towing on the autoroutes, 'not noticing the trailer' has a cost with a train weight which must have been close to 3500kg.
paulmnz said:
I bought a 535d for toy-hauling, daily driver duty and motorway hack. originally planned to get a 520d as I didn't really want another thirsty performance car, but ended up in a 535d as the 530/535 seemed to be the only cars with decent spec.
Mine is SE spec, debadged and kindly mapped by the previous owner (who also fitted a laser jammer which I have disabled!) to an estimated 370bhp/650nm
some spec highlights include:
- active headlights (HID which follow the steering)
- heated and cooled 20-way adjustable confort seats (only seen two e61s with the seat cooling option)
- comfort glass to reduce noise and UV
- active steering (two settings)
- top spec satnav screen and hifi
The power is amusing as it's delivered with no fuss - no big bump as it's a sequential twin-turbo - mostly an aircraft style 'push' without much noise from the straight-6. the brakes are excellent (being eye wateringly expensive 2-piece 350mm rotors) even when towing which is very unusual for a BMW. I drove a few 'sport' spec cars and although the bodykit looks smart (particularly in silver) I realised they just rode worse - handling on an 1800kg estate is never going to be 'sporty' imho. the SE spec car is hilariously 'under tyred' with 225/60/17s but it rides lovely having ditched the run-flats.
Although the x35d mapped legend is something of a joke on here, i can say it's faster than the general public expect (esp in national trust green SE spec). seen the odd person in a 'sporty' car looking in the mirror wondering why it's still there after they have 'unleashed the beast'.
no idea what I'll replace it with once the ULEZ means I can't use it in central london. Considered a 545i / 550i but I've heard there are some issues with those engines
Towing this lot all the way to the alps was a joy - literally didn't notice the trailer - although the fuel consumption was a frankly horrendous 16mpg towing on the autoroutes, 'not noticing the trailer' has a cost with a train weight which must have been close to 3500kg.
Brilliant :-)Mine is SE spec, debadged and kindly mapped by the previous owner (who also fitted a laser jammer which I have disabled!) to an estimated 370bhp/650nm
some spec highlights include:
- active headlights (HID which follow the steering)
- heated and cooled 20-way adjustable confort seats (only seen two e61s with the seat cooling option)
- comfort glass to reduce noise and UV
- active steering (two settings)
- top spec satnav screen and hifi
The power is amusing as it's delivered with no fuss - no big bump as it's a sequential twin-turbo - mostly an aircraft style 'push' without much noise from the straight-6. the brakes are excellent (being eye wateringly expensive 2-piece 350mm rotors) even when towing which is very unusual for a BMW. I drove a few 'sport' spec cars and although the bodykit looks smart (particularly in silver) I realised they just rode worse - handling on an 1800kg estate is never going to be 'sporty' imho. the SE spec car is hilariously 'under tyred' with 225/60/17s but it rides lovely having ditched the run-flats.
Although the x35d mapped legend is something of a joke on here, i can say it's faster than the general public expect (esp in national trust green SE spec). seen the odd person in a 'sporty' car looking in the mirror wondering why it's still there after they have 'unleashed the beast'.
no idea what I'll replace it with once the ULEZ means I can't use it in central london. Considered a 545i / 550i but I've heard there are some issues with those engines
Towing this lot all the way to the alps was a joy - literally didn't notice the trailer - although the fuel consumption was a frankly horrendous 16mpg towing on the autoroutes, 'not noticing the trailer' has a cost with a train weight which must have been close to 3500kg.
donkmeister said:
I like that... Tailor-made/modified to meet your requirements and refined over time. Tastefully done too.
Compliment takenpaulmnz said:
. the SE spec car is hilariously 'under tyred' with 225/60/17s but it rides lovely having ditched the run-flats.
Although the x35d mapped legend is something of a joke on here, i can say it's faster than the general public expect (esp in national trust green SE spec). seen the odd person in a 'sporty' car looking in the mirror wondering why it's still there after they have 'unleashed the beast'.
Gotta love a q-car fast estate. You hardly need to try, so many "normal' people don't expect any shape of estate to be even moderatly fast, barely taking a hint even if there are flashy 21" rims on... Then small rims with 60 section tires takes it full circle Although the x35d mapped legend is something of a joke on here, i can say it's faster than the general public expect (esp in national trust green SE spec). seen the odd person in a 'sporty' car looking in the mirror wondering why it's still there after they have 'unleashed the beast'.
From experience, even when I tell passengers that it's quick, that deeply seated prejudice of estates (and child seats) still leaves them unprepared for what is to come. That is, if I'm in that kind of mood and an suitable opportunity presents itself. Hilarious and so gratifying to be able to exceed expectations every time if one wishes so.
Edited by Onehp on Wednesday 9th October 23:10
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