I just can't get you outta ma head :music:

I just can't get you outta ma head :music:

Author
Discussion

nomis36

Original Poster:

429 posts

163 months

Thursday 11th October 2018
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I went to see a 2005 facelift (z?) Monaro a while back and quite liked it despite me being a confirmed vauxhall disliker. I'm a big BMW fan but need to scratch the RWD V8 manual itch and can't quite stretch to an E92 M3.
Anyway, the urge has come back so I may go and have another look this weekend.
Would you be so kind as to suggest known common issue points to look out for so I don't get suckered into buying a money pit by the exhaust note rolleyes
My head keeps telling me I must be mad because my mapped 330d with a quaife lsd is probably just as fast, better equipped and twice as good on fuel and has no issues whereas my heart keeps saying yeah, but it don't sound like a V8 does it!
Talk me into or out of it if you want wink

throwyourbike

704 posts

150 months

Thursday 11th October 2018
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Probably worth posting a bit more info about the specific car.
It’s very possible that someone on here will know it’s history.


maccavvy

660 posts

163 months

Friday 12th October 2018
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https://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-buying-gui...

theyre not undesealed from new, so look for rust or one where someone has done that .
radiators are starting to fail . pas coolers are a common issue

vxr2010

2,554 posts

158 months

Friday 12th October 2018
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It’s a lot more holden than vauxhaul as it is a holden re badged even if the gm parts bin is used , bmw a capable car but a lot more fun can be had in a monaro , sensible mods are a good thing so in the long run it saves you money , rust bonnet lip rear arches are probably areas to check , an exhaust is a must , steering rack can be a lot of turns lock to lock , gearbox can be a bit noisy but not have issues , brake and fuel lines can be an issue plus as above check radiator , i always check mot history as a good indicator , iphone apps can be downloaded regards mot history well worth doing , 35 mpg on a long run is not bad it’s all about how you wish to drive it , they get a lot of attention easy to work on , traction control is not as technical .. as a bmw lol

mfp4073

1,940 posts

173 months

Friday 12th October 2018
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You have to remember that Monaro's are old cars now, so your budget really dictates everything.
You can get a cheap car but you will end up with problems like rust, crash damage and worn out parts which is more than likely. Spare parts like bumpers, and body panels are also becoming difficult to get hold of these days. Getting bits for a BMW is a breeze in comparison.
If you want a car for short term ownership to thrash about in you might get lucky, but if you plan to keep one for a while you need to spend 10 to 12k, anything over that should be in very good condition.
You also need to do lots of research on this forum to get some idea of the problems and issues owners have had over the years, that will be a worth it's weight in cash.
These cars are really GT cars, fairly big and heavy, they are fast in a straight line and depending on modifications are quite good on B roads, however you do need to respect them.
You sound like you want a Monaro to throw around, which you can, but if you get in wrong it's game over, plenty have tried and written their cars off.
Fuel consumption is heavy under performance driving, but quite good if driven sensibly, but certainly not as good as a diesel, I suspect your modified BMW will be a better car for that type of driving.
These cars are very old school, I think of them as a bit of a throw back, a sort of homage to the old 70's muscle cars. That's the best way to think of them in my opinion, they do take a bit of effort to look after to keep nice that's for sure.
For me I love the sound, they way the car rocks from side to side while waiting at traffic lights and the heafty slow gear change, its all very anolog.
I've had my car for over 11 years now and I don't plan on selling it anytime soon, then again I really don't like modern cars so we are well suited.
Have a good think before you buy, and good luck.

John

selym

9,539 posts

170 months

Friday 12th October 2018
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You'll never look back - crummy fuel economy or not.

I'm not sure about comparable performance either, but I've been wrong before.

vxr2010

2,554 posts

158 months

Friday 12th October 2018
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Fuel economy i can’t match performance my monaro with current mods and n/a is quicker than a 330d , plus it’s not limited , i’m sure many a fi monaro will show the bmw it heels , but as above it is old school muscle car which is its appeal does not always have to be driven fast to have fun

selym

9,539 posts

170 months

Friday 12th October 2018
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vxr2010 said:
Fuel economy i can’t match performance my monaro with current mods and n/a is quicker than a 330d , plus it’s not limited , i’m sure many a fi monaro will show the bmw it heels , but as above it is old school muscle car which is its appeal does not always have to be driven fast to have fun
I'd imagine a boggo Monaro would outdrag a 330d, mapped or not. SCed would destroy it.

stu vxr

276 posts

106 months

Friday 12th October 2018
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selym said:
I'd imagine a boggo Monaro would outdrag a 330d, mapped or not. SCed would destroy it.
No sorry it wouldn't I am supercharged..

OP go and just drive one, you will not buy coming from a beamer, Monaro's now are becoming cherished cars and should not be for the people who just want to scratch an itch as they will never become a keeper and run the risk of being destroyed, our cars are just to precious.

selym

9,539 posts

170 months

Friday 12th October 2018
quotequote all
stu vxr said:
selym said:
I'd imagine a boggo Monaro would outdrag a 330d, mapped or not. SCed would destroy it.
No sorry it wouldn't I am supercharged..

OP go and just drive one, you will not buy coming from a beamer, Monaro's now are becoming cherished cars and should not be for the people who just want to scratch an itch as they will never become a keeper and run the risk of being destroyed, our cars are just to precious.
Honestly Stu? I am very surprised. Unless of course we are talking the very newest 330ds.

nomis36

Original Poster:

429 posts

163 months

Friday 12th October 2018
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies. It's all as I thought really. They do seem a bit old school muscle car but with modern creature comforts like air con and cruise control etc. I too don't like modern cars. My 330 is 2006 so from the same sort of era. I previous to it had a 1997 M3 evo. I'm not really a boy racer (47yo) though, as I seem to have come across in the OP, I just like to have some performance under my right foot as and when the mood takes me. The performance of the mapped 6 pot BMW diesels is very impressive, around about 300bhp and over 600nm of torque, throttle response is very instant!
But, having said all that about speed etc it's not that thats attracting me to the Monaro. It's the looks and sound of the big LS1. I just feel I need to do it before the petrol runs out and they all become museum pieces.
I think I'll go and have a drive of one or two and see how they make me feel. I have been reading posts on here, looking for any common faults. Clunky diffs, rusty brake and fuel lines, rusty petrol tank straps and general body rust seem to be the main things to look out for.
Thanks again for the replies.

bigwheel

1,616 posts

213 months

Friday 12th October 2018
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Be aware of the 2 Monaro types. Known as '04 and '05. Do your homework on this forum.
eg '04 might have rusty tank straps (easy fix), big trunk.
'05 won't. The tank is in the trunk therefore small trunk. But stereo exhaust pipes.
Both model years available as VXR or CV8. Some colours not used on all the variants.
No rust on cared for cars.

Edited by bigwheel on Friday 12th October 23:04

vxr2010

2,554 posts

158 months

Friday 12th October 2018
quotequote all
Just chucking it out there a 0 to 60 on a 2006 330d is 5.9 , depending on site a bog standard monaro is 5.7 seconds , but i don’t expect many standard monaro’s out there , a 3.9 diff plus focus pack makes a big difference , the monaro speed is fun , but it’s really about driving a v8 and the fun that gives

throwyourbike

704 posts

150 months

Saturday 13th October 2018
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I would have to agree with Stu.

If you’re coming from a relatively modern BMW of any kind it will feel lightyears ahead of the Monaro in many aspects.
Hell, even my 2010 Vauxhall Insignia diesel feels lightyears ahead in a lot of ways.

It’s the sort of car you either fall in love with completely, or don’t click with at all.

selym

9,539 posts

170 months

Saturday 13th October 2018
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I'm obviously behind the times on stats! I was once told when you buy a Monaro you get an engine and gearbox with a free body - make of that what you will!

selym

9,539 posts

170 months

Saturday 13th October 2018
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What I would suggest is getting around as many Monaros that are not for sale! That's a tough ask but owners that are keeping their cars are more likely to be honest about ownership and what goes wrong. There is a Facebook page (if you use it) for HSV and Holden Owners or words to that effect.

Get in amongst them and the more you see the more likely you are to make the right decision; ok, the interior is a cut below a 3 series, but the seats are comfortable and it sounds nice!

Good luck OP - these things generally become much more than 'scratching an itch' and you'll look back in five years and wonder how you got to a 700bhp SCed beast!

wormus

14,509 posts

202 months

Saturday 13th October 2018
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stu vxr said:
No sorry it wouldn't I am supercharged..
Some cars are more supercharged than others. smile

selym

9,539 posts

170 months

Saturday 13th October 2018
quotequote all
wormus said:
stu vxr said:
No sorry it wouldn't I am supercharged..
Some cars are more supercharged than others. smile
And some cars have a space where a supercharger should really reside. Anyone want to 'help a brother out'?!

stu vxr

276 posts

106 months

Saturday 13th October 2018
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wormus said:
Some cars are more supercharged than others. smile
Very true would love your set up in mine

Lincsls1

3,327 posts

139 months

Monday 15th October 2018
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selym said:
I'd imagine a boggo Monaro would outdrag a 330d, mapped or not. SCed would destroy it.
I would also agree with this. Whilst not hugely faster, they are still faster. Especially the VXR versions.
On the move at speed the difference becomes more noticeable, I know since going up against a mighty 335d at 60 plus. Quite simply I'd have rear ended it using 4th at silly speed. And I know he was trying due to the mass of smog coming from his pipes! And the fact when I backed off he continued at daft mph, hard to explain - we've all been there and know when a challenge is a challenge!