Cars often seen though rose tinted glasses...
Discussion
It struck me last night, driving my oxford green BMW e39 530i manual sport touring - that I don't actually enjoy driving it as much as I should. And compared to many more modern cars its just not as good as the hype. I actually would have rather been in my 2008 Audi A4 3.2 manual quattro avant. Better steering, brakes, balance, driving position, refinement, gearing, performance, economy, headlights, stereo, ventilation. Its just better and more enjoyable to live with. I rarely ever take the BMW out these days.
The e39 is one of those cars consistently worshipped as 'the best car ever made' or stuff to that effect. But I just don't see it any more. It's got the drawbacks of an old car but without the involvement and character of the older E34. Pretty sure this applies to many other revered modern classics too.
It may be because I've had a long line of BMW's of this era, (316, 328, 750, 740, 540, 530, 530) covered an aweful lot of miles in them and the novelty has just worn off. I dunno.
But are there any other cars you feel are looked at through rose tinted glasses?
The e39 is one of those cars consistently worshipped as 'the best car ever made' or stuff to that effect. But I just don't see it any more. It's got the drawbacks of an old car but without the involvement and character of the older E34. Pretty sure this applies to many other revered modern classics too.
It may be because I've had a long line of BMW's of this era, (316, 328, 750, 740, 540, 530, 530) covered an aweful lot of miles in them and the novelty has just worn off. I dunno.
But are there any other cars you feel are looked at through rose tinted glasses?
I remember being disappointed with the ride quality of my friend's L322 Range Rover when getting a lift; it was on a B road which wasn't in great condition, that I travel on daily in my own Jeep.
Per the hype, I was expecting more of a magic carpet ride, but judging by the thumps, jiggles and bumps it wasn't any better.
It slipped a bit further down my bucket list after that.
Per the hype, I was expecting more of a magic carpet ride, but judging by the thumps, jiggles and bumps it wasn't any better.
It slipped a bit further down my bucket list after that.
jhonn said:
I remember being disappointed with the ride quality of my friend's L322 Range Rover when getting a lift; it was on a B road which wasn't in great condition, that I travel on daily in my own Jeep.
Per the hype, I was expecting more of a magic carpet ride, but judging by the thumps, jiggles and bumps it wasn't any better.
It slipped a bit further down my bucket list after that.
Poorer than oft-claimed ride and relatively uncomfortable front seats/poor front leg room (when coming from a background of big German things) was the reason I didn’t keep my L322 longer. On the flip side It did handle a lot better and was lighter on fuel than expected.Per the hype, I was expecting more of a magic carpet ride, but judging by the thumps, jiggles and bumps it wasn't any better.
It slipped a bit further down my bucket list after that.
It’s funny how much of the motor enthusiast world and journalists rely on tropes.
Mercedes W123.
I love driving mine, it's reliable, enjoyable to drive but I really get annoyed with a certain expert who's always quoted in any magazine article saying it's the best car in the world.
It rusts like anything, the vacuum system is prone to leaks and who has a steering box on a 70's car!
I love driving mine, it's reliable, enjoyable to drive but I really get annoyed with a certain expert who's always quoted in any magazine article saying it's the best car in the world.
It rusts like anything, the vacuum system is prone to leaks and who has a steering box on a 70's car!
stuartmmcfc said:
These 2 will probably have people telling me to hand my Ph card in but in my defence I have owned them both for several years and loved them both!
Audi urquattro: slow
It is compared to modern stuff. But the amazing thing is that it still gets compared to modern stuff. The newest is 30 years old FFS. Also, it’s the way goes fast isn’t it. Doesn’t really need to slow down. Audi urquattro: slow
But I agree - could do with a bit more acceleration
Edited by Yertis on Friday 10th December 22:31
Edited by Yertis on Friday 10th December 22:31
eccles said:
Mercedes W123.
I love driving mine, it's reliable, enjoyable to drive but I really get annoyed with a certain expert who's always quoted in any magazine article saying it's the best car in the world.
It rusts like anything, the vacuum system is prone to leaks and who has a steering box on a 70's car!
Nothing wrong with a steering box. Mercedes used them well in to the 90s.I love driving mine, it's reliable, enjoyable to drive but I really get annoyed with a certain expert who's always quoted in any magazine article saying it's the best car in the world.
It rusts like anything, the vacuum system is prone to leaks and who has a steering box on a 70's car!
I think the W210 was the first to use a rack, I know the W202 had a box.
I bought a Capri 2.8i a couple of years ago, I decided on the way home that I wouldn't be keeping it... Its slow, uncomfortable, doesn't stop, its just hard work.. The only reason I still have it is that I gave it to my buddy to do a bit of paintwork on it and made the mistake of saying 'no particular rush'!
I think it is all relative in context.
I had a couple of 2.8i Capris in the 80s and the brakes were terrible, but with 13" wheels options are limited!
Bought a 1980 W123 Mercedes 280e in 1991 and it was waftastic, but the steering box didn't encourage "spirited driving" any more than the W201 190e or W202 C280 Sport I had later that handled even worse, with the added bonus of a crashy ride!
In 1983 I bought a MK2 Escort RS2000 and loved it, until I sold it in 1984 to get my first 2.8i Capri.
I'm just glad I had them back in the day when they were a bit out of the ordinary, but where prices are now I wouldn't wany any of them!
I had a couple of 2.8i Capris in the 80s and the brakes were terrible, but with 13" wheels options are limited!
Bought a 1980 W123 Mercedes 280e in 1991 and it was waftastic, but the steering box didn't encourage "spirited driving" any more than the W201 190e or W202 C280 Sport I had later that handled even worse, with the added bonus of a crashy ride!
In 1983 I bought a MK2 Escort RS2000 and loved it, until I sold it in 1984 to get my first 2.8i Capri.
I'm just glad I had them back in the day when they were a bit out of the ordinary, but where prices are now I wouldn't wany any of them!
My second car at age 17 was a Ford Capri 1.6S. It had the look with nice alloys, S stripe and interior, plus it had the standard for the S Model Twin Carburettor’s (90 BHP). It was slow and not very dynamic.
The Mirafiori Sport that replaced it a few months later was an absolute revelation with bags of performance, handling and luxury.
The Mirafiori Sport that replaced it a few months later was an absolute revelation with bags of performance, handling and luxury.
finlo said:
Morris Minor's and VW Beetle's both utterly dreadful things.
But compared to most stuff in that price bracket at that time they were far better. You can't compare a 1940's design with something made yesterday. If we hadn't advanced in 65 years we would have something to complain about.
Turbobanana said:
BMW E30.
Sorry to all the fans, but I never got these when new and certainly don't now, particularly at the prices they seem to make. OK, the M3 was special, but it needed a lot of surgery to get it that way.
Never really a BMW fan myself, but for me they are probably unique in their positioning, as they could be ordered from mild to wild, all body styles, practical in a big boot in smallish body way, nimble, trouncing all of the opposition, fun to drive in all guises.Sorry to all the fans, but I never got these when new and certainly don't now, particularly at the prices they seem to make. OK, the M3 was special, but it needed a lot of surgery to get it that way.
Except of course you don't like the looks or the image of the manufacturer or whatever.
You don't have to be a fan to appreciate their legacy.
What's not to 'get' then...?
sidewinder500 said:
Never really a BMW fan myself, but for me they are probably unique in their positioning, as they could be ordered from mild to wild, all body styles, practical in a big boot in smallish body way, nimble, trouncing all of the opposition, fun to drive in all guises.
Except of course you don't like the looks or the image of the manufacturer or whatever.
You don't have to be a fan to appreciate their legacy.
What's not to 'get' then...?
Good question, and I'm not sure there is a single answer. I suppose it's just that I dislike anything ubiquitous, and the E30 was certainly successful enough to be considered that. They weren't that great to drive, in fairness, nor were they roomy (even the Touring) and always looked a bit dull as standard. Except of course you don't like the looks or the image of the manufacturer or whatever.
You don't have to be a fan to appreciate their legacy.
What's not to 'get' then...?
Mild to wild you say? I give you the Sierra, from 1.3 petrol / 2.3 diesel to 2.8 V6 (or arguably 2.0 Cosworth, or even 5.0 V8 if you want to include South Africa).
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