Day: October 22, 2023

The birth of a legend.

It’s been 2 years since I met James. We met at an auction with the common goal of trying to get the best price for the Quattro I had written an article about a few weeks before. James was in the enviable position of having owned many auto exotics in the past, including two beautiful Ferrari’s. However, he had always owned BMWs “because they just work”. His current Bimmer, as it was then, is still considered one of the finest sports sedans ever made, the BMW E39 M5.

The E39 M5 was the first to be produced on BMW’s main production line in Dingolfing, Germany. It signaled that the car needed to be comfortable for everyday driving, but at the same time give a boost when it was really needed. That push came in the form of a normally supercharged V8 with 294 kW (394 hp) and 500 Nm of torque, through a 6-speed manual gearbox and rear wheels. A speed of 100 km/h was reached in just 4.8 seconds, and when limited it could accelerate to 300 km/h.

Impressive for 1998, wasn’t it?

An improvement on the Legend?

For James, it’s not enough. Although he’s not a racing driver, he likes to race on the track and needed something extra. A supercharger would do the trick. So would Supersprint manifolds, Schrick cams, reinforced differential bracket, Koni adjustable shocks, adjustable springs, lightweight flywheel and race clutch.

Being an accountant, he didn’t want to scare the neighbors, so he installed Milltek exhausts with vacuum-controlled valves to keep the noise down in town. Next, a short-throw transmission was installed because the standard one was too long and slow. Then a larger radiator and oil cooler were installed to keep it from overheating. Completing the picture were custom made wider wheels. After the car was stripped of its identifying marks – James doesn’t like to show off – it was almost ready.

“There’s a little surprise here,” he says, holding up a plastic watering can and unscrewing what I took to be the washer tank. “The methanol burns really cold and helps cool the car down some more.”

Just cool James down?

“Well, maybe it helps add a little bit of power.”

That help, according to James’ mechanic, boosts torque to about 700 Nm and 466 kW (625 hp) and blows away even the V8 supercars on the straight at Phillip Island.

Behind the wheel of the Legend.

After warming up the oil and driving quietly around town to let the tires warm up a bit, we find a small loop with a relatively traffic-free entrance and exit to the freeway to test the acceleration of his pride and joy.

“Don’t be scared, Mike,” James says, clearly realizing I’m a little nervous about his car wrapping around some lamppost. “It’s meant to be driven.”

The noise itself is intimidating enough, but getting this thing to the red line – the red line going to 7300 rpm (as opposed to the standard 7000) – is really a sweaty palm. My first attempt was anemic by James’ standards. I justify myself by explaining that I just needed to get a feel for it. Rolling around the track again, I gather my strength and begin to accelerate sharply at the apex of the first corner and bury my foot in the carpet as the straight comes into view.

Out of the corner of my eye I see James grabbing the roof handle, perhaps nervously, but I’m not sure. As the red line rapidly approaches, I manage to shift into third gear, and I’m pressed into the seat with a force I’ve never driven before. A car in the distance quickly approaches, and I hit the brakes before I can do any damage.

“I think I’m starting to get the hang of this, James,” I say, grinning from ear to ear.

The third time, I dial up the power even faster. This time I can feel the rear wheels spinning in both second and third gear. We whiz down the road with a monstrous noise and smoking rubber at breakneck speed. We both laugh hysterically as the adrenaline kicks in and I don’t want the day to end.

How practical is it?

While power is what this car possesses, I’m kind of in awe of how well composed it is at normal speeds. On rough roads and when overcoming obstacles, it is supple and docile. You could literally drive my grandmother to church in it and she wouldn’t feel any discomfort.”

“I once took my dad for a ride on it up a mountain. All he said was that it was a bit rough in the back seat as we were falling through corners on the uphill. We were going up to 230km/h, but he apparently didn’t notice or care.”

After a couple more laps, I felt I had some control over this monster. Its tires were now at the right temperature, and what used to be a jerk under hard acceleration had turned into tenacious, mind-blowing uphill sprints. Please, almighty deity, if you exist, let this road turn into a track so I can try the remaining 3 gears. Maybe add some turns. An east creek would be nice.

But all good things come to an end. I sadly but contentedly turn toward James’ house, glad I still have my license and hoping I haven’t disappointed him with my driving.

The cost of the legend.

Just how much does all this machinery cost? James bought the car a few years ago with only 19,000 miles for about $125k. He spent another $25k to bring it to its current condition. So the car is certainly not cheap. Nevertheless, you can find an E39 M5 for around $60k these days. James recommends spending around $15-20k to improve the brakes, exhaust and cooling system. You may not get as much power as his example, but you’ll certainly find joy and excitement in knowing that the car is built for daily use.

James did admit, though, that he changed the engine about 30,000km ago. With intensive driving, most of the engine tends to fail about every 50,000 km. And let’s face it: why have a car like this and not drive it vigorously. A new “donk” could have cost him $45k. Restoring it is even worse – $65k. But, as it turned out, he only had to pay half that amount. Because he was so professional, BMW decided to make a small concession on the cost. So I guess that’s a lesson for all of us.

Who can help.

There are some great tips on the M5 forums, including installing stronger bolts and periodically replacing the connecting rod bearings. YouTube’s M539 restoration is an even better source of knowledge.

Other great BMW deals can be found in the US. For example, the rearview mirror contains some trickery to darken it, and replacing it will cost you over $700. A guy in Texas makes copies and charges a fraction of that amount plus postage. So, if you work hard enough, owning a car like this is not the domain of the super elite.

As for me, I woke up with a stinking cold, but after an hour of heart-pounding fun, I felt 100% better. Thank you James, thank you so much.

Read more / Original news source: https://manipurhub.com/life-with-a-legend-bmw-m5-e39-135/

“Nice car, mate,” shouted a worker in a fluorescent vest outside the pub.

“Thanks, sure,” I replied, muttering that it wasn’t my car.

We laughed. He did, because he probably thought I’d stolen it. How else could a 22-year-old girl get around in such luxury? Me, because he didn’t notice the German license plates and therefore didn’t realize I was a passenger.

The perspective from the passenger seat.

It was 1991. Summer had descended on the UK, all of two days of it, and it coincided with a trip from London to Southport and back for a wedding.

The car was a brand new Mercedes 500SL. Silver and absolutely gorgeous. Black leather interior, lowered roof, music, great sound.

What could be better? Well, like being able to drive it, but to no avail. My girlfriend made a promise to her father, and he made sure she knew that no one else was insured. Being German, of course she followed the rules. Looking back, how could I blame her? Or him? Would you let a young man, also an Englishman you barely know, drive your new $200,000 car across the country with your daughter in tow? No, I wouldn’t let him either. I’m surprised he let me get in the car at all and even let me take his daughter.

He was a large man and so he was a good fit in the car. SLs were made for rich people like him. He also fitted a Harley soft tail which he asked me to buy for him as it was cheaper in the UK for some reason. But his confidence didn’t extend to his silver arrow.

But was it comfortable?

We drove all the way to England and back, covering about 700km. That’s a paltry distance for most Australians, but the time it took is not. The norm for any journey in the UK is that for every beautiful minute of highway driving at speeds in excess of 80, 90, 100 miles per hour, there is more often than not ten minutes of standing in a long, rumbling traffic jam. The reason for this is undoubtedly some maniac with a trailer hitch. Or a person who doesn’t understand braking distance.

Sounds awful, doesn’t it? Not at all. After hours in the spacious, slippery passenger seat, I climbed out of it feeling as refreshed as when I first got in. At one point we bumped into another SL, caught in perhaps its third traffic jam of the day. Like Torvil and Dean, we mesmerized our fellow travelers with the dance of our soft-tops opening with electronic synchronization.

On one surprisingly lonely straight, there was a moment of resistance. My willing driver rested his slender foot on the carpet, and we watched 150 mph gain in 20 seconds. I was fascinated.

Thirty-two years later what can we expect?

Those amazingly straight lines and huge proportions still look just as good. However, rich people, such as my ex-girlfriend’s father, have moved on to newer models, and long before there were any problems. So we should be careful, as it’s been about 15-20 years since the smart money left. Such vehicles are never cheap to maintain. So it is mandatory to have a completed logbook. Otherwise, buyers will be looking at a gold plated barrel. Or is it?

Mercedes has over-modded the design of these cars to an unbelievable degree. Remember, these were pre-Kreisler days, before that period of shoddy workmanship and crappy parts that practically robbed the brand of its bulletproof reputation.

For example, the grille slats were made from spare titanium fighter jet engine blades. Incredibly aerodynamic, lighter than plastic but stronger than steel. The soft top features rain gutters that channel water to the rear of the cabin rather than running down the sides. The hard top was made of aluminum and weighed only 33 pounds. It had two, yes, two, reverse gears. The first accelerated the car to over 75 km/h, which was fast enough. The second was 135! Just select “W” for winter mode and you’re off you go. Back.

The car was on the cutting edge of electronic magic.

ABS, traction control, automatic roll bar and automatically adjustable seat belts. The front and rear suspensions were fully independent. While this is the norm today, 32 years ago you would have been unlikely to find any of these things. There were even airbags, which was simply unheard of in those days.

Under the hood was a 5-liter double overhead cam V8 with 32 valves, producing 320 hp or 240 kW and 450 Nm of torque. In its new form it could drive all day at a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h). It accelerated to 100 km/h in about 6 seconds and to 160 in less than 15 seconds. Not bad for a car that weighed less than 2 tons.

But there are a few things to check.

Before you run to the bank, sell your soul or rob your kids college fund. The pump is not cheap. If you are lucky, the consumption will be 15 liters per 100 km.

For maintenance, only go to the experts. They will cost more than your local handyman, but the benefit is worth it.

Make sure the oil pressure gauge shows 3 most of the time. It may go down to 2 or a little less when hot and idling, but at other times it should be 3. If it’s low while driving, get it back up and keep looking.

Replacing the spark controller for the ECU system can be expensive, so have the ignition serviced regularly and replace the 4 coils and distributors. This will be less expensive.

Oil starvation can cause problems with camshafts as well. Since we are talking about a car with up to 100,000 miles or more, the hoses and lines need to be replaced as they can crack once they are disturbed. If this has not been done before, walk away, you have met a lazy owner.

Transmission fluid should be changed every 60-70k miles. Don’t listen to Merc dealers, they have been told it is not necessary. However, according to long-time owners, this is the best advice for keeping the car in good condition. The oil should not look burnt or brown, if it does, you are back to a lazy owner. I have read that transmission systems can fail at 160,000 miles. You may not have to replace it, or it could just be a problem with the speed sensor. It’s a small plastic part that doesn’t cost too much. If there is even the slightest hint of slipping between gears while driving, take it as a warning. Also, take a ride with the roof down and listen for any extraneous noises from behind.

And the interior?

Any warning lights on the front panel, as you’d expect, indicate a problem. Check the operation of the roof and make sure the fabric is in good condition. It should take less than 20 seconds to extend or retract, and it should fit snugly into its compartment. Check for the presence of a hard top. If there isn’t one, there is no need to worry. They all come with one, no matter what anyone says. It will cost more than $12,000 to $14,000 to replace them. By the way, the hard top only unbolts when the ignition is on.

The convertible bar should work, it will come in handy in a serious accident. If it gets stuck in the raised position, the roof won’t work.

There may be some roll in the steering, which may be caused by worn steering dampers, which are inexpensive to replace. Make sure the disks are not warped and replace the rotors when servicing the brakes, never rotate them.

What to do about rot?

Rust is a less serious problem in Australia, but still check the trunk panels around the battery compartment, the leading edges of the front fenders and the jacking points. The latter are often overlooked as they are covered by plastic protection and owners may not be aware of the problem.

Otherwise, these cars are built to last. If you get a picky owner, it is likely that you have a well-maintained car in front of you.

And finally, the price.

As mentioned, the R129 SL500 in new condition used to cost in excess of $200,000. But today you can buy an excellent car at a price of about 50 thousand dollars with a mileage of less than 100 thousand kilometers on the odometer. For copies with high mileage you can get $35-45 thousand dollars. Interestingly, prices have increased over the last few years. Budget about $2-3k/year for maintenance and you will get a car that will make you look like a rich man, a fat German rich man if that’s what you’re aiming for.

Read more / Original news source: https://manipurhub.com/is-the-mercedes-benz-500-sl-r129-worth-buying-132/

Hmmm.

Because that’s the first thing that comes to mind.

“It’s an Alfa”, to the uninitiated Alphistas, is synonymous with “it’s a piece of shit”, let’s face it. Not in the sense of intelligence, but in the sense of reliability. It’s the automotive equivalent of marrying a porn star. She’s sexy as hell, but has a penchant for other men who like lube.

Mmmm…

But it’s the engine, the whole 3.2-liter V6, and the way it puts out its power, that’s what’s appealing. You don’t even resist, because the sound embraces you, the red hide squeezes your hands, and it’s all Red Rover. The sound of its exhaust sounds a lot like a woman’s exhale from a cigarette. I understand why you want it, but do you need it?

If I were younger, say, like Nadeem, my chauffeur for the next 25 minutes, this car would have to be it. It’s got everything. I think you can make out the words chick and magnet on the side.

But I’m not going to ask him to let me drive it because, frankly, it’s none of my business. He’s trying to sell it. But if he offers, I’ll bite his hand off.

When you change gear, there’s no unpleasant clanking or jerking of the clutch. Power is gained so gradually that I have to check myself if I am not used to turbo motors. The ride is supple but comfortable, and sitting among waves of red cow and beaches of tactile black plastic is very pleasant. I have to admit it’s a neat ride for a passenger.

Admittedly, in this case necessity forced me to take my two offspring along. So I guess you can understand my hesitation in asking to drive. I’m pretty much at ease as it is. I just asked a guy to take me for a ride in his impeccably presented car with two monsters in tow. And he did. Hats off to him.

But why an Alfa?

It’s the only GT V6 I could find around, with the upgraded Q2 diff. And why does that matter? Well, other than the fact that the original differential was highly suspect from an engineering standpoint (when it failed, it often took big chunks of the engine with it, like kidney surgery in a back alley). In addition, the heavier nose and increased power resulted in limited thrust control capabilities and poorer handling.

The Q2, by contrast, is different.

Alfa talks about its Q2 system.

Alfa’s limited slip differential virtually eliminates torque steer and understeer, which for a front-wheel-drive car with 244 horsepower/177 kW in the nose isn’t much of an accomplishment. Plus, it works, and there are very few problems recorded with it. Grip and cornering are much improved, even in the wet. It’s almost like a 4WD system for a front-wheel-drive car. It distributes torque to each wheel depending on road conditions, allowing you to press the accelerator pedal more confidently when exiting a corner. You can rest assured that if the inside wheel slips, the diff torsen will transfer torque to the side wheel and maintain excellent handling. It even improves handling, which is something this car was always meant to have.

Equally important is its functionality. Forums around the world unanimously praise it, and few problems have been identified so far. From “this is probably the best upgrade you can do, and it’s definitely worth doing as soon as you can afford it” to “the GT definitely needs the Q2 as it not only protects against the much talked about diff breakage, but also transforms the handling of the car in all conditions”.

The total cost of the upgrade is $2-2,500, and while you’re at it, you can check the master cylinder and clutch since the engine needs to be removed.

So, if you want to scratch your teeth and finally say you have an Alfa, should you choose this particular car? Many will say the 147 GTA is the best, but in my opinion the GT with the updated Q2 looks better and has a slight edge when it comes to dynamics. It’s fast, holds the road well and compared to previous Alfa’s, this car won’t see too many men behind it.

Read more / Original news source: https://manipurhub.com/alfa-romeo-gt-hmmmmmmm-130/

As far as I was concerned, Bruce Willis could never top David Addison. When I was 16, I had no idea that thinning hair and patterned sweaters could be so cool. I tried to emulate him, but it became obvious that such a look only suited those 25 years older than me, and what self-respecting teenage girl would look twice at a boy in a wool neck sweater?

However, David and his employer Maddie Hayes’ champagne-colored CSI Series 6 would have suited me just fine. God, how I loved that car, even though it was brown. From that moment on, my love affair with the 6 Series began. I lusted after CSI, and as a teenager it was the first car I mourned when the series ended. I remember feeling guilty for even considering looking at another car.

A few years later at a London motor show, I managed to sneak into the driver’s seat of an M6 and was convinced that I did indeed have a six, but a modest 628. I needed something more nimble for my imaginary trans-European trips. I still joke to this day that I succeeded. But really, the stains and poor dress style sense must have been writ large and the seller took pity on me.

The last E24 635s rolled off the assembly line in Bavaria in 1989.

Thus, these cars are at least 34 years old. Obviously, my favorite is the M6. They are by far the most expensive and all came with a manual transmission, which is fine with me.

Its power seems paltry compared to cars offered today. In the M series, the power was 286 hp (210 kW). If you find an American version with a catalytic converter, which was introduced in 1987, the power is even less. The 635’s power output was only 215 hp (160 kW), less than a modern hot hatch these days. However, the smoothness, handling and sheer driving theater of this, undoubtedly the most beautiful Bimmer ever made, is well worth it. They were designed to be a Grand Tourer, so they eat miles for breakfast and spit their driver out after hours behind the wheel with unnoticeable back and leg pain.

Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to find M6s in Australia.

Most of them made their way to the States, so it might be worth looking there. However, a few years ago you could find the odd M635CSI for around $38k. Today, however, that price has gone up considerably, with just one car selling on Car Sales for $98k!

CSIs are much larger, and range from $50k to $30k with mileage up to 165k. As always, it’s best to spend as much as you can afford, as being cheap can be a two-way stick.

And the costs?

You probably guessed it coming: maintenance on these cars can be expensive unless you’re handy with a wrench. Remember that prevention is always better than cure, so finding a good local professional will pay dividends.

From what I understand, if you change the oil every 8-10k miles, you can expect the engine to last a long time.

The automatic transmission is probably the weakest link and often gives out after about 160,000km. So keep this in mind if the car you’re considering has more than 130,000 miles, and include the potential cost of a new transmission in your negotiations.

The transmission is sturdy, but the universal joints probably need checking. Regular maintenance, especially on an M6, is very important, paying particular attention to valves and timing components.

Rust can affect the seams on the sides of the engine bay, check the shock absorber struts for corrosion. If the car was imported from the UK, the situation will be much worse.

Make sure all the electrics work, such as the windows, seats, dashboard lights etc.

Having said all that, I still want a car like this and after writing this article, reasons and ways to loot my overdraft, forget about having too many people in my family and swap my Skoda for something more Teutonic are brewing in my head. Although Skoda is technically German these days, isn’t it.

Read more / Original news source: https://manipurhub.com/a-part-time-job-in-a-bmw-635-csi-125/