Car Thread - VROOM VROOM

[DavidS877]

maybe one day

But admit it, when it comes to four pot grocery getters, diesel is the way to go.

I like that my Diesel can tow 6000lbs+ of groceries, enough for even the largest Serbian cheese haul. Or 27MPG average when not towing.

 

[KittyGremlin]

I like that my Diesel can tow 6000lbs+ of groceries, enough for even the largest Serbian cheese haul. Or 27MPG average when not towing.

I can respect that, even to a point I'm not gonna make a "yo mama" joke about that grocery haul.

 

[God's drunkest driver]

maybe one day

But admit it, when it comes to four pot grocery getters, diesel is the way to go.

Maybe. But when I think of econoboxes, I don't think of Mercedes at all... And when I think of diesel Mercedes, I think of 30 year old cars with I6s.

 

[Car Won't Crank]

Whatever they did with the intake and exhaust setup on the M156 cars they will never replicate again. Bone stock they sound better than any other German V8 car ever made. I liked them so much I bought a W211 E63 AMG not too long ago. Unfortunately the C63 wagons are not available in the USA. That era really was the end of cool NA German cars, we had the M156, M120, N73, S65, S62, S85, 4.2FSI. Unfortunately all of them are basically junk aside from the M120. The M156 is the most bulletproof V8 of that group of bearing eaters and retard engines (audi 4.2) and even it has issues which I'm not looking forward to dealing with.

I adore the S62. It's peak BMW V8 regardless of what the E90 M3 people say. Isn't it also really bulletproof for a high power NA V8? One thing I don't understand is why the head gaskets extend out into the timing covers and acts as a gasket there too.

 

[God's drunkest driver]

I adore the S62. It's peak BMW V8 regardless of what the E90 M3 people say. Isn't it also really bulletproof for a high power NA V8? One thing I don't understand is why the head gaskets extend out into the timing covers and acts as a gasket there too.

They are more prone to bearing failures than other performance V8s. I don't know why. BMW just built them differently. Years ago I owned an E92 M3 that I bought with bad bearings, did the repair myself, got the car super cheap. It doesn't happen to LS7s, M156s, Audi 4.2s, none of them have bearing issues like the S62s, and not all S62s seem to be affected. It also affects S54s, S85s. As for the head gasket thing, yes it's kinda dumb, but BMW did that on many engines, M50, S38, S14, going back to the M30... It's actually not that uncommon at all, the M156 has that, as do more common engines like the nissan SR20, toyota 22RE, and I'm sure many more that I haven't had apart. BMW tried a separate gasket for the timing case (not the cover, just the rear case, which was separate on that engine) on the M42, the "profile gasket" which was rubber and had a cooling passage in it. It was a disaster. It would leak, and repairing the leak would be a head off job, very expensive. In extreme cases it would leak coolant into the crankcase. BMW's 4cyls have never been particularly good since they discontinued the M10 and S14.

 

[Bassomatic]

The insurance doesn't cover anything, it's wear and tear sadly. I put 100k enjoyable miles on the clock.
It's a 2018 Focus RS. The dealership is offering me 7k for the car, the highest external offer I got is 13k.
If I'd go with the external offer I'd shop for a new (used) car.

On the shortlist are:
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio (The stupid choice due to being a Stellantis product, but that thing is fantastic to drive and looks pretty)
Audi RS5 (The safe choice, and it'll still look good in 10 years, solidly built, lacks driving feedback but I enjoy the comfort)
BMW M3/4 (No fan of BMW, the stereotypes are all true, but the handling and that engine are fantastic)
Mercedes C63 (It's all about that engine, the rest of the car is pretty boring though)

All would be in the 50k range, running costs are all pretty similar.
Alternatively I'd get a beater for a grand or so, save up some more for one or two years and see what the market has to offer then. But I enjoy driving too much, so that would be one or two years of torture.

Shit thats kinda trick spot to be in.

I'd be leery of all of the options for upkeep (I also do all my own work) the M is what I'd lean to because while I love AMGs I have some history working on BMWs and mrs last was a Bimmer.

Dunno how time limited you are if you have a rental and look to get a funky cheap option, it's what I'd do and have done before but it takes luck. What you listed you can always find one, but in theory if you have 2 weeks of a rental maybe cop something cheap and fun for a bit low cost like say a mx5 or old wrx just to rock till you really make your mind up

 

[PFM]

I drove by a local Toyota dealership and saw the new 4th gen Tacoma on display. I'm really curious how these things are going to hold up.

 

[Bassomatic]

I drove by a local Toyota dealership and saw the new 4th gen Tacoma on display. I'm really curious how these things are going to hold up.

While I have no faith in anything in not just cars but life it self, tacos will last. Somehow. Even if it's a down grade like the early v6 that only went 500k miles with out an issue. They are really sweet trucks.

The Toyota I had pre taco @ratspeaker talked me into buying drunk, I got with 400k+ miles, lasted a shit nig turbo kit and then sold to my gf at the time. She still has it it's past 500k now.

 

[PFM]

While I have no faith in anything in not just cars but life it self, tacos will last. Somehow. Even if it's a down grade like the early v6 that only went 500k miles with out an issue. They are really sweet trucks.

The Toyota I had pre taco @ratspeaker talked me into buying drunk, I got with 400k+ miles, lasted a shit nig turbo kit and then sold to my gf at the time. She still has it it's past 500k now.

I've never looked into it but word-of-mouth 4th hand that the twin turbo Tundras have had a lot of problems. Is this true?

 

[Eadred]

Shit thats kinda trick spot to be in.

I'd be leery of all of the options for upkeep (I also do all my own work) the M is what I'd lean to because while I love AMGs I have some history working on BMWs and mrs last was a Bimmer.

Dunno how time limited you are if you have a rental and look to get a funky cheap option, it's what I'd do and have done before but it takes luck. What you listed you can always find one, but in theory if you have 2 weeks of a rental maybe cop something cheap and fun for a bit low cost like say a mx5 or old wrx just to rock till you really make your mind up

Currently borrowing the car from my old man, he is recovering from surgery, so for the time being I've got some wheels.

I sold the car for 13k, and am currently shopping for a decent car.
I narrowed it down to the Audi and the Alfa since I could not find a good deal on either BMWs or Mercs. Since the new BMWs are fugly, the last generation went up on the used market, and since Mercedes thought it's smart to put a 4 cylinder hybrid in their new 63 lineup, the used market went up as well.

Next week I'm checking out some offerings at dealers and I hope to get a decent deal out of it. Current used market is fucked though, and lots of shady dealers out there.

 

[Car Won't Crank]

They are more prone to bearing failures than other performance V8s. I don't know why. BMW just built them differently. Years ago I owned an E92 M3 that I bought with bad bearings, did the repair myself, got the car super cheap. It doesn't happen to LS7s, M156s, Audi 4.2s, none of them have bearing issues like the S62s, and not all S62s seem to be affected. It also affects S54s, S85s. As for the head gasket thing, yes it's kinda dumb, but BMW did that on many engines, M50, S38, S14, going back to the M30... It's actually not that uncommon at all, the M156 has that, as do more common engines like the nissan SR20, toyota 22RE, and I'm sure many more that I haven't had apart. BMW tried a separate gasket for the timing case (not the cover, just the rear case, which was separate on that engine) on the M42, the "profile gasket" which was rubber and had a cooling passage in it. It was a disaster. It would leak, and repairing the leak would be a head off job, very expensive. In extreme cases it would leak coolant into the crankcase. BMW's 4cyls have never been particularly good since they discontinued the M10 and S14.

I know the BMW S engines tend to eat bearings faster than one would expect, but I've also seen a few E39 M5 with 200k+ miles at car meets. It doesn't seem like the S62 is all that bad compared to the S65 when it comes to bearing longevity. Changing out bearings every 100k miles isn't too unreasonable for the price of performance. You'd have to replace the oil pan gasket at that interval anyway. The S54 and S62 are to me last best easy to work on S engines. The head gasket thing is just strange because the regular M62/tu doesn't have that.

 

[Crass887]

I keep seeing these Vinfast shits around town. Why the fuck would anyone get these??

 

[Mikoyan]

I keep seeing these Vinfast shits around town. Why the fuck would anyone get these??

Cheap for EVs I guess.

I just want them to ditch boring alphanumerics naming schemes and go for places that evoke the true beauty of the home country. The Vinfast Khe Sanh.

 

[Bassomatic]

Best of luck with the shopping, not sure where you are but private party an option? Cleaned up the garage and brought the good news to the mrs, I've yet to replace the Jag fiscally speaking, we got the Sexus and it's great for what it is, she doesn't care about faster so we might not go too big on boost let alone at all. It's a 2zj with out a spinny boi sadly. So you know a cheap single kit would really wake it up and millions of options.

The good news? Getting quotes to put in a mother fucking lift. Already talked to someone who can get a used one, my garage is 1 story but triangle roof and we can change some things. The plan (was told this will work) is use the lift to store another car so we can put 2 in one on the lift one under. Plus I'll have a lift!

 

[Car Won't Crank]

Best of luck with the shopping, not sure where you are but private party an option? Cleaned up the garage and brought the good news to the mrs, I've yet to replace the Jag fiscally speaking, we got the Sexus and it's great for what it is, she doesn't care about faster so we might not go too big on boost let alone at all. It's a 2zj with out a spinny boi sadly. So you know a cheap single kit would really wake it up and millions of options.

The good news? Getting quotes to put in a mother fucking lift. Already talked to someone who can get a used one, my garage is 1 story but triangle roof and we can change some things. The plan (was told this will work) is use the lift to store another car so we can put 2 in one on the lift one under. Plus I'll have a lift!

4 post lift is the shit. Would love one in my garage. Someday perhaps.

 

[God's drunkest driver]

Changing out bearings every 100k miles isn't too unreasonable for the price of performance.

It’s extremely unreasonable when you consider it’s not necessary on a certain extremely famous high revving high performance engine (F20) nor any other Honda that does not quite meet the F20’s lofty specific output. Not to mention the others I highlighted. The E92 I owned that needed new bearings had under 65,000mi on it IIRC. You would have to run an S2000 out of oil to trash the bearings by 65k, 14,000rpm sportbike engine bearings last longer.

M156s may lack hp/l vs S62s and 65s, but they make more power and don’t run through bearings. While the M3 was a better handling car with a manual I enjoy my AMG just as much because it’s faster and sounds way better.

 

[Car Won't Crank]

It’s extremely unreasonable when you consider it’s not necessary on a certain extremely famous high revving high performance engine (F20) nor any other Honda that does not quite meet the F20’s lofty specific output. Not to mention the others I highlighted. The E92 I owned that needed new bearings had under 65,000mi on it IIRC. You would have to run an S2000 out of oil to trash the bearings by 65k, 14,000rpm sportbike engine bearings last longer.

M156s may lack hp/l vs S62s and 65s, but they make more power and don’t run through bearings. While the M3 was a better handling car with a manual I enjoy my AMG just as much because it’s faster and sounds way better.

That's a good point. The S2k AP1 engine is very reliable and doesn't eat bearings. The BMW S division engineers must have been doing some of that Escobarian cocaine when designing it. I wish I had a M car in my stable, but I'm pretty content with the regular non S engines.

 

[Crass887]

Cheap for EVs I guess.

I just want them to ditch boring alphanumerics naming schemes and go for places that evoke the true beauty of the home country. The Vinfast Khe Sanh.

They're easily over 50k here, I wouldn't call that cheap

 

[The Last Stand]

Ava Gardner seductively posing with her convertible. I think that's a Facel Vega.

 

[Doctor John B. Zyklon]

Ok, I need help with wheel brands. I need wheels in 5x112, 19x10 or 19x9.5 and under 28lbs or so. From what I can find, the forming method I'm looking for is flow form / rotary form / whatever brand name here. But, my budget is rather smol, 1500-3k USD. LESS IS MORE, obviously.

I am so confused on who makes decent wheels. HRE, Vorsteiner, and Rohana are really the only ones I can seem to nail down as "good". I'm looking for a mesh wheel and a 5 or 6 spoke option.

Part of me thinks that if it's flow formed it's all good, but maybe companies like ESR cheap out on the mat or the method?