Alpinas need the period stickers on to look perfect
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Ye gods, I've been here for some time and never noticed this thread. Some seriously gorgeous/interesting metal up there!
I run a very dull diesel Audi company car. And a 1994 W124 estate (seriously worn and tatty looking, if mechanically sound). And this...
It's a 1991 S4 so automatic (same basic transmission as the Merc, amusingly) and it's a full-on labour of love. We've had it since 2007 and after deciding to give it an engine transplant a couple of years ago after it ate a main bearing, we are pretty much stuck with it now - selling wouldn't make financial sense. Which is a good thing, because I love it. The (refreshed) replacement engine had only done 70,000, too. :)
It's a wonderful car to drive - much more nimble than something that size has any right to be, with supremely reassuring handling and ludicrous reserves of grip. it was originally company car for a PCGB regional manager up north and had some nice options including the sport exhaust, so it sounds absolutely lovely (the decat and x-pipe help with this, too). Slow to 60 by modern standards, in-gear punch is still pretty potent, helped by the 4-speed 'box which is long-legged in the extreme. 2nd gear tops out at nearly 80mph and third (the real boomer gear) will go well over 110.
A few years ago, Evo's "the knowledge" section included the 928 GTS, and described it as "big-hearted and beautiful". Yes, and yes (to my eye at least). Wouldn't change it for the world!
I know! When I consider that we paid £8K for ours, and at the time GTs could be had for £9-12.5K, the prices these days seem stratospheric. That's a lovely photo btw.
Such a timeless design the 928. However, my Porsche indy pretty much said steer clear.
I recognised the URL - I met Mike at a Tilford get together a few years back, his car is unbelievable. (If only I could commit to that sort of detailing. And stereo fitment!)
Absolutely agreed. There's a known issue with the thrust bearings on S4 autos, and many cars on the market suffer from deferred maintenance and/or the inevitable gremlins that take up residence when a car's not used regularly - but much of the car is easy to work on yourself and parts don't have to be horrendously expensive. For example, my driver's window failed last year. Several hundred quid to fix at a garage using Porsche branded parts, or about 50 to sort myself (stripping the door down is straightforward and the window regulator is the same part as used on the Saab 900...).The cars are reasonably bullet-proof, to be honest, so long as the cam belt is changed every 4 years or 40,000 miles and the torque tube is checked regularly.
IME a lot of indys avoid working on 928s because they don't know them especially well - and because deferred maintenance and the car's inherent complexity conspire to throw unexpected problems into the mix.
My indy works on this guy's cars, so knows a thing or two about 928s...
http://www.mr928.com/
;-)
Wow, not one, but two Mclarens! Love them.
These are my relics: 1967 Lotus Elan S3 S/E, which I've had a long time, and the 1964 AC Cobra FIA (a genuine one, before you ask). The Elan is much nicer to drive, but the impact of the Cobra cannot be denied.
A nice low mileage on here https://hexagonclassics.com/cars/por...8-5-4-gts-2dr/
Ha - yes. There is also this one, with a rather interesting provenance (and expected price!)...
I'm a sucker for the early ones. I love this with the single mirror but not at the £25k he wants for it.
http://www.mr928.com/car1.html
I've had the Elan around LeMans (at 120mph), but it's a road car, so the suspension is too soft and too high. I am thinking of doing some hillclimbing though, but its primary purpose will always be fast road. The cobra would be great on track as it's built for racing to FIA rules, and has raced in the past, but we've only had it a short time, so not yet.
Hey thread. I've just sold my Saab on the SC because I've been given this -
It's an '03 plate 530SE Wagon, auto, and about 80k miles. It belonged to the in-laws of a good friend of mine, and was in Holland (on UK plates.) It was reaching the end of its legal period, MOT expiring, etc, and they didn't know what to do with it.
So, saint that I am...
Flight to Amsterdam on Monday lunchtime, train to Leiden, bus to Noordwijk, then a nice dinner and a drive to Calais for an overnight in an Ibis Budget hotel. (Perfectly adequate, like a Swedish prison.) Then up for a run around Carefore for some interesting booze, the 1220 LeShuttle to Folkstone and M20-M25-M40 home for 3pm. Given it a clean and a polish, and tried to get rid of the slightly musty smell, and I'm hoping it'll be my car for the next few years.
The drive across NE Europe was great fun - cruise control set nice and high, I could watch the petrol gauge visibly sink. It's a very good fast cruiser.
Thanks chaps. They are fantastic cars. The Elan was restored over 3 years from a total basket case to what I think is one of the nicest anywhere. The Cobra I share with my father in law, who is an AC expert. He has an amazing racing AC Ace which was restored from an absolute disaster to being invited to race at Goodwood.
I really want a Caterham! I've never driven one, but just love the idea of them. Alas, until I have more garaging space it'll have to wait.
Renaultsport Twingo.
It didn't come with Ross Kemp in the boot
Shit loads of giggles for not much cash. Plan in the future is to drop a megane 225 engine in then it will be more fun...
Great looking wee car. I wonder how it would perform against my one litre Fiesta.
I mentioned my one litre Fiesta as it has been remapped to 160hp with 247nm of torque. It's light too. With the Abarth 595 Turismo having nigh on identical performance figures, I know that you will have some fun with the Abarth.
Last edited by j111dja; 12th August 2016 at 23:03.
She lays in beauty like the night, of cloudless climes and starry skies. by Ben Wright, on Flickr
Honda S2000. I took this pic playing around with some light painting at a local park. Car is amazing, owned it over 2 years and everyday I still don't get bored of driving it... side profile is my fav angle of the car too.
Owned some big bhp Imprezas for over ten years and had a clean licence for the best part of twenty. Bought the Mrs an Abarth in 2014 and had it remapped and within three months I had my first points which says it all really. Not proud but a really infectious car an I'm sure you will enjoy it.
We only use ours at the weekend and have covered a pathetic 3000 miles in 2.5 years but I'm still finding myself looking at the new 595 180bhp.
^^^Infectious sums it up...Mrs Goat has an Abarth, I daren't get it mapped
it's more economical when driven on "sport " 100% of the time too about 43mpg and redder than a red thing.