02-02-2018, 01:02 AM | #23 | |
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02-02-2018, 03:46 AM | #24 | |
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want it: https://www.auto-data.net/images/f10/file7427010.jpg |
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02-05-2018, 12:42 AM | #25 | |
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I am good friends with a lot of people who work for BMW Manufacturing here in the US. They are engineers and leaders of new development, and they are helping to create, test, and perfect the BMWs of the next generation. As impressive as they are, and some of them really are ![]() |
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02-07-2018, 02:35 AM | #26 | |
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About M-based track cars, I think the e36 or e46 would be a great base. I'm afraid the e92 may be on the porky side even completely stripped. I've seen somewhere that the e36 offer the best value/performance equation and make great race cars... I think you just pointed out the thing that is frustrating with BMW: they have a ton of good people working for them. It just seems that the top management is not so good anymore. In deciding to go mainstream and fill all the niches, they have diluted the brand tremendously. You can do SUV's and still maintain the prestige of a brand: just look at Porsche! They don't have ton of products, just the right ones. And I'm not even talking about the Electric revolution. I was hopeful when BMW started their i business, but a stupid city car and a so-so supercar have squashed my hopes. Now they will be left in the dust when Porsche launches their Mission E later this year, which looks to become the gold standard for performance electric cars, even compared to Tesla. I too am drawn to the older cars and at the same time I'm fascinated by what the electric cars bring to the table as far as packaging, design, technology etc... So why not have both ;-) Cheers!
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02-08-2018, 11:34 PM | #27 | |||
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02-09-2018, 06:53 PM | #28 | |
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So, after all the search, have you made the choice for your racer? It must be a Cornelian decision! I am sure you'll have plenty of good time no matter the choice as the pleasure is in the process. If you particularly love the E46, go for it. If it were me, I'd try to make an E46 M3 CSL with manual gearbox so something in the spirit ;-) About BMW running themselves thin, it's a reality unfortunately. Unlike Porsche that are NOT trying to copy anyone but run their own show, BMW are following Mercedes and Audi too much and are not walking their own path and when they do, they make really bad bad choice that cost them dearly. I'm talking about the 5/6 series GT, the Active Tourer MPV... What were they thinking???? Also having no supercar (or whatever they call) is a mistake for their brand image. It all started when they made the M1: after that they got cold feet. But now the M1 is considered by the classic car world as a blue chip BMW with the 507 and pre-war 328. One of my big gripes is that they cancelled the 1st M8 (early 90's), which would have been a game changer and created a brand new category. https://www.motormag.com.au/features...w-m8-prototype The secret of Tesla IMO is not too much their cars (hardware), because they are pretty poorly build (Porsche will show them a thing or 2 about that) but their software (updated on a regular basis) and their charging infrastructure. They have understood that the electric car success hinge on how far owners can travel (or think they can travel) and invested accordingly. Their big problem is how to build all the cars they've received the orders for! Cheers! Cheers!
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02-11-2018, 12:00 AM | #29 | |
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You are definitely not alone in the frustration with BMW's decisions, but I'm sure you know that. I get to ride in and sometimes drive a lot of brand new BMWs, ranging from various X models to 440i coupes, various 3 & 5 series models, M2s, etc... I do really enjoy them, but it seems like the focus of the brand has shifted from what it used to be. The industry as a whole is shifting, but there is something to be said for staying true to what you are. This is why I will slowly start to collect my favorite classic BMWs ![]() I had never heard of this car prior to the link he sent me, but it kind of blew my mind too! Fascinating, truly. I think what I find most impressive about Tesla is how they have managed to disrupt the whole automotive industry in such a short period of time. That is no small feat. Although they have far from perfect auto manufacturing practices, they have succeeded in making all the other major high end manufacturers scramble to create their competition. I agree that their strong points are definitely their software adaptability and their network of charging stations - these things are game changers. And yeah, from a business standpoint, the issue of not being able to keep up with demand can be a big problem. We all saw this coming though right? I have watched this company pull out of so many dire financial situations it is unreal sometimes, we'll see how they maneuver this one ![]() |
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02-16-2018, 02:13 AM | #30 | |
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Sorry for the late reply: it's been a busy week! I believe you forgot to attach pics of the E46 ;-). From the cost stand point, the E36 is the cheapest 3-series nowadays so, maybe the less you invest in the donor car, the more you can spend on the racing bits... About the M8, what a car it would have been. The engine is the precursor to the McLaren F1. The car was a masterpiece in my eyes and so advanced (not only with a carbon roof and bonnet but also with Carbon wheels!!). Here are a few more detailed pics of it... About Tesla, it's not only cars they are making but Musk has engineers working on space rockets with boosters that can land by themselves after being used. I wonder if any car company have access to this kind of technology!
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02-17-2018, 12:12 AM | #31 | |
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It's been a busy week here too, but a good week. Hopefully a good week for you as well. I'm happy it's the weekend! Here are some pics of the E46 I fell in love with. I really like that it has no sunroof, has cloth seats, and was low optioned. My E90 is optioned to the max, and it is very nice and luxurious sure - but I want something different for my dedicated track car. This one kind of checked all the boxes: Here is a link to the FS page: http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=594331 However, I do think I am leaning back towards E36s at this time. It really does seem to make sense. Back to the M8... that engine... ![]() Really, the entire car is pretty breathtaking. Thank you for sharing those awesome pics. My heart skips a beat when I see such beauty. As interesting as I find Tesla, I find the work that Elon Musk is doing with SpaceX infinitely more fascinating. I watched a lot of the videos from when they were first testing the landing capabilities of their rockets, and that first time they nailed the landing I felt like I was watching something historical take place. I think they are landing their rockets with some sort of regularity almost at this point. Really, really cool stuff. |
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02-18-2018, 12:18 AM | #32 | |
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Wow, what a sweet looking E46. I believe the only thing one needs to worry about purchasing these are the vanos and the cracked chassis at the rear subframe but this one looks to have been taken care of and very much loved. And the imola red and cloth/leather combo is fantastic! It would be a bit sad to convert it to a racer though: it looks like a fine daily driver... Going back to the initial 8 series, It's IMO one of the future classics to invest in when prices are still low. Of course, being such a complicated car, there may be expensive remedial work to put in, but I believe they could be amazing restomod projects (like what Singer does to classic 911's). I've just completed a virtual restomod of the 850i I'm attaching here. I've just widened both front and rear tracks and widened the front and rear fenders, attached sike skirts and front spoiler and cleaned up some of parts such as updating the door handles to modern ones and changing the orange indicators to clear ones. Of course the biggest impact items are bigger wheels/tire combo and brakes. The only part from the car that looks "old" are the rear tail lights, which need to have a more modern slim design. Otherwise this car could be sold as-it today. Attached pic. I think this car is one of the best looking BMW's ever made.
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02-18-2018, 07:44 PM | #34 |
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Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2017
I've got your 8er porn right here...
![]() I took these pics last May at Villa Erba, in Lake Como. Enjoy! Dackel carbon fiber wheels! In the '90's no less!!
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02-18-2018, 09:09 PM | #35 | |
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Umm, I am kind of speechless with what you have presented to us here with the virtual restomod of an 850i. Just gorgeous, wow. Every updated element looks amazing - very well-balanced, tasteful and classy, just perfect. I’m blown away… this is probably the coolest thing I have seen in a while. And, yes, the taillights could stand to be updated, but overall the car is stunning. This has truly made my day! Thank you for sharing! ![]() |
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02-18-2018, 09:28 PM | #36 | |
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![]() It is really cool to see the classic 8 series design in comparison to the new. Honestly - I really like both. Even though I am drawn to a more classic look, that new 8 series looks pretty dope. Those old school carbon wheels though... ![]() Awesome pics, thank you! |
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02-28-2018, 06:33 PM | #37 | |
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Have you made a decision about your race car? Cheers!
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02-28-2018, 06:50 PM | #38 | |
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02-28-2018, 07:10 PM | #39 | |
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03-02-2018, 10:01 PM | #41 | |
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For the most part, yes I have made a decision about my future race car. I'm going to stick to my original 2 year plan, which means in 2019 I will start seriously looking for a track only car. And, I believe I will be looking for an E36 M3. The whole reason for the 2 year plan was that I knew I would have to put a lot of $$ into my E90 to keep it happy while I dual purposed it, and that has definitely been the case. This year alone I have done ignition coils, spark plugs, got a dedicated set of track wheels & tires, plus spacers & wheel studs. I have a pile of bushings and mounts sitting in my garage, plus Bilstein shocks on the way. This weekend I am ordering camber plates, water pump, t-stat, and belts & pulleys. I know I still need to do rear rotors and I'll need to get an alignment after my suspension work. There will likely be some other stuff too. Last year was pretty major too, with rod bearings, fluids and filters, lowering springs, brakes, wheels, tires, modified exhaust etc etc... lol. Most of these things needed to be done anyways, so I figured I would enjoy the car as much as I could before finding a car to take over track duty full time ![]() |
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03-03-2018, 02:12 AM | #42 | |
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If you don't have a build thread, you should definitely create one and I will be your 1st subscriber! By the way, have you heard about the unicorn of the E92 M3's: the CRT?? It was basically a 4-door M3 GTS... https://www.caranddriver.com/news/20...ght-sedan-news One was for sale in 2012 in Bimmperpost: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=663359 They are now worth around 300K!! Cheers!
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03-03-2018, 03:39 PM | #43 | |
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Here is a CRT for sale... Go to 08:10...
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03-03-2018, 11:31 PM | #44 | |
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![]() I don’t know if I am worthy of my own build thread yet!! For the most part I just ask excessive amounts of questions while I’m here, lol. Plus I pay attention to what other people are doing to help give me ideas. I’m just thankful everyone has been so helpful and nice ![]() It wouldn’t hurt to start documenting all the fun I’m having with this car though. I do spend a lot of time working on it trying to balance it between a comfy & beautiful DD and also a reliable track car. I’ve enjoyed every minute, I’m hooked. Omg, I had not heard of the CRT before ![]() Super cool there was one for sale on this forum, it was brand new too. You know that thing wasn’t for sale for long. I can’t believe they are worth 300k now!! I really can’t thank you enough for all the fantastic BMW stuff you have passed my way, I hope you know how happy it makes me! Plus, you have given me some great ideas on topics to write about. You are appreciated! |
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