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[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

When asked how much power a car needs to make it exciting  Carroll Shelby of AC Cobra fame would often reply with a smile  "Too much is just right" 

I reckon he may well have said something similar if asked about the 625 BHP BMW M5 Competition.


I really like this car.

 
















BMW 240i

[YZ250]

Wow, you get some decent courtesy cars don’t you.    Whenever I’ve taken a £50K beemer in, I’ve been given an old 318 or similar. 
Car salesmen can smell wealth so they know it’s worth letting you rag about in it if they’re going to get a sale in return. 
A Competition Edition as well you jammy git. 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Wow, you get some decent courtesy cars don’t you.    Whenever I’ve taken a £50K beemer in, I’ve been given an old 318 or similar. 
Car salesmen can smell wealth so they know it’s worth letting you rag about in it if they’re going to get a sale in return. 
A Competition Edition as well you jammy git. 

They let me have it for the day.

Filled it with enough petrol for 200 miles.

It would have been rude to refuse.

They want me to buy it though and that might be a stretch too far even though it has lost £35000 in just 6 months.

[YZ250]

Nice one. Enjoy. 

[YZ250]

One of our directors had one with the limiter removed. It did around 205mph apparently, which was perfectly legal on some of the roads where he came from. 

[Nick W]

It's a nice colour under all the vulgar black trim and white upholstery. And I wondered what all the noise was when I was gardening

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

It's a nice colour under all the vulgar black trim and white upholstery. And I wondered what all the noise was when I was gardening

Tanzanite blue which I'm told was a £2000 option.

In the sunlight it was quite spectacular......but without the sun it is just a drab blue.

[Rangie]

Lovely looking car 👍

[STEMO]

It's got the same seats as the new Vauxhall Frontera 

[STEMO]

Wow, you get some decent courtesy cars don’t you.    Whenever I’ve taken a £50K beemer in, I’ve been given an old 318 or similar. 
Car salesmen can smell wealth so they know it’s worth letting you rag about in it if they’re going to get a sale in return. 
A Competition Edition as well you jammy git. 

They let me have it for the day.

Filled it with enough petrol for 200 miles.

It would have been rude to refuse.

They want me to buy it though and that might be a stretch too far even though it has lost £35000 in just 6 months.

And it will probably continue to lose money very quickly.

[Raeturbo]

Two wheel drive?

[Marks DTM Calib]

Does it sound like a hovercraft for many minutes after you lock it and walk away?

Not a fan of that engine! 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Two wheel drive?

Four paw.....although it can be made 2 wheel drive only if you want to make lots of smoke.

My M240i is permanent 4 wheel drive only.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Does it sound like a hovercraft for many minutes after you lock it and walk away?

Not a fan of that engine! 

Yeah, about 20 minutes. I thought I had broken it.

[TheBoy]

On the face of it, I would fancy one, enough I could almost accept that good awful interior

Sadly, my back probably wouldn't cope (it struggles with a standard 5 series). Not that I could ever afford one

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

On the face of it, I would fancy one, enough I could almost accept that good awful interior

Sadly, my back probably wouldn't cope (it struggles with a standard 5 series). Not that I could ever afford one

They depreciate like falling off a cliff and insurance won't be that much for an elderly gentleman such as yourself.   Think of it as a modern day 3.2 Omega with an extra 400 BHP.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Does it sound like a hovercraft for many minutes after you lock it and walk away?

Not a fan of that engine! 

Yeah, about 20 minutes. I thought I had broken it.

Bit of a shite design to get around packaging constraints, turbos in the V, they have 'thermal challenges', we use the same lumps in the new RR and RRS, not nearly as good as the previous SC 5.0 we had.

[Raeturbo]

Definitely, turbos in the vee  would always be a no go for me especially at that  at power 😱😵‍💫

[Doctor Gollum]

It's a trend started by those dickheads at Vag who couldn't package a car if their lives depended on it.

[VXL V6]

I think the 5 Series in all generations (except perhaps the E60/61 at the time) has the most tame styling of all the vehicle ranges they make.

If I had the cash i'd happily go from my F10 to a G30 or G60 but I don't so that's the end of that! 

[Viral_Jim]

Every time you post pictures of a car on your grounds, that garage looks nearer and nearer to collapse  .

Nice motor, although I have to say neither the exterior not interior colour scheme do anything for me.

Will you be putting a few shekles their way? The buy in is surely pocket change to a man of means such as yourself...

[Nick W]

It's a trend started by those dickheads at Vag who couldn't package a car if their lives depended on it.

There's nothing different about VAG that makes them do it, it's just how German engineers think.


Like this:


E1 - Nobody has ever considered putting this bit here before, but it might sort-of-work if we did


E2 - Let me do my PHD thesis on how there's a nominal 1.76749499963638399% improvement in the alpha wave retention feedback circuit** if we do


E1 - Congratulations, see you in three years by which time we'll have built 23.5 prototypes and have it ready for production!


E2 - I'm back, and the improvement is 0.057483929% better than we thought, so all this work and extra 37 parts are more than justified!!!!


Foreign Engineer - Wow that looks complicated and expensive to make   And it means that changing the oil filter will take now 3hours if the mechanic follows the 12page procedure and has the special tools


E2 - It is expensive***, but I've done the maths and it's better. Written procedures and special tools Now  I've got a hardon for a second doctorate, see you in another 3 years


E1 - What's a mechanic?

Foreign Engineer - opps me, I wish I was still at Citroen where things made sense....





** or whatever techy bullshit that nobody care about is in fashion at the time


*** No German engineer has ever understood the word complicated, especially when paired with unnecessary

[TheBoy]

I think the 5 Series in all generations (except perhaps the E60/61 at the time) has the most tame styling of all the vehicle ranges they make.

If I had the cash i'd happily go from my F10 to a G30 or G60 but I don't so that's the end of that! 

Yeah, but in 10yrs when the prices are better....

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

I think the 5 Series in all generations (except perhaps the E60/61 at the time) has the most tame styling of all the vehicle ranges they make.

If I had the cash i'd happily go from my F10 to a G30 or G60 but I don't so that's the end of that! 

Yeah, but in 10yrs when the prices are better....

Best looking M5 was the E39 from around 1998-2003 with a 5 litre NA V8. Only 400 BHP though.

[VXL V6]

I think the 5 Series in all generations (except perhaps the E60/61 at the time) has the most tame styling of all the vehicle ranges they make.

If I had the cash i'd happily go from my F10 to a G30 or G60 but I don't so that's the end of that! 

Yeah, but in 10yrs when the prices are better....

Yes, although in ten years I may have carked it so won't be an issue!

The main problem I found when looking for a used 5 series is getting the options you want in a decent example of the model you are after. I mean you can retrofit a lot of the kit but it's a lot of work which £ for £ you may as well just pay more in the beginning imho.

[ronnyd]

Every time you post pictures of a car on your grounds, that garage looks nearer and nearer to collapse  .

Nice motor, although I have to say neither the exterior not interior colour scheme do anything for me.

Will you be putting a few shekles their way? The buy in is surely pocket change to a man of means such as yourself...

That's where he houses the Filipino house boys. 

[Doctor Gollum]

I think the 5 Series in all generations (except perhaps the E60/61 at the time) has the most tame styling of all the vehicle ranges they make.

If I had the cash i'd happily go from my F10 to a G30 or G60 but I don't so that's the end of that! 

Yeah, but in 10yrs when the prices are better....

Yes, although in ten years I may have carked it so won't be an issue!

The main problem I found when looking for a used 5 series is getting the options you want in a decent example of the model you are after. I mean you can retrofit a lot of the kit but it's a lot of work which £ for £ you may as well just pay more in the beginning imho.

Assuming that someone ordered the spec you want and it's available for you to buy at a price and in a condition that meets your requirements.

[Nick W]

I think the 5 Series in all generations (except perhaps the E60/61 at the time) has the most tame styling of all the vehicle ranges they make.

If I had the cash i'd happily go from my F10 to a G30 or G60 but I don't so that's the end of that! 

Yeah, but in 10yrs when the prices are better....

Yes, although in ten years I may have carked it so won't be an issue!

The main problem I found when looking for a used 5 series is getting the options you want in a decent example of the model you are after. I mean you can retrofit a lot of the kit but it's a lot of work which £ for £ you may as well just pay more in the beginning imho.

Assuming that someone ordered the spec you want and it's available for you to buy at a price and in a condition that meets your requirements.

And that the previous owners continued to provide the open wallet maintenance that such cars require if they're going to be viable at 10,15, whatever(3,5 ) years old

[VXL V6]

I think the 5 Series in all generations (except perhaps the E60/61 at the time) has the most tame styling of all the vehicle ranges they make.

If I had the cash i'd happily go from my F10 to a G30 or G60 but I don't so that's the end of that! 

Yeah, but in 10yrs when the prices are better....

Yes, although in ten years I may have carked it so won't be an issue!

The main problem I found when looking for a used 5 series is getting the options you want in a decent example of the model you are after. I mean you can retrofit a lot of the kit but it's a lot of work which £ for £ you may as well just pay more in the beginning imho.

Assuming that someone ordered the spec you want and it's available for you to buy at a price and in a condition that meets your requirements.

And that the previous owners continued to provide the open wallet maintenance that such cars require if they're going to be viable at 10,15, whatever(3,5 ) years old

No different to any modern car then!

[Doctor Gollum]

Except the cost.

[VXL V6]

Any car in that class is going to cost more, no different to Jaguar etc. If you want a car to spend minimal money on you go for a simple shopping car with nothing in it except the minimal equipment to drive it - steering wheel etc.

[Nick W]

Any car in that class is going to cost more, no different to Jaguar etc. If you want a car to spend minimal money on you go for a simple shopping car with nothing in it except the minimal equipment to drive it - steering wheel etc.

That used to be the case, but now everything has A/C, some sort of display, remote central locking, immobiliser, ABS, electric windows, PAS, various driver aids for the safety ratings, electric handbrakes, etc etc there is no such thing as a simple shopping car.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Any car in that class is going to cost more, no different to Jaguar etc. If you want a car to spend minimal money on you go for a simple shopping car with nothing in it except the minimal equipment to drive it - steering wheel etc.

That used to be the case, but now everything has A/C, some sort of display, remote central locking, immobiliser, ABS, electric windows, PAS, various driver aids for the safety ratings, electric handbrakes, etc etc there is no such thing as a simple shopping car.

You could get around expensive technology failure by buying a 'half decent' Morris Minor Woody from the fifties or sixties .......for about £10,000.

[VXL V6]

Any car in that class is going to cost more, no different to Jaguar etc. If you want a car to spend minimal money on you go for a simple shopping car with nothing in it except the minimal equipment to drive it - steering wheel etc.

That used to be the case, but now everything has A/C, some sort of display, remote central locking, immobiliser, ABS, electric windows, PAS, various driver aids for the safety ratings, electric handbrakes, etc etc there is no such thing as a simple shopping car.

Yes true. There seemed to be a giant leap in technology in cars about 20 years ago. I'm sure if I jumped in my first company car (1993 Cavalier 2.0 SRi) it would seem ancient now. I'd still love to have a decent run again in an SD1 Vitesse but again I'm sure it wouldn't feel the same as the first time I drove one!

[Andy B]

 .... and they're all so much bigger. I saw a P6 TC on my way home from work this evening .... they used to be considered a big car in their day .... it didn't look very big anymore.

[VXL V6]

.... and they're all so much bigger. I saw a P6 TC on my way home from work this evening .... they used to be considered a big car in their day .... it didn't look very big anymore.

Yes indeed, the Omega and the wife's V70 feel Astra sized after driving the 5 series.

[Raeturbo]

You could get around expensive technology failure by buying a 'half decent' Morris Minor Woody from the fifties or sixties .......for about £10,000.

   Let me know when you come back to your senses 🤣😱

[Raeturbo]

Got a mk2 Jag on a rotisserie, there’s a mk2 cortina next to it, they look the same size when years ago we thought Mk2 Jag was a big car😱

[Nick W]

You could get around expensive technology failure by buying a 'half decent' Morris Minor Woody from the fifties or sixties .......for about £10,000.

   Let me know when you come back to your senses 🤣😱

I could acquire a respectable Minor saloon for about £3500 with a phonecall. Although I wouldn't want to do frequent long trips in one, they're still eminently practical as a daily driver around town or short commute. A few quid spent on some simple upgrades make that even more likely

[Raeturbo]

Sorry Nick, Don’t think they were ever respectable 😁  on the other hand the Morris Marina …….🤣🤣

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Sorry Nick, Don’t think they were ever respectable 😁 on the other hand the Morris Marina …….🤣🤣

 The woeful Marina was laughably seen as 'the future' when introduced in 1971......despite the antiquated engineering coming straight from the mid 1950's.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

https://youtu.be/3UJfbunHVuc?feature=shared

At least the All-aggro made an effort to be modern.

[Raeturbo]

Trigger must be having a lay in🤣🤣

[STEMO]

Trigger must be having a lay in🤣🤣

With Tigger?

[Raeturbo]

Yeah he’s horsing about👍

[Viral_Jim]

Sorry Nick, Don’t think they were ever respectable 😁 on the other hand the Morris Marina …….🤣🤣

 The woeful Marina was laughably seen as 'the future' when introduced in 1971......despite the antiquated engineering coming straight from the mid 1950's.

For a long time now I've had a hankering for a morris traveller with a V6, Vauxhall or jag as a bit of a runabout, would make an amusing sleeper.

[Sir Tigger KC]

Sorry Nick, Don’t think they were ever respectable 😁 on the other hand the Morris Marina …….🤣🤣

 The woeful Marina was laughably seen as 'the future' when introduced in 1971......despite the antiquated engineering coming straight from the mid 1950's.

For a long time now I've had a hankering for a morris traveller with a V6, Vauxhall or jag as a bit of a runabout, would make an amusing sleeper.

My Mum had a Morris Minor with an engine from a Austin Healy Sprite and Dolomite Sprint running gear. At least that's what I think it had, but whatever it was definitely a sleeper. The only clue was the slightly fatter wheels. 

[YZ250]

……..
 I'd still love to have a decent run again in an SD1 Vitesse but again I'm sure it wouldn't feel the same as the first time I drove one!

I owned a Moonraker Blue Rover SD1 3.5 Vitesse TP for around 5 years. It was a big (for that era) comfortable car, but boy did it like a drink. It sounded sweet, especially after I’d removed the centre boxes from the zorst.    Rust got to it in the end, mainly the door bottoms due to poor drainage and the rear arches. In later years a couple of colleagues completely rebuilt their Vitesse’s with new parts from Rimmer Brothers, but back then I had a young family and was finding 16mpg on a good day a drain on my wallet, very often much lower the way I drove it. As far as I can recall the V8 and transmission never let me down. 

[countrywoman]

That's why I am building my 51 Austin Countryman with all the Omega running gear, looks stock but far from it.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Ive always loved the idea of the fun that could be had from a sleeper car.
Probably my ultimate one would have been the poverty spec prefacelift Omega, with Lotus Carlton running gear built by Omegatoy.
10 or more years ago I was told it had sat neglected on a driveway in Cambridge for several years, which set off dreams of buying it.
I heard not long after that the owner had sold the running gear when he got an offer he couldnt refuse.

[Viral_Jim]

That's why I am building my 51 Austin Countryman with all the Omega running gear, looks stock but far from it.

I bet that will go well when you're finished 

About 200bhp/tonne?

[countrywoman]

Something like that! Not sure how well it will corner--------

[Kevin Wood]

Ive always loved the idea of the fun that could be had from a sleeper car.
Probably my ultimate one would have been the poverty spec prefacelift Omega, with Lotus Carlton running gear built by Omegatoy.
10 or more years ago I was told it had sat neglected on a driveway in Cambridge for several years, which set off dreams of buying it.
I heard not long after that the owner had sold the running gear when he got an offer he couldnt refuse.

I reckon Robsey's V8 "Omega 2.5 estate" was pretty much perfect. Before he gave the game away by poking a blower through the bonnet!

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

I think that was for sale on ebay recently. Wouldnt want an estate myself, but otherwise a lovely thing.

[Viral_Jim]

I reckon Robsey's V8 "Omega 2.5 estate" was pretty much perfect. Before he gave the game away by poking a blower through the bonnet!

Was this the one with Monaro running gear?

[Doctor Gollum]

I reckon Robsey's V8 "Omega 2.5 estate" was pretty much perfect. Before he gave the game away by poking a blower through the bonnet!

Was this the one with Monaro running gear?

Yup

Still going strong. Basically it's a short wheelbase Commodore wagon that happens to look like an Omega... That's to say the entire drivetrain and subframes are Monaro/Holden VZ rather than Omega B.