* Motors chat - round 12 *

wotzgoingon · 23-04-2018 09:28PM

Anyone know how this car was sold in 1998 while wikipedia say that was first sold in 1999?

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/saab-9-3-1998/18605361

Duke O Smiley · 23-04-2018 09:38PM

They went on sale in 1999 but that car was probably registered early by a dealer or it was a press car

Leonard Hofstadter · 23-04-2018 09:57PM

Was back in the UK over the weekend to see some of my friends and went in one of my friend's an F10 520d for the first time.

It was an SE with the B47 engine and ubiquitous ZF 8HP automatic gearbox.

Good points: interior (really makes the interiors of the likes of the E39 and E46 look old), autobox (super smooth gearchanges), seats, engine (for what it is - it's no straight six petrol but it's quiet most of the time and has plenty of poke - much faster than BMWs whose badge ended with '20' were in the past) and quietness. It would make an absolutely superb long distance cruiser.

Bad points: ride (not that much better than my E46 on sport suspension - an E39 even on Sport suspension is better I think), auto stop start (I wouldn't mind but the powertrain is very executive like the rest of the time) and the sheer size of it - it is a lot bigger than previous generations of 5 series for sure. Although in many ways the interior is a massive step forward from older BMWs, I wouldn't say the quality of the materials is a whole pile better than the E46 or E39. Another thing that irritated me is that it's not possible to put your feet under the front seats if you sit in the rear - which reduces legroom quite a bit, now maybe this can be resolved by raising the front seats but most cars have the seats high enough that you can sneak your legs under the front seats even on their lowest setting.

Overall, a really lovely car, and it's no wonder they're so popular, but it also reminded me just how good a job BMW did with the E46 and E39 - and far more models had six cylinder engines in those days as well.

wotzgoingon · 23-04-2018 10:16PM

captainspeed wrote: »

Another thing that irritated me is that it's not possible to put your feet under the front seats if you sit in the rear

Are you serious I thought that is a pretty standard feature in cars. That would make for one uncomfortable long journey for those in the back.

beertons · 24-04-2018 08:46AM

Got flashed by a guard on the way to work this morning.
Pulled in. He pulled in beside me.
Do you know what the limit is?
60.
Do you know what you were doing?
I looked at the speedo, but didn't want to say. More, I go. Just trying to heat it up quicker!
Would ya keep her low for fecks sake.

Phew.

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime · 24-04-2018 11:13AM

Duke O Smiley wrote: »

They went on sale in 1999 but that car was probably registered early by a dealer or it was a press car

It's imported. Not a press car or registered early by dealer.

Definitely import

bazz26 · 25-04-2018 12:17PM

I see Lexus are launching the new ES in Europe to replace the GS which the last GS model was a bit forgettable:

img-20180425-wa0006.jpg?itok=EcLDMFkh

Side and rear profile hints very strongly of the Mk1 Opel Insignia to me. Definitely wouldn't be a fan of that rear boot lid lip and spoiler.

MetzgerMeister · 25-04-2018 12:27PM

It has an Opel Insignia/Kia Optima/Stinger look about it from the side.

ELM327 · 25-04-2018 12:43PM

It looks like the new Buicks aswell (Makes sense given the Insignia connection)
Not a fan. And I generally like Lexuses/Lexii aswell.

James Bond Junior · 25-04-2018 05:50PM

The ES is a default upmarket taxi in the middle east. I always thought they were a lovely place to be. We hired one along with a driver for a day and it took four of us around in total comfort, we were very impressed.

ongarite · 26-04-2018 03:42AM

I see Ford have announced that they are going to phase out all saloon/hatchback cars in the US bar Mustang and new Focus Active.
I can see this current gen of the Mondeo being the last one sold in Europe.

The SUV/Cross-over is only gaining more market share.

https://www.autoblog.com/2018/04/25/ford-cancels-all-cars-mustang-focus-active/

26-04-2018 10:04AM

ongarite wrote: »

..........
The SUV/Cross-over is only gaining more market share.........

And their aerodynamics are inherently less suitable for electrification.

ShadowHearth · 26-04-2018 11:03AM

I really dont like that. I am not a fan of crossovers and they are priced a lot higher. Its like everyone switched to diesels before, they will all switch to crossovers now.

bazz26 · 26-04-2018 08:51PM

New 8 Series coupe spy shots:

bmw-s-eries-4282.jpg?itok=eEtGp1jT

This is replacing the existing 6 Series Coupe and Gran Coupe.

26-04-2018 09:43PM

Augeo wrote: »

I'm in a petrol jeep renegade the last few weeks, presumed it was 1.6 initially..... it's actually a 1.4 multiair............

It did 38mpg over 1200 miles. A bit of that (200 miles ish) was with 4 adults on board 10 mile spins in 80 / 100 kph zones. The rest was mainly dual carriageway / motorway cruising at no more than 130kph with just me in it.

It's worse mpg than the Astra 1.4 turbo returned for me (40mpg) and lower than what a 1.6 diesel Tipo returned (42mpg.......brutal really for a small diesel), although both of those rentals were in the depths of mainland Europe winters.

I reckon the SUV ish shape of the Renegade accounts for much of the shortfall to be fair.

the Multiair isn't a bad lump really.

James Bond Junior · 26-04-2018 10:07PM

Are part worns a thing of the past? Wouldn't mind two just to tide me over for 1k or two and an NCT. Have a spare set of alloys with no tires and would rather not have to buy two brand new Bridgestones only to drive on them for a month at most and then buy 4 more new tyres for the new alloys.

colm_mcm · 26-04-2018 10:25PM

You’re in limerick?

James Bond Junior · 26-04-2018 10:29PM

colm_mcm wrote: »

You’re in limerick?

Indeed and I am Colm.

CIP4 · 26-04-2018 10:30PM

While I have never actually had them on a car they seem to be difficult to get with good thread, make and actually at a good price. Although when you don’t plan on using them that long thread isn’t an issue. Doesn’t seem to be as big a thing as it was a few years ago.

Reminds me recently of a girl in work that got a blowout garage put on a part worn tyre some ditch finder brand can’t remeber and to make it worse they were a small size maybe 15 inch at most. She thought she had got a good deal at €60 I nearly got sick could of got a new mid range if not premium tyre for that.

James Bond Junior · 26-04-2018 10:32PM

CIP4 wrote: »

While I have never actually had them on a car they seem to be difficult to get with good thread, make and actually at a good price. Although when you don’t plan on using them that long thread isn’t an issue. Doesn’t seem to be as big a thing as it was a few years ago.

Reminds me recently of a girl in work that got a blowout garage put on a part worn tyre some ditch finder brand can’t remeber and to make it worse they were a small size maybe 15 inch at most. She thought she had got a good deal at €60 I nearly got sick could of got a new mid range if not premium tyre for that.

They are for the rears on my E36. A low grip rear may be a good thing...

colm_mcm · 26-04-2018 10:33PM

James Bond Junior wrote: »

Indeed and I am Colm.

Mid west tyres still do them AFAIK.

JohnBoy26 · 26-04-2018 11:08PM

CIP4 wrote: »

While I have never actually had them on a car they seem to be difficult to get with good thread, make and actually at a good price. Although when you don’t plan on using them that long thread isn’t an issue. Doesn’t seem to be as big a thing as it was a few years ago.

Reminds me recently of a girl in work that got a blowout garage put on a part worn tyre some ditch finder brand can’t remeber and to make it worse they were a small size maybe 15 inch at most. She thought she had got a good deal at €60 I nearly got sick could of got a new mid range if not premium tyre for that.

Good ones are like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Even good brands can have blowout and i've seen it. You either get very old tyres or you get tyres with not a lot of thread left on them. It's next to impossible to get a matching set too. They really are a false economy.

James Bond Junior · 26-04-2018 11:22PM

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Good ones are like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Even good brands can have blowout and i've seen it. You either get very old tyres or you get tyres with not a lot of thread left on them. It's next to impossible to get a matching set too. They really are a false economy.

Once they did for what I wanted I wouldn't mind too much. The E36 has a substantial bill to be paid before I can re NCT it and two new tyres are part of that NCT. I have another set of BBS wheels to fit but they need tyres too and I am loath to pay top dollar for two new tyres to pass an NCT when they will be replaced not long after all round. Unfortunately at the moment the 36 is very firmly bottom of the priority list for my cash (for good reasons to be fair) until after the summer but I want her on the road for summer so need to find a way that suits me best for the short term.

bazz26 · 26-04-2018 11:25PM

I think there is a tyre seller out in Patrickswell that sells part worns or at least used to. I know one of the lads at work used get his there.

selectamatic · 26-04-2018 11:26PM

Just play budget roulette.

€40 will get ya 17s some brands are apparently decent enough too

James Bond Junior · 26-04-2018 11:38PM

selectamatic wrote: »

Just play budget roulette.

€40 will get ya 17s some brands are apparently decent enough too

I think I would rather take my chances on used tyres. My only experience of ditchfinders is driving a Transit with austones fitted and spinning the wheels in 3rd gear in the wet, no thanks. Had the loan of the van for a week and couldn't wait to bring it back.

bazz26 wrote: »

I think there is a tyre seller out in Patrickswell that sells part worns or at least used to. I know one of the lads at work used get his there.

Thanks, the wait for a spin is being pushed out to July at least..

JohnBoy26 · 26-04-2018 11:41PM

James Bond Junior wrote: »

I think I would rather take my chances on used tyres. My only experience of ditchfinders is driving a Transit with austones fitted and spinning the wheels in 3rd gear in the wet, no thanks. Had the loan of the van for a week and couldn't wait to bring it back.

Thanks, the wait for a spin is being pushed out to July at least..

I'd have the new tyres aswel tbh. Not all budget brands are dreadful. Used tyres are a bit of an unknown.

bazz26 · 26-04-2018 11:44PM

James Bond Junior wrote: »

I think I would rather take my chances on used tyres. My only experience of ditchfinders is driving a Transit with austones fitted and spinning the wheels in 3rd gear in the wet, no thanks. Had the loan of the van for a week and couldn't wait to bring it back.

Thanks, the wait for a spin is being pushed out to July at least..

Ken Ryan Tyres is the place out in Patrickswell if your out that side of town.

selectamatic · 26-04-2018 11:45PM

James Bond Junior wrote: »

I think I would rather take my chances on used tyres. My only experience of ditchfinders is driving a Transit with austones fitted and spinning the wheels in 3rd gear in the wet, no thanks. Had the loan of the van for a week and couldn't wait to bring it back.

Austones would be too dear in 17" :P

Seriously though old partworns with 3 or 4mm of tread will most likely be lacking in grip too.

Ross94 · 26-04-2018 11:50PM

I went looking for partworn 225/45R17 a while back. VERY hard to get a decent pair. Few places tried to sell me 6+ year old tyres...... I'm in Limerick too.

Check the DOT code on sidewall for date.

I ended up getting 2 as new Michelins (Were about 12months old) on FB for €80 as a lad was going down a size.

***** Motors chat - round 12 *****

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* Motors chat - round 12 *