OV9

That's possible too. Rather poor.

Now you mention it, the heated front screen on the Mini isn't working, either. Well, half of it does

Talking about manufacturers and quality, my new-ish role has me working with OEM's, and we cater for quite a large variety - some big European names, and a Japanese brand.

Only one has stated reliability as being a highly important function of their business..

Think I’ve bought a latest gen (2024) Macan T… I say think as I also have deposits down on a Z4 and an i3. I think it’s a great car but wish we were further along the elec path.

Never tried this but some interesting pics.. in love with the yachting blue, annoyed with the gf and the adventurine green 992.1 GTS being the “best looking car there” and also the car I wanted to buy 2 years ago that the gf “hated”)

IanF wrote: Tue Jan 27, 2026 1:07 am Think I’ve bought a latest gen (2024) Macan T… I say think as I also have deposits down on a Z4 and an i3. I think it’s a great car but wish we were further along the elec path.

I still prefer our departed Macan T to the Cayenne though I'd rather have the S or GTS for the engine if buying again. Much spec on it, Ian? Ours apparently sold on as an approved used car immediately we traded it in.

Oh, I'm going to a BMW dealership later today. Just looking.

Jobbo wrote: Tue Jan 27, 2026 8:55 am

IanF wrote: Tue Jan 27, 2026 1:07 am Think I’ve bought a latest gen (2024) Macan T… I say think as I also have deposits down on a Z4 and an i3. I think it’s a great car but wish we were further along the elec path.

I still prefer our departed Macan T to the Cayenne though I'd rather have the S or GTS for the engine if buying again. Much spec on it, Ian? Ours apparently sold on as an approved used car immediately we traded it in.

Oh, I'm going to a BMW dealership later today. Just looking.

Jobbo wrote: Tue Jan 27, 2026 8:55 am

IanF wrote: Tue Jan 27, 2026 1:07 am Think I’ve bought a latest gen (2024) Macan T… I say think as I also have deposits down on a Z4 and an i3. I think it’s a great car but wish we were further along the elec path.

I still prefer our departed Macan T to the Cayenne though I'd rather have the S or GTS for the engine if buying again. Much spec on it, Ian? Ours apparently sold on as an approved used car immediately we traded it in.

Oh, I'm going to a BMW dealership later today. Just looking.

Heated seats and steering wheel are now standard apparently, but it has pano sunroof, pdls and light interior, standard cruise control but I don't think she's ever used cruise control anyway so no major loss, 21" RS Spyder alloys.. 4mm min tread depth at point of sale was interesting, but imagine ill put it on all seasons when they need replacing.. 0-60 in 5.8s is okay - is it just a VW engine? They also threw in GAP insurance and ceramic coating as motivation to buy this month..

911 in PTS Yachting Blue Metallic now my favourite colour. It was a Porsche Reading, and they're getting the elec Cayenne there next week if anyone's interested in one of those.

ETA - Alpina D3/5?

IanF wrote: Tue Jan 27, 2026 1:35 pm

Jobbo wrote: Tue Jan 27, 2026 8:55 am

IanF wrote: Tue Jan 27, 2026 1:07 am Think I’ve bought a latest gen (2024) Macan T… I say think as I also have deposits down on a Z4 and an i3. I think it’s a great car but wish we were further along the elec path.

I still prefer our departed Macan T to the Cayenne though I'd rather have the S or GTS for the engine if buying again. Much spec on it, Ian? Ours apparently sold on as an approved used car immediately we traded it in.

Oh, I'm going to a BMW dealership later today. Just looking.

Heated seats and steering wheel are now standard apparently, but it has pano sunroof, pdls and light interior, standard cruise control but I don't think she's ever used cruise control anyway so no major loss, 21" RS Spyder alloys.. 4mm min tread depth at point of sale was interesting, but imagine ill put it on all seasons when they need replacing.. 0-60 in 5.8s is okay - is it just a VW engine? They also threw in GAP insurance and ceramic coating as motivation to buy this month..

911 in PTS Yachting Blue Metallic now my favourite colour. It was a Porsche Reading, and they're getting the elec Cayenne there next week if anyone's interested in one of those.

ETA - Alpina D3/5?

I wish i was clever enough to be a pilot!

(or pretty enough to lure Ian to buy me a Porsche!)

IanF wrote: Tue Jan 27, 2026 1:35 pm

Jobbo wrote: Tue Jan 27, 2026 8:55 am

IanF wrote: Tue Jan 27, 2026 1:07 am Think I’ve bought a latest gen (2024) Macan T… I say think as I also have deposits down on a Z4 and an i3. I think it’s a great car but wish we were further along the elec path.

I still prefer our departed Macan T to the Cayenne though I'd rather have the S or GTS for the engine if buying again. Much spec on it, Ian? Ours apparently sold on as an approved used car immediately we traded it in.

Oh, I'm going to a BMW dealership later today. Just looking.

Heated seats and steering wheel are now standard apparently, but it has pano sunroof, pdls and light interior, standard cruise control but I don't think she's ever used cruise control anyway so no major loss, 21" RS Spyder alloys.. 4mm min tread depth at point of sale was interesting, but imagine ill put it on all seasons when they need replacing.. 0-60 in 5.8s is okay - is it just a VW engine? They also threw in GAP insurance and ceramic coating as motivation to buy this month..

911 in PTS Yachting Blue Metallic now my favourite colour. It was a Porsche Reading, and they're getting the elec Cayenne there next week if anyone's interested in one of those.

ETA - Alpina D3/5?

Crikey - slower than a 7yo Superb Presumably it's the EA888?

It’s the 265PS EA888 engine. It’s fine, it doesn’t feel lacking but it’s not as economical as I was anticipating.

Pondering an M3 Touring. But having poked around I’m not sure if it feels a bit small after the S6, and if I’m going for small why not the 911 I really want. Hmm.

Jobbo wrote: Tue Jan 27, 2026 5:03 pm if I’m going for small why not the 911 I really want. Hmm.

That. If you have easy access to the Cayenne if you need a large vehicle (which you do as Mrs J can always take the R5 as needed) - why would you not HELP SAVE TEH PLANET by downsizing. To a 911.

I'm doubting the garage owner on this failed part.

Gemini says this the end of a vacuum pump and that seals aren't widely available - contrary to the garage's proposed solution, who say they're waiting on o-ring seals from BMW and that it's a VANOS solenoid.

So, this vacuum pump does have a sort of end cap, but it's completely sealed and the fact it was removable by hand is a big red flag, apparently.

From what I'm reading, the whole vacuum pump needs replacing. I didn't have any issue with it until they took the car in for the PCV valve replacement.

This is getting ridiculous

mik wrote: Tue Jan 27, 2026 5:23 pm

Jobbo wrote: Tue Jan 27, 2026 5:03 pm if I’m going for small why not the 911 I really want. Hmm.

That. If you have easy access to the Cayenne if you need a large vehicle (which you do as Mrs J can always take the R5 as needed) - why would you not HELP SAVE TEH PLANET by downsizing. To a 911.

I’ve got a price for my S6 and a deal on two M3 Tourings - one which has just arrived at the docks and comes into stock in Feb, one a factory order for about Sept. They didn’t have a car for me to drive today but I’m going back on Friday; not sure if it has the buckets.

So far I like it but I’m not so in love that it’s a done deal. I reckon I’d need to compare an RS4 too. And I remembered that if I wanted a less practical estate I did really like the Taycan Sport Turismo.

The one thing which is making me think I’d actually change is the price they’ve offered for the S6, which is higher than I’d expected. Just about to tick over 55,000 miles, so what would the value be in 3 more years?

I won't even bother saying it but you know who I agree with...

Don't buy it from Guildford or South London though as they're both crap

Jobbo wrote: Tue Jan 27, 2026 9:30 pm I’ve got a price for my S6 and a deal on two M3 Tourings

One for you, one for the staff?

IanF wrote: Tue Jan 27, 2026 1:07 am

I hate that I love that even with the blue wheels.

Jobbo wrote: Tue Jan 27, 2026 5:03 pm It’s the 265PS EA888 engine. It’s fine, it doesn’t feel lacking but it’s not as economical as I was anticipating.

Pondering an M3 Touring. But having poked around I’m not sure if it feels a bit small after the S6, and if I’m going for small why not the 911 I really want. Hmm.

It's only 200ish mm difference.

Can you get one in really dark green or purple please, the RS6 obviously.

Dave!

V8Granite wrote: Wed Jan 28, 2026 9:35 am It's only 200ish mm difference.

The exterior size isn't vastly different (though 8" difference is still relatively noticeable I'm sure). It's substantially smaller and less practical inside though. Look how narrow the space is between the rear suspension in the boot:




Vastly more practical than a 911, admittedly.

So when do you spec your new RS6 ?

Dave!

To be honest, the next RS6 with hybrid powertrain like the new M5 might be a goer. The downside is the basic shape of the new A6 Avant is blobby and uninteresting.

The Audi looks much better than the BMW. I just can't agree with the beaver teeth front end.