OV9

I dunno. Volvos aren't exactly known for their dynamics, and if I'm gonna be stuck with the car for a while, I need something that I'll keep getting something out of.

Cheap headlights on expensive cars annoy me.

Our clk only has horrible yellow halogens, xenons were optional on them but don't seem very common and seem to be around £500 for a complete used pair. I'm considering looking for a scruffy high miler with xenons just to break for parts!

I'd imagine secondhand sets of lights for a 3er are more common, plus there are loads of free coding tools around so shouldn't be that much grief to fit and code them in.

Get the 330i. BMW straight sixes are great. You need to try one.

Sundayjumper wrote: Sat Jul 14, 2018 12:22 pm Get the 330i. BMW straight sixes are great. You need to try one.

Yeah, it's tempting. A clean e46 is probably an easier find than a non-thrashed e90, I'd expect.

Got my tame mechanic on the lookout

Forget diesel, even the über-diesels. I think you’d enjoy either the ST or BM. Drive both, see which gives you the fizz.

NotoriousREV wrote: Sat Jul 14, 2018 8:11 pm Forget diesel, even the über-diesels. I think you’d enjoy either the ST or BM. Drive both, see which gives you the fizz.

I'm thinking that an E46 330i ragtop might be a good way to get a few things covered properly:
Six pot (never owned, or driven)
Ragtop (never owned, or driven)
RWD (been a while)

Stick a slightly fruity zorst on there for roof down times. I understand they aren't too wobbly, either.

Beany wrote: Sat Jul 14, 2018 10:54 pm

NotoriousREV wrote: Sat Jul 14, 2018 8:11 pm Forget diesel, even the über-diesels. I think you’d enjoy either the ST or BM. Drive both, see which gives you the fizz.

I'm thinking that an E46 330i ragtop might be a good way to get a few things covered properly:
Six pot (never owned, or driven)
Ragtop (never owned, or driven)
RWD (been a while)

Stick a slightly fruity zorst on there for roof down times. I understand they aren't too wobbly, either.

DO IT! Don't worry about the convertible but I'm sure you'll love the rest of it. Maybe try for the E90 330i if you can stretch to it though - the N52 engine with the magnesium block is a proper piece of engineering and noticeably better than its predecessors. Other than the Porsches I've owned its the best engine I've experienced (marginally edging the Alfa twin spark).

Do it.

DO IT!

DO IT

Have you done it yet?

No. I'm slightly concerned that the E90-spec engines are significantly more complicated - needlessly so (electric water pumps etc) - than the E46 lump, which is better known.

But yes, this idea is interesting to me.

If you're heading in an E46 direction, try a 325ti (that's the Compact).

There's the older e36 platform parts underneath, aren't there?

I might have a deek at one, but the ragtop concept appeals more than the 'small six cylinder hatch' idea....

....For now.

Also, 325ti is a rare beast from my quick scrape of AT.

Beany wrote: Mon Jul 16, 2018 12:50 pm There's the older e36 platform parts underneath, aren't there?

I think it was the e36 compact that had e30 underpinnings for the rear suspension because of space considerations, which was why people were recommended to avoid them. I don't think the e46 had the same issue but sure someone will correct me if that's wrong.

This route sounds like a slippery slope of shagged subframes and corrosion.

Mito Man wrote: Mon Jul 16, 2018 1:40 pm This route sounds like a slippery slope of shagged subframes and corrosion.

Well, yeah. That's a concern, obviously.

Kinda been there and done that with knackered subframes and corrosion.

Anything this old these days I'd be throwing at one of my tame mechanics to look over and verify that the car looks solid before moving forward with anything, I think.

As always, make sure the local dealer you buy it from (obviously the only one you go to) was “going to keep it for his wife” and “hasn’t seen one so good in years”.

Rich B wrote: Mon Jul 16, 2018 2:07 pm As always, make sure the local dealer you buy it from (obviously the only one you go to) was “going to keep it for his wife” and “hasn’t seen one so good in years”.

And make sure "he's not making any money on it at this price"

Or just bribe my mechanic mate to tag along with a trolley jack and something to verify that the head gasket is intact with, probably with a bottle of rum and the promise of letting him do some burnouts in it.

Rich B wrote: Mon Jul 16, 2018 2:07 pm As always, make sure the local dealer you buy it from (obviously the only one you go to) was “going to keep it for his wife” and “hasn’t seen one so good in years”.

Oh - and make sure he's losing money on the deal.