MrCat

Here`s a snapshot of Japanese simplicity Vs German over-engineering efforts.. It`s not too bad but, BMW had to cram a turbo and an intercooler in there. But the battery is in the boot so more space there. But I really dont understand the need to have an extra firewall (both sides at the back) between the engine and the actual firewall. Probably makes the front structure a bit strong. It just holds the brake booster and power point to jump start on the right. Houses the ABS modulator and a fuse box on the left hand side. Note how BMW had moved the engine further back as possible. It`s basically sitting in the centre line between the strut towers.. I didn't pop the engine cover up yet to take a look, I know it`s a mess full of wires and hoses in there.. Subaru 2.5, 4 Cyl: BMW 3.0, 6 Cyl Turbo:

Thanks for the wishes guys.. 😇 Anyone know how to update the title? Meant to say "the" not then.

Hello All! It`s been a while…! So, I started noting down my automotive stories in AL with a 300Tdi Land Rover Discovery Series 1. Then had a short fling with a Mazda Mx-5 NA (kind of a sleep deprived impulse buy since my daughter was a fresh bourn back then… ). Had much fun with my last project, a BMW E30 318is, but sold the car last December. Been driving a 2018 Subaru Legacy since the end of 2018. 65,000 very comfortable km`s later, it was getting a bit boring as a daily. The car ran fine, zero issues, just standard servicing at the dealer. I always wanted a Mustang GT. Not just for the looks or the pedigree or anything, but mostly because it`s the only modern (dual injected, quad cam, etc…) V8 available for any amount of reasonable money in this market. It`s a very nice package overall. But then Covid messed it all up and now there`s not many available, and the prices are also jacked up! Plus, in the back of my mind there`s always that doubt about practicality, and whether it`ll be a pain to get a 5-year-old in/out of the back seat. Still absolutely love the noise, responsiveness, and the linear torque delivery of a big naturally aspirated V8, but maybe another day… I then started looking for the next best thing. Fun factor is the main thing here, so larger sedans like the C250, 330i, Is300, Stinger GT, etc.. doesn’t really fit the bill. Shorter wheelbase, reasonable power and reasonably lighter weight are key here. I drive up and down a freeway mostly (some slow-moving traffic), so can’t be arsed changing gears, i.e. must be auto. Modern auto gearboxes are that much faster, and manuals are useless in most newer cars (especially on public roads) where NVH levels are extremely low anyway (i.e. you don’t get much feedback from the driveline, even when changing your own gears). The current model WRX is an obvious choice, but the CVT gearbox is a big no no for any sort of performance-oriented driving. It`s a great CVT for anything else, but not for a WRX! So now we are looking at that one class of car capable of spicing up the life of young uni kids and sad family men alike, the Hot Hatch!! One exception though, I’m not a big fan of FWD.! So, we are down to AWD cars, then I kept going through the list: Golf R – The no brainer choice. Aftermarket support/parts/mods are plentiful. But very expensive to mod the 2.0 4cyl for decent power gains. A whole lot of mucking around to get 100HP extra. Audi RS3 Quattro – hideously pricey for what it is, glorious 5cyl engine. Mercedes A35/45 AMG – Interior not so great, kind of sceptical about milking out so much power from a little 2.0 4cyl. BMW 135i – Newer model, so quite pricey. Again, sceptical about the newer 2.0 4cyl. Not much aftermarket stuff since it`s new. BMW 128ti – the new kid on the block, great reviews, 2021 model, price ok, but FWD..! At this point I’ve not considered a pure RWD car. I know that the M140i existed, and that BMW released a final edition in 2019, but never thought much about it. Then one day, I had some E30 parts to sell, the guy turned up in a Grey colour M140i. I know all about the 3 series line-up from the E21 to the current G20, but never paid much attention to the 1 series. The guy said that he`s just got an LSD, semi slicks, downpipe upgrade (de-cat) and a tune, and the car runs the quarter mile in 11 seconds!! That`s no lie since I’ve saw a video of that car running on a proper drag strip with timing! Started researching in to the M140i and realised that current series has got a B58 in it! This is (mostly probably) the last iteration of the classic BMW straight 6 and a version of the B58 is in the new Toyota Supra as you all know. Toyota apparently spent many hours examining every little component of it to confirm their quality requirements are met before giving it the green light. 3.0 displacement, DOHC, double VANOS and Valvetronic, direct injection, closed deck design, twin scroll turbo etc… The M140i was first released in 2016 and then a life cycle upgrade (LCI-2) came out in mid-2017. No DCT`s in it, it`s got the ZF-8 speed, which some say is THE best torque converter automatic ever made. This gear box (8HP) is used in everything from Ford 150`s to Mustang V8`s to Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio`s to Jeep Grand Cherokee`s to Aston Martin`s and Land Rover`s. This quite literally is THE last 6-cylinder RWD hatchback this world will ever see, so decided that this is what I’ll get. Quite specifically the LCI-2 upgrade since that`s the last iteration of the car. Apart from the final edition released in 2019 (with only some specification upgrades and minor cosmetic upgrades, no exterior or interior differences), every LCI-2 is essentially the same. Finally pulled the Trigger on a 2017 LCI-2 in Alpinweiss (Alpine White). Here`s the Liberty next to the M140i, just before getting picked up: Will update more details later....

I am not exactly sure how brake failsafe works in Axio, but please get that booster/pump sorted quickly. Its not fun when brake boost and/or ABS modulation goes haywire.!

Not too much of a difference in a 1500cc Lancer eh.. Sad that a life was lost , we`ve all done stupid stuff.. At least an innocent bystander wasn't affected which is good..

Really cant stand that Outlander light design.. New Triton/L200`s got a similar face.. Hyundai does the same with Kona and Palisade.. Timeless car design is a thing of the past eh.. They all just go with the flow (i.e. new Mercedes exterior designs are mostly not distinctively Mercedes like the past..) OR just try to be different (i.e. Hyundai Kona?) and create designs that`ll perhaps look fresh for like 5 years.. 🙄

Yeah, would like to go and see it but dont want to waste the sellers time with no intention of buying.. This guy seems to be building Is200's for some reason, had a 1UZ swapped one for sale as well... 😁

C Class digital premiere ...

Is 200 (Altezza) for sale... Yes, that`s an actual V12 swap..!

This made me giggle.. Aristo Vs M5 battle is awesome..

Nice! Interesting stuff..!! How about a resto-mod? SR20DET? 😇 😇 It`ll be nice and quick even without the "T".. 😀 I get that the body needs to be addressed before the drivetrain stuff.. Good luck with the build..!

Nice!! Always wondered how these are like to drive. I suppose quite similar to something like a Subaru Legacy from the same era? Don't know whether you are in to SUV`s/ 4WD`s , but there are quite a few out there with future classic potential. Personally, I've always had a massive soft spot for the 1st gen Pajero. That was a car that changed the 4WD landscape and got pedigree like winning the Dakar rally etc (ok, it wasn't a stock Pajero that ran the Dakar rally but still.. )... With Mitsubishi planning to kill the Pajero nameplate (even if they resurrect it that will be an electric car for sure), a well preserved specimen will always win hearts..

Damn!! That wont be a wright-off I guess.. looks like the chassis is ok.. Good that the CRV wasnt T-boned full on.. Over 2 tonnes of 4Runner ramming on the side of it could have easily roll the thing over..

Did I post this somewhere before.? cant really remember.. My friend`s Hilux taking a leap after he got a bit over enthusiastic up the sand dune.. Apparently a massive slope on the other side.. Landed nose first.. Had a bull-bar bolted to chassis so the front chassis rails go de-railed.. The impact caused the front struts to rip though the top mount and dented the bonnet.. Air bags deployed.. He still dove the thing home, a little over 100km

Only thing I cant figure out is how the hell did that thing got up there in the first place Perhaps the weight of the drivers massive balls helped with traction..

That`s crazy eh... Just don't understand why people would host useless events like b`day parties these days.. 😐

Well, guess what? Our Covid luck finally ran out.. One case of community transmission and the whole city locked-down until this Friday .. 😐 😐 😐 😐 It all lasted 10 months, so cant complain really...

..

Unfortunately, again not offered in this land! Can get the normal F150 Raptor as grey imports, but it`ll be quite inconvenient going Mad Max with the steering on the wrong side (LHD). Just checked the price, 220k AUD new, Ouch!! I`ve been inside the top spec RAM 2500/1500`s , my lord, they are like the Rolls Royces of the tuck world! Then there is the wannabe Ranger Raptor.. Not a bad rig though, the tiny 2.0 twin turbo is a massive let-down IMO.. "Raptor" brand in a friggin 2.0? Honestly, just accountants doing product planning.! There`s speculation around Ford Australia planning to put the Coyote V8 in the Ranger Raptor. That`ll be one sweet little truck if they do...

Lol! When the Zombie Apocalypse hits, guess who`s going all Mad Max? All I need is bucket loads of water, food and fuel and I could literally get lost for a couple months. Yeah, boosters are much easier to handle. My child is mostly bone not much muscle so kind of concerned that she might get thrown through the belt. Good reminder but, must have a look at different designs around.

Yeah, the current version is a very good overall package. One of the few modern cars that Ford got right in terms of multiple factors like : pricing, technology + features, ride comfort, range of engines and trim levels, etc.. I think they basically got the "usable sports car which wont break the bank" package just right. 1.) Not a fan of convertibles really. Tried driving top down a few times in my MX-5 and it didn't work for me. 2.) The V6 wasn't offered here and I think it was discontinued from the US market in 2018. It may have been faster and easily tuneable being a turbo, but the low down grunt and N/A throttle response of the V8 is just 🥰 🥰.. You basically have to properly press the brakes when idling in gear, the thing just tries to jump forward in idle!

Yeah, I am settled in Western Australia, 2.6 million square kilometres of mostly flat, mostly dry, big ass land HA HA, I do have a 5 year old, which means I get to drive around with one status symbol at the back seat, the baby seat! Considering the my child`s size and the rate of growth, looks like the master piece is going to be there for at least another two years. 😐 The bronze thing was an M2 Competition, unfortunately not owned by me. The owner (good friend) keeps nagging me to buy one, but I've got different plans..

That is some great insights in to the Vietnamese way of life/governance. Too much "Liberty" has got it`s own issues as well, like what the Americans are finding out. Person 'A' wants 'X', person 'B' wants 'Y', government says everyone can have "X and Y" and sometimes it all end up being a cluster fu**k Regarding cars, I`ve personally decided to exit from mucking around with old(er) cars for good (not too sure how it`ll go, but at least that`s the plan ). Storage is a major issue here since I dont have a large property with a barn. Moving to a large property with a barn would create more lifestyle issues to that is also not an option at this point in life. Time is obviously a concern as well, just dont have enough of it to work on and enjoy driving project car(s). I suppose it`s difficult to have the cake and eat it, so I`ll be only having two cars at a given point in time. That way, they both get actually used and it`s easier to justify spending on mods/maintenance and stuff.. Gravitating towards the new Mustang simply because it`s the only brand new V8 in this market which is practical, reasonably priced, and cheap to service as a daily driver. The throttle response and the low down toque of the N/A V8 is just phenomenal. Being a heavier car, it does not obviously handle like the previous BRZ or the older Mx-5 I`ve had, but it`s not too far off and the ride comfort and compliance is extremely good. I`ve decided to stay away from anything with 4 or less cylinders this time, and it must be a relatively lighter car, so the only other option (though they are not comparable cars) is the BMW M140i. This is a proper little rocket with the outstanding 6-cylinder turbo. The B58 engine is an absolute gem and BMW will never design/make anything like it anymore (so the M140i`s are holding up value quite well now). This won’t have the road presence or the V8 burble of the Stang, but two additional doors and easy 150+HP tuning potential are the plus points for it..

Vietnam did quite well managing Covid isnt it? Cant remember seeing any big numbers from over there during the 1st wave or after.. The E30 wasnt getting used much being a 3rd/project car.. So the plan is to get something i can daily drive whilst having a bit of fun.. Would really like to exexperience a V8 before ICE engines are gone for good.. The only reasonably priced sporty V8 offering here is the Mustang GT.. Hoping to get one towards the end of the year...

Hmmmm.. We are one of the few extremely lucky cities when it comes to Covid.. Fulltime working from home lasted only a month from mid March to mid June.. Things slowly opened up after and been normal since like August.. People even shake hands now.. Massive kudo`s to the government for excellent planning and execution (state and federal both) and also to the general public for behaving themselves.. Plus, I have a feeling that being the most remote city of more than a million people in the whole freaking earth may have helped a bit.. The number of deaths from the flu season actually dropped in 2020. Social distancing meant that we didn't even catch a common cold last winter.! Having a 4 year old who didn't get sick in winter was unreal I`m sure the ripple effect on the economy will be felt for a few years to come, but not many people are doing worse than they used to around here. Some did better due to stimulus payments. Campervans, 4WD`s, classic cars all got sold like hot cakes. Took advantage of the Covid boom and sold my E30 too (sold within week of advertising).. People started doing renovations and shit so every tradie and their dog were like booked out for months! It's amazing how economic/market dynamics work in scenarios like this. It`s like anything else in life really, when shit hits the fan, people/communities/countries with financial reserves and good management/planning skills may come out better on the other side..