Got a set of Bridgestone Blizzaks, these tires are hands down the best set of winter tires I've ever owned. These will drive through any type of snow.
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The Car Thread ... !
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The ones to get are pretty much the Hakka R2s, Michelin Xice, or Blizzaks. Wouldn't bother with anything other than one of those three.
I previously had X-Ice's, while they were excellent when it was freezing and there was ice on the road, I find they don't work as well as the Blizzaks when there is a heavy/slushy snow.
So Car Play doesn't have too many additional features, but the implementation is _so_ much better. Everything from the UI (colors, icons, typography), responsiveness, in-App organization (the Sync podcast was just an audio "type", so it was missing everything I've grown accustomed to in the iOS podcast app).
Maybe it's just the angle, but those look pretty meaty! What kind of car are they on? (I don't remember what you're driving now)
DOH! Now I see the logo on the second photo, I scrolled past it too quick. Pony power
Maybe it's just the angle, but those look pretty meaty! What kind of car are they on? (I don't remember what you're driving now)
DOH! Now I see the logo on the second photo, I scrolled past it too quick. Pony power
Yup stock size, 255/40/19...still loving the '14 Brembo GT. 37k miles of pure bliss so far...hopefully many more to come.
Also bought tires for my wife's '12 Beetle this week and with an alignment for each car, it was an expensive week...eek
I wish there was Waze or Google Maps
Same car as you...
Especially Waze! I'd like to see some "widgets" too, so we could have popup/popover/headers with additional info like forecasts from Dark Sky.
Yeah, I did a ninja edit after I totally missed the second photo, I was distracted by all the food (and beverages) around here
Nice, yeah, mine has been rock solid - we took it out last night, top down, blankets, hot chocolate, did a tour of Christmas lights.
The Nokian's and the Blizzak's are the tires I'm considering getting for the Camaro. Everything is positive about those tires. Seems like I can't go wrong with either tire.
Also, could be the angle but didn't they install the front tire the wrong way? Looks like the tread is going reverse and the rotation arrow pointing to the back of the car vs front.
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Speaking of Chemical Guys, I talked to a professional who uses their heavy-duty degreaser (diluted), and it apparently works so well on deteriorated rubber dash buttons and panels. I'd like to try it someday.
Tried some typical degreaser from The Home Depot, and it helped breathe life into our Crown Vic's steelies. I figure this stuff is good enough, but I know Chemical Guys have some serious solutions.
Tried some typical degreaser from The Home Depot, and it helped breathe life into our Crown Vic's steelies. I figure this stuff is good enough, but I know Chemical Guys have some serious solutions.
nope thats the front left, 'tis going the right direction (calipers are mounted on the rear)
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Nice, yeah, mine has been rock solid - we took it out last night, top down, blankets, hot chocolate, did a tour of Christmas lights.
That's awesome...mine has also been rock solid and still has zero rattles or squeaks after nearly three years. Started right up in -35 windchills last week, it sounded glorious with the Shelby exhaust. The car has also just felt bulletproof, like you could rag it hard and it would keep coming back for more...unlike my wife's '12 Beetle which just feels so fragile (that said it too has been rock solid reliable through 43k miles). Love how solid the Mustang has been, such a great product.
So a 2016/2017 is not in budget. I would love the updated MMI but when I am up to that price I will go get the 640 Gran Coupe everyday.
Hoping to test drive the A6 tomorrow. Will have to see what I think of MMI vs the BMW iDrive implementation which I personally really like. I 100% wish they implemented Google Traffic option, XM traffic (and even the newer traffic that is non-XM) is not that good in comparison, XM is particularly poor in my eyes. Also I feel that iDrive is well ahead on app integration too.
2016/2017 6er Gran Coupe with iDrive 5.0 is an absolute gem. If you used iDrive 4.x (NBT) and were comfortable with it, iDrive 5.0 makes it that much better and just separates iDrive even further from MMI and COMAND.
Zero chance of an iDrive 5.0 6er GC. Those are way too much for me. I am in the 2014 range (wanted iDrive 4.2). But will look at the A6 as it is a LOT cheaper and I have to start commuting a lot so don't mind putting a lot of miles on the A6 vs a 6er.
Not really. iDrive 5.0 only added gesture controls and the touch-screen. Both are gimmicks IMO.
The benchmark right now is MMI with Virtual Cockpit. No one has come close to VC.
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I agree. The Google Maps + LTE integration is already there. Just use the data connection.
My CIC iDrive uses RTTI and it's pretty hit or miss.
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Have you considered a CPO F10 5? There's hundreds of them out there. I'm sure you can find a decent one.
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Spent part of my Christmas day helping my brother get our Crown Vic out of nearly a foot of mucky mud, in the middle of nowhere... in a lake bed that we presumed would be dry by the time we were to arrive. Had nothing in the trunk that was of use, so we tried to find any scraps we could. My brother trudged through the mud and found a piece of a car bumper, on which I was struggling to get the Ford to gain traction. Somehow, after many tries and ditch-digging, I was able to get the Vic free, and I floored it once it was able to let go. With some struggle, I inched to the edge and hit dry land. (That was such a nice feeling.)
Unfortunately, my brother had been pushing from the back and couldn't move out of the way because of how sticky the mud was. The freedom of the Vic was at the expense of his clothing, hahah.
Felt good to get out of such a seemingly-hopeless situation. My mother and her brother have dealt with this many times int he past, so she wasn't too impressed that we were able to get out; however, rather than having 2x4s or blocks (like most), we had to resort to using literal pieces of road waste as means of providing the rear tire (only one of them) with traction. I think of several kids my age (who I know personally) who would have probably needed to get pulled out by a truck.
What a day! I was scooping shovel-fulls of mud out from the wheels wells.
Unfortunately, my brother had been pushing from the back and couldn't move out of the way because of how sticky the mud was. The freedom of the Vic was at the expense of his clothing, hahah.
Felt good to get out of such a seemingly-hopeless situation. My mother and her brother have dealt with this many times int he past, so she wasn't too impressed that we were able to get out; however, rather than having 2x4s or blocks (like most), we had to resort to using literal pieces of road waste as means of providing the rear tire (only one of them) with traction. I think of several kids my age (who I know personally) who would have probably needed to get pulled out by a truck.
What a day!
I was scooping shovel-fulls of mud out from the wheels wells.
I don't even care for gestures and the touchscreen on the G11 and G30. iDrive 5.0 as a whole is just flat out better than MMI and COMAND. Virtual Cockpit is cool looking but MMI itself is just not as good as iDrive in my opinion. I can see why people like virtual cockpit and those same people are the ones that probably like Tesla's setup but it comes down to the basics for me and BMW just does it better even if it's just a screen and rotary knob.
Yes, several but getting one with the options I want (535i xDrive, Driver Assistance Plus, M-Sport, Luxury Seating, etc.) has proven difficult to get and within the price range I am looking at I may as well step up to the 6er GC.
I think if this A6 does not work out then it will be either the 6er GC or waiting out for a while and either saving for a G30 5er or a better 6er GC to come around.
The discussion of Chemical Guy's detailing supplies is interesting to me.
To be honest, I've not heard of them. I've been a pretty heavy Meguirs user for years. I know they make good quality products, and the fact that they are available at a lot of big box stores now makes them an attractive product since I can just run out and get something if I run out.
The Gold Class Carnuba paste wax has amazed me at how long it works. I try to wax my car once a month, but I have to admit that I've embarassingly lazy with the Lincoln since buying the MG. It has been over a year since I've waxed it(I know, tar and feather me) but it STILL beads water when it's clean. It is definitely long overdue for a wax and that beading water isn't an acid test for the effectiveness of a wax, but it's none the less great to know that it works that long.
To be honest, I've not heard of them. I've been a pretty heavy Meguirs user for years. I know they make good quality products, and the fact that they are available at a lot of big box stores now makes them an attractive product since I can just run out and get something if I run out.
The Gold Class Carnuba paste wax has amazed me at how long it works. I try to wax my car once a month, but I have to admit that I've embarassingly lazy with the Lincoln since buying the MG. It has been over a year since I've waxed it(I know, tar and feather me) but it STILL beads water when it's clean. It is definitely long overdue for a wax and that beading water isn't an acid test for the effectiveness of a wax, but it's none the less great to know that it works that long.
I am a Chemical Guys user also. They have fantastic soaps, paste waxes, and quick detailers. Their wheel sealant and glass cleaner aren't very good though, but I'm generally pretty happy with their lineup, except the ****** bottles they use that ALWAYS end up leaking. Then again I throw them into a big plastic bin so there you go.
Their site is super juvenile, which I can understand would scare people off, but the products are pretty good, for the most part.
Their site is super juvenile, which I can understand would scare people off, but the products are pretty good, for the most part.
Test drove a F10 BMW 535i xDrive and a C7 Audi A6 3.0 Prestige yesterday. We liked the 535 but it was missing a couple of options I would really like (comfort seats primarily) and was not a preferred interior color (Venetian Beige). The A6 was a nice enough car but we could not get over the massive smell of stale cigarette smoke! This was a CPO car and even after being through that process they could not remove the smell it seemed. Quite a waste of a very long journey to see it, that and the sales guy was an absolute idiot and I would never want to deal with him even if I wanted the car!
I found an A7 Prestige locally I may go look at, just in but not showing CPO yet (query out to dealer). The 640gc I found in NJ sold now so back to drawing board there. It is the Driver Assistance Plus package that is killing me there for finding one.
I found an A7 Prestige locally I may go look at, just in but not showing CPO yet (query out to dealer). The 640gc I found in NJ sold now so back to drawing board there. It is the Driver Assistance Plus package that is killing me there for finding one.
And the A7 was sold before I could even view it (one of the client advisors had a customer wanting that exact spec - it was an A7 3.0 prestige with black optic, cold weather and driver assistance packages, low miles, 2014, certified and good price).
Hoping to go look at a 2014 BMW 535i xDrive M-Sport, driver assistance plus, comfort seats etc. A little high on miles (42k) but is certified. Looks clean, dark graphite with black leather. Hopefully this one does not sell before I can get to see it!
Hoping to go look at a 2014 BMW 535i xDrive M-Sport, driver assistance plus, comfort seats etc. A little high on miles (42k) but is certified. Looks clean, dark graphite with black leather. Hopefully this one does not sell before I can get to see it!
Caught the missus looking at 997 Turbo videos/reviews on YouTube and various write-ups. I can't wait until the kids are old enough and I can get a permit from the local to build additional garage space. Saw a fantastic PTS 997 Turbo the other day on a whim while traveling and stopping my a dealership. It was a trade-in and it was spectacular. A 997 Mk2 at that for about $68K, a very cheap bargain IMO. I'd have bought it on the spot if it weren't for the PTS color which would have been a bitch (can I use this word?) to match if a scratch or dent were made that required body work.
I'm not too keen on 911s despite driving a couple. It's her who owned a Porsche prior to meeting me who's keen on it. I'd love a Cayman GTS or a GT4. I think they look better than a 911. Love them in slate grey or primer gray. I know @AutoUnion39 hates these colors as VAG uses vaguely the same for their Audis.
Anyway, Lexus appointment didn't work out for this week as no one canceled, bastards. So new years week it is. Hopefully Merc introduced the E Wagon AMG in 2017 and that'll replace my GL in 2017. If they don't, I may move over to an E sedan AMG or a A7/S7, likely at the delight of our local Audi nut. Not a fan of Audis, but my God those creatures are gorgeous.
I'm not too keen on 911s despite driving a couple. It's her who owned a Porsche prior to meeting me who's keen on it. I'd love a Cayman GTS or a GT4. I think they look better than a 911. Love them in slate grey or primer gray. I know @AutoUnion39 hates these colors as VAG uses vaguely the same for their Audis.
Anyway, Lexus appointment didn't work out for this week as no one canceled, bastards. So new years week it is. Hopefully Merc introduced the E Wagon AMG in 2017 and that'll replace my GL in 2017. If they don't, I may move over to an E sedan AMG or a A7/S7, likely at the delight of our local Audi nut.
Not a fan of Audis, but my God those creatures are gorgeous.
Yes. I've posted before, I think, that I've either ridden in a Cayman or drove one the first year they were out. It was 10+ years ago, so my memory is rather fuzzy. But it handled corners on a tight mountain road better than any 911 experience I've ever had. 996 Turbos are incredible affordable and the swath of parts means they're cheap as... well.. anything, but I think they're the ugliest 911 ever made.
If we ever get the 997 Turbo for us (see:wife) I'd likely change out the few US Spec exterior mods for the Euro mods. Clear sides make the car much better. Unfortunately, I live in a horrible state which requires front plates, and it doesn't matter if you hail from an affluent city. You'll get pulled over by the twits in blue for a violating of state law.
Probably go for a Tubi exhaust over the typical Sharkwerks, too. The 997 Mk2 offers a PDK that's solid. The six speed, while great, isn't feasible where we live. Only real problem is scraping the front bumper underside due to the terrible inclined driveways here and corporate parking lots. I don't believe the lift kit through rocker button was available until the 991 Mk2, correct me if I'm wrong, Autounion. You can get a 911 of the 997 gen for cheap now, around 45-50K, but they're all dentists' 911s, meaning they're fairly stock. Thus they ride high and don't look good. They're a dime a dozen.
If anyone knows a clueless shmuck offering a 930 Slantnose well under market value, PM me. Longshot, of course. I think a pristine 997 Turbo under 30K miles with Fuchs wheels would hit the spot, but by the time our children hit of age, we may as well get a 991 Turbo S with the Fuchs wheels if available. I hate the fake single nut wheels, as they're nothing like racing nuts. They're for pure show only. Why spend $170K+ when I can grab the same car for about 90K less 3-4 years later, and it hasn't been driven that much? I can place a partial downpayment on a third home with the lost value.
930s, 993s and 911Rs will be the future big players in terms of value past production date.
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