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The Car Thread ... !
- Thread starter D.T.
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Thanks.
The previous owner had installed some questionable items that have mostly all been returned to stock. Gone are the garish oversized wheels, clear tail lights, and AMG badges that had no business being on that car. The only remaining items are the clear front indicators, and white gauge faces on the instrument cluster.
I have mostly focused on mechanical and suspension with this car. On the fence about pulling out the SLS suspension and either putting in static Bilstein struts all around, or a setup from ground control.
I don’t intend on track the car, so coil overs are not likely going to be the route I go.
You know, I normally don't like modern lenses affixed to old cars unless it's a restomod, but it works with your 190. Makes it look more modern than it is. The gauge cluster has to go, though. That is one clean 190.
I will try not to. Been a fun thread to read, have commented to myself on a few various discussions, but never really felt it was my place to jump in.Outstanding contribution! Don't lurk so long between posts
More on the subject of general car talk. Curious how many of you daily drive a car featuring a manual transmission these days? My A6 is only the 2nd Automatic I have ever owned, I like it for the simple driving in heavy traffic, and enjoy the novelty of the paddle shifters, but there has always been something about a MT that makes driving more enjoyable. Quite honestly, I feel I pay better attention to traffic and other drives using it. In winter, I still think that a clutch is one of the best inventions for traction control.
Been driving my A4 more than the A6 recently, simply because the 6-Speed is enjoyable for parts of my drive that are twisty with a bit of elevation change.
So I was knocking around the Jeep site, and the wife has mentioned she likes the Grand Cherokee a few times, so I went back into the configurator - what I was surprised by: I didn't realize that from the mid/upper range packages offer the 5.7L Hemi V8 as an option! Not talking the SRT specific cars (with the 6.4L or Supercharged), just the "regular" but slightly upmarket packages. DT likes
For a _long_ time, my personal cars have been manuals (in fact, some models/variants I owned didn't even offer an auto). My opinion, as an enthusiast, there's no substitute. That being said, I totally understand people wanting/needing to accommodate their driving use, i.e., dealing with traffic, or having some limitation that prevents a manual, or even being more focused on the type of driving fun that's more dialed into an automatic.
Full disclosure: I don't really "daily drive", I work from my house 95% of the time, and that occasional need to drive for business is usually more fun than not (I avoid traffic times, use back roads if possible).
For a _long_ time, my personal cars have been manuals (in fact, some models/variants I owned didn't even offer an auto). My opinion, as an enthusiast, there's no substitute. That being said, I totally understand people wanting/needing to accommodate their driving use, i.e., dealing with traffic, or having some limitation that prevents a manual, or even being more focused on the type of driving fun that's more dialed into an automatic.
Full disclosure: I don't really "daily drive", I work from my house 95% of the time, and that occasional need to drive for business is usually more fun than not (I avoid traffic times, use back roads if possible).
Never owned an automatic. Never will.
I love dropping down a gear and driving hard every now and then.
You basically can't buy many manuals in the US anymore. I suppose I'm part of the problem, but when I bought the A4 I went auto because Audi's DSG is a better tranny than the manual and the AWD system is the traditional torsen system.
Either way, no one in the US really cares anymore.
Beautiful 190e! I love older Mercedes. I spotted a gorgeous w126 560SEL last night driven by an old man.
The V8 Grand Cherokees are very rare. When I was shopping around JGC’s the diesel and V8 models seemed to number around 2 each out of 70-80 dealer cars.So I was knocking around the Jeep site, and the wife has mentioned she likes the Grand Cherokee a few times, so I went back into the configurator - what I was surprised by: I didn't realize that from the mid/upper range packages offer the 5.7L Hemi V8 as an option! Not talking the SRT specific cars (with the 6.4L or Supercharged), just the "regular" but slightly upmarket packages. DT likes
I honestly miss the days when Quattro was only available in Manual form. That said, the Torsen system is great, I really like the pure mechanical nature of it, over Haldex and the likes. I actually have a Torsen 2 differential sitting on my desk. It is like a tavern puzzle on steroids, fun to take apart, or watch others try to take it apart and put it back together.
I wouldn't say that the DSG is better than the manual gearbox as an overall solution though. They clearly can and do accelerate faster, and can shift quicker than a 6-Speed, however they are quite expensive to repair when they go wrong, and changing clutches on them is much more expensive. That said, if you don't keep your car for ages,or push the envelope for high power, you likely won't run into any issues.
As an aside,
I actually attend Audi Club Ice Driving events, where Audi sponsors drivers to take their Quattro cars out on ice, and learn car control. Something I wish more people from my state did, as we are starting to get to the point where snow storms here are almost shutting down our cities, because people insist on driving on Bald Eagles, as opposed to good All seasons (okay traction), or winter tires (my only solution). S-Tronic alomst won me over at one of those events, until a lift off oversteer situation happened to me at relatively high speed and I almost lost control of the car. I am just too used to being able to disengage all power or engine braking force with the simple act of pressing in a clutch.
Needless to say, I don't push my A6 much in the snow, I am not skilled at driving anything automatic in a performance driving situation.
Thanks. I really enjoy it. Can't say I am an old man, nor do I really drive it like that. It has the 16V engine with factory Cosworth cylinder head. Not many Mercedes cars that old can handle a day of driving often revving to ~7000 RPM, and have a happy valve train afterwords.
I like that it's just an outright, stand alone option (technically, there's a related tranny upgrade bundled with it ...) So you can get a Trailhawk ... plus the V8, or you get a Limited ... Plus the V8 ... etc.
It's too bad it's not available on the the model I like the most (in terms of exterior).
I did a build on a 4x4, Limited, upgraded 20" wheels, Crystal Black, Luxury II group (all the lighting upgrades, upgraded audio, 8.4" display, Carplay, panoramic roof, better seats), BLIS, ACC, and with the 5.7L V8 (360HP, 400ft/lbs TQ) the MSRP is right in our sweet spot.
The Grand Cherokee is a good value in my opinion. Some of the trim level interior colors are limited last I checked. I’d just be concerned about reliability. FCA is currently at the bottom of the rankings.
Yeah, it's a bummer the red option from the beastly hellcat motor'ed model isn't available. The limited has black - in which case it's a sea-of-black - or beige, that also introduces a lighter wood trim I'm kind of 'meh' on ...
Yeah, that bothers me about FCA reliability, I'll have to do some research and see how Jeep as a brand factors into that.
I can tell you from a pure specs comparison, there's no contest vs. a T4R, the V6 model gets better mileage (615 mile range) than the Hybrid Acura MDX, it has some really neat unique to the vehicle options, and obviously a stout AWD system. The V6 + 4x4 is also rated at 7200lbs towing.
My uncle used to have a W126 when I was little. I want to say it was a 500 or 560 SE. I still remember him driving me, my brother, and my cousin to school. It was two tone grey- dark grey paint with light grey lower trim. Those were the days.
On the other hand, my grandfather has owned a Mercedes E-class since the mid 1980’s. He now owns a 2008 E350 4matic. A few times he’s gone out to buy a new E, but is now intimidated by the more complex infotainment systems. He’s over 90 years old... he probably shouldn’t be driving anyways despite his impeccable health.
Non legal steering wheel.
Drag radials.
Prepped dragway.
Isn't production ready (no testing).
A few cars out there get close to its claimed wheel torque rating.
Massive depreciation hit.
Miata and F-Type owners will be happy to see its the result of an abortion of a child between the two cars in terms of design.
Interior is bland for a $200K "sports" car.
Elon's being Elon, and I'm sure the SV sell outs who are barely 25 will buy it because it's a Tesla and it's fast. Tesla should worry about getting their Model 3 off the line and in full production swing before trying to put out a product in 2020 alongside big-rigs.
I'd rather spend that kind of money on a 911 Turbo S. Alas, that car isn't marketed towards me, and I'd never drive an electric. Then again, I'm going to spend $120K on a wagon, so what do I know about marketing?
Drag radials.
Prepped dragway.
Isn't production ready (no testing).
A few cars out there get close to its claimed wheel torque rating.
Massive depreciation hit.
Miata and F-Type owners will be happy to see its the result of an abortion of a child between the two cars in terms of design.
Interior is bland for a $200K "sports" car.
Elon's being Elon, and I'm sure the SV sell outs who are barely 25 will buy it because it's a Tesla and it's fast. Tesla should worry about getting their Model 3 off the line and in full production swing before trying to put out a product in 2020 alongside big-rigs.
I'd rather spend that kind of money on a 911 Turbo S. Alas, that car isn't marketed towards me, and I'd never drive an electric. Then again, I'm going to spend $120K on a wagon, so what do I know about marketing?
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It’s so nice that the Model 3 is so successful, I see one almost every day. Glad they got that figured out before they focused again on an ultra expensive new toy. /s
On the other hand, if they ever made an off-road vehicle, such as a rock crawler, they'd sell a lot. I'm surprised I haven't seen more Model Xs on the road than the ones I've seen, then again, most people spending Model X money will be going for a higher quality vehicle, like the Cayenne. Model X is a crossover, Cayenne is an SUV, but there are plenty of actual luxury CUVs.
The emissions issue is interesting, no doubt, but I do wonder... Specifically, if you were to remove unsafe, heavy emissions vehicles from the road, what would daily readings in a congested metro area be? And at what point in the future does electricity offset emissions to a point where emissions developed through the production of electricity don't matter anymore.
The emissions issue is interesting, no doubt, but I do wonder... Specifically, if you were to remove unsafe, heavy emissions vehicles from the road, what would daily readings in a congested metro area be? And at what point in the future does electricity offset emissions to a point where emissions developed through the production of electricity don't matter anymore.
They need to make them a lot faster. The start of production has been disastrous.
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Teslas are still too expensive.
in my region of Cornwall in uk there are actually quite a lot of Tesla S models.
They are almost as common as the Jaguar X-type here and they are every where!
I like the S type and would and could use one for my weekly work trips and weekend trips shopping as do not really travel too far.
Just at cost way more than I can ever afford.
They are almost as common as the Jaguar X-type here and they are every where!
I like the S type and would and could use one for my weekly work trips and weekend trips shopping as do not really travel too far.
Just at cost way more than I can ever afford.
Yeah, I wasn't advocating buying one unless you really wanted to. If Tesla lives, I see them becoming lease focused. Especially if the repair bills OoW is going to be sky high for 2nd and 3rd owners. I forget the specific amounts, but a refurbished battery pack for a Prius is about three grand, and that's a Prius. That's not including labor either.
I don't think first owners are going to be shocked at repair prices OoW, across the range. It is, however, like Lexus. Reliable, safe marque. Rock solid even. However, when serious repairs are needed, and they are if you drive a lot, it isn't cheap.
here a used model S 85 is £39,500 or £554 per month.
"This Model S receives a full inspection, remaining battery and drive warranty and a four year, 50,000 miles pre-owned limited warranty with 24 hour roadside assistance."
I do really like Tesla cars but at my current pay level even a used model out the question.
cheaper brands just dont have the range and quality of a Tesla.
I know friends with Renault Zoe and Renault twizzy cars.
"This Model S receives a full inspection, remaining battery and drive warranty and a four year, 50,000 miles pre-owned limited warranty with 24 hour roadside assistance."
I do really like Tesla cars but at my current pay level even a used model out the question.
cheaper brands just dont have the range and quality of a Tesla.
I know friends with Renault Zoe and Renault twizzy cars.
@840quadra stole my joke ...
Yeah, I'd say, deliver some cars, get this thing to an actual production status, get some 'Ring times, and then maybe the first 1000 suckers, er, Founder Series purchasers can drop the extra $50K and get their cars in 2022 or so ...
Yeah, I'd say, deliver some cars, get this thing to an actual production status, get some 'Ring times, and then maybe the first 1000 suckers, er, Founder Series purchasers can drop the extra $50K and get their cars in 2022 or so ...