Epic trade of the millennium.

I couldn't read all 10 pages, but can anyone tell me if the OP is still considering a late model E39, specifically the 03' M-sport? It's really the only logical choice...

The problem with those is that sellers are asking too close to M5 money for something that's not an M5. If a strict budget was an issue I could see the M-sport being a good choice but I think it's clear from the other cars mentioned that Joe can afford the $2-3K difference. Put another way, if you had a 540 you'd be hard pressed to bolt on another ~100 hp for only $2-3K, so in that sense the M5 is worth the higher buy-in.

Agreed, finding a nice M sport is becoming harder and harder. Affording the 2-3K difference on the M5 is not usually the deal breaker, it's the cost of ownership of an M vehicle vs a non-M. Parts for the non-M cars are way cheaper, DIY is easier, so that softens the blow quite a bit.

Or, don't get a M sport, while they are nice, they are rarer. The aftermarket bits and pieces are available, if you are replacing shocks get the sport shocks, etc. Guess all I'm saying is that Joe should test drive one then report back :D

I'm on my second 540i, first was a M-sport and I just got a 540i sport wagon (no M bits unfortunately) so naturally I'm biased.

Here's some pics to get the drool going:

M-Sport Wagon in Toronto (I wished I owned this one, Topaz Blue Metallic, cousin to my 540i M sport)

Attachment 186389

M sport I owned couple years ago:

Attachment 186390

New wagon, sellers pics (02 Sport Wagon in Toledo Blue Metallic):

Attachment 186391

I <3 my M Sport.

That's right Joe! Pick up professional women in a wagon!

So... Let's talk turbo 911s (even though Joe mentions normally aspirated ons).

I've gazed longingly at widebody 911s since I was a kid. I have a picture of the Black Plague as the desktop wallpaper for my iPhone and desktop and have followed the InsideLine blog. Can JKav or Blaize (or anyone else) comment on the ownership of a turbo 930 or 964?

Am I right in thinking a turbo 964 is going to be $40k+ (+++)?



I may have to rethink that as an aspirational object...

this?
http://blogs.insideline.com/roadtest...-likes-it.html

My buddies new BMW's below. You know whats funny about newer cars that are supposed to be better in every way to an old miata, the aren't. I drive a 2012 Boss 302, it is a great car. It handles well, stops great, has retarded power. Its insanely fast on the track, yet I prefer driving the "slower" miata. People stare at me every where I go. I get at least 2 people a day that want to look at it or comment thats its a nice car. For lond road trips its a mile eater with the Recaro seats and nice radio. Yet I still really enjoy driving my Dad's 97 miata that I won the street TXMC championship in this year. Its stock other than suspension/wheels/tires. I think here in the next couple of years I'm going to build a nice 01-05 with bolt ons, Xida's, 15x9's, and Elise seats and by super happy with it for 10 years. It will be a nice around town car with full interior that's no slouch on the track. I'll just pick up a cheap SUV to haul the kids if I need to.

Makes me limper than Hustler at a college women's volleyball tournament.


You know what's bugging me right now? The SL600. Twin-turbo V12, 493 HP, 590 ft/lbs at 1,800 rpm.

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...36873.1-lg.jpg

Yeah. 590 ft/lbs at 1,800 RPM.

And they can be had with well under 100 kilomiles in the very low $30k range. 11mpg city, 18mpg highway. Why, that's better mileage than my friend Robert's '74 Caprice!

(Insurance is slightly costly on them...)



So, no words of wisdom on how to cure the 996's alleged suspension woes? I've spent a fair amount of time Googling on the matter, and while I've found a number of coilover kits available, there seems to be precious little serious discussion on the matter. Does nobody AutoX these cars?

Awwww...

If ideal professional woman ever wanted to get knocked up then you might enjoy the wagon ;)

Just needs a 6 speed swap.

Right car, wrong photo. It's this one.

Whoever suggested you look at SLs is a genius. Granted, they may be a diabolical genius as there is plenty of (possibly useless) anecdotal evidence of the dangers of owning a forced-induction Mercedes out of warranty.

Are you planning on tracking this car? Autocrossing it? If not, I would not worry about it too much.

M030 suspension, aka factory European sport suspension.

Clarkson got an SL600 IIRC and Hammond got an 850 to see if all the myths about these cars being expensive were true. First week clarkson had a coil go out, said it was like a grand or something.

My friend didnt believe the price so he called mercedes and figured out what it would normally cost at an independent, I think he told me a little over 600. Rockauto has them for a decent price though so it may just be the dealer parts.

If your looking at 5 series and wagons and seriously considering them, I cant stress enough how much you should go drive the G8.

As much as I dislike porsche if your gonna spend a bunch of money on something that has a good chance of turning into a money pit, a porsche would be more fun than a merc.

Did someone say G8? I sense a sequel....

I've been reading a lot of reviews today, and I'm finding a lot of horror stories about the SL which back up much of what I've read here. Nothing catastrophic (eg: drivetrain) just a whole lot of gripes about the braking system, the HVAC system, the top, the electronics...

And then I read the 996 reviews, and apart from the occasional engine failure, I haven't really seen one negative thing about them. Could it be that there is a German automaker which is still living up to its halo reputation?

Seems to be the case.

Honestly, the PRHT on the SL is really the one "biggie" feature that appeals to me. But they're also a full kilopound heavier than the 996es, and the '500 (which is in the same general price range) yields nearly identical HP numbers, albeit with a fair bit more torque down at the bottom.



No, I just enjoy driving like a lunatic on the twisty roads that we have around these parts.



No. And die in fire.

It's decided then, you will buy a 996?

They are really no different from the N/A models as far as reliability, and running cost. Some parts will cost more for a turbo by virtue of being the upgraded bits compared to the standard car (brakes, clutch).

But as with all the air cooled 911's, there is no real rev limiter regardless of what they say it has, and the shifter gates are nowhere near as precise as modern cars. you catch 2nd looking for 4th one time and you are in for an eye watering bill. Even if you do the work yourself.

I of course have all the tools and used to get paid to rebuild those engines, and even if I could afford one, I wouldn't buy a turbo. They are tons of fun and VERY fast, but the potential for a $6000 bill just in machining costs and new parts for one missed shift is enough to scare me away.

The best way to view those old 911's is to remember that in buying one, you are really just buying the engine, it just happens to come with a car attached to it. ALL the value is in the motor. The car I just bought/traded the bus for, is worth around £11k and a rebuilt engine for it would cost close to £8k once all the tax and shit was paid. (in fact I have the receipt for the last rebuild and it was for £7.5k back in 2000 so I am prob guessing low). You can double all those numbers for a turbo.

They are very nice, but just too risky. and (I know I am on the wrong forum to be saying this) they are kind of too fast. Its like a 250hp Miata, it a ton of fun in many ways, but every time you floor it you are really just trying not to hit anything or end up in someone's yard. With the N/A cars you can enjoy driving it without it always trying to kill you.

But that's one opinion

This sounds very appealing to me:drool: