Off Topic Electric cars

4 weber dcoe 405 carbs

 

Love it mate.

 

I bet it sounds great!

 

Am I right in saying that at one time BMW did not use Turbo's on their engines?

 

Not too long ago* no manufacturer used turbos on petrol or diesel engines

*depending on how old you are

 

Most days I do feel like Methesulah..

 

Until very recently mate. I have had 6-7 in a row now current one is a 3.0 twin turbo and for all the think is brutal on power I miss the more mechanical was they always were.

BMW are losing everything that made them unique, going turbo, going x-drive, stopping manual boxes. I know it’s the way the world is going, and I appreciate it’s still a brilliant car but RWD is the whole point of BMW.

 

Yes the RWD, between my wife and I have had BMW for a number of years.

I now have one with X drive, as I live near the top of a steepish hill, when it does get snow and icy i am grateful for it... otherwise it just fishtails all over.

But yes for normal driving and cornering RWD is definitely better.

The so called better half had a 3 series saloon a few years ago... she is a very very cautious driver (infuriating when turning right etc). With the 3 series however when taking bends she would fly round cos the car was so good and stable... no doubt she was oblivious to what she doing..

 

Love RWD, the light front end and accelerating out of corners, so much better to drive.

Its not 100% confirmed yet but I think all new 4-series are gonna be X-drive. I tried Audi wasn’t a massive fan, not the same. Nicer in many ways but not same experience.

I get the X-drive thing in many ways but only the 2-series gonna be a proper BMW now.

Interesting that you say the X-drive less stable in normal conditions, I figured it would be flat and too grounded for my taste like the Audi was so maybe I need try one.

 

I got a Nissan leaf as a second car for the family. Got a good 2 year lease deal in Febuary. Also managed to get on the Ovo energy vehicle to grid charging trial which is a 2 year trial which basically uses the battery in the leaf as a battery store and exports in to the grid when it requires it most (usual 5pm-9pm) and they pay 30p a KWh. It has been brilliant and last month they paid me £187 in export credit so gas and electric cost me £6. Appreciate in winter it wont be this good with the heating being on but I can really see this type of technology helping expand the electric car take up.
The only negative I would say is the external charging network which is horrendous in the north east, you are very lucky if you find one working and if you do they are usual being used by a hybrid. The leaf is a cracking little motor, got everything we need and to be honest the main car has stood on the drive for 6 months and done about 200 miles as the leaf works great with the limited miles we do with the current situation.

 

Never had an Audi... but are they not just VWs (good cars nevertheless) with more tech and better styling?

 

except for Bentley which used the blower as in the Bentley blower the forerunner of turbos developed to win le mans in 1929










More images
Blower Bentley
Featured snippet from the web
1 is a racing car developed from the Bentley 4½ Litre by Sir Henry "Tim" Birkin to win the Le Mans twenty-four-hour race. The car was developed into its current form for racing at Brooklands.
Notable drivers: Sir Henry "Tim" Birkin
Designer(s): Sir Henry "Tim" Birkin, Clive Gallop, Amherst Villiers
Engine: 4,398 cc (268.4 cu in); 100 mm (3.9 in) bore/140 mm (5.5 in) stroke front mounted inline 4

 

the bit about the grid is true in my early experience. Went to Washington services to give it a try, only two there, one was working and supposed to be rapid charge ( I assume it would be compared to home), but still had estimated time of 45 minutes to get it to full charge and it was already at 75%. It was costing me 30p per kwh hour whereas at home it is 13p per kwh. I can claim 4p a mile back on business miles, which at 13p per kwh I am slightly in credit, based on the 30p, I will be massively in debt

 

Aye, basically. But VW are great cars.

The interior was way better than BMW (although gaps closed now), but the overall experience of owning and driving it wasn’t even close.

I do love the modern day C-Class so if I was to change it would be to that, but I love the design of the new 4-Series. It’s getting dogs abuse about being ugly but you watch, folk will get used to it and it will sell a **** ton. I think it’s stunning personally, really brave and bold.

 

OK, I don't go back that far.....
the Turbocharger dates back to the early 1900's, but only had limited special use up till 1962 when fitted to an Oldsmobile.
Production diesel use only goes back to 1978 (Mercedes).

Trivia fact: the "Blower" Bentley never won at Le Mans. The non-supercharged version won twice, in 1927 and 28

 

My son and I had a little test drive of the Kia Niro E... it was okay...say £35k

Against this cost, perhaps a used Passat estate with low mileage £20 to £25K

 

I’ve had 3 Passat saloons
Excellent cars
1 diesel 2x petrol

 

The cost and residual loss on buying electric is utterly mind blowing at the minute. That’s what they need to work on.

They need to be affordable for mass market.

BMW i3, brilliant technology but ghastly, £36k with no options.

I think even the Nissan Leaf is over 30k. Madness.

 

I’ve had loads of vw
The last one 2017 I’ve since moved to bmw
However no problems at all with vw

 

Well my son works in an office, but he has a sideline of gardening/landscaping, but with 2 young children he cannot just have a small van as his car