Car Talk!

[rrcn]

[Tekk]

Well its been a while since I posted but just thought I'd share my recent purchase with some fellow car nuts If any remember I was contemplating an Audi RS4 quite a while back and Im happy to report that after months and months of researching and shopping around, waiting for the right deal, I finally found one at a local BMW dealership for an awesome price!! The specs:

2007 Phantom Black Pearl Audi RS4
11k miles
All options (Nav, 6 disc changer, xenon, etc, etc)
Stasis Ohlins - full suspension upgrade ride height and dampening adjustable
19" HRE 546R wheels
Hotchkis Sport front/rear sway bar upgrade
GMG Cat-Back true dual Exhaust system (video: YouTube - GMG Audi B7 RS4 Exhaust)
Upgraded clutch (unknown brand)

Amazingly, the dealership never priced the car to include any of the upgrades! And thats like $15k worth of parts/labor! Clean car-fax, clean service history per Audi, Audi tech said everything looked fine. I just couldn't pass it up! I also found out after looking into the brand of exhaust that it was the prototype car used to develop the system and received the first production model of the exhaust from GMG Racing....so that video posted above is actually my car Kind of cool I think!

Well enough gloating for now....I LOVE IT!!!

[B71655]

Nice ride. I still need a tow car(boat) so I get a Liberty and wifey has a Toyota. Traded a Mustang in on the car. Too uncomfortable on a long trip. 5 speed and wife - bad mix. Same wheels as video?

[Tekk]

Heh...yeah same wheels. Here's a much better vid of the entire car (looks the same except for the tinted tails as I got a ticket for that about 1 week after getting it ) YouTube - GMG Racing RS4

[Shipuuden]

I don't know much about Dodge engines, but how is the 318 (compared to 327/350 small block).
Found a Dodge Cornet for $300 with a 318 and was thinking about getting it.

[RobRich]

The 318 can be built, but from the overall performance potential perspective, it is not a small-block Chevy IMO. On the negative side, the 318 rarely turned much HP in stock trim. On the positive, it did turn considerable torque on the bottom end given the displacement and intended factory tuning, which explains why it was a popular choice for Mopar in trucks, vans, and large cars. More info here:

A series Chrysler small block V8 engines -277, 301, 303, 313, 318, and 326
LA -Chrysler small block V8 engines - 273, 318, 340, 360, and more

If you want a classic car to drive, go for it. The 318 is generally reliable and should be pretty easy to rebuild on the cheap. If you want to build a serious street rod, weigh your options closely, as there are engines better suited for the job IMO.

[Bizkitkid2001]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobRich

Sounds nice, but generally quiet unless you really get on it. The BMW 750iL is more of an Autobahn cruiser than a performance sedan.



Three aftermarket chips, and the 155MPH speed limiter is gone. Well, technically one for the EML, but I am not sure how it would run without the two other ECMs updated as well.

Anyway, here are some videos I sourced with a quick search....

A BMW 750 enthusiast having some fun:



For the more adventurous, a little forced induction can really wake up the M70 V12:

Those V12s have a lot of torque. I don't think my Camry would be able to do a burnout like that, it gets a lot of wheel hop on wet payment.

But, my Camry does have the advantage in the 1/4 mile, even though it doesn't have the ride or the looks of a 750

[RobRich]

Thinking of niche-market European imports, I spotted where a dealer in south FL has picked up an interesting Jaguar XJR with the AJ16S engine. The XJ6 platform was already starting to show its age by the time the XJR arrived, but on the performance side, 322HP is not exactly slacking for a factory I6 with supercharger. However, I really don't have much reason to actually consider purchasing another old performance sedan right now.

[RobRich]

GM has the Camaro "brake weights" debacle, but so the imports do not feel left out, apparently there are hundreds of complaints that late model Honda Accords are supposedly prematurely wearing through rear brakes - reportedly in as little as 8,000 miles!

2008 Honda Accord premature brake wear -- [ CarComplaints.com ]

I can be hard on front brakes, but I have rarely ever worn a set of rear brakes. Think I replaced one set of back brakes on the wagon when I owned it, and that was more about replacing the calipers (rusted e-brake control) than actual pad wear. IIRC, the Talon is still on the same rear brakes as when I purchased it several years ago, and they very well could be the factory originals for all I know.

[RobRich]

Ford Hummer H1?