General Auto Chat

Discussion in 'Cars, Motorcycles, Boats, Airplanes Talk' started by Maxvla, Sep 26, 2015.

  1. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

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    Question y'all:

    Need input on need for replacing tires in tandem or as a single.

    So, off to work this morning and I find a nail lodged into the driver rear tire of the truck. Tires holding air, so it must have happened sometime between who-f'ing-knows and now. Probably need to start inspecting more, but oh well.

    My thought of course was a simple patch, but Americas Tire advises it can't be repaired due to the nail is right on the border between the initial roll of the sidewall and the main tread. They advise a single tire for replacement. These tires are relatively new, having around 15000 (65k tread-life) miles on them since purchased and rotated midway at 7500. Wear is good, no cupping or feathering.

    Some rational (?) thought in my head is telling me I should put two on in place of one, so I'm rotating two newer tires with two older tires and replace the janky full-size spare with the remaining good tire. Am I thinking too much into this?
     
  2. netforce

    netforce MOT: Headphones.com

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    Had a blown tire couple months back (turned into curb and blew it) and was stuck in a similar dilemma. My front tires had little under 10,000 miles so I decided to just replace the one. Soon after I got an oil change and wanted to do a tire rotation. My usual mechanic thought the wear between the old and new tire was so close there wouldn't be too beneficial since my back tires had more wear.
     
  3. TwoEars

    TwoEars Friend

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    @SoupRKnowva Found this vid, pure unadulterated auto/tech-porn.

     
  4. dark_energy

    dark_energy Friend

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    Is it true that E60 5 series is more drivable and better handling than F10? Anyone owned both?
     
  5. TwoEars

    TwoEars Friend

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    @dark_energy

    While I didn't own them I've driven both over extended periods of time. As always it depends so much on the individual model, what engine you have and if you the m-sport package and what not. As a very broad statement I will say the the E60 is probably a little bit sportier feeling and the F10 is probably a little bit more comfortable and quieter. The F10 is one generation later and that's exactly how it feels to me, a little bit more grown up and little bit more refined.

    If you're a BMW car nut you might argue that the E60 530 manual gearbox M-sport is the greatest thing ever created. But if you just want to go and grab a bag of groceries, or go on a long trip, most people would probably pick the F10. But it's not a huge differences in any case, both cars are pretty close honestly.

    My personal preference would probably be F10 with m-sport package. It can also be hard to find good examples of E60 these days, a lot of them are getting up in there in terms mileage and might not be so reliable anymore.
     
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2019
  6. iDesign

    iDesign Almost "Made"

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    The E60/E61, E63/E64, and E65/E66/E67/E68 were the worst BMWs we created in BMWs 103 year history. You should purchase a low milage E39 530i Sport with a manual transmission because it is reliable and the rack and pinion steering system, which was only used in 6-cylinder E39 models, provides both excellent handling characteristics and feel.
     
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2019
  7. dark_energy

    dark_energy Friend

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    Just watched a video on that. There is no hidding the fact that modern BMW running costs are even way higher than MB running costs. The statistics are there, believe it or not.. Most expensive cars to run beside exotics and sports cars.

    I would get some used Lexus GS, but not sure about their transmissions. I dont want slow and smooth. Funny thing is that Lexus has low running costs because they are one of the most reliable cars made according to statistics. 3.0 V6 have problems with carbon build up in the injectors, but still reliable engines.
     
  8. dark_energy

    dark_energy Friend

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    Test drove GS300 09’ . It is a special car.. Not for everyone. It is not a practical big car and does not have loads of interior space. Interior flows like everything is designed around the driver. In a quiet envrionment I was unable to detect the start of the engine.
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2019
  9. dark_energy

    dark_energy Friend

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  10. TwoEars

    TwoEars Friend

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    @dark_energy The most reliable German car is probably the E-class diesel, that's the one used be probably 50% of German taxi drivers so it's very tried and true. Anything not working with the E-class diesel MB is going to hear about it.. for sure.

    In general the big volume sellers tend to be a lot more reliable than the specials. So BMW 3- and 5-series and MB C and E class are the ones to go for if you want reliable. And don't buy first or second year models, buy third year and forward when it's all sorted. And don't buy cars with exotic options such as air suspension and soft closing doors etc, those are the kind of things that break. I'd even stay away from sunroof really, it always starts to leak sooner or later. And also go for the common engines, the ones that are sold in big number.

    The thing with German cars is that they have so damn many models and options that they don't really have time to make sure they're all 100% reliable. But if you go for the common big volume sellers and common sensible options you'll generally be ok. This is pretty different from the Japanese manufacturer which generally build a few models with relatively few options, but then they really test exactly that spec and make sure it's reliable.

    I love Lexus as brand but I've yet to love any of their actual car models, something about them just doesn't fit me as well European cars. The Japanese brand I like the most is probably Mazda, nice driver's cars. If you want a fun reliable car on a budget I think the Mazda 6 is stellar. But if you want lots of hp and really high levels of comfort Mazda doesn't really do that.
     
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2019
  11. dark_energy

    dark_energy Friend

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    I agree. There are not a lot of interesting modern Japanese cars out there.

    Makes sense. This is one reason why I would have minimal/decent level of extras lol, steer clear from airbag suspension and nonsense like that(not sure if these are used now).
     
  12. SoupRKnowva

    SoupRKnowva Official SBAF South Korean Ambassador

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    If you like that, I would highly recommend checking out all the seasons of /Inside Koenigsegg on The Drive’s channel on YouTube, and of course the documentary, Apex: The Story of the Hypercar, which is on Netflix I think?
     
  13. TwoEars

    TwoEars Friend

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    In the US Infinity is pretty common, that's Nissan's luxury brand. Very good and reliable cars if you want gasoline engine. You can kind of find them in Europe but they're pretty damn rare.
     
  14. dark_energy

    dark_energy Friend

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    In general, it is important to point out that the numbers are not going to drive the car. You need to actually like what you drive.

    Some modern Toyotas from 2014" are so f. stale. Breaks my heart.
     
  15. dark_energy

    dark_energy Friend

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    Test drove 530D E61. It pulled quite hard through 6 gears and it was 160kW variant. Surprisingly fast car. Nice stability for an estate car.
     
  16. Prydz

    Prydz Friend

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    I've been eyeing out a Tesla Model 3 for awhile now. Currently have a Nissan Leaf.
    I'm kinda amazed that none of the euro competitors havent made a sleek, more aero EV yet.
    Range is the number one selling point when it comes to EVs.

    The model 3 just looks terrible and cheap. Kinda stunned how expensive it is, just by how it feels. Same could be said about the Model S and X, in terms of interior.
     
  17. TwoEars

    TwoEars Friend

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    @Prydz

    It's coming, all the major manufacturers are hard at work behind the scenes. They just don't want to talk about it too much because they don't want to lose sales on their current models. They want to talk about it a little bit.. because it's good PR, but not too much.

    Volvo is starting a new all-electric brand: https://www.polestar.com/

    Audi has this one: https://www.audi.de/de/brand/de/neuwagen/tron/e-tron-solutions.html

    Mercedes: https://www.mercedes-benz.de/passen...ls/e-mobility/project-eq/eq/stage.module.html

    BMW: https://www.bmw.de/de/topics/faszination-bmw/bmw-i-2016/auf-einen-blick.html

    VW: https://www.vw.com/electric-concepts

    Batteries and reliability with new tech is big hurdle to overcome really. But I think we'll see an electric car revolution in Europe in the next 5 years. There's also Euro7 which is being whispered about, it's going to be VERY strict. Pretty much forcing all manufacturers to go hybrid or electric. All the new VW, Volvo and Mercedes models being developed right now are pre-configured to accept either hybrid or electric drive.

    If you're a stock market man investing in companies which deal in lithium and similar could be worth looking into for the next 5-10 years.
     
    Last edited: Apr 11, 2019
  18. Prydz

    Prydz Friend

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    Yeah, its coming.... in a few years :D
    There was some germans who might have a battery able to increase the range to 1000km, but again, we're taking years. I cant find the article atm, but I believe they want to make it in 5 years time or so. Note "want to" :p
     
  19. TwoEars

    TwoEars Friend

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    Well the e-tron you can actually buy. Don't know about the waiting list but it's available.

    [​IMG]

    It's not cheap.. and at this stage I'd rather buy a diesel myself. But we're making progress.
     
  20. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    When we consider the Tesla as a luxury car competitor (nevermind the slightly worse than Mazda interior) rather than an electric car, then the Germans don't have a strong reason to make an electric car in that segment.

    There aren't many advantages to the electric aspect. Tesla cars are more of a hassle. No free charging places anymore, a fill-up in California isn't any less than a gas car given that the electrical bill will be pushed into the highest tier rate. Get into a fender bender and wait a few weeks for body panels.

    The reason the BMW 3 folks traded their leased cars in for a Model 3 is because it's something different and cool. The Tesla designs are sharp and unique. The BMW 3 series design has been stale for 10 years now. Audi is keeping it classy, but classy doesn't appeal to young couples. The Mercedes people I know are sticking to Mercedes - in their eyes and also mine, the true luxury brand.

    If the Germans did make an electric luxury car, I doubt it would dent Tesla much. This keeping in mind that Model S and X sales have dropped because owners are bored now that their leases have expired. Turning in a Model S lease to get another Model S which is same doesn't make sense. It also seems that most people who wanted a Model 3 already got one.

    Finally, I don't Tesla is making any money and I'm not sure the Amazon or Netflix "disrupt and eventually conquer, but lose money for 10 years" will work here. A car is still a car. If Musk made a teleporter, that might be different.
     
    Last edited: Apr 11, 2019

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