The worst BMW’s ever......

Horsetan wrote: AndyS wrote: When I were a lad (over 20 years ago) I had a 1975 Manta Berlinetta Luxus. Proper Manta... Something like this, I presume:

You presume wrong. I didn't modify it for the pose effect, no spoilers or oversize wheels etc. I actually modified it to improve performance for competition in tarmac rallying. It made a change from the usual Escort.

You wonder wether its worth it sometimes with all the costs....... But then you go out to the shops and get it a bit sideways around a roundabout when the roads are damp......... And then you realise just WHY u drive it and WHY u put up with 15mpg and expensive aftermarkets andattrotious service costs AND sky-high insurance.

AndyS wrote: When I were a lad (over 20 years ago) I had a 1975 Manta Berlinetta Luxus. Proper Manta...

Something like this, I presume:

My last car was a manta..I don't miss it though!

A mate of mine has done a 16 valve conversion with about 180 bhp. Its as fast as hell! Gives M-Powers a race for their money! Yes really!

Why do people enjoy spending money recking a perfectly good car. I am a believer that if you modify a car it should be subtle, not pants down in your face.

 

There were some prime candidates for the above prize of worst BMW ever at donington this weekend. Some E30 and e36's which had so mush fiberglass and soundsystems attached to them powered by 316 engines that i am suprised that they can even drive. Must have a BHP per ton of about 12.

Cant agree about Mantas, I think they are great cars same as MK1/2 Escorts. Make a good budget rear wheel drive monster.

As for French Cars. I hate them, Ive had a couple and had to replace just about every component on my Clio Williams when it reached 90k including engine and gearbox (both at seperate times which was nice). Even an alternator change is a strip down job. The only thing that you can say in their defence is that they utilise all the space under the bonnet.

dbanbery wrote: ps anyone worked on a French car? I swear those guy roll dice on where theyre gonna put the next component.

Funny enough, I’m in he middle of changing the water pump and cam belt on my partners Renault 19 Diesel. I HATE this car with a passion

But it has got 176K on the clock, keeps on going day after day etc. Build quality is dreadful, they manage to source the thinnest sheet steel anywhere and then coat it with the finest mist of paint and I wonder why most of the steel components under the bonnet have rusted through! I'm not kidding I’ve had to make new brackets, weld bits back together etc on a 1994 car. OK so it's 9 years old, but my E30 is 12 Years old and doesn’t have any rust anywhere! OK my MG had more rust than metal when I bought it, but hey at least that was British rust...and it’s still going after 36 years, like to see a Renault last that long!

The next car for my partner will be German

OK, better get back to putting the Renault back together

The only thing I have to say is - WOW - what goes through peoples heads. Apparently nothing!

French cars are the worst to work on closely followed by ford, for doing everything the hard (and sometimes the bloody imposible) way. Jap stuff is ok if A.it hasn't rotted to pieces/siezed solid and B.you have hands the size of a 6 year old Taiwanese girl! You just can't beat the Germans for (usually) logical means of doing things.Apart from Opels, which are poo.(sorry,they just are!)