The new news 24 thread

[artdjones]

27 minutes ago, JakeT said:

While I’d be inclined to agree, E36 interiors are of dogshit quality, E39s after the facelift got very poor, and ironically stuff like suspension that wears at incredible rates and cooling system components of plastics that go all Bakelite, the newer stuff isn’t dreadful. I’d say don’t buy a 4 cylinder BMW made post-2000. 6 cylinder petrols are fine even up to new ones.

 

They’re also far cheaper in real terms than they once were. My E36 320i was a nearly 50 grand car these days, a 420i is far faster, more fuel efficient and has an equipment level my E36 could only laugh at. But nowhere near as cool.

The early E36s were notorious for stuff like door cards etc, coming adrift. I believe they had to do a quick quality upgrade programme. On the other hand, I had to do repairs several times on a base model E36 316 Automatic, the slowest car and least opulent car they made, and it still felt special to sit in, and drive.

The writing was on the wall, even in the 90s, with things like blocks where the thread would come out with the head bolts when they were removed after hgf, scrapping the whole unit. They had Nikasil problems (like Jaguar V8s) on some engines as well. The cheapening, and the over complex solutions to problems had started, but hadn't reached E46 levels.

 

[EyesWeldedShut]

5 hours ago, artdjones said:

After the E36 and E39, they have been systematically cheapened, while BMW have tried to keep up the pretence that they are above average in quality.

Sounds very much like that other German lot, wassername?

Mercedes Benz?

[JakeT]

3 hours ago, artdjones said:

The early E36s were notorious for stuff like door cards etc, coming adrift. I believe they had to do a quick quality upgrade programme. On the other hand, I had to do repairs several times on a base model E36 316 Automatic, the slowest car and least opulent car they made, and it still felt special to sit in, and drive.

The writing was on the wall, even in the 90s, with things like blocks where the thread would come out with the head bolts when they were removed after hgf, scrapping the whole unit. They had Nikasil problems (like Jaguar V8s) on some engines as well. The cheapening, and the over complex solutions to problems had started, but hadn't reached E46 levels.

 

Late ones weren’t much better. Sagging headliners under warranty and misted up headlights on delivery were a known thing. You’re right that they did some quality improvements. The early trim on the slam panel looked like six pieces plastic welded together.

 

I agree though, compared to a Mondeo/Cavalier a 316/318i felt very premium, even if the spec was crap. A 316i auto was a proper “will it-won’t it” affair when pulling into busy traffic!

 

You’re right though. Lots of stuff 95-on started with difficulties. Not even just engines and BMW specific. Early ZF 5spd gearboxes were very good. Later ones had cheaper pressings for brake drums leading to premature failure. The Germans all did it. Volkswagen dropped the ball after the mk2 Golf, Mercedes with the W202/211, even Opel did when the Ecotec replaced the ancient CIH stuff and made headgasket a synonym for Vauxhall. Ford managed to escape it, which wasn’t hard after their Escort and Fiesta output of the early 90s.

[Stinkwheel]

45 minutes ago, JakeT said:

I agree though, compared to a Mondeo/Cavalier a 316/318i felt very premium, even if the spec was crap. A 316i auto was a proper “will it-won’t it” affair when pulling into busy traffic!

First company car I ever drove was a very late E30 touring 316i touring. Couldn’t get out of its own way, but was a nice steer on a fun A road. It was dog slow even compared to the CX22 TRS I owned at the time. 

[artdjones]

55 minutes ago, JakeT said:

Late ones weren’t much better. Sagging headliners under warranty and misted up headlights on delivery were a known thing. You’re right that they did some quality improvements. The early trim on the slam panel looked like six pieces plastic welded together.

 

I agree though, compared to a Mondeo/Cavalier a 316/318i felt very premium, even if the spec was crap. A 316i auto was a proper “will it-won’t it” affair when pulling into busy traffic!

 

You’re right though. Lots of stuff 95-on started with difficulties. Not even just engines and BMW specific. Early ZF 5spd gearboxes were very good. Later ones had cheaper pressings for brake drums leading to premature failure. The Germans all did it. Volkswagen dropped the ball after the mk2 Golf, Mercedes with the W202/211, even Opel did when the Ecotec replaced the ancient CIH stuff and made headgasket a synonym for Vauxhall. Ford managed to escape it, which wasn’t hard after their Escort and Fiesta output of the early 90s.

All the premium German makers have cheapened since the mid 90s. Mercedes have reversed the trend to a certain extent for the last 20 years, not completely, but they are the only one of  the three premium makers I might buy using my own money.

[IronStar]

9 hours ago, andy18s said:

I think this was the peak of Bmw's production era for me, anything after just doesn't to be interesting enough....

Yes please, in 525tds touring form.

E9x is nice enough though.

Friend is trying to convince me to get F11 530D, but at the price they’re commanding here (15+k), I’d rather add a bit more and get myself a Giulia Veloce 280. Nowhere near as practical as 5 series tourer, but it’s been on my wallpaper since the day it came out. 

[Split_Pin]

BMW and Mercedes were a lovely product until they started making cars for chavs.

[artdjones]

4 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

BMW and Mercedes were a lovely product until they started making cars for chavs.

Loads of chavs had them back in the 80s and 90s if they had money. It's a feature of society that chavs want to gain the glamour that rubs off from using the same possessions as old money people. Mercs were aspirational for wide boys as far back as the 60s.

The only difference now is that they are totally mainstream, and that PCP has been invented.

[Sigmund Fraud]

13 minutes ago, artdjones said:

Mercs were aspirational for wide boys as far back as the 60s.

I reckon it goes even further back than that... I have it on good authority that some very unsavoury characters were being driven around in Mercs in the late 1930s and early 1940s !

(With my sincere apologies to Mr Mike Godwin !)

[24vdiamond]

2 hours ago, JakeT said:

Late ones weren’t much better. Sagging headliners under warranty and misted up headlights on delivery were a known thing. You’re right that they did some quality improvements. The early trim on the slam panel looked like six pieces plastic welded together.

 

I agree though, compared to a Mondeo/Cavalier a 316/318i felt very premium, even if the spec was crap. A 316i auto was a proper “will it-won’t it” affair when pulling into busy traffic!

 

You’re right though. Lots of stuff 95-on started with difficulties. Not even just engines and BMW specific. Early ZF 5spd gearboxes were very good. Later ones had cheaper pressings for brake drums leading to premature failure. The Germans all did it. Volkswagen dropped the ball after the mk2 Golf, Mercedes with the W202/211, even Opel did when the Ecotec replaced the ancient CIH stuff and made headgasket a synonym for Vauxhall. Ford managed to escape it, which wasn’t hard after their Escort and Fiesta output of the early 90s.

The ecotech range of engines didn't replace the CIH engines, there was a whole range of OHC engines, small block and big block before the ecotech, don't remember head gaskets being much of a problem either

[Brodders]

Not worthy of its own thread, however thanks to a tip off from @trigger I picked up this Astra G from a work colleague of his, who was close to scrapping it after their father in law who owned it died.

Would have been a shame if that happened, as its done less than 87k, has pretty much all of its original paperwork, including the business card of the salesman, and drives surprisingly well (already done around 100 miles in the last day.) Being an automatic 1.6 8v it isn't going to set the world alight, but is quite a relaxing thing to drive around in. It's just worrying this is what a 25 year old Astra now looks like.

[High Jetter]

9 minutes ago, Brodders said:

 It's just worrying this is what a 25 year old Astra now looks like.

Nearly new car, that, M9 😀

[SiC]

41 minutes ago, Sigmund Fraud said:

I reckon it goes even further back than that... I have it on good authority that some very unsavoury characters were being driven around in Mercs in the late 1930s and early 1940s !

(With my sincere apologies to Mr Mike Godwin !)

My late grandfather ran a successful scrapyard in Northampton from the late 40s to mid 90s when he retired. He never ever bought a Mercedes as they "were only owned by dodgy scrap dealers". Instead had British cars until his SD1 order got delayed so much, he gave up and bought a Citroen CX instead. Then stayed with mostly French cars but also a Vauxhall as his 'workhorse' when he went out with the Ramblers.

Never, ever, ever had a Japanese car. He could never "buy from those that treated others so badly in the war".

[Six-cylinder]

6 hours ago, artdjones said:

The early E36s were notorious for stuff like door cards etc, coming adrift. I believe they had to do a quick quality upgrade programme. On the other hand, I had to do repairs several times on a base model E36 316 Automatic, the slowest car and least opulent car they made, and it still felt special to sit in, and drive.

The writing was on the wall, even in the 90s, with things like blocks where the thread would come out with the head bolts when they were removed after hgf, scrapping the whole unit. They had Nikasil problems (like Jaguar V8s) on some engines as well. The cheapening, and the over complex solutions to problems had started, but hadn't reached E46 levels.

 

My E36 328i Coupe had head gasket failure and I couldn't find anybody who would change it because of the risk of a head stud coming out. In the end I had to buy a used engine for it.

In spite of the head gasket it was a great car that really enjoyed driving.

[Wibble]

In half an hour, I’ll be 56 years old. Does that bother me? Yes and no. Grateful to still be here, sorry to not be where I thought I’d be. I think I’ll concentrate on the still being here!🙂

[Lord Sterling]

BMWs. Where do I start?

Well, this, as many know, was my first one:

I used to hate BMWs with a passion as I got caught up in the web of BMW h8rs club. But my lowly 3 series really did change my perception. I loved the way it drove, I loved the colour, the way it looked and ruggedness.

However, for me, my most favourite BMW would have to be the E34 5-series and E32 7-series. There was just something so distinctive. They had this distinguished, handsome 'serious business' look about them

There is a very good chance that a BMW will be landing at Lord Sterling Towers.

[IronStar]

9 minutes ago, Wibble said:

In half an hour, I’ll be 56 years old. Does that bother me? Yes and no. Grateful to still be here, sorry to not be where I thought I’d be. I think I’ll concentrate on the still being here!🙂

It’s your birthday where I am already. Happy birthday man, may your wishes of being where you want to be come true this year! 🎉

From all our interactions and reading your posts on here, I think that the world needs more people like you!  

[Wibble]

11 minutes ago, IronStar said:

It’s your birthday where I am already. Happy birthday man, may your wishes of being where you want to be come true this year! 🎉

From all our interactions and reading your posts on here, I think that the world needs more people like you!  

Thank you so much mate, very kind of you. We need more of you too!

[Rustybullethole]

Happy birthday @Wibble hope you have a good day.

Am celebrating too. MOT pass on the Panda whoop whoop. 

Had thought it was a bit misty in there when i've seen the mrs pull up in it. Optimistically thought she must of been out in the playground in the rain or something though no real suprise today when i got dripped on whilst connecting my phone to the stereo. Bit of a puddle in the headlining around the interior light. Immediate thought was the ariel though thats at the back. Must be through the screen rubber to guess. 

Reminds me Berlingo is filling its drivers footwell too. Roll on summer i say. 

[trigger]

5 hours ago, Brodders said:

Not worthy of its own thread, however thanks to a tip off from @trigger I picked up this Astra G from a work colleague of his, who was close to scrapping it after their father in law who owned it died.

I'm still amazed how good that looks for what it cost, it would have been sacrilege to have scrapped it.

A heat gun on them grey plastic bits would transform it too.

In other news I have accidentally agreed to buy another car that I don't need... 🤦🏻‍♂️

[Yoss]

6 hours ago, Wibble said:

Thank you so much mate, very kind of you. We need more of you too!

Just think, with more people like @IronStar, no Alfa would ever get scrapped again! 

[Spottedlaurel]

2 hours ago, trigger said:

I'm still amazed how good that looks for what it cost, it would have been sacrilege to have scrapped it.

A heat gun on them grey plastic bits would transform it too.

In other news I have accidentally agreed to buy another car that I don't need... 🤦🏻‍♂️

See you at the next ECJ meet! Looking forward to seeing and hearing more about it....

[comfortablynumb]

You're just a young'un @Wibble, in less than a month I'll be the big 60.

Bloody feeling like it too! 🥺

Happy birthday mate 

[artdjones]

8 hours ago, Sigmund Fraud said:

I reckon it goes even further back than that... I have it on good authority that some very unsavoury characters were being driven around in Mercs in the late 1930s and early 1940s !

(With my sincere apologies to Mr Mike Godwin !)

Even when the occupants weren't NSDAP members, the cars had a certain overbearing Germanic flashiness.

[High Jetter]

9 hours ago, Wibble said:

In half an hour, I’ll be 56 years old. Does that bother me? Yes and no. Grateful to still be here, sorry to not be where I thought I’d be. I think I’ll concentrate on the still being here!🙂

I hope you have a great day, despite the situation. Fingers X that things will go your way this year.

[Snake Charmer]

9 hours ago, Wibble said:

In half an hour, I’ll be 56 years old. Does that bother me? Yes and no. Grateful to still be here, sorry to not be where I thought I’d be. I think I’ll concentrate on the still being here!🙂

Happy birthday, it's all about the Wibble.

[Wibble]

5 minutes ago, Snake Charmer said:

Happy birthday, it's all about the Wibble.

Thank you mate!😂

[Snake Charmer]

10 hours ago, Brodders said:

Being an automatic 1.6 8v it isn't going to set the world alight, but is quite a relaxing thing to drive around in

I had a new Merit estate as a company car and it certainly would struggle against big vans in the outside lane. No chance if they had been chipped.

[chaseracer]

On 12/01/2026 at 23:19, wuvvum said:

If I'd been doing it "fully" properly I would have bought an 019 for the Merc and then stuck the 096 from that in the Rover, but am I bollocks going to manoeuvre an 019 into the cramped battery housing buried deep at the back of the engine bay under the cabin filter.  Getting the old 019 out nearly put my back out...

Does your Merc not have a 'service position' for the bonnet, alligator-style?  The C180K has a little red button on the nearside strut, allowing the bonnet to open wider to near-vertical.  Made it a hell of a lot easier* getting a 20kg 110 in.

[Split_Pin]

Happy birthday @Wibble!!