Yes, here I am writing up another Phoenix Yellow M3. Although I seem to be the only one who likes this color, the E46 is still considered one of the last true “M” cars by enthusiasts across the board. I find this feeling a little silly; the argument that BMW “sold its soul” after the E46 and E39 M cars just doesn’t hold much weight, in my opinion. They’ve always been there to sell cars, and while the engineering has changed the result – cars that define their respective categories – hasn’t changed much no matter what the engine is or how many were produced. Indeed, one could argue that the neutered E36 M3 that BMW sent to the United States was as much a signal of the “end” of the “true” M cars as any. But it’s all opinion based upon what you own, and none of it really matters, honestly. M cars will be cherished by their owners no matter what generation or platform, and I’d like to cherish this one:
Month: February 2014
Auto show season is in full swing, and for the first time in my life I can’t remember being this unenthusiastic about the current lineup of new vehicles. The cars I came across at my local show that I could envision driving daily numbered less than ten. Sure, some may call me old fashioned, but styling across the board seems contrived these days and the amount of technology jammed into cars these days is too much for my tastes. However, there are some bright spots. One of my favorite new cars of recent memory is the Audi A5. This coupe embraces good clean design. Kick it up a notch for the S5 and you’ve got brawn under the hood to match the beauty. Add a wild color you say? Well, this Glut Orange S5 is sure to polarize opinions, but I love it.
Click for more details: 2011 Audi S5 on eBay
7 CommentsThe Porsche 935 is one of the most iconic racing sports cars. It’s also one of the most extreme mutations of a street 911, pushing the envelope of aerodynamics and the rule books. Porsche engineers found there was no stipulation of where the headlights needed to be located; in short order, the super aerodynamic “slantnose” appeared. There was, however, a stipulation that the original rear window had to be retained – but there wasn’t a rule that there couldn’t be a second, more aerodynamic window – so later 935s got a more slippery profile channeling air to that very important rear wing. That wing was so important because the 935s were at times pumping up to 800 horsepower through those rear wheels – enough to make them as fast as prototypes had been only years before.
The 935 was so successful that many were continually modified and raced from their original launch in the late 70s until well into the mid-80s – unusual for a top-spec race car, which is usually antiquated in a year or two. This was the case with the last 935 I wrote up, a 1977 Porsche 935 that was later updated to the top Kremer spec. Today’s car took a different path, originally beginning life as a 934 before being sold to the Minister for Sport in El Salvador who upgraded it first to 934.5 spec, then to full 935 spec. It was in this full 935 spec that the car ran Daytona in 1981 and 1982, though it was uncompetitive compared to those Kremer prepared cars. At that point, the car was again modified – this time back to 934 spec until 1985. Since then the car was both crashed and restored back to the 1981 spec, in the “El Salvador” livery celebrating the Central American championship heritage:
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1976 Porsche 935 on eBay
Comments closedIf the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300TE 4Matic we featured this week seemed a bit too lairy in terms of upkeep, how about this rear-drive 1995 E320 Estate for sale in Nebraska with similar mileage? These E class wagons have an uncanny way of blending class with durability at the same time and have an endearing aura about them. Every time I come across one on the street it’s like meeting up with an old friend.