Big Rat

On holiday in Lisbon at the moment it will come as no surprise to some on here I was outside this cafe drinking coffee and eating cake when this pulled up outside an incredibly rare Lancia lovely car. 🐀

@FTBBCVoodoo Lee I've had both the E46 M3 & CSL and I really enjoyed them both, very much a cars of their era. The CSL induction noise through that carbon air box is as intoxicating as it's gearbox is irritating, when you going for it on a fun drive it's acceptable any other time it's a pain. Why they didn't do it in manual guise is beyond me, I'm guessing it's because it's hardly any quicker than a standard M3 anyway so they didn't see the point. The standard tyres in the wet are nothing more than 😳 CSL big bucks now, I'd go for a standard car and use it as it was intended 😂 🐀

@Flytvr Er no 😊 🐀

@emjay82 I rest my case 🙁 🐀

I've been in the fortunate position over the past 45 years of driving to within reason drive/own what I've wanted so won't bore you all with the list now but you know what............ I know own a car that starts, stops, and goes very well with consistent reliability, can't say that about anything from the list I haven't listed 😏 Long Live Lexus ! 🐀

@Flytvr Couple of things about that the people paying the RS4 attention were they 'wearing ski masks and carrying baseball bats ' The kind of attention that VAG performance cars get with massive regularity is when the owner is in bed with his family from this kind of individual, bent on relieving you of it no matter what Security measures you have in place. It is an undeniable common occurrence, whereas as you with an equally impressive car and in many ways superior car can soundlysleep safe in the knowledge that they are not the slightest bit interested in it,even if they were to make that arduous trek up your driveway 😂 Big Rat

@emjay82 I agree with that but..... but there is a certain white one up north........ 🤑 🐀

@NemesisUK +1 on this talking to Matey boy Barry up the road with his AMG Mercedes apparently the prerequisite of making a judgement on the quality of the suspension setup is it first needs to get out of the dealership workshops having the host of other repeat problems fixed 😂 🐀

@ThebigC Matey @Warrington guy Daves white one is a beauty I've never seen a better one and I probably won't, I'm not saying this because he's a mate or the fact he promised me 10 slabs of Guinness 😂 Big Rat

@DAW We are singing from the same song sheet on this one, there are no easy answers there never are when it comes to suspension modifications. All I know is that from a personal perspective I'm happy with mine... dare I say it for now 🙄 Big Rat

The GSF we test drive recently had it and in sport + it's quite a revelation, even on the pock marked rubbish Cotswold roads it was not thrown off line mid corner, I presume the RCF would be broadly similar. Big Rat

After all in life it's good to be different, trust me i should know 😏 🐀

You had to be there I guess it involved tortured rubber 😳 🐀

@Rusty Crobar We did have fun didn't we 😂 🐀

@Rusty Crobar Well done Russ sounds like they've taken care of you as regards wheels and tyres. And they are a top quality boot, having worked for Michelin doesn't make me a little bias of course. Next time we take the cars for a little 'stretch' we can test these added inches you've acquired.....😉 🐀

@emjay82 The honest answer as regards warranty is I don't know, but what long long experience has taught me with warranties is why bother with them if you are prepared to risk them saying ' No' on a component failure that can be associated with non standard parts having been fitted. As I've said before these are expensive vehicles to run and maintain, they are more reliable than most with on the whole good quality components used that seem to last, so if you are going to modify as @Peter P18 has with his its a project of ongoing improvement to the aesthetics and proven performance parts from companies, I guess usually in the states where the car was sold in much larger numbers than here and therefore have a proven track record. He has the again I'm guessing the knowledge/ skills to carry out the changes to his car for his personal satisfaction some of which would if it was under warranty would invalidate it. Not everyone is interested in a warranty personally I am as I haven't the time or equipment to mess with the car myself and as one or two on her have learnt recently you can get badly burned if something goes wrong, but as always you pays your money you take your choice. To go back a bit to the part in question suspension components are always going to be a comprise between ride and handling and maybe this particular joint was not given the 'upgrade' it needed for the ISF having regard its intended use and the weight of the V8, don't suppose we will ever know I have seen many of the videos mentioned and there does seem to be a large degree of distortion and or deflection under track use, I've never seen any with the vehicle driven in day to day use to make an informed judgement. Big Rat

@DAW I'm curious as to why as and when the standard bushes display signs of giving up the ghost and or inside front tyre wear as a result of, why not just replace with new OEM bushes/arms never seem to see anyone mention that aspect. My car is on 40k miles now on the originals with no wear no points for guessing which I'll be changing to,the USRS's do not seem to be particularly good value for money. As regards the BMW E46 330 you had, my 335i had the same issues, just got the local dealer to fit the set from an M3 instead problem solved during ownership they were I seem to remember only about 15 quid more as well. Big Rat

@Toothy Nice work David a great post with helpful detail for those that want to replicate and all with an added safety aspect in my opion, with a more modern look as well when illuminated. Perhaps we ought to start regional minor modifications workshop meets for this kind of thing ! With coffee and cake thrown in as well 😁 🐀

@DAW Yes you are right regarding this pretty much all of us are ! " I used to be indecisive not I'm not sure " Yes the H&S there was a short video on the tube of a UK ISF with one being demonstrated on a country road can't seem to find it I liked that, but the main thing I'm holding out for is a valved/switchable system. As regards tyre wear not experienced it myself back or front I'm religious about pressures checked prior to every journey and kept at 42psi back and front. The car is used as it was intended and the current set of OEM Bridgestones - which is my personal preference- have now done 17k miles with 4mm left across the full breadth of all four tyres. I haven't tracked the car and have no intention of doing so, for me its development is perfectly suited for fast road use without any modifications to the suspension, horses for courses I suppose but as always each to their own and what makes the individual happy. Big Rat

@emjay82 Ageing eyesight 🙄 🐀

Refused I can't see a Costa - Nero - Starbucks............ So No coffee planning not workee 😂 🐀

@Mark G Agreed but he ate your slice...... 🤥 🐀

@emjay82 Yes it's an impressive pile and he doesn't have problematic neighbours, but of course the journey up the drive is extremely tiring but being the kind sociable people they are provisions are supplied at the end of the journey 😋 Big Rat

@emjay82 I know that feeling well, swap my neighbors for yours 🙄 🐀

@Warrington guy Going to think more seriously about it 😊 🐀