john banks

Just picked up a machine at auction that will blow you all into the weeds.

http://photos.autoexpress.co.uk/imag...oto_6664_7.jpg

Super clean, new tyres, completely unmarked, bought for between CAP clean and Glass, should be able to run it until the GTR arrives and then sell privately for a bit more I hope.

Have wasted 2 days looking at garages and private ads, every single thing has been a complete shed.

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

Well at least it's light ...

TX.

Spooky Mulder

Another car I really like - I think the only thing stopping the A2 selling was the price - there again the innovation and build was expensive. Superb design and engineering on that car - and I really don't like Audis!

SPEN555

Proper Doctors car

john banks

Probably a lady doctor's car I should sell it easily I think

Hoppy

LOL I knew you'd end up with an Audi

john banks

£104 insurance for nearly 11 months!

.:mike:.

Very nice choice there John! We'll all be expecting lots of pictures when it arrives. I saw one of these in York a few weeks ago - they really do look amazing. It was getting a lot of attention though..... So much so that it could even be described as flash!

Hoppy

Saw a GTR close up today for the first time, in black. Stopped for a peek. Looks really good, discreetly potent. While I was gawping, about ten people walked past, and nobody gave it a second glance. I like that, maybe because of the colour.

It was obviously a demonstrator, paper floor mats etc, so popped in to local dealer who told me it was almost certainly their car from Cambridge. Which was currently giving rides. Time to flash the Rolex I think, that always works with Porsche dealers

Fantastic car John.

Spooky Mulder

In July's edition of Car comic there is lots about GTR, GTR VSpec and GT3 all taken on a drive in North-West Germany for some reason

Interesting reading.

Mitchy260

Im pondering over something similar at the moment,

135
335
M3
TTRS

TTRS, only 2 seats but really nice IMO.
M3 for the badge rather than 135/335.

Saying that, after reading reports and watching the vid below..

YouTube - BMW 135i vs M3 E92 DRAG RACE

A chipped 135/335 upto 380bhp will no doubt make mince meat of its 414bhp bigger brother and for VFM factor wins hands down. Chipped TTRS and you have a faster version of the R8 though.

I think im leaning to the 135.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/dri...cle3103294.ece

Evolve remap..

http://www.evo-s.co.uk/shop/index.ph...3648_3661_3058

Spooky Mulder

Having seen a GTR (also in York) I am not sure you would think of it as a demure car - got a lot more attention than my GT3


As for above - chipped TTRS is a faster version of the R8 - ho hum!

.:mike:.

Mitchy - there's more than just straight line speed with a chipped 135/335i. What about the brakes/suspension of an M3? Handling is where the fun is - anybody who is posting on here probably has a car that is good enough in a straight line. That said I've driven a 335i a few times and the engine is a peach!

Was that GTR parked up on micklegate David? It certainly was getting lots of attention last time I saw it

Spooky Mulder

Shell garage on Hull Road. It was doing a track day at Elvington. It was also white which made it look *bling*!

markymark34

remapped 135 or 335 woudnt stand a snow ***** chance in hell against an m3 on anything other than a straight road. Bit of a price difference though. standard 335i is a bit disappointing the engine sounded great but it didnt feel particularly fast or give me the same 'Ive got to have this feeling' as the m3 did (couldnt afford either though was just day dreaming!).

Deep Singh

sorry I've not been around much and missed this thread. Can't be bothered to read through all 5 pages, what did John Banks end up buying in the end?

stoneface

iTrader: (6)

Gtr.

Hoppy

Stoneface has spoiled it! You should read it Deep, brilliant soap, and before the final coup you'd have have put money on anything but the GTR. Intersting insight into the mind games of a petrolhead. We didn't quite get to Caterham vs Bentley GT, but could so easily. If I was a doctor, it would be an education

john banks

My serious actual shopping only lasted a week, I've been fantasy shopping for years though

I'm sure Deep would rather read something else other than my musings though.

Deep Singh

Ok. I always thought the GTR was the car you'd been waiting for.
Just out of interest did you drive a 997 turbo?

When is it coming? Colour? Spec etc please!

john banks

997 turbo: I liked the noise, but it was just as loud as the GTR. Astonishing traction, torque, acceleration, power. Ride was better than the GTR by some way, but I do gather the GTR settles after run in and on non run flats. The car we looked at was £5k more than a new GTR and needed discs/pads all round and new rear tyres, plus only 3 months of warranty left and 4 owners.

GTR is Gun Metal. Should have it by the end of the month. I'm already knee deep in ECU stuff for it, knew my resistance wouldn't last long, V-box results from a GTR with a Y-pipe (removes two rear cats, £400 fitted) and a custom remap, running US equivalent to 98 RON:

0-60 was 3.08
0-100 was 6.98
1/4 mile was 11.18@126.7
60-130 was 8.72 seconds

thesyn

Wow.....0-100 in under 7 seconds
Any reports on longevity of engine internals?
Also wont that send your warranty south?

john banks

Engine seems fine, you only need about 1.1-1.2 bar to do that.

Gearbox has been an issue with clutch slip if you go too high on the torque, but uprated clutches are now available. Some have damaged first gear with the old launch control and wheel hop, but uprated first gears are now available. Some have had 800+ BHP working fine on the stock engine and gearbox in endurance events. Some are still having troubles with metal fragments blocking one of the gearbox solenoids, seems to be a first year JDM/US problem, and usually fixed with a flush or clean out.

Warranty is an issue as the engine and gearbox are ruinously expensive, but with 600 BHP worth of turbo, injector and fuel pump sitting there are as standard... with just exhaust, tuning and actuators to actually hit 600 BHP... they will get modified a lot I think as with turbo upgrades you're at Veyron power to weight ratios.

jameswrx

iTrader: (4)

What about the warranty though?

Was reading about some guy's GTR on the MLR breaking the gearbox the other day and he's waiting to find out whether it'll be repaired by Nissan!

john banks

You have to pay to play as usual. The gearbox issue for that chap sounds like a solenoid, he has a first year JDM model. Dealers just want to replace the whole box, Nissan have been funny about supplying bits, but the aftermarket is warming up, only saving grace for running costs on the GTR is likely to be because it will be a tuner car with lots of aftermarket, although everything has GTR tax.

thesyn

Have to say
GO FOR IT
Cannot wait to read your description of that performance.
Veyron power:weight, stupid not to!

john banks

I wouldn't push it that far, maybe When people have complete bomb proof gearboxes and the first cars are doing 1000 BHP, Godzilla 2 will certainly have come of age.

LG John

Dribble.............