MODERNCLASSICS 83
Whydidyouchooseit?
I sa w it advertisedat auction,but didn’t
ha ve time to view it. I’d set a limit and
won the auction at nearly £3k less – I’d
bought a 1980s BMW I’d never seen for
nearly £20k! But when I collected it, the
body was immaculate, all consumables
were brand new and everything
worked – even the electric headrests! I
was very relieved and very happy!
W hat’s the best bit?
The engine is a masterpiece, but the
chassis set-up just edges it – it’s
comfortable but can play the hooligan.
W hat’s the worst bit?
Putting it away for the winter as I’m
scared of rust when I’d actually love to
be using it all-year round as it it’s even
more fun in the wet!
Any modifications?
Nope, though I’m considering braided
brakelinesanda retro-styledmodern
st ereowithsomedecentspeakers.What’s it like to run?
I’ve only had two issues with the car.
Th e brakes would stick on harder and
ha rder through a journey, then slowly
re lease again after a ten minute stop;
th is was fixed with a new master
cylinder. The other issue was a strange
on e; it started running really lumpy then
wouldn’t start at all in a petrol station.
Lu ckily, Ariel, my local BMW expert (aka
A J Autogas) traced it to a faulty sensor.Any advice for buyers?
Get one if you have the opportunity!
I guarantee you won’t regret it!Any funny mishaps?
On my hands and knees looking forthe
to wing eye in the petrol station (see
ab ove), I had my foot run over by a
Tesla Model S – didn’t hear it coming!BMW M5 (E28)
Ross Culver ‘The engine is a masterpiece,
but the chassis set-up just edges it’Year 1987 Mileage 176,000
Acquired 2011 Dream car Ferrari F40 or 250 GT Lusso
Worst car 1996 Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 Best driving song Grace – Not Over Yet
Dad drove Lots, he’s the reason I’m a petrolhead. Early days included 3.0S and 2.8
injection Capris, XR4x4 Sierra, BBR Shogun, TVR Chimaera, XJS, XKR, F-Type R, E-Type
Whydid youchoose
th e car?
I wantedan Audi
andsomething
tu rbocharged.
What’s the best bit?
It looks factory (which
isn’t the norm).
What’s the worst bit?
The power – 200bhp
ain’t enough.
Any modifications?
Exterior: upgraded
bulbs (HIDs, LEDs),
crystal clear side
repeaters, a few badges
removed, but generally
just kept really clean
thanks to hubby.
Interior: TT metal
pedals, LED bulb
upgrades, ICE upgrade.
Engine: induction kit,
full Milltek exhaust
system with decat
(resonated) and Golf
Anniversary-style back
box, remapped, running
approximately 14psi
with an estimated
200bhp. Wheels,
suspension and brakes:
19in RS007s with235/35/19tyres,
upratedspringsand
sh ockabsorbers
(4 0mmfrontand
50 mm rear, adjustable
front drop links, Seat
Leon Cupra R front and
rear brake set-up
(Brembos with 324mm
vented front discs and
256mm rears).What’s it like to run?
The VAG - COM
diagnostic tool, along
with knowing people
who work at Audi/
Skoda dealers has
always helped. New
genuine parts can be
expensive – I like new
shiny parts, though, so
for me it has to be new
or restored. There are
plenty of online forums
and groups that are
great for help. For my
engine build, wiring and
mapping I will always
use Andy at Overboost,
and Ade Culley at KC
Autos for paint.Any advice for buyers?
Buy the best example
you can find.Year 2001
Acquired 2006
Mileage 82,000
Dream car Classic Mini
Worst car Nova (but it wasn’t a bad first car)
Dad drove Rover 200s and 400s with missing
door mirrors
Other hobbies ShoppingAUDI A3 1.8T (8L)
FACELIFT
Sarah Causton ‘I wantedan
Audi, something turbocharged’Bought sight unseen,
Ian’s M5 turned out
to be a peach.