The G Man

Yeah, massive debate re the grille since it was first released, but in the flesh it’s pretty cool and distinctive. My erm, fragile bones were taking a hammering with the manual side of the Stang, considered an auto and keeping myself in a Stang, however another factor was my wife wouldn’t and never would’ve driven the present or a new Stang. The G22 is very familiar to her as it’s almost identical in layout as our G21, or the muttmobile as it’s known , so I still get a sub 4 second 2 door coupe with no angst if she ever needs to drive it, from me or her. Usable back seats in the G22, not that that was uppermost in my mind at the time but a pleasant surprise none the less. Thanks for your thoughts on Ellie, she’s left a massive hole in my life, so sad . Anyway, looking at some, compared to a Stang more expensive, mods already, just to sort the stance out initially, no plans for anything much else at the mo.

Just updating my dog owning history, unfortunately Ellie my wee patterdale terrier departed us on 12th of January. She was just done, 17 years old, heart murmur all her life finally succumbed to old age. Had a really great experience with a firm of vets who do home euthanasia. The vet was lovely, caring and compassionate. Ellie got me over the line, fitness wise, preparing for my very last deployment, at age 51 ten years ago, she was always eager, me not so much and on a 15k tab or run she would do at least double. Fearless, sometimes to her own detriment, loving wee animal, love her and miss her so much. She was a wee soul in the end. RIP Ellie

Well, the other week after months of deliberation, research and soul searching, I swapped my beloved Mustang GT for a BMW M440i. I was truly emotional as I drove the last mile to the dealership (300 mile last drive), I had to compose myself on arrival and have a walk round the car park before going in and securing the new deal. Then my wife got all emotional as well, this was nearly on a par to having our old dog Ellie finally laid to rest in January. The 8 years I had the Mustang we did so much in it, I did so much to it with every square inch so familiar to me. Grand Euro trips, touring the U.K. and Ireland, one of the first groups to do the NC500 (16 Mustangs from every corner of the U.K.) Never in a thousand years did I think I would be an emotional melt in the way I was! Too much to mention in this post but what a fantastic car, I’d recommend anyone to give one a go. Eight years full Ford dealer service history, last one in March along with a new MOT, the new owner is going to get a well cared for and much loved car. What to get? My heart after some serious research was going to go into a M850i, possibly the best looking coupe BMW has ever produced, I watched every review video, read everything I could possibly understand about it and it had a V8 twin turbo! What wasn’t to like? Well the price of one new was something not to like! Nearly new, 1 year old was @£70,000+ but man, what a beautiful looking machine but I would be in the 3+ year old bracket for what I could currently afford, that will definitely change though, if we don’t go to war, have another pandemic or there’s another financial crash. I then looked at M cars, not M light but proper M cars, particularly the M3 Touring or an M4. Again, watched all the review videos and read as much as I could about them and again looked at the age/price combinations, the M3 Touring was out on that filter but the M4 hmmm, maybe, could possibly, just about do some man maths and make it work. I then watched my last YT review on the M4, by Carfection I think they’re called. Amazing driving experience, power, delivery, handling all ticked all the boxes that a car enthusiast would want. Alas, at the end of the video, after all the glowing stuff, the reviewer said “but, this review was done in Spain, on silky smooth roads, perfect to test its capabilities but if you are from the U.K. then not so good at road manners but if it was for more for a track focussed ownership, then perfect but too harsh for poorly maintained roads....” or along those lines. Finally, the reviewer said for U.K. roads, he’d go with and recommend the M440i! Lightbulb moment for me! So off I trotted and again, watched every review video, read as much as I could possibly read on them, went through all the different ‘packs’ that were on offer, configured new, oh, £70k or thereabouts, so I decided, on a nearly new, 1 or 2 years old, low mileage (5k miles), high spec, manufacturer warranty etc was the way to go. So I bought a two year old M440i in Arctic Race Blue, only option missing was adaptive cruise, I could live without it and unmarked like new! Its never going to give me the soul the Mustang had, it’s never going to give me the theatre the Mustang produced, nor the noise nor the very positive attention it deserved with the random people that film, photograph and want to chat about it. What the M440i does have is more comfort, more options, more performance, a sublime 8 speed auto box and something that’s more akin to what this old semi cripple can enjoy in a spirited, when called upon or an old farty pants miss Daisy manner. I will in the next couple of years, revisit the M850i before it’s all too late. The V8 pull is mighty in me, though the straight 6 is silky smooth Ive got a distinct lack of photos

So it sounds like you just want to use the car, a feisty 2 door coupe, for just driving around normally, I’d just go with the manufactures recommendation. If you want to be a little bit ‘sporty’ and ‘spirited’ get 2 decent sets, one for summer use and a dedicated winter tyre. over the years and on many forums, tyre choice is a minefield of ‘nasal’ ‘experts’, who, in the end have their favourites from their vast internet reading ability. On the RX8 forums, the stock tyres were rubbished (Bridgestone RE040) in preference to RE050’s as an example and, everyone went out and bought them! I noticed no difference and I rung the neck out of that car ha! Winter though........ Whatever tyre you choose from all the above suggestions, just remember, they’re all SUMMER tyres, not very good in lower temps, unless your last name is Hakkanin(Sp?) and your first is Miku, so spirited driving is not what to do in winter. I’ve had all the above mentioned tyres (not the PS5S though) and currently run PS4S, but I don’t have to show much ‘spirit’ in winter to have a brown trouser moment. Heat and the ability of a tyre to hold heat is a huge factor on cold, damp or wet days Pirelli, great summer tyre, complete comedic death wish in winter, so had to drive accordingly. Most, if not all tyre tests are carried out on FWD hatchbacks and bear no relevance when re-booting a middling ‘RWD ‘performance’ car and only offer some technical jargon that most of us don’t understand. I’d also get the quietist tyre.... To summarise, check the bloody weather first before hooning around country lanes.

Not seen a chat thread for the new season, apologies if it’s elsewhere. False dawn for Aston Martin? Hope not! Red Bull red hot? Me thinks yes! Ferrari? Still having strategy and mechanical issues? Mercedes? Come good as season progresses? Hass? Gotta be on it, or out of it this season? McLaren? WTF! Others? Rosberg? Fashion Victim? Crazy DC? Mad as a bag of spanners ? Las feckin Vegas? Yeah Baby! Nose Stud? Get rid ffs Thoughts...........

Shocked this morning to read Ken Block has died in a snowmobile accident, aged 55. For me his Hoonigan series of vids were the best I’ve ever watched. As with anyone who passes away, thoughts for his family on the saddest of events.

Wouldn’t ride it into battle tbh 😂

Another, better perspective

Yum yum....

Imagine having to get an elderly relative to complete a capacity test on possible dementia. “Mrs Wiggens, who is the current prime minister?” F#xk sake, most of us couldn’t pass it Never ever trust a tory........... 12 years of them and the turkeys are still willing to support them, gobble, gobble, says Mad Nad to Cockwomble.........

Or.....

Hidden?

Very surprised that nothing’s been said on here! Anyway, whilst not a royalist, any death in any family deserves sympathy. Well, here’s tae ye, whits fur ye il no go past ye. Now, I expect a plethora of outpouring supportive posts.

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