Around the change of millennium there was quite common mutual opinion between car journalists that E39 M5 might just be the most perfect car. Enough size, enough sophistication, enough performance, enough enjoyment, enough quality. I tend to agree.

No one noticed THIS?

HK is a seriously nice place to visit. Compared to Shanghai where I visit somewhat often, HK has this certain feeling of “old money” or “old world”. Nice old school taxis, everyone speaks English, obeys traffic rules pretty much, and you see nice old cars quite often, MB W113, long hood Porsches and such as compared…

I really liked C4 Picasso my uncle used to have. It really felt like a car from year 2010 when he used to have it. It has certain french futuristic coolness to it that you rarely encounter. The window line. The overly exaggerated windshield, A pillar split into two thin pillars and the interior. Inside it had dozens…

Steyr also made this gem

Just imagine how much fun a Mini with double the horsepower figure is. The angriest factory Mini near end of production had something like 95 horsepowers. There are many ways to make these things faster. At least in Europe there is seemingly endless amount of go-fast parts for the engine and the chassis. Ours is '92…

My girlfriend has '92 Mini with the original Rover EFI. We have had some problems with it but for last few years it has been pretty much rock solid. We drive maybe few hundred miles per week with it. I have absolutely no hesitations to commute it through winter climate for 55 miles to work.

I see E30 Touring as one of the originators for movement that at least in Europe has made wagon body more of a "lifestyle" thing than a strict utilitarian thing. Wagon body gives so much more options for packing that extreme sport equipment etc with you. Making the hatch quite sloped and leaving tail lights to the…

I work just two blocks from where these pictures were taken. Should have taken you to fool around with my 330XD stick shift.

'03 E46 330XD 6-speed manual wagon = 61-70%

Of course they are of different magnitudes but in way I think them as equals.

Mentioned here

I believe it was Timo Mäkinen who started the trend at 1000 Lakes Rally in Finland.

I've had to replace rear shocks, few bushings and alternator brushes on my car during my year of ownership, from 200k or so miles to 230k miles it has now. The engine, the gearbox, the body, the interior and the electrics are all pretty much flawless. Oh and the car is GERMAN! Planning on using it until it is well…

Two things I feel I need to say

My friend has one. Quite clean, rust free example bought from an enthusiast. It has slightly messy paintjob with original red color, right white wheels. Really, really nice daily driver. Nice supportive seats, lovely dash and steering wheel, lovely sized car. I have never found driving position just right for me…

I admit, temperature hasn't been below -30c during my diesel years, but only time I have had problems starting was when my Mk3 Golf's glow plugs wore out during very cold winter and I didn't bother changing them. Ultimately I had to change the starter at the same time. That was me abusing the car, not the car's…

Umm? In the north fuel stations change to winter grade diesel when weather gets cold enough. I have never, ever paid a second thought about that issue after noticing each late fall / early spring the text in the wall of the pump. "Oh so they have changed the diesel for this season". Diesel is harder for starter motor…

Hey Máté you'd better keep quiet about those Clio's...

I would vote all Audis with longitudal engines (in other words everything else but A1, A3 and TT, those I have no idea). Because of the way Audi mounts their center and fronts differentials and gearbox in a single unit, front drive shafts are attached to the gearbox that is behind the engine. This makes it necessary…