Cars We Drive!

[brokencycle]

this place has gotten really weird

No, you've just been out of the (shoe) circle too long, so you're just seeing it for what it is.

 

[Texasmade]

this place has gotten really weird

At least we're not making caulk innuendos like in the Home Ownership Thread.

 

[A Y]

this place has gotten really weird

? “Don’t know why I bothered responding to you. This place is truly full of wackos.”

 

[patrick_b]

? “Don’t know why I bothered responding to you. This place is truly full of wackos.”

That was peak, "My opinion's right yours is wrong."

Also seen in the watch thread recently.

I need new interests.

 

[TheFoo]

That was peak, "My opinion's right yours is wrong."

Also seen in the watch thread recently.

I need new interests.

Yeah, that’s exactly what happened.

 

[clee1982]

are these pure cosmetic or more?

Unplugged Performance Now Officially Endorsed By Tesla

Basically, even though sometimes manufacturers don’t like tuners, in this case Tesla is saying it likes what UP is doing.

insideevs.com

 

[HRoi]

Suspension/tires/braking mods should have the same effect as they do on ICE. They’d just need to be tuned differently to account for the different weight and weight distribution.

and I guess they could unlock more hp with software the same way an ICE tuner could with a turbo motor? Presumably at the cost of some range.

there’s a Model 3 floating around here that has a carbon fiber vented hood on it. It makes me laugh every time I see it...what the **** is the air being vented to? Of course, ev’s are hardly the first cars that have been victimized by non functional aftermarket nonsense....

 

[clee1982]

yup, but I only did a quick glance on that article, didn't say what they were doing exactly (like were they lowered or are they just putting on a different front aero that has not really been tested but cosmetically looked good etc.)

on software cracking, I would think you definitely need Tesla blessing on that one

 

[A Y]

are these pure cosmetic or more?

Unplugged Performance Now Officially Endorsed By Tesla

Basically, even though sometimes manufacturers don’t like tuners, in this case Tesla is saying it likes what UP is doing.

insideevs.com

They are legit, and it sounds like there's an informal relationship between Tesla and Unplugged already.

 

[HRoi]

I’ve mentioned this before but I’d like to see the EV revolution result not just in ugly ass modified Teslas, but a resurgence in coachbuilding. Companies building Jag E-type or Alfa GTV bodies on top of an electric skateboard, or even their own novel designs

 

[clee1982]

wonder if there is an easy way to get pass crash test (without re-testing), shell on skateboard should really free up design language or even allow making individualize body shell on same assembly line possible in the future

 

[brokencycle]

Unfortunately manufacturers have decided that the ugly as **** design language is what buyers want.

 

[otc]

Back to back testing of 14 UHP and UUHP tires on a GTI:

 

[RSS]

For everyday cars, I've been a MB fan for decades. Originally it was for sedans and then sedans and SUVs. I had my first MB back in the late 60's. Back then it was a much more practical car than it seems to be today. Although early on I did have a 280SE convertible that was a lot of fun.

Okay, over the years MB has changed and not necessarily to my liking ... not that that matters much ... to them or anyone else. Over time it got flashier and flashier from my point of view ... but I stuck with them.

Today I was at a nearby MB dealer with what I call the PupMobile. It's an older (6 years) SUV and I limit the dogs to this vehicle. Anyway, it has an issue (needs a U-Joint / "propeller shaft" replaced) that requires service and my local guy (certified mechanic specializing in German cars) didn't want to do it. This dealer has one of those new "high-designed" facilities that is honestly a bit too much -- "too-too" you might say -- and it made me wonder how much of my repair was to pay for the overdesign. This is not ye old practical MB dealer of former times. To make matters worse it's in a sleazy industrial area that is traffic hell. The area and the facility did NOT match. But I digress ... or do I?

I went in knowing exactly what was wrong with my car as I'd had it serviced only two weeks ago. They tried pushing new sparkplugs on me (just got 'em) and it went on from there. I told the service assistant I was there for one thing only ... to get the "propeller shaft" replaced. She still pushed. I let her know I was growing impatient. She stopped and we wrapped up my dropping off the car.

I went inside this truly cavernous and cold facility for a minute to get some water before I headed home in "my ride". I had to walk through a MB branded shop that was filled with inexpensive clothing and other items (key rings, brief cases, etc). Much of it was pretty cheesy which surprised me as it doesn't fit with the image of the car ... or maybe it does now.

Okay ... I'll get to the point. I'm thinking my days with MB are coming to an end. I know a few of you love your Volvos. I have this dream that I'll find a more practical car with less of a "too-too" image. Will I? Or won't I?

 

[TheFoo]

3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . XC90.