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Post by johnc on Jul 13, 2017 12:08:13 GMT
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Post by michael on Jul 13, 2017 12:11:57 GMT
I had a blue one for about 3 months last year and loved the colour - even the looks grow on you. Compared to the Mk1 the Mk2 is a much improved looker.  The wheels on that are far nicer than those they put on the 140i. |
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Post by racingteatray on Jul 13, 2017 12:22:25 GMT
Yes indeed.
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Post by Tim on Jul 13, 2017 13:13:21 GMT
The benefit of a V8 vs lesser configurations is only apparent when you are working the engine ? - I can't see what a V8 gives you over a 4 pot when you are doing a constant 40 mph and not using the performance. I completely agree power delivery and sound quality is what separates a good fast car from a great one - but it's all about compromise and a zingy turbo six is not exactly a poor relation to a relatively quiet V8, especially when the performance it offers will keep the 500 bhp saloons honest to 100 mph. The ST may have only had a petrol four, but it was a masterclass in " making the best of what you've got ". The internal sound augmentation was superb - To quote myself " Just like the real thing, the range and breadth of " notes " and noises you get dependant on load and revs is endlessly amusing. Short shift at 4k rpm - sounds ace, red line in each gear - sounds ace, stabs of throttle in 6th on the motorway - sounds ace. The breadth of performance is very similar to the prior 5 cylinder car in that respect, but with a greater appetite for chasing the red line. Sensible gear ratios + rich seam of torque means it's effortlessly quick when you aren't really trying and very quick when you are "
I'm talking about driving along in a queue of tourist traffic with the window down on a twisty road, you're not stuck at a steady 40 plus you have the option to drop back and boot it away from corners. When the time comes for an overtake you get to experience the full V8 joy. I remember when Range Rovers were rare ( sometime on the early '90s) and hearing one woofle casually away from a set of light s was a pleasant experience even though it wasn't being 'worked'.
There's nothing wrong with a decent 4 pot - the ST sounds like it is one of those - but I'd really rather drive the I5, V6 or V8 even in mundane situations
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Post by racingteatray on Jul 13, 2017 15:44:45 GMT
Yes, I do like the fact that both our cars sound interesting all the time - it just makes them more pleasurable more of the time. BMW's latest straight-six as fitted to my car makes a particularly cultured and attractive noise even just purring through traffic, whereas the Fiat's hyper little twin is an engagingly thrummy little thing which just begs for the revving it needs to make progress. I remember the V10 in the M5 made an event out of just popping down the road at 30mph to the supermarket in central London.
I don't think I could now buy a car that didn't sound nice. I've been too spoilt!
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Post by racingteatray on Jul 13, 2017 15:49:39 GMT
The original Rangies always sounded best when not being "worked" hard - that's when you get the woofle. I recall that if you really goad them, they mostly emit a distinctive kind of slightly coarse bass roar, which is fine but not nearly as pleasing as the woofle. |
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Post by PG on Jul 13, 2017 16:07:27 GMT
.......the woofle. .....as pleasing as the woofle. That V8 woofle is the best bit. Which is why just pottering about in a V8 is still an absolute joy. |
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Post by Big Blue on Jul 13, 2017 16:13:20 GMT
+1 for the V8 throat-clearing sound
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Post by Roadsterstu on Jul 14, 2017 10:05:10 GMT
And another. Whilst powerful 4 pots sound nice from behind, up front as they set off or pass they are rather more mundane.
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Post by Roadrunner on Jul 15, 2017 21:16:07 GMT
.......the woofle. .....as pleasing as the woofle. That V8 woofle is the best bit. Which is why just pottering about in a V8 is still an absolute joy. About 1,100 to 1,200 RPM is the sweet spot for woofling with a Rover V8. Even bumbling around fields in my various V8 Land Rovers was joy to the ears. |
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