tow bar question

The one you have now is probably an M50TU. The single VANOS version of the M50.

I would expect it to already have a metal impeller w/pump at 265k

and viscous coupling fan. But im wondering if i should swop

A spare rad could be handy if you're not pushed for space

It is, but the difference is not as much as you might expect. Auto's have a higher top gear, and lockup in the higher gears. From the book

525i touring, manual box, average consumption, 30.4 mpg. Auto 30.1 mpg. 520i touring, manual box, average consumption, 30.7 mpg. Auto 31.0 mpg. At 75mph, 36.7mpg for the 525i. 35.3mpg for the 520i. So, according to BMW's figures, overall the 525i is the more economical. Saloons do about 1.0 mpg more than tourers. Mike

ah thanks.

i read about that earlier. It makes sense now but never had one. Oh well, now i have a estate at 35 with a tow bar maybe its time to get one :-)

The black one at nearly 180k had a plastic when i took it out, now popped in a metal one but i think your right

I could carefully pack it, theres only 2 on the out journey and 1 coming back (me) and i should have plenty of space for it.

thanks for that, i guess the mass extra horse power (not seen the torque figures) means its better at pulling the weight and a steady drive should be better. I did drive a auto a few month ago, a Peuget 306 thing for a few hours, nearly crashed it trying to pull up at a petrol station, tried to put my foot on the clutch and hit the brake!

I did that too in a mate's car, I guess it's because your left foot is used to pushing the much harder clutch... When my left foot hit the brake I pushed it down as though it was made out of air. The car stopped very very quickly and left me and my mate a bit shell-shocked, good thing there was no-one behind us ;)

Peter.

yeah me too, i often do left foot braking in a manual but like you i pressed it damn hard thinking it was the clutch and scared me shitless!!

Until you get used to an auto, I'd suggest you tuck your left leg under the seat or out of the way. That way you can't accidently press the brake in mistake for the clutch. Worked for me. Mike.

economical.

I guess i am going to have to do that....esp if on the motorway for ages then suddenly go for the clutch that isnt there. maybe i will just superglue my left foot to the footrest! ha ha

Once you get used to the auto you'll love it, I'm sure. It's a few years now since I had to put my left under the seat. I love never being in the wrong gear for a quick getaway at roundabouts, junctions, etc, and overtaking just by flooring it!

I've been driving autos since the early 80's, although at present I also have a Celica GT4 turbo fun car with a manual box. For everyday driving though, give me an auto everytime. I don't understand those with a passion for manual boxes, given the heavy traffic, and oft encountered traffic jams we have in the UK. Manual changing in those circumstances is just a PITA IMO. I'm sure Jules will come round to the same opinion once he gets used to the advantages. Most first time auto drivers do. Mike.

I love manuals, i love being in control of the gears approaching a bend, making sure im in the right gear at the right time...of course i make mistakes..

I drove a Peuoget 306 auto about 500 miles not long ago, hated it....

Ah thats a Carlos Sianz Celica? nice.... maybe i will change and love a auto...cant see that tho but you never know!! :-)

I used to think that way too. You can control the gears on an auto by subtle use of the right foot anyway.

A big-engined auto is decidedly more enjoyable; I had an auto Astra as a hire car once. I didn't hate it, but I didn't find it remarkable either.

My Elf is an auto. The autobox fitted to the Mini/Elf/Hornet is probably the least convincing auto ever made (even though I've a '93 one fitted). Nevertheless I like driving that car!

The message from "Jules" contains these words:

I've driven autos on an off for years - the wife drives them. I've now moved to one as well. It's /very/ rare that I feel any lack of control at all, and when I do it's going up long hills with a heavy trailers, when I reckon it could change down a tad earlier. So I pull the stick back a notch.

Anyway, you can control the gears in an auto with your right foot easily enough.

If only. The Carlos Sainz limited edition is worth quite a bit more than mine, with a water cooled intercooler, and a few subtle body changes. Different bonnet, front spoiler etc. The performance is similar, but buyers will pay as much as 3 times more for a CS version in a similar condition. Mike.

The Steptronic auto g/box I have in my 'new' 528i E39, aims to satisfy those like yourself. It can operate as a conventional auto box, or, you can flip the g/lever to one side and then change gear manually. Push it forwards and it changes up a gear, pull it back to change down. The electronics still play a part though. It will not allow a down change that would over rev the engine, but it feels quite strange to change down when slowing down for a bend or roundabout, to see the rev counter go up to near the red zone, and feel so much more engine braking than one would normally expect with an auto. TBH though, I can't see myself using it very much. It'll probably be useful on steep downhill stretches of road. Being able to hold a low gear to get good engine braking, is better than using the brakes IMO. Especially useful I would think, if one is towing a trailer or caravan. Mike.

Thats true, nice cars, i stopped getting Celicas after the RA61 when they went FWD. GT4 i wouldnt mind ;-)

cool i was also worried about it changing in the middle of a bend or it not being quick enough. Guess i will get used to it.

I like odd cars, they match my brain

It will change in the middle of a bend if you're accelerating and the revs reach the change point. The only way to stop it is to manually select the gear. Then, when the engine revs reach the point where the g/box would otherwise change to a higher gear, it just stays in the gear selected, until you manually select a higher gear yourself, or put the lever into 'D'. Mike.