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Stick Shift & Mechanical Watches

josiahg52
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The E39 M5 two-finger salute:
SPORT Mode - ON,
DSC - OFF

Fortunately the E39 M5 doesn't have a CDV. It does have a stupid self-adjusting pressure plate. I got rid of that long ago with a larger 850CSi clutch and single-mass pressure plate. There's a bit of rollover noise but clutch options abound now so I plan to alleviate that in the future.

It has a V8 with eight throttle bodies. Yes, fly-by-wire. With a lot of tuning support, I've improved on the throttle response but there's still work to be done. I did tune it for Sport Mode memory so it stays in the mode it was in when the ignition was turned off. I also messed around with the Sport Mode steering to try and improve the recirculating-ball steering feel. In wish it felt more like my X5 actually. DSC could use a little fine-tuning as well.

The E39 was definitely a modern BMW but in many ways, it was also last of the breed
 
JwRosenthal
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josiahg52 josiahg52
The E39 M5 two-finger salute:
SPORT Mode - ON,
DSC - OFF

Fortunately the E39 M5 doesn't have a CDV. It does have a stupid self-adjusting pressure plate. I got rid of that long ago with a larger 850CSi clutch and single-mass pressure plate. There's a bit of rollover noise but clutch options abound now so I plan to alleviate that in the future.

It has a V8 with eight throttle bodies. Yes, fly-by-wire. With a lot of tuning support, I've improved on the throttle response but there's still work to be done. I did tune it for Sport Mode memory so it stays in the mode it was in when the ignition was turned off. I also messed around with the Sport Mode steering to try and improve the recirculating-ball steering feel. In wish it felt more like my X5 actually. DSC could use a little fine-tuning as well.

The E39 was definitely a modern BMW but in many ways, it was also last of the breed
I looked at the E39 M5 when I was on the hunt for my e34. They were within about $10k of each other at the time so it was a real debate between the two. I wrote to Mike Miller from Roundel and asked his opinion- in a nutshell he said the e39 is a “consumer”..consumer of expensive tires, oil, gas, etc. fabulous car but expensive to own. The e34 in contrast is pretty easy to maintain and has much more driver feedback despite less power and refinement. After 17 years I have found this to be very true- it’s been very reliable (aside of a bad batch of upper radiator hoses but that’s not the car’s fault) and easy to maintain.
 
Mad Dog
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Manual transmission rocks…and it’s the only transmission option for the 2001, 2008-2009, and 2019-2020 Mustang Bullitts. Still have my 2001 Bullitt which I purchased new in 2001…

4CAA96FA-3EF8-4DD5-A1A5-42182F1E29D0.jpeg
 
Bruce235
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Three of my five cars are stick. The newest is a 2018 BMW M240i which is really a throw back with no automatic, no nanny sensors, no sunroof. It does have modern essentials such as heated steering wheel and seats. I do wish it didn't have electric seats. It is a really good car and will like hold some value in the eyes of future luddites.
Curiously I just got my first mechanical watch this year after 45 years of quartz.
 
JwRosenthal
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Bruce235 Bruce235
Three of my five cars are stick. The newest is a 2018 BMW M240i which is really a throw back with no automatic, no nanny sensors, no sunroof. It does have modern essentials such as heated steering wheel and seats. I do wish it didn't have electric seats. It is a really good car and will like hold some value in the eyes of future luddites.
Curiously I just got my first mechanical watch this year after 45 years of quartz.
Pics.
 
kohster
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I also just got my first mechanical watches this year. Good times.
 
josiahg52
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
I looked at the E39 M5 when I was on the hunt for my e34. They were within about $10k of each other at the time so it was a real debate between the two. I wrote to Mike Miller from Roundel and asked his opinion- in a nutshell he said the e39 is a “consumer”..consumer of expensive tires, oil, gas, etc. fabulous car but expensive to own. The e34 in contrast is pretty easy to maintain and has much more driver feedback despite less power and refinement. After 17 years I have found this to be very true- it’s been very reliable (aside of a bad batch of upper radiator hoses but that’s not the car’s fault) and easy to maintain.

I agree with that. The E34 is a driver's car. Very engaging. In the decades to follow, ownership of my M5 seems easier now and less costly. The prodigious use of expensive tire rubber was reduced by really ensuring my tires were properly aligned. I can get over 40k miles out of the Michelin extreme summer performance tires. I bought enough Mobil 1 5W50 to last me the decade and I have a case of filters on hand. It does use a lot of fuel though. That hasn't changed.
 
JwRosenthal
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josiahg52 josiahg52
I agree with that. The E34 is a driver's car. Very engaging. In the decades to follow, ownership of my M5 seems easier now and less costly. The prodigious use of expensive tire rubber was reduced by really ensuring my tires were properly aligned. I can get over 40k miles out of the Michelin extreme summer performance tires. I bought enough Mobil 1 5W50 to last me the decade and I have a case of filters on hand. It does use a lot of fuel though. That hasn't changed.
Another one I drove at the time I was hunting (2005) was the Z3 M-roadster (the hardtop) that was insane- an engine strapped to a frame. It felt like a go-kart. It was a thrill ride but would have shaken every filling out of my mouth on city streets.
 
josiahg52
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
Another one I drove at the time I was hunting (2005) was the Z3 M-roadster (the hardtop) that was insane- an engine strapped to a frame. It felt like a go-kart. It was a thrill ride but would have shaken every filling out of my mouth on city streets.

The Z3 is insane. I really would like an early-2000s Z4 M Coupe. Again, by the time I caught on to them, everyone wanted one.
 
kkt
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kohster kohster
The Si is much tamer looking than the Type R, which I agree is too much. And all of the Civics in the current generation are more subdued than the previous one for sure. At first glance it can be hard to pick out an Si from the regular Civic lineup IMO. Which was kind of the reason why I chose an Si Civic to begin with (the Type R was not available in the 2008 generation).

We also have a 2004 4 cylinder Accord that, while not manual, is very rewarding to drive as well. The V-6 Accords were definitely faster but incur a noticeable weight penalty. Of course in later years everything just got turbocharged.

Yes, the new generation is more appealing to me visually. If I were buying now, I'd definitely take a closer look.
 
Aroxx
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Mad Dog Mad Dog
Manual transmission rocks…and it’s the only transmission option for the 2001, 2008-2009, and 2019-2020 Mustang Bullitts. Still have my 2001 Bullitt which I purchased new in 2001…

4CAA96FA-3EF8-4DD5-A1A5-42182F1E29D0.jpeg
And you haven’t crashed it in front of a crowd yet? Impressive! ::rimshot::
 
JwRosenthal
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Aroxx Aroxx
And you haven’t crashed it in front of a crowd yet? Impressive! ::rimshot::
He does burn-outs in the Hooters parking lot so close enough.
 
High Hope
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After years of driving older cars w stick shift, I’m out. Not b/c I don’t like them, it’s more of a physical and personal choice. If I found the perfect 356C Porsche I’d have to reconsider. But, I’m not in a position to buy, and I’m hung up with two v damaged legs/ankles.

aerial.jpg


Porsche-C-dash.jpg

Rainbow.jpg

My next Porsche might be PDK Boxster.
Edited:
 
BlackTalon
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learned to drive on two manuals in the early '89s, and that's all I have ever owned. We mainly had manuals at work until about 10 years ago -- we often had to teach the new employees how to drive them. DC traffic? Bring it on. Because there will be a couple ramps, etc. that make it worth the effort.

2 out of 3 stereo system here have turntables; all three also have digital streaming. Got some tubes, got some Class D.

Just finished making my son a grilled cheese in a steel pan, using a small cast iron skillet as a sandwich press. Also in the process of heating up a slice of rib roast in a sous vide bath.

Straight razors and double-edged safety razors for shaving, in a 1963 sink. In fact most of the original house is still 1963

Plenty of old stuff I like. And new stuff where it makes sense. Which means NOT in cars
 
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