Many moons ago I used to have a bit of a thing for certain types of Renault 5. It started when I bought a TS that had been a race car in the Daily Star backed race series. It wasn't exactly fast but it looked good and weighed about the same as a wet Rizla paper and was a hoot to drive. A desire for more power saw me swap it for another R5, albeit a Gordini Turbo. Actually being a LHD car it was badged an R5 Alpine and on boost (what there was of it) it would torque steer for all it was worth. It would also spin on a sixpence when the rear tyres were cold and could easily catch you out. It was still great fun to drive though, or was until the clutch went. I took it to one of those Mr Clutch places in Maidstone and also had someone refresh the gearbox. Unfortunately it lasted about 50 yards before it started slipping. Mr Clutch blamed the gearbox until the engineer who'd done the work reached up to be back of the engine and pulled out the remains of the old pilot bush that Mr Clutch had failed to replace, hence all that fresh oil destroying the new clutch! They replaced it but the gear change was never the same and I kinda fell out of love with the Alpine after that. I also bought a BMW 1502 and have had BMW's ever since.
Anyway, recent poor health and financial woes have meant I no longer own a proper BMW and with values as they are, it's very unlikely I shall again. I simply don't earn enough and my health limits what I am able to do. As a result, I set my sights a little lower and whilst an R5 is now a classic and big money, it's newer cousin was just within reach. Just.
So the other day, this arrived on a trailer...
Anyway, recent poor health and financial woes have meant I no longer own a proper BMW and with values as they are, it's very unlikely I shall again. I simply don't earn enough and my health limits what I am able to do. As a result, I set my sights a little lower and whilst an R5 is now a classic and big money, it's newer cousin was just within reach. Just.
So the other day, this arrived on a trailer...
