Sunday

Review Porsche 977 Bodyshell

A new Porsche 911 is always fascinating because it's interesting to see how after more than 40 years of development the Porsche team still manages to bring changes and improvements to this icon model.
The new 997 bodyshell combines the sleek modern looks of the 996 series with the popular retro styling cues from older 911s. The front end is completed with round lights and separate parking/fog/indicator lights. This change, combined with wider hips echoes the last of the air-cooled 911s, the 993. Other changes in the bodyshell are the new door handles, wing mirrors and the stylish cut of the rear wings into the bumper/lights.


Even if the 997 looks a lot like the previous model, the 996, the new car is actually 38mm wider which creates a more aggressive appearance. With each new model introduced, Porsche has aimed to reduce the drag co-efficient helping the 911 slide through the air more effectively, and so aiding performance. The same thing has been done with the new car, and if we compare the 993 Cd of 0.34 to the 997`s 0.28 we can see how far the aerodynamic game has moved on. The latest body shell and rear wing combine with new underbody paneling to also offer increased levels of down force for this latest evolution of Porsche's finest.
The latest Porsche model is the best handling 911 ever. Improving a car's rigidity helps ensure the suspension can work more effectively and while not making such a quantum leap as the team did with the 996. Porsche improved torsional rigidity by 8% and added as much as 40% more flexural strength.
For the new car, Porsche wanted to improve crash safety so they added two new air bags located in the side of each front seat back-rest, designed to protect the thorax. They kept the previous two front and two side airbags, which means that now there are six in total. For the same reason, crash safety, the reinforced body shell features further protection such as a more extensive use of super high strength steel.
The latest model is also 50 kg heavier than the 996. The reason is that modern crash safety regulations kind of force the new cars to come with increased weight, despite the usage of a large range of weight saving measures, including an aluminum bonnet
Aside from the crash safety improvements, much of the additional weight can be attributed to the higher standard specification of the new cars. Power to weight is similar with the latest car offering 233 bhp per tone against it's predecessors 238 and the new models improved aerodynamics must help it post Porsches claimed performance figures, which are identical to the 996.

Custom Wheels For Your SUV

People who own SUVs can choose to communicate themselves with their tires. They can install a set of loud, flashy tires that demand the attention of the people who watch them cruise by, or they can put on a set of conservative, classy rims that demand the respect of others. SUV owners who have installed a set of stylish wheels know that their rims are far more than a metal disk that supports tires. Do you?
If you are thinking about installing a set of rims on your SUV, the first thing you need to do is decide on a budget. Since wheels can be very pricey indeed it is a good idea to set a limit on your spending from the get go. Setting a price range will also limit the amount of choices available to you, which, counter intuitively, is a good thing, since the vast choices available in rims can be very daunting. And, it will keep you from feeling too guilty for having splurged on too expensive wheels.

After you have set your budget, you can start thinking about which type of metal you want. SUV wheels come in various metals, like chrome, aluminum, or stainless steel. Choosing a metal is very important because it will determine how much care you will need to dedicate to your wheels. The three metals listed above are low-maintenance. Of course, the determining factor in choosing metal should be your personal taste.
After metal, it's time for the best part, choosing which style you want. Style in wheels is a very personal thing. One person cannot tell another which one is best for them, so it will all be up to you. So, think about whether you want the tough looking thick spoked rims that will make your SUV look strong and imposing or a finer looking, refined look that will make your SUV distinctly classy. The good thing is that SUVs can take all manner of wheels and ride with them, so there are few limits to your personal style.
You are sure to have seen the hundreds and hundreds of stores that specialize in dealing with custom and personalized wheels. These would be an excellent spot to start the search for the SUV rims of your dreams. Going to the dealers will let you see wheels in real life, not just on the pages of catalogs, and get a better impression of how it will look when it is installed on your vehicle. And if the store doesn't have the wheel you were thinking of in stock, then they will almost certainly be able to send away for it for you.
If the stores local to your area are not satisfactory, then you could always try to search on the internet. Besides loads of information regarding SUV wheels, you will find images of all kinds of rims and wheels which are designed specifically for the SUVs made today. If you don't want to order the wheels yourself online, you can simply print out the information of the wheels you like and take it to a dealership that will order them for you. There is also the added bonus in that they can even mount the wheels for you!

Thursday

Tips To Check Transmission Fluid

Of all of the necessary components needed to run a car, the transmission is by far one of the most important. It is where all of the gear shifting is done and this type of thing can be incredibly expensive to repair in the event that it becomes damaged. Transmission fluid needs to be checked regularly much the same way that oil needs to be. It is something that you don't want to forget about if you want to keep your car in the best running condition possible. Checking the transmission fluid is a vital part of car maintenance .Transmission fluid should be checked around every 25,000 miles or so. The fluid and the filter must be changed regularly so that they do not become dirty.

To neglect this could lead to contaminants building up in the fluid and that is not going to be good. You should never mess around when it comes to your transmission.Always pay attention to your car as you drive. When you get to know how it sounds when operating smoothly, you will know when something is wrong. If you know your car then a new or strange sound or feeling will not be missed by you. Pay attention so that you can assess any situations as they arise.If you feel that it is necessary or you have a mechanic recommend it, you can always have your transmission fluid flushed out.

This will help force out any dirt or grime that may be inside the fluid. Some mechanics recommend against a transmission flush so look into this before you make your choice so you can base it on information.It's not a good idea to let your vehicle sit for long periods of time. If it goes without proper service for too long there is a higher chance that you could have metal shavings or other problem items make their way inside. A transmission that is bogged down with metal and junk will need tremendous amounts of care to be in good running shape again.When you check your transmission fluid, always have your vehicle parked on level ground so that you get the right fluid amount. An angle could throw that off a lot and it is not something that you can guess at.

Leave the car idling as you check the fluid. This is one of those maintenance checks that require that the car be left on rather than turned off.Pull out the transmission dipstick and check what the reading says. If it doesn't quite reach the full line then it is low and needs to be topped up. Adding more transmission fluid is not really all that difficult but you must be careful not to add too much. If you do not feel comfortable doing this yourself, you can take it to your local mechanic to have it done. Before you add transmission fluid to your vehicle, make sure that it is the best possible one for your vehicle. Not every transmission is the same.

Monday

Free Body Kits Installing Tips - Major Style Points

An auto body kit is one of the most exciting upgrades you can do to your vehicle. A good aero kit or body kit can really transform the appearance of the vehicle, and the installer will determine if this is a good or bad transformation. I would personally suggest you find a reputable shop experienced in your type of body kit work. They should know how to work with the material you selected, and how to color match, prep and paint the kit. They should also know how to, if necessary, make adjustments to ensure a proper fitting. Your finished product will be as good as the effort put into it.Having said that, it is never a bad idea to learn something new. Before you begin, make sure you designate enough time to the project to install your body kit right the first time.

This type of body work requires a lot of patience if you are inexperienced at it. Here are some instructions to help you get started on the project. The first thing to do is to prep the body kit for painting. It will be much easier to work on before it is installed. If you do not intend to paint the whole vehicle, it may be wise to color match and paint the body kit prior to installation.Start by removing the pieces that will be replaced. This may include the front and rear bumper covers. You can find the bolts for the front cover in the fender wells and underneath the cover near the frame. Remove these bolts and loosen the cover. Depending on the application, be sure to remove any of the lighting that is attached to it, such as the headlights, side markers, fog lights, etc. Now check to make sure that there isn't anything else holding it in place, such as a grille or license plate holder.

Carefully remove the front bumper cover and set to the side. Keep the hardware handy, as you will need it later. Remove the rear bumper in the same manner, as well as the trim panel located just above the bumper (if applicable). Most cars won't have side skirts at this point, but if it does, remove them by removing the bolts that hold it to the vehicle. They are located on the back of the side skirts.Take your replacement cover and carefully align it to the car and check the fitting. Some of the kits will have 3M adhesive to help hold the kit in place during this process. You may find that the foam inserts are an obstruction to the new body kit. You can either remove them or trim them to size, depending on the application.

I have found that if possible, it is better to trim them to fit because they will help sturdy the body kit so it doesn't appear as flimsy. If you have done your research and purchased a good kit, then you should line up almost perfect. Make some markings as to where you will drill your holes. You can also use the old bumper cover to line up the holes but it may not be as accurate as the fitting approach. If you find yourself in a situation where the kit doesn't line up exactly, there are some things you can do to correct the problem. First, locate the problem areas. They will be most noticeable on the sides where it matches up to the fenders or in the very front where it matches up to the hood. If you notice one side has a bigger seam in these areas than the other side, try moving the cover to the larger seam side in very small increments until there is no longer a difference.

The seam should be the same width as other seams on the car, most notably the same size as the seam from the fender to the door, or the fender to the closed hood. Using these same widths for the seams will create a "seamless" look for the finished product.If your problem area is in the front, you will have to adjust the body kit in small increments until it lines up. If you have too larges of a seam, try gently pulling the kit from the two sides to tighten up the front. it should have a little bit of play in it since it is not bolted down. If the seam is to small, try pushing the sides in towards the front of the vehicle to free up any space. Once the front is adjusted, look to see if the sides are aligned property. If you are happy with the fitment, place the bolts in the holes and tighten them down. Start in the middle, and work your way out to the sides making sure that your seams line up properly. If your kit comes with 3M adhesive on the back side, adhere the kit to the car once the proper alignment is made. This will help hold the kit in place and allow the seams to be smaller in width.

Audi TT Club Haven Qattro

The place of the premiere could be better selected hardly. Not on any autofair, but at the legendary GTI meeting at the Austrian Wörthersee AUDI reveals a study on this weekend already again. , Where for meanwhile 26 years the full power friends of the cars made of wolf castle and Ingolstadt meet to the merry Angasen and are expected in this year more than 200,000 guests, those let all coverings fall and place Bavaria a TT on the stage, which into the Tuningszene fits like Hot Pants or the classical Voku Hila hair-style. All those, which regard the TT rather as a Schönling as for a sports car, want to obviously instruct the AUDI responsible persons with the HP-Event in Kärnten with the type “club haven Quattro” a better one.“Purism on Premium level” reads the work title, under which the designers made the Roadster the Speedster and also still put so the last remainder down of the Bikini.

Because a roof does not have this car no more, and of the windshield only a tiny, darkly sounded strip remains. Goods TT-drivers so far if necessary above without on the way, sit them now formally naked in the wind.The open two-seater looks already at first sight tremendously bad: The powerful single Frame grill is stressed with crosswise presented aluminum props for the first time in the width. Four enormous, vergitterte cooling openings cover the air requirement of the engine, and under headlights now the LED lights of the day headlight gleam grimmig ahead. The club haven Quattro works trained. Finally put on the axles 20-Zöller, on which AUDI 265er drew tires up. The trace of the sportsman is therefore eight centimeters more broadly than with the normal TT and the wheel housings curves like the upper arms of a Bodybuilders after the last Anabolika syringe.

Only the most necessary - also in the engine compartmentAt the same time the designers continued to simplify the silhouette of the car: The outside mirrors are clearly smaller, and there are not door handles any longer. No, one must climb nevertheless not as with a formula-1-car over the parapet wall in the cars, crowned by a circulating aluminum screen. Separate a pressure on the remote maintenance been sufficient, already play the Speedster “Sesam open you” and let the doors jump up. At the tail against it it may be again somewhat more: There the overroll bars were flattened, but but there are two windschnittige peaks on the useless covering box and far down two oval exhaust final pipes, how they strain otherwise only the S-models of the Ingolstädter against their backer. Automove newsEven under the hood maximum minimalism was announced. No concern, on achievement the developers did not do without.

On the contrary, from the S3 well-known gasoline direct injecting he turbo things come to the Porsche killer in the so far strongest version no longer on only 260, but now 300 HP and have thereby always. Even if AUDI keeps the technical data of the engine still for itself. But drum around it works for the engine compartment of a modern car strangely empty and offenherzig. No dust cover prevents the deep view in the Dekolletee, and no Nebenaggregate moves the four-cylinder on the Pelle. Air conditioning system? Active charcoal filter? With so much admission of fresh air one can give oneself that obviously everything.Bright aluminum and rumors of a small seriesThe interior is not completely so asketisch arranged. It smells also here rather after adrenalin as after the aniline of the Gerber.

But on comfort the passengers must hardly do without - at least if they fit comfortably into the running bowls and at the broad belts of point of four do not push. Then they enjoy the view of a abgespecktes running cockpit with perpendicularly standing pointers, stroke the sport steering wheel with flat lower surface or the Schaltknauf in the quadrant from the sports car R8, and let the view curve over more bright aluminum than in every other AUDI.The hand grips of the door, the steering wheel spokes and the footrests do not only gleam matt, but even the pedals were milled from it. In addition there is much black and somewhat oranges leather and as nice Gimmick a MP3-Spieler von Audis acoustic partner fears for & Olufssen, which fits directly into the middle nozzle of the ventilation and like a black diamond over the navigation system thront.

Still the club haven Quattro is a unique piece. But one thinks with AUDI hearing after seriously about the building a small series. The car might cost then clearly more than 50,000 euro. The idea of a TTS already geistert not in vain by the sheet forest for months. In addition the building of such a vehicle leaves itself - which the many hundred knitted sport exhibits show in the mountain idyl - hardly more to prevent. Because if AUDI does not make it, the Freaks among the mark friends makes it even.

Review BMW 650i - Sports Car Enthusiast

The BMW 6 series was relaunched in 2004 with the BMW 645i. This car was a two door, four passenger luxury sports car. This car is ideal for a sports car enthusiast who would prefer a larger, more practical car compared to the 650's 2 passenger, lighter peers. In 2006, BMW upgraded the 645i to a 650i by increasing the engine a little. When including options and taxes, the 650i tends to run at about $80,000, so it's not exactly cheap. Here are the pros and cons of the car:

Pros
Amazing handling: The car is amazing to drive. When you drive the car, you feel as if you have total control over the vehicle. A car such as the Mercedes CLS (also priced near $80k) just cannot match this car's handling. The BMW 650i definitely has the handling one would expect from a German-made luxury sports car.
Gadgets: The BMW 650i comes with BMW's Idrive, an all-encompassing electronic system. The Idrive controls the navigation system, music, air conditioning, as well as communication system. The Idrive also has voice command, making it easy to use when driving. Some believe the Idrive is a bit difficult to operate. That's hogwash. Within two weeks of owning the car, anyone competent enough to use a computer or a DVD should be able to operate the Idrive flawlessly. The Idrive is the gadget-lover's ultimate car toy.
Interior: The interior of the 650i is beautiful. It has modern, classy feel to it. Your taller passengers will certainly appreciate being seated in the front though, as the back is not exactly spacious.
Acceleration: With a V8 and 360 hp, the car isn't exactly going to be outrun by a Civic. The acceleration and amazing breaks can also help you get out of accidents that other cars wouldn't be able to avoid.

Cons
Reliability: Expect to make stops at the service center every now and then. While it is a wonderful car, it is prone to electronic and tire issues.
Price: At about $80,000, it's not exactly in the everyman's budget. But if you are willing to spend this much money on a car, the 650i is definitely a good one to check out.