Update: "Kolbenfresser" - a sub-blog?

"Mark - Sixpots None The Richer" (marklinde)
04/29/2014 at 23:50 • Filed to: Kolbenfresser, Germany

Let me say this first:

I have to admit that I'm not even sure what I'm doing here. What does a sub-blog actually imply in terms of workload and (daily?) effort?

And I honestly feel uneasy for self-promoting me here, but I'm writing this for two reasons. I'd be interested to try this sub-blog thing out and I want to ask my fellow Opponauts something later so please make sure you scroll all the way down.

So, here is what I understood. They are looking for a sub-blog idea. Something they can't do themselves...

How about something like this:

"Kolbenfresser" ( Coll-ben-fres - sur (as in Fres -no and sur- ge)) means piston seizure in German.

I'm from Germany and can therefore offer two things:

1. A German perspective

2. News and stories about "mobility" from one of the most important car nations in the world

I wish I was longer on Oppo in order to be able to show you more. Here are some examples of what I did since I was oppo'd about a month ago:

Longer articles:

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And - predictably not as hot as the other topics:

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Shorter car spotting articles where I try to give little insights and stories together with some (yes, amateurish) pictures. For example:

Mind the discussion about different license-plates in the comments as well.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

The story about the other Opel.

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And my first one:

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I published stupid posts:

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Some of you might remember this:

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And I was a bit emotional too:

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I was able to bring you guys a somewhat unexpected but popular answer:

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My limitations

The texts I published so far are the first that I actually wrote in English. I write a bit about music in German on another webpage too, but that's different of course. I'm still trying to build my confidence, and I'm searching my own style. So I evaluate what you Jalops want to read by studying other posts and observe your responses to what I do.

I'm an amateur writer and a poor student. The postive aspect of it is that I have spare time to write and seek out stories. The biggest drawback is that my funds are limited and I don't have any backing by "a name" or "clicks" - yet - which makes it difficult to obtain some interesting stories. For those of you who didn't read it in the "Climbing the ranks..." article: I was rejected by the owner of a workshop for classic (racing) cars. He didn't even want me to just look around, so I didn't dare to ask about pictures or a story. And I can't just buy a Ferrari or undertake a European road trip to the Hungarian Grand Prix for your entertainment.

My plans in the near future - sub-blog or not - are:

A road trip.

A friend of mine owns a E34 wagon and we're planning a road trip from Hanover to Flensburg and back. The goal is to meet up with my cousin who owns a 1970 Mercury Cougar. I will review the cars, talk about German rest stop food and whatever we will encounter on the trip. BMW wagon, Pony Car, Schnitzel and Autobahn - this will be a good one!

Here are the actual cars. The cougar with me just walking away from it on the right:

And my friend's E34 (in Spain I think, I'm not sure):

Then there's a colleague from my side job who owns an old Chevy pickup truck. I wanted to write about it if he'd allow me to do it. He also knows a few other people in the car scene of Göttingen. So I hope, I'll be able to show you some interesting other cars too.

I might be able to give you guys an in-depth tour of my local bus company. "What does it take to transport 50,000 passengers daily?". Including the workshop of course and possibly a bus review too.

I'm considering to visit Wolfsburg. It's just 2,5 hours away and I never went there, which is weird and wrong and I have to change that.

Next week I'm going to write about the Autobahn car toll and the condition of the German road network. Both topics are being avidly discussed at this moment.

A question for my fellow Opponauts

Obviously, creating a sub-blog would be nice, but it isn't really my sole agenda here.

I was going to ask you Opponauts what I can do for you anyway.

Well, except: f*cking off and leave you guys alone already...

What do you want to know about Germans and/or Germany that is more or less connected to the topic of "mobility"?

I'd be happy to answer questions or write longer articles about things that interest you.

DISCUSSION (16)

tapzz > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer
04/29/2014 at 20:30

Hmm, maybe you could call it something like Jalopleute or Kistenik/Karrenik ?

Any road, I think a German perspective that's notably different from others, particularly with regard to how ordinary folk see certain brands or models. For example, I still can't quite believe French people see Citroën as a kind of gallic Buick- cars for old people. Another example is that some Amis would think an Opel Manta is quite cool...

One thing, though: short is good.

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > tapzz
04/29/2014 at 20:42

I'll think about your names and shift 'em in my head for a while. I was trying to give it a German part too, but didn't come up with something, so thank you for your input!

And yes, short is good! No question, I will try to work on that. Like I wrote, I'm new to this whole thing and still have to learn a thing or two.

ly2v8-Brian > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer
04/29/2014 at 21:31

The name's kinda weird, but hell yeah. I'm from Germany too (though I didn't live there long), stuff about German car culture would be great.

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > ly2v8-Brian
04/29/2014 at 23:53

Changed the name. ;-)

Where did you live?

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > tapzz
04/29/2014 at 23:58

Changed the name.

hethoughtofcars > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer
04/30/2014 at 00:11

I run a "sub-blog" at HWEP.Kinja,com (Live and Let Die-Cast!). In terms of work load it is not excessive, but I would highly recommend getting the best admins you can. All of the admins for HWEP are passionate and very active posters. I don't know how many share your unique perspective so it might be more difficult. Honestly, I would recommend staying on OPPO at least for a bit longer. The OPPO community is huge and you get much more exposure than if you attempt to spin off onto your own sub-blog.

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > hethoughtofcars
04/30/2014 at 00:19

Thanks for your advice!

I also feel like it might too early and I would be better off by sticking to Oppo for a while longer and maybe get some exposure on the fp once in a while. I can wait, there is no hurry.

But on the other hand: What's the risk in trying it now? I'd regret it if I didn't at least claim an interest.

ly2v8-Brian > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer
04/30/2014 at 00:41

I was born in Bad Kissingen. My father is an Army officer so when the wall came down we left. So I only lived there one year, but a lot of my family heritage is German so I am usually very interested in learning about Germany.

hethoughtofcars > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer
04/30/2014 at 00:43

I don't think your interest will get usurped if you wait a bit. Live and Let Die-Cast is less than 2 weeks old but already we are trying to come up with a way to improve participation and activity. When you leave OPPO a few will come to you, but most are content with OPPO. It could be the difference between getting 10 views on your sub-blog or 150 on OPPO.

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > ly2v8-Brian
04/30/2014 at 08:22

So do you have a question?

I saw your post about the quality of the road surfaces below my Autobahn article. I'll write about this topic next week.

ly2v8-Brian > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer
04/30/2014 at 08:35

Well I am curious as to how valuable commie cars like the Trabi 601 have become.

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > hethoughtofcars
04/30/2014 at 08:43

You made very good points! This is undoubtedly true. And I'm also fully aware that sub-blogging everything is annoying and in a way counterproductive for everyone here.

PS: I really don't think I have the slightest chance here - and never did for that matter. It's about trying something, you know, optimism, confidence and so on. Like I wrote, I'm fine with writing on Oppo. The crowd is nice and I appreciate every click, comment and recommendation I get. When not getting a sub-blog means staying here, it's a very enjoyable "rejection" for sure. ;-)

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > ly2v8-Brian
04/30/2014 at 09:13

The best (not costumised or very rare special editions) 601s are offered around $9,000 and less. Wartburgs which were more luxurious and rare back in the day tend to be more expensive at about $14,000 for the best examples and also around $9,000 for the more "common" types.

Keep in mind that those cars have 50hp or less and that their nature is very spartan.

To get a sense of what this means: The Opel Kapitän from my other post is worth around $35,000 and a decent first gen. Mustang with a 289 or 302 somewhere around $25,000.

ly2v8-Brian > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer
04/30/2014 at 13:14

So they are still somewhat cheap. Interesting. My mom always told me about how East Germans came in to West Germany with their Trabis after the wall fell. Also that they were a comical yet dangerous sight on the Autobahn.

tapzz > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer
04/30/2014 at 14:02

Den gefällt mir- alles Gute!

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > ly2v8-Brian
04/30/2014 at 15:02

26 rampaging East German horses on the Autobahn. That's comical indeed. The daily driver of my parents is a 2CV so I know all about driving with 26hp too well...