Heading out to drive this (UPDATE: Ehh, it's not that good)

"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
07/19/2014 at 16:22 • Filed to: None

As !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , I'm on my way over to check out this here !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

UPDATE: TL;DR - while the 850i looks nice, it's not particularly good.

Yes, it's a great looking car. It's long, low and wide. The pillarless roof, boxed fender flares, and M1-esque front end are all great.

Start it up, and from the outside it makes a great, though not overly loud, V12 exhaust noise. The idle isn't perfectly steady, which is cool. Inside, you can hear the noises pretty well also.

But...

My head was bumping on the ceiling, and I'm only 5'11". The seat might have had some room to move down closer to the floor, but when I tried to do that, the seat adjuster motor just made noise without moving the seat down.

The steering is crap. It's a recirculating-ball setup rather than rack & pinion. It's vague, has far too slow a ratio, and just isn't very nice. The car also tramlines all over the place on the highway.

Not sure if it was just something wrong with this car, but the clutch engagement point was super high up in the pedal travel. I would let off the clutch, keep going, keep going, oh hey when's the clutch going to engage, oh finally there it is.

Great looking car though.

DISCUSSION (26)

Takuro Spirit > Textured Soy Protein
07/19/2014 at 14:51

Such a bad idea but such a good lookin car.

Sn210 > Textured Soy Protein
07/19/2014 at 14:51

AWESOME.

jkm7680 > Textured Soy Protein
07/19/2014 at 14:52

One thing leads to another, before you know it. You'll own it.

N51fanatic > Textured Soy Protein
07/19/2014 at 14:52

Unless you have a 6 figure income i would walk away. Worst V12 ever.

Textured Soy Protein > Takuro Spirit
07/19/2014 at 14:53

Very true. Things the guy said on the phone to me:

"I actually was just about to click 'post' on ebay for this car, I've got it on my computer right now."

"We put a bunch of work into it."

"These cars are gaining in value, you can buy it, drive it for a couple years, and sell it for more than you paid."

Kinja'd!!!

Brian, The Life of > Textured Soy Protein
07/19/2014 at 14:54

Have fun with that M70!

And by that I mean, viel glück.

Textured Soy Protein > N51fanatic
07/19/2014 at 14:54

It's for um, research purposes. Yeah.

Brian Silvestro > Textured Soy Protein
07/19/2014 at 15:00

Called that shit from a mile away. There is no resisting the big 8.

thebigbossyboss > Textured Soy Protein
07/19/2014 at 15:01

That is amazing. I have been seeing 8 series around lately.

offroadkarter > Textured Soy Protein
07/19/2014 at 15:03

Do it! If the engine blows just LSx swap it. If you buy it, get some M system sawblades to

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > offroadkarter
07/19/2014 at 15:23

This. V12's are awesome by default, but I've heard just awful things about that one. Drive it till it pops, then swap it.

offroadkarter > MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig
07/19/2014 at 15:28

Its essentially (but not directly) two M30 I6's stuck together and driven by two bosch motronic ECU's. If one ECU dies you are left with a 6cyl.

IMO its underpowered and doesn't sound good with an exhaust but the car looks awesome.

StoneCold > Textured Soy Protein
07/19/2014 at 15:29

Buy this, then I don't know how 'swappable' BMWs are, but an M60 or M62 V8 would go nicely with this car.

PardonMyFlemish16 > Textured Soy Protein
07/19/2014 at 16:29

The only thing this car has going for it is its looks. An E36 M3 is more fun to drive/faster. An E38 SWB is just as luxurious and looks about 87% as good, and is probably cheaper to maintain (more abundant parts and all that).

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Textured Soy Protein
07/19/2014 at 16:31

To me it just sounds a little worn out, with the high clutch engagement and the seat adjuster. As for the steering this car was meant to be a GT car I believe so it was never going to be direct with a tight ratio, but if it was very vague the steering box is likely pretty worn out too. Either that or bad tie rods or bushings especially if it was tramlining.

Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder > Textured Soy Protein
07/19/2014 at 16:50

So, will you do it?

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Textured Soy Protein
07/19/2014 at 16:52

Sounds like the clutch isn't long for this world.

drunkenup4 > StoneCold
07/19/2014 at 16:53

I wouldnt be surprised if someone actually did this already.. I would go all the way, throw in a S62, slap on M parallels and do that body style proper justice.

Textured Soy Protein > Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder
07/19/2014 at 16:53

Nahh...I'm not opposed to buying a car that needs some work put into it, but I'd have to really like the car overall. Not the case here.

Textured Soy Protein > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
07/19/2014 at 16:54

Probably true. Or at the very least there's an issue with the hydraulics.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Textured Soy Protein
07/19/2014 at 16:56

Before mine went, the engagement was quite high. Then, one day out of the blue, it just started slipping and it was damn near gone while driving to the shop the next day.

Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder > Textured Soy Protein
07/19/2014 at 17:06

Is it this particular car that isn't good, or the 850 in general?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Textured Soy Protein
07/19/2014 at 17:11

I'm 5'10 and my friend's dad has an 840ci.

I didn't realize it sat that high. His is also an auto. It needs a new radiator, but I hope to drive or get a ride in it at some point. I'll hopefully report back when I do.

Textured Soy Protein > Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder
07/19/2014 at 17:13

Well, this is the only 850 I've driven.

I'd say, in spite of the problems, it's a bit too much of a GT for me.

dogisbadob > Textured Soy Protein
07/19/2014 at 17:17

Try the SC400 next :)

It's as fun as the 8-series but it has legendary 90s Toyota quality.

llamaguy > Textured Soy Protein
07/19/2014 at 19:33

Buy it for the V12. When it blows up, put LS# in and have faster, less cool car.