First Ride V8
#16
02-05-2013, 10:18 AM
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: East TN
Posts: 1,930
Rep Power: 96 
When I visited Dresden (VW), they made a point during the factory tour that the W12 was one of the most expensive per-unit engines in the company and that the W8 (Passat) had been an experiment but not financially justifiable. The W engines all use unconventional angles for their componentry and require all kinds of custom jigs, tooling, etc. to get them to work properly. This is probably part of why modifying traditional V engines (like the V10 in the Gallardo with its 18-degree pin offset to make an even-firing 90-degree V10 instead of having to make a new 72-degree engine block) makes more financial sense than building these exotic W designs. Plus, getting the cooling and other dynamics to work in the W engines is very hard, especially with forced induction (though Piech felt strongly about the W12 and W16, since he designed the engines and was Chairman of VW at the time, so could spend billions making these ideas work).
#17
02-05-2013, 10:35 AM
I don't see why repair costs would be impacted so much, the main issue is that the bore and headwork angles of the engine are unconventional, leading to large sunk tooling and training costs in manufacturing. Maintenance and after-sales costs should be similar to other engines of similar age, displacement, and output.
#18
02-05-2013, 11:58 AM
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: East TN
Posts: 1,930
Rep Power: 96
Well true except for spark plug replacemeant.
Do you still have the manifold off to get to the V8 plugs?
Do you still have the manifold off to get to the V8 plugs?
#21
02-09-2013, 02:28 AM
Come to think of it, all three vehicles in this picture, were impulse buys. As I have posted earlier, the blue CGTC was purchased recently instead of a black one that I had ordered. When I went to take delivery of the black one, the blue one was on the showroom floor and I fell in love with it. And at the last minute bought it instead of the black one. The red SL is 8 years old and was also an impulse buy and that is another story.
The floor covering is a product called "Decadence". It is a carpet like vinyl which is, IMHO, a terrific product for both the garage and boat docks.
#22
02-09-2013, 01:49 PM
I notice you park your cars with the Bentley on the right, as I do. It wouldn't be much of an observation on its own except I see quite a few owners with multiple autos who garage their most important car on the right, regardless of country. Just google a few pics of high end garages to see that strange occurrence.
So I wonder also, do left handed people preference-park differently? What side will Google selfdrive cars park if the owners give them a choice?
Am I the first to notice this strange phenomenon I wonder? If so, I claim it worldwide as the Preferential Actuation by Ken Silver (PARK) Effect.
#23
02-09-2013, 02:52 PM
Nothing like an unpremeditated impulse to stir your life up
I notice you park your cars with the Bentley on the right, as I do. It wouldn't be much of an observation on its own except I see quite a few owners with multiple autos who garage their most important car on the right, regardless of country. Just google a few pics of high end garages to see that strange occurrence.
So I wonder also, do left handed people preference-park differently? What side will Google selfdrive cars park if the owners give them a choice?
Am I the first to notice this strange phenomenon I wonder? If so, I claim it worldwide as the Preferential Actuation by Ken Silver (PARK) Effect.
I notice you park your cars with the Bentley on the right, as I do. It wouldn't be much of an observation on its own except I see quite a few owners with multiple autos who garage their most important car on the right, regardless of country. Just google a few pics of high end garages to see that strange occurrence.
So I wonder also, do left handed people preference-park differently? What side will Google selfdrive cars park if the owners give them a choice?
Am I the first to notice this strange phenomenon I wonder? If so, I claim it worldwide as the Preferential Actuation by Ken Silver (PARK) Effect.
#25
02-09-2013, 05:29 PM
I don't why i do it? Just take over the world,why should I care? Maybe I am worried that you won't be as fair and balanced as I would be.
#26
02-09-2013, 05:40 PM
Regarding the transmission: the 8-spd transmission is a torque-converter automatic, not a double-clutch setup.
#27
02-09-2013, 07:07 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Split my time between Miami, Sanibel & Woodstock, VT
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Rep Power: 75
#28
02-09-2013, 10:54 PM
― George Bernard Shaw, Man and Superman
#29
02-15-2013, 09:57 PM
I've done a switcheroo on V8's, after driving the Mercedes SLS roadster for a couple of days. After being a bit so-so on the 8, I now officially love the V8 sound! Can't wait to drive a Bentley V8 to do the comparison.
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