Atwood 70325 Clevis Pin on 2040-parts.com

BMW M5 manual mess-up

By Chris chilton Motor Industry 27 January 2007 01:34 North American customers were delighted when BMW bowed to their demands for a full three-pedal manual version of the current V10 M5 super saloon, but aren’t quiet so enamoured with the finished product. The issue is not with the gearbox itself – BMW successfully replaced the European model’s seven-speed SMG box with the old-shape M5’s six-speed manual – but with the compromises that were needed to get there. Without the benefit of computer control for the opening and closing of the clutch plates, M division’s engineers couldn’t eliminate axle tramp under hard take-offs.

Last of the Saab 9-3 convertibles land in the UK

Saab Parts UK has secured the sale of the last 26 right-hand drive Saab 9-3 convertibles for customers in the UK. The final batch of convertible Swedish metal will be sold through 87 Saab authorised repairers in lieu of a dealer network. Saab 9-3 Convertible: the last of the line The final Saabs may be of sentimental value to fans of the marque, although the seven Independence Edition cars being offered for sale come in a rather challenging shade of burnt metallic orange.

Jaguar F-Type: Fearless

Jaguar is continuing its PR assault for the new F-Type with a video setting out just how special the new Jaguar F-Type will be. If there’s one thing that separates ’New Jaguar’ from ‘Old Jaguar’ it’s their willingness to embrace every opportunity to positively promote their cars at every possible turn and in every possible way. The launch of the new XJ properly started the new style of PR offensives when Jaguar managed to release what seemed like a thousand teasers for their new big Cat before we’d even seen it in the flesh, and that was a full year before the first new XJs even hit Jaguar showrooms.