Issues with Police BMWs

[ChrisHGTV]

The cars : Rover 800 Vitesse development story - AROnline

Following on from his excellent Rover SD1 development story, David Morgan tells the interesting story of how the 800 Series battled to emerge the shadow

www.aronline.co.uk

'' the 827 Vitesse used for the 1990 Challenge was fitted with racing tyres, better brake discs with competition pads, a roll-cage and a louder exhaust so that the marshals could hear it. However, the rest of the car, including the engine, was completely standard.''

Thanks that's interesting! Also goes to show then that you don't need more than 200bhp to go seriously quick if you have the talent!

 

[Bellow]

Thanks that's interesting! Also goes to show then that you don't need more than 200bhp to go seriously quick if you have the talent!

The 140hp 820 could get from Aberdeen to Edinburgh in 1hr 10mins. Not as twisty as IOM but not arrow straight either.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

And I am (was) looking to buy a new X5 40i Hmmm???

If you're going to be driving it on 24 hour shifts 7/7 with sporadic high rev / high speed chases, it looks like you might be better off with ... not quite sure.

In BMW's defence, the Police "may" have a genuinely different use here.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

It may seem unbelievable to some (judging by comments above), but the police in France seem to use Peugeot products quite successfully for motorway patrols. Similarly, the Italians use Lancia (Fiat) and the Spanish use SEAT.

I accept that the UK is unique in that company in that we have only Jaguar as a producer of large, fast, cars and they are a “premium brand” but lots of other countries seem to manage quite well using more mundane products. I wonder why we (think we) can’t?

If the British Royal Family exclusively use Volkswagen family (Audi and the occasional Bentley), why can't the Plod run Audis, or Volkswagens?



.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Bring back the Vauxhall Omega I say !!! Jam Sandwich paint job 'n all

On it, like a Bonnet.

Did drive one briefly, back in the day, and it was an impressive beast, although nowhere near the power of a modern car.

 

[st13phil]

Bring back the Vauxhall Omega I say !!! Jam Sandwich paint job 'n all

The 24v Senator with the chip-cutter grille was quite a favourite, ISTR.

 

[chic0821]

If you're going to be driving it on 24 hour shifts 7/7 with sporadic high rev / high speed chases, it looks like you might be better off with ... not quite sure.

In BMW's defence, the Police "may" have a genuinely different use here.


View attachment 123871

The configurator has Blue & it has White, but I can't see the colour of that one. Wonder if its extra?
These were the day's when unleaded was only 114.9p/litre, what a bargain

 

[suty455]

A few years back we were hooning back to the port bit late for the ferry and got caught by a Gendarme, didnt give chase etc but the next Toll booth we got pulled in 90 euro fine on the spot it works I just avoid the Toll roads now and obey the limits of course

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

A few years back we were hooning back to the port bit late for the ferry and got caught by a Gendarme, didnt give chase etc but the next Toll booth we got pulled in 90 euro fine on the spot it works I just avoid the Toll roads now and obey the limits of course

The fines are bigger now (€135 or up to €1500 if more than 50kph over the limit) but only apply if you’re pulled over. They can’t post it to you from France and Spain any more because they don’t have access to your home address - at the moment.

Thank heavens we keep to the speed limits.

 

[Darrell]

Fantastic! Ive not seen that before. I actually think his commentary style really adds to it - really matter of fact.

Ive since read it was a standard 827 Vitesse but with slicks, but was that correct, as it seems standard they were good for only about 130mph? Its intriguing - i found another old forum from 2015 where it was suggested his second attempt car had a turbo lump. Would love to know more if anyone knows?

Just googled him (I do remember him from the good old days) and he died far too young.

 

[ChrisHGTV]

Just googled him (I do remember him from the good old days) and he died far too young.

Yes a real shame. Ive watched some of his Metro 6R4 exploits as well. Such a shame he went so young, seemed a genuinely nice chap without any of the ego you often see with race drivers. This is a nice article he wrote:

Tony Pond On The 6R4

2.8s 0-60, that's pretty quick! One of the chaps at the pistol club i used to go to with my dad had an ex- works 6R4, complete with all the trip computer etc. This was late 1980's. You had to wear ear defenders. He gave me a ride in it and it was just phenomenal. Id love to know which one it was - he crashed it in his back garden in the end. I did think it could have been the one that Car SOS did.

 

[johnsco]

The 24v Senator with the chip-cutter grille was quite a favourite, ISTR.

I was lucky enough to run one of these for a couple of years.
A powerful beast, a good work-horse and a good driver's car.
Unfortunately, it was something of a rot-box.

 

[Darrell]

Yes a real shame. Ive watched some of his Metro 6R4 exploits as well. Such a shame he went so young, seemed a genuinely nice chap without any of the ego you often see with race drivers. This is a nice article he wrote:

Tony Pond On The 6R4

2.8s 0-60, that's pretty quick! One of the chaps at the pistol club i used to go to with my dad had an ex- works 6R4, complete with all the trip computer etc. This was late 1980's. You had to wear ear defenders. He gave me a ride in it and it was just phenomenal. Id love to know which one it was - he crashed it in his back garden in the end. I did think it could have been the one that Car SOS did.

I saw that episode a couple of weeks ago. Caught my wife yawning half way through it!

 

[Fastcar155]

The 24v Senator with the chip-cutter grille was quite a favourite, ISTR.

Hi , a friend of mine had the 24 valve Senator as his company car.Loved every moment of use and it flew.

The Senator was removed from the approved list ( he was unhappy ) as was told he could have a Mercedes E class.

He told me that the extras he had with the Mercedes cost more than the Vauxhall Senator !

Don't know what he though of the Mercedes.

 

[del320]

The 140hp 820 could get from Aberdeen to Edinburgh in 1hr 10mins. Not as twisty as IOM but not arrow straight either.

WHAT?

Bridge of Dee to Cramond Brig is 118 miles! Tell me more.

(Says the man who did the 156 miles between Cramond Brig and the Tore roundabout in precisely two hours.)

...and I was driving a SAAB 99 Turbo - all 145bhp of it...

 

[Bellow]

WHAT?

Bridge of Dee to Cramond Brig is 118 miles! Tell me more.

Wellington Suspension Bridge to the Forth Road Bridge. I seem to recall it being 130 miles but Google says it's 113.
1hr 20mins for the return trip - rain, and traffic police at the bridge beside Perth.

(Says the man who did the 156 miles between Cramond Brig and the Tore roundabout in precisely two hours.)

...and I was driving a SAAB 99 Turbo - all 145bhp of it...

Wonder if the 500hp AMG boys could match those times?

 

[huwtreasure]

The 24v Senator with the chip-cutter grille was quite a favourite, ISTR.

Those were great - but the earlier A2 Senator was surprisingly rapid

 

[Gazwould]

I've driven an ex Police Carlton 3000 GSI , much fun.

 

[st13phil]

I've driven an ex Police Carlton 3000 GSI , much fun.

I had a Carlton Diplomat with the 2.6l straight six back in the 1990’s and it was a great car to drive.

A friend had one of the 24v Carlton 3000 GSI's at the same time, which was quite a bit quicker but less well appointed. He called it a “hod-carrier’s car”

 

[Darrell]

I've driven an ex Police Carlton 3000 GSI , much fun.

My dad had a new F plate 3000 GSI as a company car from new.

When it was up for renewal 3 years later he got a Calibra 4x4 and bought the Carlton off the company and gave it to my mum.