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Top Gear is a wonderful TV programme !!

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Old 12-04-2005, 02:50 AM
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I just watched back to back episodes of this programme. It really is a class act and worth watching on a weekly basis.

Sure you have to put up with Clarkson's anti BMW vomit but he is actually getting more nuetral to them - he in fact likes the M6 and M5 !

In the two episodes I just watched they had amongst several other cars -

- a shootout in the Isle of Mann between a Porsche 911, Aston Martin and BMW M6. After driving them around for a while they fly out the The Stig (ex prof racing driver), close off one of the roads used in the Isle of Man TT race and let him rip. The M6 was no faster than the AM over the same stretch of winding road even though it had over 120 bhp more on tap. The Porsche has 140bhp less but was a full 6 seconds quicker than the M6 (129 sec vs 135). It looked blo*dy cold out there but they all seemed to have so much fun - the place was just deserted. The amazing thing was that Clarkson preferred the M6 but the other two went with the Porsche.

- Maserati Quattroporte. James May drove ths around some beautiful locations in Italy.

- Mercedes CLS

- Ascari supercar

- Ford GT40 (which I think Clarkson has bought personally and the other two were taking the piss out of him - it gave 4mpg around the test track)

They seem to test every good car out there week in week out and above all make the programme interesting by just having lots of fun. Then there is their dedicated test track and The Stig and every car they have on the programme goes through a lap and its time posted on their board (I think the Pagani Zonda, Ferrari Enzo were the top two fastest cars out there).

They also do some really good somparison stuff - like once they had two E60's - one a 535d and the other a 545i. I think the Stig was at the wheel of the 545i but he simply could not get past Clarkson in the 535d. They only did it to prove the point around the diesels torque.

I think we are lucky to have it.

If you watch it, do you have any favourite episodes or any that really stood out ?
Old 12-04-2005, 07:13 AM
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Originally Posted by SKK' post='206912' date='Dec 4 2005, 03:50 AM
I just watched back to back episodes of this programme. It really is a class act and worth watching on a weekly basis.

Sure you have to put up with Clarkson's anti BMW vomit but he is actually getting more nuetral to them - he in fact likes the M6 and M5 !

In the two episodes I just watched they had amongst several other cars -

- a shootout in the Isle of Mann between a Porsche 911, Aston Martin and BMW M6. After driving them around for a while they fly out the The Stig (ex prof racing driver), close off one of the roads used in the Isle of Man TT race and let him rip. The M6 was no faster than the AM over the same stretch of winding road even though it had over 120 bhp more on tap. The Porsche has 140bhp less but was a full 6 seconds quicker than the M6 (129 sec vs 135). It looked blo*dy cold out there but they all seemed to have so much fun - the place was just deserted. The amazing thing was that Clarkson preferred the M6 but the other two went with the Porsche.

- Maserati Quattroporte. James May drove ths around some beautiful locations in Italy.

- Mercedes CLS

- Ascari supercar

- Ford GT40 (which I think Clarkson has bought personally and the other two were taking the piss out of him - it gave 4mpg around the test track)

They seem to test every good car out there week in week out and above all make the programme interesting by just having lots of fun. Then there is their dedicated test track and The Stig and every car they have on the programme goes through a lap and its time posted on their board (I think the Pagani Zonda, Ferrari Enzo were the top two fastest cars out there).

They also do some really good somparison stuff - like once they had two E60's - one a 535d and the other a 545i. I think the Stig was at the wheel of the 545i but he simply could not get past Clarkson in the 535d. They only did it to prove the point around the diesels torque.

I think we are lucky to have it.

If you watch it, do you have any favourite episodes or any that really stood out ?
I agree, but the recollection of the 545 vs 535 episode is off, it was other way around. The 545 was quicker round the track than the 535.
Old 12-04-2005, 07:32 AM
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wow....the 997 with 140bhp less was actually quite alot faster than teh M6.....damn I gotta watch that episode....
Old 12-04-2005, 07:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Jeffs' post='206995' date='Dec 4 2005, 08:32 AM
wow....the 997 with 140bhp less was actually quite alot faster than teh M6.....damn I gotta watch that episode....
Link posted here:
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=18756
Old 12-04-2005, 07:49 AM
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Originally Posted by stream' post='207003
wow....the 997 with 140bhp less was actually quite alot faster than teh M6.....damn I gotta watch that episode....
Link posted here:
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=18756
[/quote]

Stream - I assume the programme is actually broadcast in the States as well. Watching the video on the net sucks - much better on a 50" display !!!
Old 12-04-2005, 07:54 AM
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Originally Posted by SKK' post='207008
Originally Posted by Jeffs' post='206995' date='Dec 4 2005, 08:32 AM
wow....the 997 with 140bhp less was actually quite alot faster than teh M6.....damn I gotta watch that episode....
Link posted here:
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=18756
Stream - I assume the programme is actually broadcast in the States as well. Watching the video on the net sucks - much better on a 50" display !!!
[/quote]

Top Gear is broadcast in the states, but we usually get 6 months+ old episodes, so it's either watch it on the web, or wait to watch it on my 60" TV. Sometimes I do both!
Old 12-04-2005, 08:56 AM
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I agree. It is a reaIIy great programme.

If only Clarkson was smart enough to use i-Drive
Old 12-04-2005, 09:06 AM
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In London, unlike Southern California, we have the rain, dirty E60's and chilly winds, but at least we get Top Gear on Sundays as consolation.

Now let me think what would I prefer.......

I am crazy enough to subscribe to the magazine as well
Old 12-04-2005, 09:23 AM
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Originally Posted by BMW#5' post='207030' date='Dec 4 2005, 05:56 PM
I agree. It is a reaIIy great programme.

If only Clarkson was smart enough to use i-Drive

True - the guy is a great reviewer but a muppet when it comes to technology.

Wonder whats on tonights programme.
Old 12-04-2005, 09:31 AM
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Originally Posted by stream' post='207010' date='Dec 4 2005, 11:54 AM
Top Gear is broadcast in the states, but we usually get 6 months+ old episodes, so it's either watch it on the web, or wait to watch it on my 60" TV. Sometimes I do both!
Where is it broadbast? I haven't seen it on BBC America. Used to watch it all the time in Ireland.


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