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      <title>Porsche 997 Bore Scoring: What 98 Owner Reports Show</title>
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      <pubDate>Tue, 27 Oct 2026 18:02:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>We counted 98 first-hand owner reports in Rennlist's 997 bore scoring thread. Which cylinders, warning signs, how owners checked, and what they did.</description>
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      <title>Porsche 997 IMS Bearing Failures: What 419 Owner Reports Show</title>
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      <pubDate>Tue, 27 Oct 2026 18:02:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>We counted 419 first-hand owner reports in Rennlist's 997 IMS thread. Failures by model year, warning signs, how owners checked, and what they did next.</description>
      <category>Porsche</category>
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      <title>BMW E36 Thermostat Replacement: Symptoms, Parts and Torque Specs</title>
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      <pubDate>Tue, 27 Oct 2026 17:28:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>DIY E36 thermostat replacement for M50, M52, S50 and S52 engines: failure symptoms, BMW part numbers, factory torque specs and how to bleed the system.</description>
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      <title>BMW E46 330i Coolant Bleeding and Leak Diagnosis: BMW Factory Steps</title>
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      <pubDate>Tue, 27 Oct 2026 15:23:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Follow BMW's E46 330i M54 coolant bleeding procedure, understand cold expansion-tank levels, and diagnose leaks without guessing at parts.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
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      <title>Best Used BMW M Cars Under $40k (October 2026)</title>
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      <pubDate>Mon, 26 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Six BMW M cars with sourced market examples under $40,000, plus the inspection issues that matter before you buy.</description>
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      <title>Cheap Small European Cars That Are Fun to Drive (October 2026)</title>
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      <pubDate>Mon, 26 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Six used European hot hatches with price evidence from classic.com, buying checks and links to every source.</description>
      <category>MINI Cooper</category>
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      <title>BMW E46 330i Lean Codes: P0171, P0174 &amp; Vacuum Leaks</title>
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      <pubDate>Mon, 26 Oct 2026 15:15:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Diagnose BMW E46 330i M54 lean codes P0171 and P0174. Check intake boots, CCV, DISA and fuel trims before replacing parts. Includes verified boot numbers.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
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      <title>Best First Porsche Under $40k (October 2026)</title>
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      <pubDate>Mon, 26 Oct 2026 14:24:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Six used Porsches with an October 2026 classic.com benchmark under $40,000, with the known issue to check on each before you buy.</description>
      <category>Porsche</category>
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      <title>Fun German Daily Drivers Under $20k (October 2026)</title>
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      <pubDate>Mon, 26 Oct 2026 14:24:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Five German daily drivers, from the Golf GTI to the BMW 328i, with classic.com benchmarks where we could verify them and the issue to check on each.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
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      <title>Best Used Porsches for DIY Owners (October 2026)</title>
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      <pubDate>Sun, 25 Oct 2026 15:02:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Six used Porsches for hands-on owners, with October 2026 classic.com price benchmarks and the known issue to check on each before you buy.</description>
      <category>Porsche</category>
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      <title>German Enthusiast Cars That Got Cheaper This Year</title>
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      <pubDate>Sun, 25 Oct 2026 15:02:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Five German performance and enthusiast models with asking prices down 8% to 13% year over year in CarGurus data, plus one check for each.</description>
      <category>Porsche</category>
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      <title>BMW M54 Oil Filter Housing Gasket Leak: Diagnosis, Repair &amp; Part Number</title>
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      <pubDate>Sun, 25 Oct 2026 15:00:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Find the source of a BMW M54 oil filter housing leak, distinguish the VANOS line from the housing gasket, and check BMW repair steps and part 11421719855.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
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      <title>BMW M54 DISA Valve: Symptoms, Testing, Replacement &amp; Fitment</title>
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      <pubDate>Sun, 25 Oct 2026 14:54:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>BMW M54 DISA valve guide: diagnose noise, lean codes and low-rpm hesitation, inspect the flap and pivot pin, and match the correct 2.5L or 3.0L part.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
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      <title>Manual German Cars Under $25k Worth Buying Now (October 2026)</title>
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      <pubDate>Sat, 24 Oct 2026 14:15:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Six manual German cars with October 2026 market prices under $25,000, with sourced notes on what to check before buying.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
      <category>Porsche</category>
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      <title>Porsches You Can Still Buy Under $30k (October 2026)</title>
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      <pubDate>Sat, 24 Oct 2026 14:15:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Six used Porsches with October 2026 market benchmarks under $30,000, plus the known issues to check on each before you buy.</description>
      <category>Porsche</category>
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      <title>BMW M54 CCV Failure Symptoms: Oil Separator Diagnosis Guide</title>
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      <pubDate>Fri, 23 Oct 2026 21:20:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Diagnose BMW M54 CCV and oil separator problems using BMW service bulletins: symptoms, crankcase pressure spec, cold-weather risks and fitment checks.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
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      <title>Best Used BMWs for DIY Owners Under $15k (October 2026)</title>
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      <pubDate>Fri, 23 Oct 2026 15:13:21 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Six used BMWs under $15,000 you can maintain yourself, with October 2026 prices, the problem to check on each, and our torque spec guides.</description>
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      <title>7 Cheap German Sports Cars That Are Still Good Buys (October 2026)</title>
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      <pubDate>Fri, 23 Oct 2026 15:13:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Seven Porsche and BMW sports cars with dated October 2026 prices, the one problem to check on each, and where to find one for sale.</description>
      <category>Porsche</category>
      <category>BMW</category>
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      <title>Porsche 997.1 Carrera Buyer's Guide (2005 to 2008): What to Pay and What to Check</title>
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      <pubDate>Fri, 23 Oct 2026 15:08:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>What 2005 to 2008 Porsche 911 Carreras sell for now, which years have the larger IMS bearing, bore scoring, over-revs, and a PPI checklist.</description>
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      <title>BMW M52 vs. M52TU vs. M54: How to Tell Them Apart</title>
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      <pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2026 22:22:03 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Learn how to identify BMW M52, M52TU and M54 engines by VANOS, throttle, block, production clues and DME. BMW training sources and fitment cautions.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
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      <title>BMW M50 Torque Specs: E36 &amp; E34 DIY Engine Reference</title>
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      <pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2026 20:18:10 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Verified BMW M50 torque specs for E36 and E34 engine work, including head bolts, valve cover, intake, spark plugs, VANOS and oil-pan hardware.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
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      <title>BMW M52 Torque Specs: E36, E39 &amp; Z3 Reference</title>
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      <pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2026 20:08:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Verified BMW M52 torque specs for E36, E39 and Z3
engine work, with cast-iron vs aluminum head-bolt procedures, VANOS and hardware caveats.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
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      <title>BMW S62 Torque Specs: E39 M5 &amp; Z8 DIY Engine Reference</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/bmw-s62-torque-specs</link>
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      <pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2026 16:16:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>BMW S62 torque specs for E39 M5 and Z8 valve covers,
head bolts, flywheel, intake and VANOS, with source links and
application caveats.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
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      <title>BMW N54 Common Torque Specifications: Complete DIY Engine Reference</title>
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      <pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 21:08:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>BMW N54 torque specs for oil service, spark plugs, valve cover, oil filter housing, intake, fuel lines and oil pan, with sourced application notes.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
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      <title>BMW B58 Gen 1 Torque Specs: Complete DIY Engine Reference</title>
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      <pubDate>Fri, 25 Sep 2026 21:46:51 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>BMW B58 Gen 1 torque specs for oil service, spark plugs, valve cover and oil-filter-housing replacement, with sourced application notes.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
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      <title>400 Miles to Clear My Head: A Northern California Rally</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/400-miles-to-clear-my-head-a-northern-california-rally</link>
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      <pubDate>Fri, 25 Sep 2026 20:05:09 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>A 400-mile Northern California rally in a Porsche 911 through Skaggs Springs, the coast, and some of the best driving roads in California.</description>
      <category>Opinion</category>
      <media:content url="https://www.departmentsix.com/images/400-miles-to-clear-my-head-a-northern-california-rally/img-3654-384ee2.jpeg" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" />
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    <item>
      <title>BMW N20/N26 Common Torque Specifications: Engine Maintenance &amp; DIY Reference</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/bmw-n20-n26-torque-specs</link>
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      <pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2026 20:39:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>BMW N20 and N26 torque specs for oil service, spark plugs, valve cover, oil filter housing and timing-chain work, with application notes and sources.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
      <media:content url="https://www.departmentsix.com/images/bmw-n20-n26-torque-specs/bmw-n20-4d538d.jpeg" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" />
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    <item>
      <title>BMW N55 Common Torque Specifications: Engine Maintenance &amp; DIY Reference</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/bmw-n55-torque-specs</link>
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      <pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 21:38:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>BMW N55 torque specs for oil service, spark plugs, valve cover, oil filter housing, intake, fuel rail and Valvetronic work, with linked sources.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
      <media:content url="https://www.departmentsix.com/images/bmw-n55-torque-specs/bmw-twinpower-turbo-n55-fe0e0f.jpeg" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" />
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    <item>
      <title>R53 MINI Cooper S Common Torque Specifications: Maintenance &amp; DIY Reference</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/mini-r53-cooper-s-torque-specs</link>
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      <pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 21:14:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>R53 Cooper S torque specs: wheel bolts 120 Nm (88.5 ft-lb), drain plug 25 Nm, spark plugs 27 Nm, plus brakes, mounts and suspension. Sourced.</description>
      <category>MINI Cooper</category>
      <media:content url="https://www.departmentsix.com/images/mini-r53-cooper-s-torque-specs/mini-cooper-s-r53-d12c93.jpg" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" />
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    <item>
      <title>BMW F30/F31/F34 Common Torque Specifications: Maintenance &amp; DIY Reference</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/bmw-f30-f31-f34-torque-specs</link>
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      <pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 04:05:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>BMW F30, F31 and F34 torque specs: wheel bolts 120 Nm (89 ft-lb), drain plugs by engine, spark plugs, brakes and suspension. Sourced.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
      <media:content url="https://www.departmentsix.com/images/bmw-f30-f31-f34-torque-specs/images-fb3047.jpeg" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" />
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      <title>BMW E90/E91/E92/E93 Common Torque Specifications: Maintenance &amp; DIY Reference</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/bmw-e90-e91-e92-e93-common-torque-specifications-maintenance-diy</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/bmw-e90-e91-e92-e93-common-torque-specifications-maintenance-diy</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 03:11:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>BMW E90, E91, E92 and E93 torque specs for wheels, oil service, spark plugs, brakes, suspension and common DIY jobs, with Nm and ft-lb values, application notes and linked sources.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
      <media:content url="https://www.departmentsix.com/images/bmw-e90-e91-e92-e93-common-torque-specifications-maintenance-diy/bmw-3-series-e90-2006-2011-bb6f7a.jpeg" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" />
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    <item>
      <title>Juggling Glass: Mt. Umunhum</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/juggling-glass-mt-umunhum</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/juggling-glass-mt-umunhum</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 19:40:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Somewhere around the fourth or fifth hairpin, I said the name out loud to nobody. Umunhum. Hell of a name. What even is that?</description>
      <category>Opinion</category>
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    <item>
      <title>The Complete Guide to Repairing Porsche PDK Transmission Problems</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/the-complete-guide-to-repairing-porsche-pdk-transmission-problems</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/the-complete-guide-to-repairing-porsche-pdk-transmission-problems</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 23 Jun 2026 18:00:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Complete Porsche PDK repair guide for 997.2, 987.2, 991.1, and 981 owners. Learn common PDK fault codes, distance sensor failures, valve body repairs, pressure sensors, fluid service, and PIWIS calibration before replacing the transmission.</description>
      <category>Porsche</category>
      <media:content url="https://www.departmentsix.com/images/the-complete-guide-to-repairing-porsche-pdk-transmission-problems/pdk-guide-image-01-e9abf7.png" medium="image" type="image/png" />
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    <item>
      <title>The Porsche 996 IMS Bearing: Risk, Reality, and What to Do About It</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/the-porsche-996-ims-bearing-risk-reality-and-what-to-do-about-it</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/the-porsche-996-ims-bearing-risk-reality-and-what-to-do-about-it</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 10 Apr 2026 22:57:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>The 996 IMS bearing explained: real failure rates, the LN Engineering fix, and how to buy a 996 without inheriting someone else's problem.</description>
      <category>Porsche</category>
      <media:content url="https://www.departmentsix.com/images/the-porsche-996-ims-bearing-risk-reality-and-what-to-do-about-it/ims-996-339b00.jpg" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" />
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    <item>
      <title>What GaryVee Got Wrong: Don't Sell Out Your Hobby</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/what-garyvee-got-wrong-dont-sell-out-your-hobby</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/what-garyvee-got-wrong-dont-sell-out-your-hobby</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:11:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>When you sell out your hobby, you stop being a maker and start being a marketer. Marketers are the worst. Trust me. I’ve been one since 2014, starting in content and SEO and graduating into the rest of it: ads, email, social, the whole digital buffet. Marketers ruined the telephone with telemarketing. They ruined email with email marketing, roads with billboards, and television and social media with ads. The list goes on. I know the playbook because I’ve run it many times, and even added to a few chapters.</description>
      <category>Opinion</category>
      <media:content url="https://www.departmentsix.com/images/what-garyvee-got-wrong-dont-sell-out-your-hobby/img-1528-984bf7.jpg" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" />
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    <item>
      <title>The R53 MINI Cooper S Supercharger — Maintenance, Service, and Upgrades</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/mini-r53-supercharger-guide</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/mini-r53-supercharger-guide</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:01:10 GMT</pubDate>
      <description></description>
      <category>MINI Cooper</category>
      <media:content url="https://www.departmentsix.com/images/mini-r53-supercharger-guide/r53-supercharger-444ca1.jpg" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" />
      <enclosure url="https://www.departmentsix.com/images/mini-r53-supercharger-guide/r53-supercharger-444ca1.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpeg" />
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    <item>
      <title>R53 vs R56 MINI Cooper S — Which One Should You Buy?</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/mini-r53-vs-r56</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/mini-r53-vs-r56</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:01:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>R53 vs R56 Cooper S: the R53 is supercharged, lighter and more analog. A 2011+ N18 R56 is faster and easier to live with. Skip unproven N14s.</description>
      <category>MINI Cooper</category>
      <media:content url="https://www.departmentsix.com/images/mini-r53-vs-r56/r53-vs-r56-c5fa25.jpg" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" />
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    <item>
      <title>The R53 MINI Cooper S Buyer's Guide: What to Know Before You Buy</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/mini-r53-buyers-guide</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/mini-r53-buyers-guide</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:01:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <description></description>
      <category>MINI Cooper</category>
      <media:content url="https://www.departmentsix.com/images/mini-r53-buyers-guide/r53-press-photos-9ccc06.webp" medium="image" type="image/webp" />
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    <item>
      <title>The R56 MINI Cooper S Timing Chain Problem — What Every Owner Needs to Know</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/mini-r56-timing-chain</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/mini-r56-timing-chain</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <description></description>
      <category>MINI Cooper</category>
      <media:content url="https://www.departmentsix.com/images/mini-r56-timing-chain/r56-timing-chain-d7d67c.webp" medium="image" type="image/webp" />
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    <item>
      <title>Best Clutch Kit for BMW E36: OEM, Performance, and When You Need Each</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/cbl2rgbeox8ucx219d7kjpskr59duf</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/cbl2rgbeox8ucx219d7kjpskr59duf</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 14 Mar 2026 01:59:21 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>BMW E36 clutch guide: why most owners don't need a Stage 3 kit, what R3VLimited actually runs, and what to check while the transmission is out. Sachs vs. South Bend breakdown.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
      <media:content url="https://www.departmentsix.com/images/cbl2rgbeox8ucx219d7kjpskr59duf/e36-clutch-kit-2fc4d8.jpeg" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" />
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    <item>
      <title>Best Brake Pads for Porsche 986 and 987 Boxster/Cayman: Street, Track, and Everything Between</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/best-brake-pads-for-porsche-986-and-987-boxster-cayman</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/best-brake-pads-for-porsche-986-and-987-boxster-cayman</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 14 Mar 2026 01:40:10 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Best brake pads for Porsche 986 and 987 Boxster by use case: Pagid RS29 for track, Hawk HPS for street. Includes bed-in guide, installation mistakes, and post-install troubleshooting.</description>
      <category>Porsche</category>
      <media:content url="https://www.departmentsix.com/images/best-brake-pads-for-porsche-986-and-987-boxster-cayman/986-brake-pads-33b261.jpeg" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" />
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    <item>
      <title>Best VANOS Rebuild Kit for BMW E36 and E46: What Actually Works</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/best-vanos-rebuild-kit-bmw-e36-e46</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/best-vanos-rebuild-kit-bmw-e36-e46</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 14 Mar 2026 01:31:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Is it really VANOS? How to diagnose it, and the one rebuild kit BMW forums recommend universally — Beisan Systems. Guide covers E36 and E46 single and double VANOS.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
      <media:content url="https://www.departmentsix.com/images/best-vanos-rebuild-kit-bmw-e36-e46/vanos-rebuild-kit-fd7e72.webp" medium="image" type="image/webp" />
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    <item>
      <title>Best Coilovers for BMW E36: What the Forums Actually Run</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/best-coilovers-for-bmw-e36-what-the-forums-actually-run</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/best-coilovers-for-bmw-e36-what-the-forums-actually-run</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 14 Mar 2026 01:23:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>The complete guide to BMW E36 coilovers. See what R3VLimited and BimmerFest actually recommend — BC Racing, KW V3, Solo-Werks, H&amp;R — by use case and budget.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
      <media:content url="https://www.departmentsix.com/images/best-coilovers-for-bmw-e36-what-the-forums-actually-run/e36-coilovers-566538.jpeg" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" />
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    <item>
      <title>Best Cooling System Kit for BMW E46: What to Replace, What to Buy, and When to Do It</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/best-cooling-system-kit-for-bmw-e46-what-to-replace-what-to-buy-and-when-to-do-it</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/best-cooling-system-kit-for-bmw-e46-what-to-replace-what-to-buy-and-when-to-do-it</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 14 Mar 2026 01:18:17 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Complete BMW E46 cooling system refresh guide. What actually fails, when to do it, which brands forums trust (Saleri, Wahler, Rein), and how to avoid the most common mistakes.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
      <media:content url="https://www.departmentsix.com/images/best-cooling-system-kit-for-bmw-e46-what-to-replace-what-to-buy-and-when-to-do-it/e36-cooling-system-1f6224.png" medium="image" type="image/png" />
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    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Best IMS Bearing Solution for Porsche 986 &amp; 987: What the Forums Actually Recommend</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/best-ims-bearing-solution-for-porsche-986-amp-987-what-the-forums-actually-recommend</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/best-ims-bearing-solution-for-porsche-986-amp-987-what-the-forums-actually-recommend</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 12 Mar 2026 14:46:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>If you own a Porsche 986 Boxster, 987 Boxster, or 987 Cayman — or you're about to buy one — the IMS bearing is the first thing every forum will tell you to research. It's a legitimate concern. But after spending time in the Rennlist, 986Forum, and Planet-9 threads, the picture is clearer than the noise suggests. Here's what experienced owners actually choose, and why.</description>
      <category>Porsche</category>
      <media:content url="https://www.departmentsix.com/images/best-ims-bearing-solution-for-porsche-986-amp-987-what-the-forums-actually-recommend/ims-996-659823.jpg" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" />
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    <item>
      <title>Essential Tools for BMW DIY — Build Your Garage Right</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/essential-tools-for-bmw-e36-amp-e39-diy-build-your-garage-right</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/essential-tools-for-bmw-e36-amp-e39-diy-build-your-garage-right</guid>
      <pubDate>Sun, 08 Mar 2026 05:12:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>If you're going to wrench on your own BMW, having the right tools makes the difference between a clean Saturday job and a three-week nightmare. This guide covers everything you actually need — from the basics to the BMW-specific tools that will save you hours of frustration and stripped fasteners.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
      <media:content url="https://www.departmentsix.com/images/essential-tools-for-bmw-e36-amp-e39-diy-build-your-garage-right/complete-bmw-e36-toolkit-contents-01-9c2cc5.jpg" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" />
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    <item>
      <title>Porsche 997.1 Carrera S Brake Replacement — Complete DIY Guide (Rotors, Pads &amp; Hardware)</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/porsche-997-carrera-4s-brake-replacement-complete-diy-guide-rotors-pads-amp-hardware</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/porsche-997-carrera-4s-brake-replacement-complete-diy-guide-rotors-pads-amp-hardware</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 07 Mar 2026 00:27:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>This is a complete brake replacement walkthrough for the 2006 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S (997.1) with standard steel brakes — rotors, pads, wear sensors, and all the hardware. The procedure is largely identical for 2005–2008 997.1 Carrera S, Carrera 4S, Targa 4S, and Cabriolet models running steel brakes.</description>
      <category>Porsche</category>
      <media:content url="https://www.departmentsix.com/images/porsche-997-carrera-4s-brake-replacement-complete-diy-guide-rotors-pads-amp-hardware/350-mm-big-brake-kit-porsche-turbo-996-997-cb663b.jpg" medium="image" type="image/jpeg" />
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    <item>
      <title>BMW E46 Torque Specs: Complete Reference (All Engines)</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/bmw-e46-torque-specs-complete-reference-all-engines</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/bmw-e46-torque-specs-complete-reference-all-engines</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2026 22:50:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>BMW E46 torque specs from BMW TIS: wheel bolts 120 Nm (89 ft-lb), drain plug 25 Nm, thermostat 10 Nm, plus engine, suspension and brakes.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
      <media:content url="https://www.departmentsix.com/images/bmw-e46-torque-specs-complete-reference-all-engines/dlm7w7f0r4c11-7a2223.webp" medium="image" type="image/webp" />
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      <title>BMW E39 Torque Specs — Complete Reference (All Engines)</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/bmw-e39-torque-specs-complete-reference-all-engines</link>
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      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2026 22:50:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>The BMW E39 5 Series ran from 1995 to 2004, and it earned a reputation as one of the finest driver’s cars BMW ever made. It’s also a car that rewards proper maintenance and punishes neglect. If you’re doing any mechanical work on an E39 — whether it’s a 520i, a 540i, or the legendary M5 — having accurate torque specs is non-negotiable. The wrong torque on a cylinder head bolt or a crankshaft pulley can mean a rebuild instead of a weekend job.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
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      <title>BMW E36 Common Problems — What to Know Before You Buy or Work on One</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/bmw-e36-common-problems-what-to-know-before-you-buy-or-work-on-one</link>
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      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2026 22:50:39 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>The BMW E36 3 Series is one of the most beloved sports cars of the 1990s — and one of the most maintenance-intensive. It rewards drivers who understand it and stay on top of its known weaknesses. It punishes neglect, sometimes catastrophically. This page covers every significant known issue on the E36 in order of severity, with real costs and real advice — so you know what you're dealing with before you buy one, or before an expensive surprise finds you.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
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      <title>BMW E36 Common Torque Specifications (Maintenance and DIY Jobs)</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/bmw-e36-common-torque-specifications-maintenance-and-diy-jobs</link>
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      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2026 17:28:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>BMW E36 torque specs for every common DIY job — oil service, spark plugs, cooling, VANOS, brakes, suspension, and more. Covers M50, M52, S52, M42, and M44 engines (1992–1999). Free downloadable spreadsheet included.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
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      <title>BMW E36 Buyer’s Guide — What to Look For, What to Avoid, What to Pay</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/bmw-e36-buyers-guide-what-to-look-for-what-to-avoid-what-to-pay</link>
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      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2026 17:06:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>The BMW E36 3 Series has arrived as a fully-fledged enthusiast classic. Prices have stabilised, the community is enormous, and the supply of good examples — while shrinking — is still there if you know what to look for. But buying the wrong one is an expensive lesson. This guide covers everything you need to make a smart purchase: which variants are worth the money, which engines hold up, what to look for on a pre-purchase inspection, and what it actually costs to own one.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
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      <title>Porsche 987 Boxster and Cayman Common Torque Specifications (Maintenance and DIY Jobs)</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/porsche-987-boxster-amp-cayman-common-torque-specifications-maintenance-and-diy-jobs</link>
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      <pubDate>Thu, 05 Mar 2026 02:05:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Comprehensive torque spec guide for Porsche 987 Boxster and Cayman (2005–2012). Covers 987.1 M96/M97 and 987.2 MA1 engines, wheels, brakes, suspension, drivetrain, and axle nuts. Values in ft-lbs and Nm with source links.</description>
      <category>Porsche</category>
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      <title>Porsche 986 Boxster Common Torque Specifications (Maintenance and DIY Jobs)</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/porsche-986-boxster-common-torque-specifications-maintenance-and-diy-jobs</link>
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      <pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 21:17:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Complete Porsche 986 Boxster torque specifications for all variants (1997–2004). Every common DIY job covered: oil drain, spark plugs, wheel bolts, suspension, brakes, flywheel — sourced and verified.</description>
      <category>Porsche</category>
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      <title>Porsche 996 Common Torque Specifications (Maintenance and DIY Jobs)</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/porsche-996-common-torque-specifications-maintenance-and-diy-jobs</link>
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      <pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 16:30:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Porsche 996 torque specs: wheel bolts 130 Nm (96 ft-lb), drain plug 50 Nm, spark plugs 30 Nm, plus brakes and suspension for every variant.</description>
      <category>Porsche</category>
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      <title>Touch Grass</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/touch-grass</link>
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      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Oct 2025 23:53:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>There’s so much good in the world but now so little to none of it is happening on these attention-sucking machines (apps) we’re the product.</description>
      <category>Opinion</category>
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      <title>Porsche 997.1 Common Torque Specifications (Maintenance and DIY Jobs)</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/porsche-9971-common-torque-specifications-maintenance-amp-diy-jobs</link>
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      <pubDate>Tue, 15 Jul 2025 20:33:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Common Porsche 997.1 torque specs — wheels, brakes, engine &amp; suspension — in one searchable page with a free download.</description>
      <category>Porsche</category>
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    <item>
      <title>Paddle out. Even if it looks bad.</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/paddle-out-even-if-it-looks-bad</link>
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      <pubDate>Sat, 12 Jul 2025 21:09:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>I don't surf, but a friend once told me something about surfing that changed how I think about life. &quot;Paddle out. Even if it looks bad.&quot; I'm in my mid-30s now, and I've spent way too many years making excuses not to pursue my passions — especially driving. We're not going to live forever, and if we don't do the things that bring us joy even when the opportunity is right there, we're bound to die even sooner.</description>
      <category>Porsche</category>
      <category>Opinion</category>
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      <title>Little Bastard Helped James Dean Search for Something Real</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/little-bastard-helped-james-dean-search-for-something-real</link>
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      <pubDate>Sat, 24 May 2025 00:14:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>I used to think James Dean was just another Hollywood rebel who got addicted to cars. Then I learned about his relationship with Little Bastard, his Porsche 550 Spyder, and realized he was just trying to feel whole (like most of us).</description>
      <category>Porsche</category>
      <category>Opinion</category>
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    <item>
      <title>How to Set Seat and Mirror Memory in a Porsche 997</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/how-to-set-seat-and-mirror-memory-in-a-porsche-997</link>
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      <pubDate>Tue, 13 May 2025 17:09:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>The 997 seat memory button isn't obvious. Here's exactly how to save your seat and mirror position — no forum-scrolling required, just the steps that actually work.</description>
      <category>Porsche</category>
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      <title>Science has Proven Porsche’s “There is No Substitute” Slogan</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/porsche-there-is-no-substitute</link>
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      <pubDate>Mon, 24 Mar 2025 21:36:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Porsche wasn't lying — there really is no substitute, but you won't understand that until your 20th drive. Most people think they're looking at the same car for 60 years, but what they're actually seeing is 124,800 hours of refinement that can't be engineered around. You either get it or you don't, and that's ok.</description>
      <category>Porsche</category>
      <category>Opinion</category>
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      <title>How to Install an Aftermarket Steering Wheel with No Airbag Lights and a Working Horn in an E36</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/how-to-install-an-aftermarket-steering-wheel-with-no-airbag-lights-and-a-working-horn-in-an-e36</link>
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      <pubDate>Fri, 02 Aug 2024 19:07:34 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Learn how to install an aftermarket steering wheel in your BMW E36 with our comprehensive step-by-step guide. Maintain horn functionality and avoid SRS errors while upgrading your interior. Perfect for E36 owners with dual-stage airbags. Complete the installation in just one hour!</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
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      <title>How to Reset the BMW E36 Oil Service Light with a Paperclip</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/how-to-reset-bmw-e36-oil-service-light-with-a-paperclip</link>
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      <pubDate>Fri, 26 Jul 2024 21:33:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Reset the E36 oil service light in seconds: ignition on, then bridge pins 7 and 19 on the round under-hood diagnostic plug with a paperclip.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
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      <title>Complete Guide: E36 BMW Power Steering Hose and Reservoir Replacement (+3 Pro Tips)</title>
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      <pubDate>Mon, 01 Jul 2024 17:15:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Learn how to replace E36 BMW power steering hoses and reservoir with our step-by-step guide. Includes pro tips, tools list, and troubleshooting advice for DIY mechanics.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
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      <title>Analog Joy: Rediscovering Life Through My BMW E36</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/a-drive-for-porterhouse-steaks-and-coffee-in-my-e36</link>
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      <pubDate>Sun, 30 Jul 2023 23:58:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Join me as I explore the joy of driving my BMW E36 M3, reflecting on life's fleeting moments and the importance of caring for old things. Discover why the E36 remains a beloved classic and how a simple drive can bring profound insights.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
      <category>Opinion</category>
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      <title>The E36 is “Down For It All”</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/the-e36-is-down-for-it-all</link>
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      <pubDate>Tue, 11 Jan 2022 00:48:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Join me on an early morning adventure driving my BMW E36, reflecting on the joys of analog cars, and experiencing the blend of nostalgia and modernity. Discover why the E36 remains a beloved classic among car enthusiasts.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
      <category>Opinion</category>
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      <title>3 Reasons Why the E36 M3 Increased in Price (and WON’T depreciate again)</title>
      <link>https://www.departmentsix.com/articles/3-reasons-why-the-e36-m3-increased-in-price-and-wont-depreciate-again</link>
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      <pubDate>Sun, 23 Aug 2020 23:29:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Discover why the U.S. BMW E36 M3 is increasing in value. Explore the impact of nostalgia, media coverage, and basic economics on the appreciation of this classic car. Learn why this &quot;bastard-child&quot; M3 is now highly sought after by enthusiasts.</description>
      <category>BMW</category>
      <category>Opinion</category>
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