The Auto Library Forum - Recent Topics

BMW M3 (F80): share your Competition Package spec details

Sarah — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 09:04:40 +0000

I would like to build a reference list of how Competition Package F80 M3s were specified in different markets.

If you own one or have a build sheet, could you share the wheels, seats and options it came with? Photos of the window sticker are a great help.

911 (997): how do you tell a 997.1 from a 997.2 at a glance?

Sarah — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 09:04:10 +0000

When browsing listings, what are the quickest visual cues you use to separate a 997.1 from a 997.2?

Lights, bumpers, interior details or anything else that helps confirm the generation before checking the VIN.

Toyota Supra (A91) 3.0: what changes have you noticed between model years?

Sarah — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 09:03:37 +0000

For owners or anyone who has driven several A91 Supras, what differences have you spotted between model years (equipment, interior, driving feel)?

Sources or official documents would be very welcome so we can add them to the archive.

Best sources for 911 (993) factory workshop manuals?

Sarah — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 09:03:25 +0000

I am looking for reliable copies of the factory workshop manuals and wiring diagrams for the 993.

Where have you found original or reprinted versions, and are there any volumes that are especially hard to track down?

911 (996) owners: how did you verify the IMS bearing service history?

Sarah — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 09:03:00 +0000

For anyone who has bought a 996, what paperwork or inspection steps did you rely on to confirm whether the IMS bearing had been addressed?

Did a pre-purchase inspection give you enough confidence, or did you ask for invoices from the previous owner?

Porsche 911 (992.1): which options are worth checking for on a used Carrera S?

Sarah — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 09:01:54 +0000

I am shortlisting used 992.1 Carrera S cars and the option lists vary a lot from car to car.

Which factory options do you consider must-haves, and which ones are easy to overlook in a listing? How do you confirm what a specific car was built with?

Where to find original build sheets for 2017 Aston Martin DB11 V12 cars?

Sarah — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 07:45:26 +0000

I am researching an early 2017 Aston Martin DB11 V12 and would like to confirm its original factory specification (paint, interior trim, options and wheels) before buying.

Has anyone here successfully obtained a build sheet or heritage certificate for a DB11? Who did you contact, what details did they need (VIN, ownership proof), and roughly how long did it take?

Any tips on decoding the option list would also be appreciated.

Audi R8 (4S) V10 Plus: ceramic brakes standard or optional by market?

Sarah — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 07:43:13 +0000

The spec sources I have for the 2017 R8 V10 Plus do not agree on whether carbon-ceramic brakes were standard in every market or listed as an option in some.

Does anyone have a 2017 window sticker, order guide or brochure page that settles this for their market? A photo of the relevant page would be great for the archive.

Which 2015–2019 BMW M3 (F80) Competition cars had the updated S55 crank hub?

Sarah — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 07:42:30 +0000

I am collecting build dates for F80 M3 Competition cars to see where the revised S55 crank hub entered production. A few owners say mid-2018 builds already had it, others say only the 2019 run.

If you have a build sheet or a dealer service note that confirms the hub version, please share the production month and VIN range (last 7 digits are enough).

Is the 6MT worth the premium over the 8AT, or is the automatic just better suited for this engine?

Deleted Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 07:29:30 +0000

100% worth it. The auto is faster on paper, but the manual makes the car feel like a true JDM sports car. It completely transforms the driving experience.