It is a royal pain to pull the trans out of an original, a Kirkham, a ERA.
what is the point? Not something you do every week.

The quality of the SPF is outstanding. Backdrafts aren't a POS either(in the real sense) They are a good car. They also don't come with all the extras the SPF comes with. Soft top, tonnaeu, heater, smith gauges, knock offs fresh air vents.

You have to get them side by side and then test drive both. Then pick the one you like. You should not choose by price alone.

I don't know what the deal is with an SPF or a BDR with pulling the trans, never done one. But access to major components and the ability to service a vehicle should be a consideration when you buy. Take my friends FFR, the speedo gear didn't work, he had to pull the trans to make the repair. Getting the trans out was SUCH a pain in the butt he waited over a year and drove with no speedo during that time. He had a hard time finding ANY repair shop that would even take the job. When he did find a shop willing to do it the cost was substantial and the mechanic won't be doing it again, for any price!

I've had the trans out of my ERA a couple of times, I can do it by myself in an afternoon. My other friend has had his T5 out of his Classic Roadster, a couple of times, by himself. In both cases no big deal.

A difficult to service/repair replica is going to cause more head ache's and cost more to maintain than one that is easier to access/repair. In that regard it is a "BFD", at least to me, I do my own work. If you don't do your own work, you can write a smaller or larger check for repairs, your call.

Yep FFR MK 1 was a pain, but the MK 3 is much easier, did my own in the garage!

SPF trans pull isn't difficult. Take out the front seats (8 bolts), remove the shifter handle and tunnel (bolts in place), remove the driveshaft from above, and pull the trans from the cockpit.

Actually pretty darn easy.

I know I can get you atleast 10 year financing. Imagine want the final cost would be at 20 years?

If component removal is a consideration when buying a car then a SPF GT40 and BDRGT are out of the question, you have to remove the engine to change the waterpump!!

Max, OUCH! :LOL:

I need to bleed the brakes on my ERA, with inboard brakes. I been putting it off. A simple job, bleeding brakes, I'd rather help my friend pull the T5 out of his FFR. :D

Forgot to mention that I'd like a no interest loan for the 20 years as well...:LOL::LOL:

And that is exactly what you are getting........ No interest!

Yeah, but that's an easy pull :LOL:

Both are great cars. The SPF seems to have more standard features. I was suprised to find out that a limited slip rear end was an option on the BDR.:eek:

Exactly.....less than a 1 hr job.

Bill,

Easier to pull the trans on a BD? LOL you must be joking!
The short list of BD headaches:
Trans tunnel was not removable (unless you have a saw! see the pictures in my gallery)
Trans tunnel tapers so rapidly that the trans collides with the tunnel walls before the input shaft clears the bell housing
Welded in cross member will not allow the tail shaft housing to drop down for trans removal
Differential angle 3.5 deg nose high (did I hear someone say vibration?)
Welded in cross member did not allow for adjustment
Welded in cross member had no drain hole and was filled with rusty black water.

Which part of the SPF is over rated?

I do like the BD at its price point, but I dont think near the car the SPF is car for car.

D-cel

As a prominent SPF dealer likes to do... you are comparing a very early generation BDR to a late generation SPF. Everything you have described does not apply to a BDR of this year, last year, or the year before.

In such a comparison, there is a gen of SPF that requires cutting to make the tranny removal "easy".

Both cars have evolved and will continue to evolve. Competition is great, it keeps us both moving in the right direction and the customers are the ultimate benefactors. There are people who have owned an SPF and now own a BDR as there are BDR owners that now own a SPF.

I like the SPFs, it is a different approach to the same general concept. Obviously if you are after a dead ringer for an original the SPF maybe a better choice for you (but not the best choice). So rank what is important and have at it.

The heart of these cars is under the hood, with a $50k budget you will have more under the hood with the BDR.

D-cel,

Oops, I guess my opinion is over ruled here. SPF wins. It is sad to say a persons opinion isn't his opinion but a battering ram for others. If you can't take someones opinion for what it is worth, huh oh well. By the way my opinion is the SPF brakes even with wilwood brakes can't hold a candle to a E-46 BMW stock brake. How much was that extra.

Bill

I wouldn't kick either out of my garage. I looked at both, in additiion to a few others. SPF comes with more standard features, slightly better paint, & a more authentic look regarding size/wheelbase- at a higher price point. But I liked the updated suspension on the BDR, & the slightly more generous dimensions. The accessories don't really bother me. Most people you talk to have never used their soft top. I'm glad mine does NOT have one, as I don't have to deal with all the snaps & ferrules around the cockpit... a much cleaner look. (it never rains in Southern California) I suppose a tonneau would be nice, but I never park it out of my sight anyway, so no biggie. As for the gauges... meh... no big deal. The Smiths gauges are a kick, but I've got the autometer repro's that give me the same period correct "look" of authenticity. There are subtle differences among all of the bodies... and you'll figure out which you like best in pretty short order.

... and the BDR has one of the prettiest engine compartments around. All the polished stainless panels really set off a nice engine.

Authenticity isn't really a concern of mine. I wanted the "flavor" of the original with an updated chassis/suspension/drivetrain. If authenticity is your thing, the SPF gets the nod. Better yet, a Kirkham!

Bottom line... figure out what's important to YOU. Everyone's got their own opinion on these beasts. It's good to make an informated decision, but don't over-analyze... don't buy as an investment... and don't buy for re-sale. Buy it because you JUST GOTTA HAVE IT!

That could only happen on this website. On other websites I am a member of the dealers/builders stay out of discussions regarding their own products. I have wondered about this for a while on this site.

sp01715,

You are correct about the dealers staying out of the forum, and I'm not very if all vocal on this forum. If you have read the whole post, and you probably have. I do have insight on both cars and was not stating one over the other. Just wanting a individual to come to the shop and compare. A perfect situation for someone looking to compare the two cars. A straight honest way to do business. It seems that some prominent dealers can't and don't offer the same.

Slick61, very well said. I wish I had taken the higher road to these last few post.

Bill

Lets ago about it this way, what do we think each manufacturer could do to make themselves better:

1) Better carpet
2) No useless side view mirror

I guess my list is pretty short but neither the SPF or BDR has carpet worth a flip.

????? What generation? The early cars have less bolts holding in the tunnel than the later ones, but the tunnel still comes out on either one. I have done very early SPF's and very late ones. The hardest part is the dumdum glueing the tunnel in. I know of NO SPF that requires "cutting" to remove the trans.:p