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C.R.E.A.M. #77.2 Ranking The Worst Car Mods, BYD Bond and Quail WITH BEN AUDIO

C.R.E.A.M. #77.2 Ranking The Worst Car Mods, BYD Bond and Quail WITH BEN AUDIO

C.R.E.A.M. (The TDC Podcast) Apr 10, 2026 84 min
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About this episode

The crew kicks off with garage updates: an S2000 gets sold quickly (and Ben’s “storage unit” plans are teased), the Range Rover’s looming demise is discussed, and a daily search turns into an Alfa Romeo 159 debate—plus CarVertical checks for avoiding hidden problems. The main segment ranks the worst visual mods, landing on fake vents as the #1 offender and wind deflectors near the bottom. They also cover BMW wagon racing news, a UK-made E46 M3 touring, and a wild BYD/Denza James Bond ad featuring a LiDAR “taxi light” scanner. Monterey Car Week access is the final scramble.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Term

starter motor issue

"[124.1s] But also got it back on the road and running and now it works as it should. [126.7s] It's done a few hundred miles now. [128.0s] No starter motor issue."

A starter motor is what gets the engine spinning to start the car. If there’s a starter problem, the car may not start right away or at all.

Car

Honda S2000

"...f weeks and sold it. Now, do you think buying an S2000 and putting it in storage and letting it crust aw..."

The Honda S2000 is a small sports car made by Honda. It’s known for feeling exciting to drive, especially because the engine revs high. The podcast is talking about whether it makes sense to buy one and keep it stored for a while.

Part

CV joint

"[236.3s] Because again, I've kind of resigned myself to the fact that I think the Range Rover will go. [240.6s] The CV joint exploding has been almost a final nail in its quite large coffin. [246.8s] Otherwise, a trouble-free coffin."

A CV joint is a drivetrain part that helps the car’s wheels keep turning smoothly even when the suspension moves. If it “explodes,” the car can start vibrating or making noise and it usually needs a repair right away.

Term

tyre

"You need a tyre. It's going to be expensive. It's just expensive."

They mean tires. Tires wear out and can get expensive, especially if you’re buying the nicer or bigger performance kind.

Company

CarVertical

"But thankfully, again, this episode of the podcast has been sponsored by the guys at CarVertical. It saved me a load of time. I haven't been to view any cars yet, but I've looked at a bunch online, done a car vertical check beforehand just to see."

CarVertical is a website/service that checks a used car’s history. It can help you spot red flags (like accidents or suspicious mileage) before you waste time going to see the car.

Car

Alfa Romeo 159

"Ben, here you go. Here is a photo of an Alfa Romeo 159. Don't tell me that is not one of the best-looking modern cars."

The Alfa Romeo 159 is a mid-size car from Alfa Romeo. They’re saying it still looks good even though it’s old enough to be around 15–20 years.

Term

gearbox

"But the gearbox is a massive weak point. Apart from, apparently, the 2-litre diesel."

The gearbox is what changes the gears so the engine can drive the wheels efficiently. If it’s called a weak point, it means it’s more likely to wear out or break than other parts.

Concept

wagon

"But wagon means... I like black."

A wagon is basically a car with a longer rear area for more cargo space. It’s like a hatchback, but with more room for hauling stuff.

Term

metallic red

"But they did like a metallic red. A dark red."

Metallic red is a red paint that has tiny shiny particles in it. It can look more vibrant or “shimmery” depending on the light.

Concept

storage unit

"if you'll take me as the storage unit at lunchtime. And I'll be going to get my S2000. I think this time next week, Ben's going to go..."

A storage unit is a rented place where you keep a car when you’re not driving it. People do this to keep the car out of the elements and free up space at home.

Term

alignment

"[822.1s] I'm driving the Clio to work every day. [824.8s] The alignment's a little bit rough on that at the moment. [826.9s] It kind of went from quite a cool little road track car."

Alignment is how the wheels are aimed at the road. If it’s off, the car can feel off in steering and the tires can wear out faster.

Car

2010 BMW 535i

"Okay. I'm going to describe to you a car. It is a 2010 BMW 535i."

That’s a BMW 5 Series from 2010, the 535i model. The exact engine and drivetrain version can change how reliable it is and how it feels to drive.

Term

manual

"It's manual and it's an all-wheel drive one."

“Manual” means you shift gears yourself with a clutch and stick. Some people prefer it because it feels more connected and fun to drive.

Term

black over black

"Black over black. Great. It's just black over black. Maybe it is an individual color, but it looks to be black over black."

“Black over black” means the inside of the car is basically all black, just in different shades or areas. They’re pointing out that the cabin color scheme seems to be black throughout.

Concept

auction

"Well, I wish I was at the auction. Because I think... Put a paddle in my hand."

An auction is where people bid against each other to buy a car. The final price can be a good clue to what the car is worth.

Concept

April Fool's thing

"[1225.9s] They did an April Fool's thing saying... [1227.3s] Oh, I pulled up the wrong photo. [1228.2s] Apologies."

An April Fool’s thing is basically a prank announcement. Car companies sometimes do these with fake images or made-up news just for laughs.

Term

boot

"[1393.9s] like the upper rear quarter, [1395.7s] the boot, let's say, [1396.9s] the boot and the roof from that corner,"

“Boot” means the trunk—the storage area at the back of the car. They’re using it to describe the car’s rear shape.

Term

pre-Face Lift

"[1400.1s] And also the rear lights are the normal touring ones, [1402.8s] which are all like the pre-Face Lift ones, [1404.2s] so they don't have..."

“Pre-facelift” just means the car before BMW updated it with a newer front/rear design. It’s like an earlier version of the same model, with different styling details.

Part

exhaust

"It's just the exhaust. It needs a little something, not like,"

The exhaust is the part that carries engine fumes out of the car. Changing it can make the car sound different, and sometimes it also changes what you see at the back.

Part

18 inch wheels

"which are the 18 inch wheels. They also, they're also technically the incorrect color."

18-inch wheels means the wheel size is bigger. Bigger wheels can make the car look different—often lower and more aggressive.

Car

M3 touring

"so you have M3 touring, M3 normal M4. It goes M3. Yeah. M3 touring. I do. I love the new M3 touring."

They mean the BMW M3 wagon (Touring). It’s the same kind of performance as an M3, but in a wagon body style that’s more practical for hauling stuff.

Concept

factory color

"I like it to go a factory color, but like a factory color, not necessarily a BMW color, but one that fits that model."

A factory color is the paint shade the car maker actually sold the car with. People like it because it looks right for that specific model, not like a random repaint.

Term

front lip

"I just want some alpina 18s and alpine front lip and some nice interior stuff and then be happy."

A front lip is a small piece added to the front bumper, usually for looks and a bit of airflow. It can make the car look lower and more aggressive, but it can also get damaged if you scrape it on driveways or speed bumps.

Concept

seven figures

"If I could clear a comfortable seven figures in the account. Seven."

“Seven figures” means a number with at least one million in it. It’s a way of saying “a lot of money” without getting super precise.

Concept

daily driver

"[2223.2s] I would not. [2224.2s] Just to daily? [2225.3s] Or that's my only car?"

A daily driver is the car you drive most days. People usually mean it should be practical and not too annoying to own.

Brand

Volvo

"And James Bond and Volvo and the baseball cap thing. Didn't know about that."

Volvo is a car brand from Sweden. People often associate it with safety and solid, long-lasting cars.

Concept

Monterey Car Week

"So we're going this shit to Monterey Car Week. Get out of here. Another one."

Monterey Car Week is a big yearly car event in California. People show off rare cars, there are auctions, and a lot of car media and collectors show up.

Company

Koenigsegg

"We'll do Kristian Von Koenigseggs at they, at Quale. [2565.3s] We just want to go to the Quale"

Koenigsegg is a company that makes very high-end supercars. The mention here is more of a fun reference than a technical discussion.

Term

Pops and Bangs

"So like Pops and Bangs. I did have Pops and Bangs, but then you decided you wanted visuals. Pops and Bangs."

“Pops and bangs” are the loud crackling or popping sounds a car can make, especially when you lift off the gas. Some people add mods or tune the car to make those sounds happen more often.

Term

chameleon tint

"I think a chameleon tint is an accoutrement. It's an addition to a bad build anyway. A whole car can't be made bad by a chameleon tint, if that makes sense."

Chameleon tint is a special tint for your windows that can look different colors in different light. Some people love the effect, but others think it looks weird or over-the-top.

Term

baby on board

"What about the one on the fiesta that was a baby on board? Brackets me. I'm crying."

“Baby on board” is a sign people put in their car to tell other drivers there’s a baby inside. It’s more of a sticker/accessory than a real car upgrade.

Brand

Aston Martin

"[4343.5s] I remembered it. [4344.0s] Aston Martin V12 Antige. [4345.2s] Yeah. [4345.5s] And I said to Ben, you buy your Aston Martin V12."

Aston Martin is a luxury car brand from the UK. People associate it with fancy, high-performance cars, and some models are famous for their powerful engines.

Term

700

"Early one, just a 700. And the shape of it is unmatched."

“700” is probably shorthand for a high-performance Aventador version—often talked about in terms of horsepower. The exact model isn’t fully clear from this snippet.

Term

Gintani spec

"[4661.1s] But you are also... [4662.4s] You want the high pitch, the Gintani spec. [4664.4s] But it can be done."

“Gintani spec” means the car has been set up the way Gintani would—usually with performance upgrades. Here they’re saying it can change the sound so it’s more high-pitched.

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