Cover story01 / Machines
“Which Volvo XC70 from 2007 to 2016 should you buy, and what goes wrong with them?”
Volvo XC70 problems: the all-rounder, checked.
The XC70 covers commuting, family duty, towing and forest tracks in one car. Here is which engine to pick, which years to avoid and what breaks.
The format
Asked & answered
Every story here starts with a real question. You get the straight answer first — then the depth, if you want it.
Events
What is Speed Control in Bielefeld, and what does a day of RC racing there cost?
Short answer: Speed Control Zone sits at Dunlopstraße 47 in Bielefeld-Sennestadt, in a 1,400 m² former warehouse, and opened in April 2026.Read the answer
Machines
Why change brake fluid, and how often does it actually need doing?
Short answer: Glycol-ether brake fluid is hygroscopic by design, because moisture spread thinly through the whole brake system is safer than one free droplet sitting in a bore.Read the answer
Craft
Which resin 3D printer should you buy in 2026 – what does it cost to buy and to run, how safe is it at home, and which one prints model railway vehicles in H0 and N?
Short answer: The Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K ($399 or €419 in the November sale) is the best all-rounder: fine 14-micron pixels, a tilting vat, a heated tank and a camera.Read the answer
Bonds
Does retirement make you healthier, or more vulnerable to illness?
Short answer: Both, but not at the same time. In the best longitudinal data, fatigue and depressive symptoms collapse within a year of retiring while rates of chronic disease do not move at all.Read the answer
Machines
Sport
Q.053Why do people drop when shot — and why do some keep going?Not from impact. A bullet carries far too little momentum to knock anyone over — the collapse is nervous system, blood pressure and psychology.
Q.001What does it actually take to start long-range shooting — legally, here in Europe?Permits, the first rifle, glass and range time. A practical start, written from the question up — without the forum myths.
Sport shooting, hunting and the ballistics behind them. Laws differ by country — we always say which one we mean.
Bonds
Why do some people say no first and come round later, while others say yes to everything?What happens to life after retirement when work falls away – and what do you do with all that free time?
Show all →
Craft
Which 3D printer should you buy in 2026 – what does it cost, what can it print, how easy is it to use, and does the AI actually help?What tools does a home garage really need first?
Show all →
Gaming
What changes with WARDOGS Season 3, and is the game worth playing?WARDOGS Season 3 starts on 12 November 2026 with the Sabatulo map, Limited Mode and a full reset. Why the three-team shooter is worth playing.
Which full-size mechanical keyboard with macro keys is best if you want a soft keystroke that isn't too flat?The 5 best full-size mechanical keyboards with macro keys, scored out of 10: the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro wins, the Redragon K550 is the best value.
Is a direct-drive wheel worth it for your first sim rig?Direct drive is the dream. For a first rig, the pedals and the frame often matter more.
Events
Events
What is Speed Control in Bielefeld, and what does a day of RC racing there cost?
Short answer: Speed Control Zone sits at Dunlopstraße 47 in Bielefeld-Sennestadt, in a 1,400 m² former warehouse, and opened in April 2026.Read the answer
Events
When is the Technorama Kassel in 2027, and what is there to find at the classic car fair?
Short answer: Technorama Kassel 2027 takes place on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 April 2027 at Messe Kassel, Damaschkestraße 55.Read the answer
Events
When is the Cars & Stripes Drag Day at Meinerzhagen airfield, and who is allowed to run?
Short answer: The Drag Day runs at Meinerzhagen airfield, Marienheider Straße 2, as a quarter-mile fun race on a Saturday in May.Read the answer
Travel
Apex Race on YouTube
Car meets, reviews and builds — on video.