Car (or bike) Chat!

[walpurgis]

In case anybody is wondering what the avatars are about. They are Bonneville Salt Flats land speed record attempt vehicles. Various categories obviously.

The favourite being Speed Demon which took the record for wheel driven piston engined cars in 2012 at 439mph. They say 'if something looks right, it is right' and this really looks right. It is a beautiful machine. Sounds amazing too.

Here's the video if anybody is interested. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoriCmQD5zY

[walpurgis]

They say things come in three's. I've just had the breakdown in my Peugeot. The tumble dryer packed up last week and I had to buy another. Now, I take the Vauxhall for a drive this morning and find none of the instruments work. Bugger!!

There's power at the instrument panel 'cos the warning lights etc. work. I had a flat battery the other day. I'm wondering if that had anything to do with it? Anyway, the friendly repair shop by me is going to have a look and do the MOT too as it's due.

I got off lightly with this.

The workshop took the dash apart and found a bad connection. The instruments are functioning OK again. The bill was £110 including the MOT. I had visions of a rebuilt instrument cluster being needed at a cost of hundreds of pounds.

[Marco]

Just a heads up for you guys who like to play around with performance fuels for your car, the new ones from BP (with ACTIVE cleaning technology) are rather good! Apparently, these fuels are all-new and different from those in the previous Ultimate range.

I've been using the diesel version in the Brabster for the last few weeks, and am definitely getting improved economy (clearly indicated by the car's trip computer) and increased performance, in terms of quicker acceleration and overall smoother running - highly recommended!

Details here, and also where your nearest garage is: http://www.bp.com/en_gb/on-the-road/...echnology.html

Marco.

[Marco]

Having some MTEC, drilled and grooved disc brakes (in plain 'silver' finish), fitted to the Brabster. See here and scroll down: http://www.mtecbrakes.com/

These will not only look fab, behind the black alloys, together with the bright-red callipers, and provide more secure braking, but are also 30% lighter than my current discs, thus reducing sprung weight and rotational mass on the wheels accordingly, which should further improve acceleration and fuel economy.

That was certainly the case when I moved from using standard alloy wheels to lightweight performance ones, from Mandrus. The cumulative effect of all these little tweaks defo adds up!

Also, my mechanic noticed that some of the polyurethane bushes, forming part of the Brabus sports suspension, were worn, which I could feel through the back end of the car when braking hard, so those will also be getting replaced with ones from Powerflex, thus maintaining the 'grip' and maximum road-holding potential of the car, especially when throwing it around tight corners at speed...

All good fun! I'll post some pics when the new discs have been fitted

Marco.

[User211]

Got holes in mine. I also got told I have 50% disk wear and I really didn't like the replacement quote. Not cheap. By any means. Should take a while before these are done, though.

[Marco]

Drilled discs are always best for performance cars, plus they look so much better when paired with nice 'open frame' alloys

The price of any Porsche parts is always silly, so you have my sympathies, but with a fast car, don't skimp on brakes!

Marco.

[walpurgis]

Got new discs put on my car when I bought it a few months ago. Nice unblemished solid ones. Cost me over £35 a pair!

[Marco]

Lol - did you ask if you could pay it up?

Here's a wee vid of discs similar to what I'll be getting:



Also got Mintex pads on mine.

Key advantages/differences between drilled and slotted discs/rotors and standard ones:



Marco.

[struth]

Was out for a run today, and popped into Halfords for a looksee. They had this on sale



Its a piece of work this thing. Tests everything and even saves all the car and radio settings in case you have to disconnect the battery. also does specific tickle maintenance charge. Heavy and rubber cover so wont slip easily. Just the ticket for my motor. I have a pretty decent one but this makes it look like a pile of puke PS... dont tell the other charger i said that

[walpurgis]

I like 'Ring' products. They are decent quality.