View Full Version : Car (or bike) Chat!
I wonder if the thousands of nay sayers on t'internet have no central heating in their houses, somehow managed to get their Sinclair Spectrum to connect to the internet, only watch 3 TV channels on a black and white CRT television and still carry a bag of 10ps and 2ps for the phone box ‘cos owning a mobile phone isn’t like "the good old days?" :D
Lol... Exactly which "naysayers" are you referring to, sweety?
Once I know that, I'll respond accordingly, save to say that I hate central heating (its dry, artificial heat gives me a headache), and I've always had access to a real coal/log fire in every house I've lived in, which in my view are better than any modern form of heating, and that I love 'retro computers', DETEST smartphones (what they stand for in today's society), and find old red phone boxes rather 'cute'!!:lol:
So I would fundamentally disagree that "everything progresses", at least certainly not always for the better...
Marco.
maybe 85 actuators under the ecu, as opposed to 85 ecu's
Apparently not according to what I've read: :scratch:
From this article (https://driving.ca/land-rover/auto-shows/frankfurt-motor-show/first-look-2020-land-rover-defender) - but 85 was also mentioned in the Drivetribe review too.
Overall, the new Defender – unlike the old, which wouldn’t recognize a microprocessor if it ran over one – has no less than 85 ECUs, 14 of which control the engine, braking and other key systems and can be updated over the air. An embedded diagnostic system constantly informs dealers of any issues the SUV might be having, which, says Land Rover, means your parts could be waiting for you when you arrive for your service appointment.
Lol... Exactly which "naysayers" are you referring to, sweety?
I suspect "Facebook" won't be your thing either, then!? :lol: I'm a member of various Land Rover groups on there, and there are many died-in-the wool hair-shirt-wearing Land Rover enthusiasts who hate the idea of a modern Defender and think is it sacrilege to call it by that name...
I suspect "Facebook" won't be your thing either, then!? :lol:
Lol no... Don't do Facebook, Twitter or any other forms of banal, mind-numbing social media. In that respect, this place should be enough for anyone!:D
Seriously though, I don't post on any Merc forums, car-modifying forums, football forums, food forums, wine forums, or forums pertaining to any other 'interests' I reputedly have or otherwise, such as crossdressing:lol::eyebrows:
They can take up WAY too much of your time, as you well know, dahling!
Anyway, thanks for the clarification:)
Marco.
Beobloke
10-09-2019, 13:32
Apparently not according to what I've read: :scratch:
From this article (https://driving.ca/land-rover/auto-shows/frankfurt-motor-show/first-look-2020-land-rover-defender) - but 85 was also mentioned in the Drivetribe review too.
Oh Christ, that’s the last vestige of reliability out of the window then!
walpurgis
10-09-2019, 13:39
No doubt the New Defender will have been refined to the point where it drives like a Discovery, have monocoque construction instead of a proper separate chassis and any 'tinkery' bits designed out.
Lol no... Don't do Facebook, Twitter or any other forms of banal, mind-numbing social media. In that respect, this place should be enough for anyone!:D
Regards Facebook et al, it's like anything - used properly and in moderation it's a great tool. I only joined when we had the first nipper, but being able to share photos easily for grandparents etc. was a godsend, and it keeps me in touch with old colleagues and friends. So yes, a lot of it can be as you describe, but it is no different really to a forum, just a different tool for the job if you keep control of it rather than letting it control you.
No doubt the New Defender will have been refined to the point where it drives like a Discovery, have monocoque construction instead of a proper separate chassis and any 'tinkery' bits designed out.
Exactly that - really, it should be the new Discovery IMHO. (I hate the look of the current one, this one I could live with.)
Problem is I think Jaguar Land Rover have too many vehicles competing in the same space - and the difference between a basic spec and top spec is crazy on all models - almost double on the new Defender from the base model to the "X".
Regards Facebook et al, it's like anything - used properly and in moderation it's a great tool.
Sure, but only if used properly and your lifestyle lends itself to it. Mine doesn't, so trust me, I'd benefit in no way whatsoever from being on Facebook. Quite the opposite. It'd do my tits in, as present company excluded, I can't stand some of the tossers on it!
Most of my friends now live locally, or within a reasonable car drive. Plus, I see the closest members of my family regularly, as they'll come to visit me, or I'll visit them, and if I want to contact them outside of that, I can email them, or shock horror, phone them up for a chat on a LANDLINE PHONE!:eek::D
Remember those?
So honestly, other than when I'm on here, I can't be arsed sitting typing pish to folk on the Internet - just isn't me. I'd rather exist in the real world, than a virtual one.
Marco [rresolutely refuses to conform to today's 'norm'. simply because he doesn't have to].
InThe Sticks
10-09-2019, 17:34
Any views on this, Gary? Your silence is deafening!;)
Marco.
Very nice, but been there and done that (and some).
The ST will be taken to around 280-290bhp with a map, bigger intercooler, exhaust and induction, but cosmetically it’ll stay the same as it is now.
At some point these will start to rise in price and nothing hurts that more than adding a boat load of modifications. I may get another car and store this and just use it a few times a year to blow the cobwebs out.
As for me saying i’ve been there and done that..
Pic of my old track/road car (at RAF Marham Richard Burns charity day) that i sold a few years ago. If you like a low and a firm ride, this would have shaken your teeth out. All round coilovers, chassis and strut braces, plus fully poly bushed. Driving it over to the Ring was painful to say the least. In fact just driving it to Snetterton every month was fairly unpleasant.
https://i.imgur.com/h2ogHVN.jpg
Also a video someone took of me when a bunch of us took people out for a quick spin on the auto test track (for charity of course).
Thats how a turbo should sound, although the turbo i was using at the time was far too laggy for that track and it was slippery as ice.
Thats my excuse anyway.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhAyqVcSjn8
And, in case you were wondering my real name is Jon/Jonathan, Gary is a nickname thats stuck due to me “Garrying” up a fair amount of my own and others cars over the years.
Wow - nice one, erm, Jon! :respect:
Could you please alter your profile to reflect your real name?
Anyway, that sounds like a cool plan and a lot of fun with your ST, so I hope it goes well. I understand, and to an extent agree with your point on modifications devaluing 'desirable' cars. Sometimes that's the case, but IME not when its done right, using the highest quality parts, from specialist companies well known by car enthusiasts, and which fundamentally improve a car's performance.
For me, that would not deter the right kind of buyer for the right car, in the same way as a sympathetically and professionally modified pair of vintage loudspeakers wouldn't deter a discerning hi-fi enthusiast, who ultimately values sound quality more than originality...
I mean, you're not going to tell me that the remap, bigger intercooler and improved exhaust system you're having done is going to 'devalue' your ST?;) Therefore, IMO, neither would a set of bigger (bad-ass black) alloy rims, from the likes of BBS...
But then, I never buy cars for investment purposes, or worry about losing money on them. I buy them to fulfil a specific purpose, mod them if necessary, and most importantly to have some fun in them, making sure I get my money's worth in the process, before (undoubtedly) eventually selling them on at a 'loss'.
But what price could I put on all the years of pleasure I've had out of the mods, in terms of how they fundamentally improved the car's performance, and just driving it in general? In that respect, I don't give a toss how much I've 'lost'. The gains, especially in terms of all the FUN I've had, completely outweigh the money I'll eventually lose. It's only money! That certainly applies with my Brabster. Anyway, keep us posted on your exploits with the ST, as we like hearing about such projects!:cool:
Marco.
InThe Sticks
10-09-2019, 20:07
Horses for courses with anything one is buying/selling.
Yes, some people want a ready made car with all the right bits on, but a lot don’t. Especially with anything thats becoming or is desirable. For instance, i sold my Sierra XR4x4 a short while ago which was mint and standard bar the Cosworth wheels i had on it. Some of the first questions i was asked were “do you have the original wheels and is the head unit original”.
Yes, bigger wheels/tyres and a more hi tech stereo perform better, but imo they do deduct value. A lot of value imo.
My brother sold his £3800 Capri two and half years after buying it for 12K, mainly because it was original, i.e no speaker holes cut into the parcel shelf or door cards etc. Try getting that return from money in the bank!
I bought the ST because it’s bog standard and hasn’t been mapped beyond its capability. For £350 one can get a stage 3 map installed which will (on a std car) destroy the clutch/flywheel, crack the cylinder liners and generally weaken everything else if the supporting mods aren’t done at the same time. Might be fun for the owner at the time, but you wouldn’t want to buy that car a few years later.
When it came time to sell my track car i couldn’t give it away, despite spending an eye watering amount of money on it. In the end i got 3 times my asking price by breaking it for the separate parts.
But..
As you say, you can’t put a price on the fun one has in ones car. I’ve made life long friends from all the track days, ring trips etc that i wouldn’t have done if i hadn’t chosen that path on modding that car and spending what i did.
I stopped counting at well (well) over £30K on the mods and track time/travel, but given the chance to rewind and not do it, would i..
Fuck no, just no!
Also i noticed you got some grief from some morons for modding your Merc, but as far as i’m concerned , if you’re enjoying it and not hurting anyone else, then fair play, fill your boots. We only have one (short) chance to have fun, so make the most of it and fuck the naysayers opinions.
Horses for courses with anything one is buying/selling.
Yes, some people want a ready made car with all the right bits on, but a lot don’t. Especially with anything thats becoming or is desirable. For instance, i sold my Sierra XR4x4 a short while ago which was mint and standard bar the Cosworth wheels i had on it. Some of the first questions i was asked were “do you have the original wheels and is the head unit original”.
Yes, bigger wheels/tyres and a more hi tech stereo perform better, but imo they do deduct value. A lot of value imo.
You're absolutely right, but it's only because some buyers are obsessed with originality (often for no logical reason), and crucially, worried about affecting the resale value of their purchase!:doh:
For me, that's not what owning cars is about, but each to his or her own, and I feel exactly the same with hi-fi equipment. Almost all my gear, both modern and vintage, has been [professionally and sympathetically] modified in some way, so as to fundamentally improve its sonic performance, and I don't give a damn if that adversely affects its resale value, because aside from anything else, chances are I'll never sell it.
I'm not a box-swapper, or for that matter a car-swapper. I like buying nice things that are a bit different from the norm, and which I consider 'punch above their weight', as it were, even as standard, then make no-brainer improvements to them, simply for my own personal satisfaction. That's just me!
And when it comes to preserving originality, yes I like certain things, particularly if they're vintage, to remain in their original condition - if that's something genuinely worth cherishing - but am not averse to buying the likes of a vintage car, which I know has been sympathetically and professionally modified or restored, providing the core parts that make it desirable are still intact.
A relevant example, in reference to audio, is my 1960s 15" Tannoy MGs, in Lockwood cabinets. The core bits which make them good/desirable (the drivers themselves and the cabinets) are still fully intact, but the internal wiring, speaker terminals and crossover components have all been replaced (and vastly improved) with the best modern components, the combination of which has MASSIVELY improved their performance.
And I see that as being exactly the same as what you're going to be doing to your ST, in a car sense, and what I've done with my Merc. Every modification undertaken has been carried out by experts, so that what's been fitted instead is fundamentally no-brainer better than what it replaced. And any car enthusiast who saw it or drove it, would know it!
Do I give a fuck whether my car or speakers (or anything else I own that's been modified) has been 'devalued' in the process? Of course not, as it's fulfilled a purpose. The subsequent cost is simply filed under fun-factor!:D
I'm not a collector of cars or hi-fi equipment for originality or investment. That's not my hobby. I'm a car enthusiast and music lover, so the enjoyment for me is in USING and APPRECIATING, and often not selling what I've bought. Therefore its resale value is a virtual non-issue.
As you say, you can’t put a price on the fun one has in ones car. I’ve made life long friends from all the track days, ring trips etc that i wouldn’t have done if i hadn’t chosen that path on modding that car and spending what i did.
I stopped counting at well (well) over £30K on the mods and track time/travel, but given the chance to rewind and not do it, would i..
Fuck no, just no!
Exactly, and ditto!
Aside from all the fun I've had doing up my car, I've made good friends with the mechanic [he's really rather more than just a mechanic, more of an engine-tuning/modifying specialist, writes his own software for maps, etc], and who's carried out all the work on my car to date. I met him through another friend of mine, and consequently he always looks after me really well when I want something done to my car.
He loves it that I'm as into the whole process of judiciously modifying cars as he is, extracting every last ounce of performance, and crucially love doing a job RIGHT, and it costing what it costs, rather than carrying out bodges on the cheap, which he loathes. He actively discourages having customers with that type of mentality!
Basically, he's one of these guys who's a complete perfectionist/diehard enthusiast, and so takes a real pride in his work. I've sat and watched him up close and know what he's about, plus I've experienced the fundamental improvements to my car his advice and skills have resulted in, so for me it'a all win-win...
And everyone who's driven my car, or been a passenger in it, has commented on it being a 'rocket ship', but a safe one, as it handles brilliantly - and that's largely because of how well balanced it is, as a result of the modifications (both Brabus and those I've had carried out), especially the important bits you don't see!;)
Trust me, it wouldn't have been capable of that level of performance when it originally left the Merc factory, as a standard C350 CDI Elegance..... But you know that yourself from having done similar things to other cars.
On our recent holiday to France and Italy, where I'd taken the car, numerous people took pictures of it, or stopped to admire it where it was parked [I watched them from across the road, whilst having a drink or a meal at a bar or restaurant:eyebrows:], or if I was with the car, asked me what it was, if they were unaware of Brabus [often folk are familiar with AMG, but not Brabus], or how exactly the car had been modified. And in terms of that, well when I bought the car secondhand for £16k, just under three years ago, the previous owner had spent nearly the same amount on fitting it with Brabus parts!!:eek:
I have all the original receipts from the Mercedes dealership who carried out the modification work. It was all sorts, including bespoke alloy wheels, exhaust system, sports suspension, engine tuning, steering wheel, illuminated gear-shift stick [see below], door fobs, floor mats, illuminated door sills and sports control pedals [see below] and more! All original Brabus parts.
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/923/AOsyom.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/923/h4Ensh.png
Me being me though, and wanting to push the envelope further, I replaced some of them for items from other specialist manufacturers I considered were better [e.g. wheels and stainless-steel quad exhaust system] and got good money for the Brabus ones, the sale of which partly funded the cost of their replacements.
The best was the D6 'tuning box', I replaced with a bespoke remap, which in the end produced far superior results. I made a packet from that, simply because of the Brabus badge!:eyebrows:
Also i noticed you got some grief from some morons for modding your Merc, but as far as i’m concerned , if you’re enjoying it and not hurting anyone else, then fair play, fill your boots. We only have one (short) chance to have fun, so make the most of it and fuck the naysayers opinions.
Spot on again. I give less than the slightest flying fuck what said morons think; in fact much of their clueless bile is beyond comical!:D
But I won't go there, as it would give those inadequates the satisfaction of acknowledging their pitiful existence.
Marco.
Bought the wife an ex demo Mazda 3 Maxx Sport 2 litre last week, Nov 18 build with 2065 km on the clock.
NIce car with way too many toys.
Nice one, Steve. I quite like Mazdas, especially the engines:)
Marco.
We have 3 Mazda 3s atm
Mine is a 2006 2.0 Maxx Sport manual, The wife's old one is a 2006 SP23 auto plus the new one which is also auto.
Mine is going in for some work, so I'll be driving the SP23 for a while, once mine is done, the SP23 will be going to the step son as I prefer manual.
Pigmy Pony
11-09-2019, 06:05
Prior to the Honda Civic we had a Mazda 323 2.0 sport, and that car (we had it for 4 years) never missed a beat. And it was so quiet, when at lights you couldn't hear it running. I bet I could have stood a 50p on the engine while ticking over, no problem. We would probably have gone for another Mazda, but this was eight years ago and I didn't like the way the newer ones looked.
Mazda MX5 was voted most reliable car by Which? readers.
bought this one new.. an octavia top spec. was a superb motor.
https://live.staticflickr.com/4838/45696841031_fdcb896177_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2cC5fMv)5 (https://flic.kr/p/2cC5fMv) by , on Flickr
Skoda's are good cars now, essentially VWs!:)
Marco.
Skoda's are good cars now, essentially VWs!:)
Marco.
yeah, it was much higher rated than the equ vw etc at time. build quality was very good, and everything worked as it should. alas the wife had another bad turn and was pretty much bed bound and it wasnt doing enough mileage so i moved it and had to take a hit. Biggish Deisels need to be run enough to stop them going wrong.
Pigmy Pony
11-09-2019, 17:48
The pic you used for my avatar is rather out of date Marco, I have a goatee these days as I was finding shaving a real ball ache.
The pic you used for my avatar is rather out of date Marco, I have a goatee these days as I was finding shaving a real ball ache.
I thought it was Paul McCartney!
InThe Sticks
11-09-2019, 19:13
So, my exhaust was due to arrive today and i tracked the delivery online which gave a time of between 7-8pm.
And low and behold, the driver couldn’t be arsed working later than 6:30pm.
I got the usual bullshit blurb from Parcel Force..
“your parcel has been returned to our depot following an attempted delivery or a problem finding the address. Our driver will have left a card explaining what to do next where delivery has been attempted”
Yeah right, there was no attempted delivery and certainly no card left.
W@nkers!
Indeed, mate. I've had the same pish before... I deal with it by giving hell to whatever fucktard actually delivers it, telling them in no uncertain terms what I think of the 'explanation card' they (or one of their fellow fucktards) didn't leave!!
Don't care if it wasn't them, as chances are they'll have been guilty of the same thing themselves on another occasion... I don't believe in just putting up with shit. Moan enough times about it, and the message will hopefully penetrate!
Marco.
InThe Sticks
12-09-2019, 19:37
I sent a reasonable email to Parcelforce and they seemed to take it seriously and asked if i wanted them to speak to the driver involved.
Ermm, yes fcuking please. They should do that automatically!
Anyway, i went to the depot at 8am and asked if i could collect before they tried to redeliver and the lady on the counter was brilliant. She personally removed my huge parcel from the van and wheeled it over to me in a cage.
And best of all, my boss let me fit it in work time!
Some pretty good weight saving here..
https://i.imgur.com/3iiQBhD.jpg
And fitted..
https://i.imgur.com/GGPYuo7.jpg
Also the map was done today and has yielded a decent result (although pitiful compared to the cars i work on) so all in all a good day was had.
Nice one, Jon. Looking good! And yes, it seems like you've achieved a significant weight saving.:)
How's it sounding now, and what figures did you get with the remap?
The weight loss was primarily why I sold my Brabus SS quad exhaust system, as it had one of those bulky back-boxes too, and replaced it with a 'straight through' SS quad system, from Longlife, see here: https://www.longlife.co.uk/performance
I did that in conjunction with a bespoke remap (the chap I mentioned who's done work for NASCAR - his maps are legendary) and a DPS/EGR delete. Plus I had the turbo and injectors professionally cleaned and fully reconditioned, the cumulative effect of which was MASSIVE!:eek::eek:
It was like driving a new (much faster and more responsive) car. The kick you get now, and how you're also thrown back into your seat, when accelerating hard, plus the satisfyingly deep 'roar', from the pipes at the back, is rather grin-inducing...:D Then not long afterwards I had the engine 'Terracleaned': https://www.terraclean.co.uk/ which I'd thoroughly recommend, and haven't looked back since!:cool:
I may have bigger injectors fitted, and there's a couple of improvements that can be done to the turbo too, so we'll see. The weight-loss factor is significant though, as you can gain in performance just as much, if not more sometimes, by shedding weight, as by increasing power [you'll know this all too well yourself], subsequently increasing the car's handling and agility.
Aside from looks, that's one of the reasons why I sold the Brabus wheels, and replaced them with Rotary Forged alloys, from Mandrus, which are super-light. Honestly, with no tyre on one, you can lift it up with your pinky, and mine are 19" rims! Not sure if you've heard of Rotary Forging, but the advantages are explained here (in reference to Porsches):https://www.victorequipmentwheels.com/custom-porsche-rims-wheels/rotary-forged-porsche-wheels.php
This is the company I got my Mercedes wheels from: https://www.mandruswheels.com/mercedes-benz-wheels/rotary_forged_mercedes_wheels_rims.php
Also, a couple of good videos explaining the benefits of Rotary Forging, and in subsequently reducing rotational mass:
https://youtu.be/BZQtHQXZZCU
https://youtu.be/_XSkWn1V8Vk
Marco.
InThe Sticks
13-09-2019, 19:53
Exhaust is sounding good, not too loud as to be intrusive, but gives the unique 5 cylinder burble reminiscent of the Quattro rally cars of that era and crackles like a bastard upon gear change.
The figures are fairly tame at 275 bhp & 325 ft-lb torque, but thats more than enough for a car used for going shopping once a week. If i want fast i’ll hop on my bike.
Your wheels look great, They really do make “the” difference.
I recall i had Performance friction floating discs and was testing EBC bluestuff pads (all free for feedback) at the time of the pic i posted and along with the magnesium wheels it made quite a difference. It was all lighter the OE.
Unsprung weight is the holy grail!
Nice one, Glad your exhaust is sounding good - thought it might! Those are still pretty respectable figures for a car of that size - should be nippy enough....:eyebrows:
Cheers, my wheels are the 'Rotec' in matt black, shown here: https://www.mandruswheels.com/rotec-mercedes-wheels.php
I think they look quite cool on the car:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/923/7tbJgh.jpg
And the car, exactly as I bought it from the dealership, fitted with its original Brabus wheels:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/922/n4OB0n.png
I use EBC Yellowstuff pads and their GD drilled and grooved Sport rotors, shown via link below [fitted after above pics were taken], which again are lighter than the norm, and most importantly stop the car very quickly when necessary!:eyebrows:
https://ebcbrakes.com/product/3gd-sport-rotors/
I'm also now rolling on Michelin Pilot Sport 4S: https://www.carthrottle.com/post/michelin-pilot-sport-4-s-review-the-new-top-dog-of-the-tyre-world/
Good review video:
https://youtu.be/OeyU5RtjYSQ
Best tyres I've ever used - just superb grip in all conditions, very quiet and last pretty long, which is just as well as they're not cheap in 255/30/R19!
Marco.
Managed to find some pics of the Michelins...
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/923/7tbJgh.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/924/piV7Oy.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/924/BFT1SZ.jpg
Lovely low-profile - perfect for speed bumps and potholes, combined with a lowered sports suspension!:D
Some sexy pipes, from Longlife:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/921/aXx9Qn.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/921/cKyIMo.jpg
The ones shown above were the original Brabus ones, which I though stuck out a bit too much from bumper.
Illustrated best here:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/911/e7oiaZ.jpg
You can see the difference with the Longlife pipes.
Marco.
Audio Al
14-09-2019, 08:29
I see you still have the Bra Bus ;):ner:
immaculate as ever... mine badly needs a wash and hoover etc.:doh:
walpurgis
14-09-2019, 08:56
immaculate as ever... mine badly needs a wash and hoover etc.:doh:
I hoovered mine once. About two years ago if I recall. I did bung it through the car wash this April though. :)
I see you still have the Bra Bus ;):ner:
Yesh, it was named in our honour of your magnificent man boobs!:D
Marco.
immaculate as ever... mine badly needs a wash and hoover etc.:doh:
Lol... It can be hard work keeping a car clean, period, especially to the standards I insist upon! Shame I'm not nearer, as I'd have kept yours in showroom condition... I enjoy it:)
This is mainly for Jon. Found some better pics of the illuminated door sills, sports pedals and mats:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/540/iaFTRx.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/537/ruAmQo.jpg
I think the guy who had the car before me paid about £2.5k for those alone!:eek:
Marco.
Lol... It can be hard work keeping a car clean, period, especially to the standards I insist upon! Shame I'm not nearer, as I'd have kept yours in showroom condition... I enjoy it:)
This is mainly for Jon. Found some better pics of the illuminated door sills, sports pedals and mats:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/540/iaFTRx.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/537/ruAmQo.jpg
Marco.
nice.. i cant get into positions to do a decent job, so it just gets what it gets im afraid.
I know, mate. It's hard enough for me, and I'm pretty fit. Keeping the inside of car clean especially is hard work. It just pisses me off if it's dirty.
Marco.
Here's the Brabus 'tuning box', which came with the car, and that I sold when I had the bespoke remap done...
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/924/TZrmxJ.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/923/Pnmyz8.jpg
I think the previous owner paid about £1200 for that, new and installed.... Essentially it cost me fuck all, and I sold it for just shy of £500:D
Marco.
InThe Sticks
14-09-2019, 18:15
I use EBC Yellowstuff pads and their GD drilled and grooved Sport rotors, shown via link below [fitted after above pics were taken], which again are lighter than the norm, and most importantly stop the car very quickly when necessary!:eyebrows:
Marco.
They are very very good pads, a few of us were given some yellows and reds to test by EBC along with the blues for track and they faired well. I have to say that the yellows were the best for fast road use as the reds just lacked bite when given some grief and the blues wouldn’t heat up enough on the road to be even considered safe. That said, when i used the yellows on track prior to swapping to the blues they literally crumbled to dust when removed, but to be fair to EBC they weren’t really meant for the abuse i gave them.
The blues on the other hand were awesome when warmed up (and that took a few laps), but left some nasty deposits on my discs which had to be buffed off after every track day..
https://i.imgur.com/GnNXI0W.jpg
When cleaned up..
https://i.imgur.com/XnIN4Ee.jpg
They eventually destroyed my DBA discs and i was given some Performance Friction discs which were far more suitable and lasted the course.
And for no other reason other than i’ve spent the afternoon drinking with my buddy whom i used to race against and we were reminiscing our battles at various tracks, and this kept coming up trumps ..
Brands in the snow, and yes, they let us all race until it was almost impossible put traction down. Fun though!
https://i.imgur.com/ZJRjriv.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/tjxmnfP.jpg
I miss the fun, but not the money pit that car was.
Audio Al
14-09-2019, 18:23
Yesh, it was named in our honour of your magnificent man boobs!:D
Marco.
you been looking again on the pay per view web cam :o
Pigmy Pony
15-09-2019, 21:08
you been looking again on the pay per view web cam :o
I saw that, money well spent imv. Didn't know they did boob jobs for blokes, no way are they real :eyebrows:
Audio Al
15-09-2019, 21:26
I saw that, money well spent imv. Didn't know they did boob jobs for blokes, no way are they real :eyebrows:
This is my ebay user name big-b(.)(.)s :D
Now that I can finally post pics, here's my Saab
https://i.postimg.cc/rs6bL8yD/IMG-20190324-012935.jpg
Oh, love it... Proper cars those, and built to last! And yours looks mint. Was so sorry when Saabs stopped being made.
What's it like on the inside? I like nice dashboard pic:)
Marco.
If you get up close it's not quite so mint, scuffed bumpers, stone chips etc but for 18 years old and 140k on the clock it's not too bad.
Interior is quite tidy, driver's seat is a bit rough but easily brought back with a small repair and some leather dye.
I personally don't like the dashboard, it's wooden but looks more like a melted Mars bar has been smeared across it, I intend to replace it with either grey or carbon fibre effect (both factory options when new)
Still got great engines though, and the bodywork is superb. I like cars that are 'over-engineered', and where there is evidence of genuine quality, not the opposite, through mass-production and mindless cost-cutting, and for me Saabs have always ticked those boxes and exuded quality.
I had a one of their turbos, in 1994, forget which model (but would recognised it if I saw it), and it was a great car. It was pretty quick, but more importantly you felt that you were sat inside the product of a company who cared and took a pride in what they did. That feeling is very important to me, not just with cars, but most things I own:)
Marco.
Audio Al
24-09-2019, 07:43
I like the styling of the wheels :)
nice.. saab made good motors
dave2010
24-09-2019, 20:08
I fairly recently drove my car around 500 miles. Towards the end of the journey, a whining noise emerged.
After that for a while the noise wasn’t such a big problem, but yesterday I had it booked in for investigation and repair. Diagnosis - worn out front wheel bearing. Replaced, and most problems disappeared. That was yesterday. I drove it up to 70mph - no big problems.
Today I went out early, still no problems. Them mrs d wanted to take the car to collect a delivery from Waitrose. Some while after that she phoned to say the car was making a horrible noise. It’d been parked for about 35 minutes at the supermarket. I ended up taking a taxi, and arranging a pickup back to the garage, perhaps 15 or so miles away. When I arrived at the car it was indeed making a horrendous noise - sounds like a blown exhaust - but it was noted as OK yesterday.
The car was lifted back to the garage, and a quick diagnosis was that the catalytic converter had been removed, as this contains platinum, which has apparently become more valuable recently. Also perhaps some of the sensor cables were cut - I will get a fuller report tomorrow.
Worse than this, I mentioned this in a phone call tonight to someone else, who said that there’d been an item on Radio 2 about exactly this kind of problem earlier this morning.
Could it be that some “enterprising” local b*****d heard the programme, and thought to try this?
To quote Queen Victoria “We are not amused”.
Bummer!
Pigmy Pony
25-09-2019, 06:00
That really is a sickener - hope it's not too expensive to replace, although if it's worth nicking it must have some value. And as is often the case, it's the damage caused by the thieving scrotes. I did hear a few years ago of a spate of catalyst thefts from Mercedes Sprinter vans.
Could you perhaps replace with a non-cat system, or is it a legal requirement? I bet you'd gain a bit more bhp and shed some weight without one.
Sorry if this sounds impertinent, but why was Mrs. Dave collecting a delivery from Waitrose? We don't have a Waitrose, but it does sound like they haven't fully grasped the concept of "delivery service" :)
InThe Sticks
25-09-2019, 06:03
This has been very very common for years now.
I’ve worked for a lot of car dealers and every single one has had cats nicked off the cars sat on the forecourt, let alone the sheer amount of customers who have had the same thing.
Hybrids are the target now as they contain rhodium and palladium which has gone through the roof in terms of cost.
From memory the government changed the rules for what scrap yards could accept and i know first hand that photo id is required when cashing in any scrap metal, but sadly the cats are now sent abroad and sold.
We still occasionally have vans come round to the workshop with the owners asking to buy any scrap cats we have and these vans are packed to the roof with presumably stolen catalytic converters.
With a set of chain cutters, a cat can be removed in well under 30 seconds. I know this because its what i use to remove exhausts from damaged cars at work before replacing them, and not go out at night stealing them.
InThe Sticks
25-09-2019, 06:12
Could you perhaps replace with a non-cat system, or is it a legal requirement? I bet you'd gain a bit more bhp and shed some weight without one.
I won't pass an MOT without one if it's a petrol vehicle and if a diesel one if the tester see's that the DPF has been removed or tampered with it'll also fail.
I've failed many cars over years for those very reasons.
That said, many people with performance cars put the cat back on for MOT time then remove it afterwards as turbo petrol/diesel cars hate any sort of restriction after the turbo and it really does kill the power output.
To the OP, get the replacement cat and lambda sensor from Eurocarparts and not a main dealer as they're cheap and OE quality and most of the time they run 40% off promotions if ordered online.
EDIT
They are doing up to 50% off at the moment!
dave2010
25-09-2019, 12:25
Sorry if this sounds impertinent, but why was Mrs. Dave collecting a delivery from Waitrose? We don't have a Waitrose, but it does sound like they haven't fully grasped the concept of "delivery service" :)Bit cheeky, but it was a result of a complete fuddle by John Lewis maybe a month ago for a click and collect order to a completely different location. The latest delivery was actually for a tablet computer from JL sent to Waitrose for pick-up, since the original attempt to direct the wanted item to a useful location in a timely manner before we went on holiday was totally screwed up. As a result the original ordered item didn’t arrive until days after we’d left, and more to the point, it languished there until a few days ago when we checked to see whether it had been returned to the warehouse and refunded. It hadn’t been!
At least the replacement item did get to Waitrose in time - though given the unfortunate damage to my car it would have been cheaper and less inconvenient to have let the whole thing go.
I can’t describe the people who did this damage in terms which might be acceptable on a civilised web site.
Waitrose do do grocery deliveries I’d think, using Ocado.
That said, many people with performance cars put the cat back on for MOT time then remove it afterwards as turbo petrol/diesel cars hate any sort of restriction after the turbo and it really does kill the power output.
Ain't that the truth, bro (in both respects)!;)
Marco.
P.S Dave, really sorry to hear what happened. Bastids!
InThe Sticks
02-10-2019, 20:49
Even after telling myself multiple times that i wont "mod" the ST, this arrived today after a drunken evening on Ebay..
https://i.imgur.com/lArCo84.jpg
An Airtec intercooler which will suffice to around 350bhp which is a halfway house for fun and reliability.
The OE one wasn't even two inches tall and designed for a Fiesta Diesel!!
I've lost count of the amount of upgraded IC's iv'e fitted for people, but its a massive bang for buck upgrade!
Good investment
I put a new turbo on my Saab, that combined with a remap blew the side off the intercooler
dave2010
07-10-2019, 11:39
I won't pass an MOT without one if it's a petrol vehicle and if a diesel one if the tester see's that the DPF has been removed or tampered with it'll also fail.
I've failed many cars over years for those very reasons.
That said, many people with performance cars put the cat back on for MOT time then remove it afterwards as turbo petrol/diesel cars hate any sort of restriction after the turbo and it really does kill the power output.
I can't sympathise at all with those people who deliberately flout the rules, though I can understand that the power of a car is reduced with the catalytic converter in place. The catalytic converters are there for a reason - not just as source of revenue for the b*****ds who steal them.
dave2010
07-10-2019, 11:46
ms dave has a Hyundai i10. Recently it had two new tyres, but one of them has developed a bulge and will need to be replaced.
In the meantime the car is propped up on the very silly little wheel which Hyundai in its infinite wisdom has decided to fit to some of its vehicles. Ridiculous!
With a proper spare tyre, the car would be driveable, while the first one is fixed - but as it is it is just a useless piece of junk. Even people who don't drive very far would find this a nuisance, but someone who needs to drive regularly as part of work could do without this extra hassle.
I think we'll probably buy a spare wheel, and have some of the spare tyres we already have put on that as a "proper" spare wheel. It's not even as if there is no space to put a spare wheel, though the "clever" arrangement of tools on top of the mini spare wheel won't work with a proper size wheel.
Why do manufacturers do such daft things?
Pity, as otherwise the car is, as one review said, "a cracking little car".
Whay do they do such daft things?
To make more money
dave2010
07-10-2019, 12:04
Whay do they do such daft things?
To make more moneyMaybe, but it's c**p.
I'm not disagreeing but they sell around 80,000 i10s every year in Europe alone, even if a full size spare wheel was only £10 they've saved a million quid
dave2010
07-10-2019, 17:58
I'm not disagreeing but they sell around 80,000 i10s every year in Europe alone, even if a full size spare wheel was only £10 they've saved a million quidProbably not quite as simple as that though. They could charge the customers for proper spare wheels, though perhaps that would reduce the sales slightly. Maybe give customers the option of paying more for sensible spares - though the boot space would have to be compatible with both wheel sizes.
The inconvenience of not having a spare wheel can be considerable.
walpurgis
07-10-2019, 18:07
Nothing wrong with a 'space saver' spare wheel if used as intended. The idea being that it's to get you out of trouble and you get the tyre that needs attention dealt with as quickly as possible.
A 'space saver' is preferable to the recent alternative of no spare wheel and just a bottle of puncture repair goo and air pump being provided, which is near useless.
dave2010
07-10-2019, 18:10
Nothing wrong with a 'space saver' spare wheel if used as intended. The idea being that it's to get you out of trouble and you get the tyre that needs attention dealt with as quickly as possible.
A 'space saver' is preferable to the recent alternative of no spare wheel and just a bottle of puncture repair goo and air pump being provided, which is near useless.Depends where you are when you need a spare/assistance. Parts of Scotland, for example, pose more problems than some English cities.
InThe Sticks
07-10-2019, 18:39
Nothing wrong with a 'space saver' spare wheel if used as intended. The idea being that it's to get you out of trouble and you get the tyre that needs attention dealt with as quickly as possible.
A 'space saver' is preferable to the recent alternative of no spare wheel and just a bottle of puncture repair goo and air pump being provided, which is near useless.
^ This.
If you have anything other than a small nail/screw through the tyre then these are hopeless, as any puncture bigger will just leak the gloop out and not seal it.
And most tyre places will refuse to repair a tyre that has been temporarily repaired this way.
Space-saver wheel you say? Not sure I've got room, as someone seems to have put a 12" sub in the way....
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/921/a7jMXe.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pla7jMXej)
:eyebrows::eyebrows:
But yes, I agree with the principle on space-saver wheels. Loving that intercooler upgrade, btw... Bet that's 'cheered things up' nicely!:D
Marco.
Beobloke
08-10-2019, 11:01
Out of interest, do you have a cover for the sub driver when you actually want to use the boot for carrying stuff?!
Speaking of spaces avers, this might make you chuckle
https://www.fiatforum.com/leisure-lounge/288078-budget-snow-tyres.html
walpurgis
08-10-2019, 13:27
Speaking of spaces avers, this might make you chuckle
https://www.fiatforum.com/leisure-lounge/288078-budget-snow-tyres.html
Funny how the gullible fall for a wind up every time! :D
Funny how the gullible fall for a wind up every time! :D
I honestly couldn't believe it
I did the same wind up on a VW forum and nobody fell for it, speaks volumes about FIAT owners lol
archiesdad
08-10-2019, 14:00
Tens of thousands of cars sold with space savers, can’t be wrong? If I was asked to supply a spare wheel(Kia parts manager) it was cheaper to get full size rather than the SS, but they don’t fit in the well in the boot. SS wheels are good till you can get a replacement tyre or a repair, I once ran for about a week until my tyre came into stock, restricted to 50mph but most tyres would be available same/next day.
Hi Adam.
Out of interest, do you have a cover for the sub driver when you actually want to use the boot for carrying stuff?!
Yups, otherwise there was no way I could've brought back nearly 150 bottles of vino from holiday in Italy... Got the installer to design me a custom-made 'dustbin lid' sized cover, made from MDF and finished in the same fabric as the rest of the boot. First, here she is 'naked' (pics this time taken on a better camera without the LEDs illuminated):
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/924/EcHW3n.jpg
Hang on, what's this...
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/922/DUZWof.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/921/wdUKgi.jpg
And finally with her hat on:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/923/lSHhuK.jpg
Fits like a glove... What do you think?:cool:
Marco.
And with the DISCO lights on...:D
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/924/HWWFyo.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/921/EYDOmn.jpg
Marco.
Beobloke
08-10-2019, 18:26
Very cunning and a very smart job. I did wonder how you got all that wine home!
But the LEDs? Nah, sorry, still not my bag...
I know, but I couldn't resist!:eyebrows:
Cheers... Yeah, Sean (the installer) is top notch. It took him nearly 4 hours to precision cut that, as there's an awkward lip on the sub, so took a while to get right.
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
08-10-2019, 18:51
I know, but I couldn't resist!:eyebrows:
Cheers... Yeah, Sean (the installer) really is top notch. It took him nearly 4 hours to precision cut that, as there's an awkward lip on the sub, so it took a while to get it right.
Marco.
That sounds like a lot of faff - you could have taken an actual bin lid, painted it with pva glue, then emptied one of your bags of saved pube shavings on it. You would never tell the difference :D
I'll skelp yer arse with a nice fat dustbin lid, if you don't shut it - in fact, you'll probably enjoy it!:eyebrows:
Marco.
https://i.postimg.cc/XJfMDqLg/IMG-20191009-WA0003.jpg
My daughter and her boyfriend are in Las Vegas and have hired this economical little runabout lol
Dat's sick:hairmetal:
Marco.
Car going on for it's first yearly service next week. Got about 2200 miles on click. Lol.
Must be one of lowest around
Pigmy Pony
30-10-2019, 07:14
Car going on for it's first yearly service next week. Got about 2200 miles on click. Lol.
Must be one of lowest around
Mrs. P is still bangin on about getting a C-HR, but I'm concerned about possible future crippling costs related to batteries/technology. I really should do some research, 'cos her determination shows no sign of going away :(
Mrs. P is still bangin on about getting a C-HR, but I'm concerned about possible future crippling costs related to batteries/technology. I really should do some research, 'cos her determination shows no sign of going away :(The battery is expected to be fine for a minimum 10years 100k mls but if serviced by Toyota think it's covered for 15.
Doubt you'll still have it then.
dave2010
30-10-2019, 10:21
The battery is expected to be fine for a minimum 10years 100k mls but if serviced by Toyota think it's covered for 15.
Doubt you'll still have it then.I had to look up C-HR : https://www.toyota.co.uk/world-of-toyota/stories-news-events/2019/new-toyota-c-hr
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/toyota/c-hr
I think the notion of "self charging hybrid" is just a rewording advertising gimick. Just think "hybrid" - forget the rest. Basically a petrol engine (usually) with an electric motor and battery system as well. Plug-in hybrids are the way to go now, I think - or just go completely electric. Some of the plug-in hybrids hardly use any petrol at all if used for typical work day (commuter) journeys - though the petrol engine would kick in on long trips. I don't know if that is done automatically, or if there is a switch for the plug-in models. These are attractive to people who do long trips, or who are scared of running out of juice with pure electric vehicles. Project Fear applies to cars as well as other aspects of life.
We have a Toyota Prius which has done over 125,000 miles and the battery is still going. The battery packs are usually guaranteed for 8 years by the manufacturer- not sure about the newest ranges. The new cars have better performance, but I don't like the latest design much. Some of the designs from a few years ago were nicer.
I notice that the C-HR comes in different models - one with a gear box. Unless you're really keen on stick shift models, I think it makes much more sense to go for automatics. Most people can't do any better than an automatic anyway re acceleration etc.
Although I really like our older Toyota, there are now many cars which may offer similar or better features. I'm still looking to Tesla for a new car, but will probably only be able to afford the 3 model. Until we've tried one though, not sure if it'll really suit us.
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/tesla/model-3
For pottering around, the Renault Zoe seems good - and we have driven those.
walpurgis
30-10-2019, 10:54
I'm quite happy to keep burning petrol. I might even look around for another diesel.
Mrs. P is still bangin on about getting a C-HR, but I'm concerned about possible future crippling costs related to batteries/technology. I really should do some research, 'cos her determination shows no sign of going away :(
Tell her to stick to what she knows best (cleaning and cooking), and let the man of the house decide which car to get!:ner:
;)
Del's gone off the notion a little of getting a new Fiat Panda, and has her heart set on one of these (as a kind of 'homage' to her Moggie Traveller, which she loved): https://www.mini.co.uk/en_GB/home/range/mini-clubman.html
The twin doors at the back will allow her/us to get large items in, such as flat packs when we go to Ikea, etc... Plus it's a fairly stylish thing. We're going to look at some tomorrow:)
Marco [no electric car will ever darken our door].
They are quite big motors the clubman.. I did consider one but never got round to going to the dealer as I was put off with BMW's attitude in the branch. Although A nicer person did phone to appoligise after i left them a bad email:eyebrows:
The battery is expected to be fine for a minimum 10years 100k mls but if serviced by Toyota think it's covered for 15.
Doubt you'll still have it then.
I'm sure that isn't a money making scam really
Everybody knows how important it is to service a battery, all those moving parts inside require lots of maintenance.
Hmmm?
well there is more to the battery than the battery. i dont know the replacement cost but at a guess about 2500 quid. on upside servicing hybrids should be cheaper, or so im told. in 10 years, the way we are going, that is all youll be able to buy anyway
walpurgis
30-10-2019, 12:41
As a sort of mini MPV runabout, I rather like the recently introduced Suzuki Ignis.
Available as a not quite hybrid, but 'electric assist' type. Drives pretty well apparently.
https://i.imgur.com/NQK1fQp.png?1
Nice, Geoff. I quite like the SZ5 in 'Fervent Red' two tone (lots of nice bits you can add, too): https://cars.suzuki.co.uk/new-cars/ignis/sz5/
Cheers for that. It's one we hadn't considered:thumbsup:
Marco.
well there is more to the battery than the battery. i dont know the replacement cost but at a guess about 2500 quid. on upside servicing hybrids should be cheaper, or so im told. in 10 years, the way we are going, that is all youll be able to buy anyway
I'm totally unconvinced
I can envisage the main sealers having a monopoly on servicing (whatever that may entail) as the independents won't have access to the equipment ot technical knowledge for quite some time.
My son works in an accident repair centre and the safety requirements for working on EVs are incredible, they have to have a minimum of 3 people present, the guy working on the vehicle has to stand on an isolation mat, there has to be two special insulated poles available to grag him away the area should he get electrocuted etc.
I can see the main stealers rubbing their greedy little hands together at the prospect of a monopoly and a captive audience that is effectively imposed by law
dave2010
30-10-2019, 16:48
I'm quite happy to keep burning petrol. I might even look around for another diesel.Vandal!
I'm quite happy to keep burning petrol. I might even look around for another diesel.
That deluded brat Thunburg will hunt you down and bore you to death
That deluded brat Thunburg will hunt you down and bore you to death
Who he?:hmm:
Marco.
Firebottle
30-10-2019, 17:25
Greta Thunberg. Where have you been hiding?
https://i.postimg.cc/9M83kgqc/Screenshot-20191030-175535.jpg
Pigmy Pony
30-10-2019, 19:11
Tell her to stick to what she knows best (cleaning and cooking), and let the man of the house decide which car to get!:ner:
;)
Del's gone off the notion a little of getting a new Fiat Panda, and has her heart set on one of these (as a kind of 'homage' to her Moggie Traveller, which she loved): https://www.mini.co.uk/en_GB/home/range/mini-clubman.html
The twin doors at the back will allow her/us to get large items in, such as flat packs when we go to Ikea, etc... Plus it's a fairly stylish thing. We're going to look at some tomorrow:)
Marco [no electric car will ever darken our door].
Anita gets quite angry about the Minis, so I wind her up saying "Ah, look at that cute little car!" "That is NOT a Mini! Look at the size of it, they shouldn't be allowed to call it a Mini!" Her worst nightmare: having to ride in a Mini, with Bjork playing on the car stereo. She used to have an old-type Mini, and would happily have another one.
She's not really fussed about the diesel/petrol/electric/hybrid options, she just likes the look of the C-HR. Grant's post about their battery life is heartening though - their life has nothing to do with any moving parts, it's just that batteries will lose their ability to accept and hold a charge will reduce over time. But ten years is better than I expected.
Ultimately I'll let it be her decision, though I think we'll probably settle on a new shape Civic (1.5 Sport Plus), one of the few cars we both agree on :)
According to Toyota GB website the battery is guaranteed for 5 years/100,000 miles but can be extended on an annual basis with the service for up to 15 years.
walpurgis
30-10-2019, 19:23
Anita gets quite angry about the Minis, so I wind her up saying "Ah, look at that cute little car!" "That is NOT a Mini! Look at the size of it, they shouldn't be allowed to call it a Mini!" Her worst nightmare: having to ride in a Mini, with Bjork playing on the car stereo. She used to have an old-type Mini, and would happily have another one.
She is of course quite right. BMW have a cheek slapping the 'Mini' name they stole from us on their overpriced, overcomplex monstrosity which has no similarities to a real Mini.
InThe Sticks
30-10-2019, 19:44
Just rambling here (and all in my opinion and experience) but I’m going to try and at least explain why main dealers charge what they do for the service they provide.
Is it always good value..
No, not all, not even close in some cases i.e routine servicing, but even then we get cars in that have been to an independent with the incorrect oil in and see what that does to the MPG of a hybrid, also engine warning lights because they haven’t reset the cars computer and/or told it that it’s had new parts and the most common one is when changing rear brake pads or trying to bleed the brakes on a hybrid.
Both if not done correctly will end up with a non functioning brake system or at worse (and it happens, 2 knackered calipers as the pistons automatically wind themselves out of the calipers because the mechanic doesn’t know how to disable the auto handbrake.
Get a complex fault with your car and see what happens with an independent. I’ve seen countless cars come into the workshop with a million new parts fitted and the cure not found. The chances being if that the customer came to us first we’d have known what the fault is as we see them often as we only work on one brand of car. That’s not to say we get it right 100% of the time, but if we get it wrong we don’t charge.
Please don’t think i’m knocking independent garages, because i’m not. They can offer superb value for money on older tech cars, but the way things are going and in the next 10-15 years they just won’t (and don’t now) have the equipment or the correct training to work on the average car.
I’ve worked for main dealers for well over 20 years and every training course i’ve done (and theres been many many many of them) costs a small fortune, and not only for the course but for hotel accommodation etc as most last a few days.
As has been previously mentioned theres the EV cars and safety risks (i’m Toyota/Lexus hybrid trained) but if i’m completely honest one would have to be a monumental moron to get a shock off any hybrid as every single single component is pretty much idiot proof bar actually cutting through the power cables. Try and tamper with the battery or inverter and the car will shut down it’s power as to do that would mean removing safety plugs. But again, the training is expensive.
Without proper manufacturer factory training one can’t even lift a spanner because it’s required to work on their cars.
Also, the buying public in general expect a clean flashy showroom, expensive coffee/biscuits, quiet workstations, free Wifi and smartly dressed well trained people to talk to when buying a new/used car or getting their car serviced. This all has to be paid for and it’s no secret who eventually pays for it, but that’s no different to any other retail environment.
Also figure in the staff costs, as in getting the right people. There is a serious lack of young talent in the industry these days as very few kids want into the motor trade as a tech. It all seems too much hard work for the little princesses and low and behold they might get their hands dirty. That said, we have a guy who’s just turned 20 who’s earning in excess of £30K without breaking a sweat.
Some people save all their lives to have a “brand” new car and want the best and most memorable experience when doing so, try achieving that in a grotty little portacabin with a salesman who can’t string a coherent sentence together.
Whether one dislikes main dealers and feel they rip off people will never change, and in my opinion they are utterly over the top expensive for some of the basic stuff, but as i said, when stuff gets complicated the only people who know the car better is the people that made the thing in the first place.
Buckle up, like it or not It’s only going to get worse folks.
Leasing is the future of new cars,.. It's getting that buying a car is going to be a handicap
InThe Sticks
30-10-2019, 19:54
She's not really fussed about the diesel/petrol/electric/hybrid options, she just likes the look of the C-HR. Grant's post about their battery life is heartening though - their life has nothing to do with any moving parts, it's just that batteries will lose their ability to accept and hold a charge will reduce over time. But ten years is better than I expected.
Ultimately I'll let it be her decision, though I think we'll probably settle on a new shape Civic (1.5 Sport Plus), one of the few cars we both agree on :)
The CHR is a fantastic car in every way, personally i'd have one over a Civic any day of the week.
In all the time i worked for Toyota/Lexus we changed a handful of batteries and none were charged for, not even for the first gen imported prius with no service history. Really not something to worry about.
If a car looks good and makes you feel good driving it, then buy it.
Nothing better than opening the curtains in the morning and looking at a car that makes you smile, rather than looking at a dreary pile of shite that may or not save a polar bear from starving.
InThe Sticks
30-10-2019, 19:59
Leasing is the future of new cars,.. It's getting that buying a car is going to be a handicap
Thats very true. PCP is a great way of having a new car every say 2-3 years with no worry of the thing going wrong and if it does, then warranty will cover it.
We, as a nation seem obsessed with "owning" a car.
Yes, PCP is dead money, but so is depreciation from buying one.
Pigmy Pony
30-10-2019, 20:11
If we got a car on lease, I would be dreading the "give it back" time. When they saw the 45,000 miles on the clock they would pull down Anita's pants and give her a right spanking (financially of course). Be ok if we only did Grant-size mileages, but I walk further than that in a year, and I don't walk anywhere.
Think I get 20k a year allowance
Pigmy Pony
30-10-2019, 20:25
We've done 110,000 miles in 7 years in the Civic, so we should be ok then :)
The over mileage isn't horrendous unless it's silly over. Mine is with motability. Might not be cheapest way but its easy and everything is done for u. Only costs are petrol really. I'm averaging 60mpg but can get more if I want it. That's fine for me as my driving is mostly town.
And yes it's a pleasure to look at and drive. Plus via motability I got the hoist for my scooter in boot.
Just rambling here (and all in my opinion and experience) but I’m going to try and at least explain why main dealers charge what they do for the service they provide.
Is it always good value..
No, not all, not even close in some cases i.e routine servicing, but even then we get cars in that have been to an independent with the incorrect oil in and see what that does to the MPG of a hybrid, also engine warning lights because they haven’t reset the cars computer and/or told it that it’s had new parts and the most common one is when changing rear brake pads or trying to bleed the brakes on a hybrid.
Both if not done correctly will end up with a non functioning brake system or at worse (and it happens, 2 knackered calipers as the pistons automatically wind themselves out of the calipers because the mechanic doesn’t know how to disable the auto handbrake.
Get a complex fault with your car and see what happens with an independent. I’ve seen countless cars come into the workshop with a million new parts fitted and the cure not found. The chances being if that the customer came to us first we’d have known what the fault is as we see them often as we only work on one brand of car. That’s not to say we get it right 100% of the time, but if we get it wrong we don’t charge.
Please don’t think i’m knocking independent garages, because i’m not. They can offer superb value for money on older tech cars, but the way things are going and in the next 10-15 years they just won’t (and don’t now) have the equipment or the correct training to work on the average car.
I’ve worked for main dealers for well over 20 years and every training course i’ve done (and theres been many many many of them) costs a small fortune, and not only for the course but for hotel accommodation etc as most last a few days.
As has been previously mentioned theres the EV cars and safety risks (i’m Toyota/Lexus hybrid trained) but if i’m completely honest one would have to be a monumental moron to get a shock off any hybrid as every single single component is pretty much idiot proof bar actually cutting through the power cables. Try and tamper with the battery or inverter and the car will shut down it’s power as to do that would mean removing safety plugs. But again, the training is expensive.
Without proper manufacturer factory training one can’t even lift a spanner because it’s required to work on their cars.
Also, the buying public in general expect a clean flashy showroom, expensive coffee/biscuits, quiet workstations, free Wifi and smartly dressed well trained people to talk to when buying a new/used car or getting their car serviced. This all has to be paid for and it’s no secret who eventually pays for it, but that’s no different to any other retail environment.
Also figure in the staff costs, as in getting the right people. There is a serious lack of young talent in the industry these days as very few kids want into the motor trade as a tech. It all seems too much hard work for the little princesses and low and behold they might get their hands dirty. That said, we have a guy who’s just turned 20 who’s earning in excess of £30K without breaking a sweat.
Some people save all their lives to have a “brand” new car and want the best and most memorable experience when doing so, try achieving that in a grotty little portacabin with a salesman who can’t string a coherent sentence together.
Whether one dislikes main dealers and feel they rip off people will never change, and in my opinion they are utterly over the top expensive for some of the basic stuff, but as i said, when stuff gets complicated the only people who know the car better is the people that made the thing in the first place.
Buckle up, like it or not It’s only going to get worse folks.
My experience of main dealers is that they are manufacturer licenced con artists
Toyota main dealer did recall work on my wife's Auris and also carried out a "health check" on the car which was handed back to me without comment.
On arriving home I received an email from them stating that my car had a "red light" from the health check, this was described as a fault that "was an mot failure and may make the car unsafe to drive" on contacting Motor line Toyota I was told that this "dangerous fault" was low aircon refrigeratorant.
When my wife took our Astra to Drive Vauxhall they called her at work advising her that the car needed two new tyres as they were below the legal limit . I called them asking how how far they had driven as the tyres in question were 2 weeks old, they apologised and claimed they got the job sheet mixed up with another car.
Dovercourt VW had my brother in laws Golf in to replace a damaged exhaust valve (obviously head off job) under warranty they advised him to have the cambelt changed at the same time and then tried to charge him 4 hours labour to fit the belt which had been removed anyway, apparently it takes 4 hours to open the box containing the new belt.
According to Saab's dealer software (now freely available since they went bust) they charge 3 hours per side to change the front shocks on a 9-3, I can do both sides in 3 hours on my drive with no air tools.
Sure some will try it on. But do do independents.
InThe Sticks
30-10-2019, 20:52
According to Saab's dealer software (now freely available since they went bust) they charge 3 hours per side to change the front shocks on a 9-3, I can do both sides in 3 hours on my drive with no air tools.
That's not uncommon.
When the 2nd gen Auris came out there were a few faults and as such they needed reporting, but we were not allowed to repair them before staff from the factory inspected the failed items.
In one case it took two of them almost a day to do something we could have done in an hour or less. The fact that we were ripping the piss out of them probably didnt help, but the problem is that these people set the FRT's (flat rate times) that the dealers charge.
That said, most places i've worked charge by "time taken" rather than FRT's. Which is a lot more fair and honest.
Greta Thunberg. Where have you been hiding?
Soz, what's that got to do with Geoff's post below:
I'm quite happy to keep burning petrol. I might even look around for another diesel.
:scratch::scratch:
Marco.
https://i.postimg.cc/9M83kgqc/Screenshot-20191030-175535.jpg
Not got the remotest scooby-doo what the above is in reference to!
:confused::confused:
Marco.
Re polluting planet by burning fossil fuels I guess, not that I really know who she is but she looks the type
Never heard of her... I don't pay much attention to that pish.
Marco.
Beobloke
30-10-2019, 22:39
Main dealers you say? Funnily enough I posted this on another forum only today...
Mrs. B used to take her old Golf to the main dealer that she bought it from for servicing, and all was fine until the time it started hesitating when she pulled away - the hesitation got longer and longer and was becoming dangerous.
We duly took it to the dealer who plugged it into their technical whizzbangery which announced half the ignition system needed replacing - we duly complied and, £500 later, took the car home - on the short drive home, it seemed OK. Next day my wife came home from her 40 mile motorway-based round trip to work to report the car was running even worse and wouldn't go above 60mph, so we duly booked it back in for the follwoing Monday.
Monday came and the thing would just about start but the engine wouldn't stay running - we rang the garage to come and get it and they said they would but it would cost us £80! After some argument I gave up and walked round the corner to the local village garage (where I generally had my car serviced) to ask for their help. Initially they were reluctant to get involved but finally came round and towed the car away.
It came back 45 minutes later, running better than it had for months. And their miraculous solution reached by mechnical know-how with no help from a computer? They went right back to basics and checked air, fuel and spark, to find that the spark plugs were in an appalling state (one had virtually no terminals left!), and so changed them.
I've not been back to a main dealer since. I still use either that local garage, who employ proper trained mechanics and not button-pushers, or independent specialists.
And as for Greta Thunberg, I follow a friends advice - whenever I hear her name mentioned, I go for a drive in the car, come back and have a sausage sandwich and then burn something in the garden. Then I feel better,
dave2010
31-10-2019, 04:44
Marco [no electric car will ever darken our door].You must have a big house if you keep your cars inside!
Pigmy Pony
31-10-2019, 06:44
Main dealers you say? Funnily enough I posted this on another forum only today...
Mrs. B used to take her old Golf to the main dealer that she bought it from for servicing, and all was fine until the time it started hesitating when she pulled away - the hesitation got longer and longer and was becoming dangerous.
We duly took it to the dealer who plugged it into their technical whizzbangery which announced half the ignition system needed replacing - we duly complied and, £500 later, took the car home - on the short drive home, it seemed OK. Next day my wife came home from her 40 mile motorway-based round trip to work to report the car was running even worse and wouldn't go above 60mph, so we duly booked it back in for the follwoing Monday.
Monday came and the thing would just about start but the engine wouldn't stay running - we rang the garage to come and get it and they said they would but it would cost us £80! After some argument I gave up and walked round the corner to the local village garage (where I generally had my car serviced) to ask for their help. Initially they were reluctant to get involved but finally came round and towed the car away.
It came back 45 minutes later, running better than it had for months. And their miraculous solution reached by mechnical know-how with no help from a computer? They went right back to basics and checked air, fuel and spark, to find that the spark plugs were in an appalling state (one had virtually no terminals left!), and so changed them.
I've not been back to a main dealer since. I still use either that local garage, who employ proper trained mechanics and not button-pushers, or independent specialists.
And as for Greta Thunberg, I follow a friends advice - whenever I hear her name mentioned, I go for a drive in the car, come back and have a sausage sandwich and then burn something in the garden. Then I feel better,
Too much reliance on their state-of-the-art diagnostics gadgetry methinks - the newly qualified quantum mechanics at your main dealers (presumably to justify the cost of the training and equipment), are too quick to assume those hoofbeats must be zebras.
Even in this age where we have computers to do our thinking for us, there's still room for a bit of common sense :)
dave2010
31-10-2019, 07:05
Too much reliance on their state-of-the-art diagnostics gadgetry methinks - the newly qualified quantum mechanics at your main dealers (presumably to justify the cost of the training and equipment), are too quick to assume those hoofbeats must be zebras.
Even in this age where we have computers to do our thinking for us, there's still room for a bit of common sense :)Our Peugeot 207cc had a problem earlier on in the year. Warning lights came on, and one of the fans (is there only one?) went berserk and the engine seemed to run hot. Not really driveable like that - not for any distance over a mile or so, anyway.
Tried to book it into the main dealer. Then found a small back street garage, which could do the computer diagnostics. I watched as the guy plugged his computer in, and then the tests running - and noted how it wasn't really that helpful at all. In the end we left the car overnight, and next day the car was fixed. I think in the end he gave up on the diagnostics, and did all the usual sensible things - take plugs out, clean, do compression test etc. He did say that he ran the diagnostics again at the end, and the detected faults had disappeared, but it didn't look as though the diagnostics really helped much. The fault might have been a dirty sensor.
£80 versus over £100 just to have the main dealer hook the car up to their system, then a similar amount per hour! I think our guy charged £40 for the computer hook up, and I'm sure he spent more than another hour on the problem, but he billed the extra time as £40. Great service.
Some good discussion here chaps, especially on main dealers, which I'll get to later, however just to address this, from Piggurs:
Too much reliance on their state-of-the-art diagnostics gadgetry methinks...
Even in this age where we have computers to do our thinking for us, there's still room for a bit of common sense
I don't think you realise how serious a point that is... Employing the use of computers in that way is simply yet another example (outside of smartphones) of 'big brother' brainwashing and controlling us, as the less we're able to fix things ourselves or make our own choices, as to how that process should be done, the *more* the powers that be are able to manipulate and control US.
Ultimately, it's all about limiting our choices, removing our ability to make decisions/*think for ourselves*, and forcing us down the path that 'they' want us to go....
In that respect, in the not too distant future, don't be surprised when it reaches the stage of fully computerised, driver-less electric cars, programmed and controlled from a central hub by 'the powers that be', and where only pre-authorised destinations will be allowed, only at certain times, and only so often, with all journeys tracked and monitored via the central hub, and financial penalties (and more) administered for any evidence of non-compliance...
I kid you not.
That's why it pays to be 'off grid' (in this case, where possible driving non-electric cars fitted with older technology, the control of which thus isn't as easily manipulated), and we should refuse, as far as possible, to be part of the system, rebel against it, and stay in control of our lives for as long as possible, rather than simply bending over and having our asses fucked, like compliant, subservient sheep!
And like it or not, admit it or not, that's the unpalatable truth, and exactly what you're doing when buying an electric car, and in turn creating the kind of world, which I've just outlined, for our future generations.
Marco [forever a driver of cars with combustion engines, and the least amount of computerisation as possible].
dave2010
31-10-2019, 11:31
That's why it pays to be 'off grid' (in this case, where possible driving non-electric cars fitted with older technology, the control of which thus isn't as easily manipulated), and we should refuse, as far as possible, to be part of the system, rebel against it, and stay in control of our lives for as long as possible, rather than simply bending over and having our asses fucked, like compliant, subservient sheep!
That's a bit of a rant isn't it?
What kind of turntable do you use? Maybe a flat millstone, driven by water power, or a passing dinosaur!
Lol... As ever in life, there's a happy medium. It's the extremes with anything that should concern us.
Take from it what you will. I meant every word of what I wrote, and I firmly believe it will come to pass, unless we do something fundamental about it now!
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
31-10-2019, 19:31
Some good discussion here chaps, especially on main dealers, which I'll get to later, however just to address this, from Piggurs:
I don't think you realise how serious a point that is... Employing the use of computers in that way is simply yet another example (outside of smartphones) of 'big brother' brainwashing and controlling us, as the less we're able to fix things ourselves or make our own choices, as to how that process should be done, the *more* the powers that be are able to manipulate and control US.
Ultimately, it's all about limiting our choices, removing our ability to make decisions/*think for ourselves*, and forcing us down the path that 'they' want us to go....
In that respect, in the not too distant future, don't be surprised when it reaches the stage of fully computerised, driver-less electric cars, programmed and controlled from a central hub by 'the powers that be', and where only pre-authorised destinations will be allowed, only at certain times, and only so often, with all journeys tracked and monitored via the central hub, and financial penalties (and more) administered for any evidence of non-compliance...
I kid you not.
That's why it pays to be 'off grid' (in this case, where possible driving non-electric cars fitted with older technology, the control of which thus isn't as easily manipulated), and we should refuse, as far as possible, to be part of the system, rebel against it, and stay in control of our lives for as long as possible, rather than simply bending over and having our asses fucked, like compliant, subservient sheep!
And like it or not, admit it or not, that's the unpalatable truth, and exactly what you're doing when buying an electric car, and in turn creating the kind of world, which I've just outlined, for our future generations.
Marco [forever a driver of cars with combustion engines, and the least amount of computerisation as possible].
I think that Orwellian watchfulness and potentially mind controlling computers won't be limited to electric cars, which only differ in their method of propulsion - the rest of the technology is no different to any modern petrol- or diesel-powered car. You perhaps should persuade Del away from the heavily computerised new Mini Clubmans (Clubmen? Clubpersons?) and go old school with an Italian Job style one - proper! :)
The idea of being 'off the grid' certainly has some appeal, but you can only go so far before it becomes a total pain.
Going for a drive in your car ( and this thread is as good a place as any to discuss it) would be impossible. All the relevant agencies (police, DVLA, and no doubt plenty more) will be well aware of you and whether or not you and your motor are fit to be allowed on the road. And even if you buy your fuel and Yorkie bars with pound notes, will still be aware of your location most of the time thanks to CCTV and ANPR.
To be really off the grid we need to find a cave or an old slate mine to move into, and learn to live off the land. Shame we couldn't take our stereo with us. Unless we can sneakily plug into a nearby pylon. Though technically that would put us back on the grid :D
Depending on your location and habits you can either be tracked much of every minute or barely at all. No doubt cities are worst, and motorists are an easy target, as are smart phones and Internet as a whole.
Marco probably is semi invisible.
Pigmy Pony
31-10-2019, 20:15
Depending on your location and habits you can either be tracked much of every minute or barely at all. No doubt cities are worst, and motorists are an easy target, as are smart phones and Internet as a whole.
Marco probably is semi invisible.
My interpretation of semi invisible is completely invisible until we break cover. Invisibility sounds like no life at all.
I noticed when last going to the local Asda that they have facial recognition. A word of warning Marco - this technology will reach Lidl at some point, and MI5 will then know all about the adult nappies :D
walpurgis
31-10-2019, 20:22
If you have patience and apply a bit of thought, it's quite possible to go virtually anywhere in this country without being tracked or identified. It just takes more time.
Pigmy Pony
31-10-2019, 20:43
If you have patience and apply a bit of thought, it's quite possible to go virtually anywhere in this country without being tracked or identified. It just takes more time.
A lot more time, a wad of cash, a few hats, and a collection of beards. And some stout walking shoes. That Channel 4 show 'Hunted' shows just how much can be done to track people. Quite an interesting watch :)
Ali Tait
31-10-2019, 21:15
Read an article saying Bristol were thinking of banning diesel cars altogether from the town centre, no doubt this will come to pass sooner or later and other cities will follow suit.
Tonight's tip... Don't live in a city!;)
Marco.
walpurgis
31-10-2019, 21:21
Read an article saying Bristol were thinking of banning diesel cars altogether from the town centre, no doubt this will come to pass sooner or later and other cities will follow suit.
Stupid idea. Modern diesel cars are pretty clean and comparatively harmless. Unlike aircraft, ships, farm and commercial plant, etc.
As long as they meet current euro 6 they will be pretty clean. Mostly tho in cities they don't make a lot of sense imo.
If u live in rural places and do a fair bit of mileage then they can. Think you have to look to a mix. A bit like people
Tonight's tip... Don't live in a city!;)
Marco.
I don't but I work in one
Bristol
Tonight's tip (revisited): don't live or work in a city.
Marco.
Audio Al
31-10-2019, 22:29
Anyone like this ?
https://www.google.com/search?q=copper+caddy&client=safari&rls=en&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=xnly9BWFVUT1TM%253A%252C3oY1OzS-8Z4vnM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kRcR8vtQ5vmxf2OT1UxjokVK3FRvA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjtiMb1xcflAhVis3EKHd7PChoQ_h0wDXoECAUQC Q#imgrc=xnly9BWFVUT1TM:
I love it , really cool car
walpurgis
31-10-2019, 22:33
Not my sort of motor Al. The Americans take a nice old classic and butcher the hell out of it in the name of customisation.
I appreciate the work that's gone into it but it's not to my taste
I don't but I work in one
Bristol
Luckily I don't drive a modern evil polluting diesel, just an 18 year old petrol that struggles to get mid 20s mpg in traffic so I'm still allowed in.
I expect that makes sense to someone
Audio Al
31-10-2019, 22:52
Not my sort of motor Al. The Americans take a nice old classic and butcher the hell out of it in the name of customisation.
It was a complete basket case not fit for the scrap yard , A amazing amout of fabrication , new chassis made all new running gear , custom eveything inc paint and interior , air bag suspension , 10" cut out of the front wings and one off copper inner wheel arches , Totaly amazing car , The owner cried when he saw it
dave2010
31-10-2019, 23:41
That's why it pays to be 'off grid' (in this case, where possible driving non-electric cars fitted with older technology, the control of which thus isn't as easily manipulated), and we should refuse, as far as possible, to be part of the system, rebel against it, and stay in control of our lives for as long as possible, rather than simply bending over and having our asses fucked, like compliant, subservient sheep!
OK - I'll try again. If you continue to drive petrol or diesel cars you are still "on a grid" - just a different sort of one. It relies on petrol stations, and fleets of fuel tankers driving round to top those up. It also requires import of fuel - usually from overseas, though it may be possible to obtain fuel by fracking - if one is prepared to accept the problems that causes. Currently we have that kind of infrastructure throughout most of the country, though there are parts where it's possible to go perhaps 50 miles without coming across an open petrol station, and sometimes on Sundays it's very difficult to get fuel.
Electric cars are now starting to get a range of 150 miles or more. In fact some petrol cars effectively don't have much more than that. We recently had a visit from friends who turned up in a splendid Morgan car, but it doesn't have a big petrol tank, and has poor fuel consumption. I was surprised when we suggested taking a small detour to get cheaper petrol that this idea was turned down - correctly if one analyses this more carefully. Basically, a car with poor petrol consumption will use more petrol taking a small diversion, and that completely wipes out any benefit (say 10p per litre) of being able to fill up more cheaply.
To put things in a slightly different perspective, heating homes is more damaging than driving regarding the environment. One can quite easily understand this if one's house is heated by oil. My car uses perhaps 1100 litres of fuel per year (20 gallons per 1000 miles - about 90 litres per 1000, for 12000 miles, so 1080 litre - round up to 1100 litres. I suspect that many houses heated by oil use considerably more than this. If the fuel used is gas, then one is less aware of this, and probably pay scant attention to the bills. Of course, heating houses by electricity is very expensive - and really not a good comparison - it really shouldn't be an option, unless there is really no alternative, though note that it does depend on how the electricity is generated. Some forms of electricity generation are less bad than others.
I understand the issues re range - for pure electric cars - but I've already pointed out that this can be a problem even for a vehicle running on liquid fuel.
Plug in hybrid cars overcome some of the problems, as they can run on liquid fuel as well as electricity. The downside of these is that they are more complex than pure electric cars. Having to carry around a petrol or diesel engine as well as a battery pack increases the weight considerably, and does reduce overall efficiency.
The point about high voltages inside electric cars is significant, but many things we have in modern lives seem potentially very dangerous, but due to (generally) good engineering, we manage to cope.
Petrol head enthusiasts may laugh at electric cars, but some of the fastest cars are in fact powered by electric motors - though it's possible that they'll use a lot more energy if driven hard.
So at the end of all this, what's really the problem? It'll take time to get a majority of cars being hybrids or pure electric, but it should happen, and while it won't "save the planet", it will reduce the rate at which driving damages the environment.
We don't have to measure our own worth by how much we decide to screw up the environment in a pointless and macho way.
Beobloke
01-11-2019, 00:05
Stupid idea. Modern diesel cars are pretty clean and comparatively harmless. Unlike aircraft, ships, farm and commercial plant, etc.
I can’t vouch for the farm and commercial plant, but I’m pretty sure aircraft and ships aren’t allowed into Bristol City Centre either... ;)
Ali Tait
01-11-2019, 08:08
OK - I'll try again. If you continue to drive petrol or diesel cars you are still "on a grid" - just a different sort of one. It relies on petrol stations, and fleets of fuel tankers driving round to top those up. It also requires import of fuel - usually from overseas, though it may be possible to obtain fuel by fracking - if one is prepared to accept the problems that causes. Currently we have that kind of infrastructure throughout most of the country, though there are parts where it's possible to go perhaps 50 miles without coming across an open petrol station, and sometimes on Sundays it's very difficult to get fuel.
Electric cars are now starting to get a range of 150 miles or more. In fact some petrol cars effectively don't have much more than that. We recently had a visit from friends who turned up in a splendid Morgan car, but it doesn't have a big petrol tank, and has poor fuel consumption. I was surprised when we suggested taking a small detour to get cheaper petrol that this idea was turned down - correctly if one analyses this more carefully. Basically, a car with poor petrol consumption will use more petrol taking a small diversion, and that completely wipes out any benefit (say 10p per litre) of being able to fill up more cheaply.
To put things in a slightly different perspective, heating homes is more damaging than driving regarding the environment. One can quite easily understand this if one's house is heated by oil. My car uses perhaps 1100 litres of fuel per year (20 gallons per 1000 miles - about 90 litres per 1000, for 12000 miles, so 1080 litre - round up to 1100 litres. I suspect that many houses heated by oil use considerably more than this. If the fuel used is gas, then one is less aware of this, and probably pay scant attention to the bills. Of course, heating houses by electricity is very expensive - and really not a good comparison - it really shouldn't be an option, unless there is really no alternative, though note that it does depend on how the electricity is generated. Some forms of electricity generation are less bad than others.
I understand the issues re range - for pure electric cars - but I've already pointed out that this can be a problem even for a vehicle running on liquid fuel.
Plug in hybrid cars overcome some of the problems, as they can run on liquid fuel as well as electricity. The downside of these is that they are more complex than pure electric cars. Having to carry around a petrol or diesel engine as well as a battery pack increases the weight considerably, and does reduce overall efficiency.
The point about high voltages inside electric cars is significant, but many things we have in modern lives seem potentially very dangerous, but due to (generally) good engineering, we manage to cope.
Petrol head enthusiasts may laugh at electric cars, but some of the fastest cars are in fact powered by electric motors - though it's possible that they'll use a lot more energy if driven hard.
So at the end of all this, what's really the problem? It'll take time to get a majority of cars being hybrids or pure electric, but it should happen, and while it won't "save the planet", it will reduce the rate at which driving damages the environment.
We don't have to measure our own worth by how much we decide to screw up the environment in a pointless and macho way.
Some good points, but assuming everyone switches to electric cars, where is the power going to come from?
Some good points, but assuming everyone switches to electric cars, where is the power going to come from?
The priciple will be that sufficient numbers of people and small businesses will make their own. Storing their excess in their own battery storage or in CES(cloud energy storage), or of course sell it to the grid.
No idea if it will work, but there will be incentives to charge at different times too. A working paper was done on this and it was thought it will work.
Beobloke
01-11-2019, 09:01
Some good points, but assuming everyone switches to electric cars, where is the power going to come from?
Simple. We’ll all need petrol or diesel generators at home to charge our cars...
Simple. We’ll all need petrol or diesel generators at home to charge our cars...
I actually did laugh out loud at that
Ali Tait
01-11-2019, 09:15
The priciple will be that sufficient numbers of people and small businesses will make their own. Storing their excess in their own battery storage or in CES(cloud energy storage), or of course sell it to the grid.
No idea if it will work, but there will be incentives to charge at different times too. A working paper was done on this and it was thought it will work.
I can’t see that working. Generate it how- solar? Who’s going to pay for all the equipment and installation?
I can’t see that working. Generate it how- solar? Who’s going to pay for all the equipment and installation?
hey, its not my idea Ali;) i dunno... just answering the question mate. this is how they say it will work...
dave2010
01-11-2019, 09:20
I actually did laugh out loud at thatWind turbines. Of course, they need to take power from the grid to keep turning when there's no wind! :) :doh:
walpurgis
01-11-2019, 09:24
Just been working it out roughly.
To charge an electric car at a public chargepoint with sufficient energy for a 300 mile journey costs around £20, no doubt this will entail at least one top-up (or more) for the journey with the attendant waiting time (hours?).
My petrol car will do the same journey on less than a tank of fuel, consuming approximately £25 worth of fuel without fuel stops. Should I need to fill up, it takes maybe 4 minutes.
Hardly seems worth the bother to opt for an electric car at the moment.
Unfortunately, I see a situation where service stations that sell petrol and diesel will eventually become fewer and further between. This will certainly lead to the cost of electric 'refills' being hiked up and there'll be nothing that we can do about it.
walpurgis
01-11-2019, 09:27
Wind turbines. Of course, they need to take power from the grid to keep turning when there's no wind! :) :doh:
Not sure I can get a large enough one mounted on the roof of my car.
Just been working it out roughly.
To charge an electric car at a public chargepoint with sufficient energy for a 300 mile journey costs around £20, no doubt this will entail at least one top-up (or more) for the journey with the attendant waiting time (hours?).
My petrol car will do the same journey on less than a tank of fuel, consuming approximately £25 worth of fuel without fuel stops. Should I need to fill up, it takes maybe 4 minutes.
Hardly seems worth the bother to opt for an electric car at the moment.
Unfortunately, I see a situation where service stations that sell petrol and diesel will eventually become fewer and further between. This will certainly lead to the cost of electric 'refills' being hiked up and there'll be nothing that we can do about it.
its a fiendish plot to get the proletaria off the roads:eyebrows:
Audio Al
01-11-2019, 09:41
Not sure I can get a large enough one mounted on the roof of my car.
Just have a small one on the roof then keep driving at full speed all the time ,
just keep driving round and round in circles until the charge is done = sorted
Fred Flintstone recharge.?
Ali Tait
01-11-2019, 09:47
hey, its not my idea Ali;) i dunno... just answering the question mate. this is how they say it will work...
Lol might have come across wrong. What study was this?
Some good points, but assuming everyone switches to electric cars, where is the power going to come from?
There’s sufficient spare capacity in the grid Ali to cover peak demand charging today and with smart charging schemes that will be put in place it becomes a none issue by the time we get to 2040. The biggest issues will be getting the infrastructure in place as not everyone will be able to run an extension lead to their cars! :D
Lol might have come across wrong. What study was this?
https://www.eon.com/en/new-energy/electricity-for-electric-cars.html
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311545944_Cloud_energy_storage_for_residential_and _small_commercial_consumers_A_business_case_study
Thats a couple of them I read and bookmarked..
Ali Tait
01-11-2019, 10:12
There’s sufficient spare capacity in the grid Ali to cover peak demand charging today and with smart charging schemes that will be put in place it becomes a none issue by the time we get to 2040. The biggest issues will be getting the infrastructure in place as not everyone will be able to run an extension lead to their cars! :D
I do work in the industry Neal, I’m aware of the issues and I’m not as sanguine frankly. It can be covered currently, but electric is a low percentage of the total traffic on the road currently. Also, what about commercial traffic and shipping etc?
I agree on the infrastructure issue- as I mentioned in my previous post.
Ali Tait
01-11-2019, 10:15
https://www.eon.com/en/new-energy/electricity-for-electric-cars.html
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311545944_Cloud_energy_storage_for_residential_and _small_commercial_consumers_A_business_case_study
Thats a couple of them I read and bookmarked..
Thanks. Yes, have read similar before. A point that concerns me is where are all the rare raw materials to manufacture the batteries coming from.
Audio Al
01-11-2019, 10:21
Ask the Aliens in area 51 / 52 they coverd millions of light years to get here then crashed :doh:
Maybe the flux capacitor run out of flux
dave2010
01-11-2019, 10:23
Just been working it out roughly.
To charge an electric car at a public chargepoint with sufficient energy for a 300 mile journey costs around £20, no doubt this will entail at least one top-up (or more) for the journey with the attendant waiting time (hours?).
My petrol car will do the same journey on less than a tank of fuel, consuming approximately £25 worth of fuel without fuel stops. Should I need to fill up, it takes maybe 4 minutes.
Hardly seems worth the bother to opt for an electric car at the moment.
Unfortunately, I see a situation where service stations that sell petrol and diesel will eventually become fewer and further between. This will certainly lead to the cost of electric 'refills' being hiked up and there'll be nothing that we can do about it.Your car is presumably doing about 60 mpg, or you have a source of very cheap petrol.
I calculate petrol cars (and some hybrids) as typically between 10-15p per mile.
Re your last point, eventually there won’t be any petrol, though the peak oil limit seems to have been extended. The problem with petrol and diesel is that, like coal and gas, it pollutes and does contribute to global warming.
Re solar energy - in theory there’s more than enough to keep everything going for millions of years, but the problem is capturing it and turning it into useful forms.
Re the costs - I have had two PV installations fitted at my own cost. One provides a useful income offset with the FiT, the other gives hardly any return. What is surprising though is that electricity bills do go down. A 4kW PV installation should now cost less than £6k, and is worthwhile for anyone who wants to invest in that.
However, such a small installation will not generate enough electricity to drive an electric car very far, particularly in the winter.
Storage batteries don’t really do much, unless the grid becomes unreliable, and simply add to the capital cost of a PV installation. Possibly the best storage batteries are the Tesla ones, which will keep a house going for a few hours, but they’re around £6k fitted - not necessarily the best investment unless supply continuity is essential and the grid fails.
More later - breakfast calls.
I take it they will invent new ones :lol: just like when they invented the spinning Jenny and the rolling Rosalind:ner:
How will it pan out... who knows, but for now we are moving to the electric car age. Volvo only make electric based ones now and Merc say that by 2022 their cars will all have an electric option.
Personally the hybrid to me seems the best current version for most folk. Electric only for folk who wont go out of city is fine but for rural and longer distances the current cars are more than adequete . especially as the usa china india etc dont give a monkeys
walpurgis
01-11-2019, 11:00
The problem with petrol and diesel is that, like coal and gas, it pollutes and does contribute to global warming.
Not sure I really care. The levels of pollution from domestic vehicles is tiny compared to other sources.
And anyway, isn't the term 'climate change' these days, Global Warming being somewhat in danger of being a descredited theory these days? It's all a bit vague, largely due to the huge amounts of 'data' they throw at anybody who challenges the idea, in an attempt to bury them.
Agenda driven bollox is what it looks like to me.
dave2010
01-11-2019, 11:10
Not sure I really care. The levels of pollution from domestic vehicles is tiny compared to other sources.
And anyway, isn't the term 'climate change' these days, Global Warming being somewhat in danger of being a descredited theory these days? It's all a bit vague, largely due to the huge amounts of 'data' they throw at anybody who challenges the idea, in an attempt to bury them.
Agenda driven bollox is what it looks like to me.Sorry - I disagree with you completely about the global warming/climate change thing. What agenda do you think it is anyway?
However, there is a problem re the UK. Even if the UK goes to zero CO2 + greenhouse gases, the USA, China and to a lesser extent India, are all major contributors to the issue, so those countries need to get themselves sorted. That's not a terribly good excuse for the UK though, but it is a tenable one. Whether if the UK does try to show the way will make any difference to those countries remains to be seen - perhaps not - which is very sad.
dave2010
01-11-2019, 11:16
Thanks. Yes, have read similar before. A point that concerns me is where are all the rare raw materials to manufacture the batteries coming from.I think Argentina is a major source - though this site mentions others - https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/mining/where-will-all-the-lithium-needed-for-electric-cars-be-mined/
http://zerocarbonista.com/2008/10/08/where-on-earth-will-all-the-lithium-come-from/
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lithium-mines-idUSTRE6963X920101007 This site also mentions Argentina and Chile.
walpurgis
01-11-2019, 11:21
I disagree with you completely about the global warming/climate change thing. What agenda do you think it is anyway?
Which bit of my comment specifically did you disagree with?
And the agenda is of course money.
Ali Tait
01-11-2019, 11:26
Seems to me a good way to go would be to standardise the battery packs so they can be swapped at stations- that way existing petrol stations could be used.
walpurgis
01-11-2019, 11:26
I think Argentina is a major source - though this site mentions others - https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/mining/where-will-all-the-lithium-needed-for-electric-cars-be-mined/
http://zerocarbonista.com/2008/10/08/where-on-earth-will-all-the-lithium-come-from/
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lithium-mines-idUSTRE6963X920101007 This site also mentions Argentina and Chile.
Lithium may not remain the main electrolyte component of vehicle batteries.
dave2010
01-11-2019, 11:28
Which bit of my comment specifically did you disagree with?
And the agenda is of course money.I disagree 95% with the notion that climate change/global warming is discredited.
Re the money agenda - what in particular? Big business? "Investment" from other countries? There's probably always going to be money involved, but it's just a question of who gets it. Shareholders in oil companies and related industries might not want to have competition from electric vehicles, though in fact many are investigating those. There'll be money to be made (lost?) whether in oil, electricity, hydrogen based fuels etc., and providing relevant service infrastructure, so it's just a matter of which group of individuals or industries are favoured.
What really gets up my nose is foreign "investors" in the UK buying up land and/or real estate (sometimes in conglomerates) then trying to dictate or affect planning policy.
I think Switzerland has the right idea there.
dave2010
01-11-2019, 11:34
Seems to me a good way to go would be to standardise the battery packs so they can be swapped at stations- that way existing petrol stations could be used.That has been suggested, and indeed one electric car manufacturer (Renault) has a battery leasing scheme - not quite the same - but part of the way there. Unfortunately, it's a rather expensive way to do things - the price of the car is reduced a bit, but then the leasing costs are higher than if the batteries are bought outright. The other thing that Renault do is price the battery pack very high - it's actually higher than the cost of the car!
One thing which is still a significant problem though is freight vehicles. In the USA Tesla is developing batteries for trucks, but for long distance/heavy work oil based fuels are still the only really sensible way. This will still be an issue in the UK, even if most private cars switch to other energy forms.
Long distance buses/coaches may also present problems.
dave2010
01-11-2019, 11:38
Lithium may not remain the main electrolyte component of vehicle batteries.Agreed.
Ali Tait
01-11-2019, 11:42
That has been suggested, and indeed one electric car manufacturer (Renault) has a battery leasing scheme - not quite the same - but part of the way there. Unfortunately, it's a rather expensive way to do things - the price of the car is reduced a bit, but then the leasing costs are higher than if the batteries are bought outright. The other thing that Renault do is price the battery pack very high - it's actually higher than the cost of the car!
One thing which is still a significant problem though is freight vehicles. In the USA Tesla is developing batteries for trucks, but for long distance/heavy work oil based fuels are still the only really sensible way. This will still be an issue in the UK, even if most private cars switch to other energy forms.
Long distance buses/coaches may also present problems.
Yes, mentioned that in a previous post, how will commercial traffic be powered. It’s all well and good banging on about cars and their effect on the environment, people should look at the pollution caused by worldwide shipping.
Ali Tait
01-11-2019, 11:44
I would have thought that if a standard could be agreed for batteries across all the car manufacturers, prices would come down once uptake reaches past a certain level, you’d only in effect be paying for the charge in the batteries
dave2010
01-11-2019, 11:46
Just have a small one on the roof then keep driving at full speed all the time ,
just keep driving round and round in circles until the charge is done = sortedSounds almost as good as the "cheap" stereo solution using one loudspeaker. Mount it on an arm which rotates rapidly (how rapidly?), switch the left and right channels as the loudspeaker moves round, and maybe also compensate for Doppler shift.
Some health and safety hazards though, and warning signs and cutouts would need to be installed to ensure nobody gets hurt.
Could combine it with the wind turbine idea!
Hibster_2000
01-11-2019, 13:33
Why use batteries at all?
Surely a supercap bank will be all that we need?
Well, we've been out all day looking at cars for Del, and after test-driving a few, she's settled on a Mini Clubman Cooper S Exclusive 2.0L Petrol in 'Chilli Red', but she'll be having 18" black alloy wheels on hers:
https://www.halliwelljoneschestermini.co.uk/cars/clubman/exclusive/
The Panda Cross, Suzuki, etc, were fine and she liked the quirky look of the Panda in particular, but immediately fell in love with the Mini, which was quite obviously in a different class, especially in terms of overall build and finish. We're going for the bigger 2L engine, as it'll be better for long distances when going abroad, pretty 'pokey' too with 192HP!
It's really a gorgeous car, inside and out, and MASSIVE inside, when the rear seats are folded down flat, and super-wide too, due to how the doors open, which will be ideal for transporting large flat-packs from Ikea, etc. I reckon I could stretch out fully there inside a sleeping bag, as there's just tons of room! So plenty for bringing back vino and goodies from our trips abroad!
We're just going to get Christmas over with first, and then order one to our spec in the new year, so it'll be a fun way to start 2020:cool:
Marco.
P.S Dave, I'll get to your post later.
rmcin626
01-11-2019, 15:46
Well, we've been out all day looking at cars for Del, and after test-driving a few, she's settled on a Mini Clubman Cooper S Exclusive 2.0L Petrol in 'Chilli Red', but she'll be having 18" black alloy wheels on hers:
https://www.halliwelljoneschestermini.co.uk/cars/clubman/exclusive/
The Panda Cross, Suzuki, etc, were fine and she liked the quirky look of the Panda in particular, but immediately fell in love with the Mini, which was quite obviously in a different class, especially in terms of overall build and finish. We're going for the bigger 2L engine, as it'll be better for long distances when going abroad, pretty 'pokey' too with 192HP!
It's really a gorgeous car, inside and out, and MASSIVE inside, when the rear seats are folded down flat, and super-wide too, due to how the doors open, which will be ideal for transporting large flat-packs from Ikea, etc. I reckon I could stretch out fully there inside a sleeping bag, as there's tons of room! So plenty for bringing back vino and goodies from our trips abroad!
Just going to get Christmas over with, and get one ordered to our spec in the new years, so it'll be a nice way to start 2020:cool:
Marco.
P.S Dave, I'll get to your post later.
Very nice Marco
Cheers, mate. She's looking forward to getting it!:cool:
Marco.
Nice one mate - BMW in all but name and great performance - but did I read that right, you're ordering one - new? - after all your posts about never buying a new car? :eek:
Yeah, on this particular occasion new makes more sense. My next car defo won't be though, as I fancy an Alfa Giulia!:eek:
Marco.
For cars where there are lots of options to make them individual like the Mini it does make sense sometimes. I really like the Giulia, but you would seriously lose a load of wedge buying one of those new - I bet they're a massive bargain second-hand.
I'm seriously thinking of leasing for Sue's car which needs replacing, really. Will have to be a SUV for the space with the kids and they much prefer being higher up so they can see around them, and 4WD with the country roads in the winter. My VW I will keep for as long as it lasts as I am not doing anywhere near as many miles as I used to. The Defender I will never change, though.
dave2010
01-11-2019, 16:23
Why use batteries at all?
Surely a supercap bank will be all that we need?No - go straight to nuclear reactors - new designs which go straight to electricity! :lol:
Imagine pulling into a "garage" and having a few new uranium rods installed! Or maybe a squirt of hydrogen if fusion reactors are used.
For cars where there are lots of options to make them individual like the Mini it does make sense sometimes. I really like the Giulia, but you would seriously lose a load of wedge buying one of those new - I bet they're a massive bargain second-hand.
Precisely! And I intend to take full advantage of that. When the time comes, if I can get a nice one for around £20-25k, I'll be happy. However, I'll be keeping the Brabster for a while yet, especially now with Del getting her Mini, as we'll be using that for all major long-distance driving, so that will help put less miles on the Merc:)
I'm seriously thinking of leasing for Sue's car which needs replacing, really. Will have to be a SUV for the space with the kids and they much prefer being higher up so they can see around them, and 4WD with the country roads in the winter. My VW I will keep for as long as it lasts as I am not doing anywhere near as many miles as I used to. The Defender I will never change, though.
There are lots of advantages with leasing, when you're still working, especially in terms of tax, servicing, etc. I always leased cars through the business, as it was a no-brainer. And there are certainly plenty of choices of SUVs!:cool:
Marco.
good buy. i had one eye on one too, but got sidetracked by the chr. sure Del will love it
Cheers, mate. Yeah the CH-R is nice, but more 'manly'. The Mini is defo more of a girly car, and probably a little more distinctive, certainly with how the doors open at the back. I'm unaware of any other car on the road with that particular feature:)
I'm certainly looking forward to driving it - and also maintaining it, as that'll be up to me!:cool:
Marco.
Ali Tait
01-11-2019, 19:53
Yeah, on this particular occasion new makes more sense. My next car defo won't be though, as I fancy an Alfa Giulia!:eek:
Marco.
Me too.
Hibster_2000
01-11-2019, 19:54
It's really a gorgeous car, inside and out, and MASSIVE inside, when the rear seats are folded down flat, and super-wide too, due to how the doors open, which will be ideal for transporting large flat-packs from Ikea, etc. I reckon I could stretch out fully there inside a sleeping bag, as there's just tons of room! So plenty for bringing back vino and goodies from our trips abroad!
Nice car, but if a no deal Brexit goes ahead, you won’t need a big boot to bring back the customs allowance. :(
InThe Sticks
01-11-2019, 20:11
How did you find the ride?
I've driven quite a few and whilst they are super fun on the twistys the ride can get a bit jarring on a long journey. The run flat tyres don't help.
Also having repaired a few, i can say that the build quality is light years ahead of a Fiat 500. I mean shut the door on a Mini, then shut one on a Fiat and you know where the build quality is and isn't. And yes, they are Tardis like, one thinks it'll be all cramped in there, but in reality theres plenty of room.
InThe Sticks
01-11-2019, 20:18
Slightly off topic, but..
Not sure i’d want a Volvo XC90 after this happened a few days ago outside my workplace..
I walked outside to bring a car into the workshop and saw a guy legging it away from his car. At first i thought it’d been stolen, but then noticed the fire. He’d actually been running to the fire station 15 meters away.
Just after he got out..
https://i.imgur.com/dlyZ1RV.jpg
Then a minute later..
https://i.imgur.com/5PSwYMv.jpg
Unfortunately all the fire engines were on call, so this happened…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClU56Ygj29E
Seems theres a recall for a fuel leak at the moment, shame he didn’t get it done in time.
dave2010
02-11-2019, 04:52
Doesn't look good. I had to look up the car - https://www.volvocars.com/uk/cars/new-models/xc90 Seems it comes in a few variants, including a plug-in electric version. Range in electric mode seems very low for a modern car, and generally the fuel consumption seems rather high - even worse if it catches fire.
Not sure if fire hazards are thing with electric cars - they might be, though the cars wouldn't normally have petrol to keep the flames comind!
Our local bus did that along Rd from me
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191102/ac9580434909530a8b158eaf9a79a391.jpg
Not sure if fire hazards are thing with electric cars - they might be, though the cars wouldn't normally have petrol to keep the flames comind!
No but they have lithium batteries which can be very volatile if damaged.
Cheers, mate. Yeah the CH-R is nice, but more 'manly'. The Mini is defo more of a girly car, and probably a little more distinctive, certainly with how the doors open at the back. I'm unaware of any other car on the road with that particular feature:)
I'm certainly looking forward to driving it - and also maintaining it, as that'll be up to me!:cool:
Marco.So your gonna be driving it too. There are quite a few minis around here, but not as many clubman, which I do prefer.
My son in law's sister has a mini.
Did u test a fiat 500 as well?
Yeah, we've always driven each other's cars, although Del just looks silly in the Brabster and never takes it above 60mph!:D
So yes, I'll sometimes be driving the Mini, as the idea is to put as little more miles on the Merc now as possible. She took the mini for a quick spin yesterday, but it was the last car we went to see, so didn't have much time before we needed to get home, and they were quite busy, so we've booked a proper test drive for next Saturday, where I'll be able to assess things properly [including the ride, F.A.O, Jon].
Indeed, you don't see many Clubmans around, so that was one of the reasons she chose it, as like me, she likes driving something a bit different from the norm and hates the overall 'generic' look of cars these days. A Fiat 500 was never in the equation, as it's too small. It was a Fiat Panda Cross she test drove, which in fairness was a lovely little car, inside and out, and also quite 'quirky' in appearance. Plus it had 4x4 facility, and has been highly rated for that in all the mags.
However, when we added up all the extra bits we wanted, included the metallic grey paint colour, it was coming to just shy of £19k, which is a lot for a Panda. The Mini in question is around £27k, and a totally different animal in terms of class, so we felt the extra £8k was worth it, especially as we're not serial car swappers, so it will last us for years!:cool:
Marco.
Yeah, we've always driven each other's cars, although Del just looks silly in the Brabster and never takes it above 60mph!:D
So yes, I'll sometimes be driving the Mini, as the idea is to put as little more miles on the Merc now as possible. She took the mini for a quick spin yesterday, but it was the last car we went to see, so didn't have much time before we needed to get home, and they were quite busy, so we've booked a proper test drive for next Saturday, where I'll be able to assess things properly [including the ride, F.A.O, Jon].
Indeed, you don't see many Clubmans around, so that was one of the reasons she chose it, as like me, she likes driving something a bit different from the norm and hates the overall 'generic' look of cars these days. A Fiat 500 was never in the equation, as it's too small. It was a Fiat Panda Cross she test drove, which in fairness was a lovely little car, inside and out, and also quite 'quirky' in appearance. Plus it had 4x4 facility, and has been highly rated for that in all the mags.
However, when we added up all the extra bits we wanted, included the metallic grey paint colour, it was coming to just shy of £19k, which is a lot for a Panda. The Mini in question is around £27k, and a totally different animal in terms of class, so we felt the extra £8k was worth it, especially as we're not serial car swappers, so it will last us for years!:cool:
Marco.
Fair enough, The 500 can be had in a bigger body tho so would have been big enough, although doesnt have the cute doors or bmw behind it.. cant really imagine Del behind wheel of the brabus.. she is similar build to my daughter although taller..:eek:
Lol - your daughter must be tiny then! Del's only 5ft 2ins. Yeah, when she's been driving the Brab, puttering along at 50/60mph on the bypass, and I've been in the passenger seat, we've had M3 and Audi RS drivers, and such like, overtaking us and looking in to see who's driving, and when they see a wee girl behind the wheel, they just piss themselves laughing!:D
Yeah, we looked at the 500L and X, and they were just big, bulky looking 'buses', with no real style to them, so she ruled them out. They're just not true Fiat 500s. She'd love a nice little red 500, preferably an Abarth, as although she's not the type to drive fast, she loves its sporty looks, but it's just too small for her needs. The Clubman, however, ticks all the right boxes:cool:
Marco.
Lol - your daughter must be tiny then! Del's only 5ft 2ins. Yeah, when she's been driving the Brab, puttering along at 50/60mph on the bypass, and I've been in the passenger seat, we've had M3 and Audi RS drivers, and such like, overtaking us and looking in to see who's driving, and when they see a wee girl behind the wheel, they just piss themselves laughing!:D
Yeah, we looked at the 500L and X, and they were just big, bulky looking 'buses', with no real style to them, so she rules them out. She'd love a nice little red 500, preferably an Abarth, as although she's not the type to drive fast, she loves its sporty looks, but it's just too small for her needs. The Clubman just ticks all the right boxes:cool:
Marco.
yeah daughter is well under 5ft. size 6 although not up top :lol: wife wasnt a lot bigger frame wise but about 5'2" as well. Funny but her hubby is around your size too. about 6'2" .. they look like little and large lol .. one of the kids is going to be tall as well...dunno about the youngest yet
Lol - she is tiny! Del's a size 8, and sometimes has had to get kids clothes to fit. I'm sure your daughter has same issues. Fortunately for Del, as she likes quirky clothes (mainly dresses), designer labels tend to produce petite sizes, so she usually finds something suitable.
Yeah you quite often get big guys with small women. I've never gone out with a female my height. I think that would be rather disconcerting!:eek:
Marco.
walpurgis
02-11-2019, 12:08
I've never gone out with a female my height
Marco.
I have. Well, not your height, mine I mean :). I'm not big though.
My wife is very small, about 5'2" but ultra skinny these days, around 6 stone.
dave2010
02-11-2019, 14:46
Lol - she is tiny! Del's a size 8, and sometimes has had to get kids clothes to fit. I'm sure your daughter has same issues. Fortunately for Del, as she likes quirky clothes (mainly dresses), designer labels tend to produce petite sizes, so she usually finds something suitable.
Yeah you quite often get big guys with small women. I've never gone out with a female my height. I think that would be rather disconcerting!:eek:
Marco.Ah - tax dodging eh! I have female friends who are small, and kids clothes don't attract VAT, I think. Doesn't bother me, and I'm sure that they get the clothes they want/need by choosing from different ranges.
dave2010
02-11-2019, 14:50
Yeah, we've always driven each other's cars, although Del just looks silly in the Brabster and never takes it above 60mph!:D
So yes, I'll sometimes be driving the Mini, as the idea is to put as little more miles on the Merc now as possible. She took the mini for a quick spin yesterday, but it was the last car we went to see, so didn't have much time before we needed to get home, and they were quite busy, so we've booked a proper test drive for next Saturday, where I'll be able to assess things properly [including the ride, F.A.O, Jon].
Indeed, you don't see many Clubmans around, so that was one of the reasons she chose it, as like me, she likes driving something a bit different from the norm and hates the overall 'generic' look of cars these days. A Fiat 500 was never in the equation, as it's too small.I've driven quite a few hire cars during the last year or so. I was surpised at the Fiat 500 - I had a couple of those. Really nice little car. Depends what you want it for though. No good for taking junk to the dump.
Some of the cars have been the other side of horrible.
Ah - tax dodging eh! I have female friends who are small, and kids clothes don't attract VAT, I think. Doesn't bother me, and I'm sure that they get the clothes they want/need by choosing from different ranges.
Lol - tax dodging? Never even thought of it, Dave. We don't have that type of mentality. For Del, it's simply about getting some things to fit, as there are so many fatties around these days, especially among women, so the small sizes are always snapped up first!
Marco.
Lol - tax dodging? Never even thought of it, Dave. We don't have that type of mentality. For Del, it's simply about getting some things to fit, as there are so many fatties around these days, so the small sizes are always snapped up first!
Marco.
must be missing a market then as my size is never in shops either. In fact I just complained to M&S about it.... I shop online mostly at a couple of shops who cater for, shall we say, odd sizes:rolleyes:
I've driven quite a few hire cars during the last year or so. I was surpised at the Fiat 500 - I had a couple of those. Really nice little car. Depends what you want it for though. No good for taking junk to the dump.
No, indeed, nor for carrying much stuff in general. Fortunately, we take very little rubbish to the dump, as we're big into recycling, so what isn't outright rubbish, and which we can't fit into the various recycle bins provided by the local council [we pay for an extra green bin to put all our garden refuse in], we give to charity shops or Freecycle it: https://groups.freecycle.org/group/WrexhamUK/posts/all
The latter is a great idea, as it helps folks without much money to get some decent stuff, and which they come and collect, so unlike lugging stuff to the dump and unloading it there etc, getting your car all filthy in the process, there's little effort involved:)
Marco.
dave2010
02-11-2019, 15:01
Lol - tax dodging? Never even thought of it, Dave. We don't have that type of mentality. For Del, it's simply about getting some things to fit, as there are so many fatties around these days, so the small sizes are always snapped up first!
Marco.No probs - it wasn't meant badly. I still buy from Amazon, but some of my friends don't because they say the company is a (very big) tax dodger.
I can't talk about fatties. Mrs d is now slimmer than she was - that's all I'm going to say. Annoys her that I seem to be able to eat anything, and doesn't make too much difference. I'm slightly more rotund than previously, but I have been called bean pole in the past.
must be missing a market then as my size is never in shops either. In fact I just complained to M&S about it.... I shop online mostly at a couple of shops who cater for, shall we say, odd sizes:rolleyes:
Lol - thought you just went for elasticated waists these days and 'one size fits all' joggers?:D;)
Marco.
Lol - thought you just went for elasticated waists these days and 'one size fits all' joggers?:D;)
Marco.
never see me in joggers. ghastly things. actually i do have a few pars of partial elastic waist trousers. they are ok, and help often with the vagaries(if i can use that here) of different companies ideas on sizing. wearing my first pair of jeans for over 20 years as i usually wear real trousers:eyebrows:
dave2010
02-11-2019, 15:10
No, indeed, nor for carrying much stuff in general. Fortunately, we take very little rubbish to the dump, as we're big into recycling, so what isn't outright rubbish, and which we can't fit into the various recycle bins provided by the local council [we pay for an extra green bin to put all our garden refuse in], we give to charity shops or Freecycle it: https://groups.freecycle.org/group/WrexhamUK/posts/all
The latter is a great idea, as it helps folks without much money to get some decent stuff, and which they come and collect, so unlike lugging stuff to the dump and unloading it there etc, getting your car all filthy in the process, there's little effort involved:)
Marco.Freecycling doesn't always work though. Depends where you live. If you live in an affluent area a lot of people are trying to toss pretty much the same of stuff which you are trying to offload. There is some really good stuff to be had on Freecycle though, and I like the concept. If we get something on Freecycle and subsequently want to dispose of it it goes back on Freecycle first. That doesn't always work though, so the next step is to advertise for a modest price on Gumtree, with the final stage being to send to charity shops (if they'll take whatever) or dump. We have had things from Freecycle which we couldn't get rid of on Freecycle, but had people fighting to pay £40 or more for when advertised on Gumtree. I think there are significant regional variations.
It's amazing what gets dumped in some places - stuff that looks new, and still works!
We also had one quite nice coffee table with a blemish on, but the charity furniture removers wouldn't take it because it wasn't perfect. It only needed a little rubbing down, and perhaps a coat of clear varnish - or just live with it ....... In the end I gave it to a guy who sometimes does our garden who is in desperate need of money and stuff like that.
I think in other parts of the UK people might have bitten my hand off for me to give it to them ... perhaps.
No probs - it wasn't meant badly. I still buy from Amazon, but some of my friends don't because they say the company is a (very big) tax dodger.
I can't talk about fatties. Mrs d is now slimmer than she was - that's all I'm going to say. Annoys her that I seem to be able to eat anything, and doesn't make too much difference. I'm slightly more rotund than previously, but I have been called bean pole in the past.
No worries, it wasn't taken badly:)
The tax thing is interesting, but really wasn't something that registered. Neither of us buy clothes from Amazon, or indeed online, other than sometimes Del, with shoes or boots on sale or return. Otherwise, it's designer boutiques, where petite women are generally better catered for, kids stuff, or 'normal shops' *if* she can find clothes she likes in her size!
Marco.
Freecycling doesn't always work though. Depends where you live. If you live in an affluent area a lot of people are trying to toss pretty much the same of stuff which you are trying to offload. There is some really good stuff to be had on Freecycle though, and I like the concept. If we get something on Freecycle and subsequently want to dispose of it it goes back on Freecycle first. That doesn't always work though, so the next step is to advertise for a modest price on Gumtree, with the final stage being to send to charity shops (if they'll take whatever) or dump. We have had things from Freecycle which we could get rid of on Freecycle, but had people fighting to pay £40 or more for when advertised on Gumtree. I think there are significant regional variations.
It's amazing what gets dumped in some places - stuff that looks new, and still works!
We also had one quite nice coffee table with a blemish on, but the charity furniture removers wouldn't take it because it wasn't perfect. It only needed a little rubbing down, and perhaps a coat of clear varnish - or just live with it ....... In the end I gave it to a guy who sometimes does our garden who is in desperate need of money and stuff like that.
I think in other parts of the UK people might have bitten my hand off for me to give it to them ... perhaps.
Yeah, totally agree about the area. Overall, Wrexham isn't an affluent area, and the stuff we Freecycle is always decent quality (as we don't buy shite), so it's usually always snapped up. There's way too much mindless waste in today's 'disposable society' - skips full of perfectly good kids bikes, mobile phones, furniture and all sorts, dumped simply because the owners were bored of it, or has become unfashionable:doh:
Ridiculous... Or lazy bastards who would rather just take stuff to the dump than to charity shops, or Freecycling it, where someone else could benefit - or even 'upcycling' it themselves, and turning it into something more interesting and useful.
One of our favourite programmes is the BBC's 'Money for Nothing', where unwanted items are turned into something useable by skilled craftsmen, then sold to specialist retailers/corporate buyers for a profit, which is then given to the owners of the items concerned: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06bhwvy
Sometimes it just takes a little bit of elbow grease and imagination to create some wonderful stuff from your 'junk'!:cool:
Marco.
walpurgis
02-11-2019, 15:33
never see me in joggers. ghastly things.
I'm wearing some now. :)
I'm wearing some now. :)
Is that with your sparkly lilac top, from Dorothy Perkins, and diamante high-heeled sandals? It's a 'distinctive look' for sure!:lol:
Marco.
dave2010
02-11-2019, 17:21
Yeah, totally agree about the area. Overall, Wrexham isn't an affluent area, and the stuff we Freecycle is always decent quality (as we don't buy shite), so it's usually always snapped up. There's way too much mindless waste in today's 'disposable society' - skips full of perfectly good kids bikes, mobile phones, furniture and all sorts, dumped simply because the owners were bored of it, or has become unfashionable:doh:
Down at some dumps I know, if you take (say, for example) a kid's bike, there'll probably be about 20 for sale, and then if you ask the guys what to do with one extra the answer is nearly always something like "toss it in the metal bin", or "toss it in household waste". Nobody cares if yours is better than the others.
One of the guys working there I spoke to said that after a while he got used to seeing really good things tossed - just "the way of the world", though at first he was stunned by it all!
Is that with your sparkly lilac top, from Dorothy Perkins, and diamante high-heeled sandals? It's a 'distinctive look' for sure!:lol:
Marco.
Probably is, when he isnt parading up and down in taffeta ballgowns, drinking mint juleps and whipping the houseboy!:eyebrows:
Pigmy Pony
02-11-2019, 18:31
Yeah, totally agree about the area. Overall, Wrexham isn't an affluent area, and the stuff we Freecycle is always decent quality (as we don't buy shite), so it's usually always snapped up. There's way too much mindless waste in today's 'disposable society' - skips full of perfectly good kids bikes, mobile phones, furniture and all sorts, dumped simply because the owners were bored of it, or has become unfashionable:doh:
Ridiculous... Or lazy bastards who would rather just take stuff to the dump than to charity shops, or Freecycling it, where someone else could benefit - or even 'upcycling' it themselves, and turning it into something more interesting and useful.
One of our favourite programmes is the BBC's 'Money for Nothing', where unwanted items are turned into something useable by skilled craftsmen, then sold to specialist retailers/corporate buyers for a profit, which is then given to the owners of the items concerned: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06bhwvy
Sometimes it just takes a little bit of elbow grease and imagination to create some wonderful stuff from your 'junk'!:cool:
Marco.
I'm one of those lazy bastards who takes stuff to the tip instead of the charity shop - but that's because they are picky bastards who expect donations to be near perfect. Also, all the charity shops are in the town centre, with the attendant parking problems.
A couple of years ago I took a shitload of books (a backbreaking amount) and lugged them some distance from car park to shop. They sifted through them and went "don't want that, we'll take that, don't want that" etc. I ended up lugging most of them back to the car and going to the tip anyway. :(
A lot of stuff at Pony Towers goes under the car port where I decide whether to make something else with it or give it away. Most of it ends up at the tip to make room for more crap.
I'm one of those lazy bastards who takes stuff to the tip instead of the charity shop - but that's because they are picky bastards who expect donations to be near perfect. Also, all the charity shops are in the town centre, with the attendant parking problems.
Ha - or you're attempting to use their shop as a dumping ground, by bringing them a load of 'toot', so quite rightly sent packing!:D;)
Seriously though, none of the charity shops here have ever refused anything we've taken them.
Plus, there are no issues with parking in Wrexham town centre. You get two hours free parking outside of Home Bargains (huge car park with always spaces available), and which is right next to most of the charity shops, so Del and I do a 'team effort', and simply park the car there and both of us carry stuff into the charity shop(s) in question, where the friendly staff are invariably always grateful:cool:
You see, that's the difference between Wales and England!:ner:
;)
Marco.
dave2010
02-11-2019, 18:56
A couple of years ago I took a load of books (a backbreaking amount) and lugged them some distance from car park to shop. They sifted through them and went "don't want that, we'll take that, don't want that" etc. I ended up lugging most of them back to the car and going to the tip anyway. :(
A lot of stuff at Pony Towers goes under the car port where I decide whether to make something else with it or give it away. Most of it ends up at the tip to make room for more crap.
Sometimes leaving stuff under the car port, or close to the front gate .... they just disappear!
Sometimes, in fact, stuff which has just been put out temporarily, disappears! :steam:
Re the books - years ago we inherited loads of books, and took many to charity shops. On one occasion, one of the charity shop people spotted us (not me, actually - my "agents") and came out and said something like "if that's more books, you can turn round and take them away right now!". After that we found another charity shop in another town not so far away where they at least professed to be grateful for what we gave them.
If you want something taken, put a crappy security device on it in open sight of Rd.. Be nicked by morning lol
Lived here for nearly 20 years and [touch wood] have never had anything stolen inside or outside the house, and we've left all sorts of stuff out overnight, even me forgetting to lock the car on a number of occasions, but in that respect I think it helps being away from a main road and not having folk going past your door all the time:)
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
03-11-2019, 10:55
Ha - or you're attempting to use their shop as a dumping ground, by bringing them a load of 'toot', so quite rightly sent packing!:D;)
Seriously though, none of the charity shops here have ever refused anything we've taken them.
Plus, there are no issues with parking in Wrexham town centre. You get two hours free parking outside of Home Bargains (huge car park with always spaces available), and which is right next to most of the charity shops, so Del and I do a 'team effort', and simply park the car there and both of us carry stuff into the charity shop(s) in question, where the friendly staff are invariably always grateful:cool:
You see, that's the difference between Wales and England!:ner:
;)
Marco.
Ah, so that's the difference - and I thought it was just the woolliness of the sheep, or the dual-language road signs. Actually there'll be some parts of England that are no different to Wales, like Burnley or Maryport :)
If I'd just wanted a dumping ground for my "old toot" I would have gone straight to the tip where I could park right next to the skip, job done. But I only tried the one charity shop - I'm not prepared to lug stuff from one shop to the next, in the hope that one of them will deign to relieve me of my burden, my life is busy enough without having to spend my all too brief leisure time going door to door like an unpaid encylopaedia salesman.
always a problem when charity becomes business.
Pigmy Pony
03-11-2019, 10:59
Lived here for nearly 20 years and [touch wood] have never had anything stolen inside or outside the house, and we've left all sorts of stuff out overnight, even me forgetting to lock the car on a number of occasions, but in that respect I think it helps being away from a main road and not having folk going past your door all the time:)
Marco.
The scrap rats are the worst culprits I think - if they come past where I am working, and there is something that has value, I then have to find somewhere else to put it, cos sure as eggs is eggs they'll be back later, after you've left :(
Ah, so that's the difference - and I thought it was just the woolliness of the sheep, or the dual-language road signs. Actually there'll be some parts of England that are no different to Wales, like Burnley or Maryport :)
If I'd just wanted a dumping ground for my "old toot" I would have gone straight to the tip where I could park right next to the skip, job done. But I only tried the one charity shop - I'm not prepared to lug stuff from one shop to the next, in the hope that one of them will deign to relieve me of my burden, my life is busy enough without having to spend my all too brief leisure time going door to door like an unpaid encylopaedia salesman.
Lol - fair enough, but as I said, I've never had that problem. Any charity shop we've give stuff to has always been very grateful for the donation, so no traipsing around required!:cool:
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
03-11-2019, 11:05
Ha - or you're attempting to use their shop as a dumping ground, by bringing them a load of 'toot', so quite rightly sent packing!:D;)
Seriously though, none of the charity shops here have ever refused anything we've taken them.
Plus, there are no issues with parking in Wrexham town centre. You get two hours free parking outside of Home Bargains (huge car park with always spaces available), and which is right next to most of the charity shops, so Del and I do a 'team effort', and simply park the car there and both of us carry stuff into the charity shop(s) in question, where the friendly staff are invariably always grateful:cool:
You see, that's the difference between Wales and England!:ner:
;)
Marco.
So what kind of items do you take to your charity shops? I know you don't bother with books, at least not ones without pictures, and I can't see Barnardo's wanting to take on your 'specialist' magazines :eyebrows:
The scrap rats are the worst culprits I think - if they come past where I am working, and there is something that has value, I then have to find somewhere else to put it, cos sure as eggs is eggs they'll be back later, after you've left :(
Yeah, I know what you mean, but as our house is in its own grounds, away from the main road, we don't really get 'passers by', so there's little opportunity for such folk to pinch anything.
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
03-11-2019, 11:11
Sometimes leaving stuff under the car port, or close to the front gate .... they just disappear!
Sometimes, in fact, stuff which has just been put out temporarily, disappears! :steam:
Re the books - years ago we inherited loads of books, and took many to charity shops. On one occasion, one of the charity shop people spotted us (not me, actually - my "agents") and came out and said something like "if that's more books, you can turn round and take them away right now!". After that we found another charity shop in another town not so far away where they at least professed to be grateful for what we gave them.
I heard of a woman who had a new washing machine installed, and rather than take the old, perfectly good machine to the tip, instead left it outside her house with a sign saying 'free to good home'. Several days later it was still there, and on the advice of her friend changed the sign to say '£30 ono'. It went overnight :)
Pigmy Pony
03-11-2019, 11:17
Yeah, I know what you mean, but as our house is in its own grounds, away from the main road, we don't really get 'passers by', so there's little opportunity for such folk to pinch anything.
Marco.
No you should be safe from them. More likely to be bothered by that flasher lurking in the bushes - oh sorry Marco, didn't recognise you with your pants on :D
Pigmy Pony
03-11-2019, 11:27
Just me and thee on Abstract Chat at the moment Marco, how intimate is that? Whose character should we assassinate? Or you can tell me how your new outfit went down with the others at the party. I know you were worried that it may be "a bit much" :eek:
So what kind of items do you take to your charity shops? I know you don't bother with books, at least not ones without pictures, and I can't see Barnardo's wanting to take on your 'specialist' magazines :eyebrows:
Haha, no my 'Saddle Sniffer's Monthly' mags are safely 'filed away'...:eyebrows:
Del's an avid reader and has loads of books, but rarely disposes of any, as she likes the look of bookcases full of books, neatly stored (as do I), and is rather attached to most of them, especially anything antique or of sentimental value.
No, what we mainly dispose of is old ornaments (often proper, although not valuable, antiques), which are always in good condition, as we look after our things, or lamps, pictures, tables, glassware, brand new unwanted/unused gifts, and new, unworn clothes or shoes. And in terms of clothes, if they have been worn, then only if they're still in very good condition, plus we also wash them first before taking them to the shop, as stuff that's been hanging around in wardrobes for years can sometimes be a little fusty.
We're the type who always buy quality things, and keep them for a long time and look after them, not cheap tat to forever swap, simply to follow fashion [not saying you do that either, though], so when we decide to dispose of stuff, it's always good gear, mostly in the same (or near to) condition we bought it in. In all seriousness, if I'd taken stuff along to a charity shop, and it'd been refused, I'd have been rather embarrassed!:o
Btw, if you're busy, you should try Freecycling stuff. Nothing easier than posting details of unwanted items on the Freecycle site, someone living locally contacts you who wants it, and they come and collect. Simple, easy and good for the planet!:cool:
Marco [hasn't been to dump/skip for about 2 years].
hifilover
03-11-2019, 12:02
Howdy folks
Long time n all that ;) How's things
What's new in peoples garages?
I'm down to one car currently; still looking into a new toy for next year. It could be an idea that I buy one that's 2 fold... A car that the wife can use daily to work and back and then a hoon machine for the evenings and weekends... So thinking along the lines of a BMW 135i or a built FN2 Civic Type R etc. I have thought about an E46 330 Clubsport or E90 330i/335i too, but I know the M54 engine so well and know how strong they are, the N range engines do like to chuck up issues for the fun of it!
This is my daily for now; it's a 2002 E39 530i. Japanese import that's absolutely rust free, everywhere ;) I popped up to Glasgow in March this year to collect it. So far I've fully rebuilt all the suspension and brakes as they needed it. The car had been well looked after, but the rubber bits did need some TLC, so thought I may as well just get it all done. Cooling system has had a full overhaul too, for peace of mind
This is t on some E31/E38 Style 37s (they're a wider wheel with a more aggressive offset than the standard Style 37s, the 5 series came on):
https://i.postimg.cc/RZYZxhTL/sideonandsettled.jpg (https://postimg.cc/K1n2nZw1)
However; I have just sold them, so it's sitting on it's winter wheels and tyres currently:
https://i.postimg.cc/QNbxHnw6/washed.jpg (https://postimg.cc/fkVhP5wX)
I'll look to sort some different alloys come the New Year; either OEM 18" Style 32s I think, or possibly a set of BBS RX alloys I've got my eyes on currently. Or, if I'm feeling really brave, I may go for a set of 19" BBS CH-Rs in satin black (that's if a) I can bring myself to spend that amount of money and b) I've still got the car by then) :lol: :D
Nice car but strange choice for someone living "oop North" where it snows lol
hifilover
03-11-2019, 12:40
Nice car but strange choice for someone living "oop North" where it snows lol
Why?!
Everybody knows BMWs don't work in the snow
https://i.postimg.cc/kXxFVCg6/Screenshot-20191103-123509.jpg
hifilover
03-11-2019, 12:49
Everybody knows BMWs don't work in the snow
https://i.postimg.cc/kXxFVCg6/Screenshot-20191103-123509.jpg
Haha seen that so many times :lol: :D
My previous E39 saloon got up to the main car park on The Gorm in Feb 2018, my Dads X3M x-drive on his summers was stuck at bottom car park ;)
They’re not too bad in snow, great fun in wide empty spaces in the snow ;)
You can't beat RWD for entertainment value in the snow.
I remember drifting a 7.5 ton in an empty car park years ago, that was long before drifting was called drifting though lol
Pigmy Pony
03-11-2019, 18:38
Nice car but strange choice for someone living "oop North" where it snows lol
We get by just fine - always carry a few extra animal skins to keep warm in case we get stranded, and a big stick to ward off marauding mancs and scousers...
Pigmy Pony
03-11-2019, 18:49
Haha, no my 'Saddle Sniffer's Monthly' mags are safely 'filed away'...:eyebrows:
Del's an avid reader and has loads of books, but rarely disposes of any, as she likes the look of bookcases full of books, neatly stored (as do I), and is rather attached to most of them, especially anything antique or of sentimental value.
No, what we mainly dispose of is old ornaments (often proper, although not valuable, antiques), which are always in good condition, as we look after our things, or lamps, pictures, tables, glassware, brand new unwanted/unused gifts, and new, unworn clothes or shoes. And in terms of clothes, if they have been worn, then only if they're still in very good condition, plus we also wash them first before taking them to the shop, as stuff that's been hanging around in wardrobes for years can sometimes be a little fusty.
We're the type who always buy quality things, and keep them for a long time and look after them, not cheap tat to forever swap, simply to follow fashion [not saying you do that either, though], so when we decide to dispose of stuff, it's always good gear, mostly in the same (or near to) condition we bought it in. In all seriousness, if I'd taken stuff along to a charity shop, and it'd been refused, I'd have been rather embarrassed!:o
Btw, if you're busy, you should try Freecycling stuff. Nothing easier than posting details of unwanted items on the Freecycle site, someone living locally contacts you who wants it, and they come and collect. Simple, easy and good for the planet!:cool:
Marco [hasn't been to dump/skip for about 2 years].
That's a lot of gear you're offloading there, bit of an impulsive buyer are we? Buying quality items, then giving them away unworn or barely used. If you were my missus I'd be sending you for counselling, or at very least never leave you without adult supervision :ner:
No chance of them turning down your donations, they must be rubbing their hands together when they see you pull up outside. Although they will treat you like their new best friend I bet the folk working at the shop would never invite you to come to their house for obvious reasons :D And that is a long held suspicion of mine, that the really good gear never makes it into the shop.
Pigmy Pony
03-11-2019, 18:53
And no I've never been one for fashion, not since the Bowie song of the same name. I can make even the most ludicrously expensive designer gear look like something I found in the bins behind Primark, so I just don't bother :)
dave2010
03-11-2019, 21:10
We get by just fine - always carry a few extra animal skins to keep warm in case we get stranded, and a big stick to ward off marauding mancs and scousers...OI - I come from the pool!
That's a lot of gear you're offloading there, bit of an impulsive buyer are we? Buying quality items, then giving them away unworn or barely used. If you were my missus I'd be sending you for counselling, or at very least never leave you without adult supervision :ner:
Ha - not all at once! Over the course of months/years, and we haven't given anything to charity shops for ages. We've got a garage full of stuff that would fill about five charity shops, and that's not including the stuff in our house! Most of it belonged to Del's mum, and quite a lot of it from when Del was a kid used to live in a much bigger house with her parents [huge detached villa with many rooms], long before she met me.
The brand new stuff we take to charity shops is the likes of unwanted Xmas presents from some of Del's friends and/or work colleagues. The used stuff is things we've bought ourselves and simply decided to move on, usually after many years, when we just wanted a change.
No chance of them turning down your donations, they must be rubbing their hands together when they see you pull up outside. Although they will treat you like their new best friend I bet the folk working at the shop would never invite you to come to their house for obvious reasons :D And that is a long held suspicion of mine, that the really good gear never makes it into the shop.
Possibly lol... Although we've been back weeks later, after having made a donation, and have seen some of the stuff we gave them, put out on the shelves. But yes, we always take stuff that others would likely consider as worth having. It's the same when we do car-boot sales - the bulk of our gear is gone in minutes, often snapped up by dealers!:eyebrows:
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
04-11-2019, 06:36
OI - I come from the pool!
Yeah but now you live all the way down there in That London, so I should be safe :) I would include cockneys in my list of marauders, but they tend to be a lazy bunch who don't think there's anything worth marauding further north than Watford :D
Yeah but now you live all the way down there in That London, so I should be safe :) I would include cockneys in my list of marauders, but they tend to be a lazy bunch who don't think there's anything worth marauding further north than Watford :D
The Londoners are now checking Google Earth and finding this newly discovered land of Watford whilst shaking their heads in disbelief that you can travel beyond Edgeware without falling off the edge of the world
Yeah but now you live all the way down there in That London, so I should be safe :) I would include cockneys in my list of marauders, but they tend to be a lazy bunch who don't think there's anything worth marauding further north than Watford :D
I like proper cockneys, as they're usually down to earth dudes, just like Scousers, Mancs, Geordies and Glaswegians. The 'southerners' I dislike are the snooty bastards from the 'home counties', and who look down their noses at everyone else...
I've always said that come the peoples' revolution and/or Scottish independence, the Scots should welcome the above into their fold, including everyone else in the north or England, and leave the rest of the fuckers 'darn sarf' to continue being ruled by Boris and the other chinless wonders in Westmonster [typo deliberate], as that's all they deserve!;)
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
04-11-2019, 16:36
I like proper cockneys, as they're usually down to earth dudes, just like Scousers, Mancs, Geordies and Glaswegians. The 'southerners' I dislike are the snooty bastards from the 'home counties', and who look down their noses at everyone else...
I've always said that come the peoples' revolution and/or Scottish independence, the Scots should welcome the above into their fold, including everyone else in the north or England, and leave the rest of the fuckers 'darn sarf' to continue being ruled by Boris and the other chinless wonders in Westmonster [typo deliberate], as that's all they deserve!;)
Marco.
Absolutely. I know i'm taking the mickey a bit, but I completely agree about the cockneys, scousers etc. You forgot to include the Brummies though, you need them for comedy value, but they must sound like Barry from Auf Wiedersen Pet :)
Yeah, they can come, too!:)
Marco.
Anybody remember a few years ago when a Whale swam up the Thames?
I was shocked and amazed at the unprecedented spectacle on the news
Londoners were actually admitting that they'd never seen something before. (obviously very loudly)
Pigmy Pony
04-11-2019, 18:53
Anybody remember a few years ago when a Whale swam up the Thames?
I was shocked and amazed at the unprecedented spectacle on the news
Londoners were actually admitting that they'd never seen something before. (obviously very loudly)
They may be shocked and amazed to hear that I have never seen jellied eels.
A bit like the good people of Hartlepool hanging a monkey, believing it to be a French spy :doh:
Returning to charity shops:
I'm often taking CDs and books to them, they are always greatfully received (except Oxfam, whom I will never use again), yet never appear for sale . This is because it is general policy for donations to be sent to a different branch to avoid the embarassment of seeing unwanted gifts for sale, or seeing a donation which was regarded as being quite valuable, being sold for a couple of quid or two.
Regarding lazy buggers who just put things out for collection, rather than take them to a charity shop, well in London that is a common practice and the quality of the stuff thrown out has to be seen to be believed. I have seen pefectly working 37" flat screen TVs, Miele vacuum cleaners, steam irons, food mixers and portable laptop DVD players turfed out despite being in near perfect condition! :rolleyes:
And regarding white goods put out with a label saying "free for collection", and being ignored - well that is because it's not obvious they are still working. If you want to put something out for free for collection, just say "working and free for collection". :doh:
Yes it's only Steve's cack they don't want!:lol:
Last time he tried to palm them off with a couple of pairs of what he assured staff were only 'lightly soiled' Y-fronts, whereupon closer inspection revealed gussets tainted by more ingrained skid-marks than those commonly found on the outside lane of the M1.....:D
Marco.
Beobloke
04-11-2019, 19:44
On the subject of disposal, I always remember with a smile the twice-yearly clear out we used to have at Audio Partnership. Obviously we used to have lots of samples of new Mordaunt Short, Cambridge Audio, Gale, TDL etc. units from the factory in China that we used for tuning, evaluation and QC. We also used to occasionally buy competitors' products for benchmarking.
When all of these these were finished with, anything usable would be offered for sale to staff and some given away to charity but the stuff that had no value and could not be repaired, or really wasn't worth the hassle, went in a skip that we would hire once every six to eight months. It would arrive one day and be left on the road outside AP headquarters (about half a mile from London Bridge) we would fill it, and it would be collected the next day.
However, I can pretty much guarantee that when we arrived at work on the second day, the skip would be damn near empty!
(and have at least one mattress in it...)
Pigmy Pony
04-11-2019, 19:56
Hey, they were getting my grundies for free, I don't see why I should have to wash them too - my ownership ended the minute I peeled them off my clagnut-coated nether regions!
I think my "cack" books were too highbrow for them - they did mention that some guy regularly came into their Wrexham branch with books that had pictures in them, and once they'd tippexed out the willy drawings they were good as new, have I nothing like that?
This is the trouble with living in a posh part of a cack town, I'm widely misunderstood :(
Pigmy Pony
04-11-2019, 20:56
Me and Mrs.Pony went into the local Toyota dealership yesterday, she wanted a proper look at the C-HR. They had one in the showroom, a "2020" model, which won't even be available until January, She sat in it, loved the seat, driving position and was impressed with all the gadgets: "Ooh, it's got heated seats! And it's automatic! And cameras! And it's what? 180bhp? That should be plenty! How much is it? £32,000? Well we're not getting that anytime soon".
They're buggers aren't they - show you want you want, then make it unaffordable :( It hasn't put her off though, it'll just take a while. Or a lottery win.
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