View Full Version : Car (or bike) Chat!
Pigmy Pony
30-07-2020, 17:55
Talking of bikes. I've been looking around for a vintage pushbike, preferably a 26" wheel gents tourer with Sturmey Archer gears.
Got my eye on this local offering and waiting for a date/time to view. I rather like the metallic 'turd' colour :).
https://i.imgur.com/KeVWN1v.png
Naturally, I'd remove the daft kiddies seat, saddle cover and basket. I've had a few like this and like them, perfect for pottering about.
I just renovated a 20" wheel folding shoppers bike for a bit of fun. It rides really well!
You should keep the seat for sitting on, with some big ape hanger bars, and you'd look like Peter Fonda riding "Captain America" :smoking:
Pieoftheday
30-07-2020, 18:01
Has anyone fitted a BlackWidow exhaust to their bike? If so are they decent quality? Ta James
Pigmy Pony
30-07-2020, 18:03
Fitted a belly pan today, just got to get some stickers to liven it up a bit..
https://i.imgur.com/NAhFmRw.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/C5qt9Cu.jpg
This is the exhaust i want for mine (with orange tips), but i’ve got way better things to spend money on at the mo..
https://i.imgur.com/wawAOh2.jpg
Jon that exhaust on the black KTM is totally badass! And no doubt would sound like the end of the world is nigh :eek:
Could you get some KTM decals and adapt them for your belly pan? That would look cool.
Of the Blade cans you posted, the 2BR is favourite, with the Akra a close 2nd. Not sure about the Devil, looks kinda long.
Pieoftheday
30-07-2020, 18:16
Fantastic looking bike, I prefer the high level exhaust, maybe a carbon can though. I'm miffed my tablet wont let me post pics of mine:(
InThe Sticks
30-07-2020, 18:29
Fantastic looking bike, I prefer the high level exhaust, maybe a carbon can though. I'm miffed my tablet wont let me post pics of mine:(
What bike have you got James?
Can you pm or email me pics of your bike? If so, i'll post them on here.
Pieoftheday
30-07-2020, 18:38
Hi Jon, I started a thread about how my tablet wouldn't let me upload pics, it didn't get resolved :scratch: I have a 2019 Kawasaki ninja 650 performance,
InThe Sticks
30-07-2020, 18:40
Jon that exhaust on the black KTM is totally badass! And no doubt would sound like the end of the world is nigh :eek:
Could you get some KTM decals and adapt them for your belly pan? That would look cool.
Of the Blade cans you posted, the 2BR is favourite, with the Akra a close 2nd. Not sure about the Devil, looks kinda long.
The Austin Racing exhaust i posted is nearly £1300, which is hard to justify, no matter how good it sounds.
Yup, the idea is to get some KTM, Brembo etc stickers for the belly pan.
I've got the exact same Akra on my ZX10r and boy does it sound good, but i do prefer the look of the 2BR.
Plus everyone goes for Akra or Yoshi, it'd be nice to get something a bit more special & exclusive for yours :eyebrows:
InThe Sticks
30-07-2020, 18:45
Hi Jon, I started a thread about how my tablet wouldn't let me upload pics, it didn't get resolved :scratch: I have a 2019 Kawasaki ninja 650 performance,
Thats a nice looking bike and bloody fast through the twistys!
Can you email pics from your tablet? i'd be happy to post them for you.
Pigmy Pony
30-07-2020, 18:48
Yeah that is a lot of money for an exhaust, that amount of cash would take you a long way on a trip round Europe :) That Two Brothers can you posted is the exact one I want - the logo is even the same colour as my bike. God, how anal is that!
Pigmy Pony
30-07-2020, 18:57
Has anyone fitted a BlackWidow exhaust to their bike? If so are they decent quality? Ta James
I had a look at their website - I like the look of them, good prices, and noted that their logo is the same as the marking on the back of the spider :) Looks like they're only full systems though - shame really, I could live with one of those cans
InThe Sticks
30-07-2020, 18:58
Nowt wrong with that :D
InThe Sticks
30-07-2020, 19:03
Same as Jame's bike..
https://i.imgur.com/0hX2p5G.png
Nice :D
Pieoftheday
30-07-2020, 19:20
I had a look at their website - I like the look of them, good prices, and noted that their logo is the same as the marking on the back of the spider :) Looks like they're only full systems though - shame really, I could live with one of those cans
It would have to be a full pipe for my 650 as the original and the akrapovic dont accept a slip on:rolleyes:
Pieoftheday
30-07-2020, 19:23
Same as Jame's bike..
https://i.imgur.com/0hX2p5G.png
Nice :D
That's kind of the one,slightly different colour sceme, prob a different year, I'll have to get a different make of tablet/ phone, neither likes uploading to aos
I'm going to test ride the Duke790, with an eye on getting the 890. If I get one, the end can will be coming off 10 mins after me getting the bike.
InThe Sticks
02-08-2020, 17:19
I'm going to test ride the Duke790, with an eye on getting the 890. If I get one, the end will be coming off 10 mins after me getting the bike.
Exciting stuff :D
What can are you considering?
I ordered this exact same Austin Racing can on Friday evening, so should be here next week..
https://i.imgur.com/MDh94tc.jpg
Bloke in the shop said most go for Yoshimura or Akrapovic. Not sure if or when I will get the bike, got a test ride on Thursday. If I do go for it, my current track bike; a SV1000, and my CBX1000 will have to go.
InThe Sticks
06-08-2020, 18:27
MOT’d one of my work buddies cars today (he has quite a few)..
https://i.imgur.com/xThxRdd.jpg
It’s one of two in the UK and was originally a Volvo show car and came from the factory as you see it.
It’s done a whopping 16K miles and is pretty much as new.
It’s rare treats like this that make me love my job, that and messing around in AMG’s :)
Reminds me of that Dudley Moore film - 'Buy Volvos. They're boxy but they're good.'
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/0e/8a/1f/0e8a1f8594c362e8f01ca5911fe99602.jpg
MOT’d one of my work buddies cars today (he has quite a few)..
https://i.imgur.com/xThxRdd.jpg
It’s one of two in the UK and was originally a Volvo show car and came from the factory as you see it.
It’s done a whopping 16K miles and is pretty much as new.
It’s rare treats like this that make me love my job, that and messing around in AMG’s :)
Lovely!
If there was a Swedish version of Starsky and Hutch, Huggy Bear would be driving that.
Styling on that model was very 1990 s American with that little quarter light at the back.
InThe Sticks
07-08-2020, 20:09
My bestest buddy and long time biking/track day amigo will have this delivered on Monday..
https://i.imgur.com/J7NEqRt.jpg
I simply cannot wait to get hooning round the twisty’s with a bit of competition again.
The forecast for that day will be fun, fun, fun, with a slight overcast of depression of lack of talent on my part.
It’ll be crazy fun though :D:cool:
Pigmy Pony
09-08-2020, 09:15
Take care Jon, no doubt the KTM will do everything you ask of it, just make sure you ask nicely :)
I had one of those, a 2013 675 Street Triple. Brilliant bike and engine. Did 1 track day on it and sold it the next day. Bought an SV1000 to replace it, but looking to get a 890 Duke R to replace that. All for track days. Got a K16 for road duties with the boss.
Will be on track tomorrow night and Tuesday. Hopefully the predicted thunderstorms wont interrupt us too much.
Regrettably the thunderstorms are only for down south so you'll probably be okay if the track is local to you.
Pigmy Pony
09-08-2020, 11:51
Macca's dream job: chasing around "Tornado Alley" in an RV, like in the film "Twister".
We are at Donington tonight and Oulton tomorrow. At the moment the rain will arrive late Tuesday, so we should be ok.
Macca's dream job: chasing around "Tornado Alley" in an RV, like in the film "Twister".
I was caught in a hurricane once, in Atlantic City. Was only a poxy category one. The waves were still coming up over the boardwalk and hitting the casino windows though.
InThe Sticks
10-08-2020, 19:02
Quick blast out after work with my buddy and his new bike..
https://i.imgur.com/2T79c6I.jpg
Was a bit bloody hot though :steam:
Austin racing exhaust should be here tomorrow or Weds :D
InThe Sticks
11-08-2020, 19:44
The ZX10R was collected by its new owner (and a thoroughly decent guy he was) this evening and if I’m honest i was a little upset at seeing her go, but having 3 bikes is really more than i need.
I did make the fatal mistake of having a quick ride before she was collected and wondered why the fuck i was selling it.
I’ll wake up in the morning regretting it i’m sure :doh:
One final pic just before she went :(
https://i.imgur.com/OcVR5Gj.jpg
But, on the plus side i will now order new pistons, rings and power valves for the RGV250 and get that hooligan back on the road, and get my mini bike garage fully equipped :D
Pigmy Pony
11-08-2020, 20:09
Them bikes are lucky to have such a doting father :)
RobbieGong
11-08-2020, 20:19
The ZX10R was collected by its new owner (and a thoroughly decent guy he was) this evening and if I’m honest i was a little upset at seeing her go, but having 3 bikes is really more than i need.
I did make the fatal mistake of having a quick ride before she was collected and wondered why the fuck i was selling it.
I’ll wake up in the morning regretting it i’m sure :doh:
One final pic just before she went :(
https://i.imgur.com/OcVR5Gj.jpg
But, on the plus side i will now order new pistons, rings and power valves for the RGV250 and get that hooligan back on the road, and get my mini bike garage fully equipped :D
Serious bikes ! really like the black stealthy beaut'
Pigmy Pony
13-08-2020, 05:38
Been given a government 'bounce back' loan, which I guess is to help kick-start the economy. Next to no interest, and pay nothing for the first 12 months. I had been thinking about changing my van (the next one will almost certainly be my last, as unfortunately the current one is unlikely to see me out)
But looking out there, I can't find anything that appeals. everything that isn't beyond my 9K budget has mileage not much less than what I have already. Might just go for an ex-AA transit Custom (my current vehicle is ex-AA) Only come in that mad yellow though, and I'm not a big fan of tailgates. Decisions, decisions...
And folk selling vans "VAT free" - what's that all about? Just enables them to inflate the price and still be competitive with VAT-rated ones as far as I can see :( I'm not VAT registered, so all that shit means nothing to me.
InThe Sticks
14-08-2020, 17:56
AR can turned up today and i’m certainly not disappointed :eek: :D
I’ll let the pics show the quality..
https://i.imgur.com/tcldVI9.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/6LEg0KH.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/uNGIqGN.jpg
The customer service was a fucking serious let down though :(
Pigmy Pony
15-08-2020, 06:33
Very funky, but I'm not sure about the orange bit - what's it made of? It looks like it would melt! (Perfect colour match for the KTM though). What was the problem with customer services? Did you have to deal with them direct, or do they have stockists?
dave2010
15-08-2020, 09:49
Now have a Renault Zoe to play with - since mrs d wanted one. It has features I don't like, though maybe they can be tamed. Turns out that range isn't a problem - or hasn't been so far, but it can be a bit worrying to see the available range area diminish, particularly going up mountains. However, the range area may expand again on coming down mountains, and also with a slightly less heavy right foot. It's certainly possible to do a round trip of 150 miles with little difficulty, and no top up charges, though would/could be a pain for long distance (200+ mile trips).
The theory is that most people drive a lot less than 100 miles per day, so charging not a problem most of the time. Also longer trips can be handled by the charger infrastructure, but that assumes several things - (a) chargers are available en route (b) chargers are actually working (c) chargers are compatible with the EV and (d) other cars, such as Teslas, haven't already nabbed the fastest charger in the charging unit, and lastly (e) some plonker with a petrol or diesel car hasn't parked in the EV charging place.
ECO mode feels like it's stopping the accelerator pedal from going down - OK - it's trying to keep energy consumption down - but it does feel hard work sometimes. Kick ECO mode out, and then acceleration is pretty good.
I'm not sure that all of the features are only issues for EV cars. One which I also find tricky is the lane guidance feature, designed to keep one driving in the middle of each lane. The car seems to detect the white lines on the road. Veering off to the right or left gives a rather unpleasant twitchy feel to the steering wheel. This could be just haptic/tactile feedback, and not reflect anything really going on with the car - but it feels rather like a car (without such features) about to hit an ice patch. I suspect that in fact it's OK - but it's unpleasant enough not to risk it. The problem with this is that going into bends it doesn't seem to take into account that one might not want to take a line which it thinks is central. The feature can be turned off, but then why have it at all?
Regarding the accelerator pedal feel, this can apparently be controlled to give more or less degrees of responsiveness - but I've not tried that yet.
The ride is fairly hard, and it's not the quietest car on the road inside - there's a fair bit of road noise. However, at slow speeds it's very quiet, and makes a strange noise deliberately to warn pedestrians, but it's probably not a noise they're familiar with, so doesn't necessarily help too much.
One issue is reversing - particularly in car parks. There is a parking brake. Pressing the accelerator will release the brake, but this can give a very fast reverse, which seems dangerous. The same issue is there in forward driving, but that's less of a problem as normally the driver can see well in front.
There are two "solutions" for reversing. One is to blip the accelerator pedal, which at least doesn't give a hard and continuous reverse. The other, which is better - but takes a few days to discover - is to deliberately turn off the parking brake (a bit fiddly, and needs to be done carefully) and keep the foot brake on. Then applying a small amount of power and releasing the foot brake gives much better control. This is then much like other cars I've driven. This kind of feature may not only be an issue for EVs - but EVs have a lot of power and acceleration at slow speeds, so perhaps manufacturers should think about how to avoid this one. Some people will almost certainly be injured or killed because of accidents due to this. Rear visibility using the camera is really rather good, and the sensors are good too, but ultimately drivers will need to be really aware of the surroundings for some manoeuvres.
I think the weight of the batteries does affect the handling, though how much I'm not sure. The suspension can be dynamically controlled and modified electronically it appears, from the manual, so maybe it's possible to get a smoother ride, or a more secure one, by tweaking that.
There is fairly new research which seems to show that overall EVs really are good re CO2 and other emissions, and overall energy use, so despite any issues which drivers may be concerned about, if one is going to have and use a car at all, these are significantly better for the environment and planet than fossil fuel cars. One concern (myth) is that EVs simply shift pollution to power stations, but it seems that even in countries like China this isn't true. In the EU and UK where more power stations are now using more environmentally friendly technology, the move to EVs - while requiring new capacity and infrastructure - does seem really to be a good thing.
Stopped of at the Porsche garage a couple of days ago. The showroom was devoid of cars there must be supply problems. But not of Taycans it would seem. There was a blue Taycan in the showroom but I didn't go in.
The grey one is a Turbo S, even though it is 100% electric.
My sister has one coming in black in October. IMHO it looks a bit shit in black in the flesh. I like the white one as it looks like the Mission E concept which I really liked. Grey looks good, too, in the flesh.
So new they still have factory shipping plastic on some of them.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200815/32d8d9e1a4c1acec72150d222be24254.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200815/2cc7f14861d958579dcd03573700d67f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200815/a671b419a093ba5166fd65944ebccb4a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200815/358e740d57899062f11679d29bb23a79.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200815/f03385aee4150bfcbde23e96652d2805.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200815/74130f5ef3f5c0c9bcde30c3c6d722b1.jpg
Now have a Renault Zoe to play with - since mrs d wanted one. It has features I don't like, though maybe they can be tamed. Turns out that range isn't a problem - or hasn't been so far, but it can be a bit worrying to see the available range area diminish, particularly going up mountains. However, the range area may expand again on coming down mountains, and also with a slightly less heavy right foot. It's certainly possible to do a round trip of 150 miles with little difficulty, and no top up charges, though would/could be a pain for long distance (200+ mile trips).
The theory is that most people drive a lot less than 100 miles per day, so charging not a problem most of the time. Also longer trips can be handled by the charger infrastructure, but that assumes several things - (a) chargers are available en route (b) chargers are actually working (c) chargers are compatible with the EV and (d) other cars, such as Teslas, haven't already nabbed the fastest charger in the charging unit, and lastly (e) some plonker with a petrol or diesel car hasn't parked in the EV charging place.
ECO mode feels like it's stopping the accelerator pedal from going down - OK - it's trying to keep energy consumption down - but it does feel hard work sometimes. Kick ECO mode out, and then acceleration is pretty good.
I'm not sure that all of the features are only issues for EV cars. One which I also find tricky is the lane guidance feature, designed to keep one driving in the middle of each lane. The car seems to detect the white lines on the road. Veering off to the right or left gives a rather unpleasant twitchy feel to the steering wheel. This could be just haptic/tactile feedback, and not reflect anything really going on with the car - but it feels rather like a car (without such features) about to hit an ice patch. I suspect that in fact it's OK - but it's unpleasant enough not to risk it. The problem with this is that going into bends it doesn't seem to take into account that one might not want to take a line which it thinks is central. The feature can be turned off, but then why have it at all?
Regarding the accelerator pedal feel, this can apparently be controlled to give more or less degrees of responsiveness - but I've not tried that yet.
The ride is fairly hard, and it's not the quietest car on the road inside - there's a fair bit of road noise. However, at slow speeds it's very quiet, and makes a strange noise deliberately to warn pedestrians, but it's probably not a noise they're familiar with, so doesn't necessarily help too much.
One issue is reversing - particularly in car parks. There is a parking brake. Pressing the accelerator will release the brake, but this can give a very fast reverse, which seems dangerous. The same issue is there in forward driving, but that's less of a problem as normally the driver can see well in front.
There are two "solutions" for reversing. One is to blip the accelerator pedal, which at least doesn't give a hard and continuous reverse. The other, which is better - but takes a few days to discover - is to deliberately turn off the parking brake (a bit fiddly, and needs to be done carefully) and keep the foot brake on. Then applying a small amount of power and releasing the foot brake gives much better control. This is then much like other cars I've driven. This kind of feature may not only be an issue for EVs - but EVs have a lot of power and acceleration at slow speeds, so perhaps manufacturers should think about how to avoid this one. Some people will almost certainly be injured or killed because of accidents due to this. Rear visibility using the camera is really rather good, and the sensors are good too, but ultimately drivers will need to be really aware of the surroundings for some manoeuvres.
I think the weight of the batteries does affect the handling, though how much I'm not sure. The suspension can be dynamically controlled and modified electronically it appears, from the manual, so maybe it's possible to get a smoother ride, or a more secure one, by tweaking that.
There is fairly new research which seems to show that overall EVs really are good re CO2 and other emissions, and overall energy use, so despite any issues which drivers may be concerned about, if one is going to have and use a car at all, these are significantly better for the environment and planet than fossil fuel cars. One concern (myth) is that EVs simply shift pollution to power stations, but it seems that even in countries like China this isn't true. In the EU and UK where more power stations are now using more environmentally friendly technology, the move to EVs - while requiring new capacity and infrastructure - does seem really to be a good thing.My hybrid has a park brake but it comes off when put in reverse automatically. My lane gadget has settings on how it reacts, but if you flick the indicator if crossing line it ignores the line.
dave2010
15-08-2020, 14:20
My hybrid has a park brake but it comes off when put in reverse automatically. My lane gadget has settings on how it reacts, but if you flick the indicator if crossing line it ignores the line.Your hybrid is, I think similar to my now deceased car, which I mourn almost daily :( It is possible to drive slowly and carefully in reverse with such a car. The problem with EVs is the high torque from rest, and the Renault appears to function as if it is using some of that to release the brake - hence the suggestion to "blip" the power, but actually making sure the brake is released manually avoids this issue. The brake does indeed come off if power is applied, but it ought to be smooth and gradual. Go on - you can tell me I'm not driving it right!
Pigmy Pony
15-08-2020, 16:33
Now have a Renault Zoe to play with - since mrs d wanted one. It has features I don't like, though maybe they can be tamed. Turns out that range isn't a problem - or hasn't been so far, but it can be a bit worrying to see the available range area diminish, particularly going up mountains. However, the range area may expand again on coming down mountains, and also with a slightly less heavy right foot. It's certainly possible to do a round trip of 150 miles with little difficulty, and no top up charges, though would/could be a pain for long distance (200+ mile trips).
The theory is that most people drive a lot less than 100 miles per day, so charging not a problem most of the time. Also longer trips can be handled by the charger infrastructure, but that assumes several things - (a) chargers are available en route (b) chargers are actually working (c) chargers are compatible with the EV and (d) other cars, such as Teslas, haven't already nabbed the fastest charger in the charging unit, and lastly (e) some plonker with a petrol or diesel car hasn't parked in the EV charging place.
ECO mode feels like it's stopping the accelerator pedal from going down - OK - it's trying to keep energy consumption down - but it does feel hard work sometimes. Kick ECO mode out, and then acceleration is pretty good.
I'm not sure that all of the features are only issues for EV cars. One which I also find tricky is the lane guidance feature, designed to keep one driving in the middle of each lane. The car seems to detect the white lines on the road. Veering off to the right or left gives a rather unpleasant twitchy feel to the steering wheel. This could be just haptic/tactile feedback, and not reflect anything really going on with the car - but it feels rather like a car (without such features) about to hit an ice patch. I suspect that in fact it's OK - but it's unpleasant enough not to risk it. The problem with this is that going into bends it doesn't seem to take into account that one might not want to take a line which it thinks is central. The feature can be turned off, but then why have it at all?
Regarding the accelerator pedal feel, this can apparently be controlled to give more or less degrees of responsiveness - but I've not tried that yet.
The ride is fairly hard, and it's not the quietest car on the road inside - there's a fair bit of road noise. However, at slow speeds it's very quiet, and makes a strange noise deliberately to warn pedestrians, but it's probably not a noise they're familiar with, so doesn't necessarily help too much.
One issue is reversing - particularly in car parks. There is a parking brake. Pressing the accelerator will release the brake, but this can give a very fast reverse, which seems dangerous. The same issue is there in forward driving, but that's less of a problem as normally the driver can see well in front.
There are two "solutions" for reversing. One is to blip the accelerator pedal, which at least doesn't give a hard and continuous reverse. The other, which is better - but takes a few days to discover - is to deliberately turn off the parking brake (a bit fiddly, and needs to be done carefully) and keep the foot brake on. Then applying a small amount of power and releasing the foot brake gives much better control. This is then much like other cars I've driven. This kind of feature may not only be an issue for EVs - but EVs have a lot of power and acceleration at slow speeds, so perhaps manufacturers should think about how to avoid this one. Some people will almost certainly be injured or killed because of accidents due to this. Rear visibility using the camera is really rather good, and the sensors are good too, but ultimately drivers will need to be really aware of the surroundings for some manoeuvres.
I think the weight of the batteries does affect the handling, though how much I'm not sure. The suspension can be dynamically controlled and modified electronically it appears, from the manual, so maybe it's possible to get a smoother ride, or a more secure one, by tweaking that.
There is fairly new research which seems to show that overall EVs really are good re CO2 and other emissions, and overall energy use, so despite any issues which drivers may be concerned about, if one is going to have and use a car at all, these are significantly better for the environment and planet than fossil fuel cars. One concern (myth) is that EVs simply shift pollution to power stations, but it seems that even in countries like China this isn't true. In the EU and UK where more power stations are now using more environmentally friendly technology, the move to EVs - while requiring new capacity and infrastructure - does seem really to be a good thing.
While your commitment to green-ness is commendable, there are far too many issues there for my liking. I would leave driving and caring for the Zoe to Mrs. Dave, and get myself an old Saxo or something. And make sure the Saxo has a strong towing eye.
dave2010
15-08-2020, 18:14
While your commitment to green-ness is commendable, there are far too many issues there for my liking. I would leave driving and caring for the Zoe to Mrs. Dave, and get myself an old Saxo or something. And make sure the Saxo has a strong towing eye.Interesting tip there - see https://www.autotrader.co.uk/cars/citroen/saxo I didn't realise there are still cars "that old", which still go, and are also affordable. We had a Clio a while back which lasted about 22 years - though it really hardly went at all in the last couple of years, and it started to get a lot of water ingress. We didn't have it for 22 years - perhaps around 15.
Do I recall you get your thrills from bikes? Then your needs will be rather different from mine. I think I'm too old to take up bikes (powered) now.
We probably do need something to do longer distance trips now - that's still work in progress. With the Covid 19 issues, I almost wonder if we should revert back to something like a camper van - but maybe we're too old for that now too. We did have one many years ago, which we took to northern Spain, and also to France a few times, as well as trips round the UK.
Pigmy Pony
15-08-2020, 20:58
Never too old for a camper van! I'd love one, but with a car, a van and two motorbikes in our stable it would be a bit of a stretch. I'm looking at changing my old Transit for something newer, then perhaps one day I'll jack in working and convert it. Well I can dream :)
I know from my many rides/drives to Ullapool, you've got some great places right on your doorstep...
dave2010
16-08-2020, 06:52
Never too old for a camper van! I'd love one, but with a car, a van and two motorbikes in our stable it would be a bit of a stretch. I'm looking at changing my old Transit for something newer, then perhaps one day I'll jack in working and convert it. Well I can dream :)
I know from my many rides/drives to Ullapool, you've got some great places right on your doorstep...Did you ever have a camper van? We enjoyed our VW one for a few years - and eventually I used it for commuting - and also as a sort of mobile office. Besides touring, it was also useful for moving stuff around.
Re places to go - taking the Zoe to Applecross was tough - there are two routes. We went via the mountain route, and back via the coast. That mountain road seemed a lot worse than I was expecting, but the car made it all the way up there and back. The views from the vantage point up there were amazing that day. The weather was very good, which was probably a contributing factor to the traffic. Scary roads!
Did you ever have a camper van? We enjoyed our VW one for a few years - and eventually I used it for commuting - and also as a sort of mobile office. Besides touring, it was also useful for moving stuff around.
Re places to go - taking the Zoe to Applecross was tough - there are two routes. We went via the mountain route, and back via the coast. That mountain road seemed a lot worse than I was expecting, but the car made it all the way up there and back. The views from the vantage point up there were amazing that day. The weather was very good, which was probably a contributing factor to the traffic. Scary roads!
i had bedford cf lol
https://live.staticflickr.com/1909/31824329988_86652b3c4b_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Qud1yC) 1 014 (https://flic.kr/p/Qud1yC) by , on Flickr
Audio Al
16-08-2020, 08:06
i had bedford cf lol
https://live.staticflickr.com/1909/31824329988_86652b3c4b_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Qud1yC) 1 014 (https://flic.kr/p/Qud1yC) by , on Flickr
Grant
Is that a dead cat in the top bunk window :scratch:
I see you had go faster wheel trims :)
lol... was a mobile shop originally.. https://live.staticflickr.com/4844/31824330408_cfa74af979_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Qud1FS) 1 012 (https://flic.kr/p/Qud1FS) by , on Flickr
used it as a runabout too for a while.. good for the shopping:lol:
dave2010
16-08-2020, 08:23
lol... was a mobile shop originally..
used it as a runabout too for a while.. good for the shopping:lol:Radiogram?
Mobile hi-fi. Hope you enjoyed it.
Pigmy Pony
16-08-2020, 09:50
With an ash tray taking pride of place. How times change. Bet it was pretty spacious. Did you buy it like that, or do it yourself?
We did look at getting a campervan a few years ago, a Mazda Bongo. A very smart little thing. But low 20s fuel consumption put me off. Anita used to have a caravan, and would have another, but I put my foot down, as would any self-respecting biker
With an ash tray taking pride of place. How times change. Bet it was pretty spacious. Did you buy it like that, or do it yourself?
We did look at getting a campervan a few years ago, a Mazda Bongo. A very smart little thing. But low 20s fuel consumption put me off. Anita used to have a caravan, and would have another, but I put my foot down, as would any self-respecting biker
it was a wreck when i got it.. i rebuilt... i probably should have left it in the wreckers yard :doh: cost a fortune but it was fun to do.. i was no expert as you can see, the fit n finish aint great, but it was solid. had leckie/ battery and mains plus gas. could sleep 4 at a push but was really a 2 or 3 in comfort. mileage was poor and top speed was about 50/55mph..
Audio Al
16-08-2020, 11:23
Did you have a sticker on it saying " If my Van's a rocking don't come a knocking " :D
dave2010
16-08-2020, 12:15
it was a wreck when i got it.. i rebuilt... i probably should have left it in the wreckers yard :doh: cost a fortune but it was fun to do.. i was no expert as you can see, the fit n finish aint great, but it was solid. had leckie/ battery and mains plus gas. could sleep 4 at a push but was really a 2 or 3 in comfort. mileage was poor and top speed was about 50/55mph..Our VW van could in theory sleep 4, but the most we had was 3, and one was rather small and fell out of the front window on one occasion - child abuse!
I can't remember the exact mileage figures - probably around 30 mpg when most cars were struggling to do 40 mpg. It was quite often a battle to keep it going - dismantling and cleaning the carburretor etc. en route, and it wouldn't do much more than 50 mph.
Re scary roads - mentioned about the Zoe - one we went up with the van was in Spain - Picos de Europa. There was a long road up a mountain, with nowhere to go but down a precipitous drop. At the top there was a meadow, where we parked up for a while, thinking that nobody would come up there - not that we got up to too much - perhaps had a pee in the open.
Then, all of a sudden a coach came up presumably full of tourists. The driver must had had nerves of steel, or been completely insensitive to danger. I think we found another way out of that region, but memory now fails me.
was on a coach in spain up mountains.. their drivers are nuts...must be on summat:D
InThe Sticks
16-08-2020, 17:35
After todays Moto GP, Valentino Rossi may well consider hanging his boots up and to call it a day.
Got to be the luckiest guy on the planet at that time..
https://youtu.be/yi0l44GOYLk
dave2010
18-08-2020, 15:29
That crash looks horrific. Hopefully everyone is now OK - we could see that the drivers seemed OK at the time.
In the meantime however, I wanted to comment again on EVs. I have had an order for a Tesla Model 3 since March. All I can say so far is that if Elon Musk and his people in the US can launch and recover rockets and satellites, there is hardly any evidence that Tesla as an organisation in the UK has any idea of customer service.
Covid 19 has been disruptive for almost everyone, and we all know that, but Tesla in the UK seems to work on the assumption that people will put themselves out for them, rather than the other way round. This contrasts mightily with Renault, who have a local agent, and kept in touch with us re the Zoe throughout the complete lockdown period, and were able to provide the car almost as soon as restrictions were lifted.
Tesla on the other hand have no local agencies, are not prepared to consider deliveries, and trying to deal with people in that firm suggests that "it's nobody's problem" - nobody is taking ownership of customer relationships.
Given that attitude, why should I even consider keeping my order active. I might lose £100 deposit if I cancel my order, but that might be a small price to pay to minimise the chances that this firm would give me grief in the future. Servicing? Would have to return to depot - which is hundreds of miles away. OK - they never go wrong - or at least nobody admits that they might.
Oh - did I mention that the order was only a few pounds short of £50k?
Now looking at other options - either eNiro or returning to Toyota either for a petrol hybrid, or a plug-in hybrod.
That crash looks horrific. Hopefully everyone is now OK - we could see that the drivers seemed OK at the time.
In the meantime however, I wanted to comment again on EVs. I have had an order for a Tesla Model 3 since March. All I can say so far is that if Elon Musk and his people in the US can launch and recover rockets and satellites, there is hardly any evidence that Tesla as an organisation in the UK has any idea of customer service.
Covid 19 has been disruptive for almost everyone, and we all know that, but Tesla in the UK seems to work on the assumption that people will put themselves out for them, rather than the other way round. This contrasts mightily with Renault, who have a local agent, and kept in touch with us re the Zoe throughout the complete lockdown period, and were able to provide the car almost as soon as restrictions were lifted.
Tesla on the other hand have no local agencies, are not prepared to consider deliveries, and trying to deal with people in that firm suggests that "it's nobody's problem" - nobody is taking ownership of customer relationships.
Given that attitude, why should I even consider keeping my order active. I might lose £100 deposit if I cancel my order, but that might be a small price to pay to minimise the chances that this firm would give me grief in the future. Servicing? Would have to return to depot - which is hundreds of miles away. OK - they never go wrong - or at least nobody admits that they might.
Oh - did I mention that the order was only a few pounds short of £50k?
Now looking at other options - either eNiro or returning to Toyota either for a petrol hybrid, or a plug-in hybrod.
shocking dave.. doesnt surprise tho outwith the big cities in england they aint really interested. toyota service is very good as is kia
Audio Al
18-08-2020, 15:56
Tesla are making 500.000 cars a year worldwide , A drop in the ocean compaired to the big boys
IF I had 50K spare I would want one , The local dealer in Dartford has a fourcout full of cars
You could try and recover the one Elon shot into space :D
AJSki2fly
18-08-2020, 17:00
Tesla are making 500.000 cars a year worldwide , A drop in the ocean compaired to the big boys
IF I had 50K spare I would want one , The local dealer in Dartford has a fourcout full of cars
You could try and recover the one Elon shot into space :D
Before you buy one I would consider a quick search on google for "tesla catches fire", this also applies to other electric vehicles with Lithium-Ion batteries, if the casing is punctured and the battery shorts up they go, and very quickly!
Petrol tanks kinda don't react well to punctures either [emoji23]
Sure it can happen but how many fuel lines and tanks go?
Whether we like it or not electric is with us and soon will take over. Not saying it's right in all cases but it's being driven that way.
InThe Sticks
18-08-2020, 17:35
Before you buy one I would consider a quick search on google for "tesla catches fire", this also applies to other electric vehicles with Lithium-Ion batteries, if the casing is punctured and the battery shorts up they go, and very quickly!
Ridiculous scare mongering.
If anyone was worried about that, they wouldn’t use mobile phones, cordless power tools and pretty much everything else that uses Li-Ion batteries, which is a lot.
I’d feel a lot safer in a hybrid car than one that has 60ltrs of extremely flammable liquid sloshing around in it.
I’m a fan of Mr Musk and Tesla, so Dave if you can wait, i’d like to think it’d be worth it.
I say that from knowing some guys who have them and simply adore the things. Also having driven one (model S) i found it a wondrous thing.
dave2010
18-08-2020, 19:03
I’m a fan of Mr Musk and Tesla, so Dave if you can wait, i’d like to think it’d be worth it.
I say that from knowing some guys who have them and simply adore the things. Also having driven one (model S) i found it a wondrous thing.Here is a page about the fire "scare" - https://www.businessinsider.com/why-tesla-cars-catch-on-fire-2019-4?r=US&IR=T
The most scary thing about the stories is if people can't get out of their cars. I watched once while one of my friend's car burnt to a cinder, but he had plenty of time to get out.
I agree that for the most part Teslas catching fire isn't a major concern - should be low probability.
I may still go with the Tesla, but I do find it really worrying that Tesla seems totally unable to provide any sensible customer service. I did like the model I drove, but on the other hand there are other cars which from a practical point of view might be "as good" - just perhaps not anything like so much "fun" (whatever that is ...). A Toyota hybrid would have a much greater effective range, and a plug-in hybrid would have the benefits of EVs for daily short distances, but still be able to do longer trips. I don't particularly want to have a Tesla for taking stuff to the dump, and it's not going to be much use for moving other large stuff around. I'd probably need something like an old VW camper for moving large stuff - or a Volvo estate. I'm not sure if I could take junk to the dump in a camper van - many tips don't allow that now, but a Volvo estate would do. We had one of those once too - that was brilliant - you could shift a lot of stuff in that. It also had an amazing turning circle.
I'm not sure how much a decent but oldish Volvo would cost now - wouldn't have to be new - merely serviceable.
What about a Subaru Forester?
dave2010
18-08-2020, 22:09
What about a Subaru Forester?Why?
Are older ones cheap? Maybe they would have capacity for large items. I'm just wondering how many boxes that would tick.
I checked up some oldish Volvos, and some not so old - prices between £4k and £20k. Several are diesels, and mpg figures are rather low, so fuel costs would be high. An old/cheap one could serve for heavy duty dump trips etc. though.
walpurgis
19-08-2020, 07:49
I'd sooner have a mid eighties to mid nineties Merc estate. They are great cars.
Why?
Are older ones cheap? Maybe they would have capacity for large items. I'm just wondering how many boxes that would tick.
.
Don't know about prices, just seems like a good alternative to a Volvo estate. Reliable, and good build quality.
Don't know about prices, just seems like a good alternative to a Volvo estate. Reliable, and good build quality.
quite fast some of them, although the road tax will be high and running costs too. i fancied one myself years ago but got put off by the costs
Pigmy Pony
19-08-2020, 19:50
Here is a page about the fire "scare" - https://www.businessinsider.com/why-tesla-cars-catch-on-fire-2019-4?r=US&IR=T
The most scary thing about the stories is if people can't get out of their cars. I watched once while one of my friend's car burnt to a cinder, but he had plenty of time to get out.
I agree that for the most part Teslas catching fire isn't a major concern - should be low probability.
I may still go with the Tesla, but I do find it really worrying that Tesla seems totally unable to provide any sensible customer service. I did like the model I drove, but on the other hand there are other cars which from a practical point of view might be "as good" - just perhaps not anything like so much "fun" (whatever that is ...). A Toyota hybrid would have a much greater effective range, and a plug-in hybrid would have the benefits of EVs for daily short distances, but still be able to do longer trips. I don't particularly want to have a Tesla for taking stuff to the dump, and it's not going to be much use for moving other large stuff around. I'd probably need something like an old VW camper for moving large stuff - or a Volvo estate. I'm not sure if I could take junk to the dump in a camper van - many tips don't allow that now, but a Volvo estate would do. We had one of those once too - that was brilliant - you could shift a lot of stuff in that. It also had an amazing turning circle.
I'm not sure how much a decent but oldish Volvo would cost now - wouldn't have to be new - merely serviceable.
You could always buy a good trailer for going to the tip - best of both worlds :)
dave2010
20-08-2020, 09:23
You could always buy a good trailer for going to the tip - best of both worlds :)I have thought about that. Presumably would be easy to fit a tow to a Peugeot 207cc for that purpose. I don't fancy doing that to a Tesla.
Do most tips allow trailers? I think the ones up here do, but there are restrictions in some parts of the world. I wonder if having a trailer puts one into a different category of dump user - forms to fill in, money to pay, etc.
Ali Tait
20-08-2020, 10:17
Why?
Are older ones cheap? Maybe they would have capacity for large items. I'm just wondering how many boxes that would tick.
I checked up some oldish Volvos, and some not so old - prices between £4k and £20k. Several are diesels, and mpg figures are rather low, so fuel costs would be high. An old/cheap one could serve for heavy duty dump trips etc. though.
Yes older ones can be had cheaply. Very solid cars, but maybe not the cheapest to run as said.
Agree an older Merc could be a good shout f you get one that’s been looked after.
I have thought about that. Presumably would be easy to fit a tow to a Peugeot 207cc for that purpose. I don't fancy doing that to a Tesla.
Do most tips allow trailers? I think the ones up here do, but there are restrictions in some parts of the world. I wonder if having a trailer puts one into a different category of dump user - forms to fill in, money to pay, etc.
check with your councl as to state of play re rubbish dropoffs. at ours you can get a pass if you prove its just for your own stuff and not a business etc. that is with vans but may be trailers too
Audio Al
20-08-2020, 10:30
Most tips are not council run , Now done by contractors who only want money , lots of money , Any oppertunity to charge you is taken up , Priority is given to paying customers not free users , Thats what it is like here
Ours has a bar over the entrance so you can't get anything taller than a normal car in.
I think it is up to them to prove you are trade rather than the other way around though.
Most tips are not council run , Now done by contractors who only want money , lots of money , Any oppertunity to charge you is taken up , Priority is given to paying customers not free users , Thats what it is like her
council run here.. good tips actually. lots of reusable segregation too
dave2010
20-08-2020, 14:39
check with your councl as to state of play re rubbish dropoffs. at ours you can get a pass if you prove its just for your own stuff and not a business etc. that is with vans but may be trailers tooNeighbour tells me that small trailers are allowed, but to check with the council people. In Surrey they used to give drivers the third degree - unless perhaps they recognised you - which for a while they did as we did a major house clearance before we sold it.
Some places have a one day a week policy for vans/mobile homes, and others do some form of registration.
rmcin626
21-08-2020, 12:06
Maybe not the best day for the car to be valeted as its been raining most of the morning but the Q5 still shines up pretty well.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200821/e0f18fe0ab039a3ea3c1a0c80b58a03d.jpg
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
rmcin626
21-08-2020, 12:24
yeah, a nice car
Cheers Grant
Lovely Q5, best colour too!
rmcin626
21-08-2020, 17:00
Lovely Q5, best colour too!
Thanks John, yeah definitely the best colour.
Not sure if I’ve posted these before, my Q3. 10K on it now, opening up nicely, gets to 95 very quickly before starting to fade, fast enough for me! My wife can get over 50mpg :)
https://i.imgur.com/IOIZ6c7.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/SLvpDXG.jpg
nice car that.. has a decent boot too
rmcin626
22-08-2020, 12:00
Not sure if I’ve posted these before, my Q3. 10K on it now, opening up nicely, gets to 95 very quickly before starting to fade, fast enough for me! My wife can get over 50mpg :)
https://i.imgur.com/IOIZ6c7.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/SLvpDXG.jpg
Very nice John
Where I work they have a lot of Q3s as fleet cars. Lots of room inside, very comfortable ride. Stereo not so good though.
Where I work they have a lot of Q3s as fleet cars. Lots of room inside, very comfortable ride. Stereo not so good though.
Agreed, stereo is just ok, not great although I’d swear it has improved since new when it sounded a bit tinny and harsh.
Agreed, stereo is just ok, not great although I’d swear it has improved since new when it sounded a bit tinny and harsh.
audiophile fuel :eyebrows:
Agreed, stereo is just ok, not great although I’d swear it has improved since new when it sounded a bit tinny and harsh.
Even worse when the designated driver insists on having Radio One on! That's probably prejudicing me though.
audiophile fuel :eyebrows:
:D
Bloke in the shop said most go for Yoshimura or Akrapovic. Not sure if or when I will get the bike, got a test ride on Thursday. If I do go for it, my current track bike; a SV1000, and my CBX1000 will have to go.
Well the SV went today, but don't want to sell the CBX so now looking for a Speed Triple around the £5.5K mark. But may have a look at an old KTM990 :eyebrows:
InThe Sticks
22-08-2020, 21:14
We had this in last week…
https://i.imgur.com/dcG5Rrk.jpg
2008 CLK Black edition, one owner and 5K miles.
Not overly fast by todays standards, but the fucking noise it makes is deafening!
Ali Tait
22-08-2020, 21:27
Nice valet on the jalopy today, scrubbed up nicely-
https://i.imgur.com/BM0TDcw.jpg
rmcin626
22-08-2020, 21:31
Nice valet on the jalopy today, scrubbed up nicely-
https://i.imgur.com/BM0TDcw.jpg
Looking good
Ali Tait
22-08-2020, 21:35
Cheers, try to keep her in good shape. Had a full valet, took 5 hours. Looks better than when I bought her lol.
Cheers, try to keep her in good shape. Had a full valet, took 5 hours. Looks better than when I bought her lol.
Nice job Ali, 5hrs well spent!
From a kayak weekend on a dam 3 weeks ago.
https://i.imgur.com/r7WmY6dh.jpg
Ali Tait
25-08-2020, 06:52
Nice job Ali, 5hrs well spent!
Thanks, I thought so. Needed to be done Lol.
dave2010
04-09-2020, 09:24
There are things that I don’t like about some modern cars. The Renault Zoe we have has what in my opinion is a horrible feature - the line tracking feature.
The idea is quite good - the car tries to position itself inside lanes, maybe based on visual input. However, I don’t think it always gets things right.
What I really dislike intensely is the way the steering wheel shakes if the car thinks the driver is steering too far to the left or right. It feels like the car is going
out of control. What I also don’t know is whether the car is really perfectly stable when this happens, so there isn’t really a problem unless one is about to hit something, or whether it really is about to go out of control. As I already said - horrible!
It can be turned off - but it's annoying if there are several drivers and one of them doesn't mind and leaves it on. It doesn't seem to be easy to turn off while driving.
Pigmy Pony
05-09-2020, 15:05
Get the garage to permanently disable it. That feature would do my head in - looks like the answer to a question nobody asked.
Get the garage to permanently disable it. That feature would do my head in - looks like the answer to a question nobody asked.
it can be switched off.. mine can be adjusted to either beep or beep and vibrate, and if no response is recieved from me it will steer me back into middle of lane. of course if you initiate indicator it doesnt happen, or if your going under 30mph
walpurgis
05-09-2020, 15:29
Or buy a car with no gizmos. I hate gizmos, I don't even like electric windows.
InThe Sticks
05-09-2020, 18:39
I was prepping this EQC ready for its new owner and found the engine was pinking a little (you’ll only understand that term if you’re old) and for the life of me i can’t find the dizzy cap to adjust the points..
https://i.imgur.com/HE3bhhK.jpg
Like it or not ladies, full electric is coming and i for one am looking forward to seeing how far the tech will take us :D
walpurgis
05-09-2020, 18:50
Things went downhill when they moved away from split screens!
Firebottle
05-09-2020, 20:09
I was prepping this EQC ready for its new owner and found the engine was pinking a little (you’ll only understand that term if you’re old) and for the life of me i can’t find the dizzy cap to adjust the points..
https://i.imgur.com/HE3bhhK.jpg
It's just under the Floggle Doggle dooferator at the top right, can't you see them?
:lol:
Thoughts on the best place to sell a car?
Looking to shift mine on and not sure what is best (or worst)
Cheers
dave2010
05-09-2020, 22:25
I was prepping this EQC ready for its new owner and found the engine was pinking a little (you’ll only understand that term if you’re old) and for the life of me i can’t find the dizzy cap to adjust the points..
Like it or not ladies, full electric is coming and i for one am looking forward to seeing how far the tech will take us :DPoints. Mmmmm. I remember them.
One fairly big possible snag with EVs is if they run out of steam on a so-called smart motorway they just stop dead, and block the lane, and it becomes hazardous dealing with the outcome. The chances of getting to one of the refuge areas which would work with a petrol or diesel car are rather low, I'm told.
Mind you, I never did think that smart motorways were particularly clever.
Think these motorways are dangerous
Pigmy Pony
06-09-2020, 06:35
I was prepping this EQC ready for its new owner and found the engine was pinking a little (you’ll only understand that term if you’re old) and for the life of me i can’t find the dizzy cap to adjust the points..
https://i.imgur.com/HE3bhhK.jpg
Like it or not ladies, full electric is coming and i for one am looking forward to seeing how far the tech will take us :D
Right now about 240 miles I think, hopefully this will improve greatly. I saw a TV programme about electric cars the other day, an interesting point was made regarding smart motorways and the danger of electric cars running out of juice on them. Is it true they cannot be towed? Having to load them onto a truck would present untold safety problems
Pigmy Pony
06-09-2020, 06:40
It's just under the Floggle Doggle dooferator at the top right, can't you see them?
:lol:
Ah this must be the 2020 model. Before that, the Vag Denominator used to be located there.
Pigmy Pony
06-09-2020, 06:43
Points. Mmmmm. I remember them.
One fairly big possible snag with EVs is if they run out of steam on a so-called smart motorway they just stop dead, and block the lane, and it becomes hazardous dealing with the outcome. The chances of getting to one of the refuge areas which would work with a petrol or diesel car are rather low, I'm told.
Mind you, I never did think that smart motorways were particularly clever.
Sorry Dave, just seen that you raised the same point :doh:
dave2010
06-09-2020, 08:38
Sorry Dave, just seen that you raised the same point :doh:No probs - I think we must have watched the same programme. I'm not sure whether EVs can be towed, or whether the brakes can be unlocked for long enough to load one on to a trailer. Perhaps also there will be new types of bteakdown trucks - complete with a generator or very large battery pack, which can do at least a small recharge in situ - sufficient to drive the car off the motorway.
I calculated whether there is a real problem with the time taken to charge an EV. My simple analysis suggested that for most people there isn't an issue - that is people doing less than 150 mile round trip commute, or going on days out. There is perhaps a significant time saving in not having to drive to petrol stations, and spend perhaps 5-10 minutes filling up.
On the other hand long journeys may be more difficult, so might take longer, Suppose someone drives a long way once a month - say Edinburgh to London. That would probably wipe out any time advantages due to home charging or other patterns of behaviour. Ideally the en route charging time should overlap with activities, such as going for a pee or having a coffiee. Over a year I think there is a time saving for people who don't do very long journeys frequently.
For long journeys cars need to have a long range and fast charging capability, and there needs to be more and better charging infrastructure in place.
People who drive long distances regularly (one workman we met recently who came to install some electrical equipment was doing 1000 miles per week) might find EVs more problematic.
We have also encountered one person who was desperate to charge her car up just a little bit in order to get home. Seems something went wrong with the charging the night before - maybe the wire wasn't connected properly, and some of the charging points she tried to access during the day weren't working.
EVs aren't going to "save the planet" - but if cars are needed at all they will be better re energy and climate change issues. The advantages in terms of pollution reduction and noise pollution are considerable, but they are still cars. There can still be traffic jams and gridlock, and pointless unnecessary journeys, and roads like the M25 will still be madness if people continue to use them as they have done over the last decade or more. Eventually the UK might have to ration or charge for road use to force people to think whether they need to drive on any particular day, or at any specific time. Dynamic pricing may play a part too.
Pigmy Pony
06-09-2020, 13:34
As things stand, the national grid copes with people switching on their kettles in the morning, but how will it go on when everyone wants to plug in their cars upon getting home?
It'll be okay as long as everyone remembers they can't brew up while the car is charging. There'll be little warning stickers on the kettle.
Pigmy Pony
06-09-2020, 14:13
No brew? That would be a deal-breaker for me. Unless I use the fuel savings to get my camping stove up and running.
Half of Britons say a 2035 deadline to switch to an electric car is too soon! Drivers name their demands if they're to buy them as figures show there won't be enough public chargers in a decade
Poll by UK trade body finds that 44% of Britons won't be ready to own an electric car if the deadline is 2035
A quarter of motorists interviewed said they can never see themselves owning an EV in their lifetime
The SMMT said the government needs to ramp-up incentives to encourage drivers to make the transition
A survey of 10,000 Britons named the demand for EV ownership: £24k price; 30-min charging; 282 mile range
Report by the ICCT found that the UK currently has just 5% of its 2030 target public charger network
https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-8695153/Britons-say-2035-deadline-switch-electric-cars-soon.html
If you live in a terrace house or a flat how do you charge it? Run a power cord across the pavement? What about health and safety? There's a law which says if you don't look where you're putting your feet you can get free money.
Just doesn't work.
InThe Sticks
12-09-2020, 19:50
The conversion from old (and unused) laundry room to bike man cave is getting there.
A door where there was no door..
https://i.imgur.com/IwRZ95i.jpg
Door finished and new flooring fitted..
https://i.imgur.com/WJClXpg.jpg
Just got to install the ramp, finish up the decorating and mow the gutter.
dave2010
12-09-2020, 22:16
As things stand, the national grid copes with people switching on their kettles in the morning, but how will it go on when everyone wants to plug in their cars upon getting home?I think more capacity will have to be created in the grid. An electric car charging at home is I think like having 2 (for more) electric kettles on for hours. Typical charging time at home for a full charge is around 10 hours. A fast charger can typically reduce this to an hour, while a supercharger should reduce the time to less than 30 minutes.
We now have a couple of EVs. Figuring out the chargers is quite a headache. It’s interesting to note other people’s behaviours down at the charging points. Several people seem to almost run out of oomph around 6pm, and drop by to get enough charge to get them home. It doesn’t seem clever to run on a low charge, as sometimes the chargers aren’t working, or another car is using one, but it obviously happens. Some people get “free” or cheap electricity at their workplace.
I think more capacity will have to be created in the grid. An electric car charging at home is I think like having 2 (for more) electric kettles on for hours. Typical charging time at home for a full charge is around 10 hours. A fast charger can typically reduce this to an hour, while a supercharger should reduce the time to less than 30 minutes.
We now have a couple of EVs. Figuring out the chargers is quite a headache. It’s interesting to note other people’s behaviours down at the charging points. Several people seem to almost run out of oomph around 6pm, and drop by to get enough charge to get them home. It doesn’t seem clever to run on a low charge, as sometimes the chargers aren’t working, or another car is using one, but it obviously happens. Some people get “free” or cheap electricity at their workplace.
Charging an EV at home from a domestic socket costs about a fiver, boiling a kettle maybe 2p if it's full, less than a penny if just boiling enough water to make a cup of tea. So it's the equivalent of boiling 250 full kettles of water. It will take about 7 hours to fully charge the car from a domestic socket, so it's like boiling the kettle 35 times an hour for seven hours.
Obviously that's a rough estimate but it gives an idea.
Based on that I do wonder if the grid could cope with 30 million people all charging their EVs overnight. And that's assuming they were happy to live with the problem of limited range. Given there's no shortage of oil hybrids do seem to make a lot more sense. No charging required, no range problems, and they still use less petrol and produce less pollution than a car that relies solely on a combustion engine.
A Hybrid may cause less pollution at the point of use, but making those batteries is not ecologically friendly.
I think we need super capacitor technology before EVs will become viable.
A Hybrid may cause less pollution at the point of use, but making those batteries is not ecologically friendly.
I think we need super capacitor technology before EVs will become viable.
True - but I'd suggest that, from the point were we moved on from hunter-gathering, nothing that mankind does is ecologically friendly.
Maybe technology will provide the answer, that would be great, but I wouldn't bank on it.
dave2010
13-09-2020, 07:30
Based on that I do wonder if the grid could cope with 30 million people all charging their EVs overnight. And that's assuming they were happy to live with the problem of limited range. Given there's no shortage of oil hybrids do seem to make a lot more sense. No charging required, no range problems, and they still use less petrol and produce less pollution than a car that relies solely on a combustion engine.I have wondered about that too. If there are going to be capacity problems in electricity production, then cars like the regular Prius - which manage to squeeze out more miles from a gallon of petrol, may well be better than EVs, but perhaps the electricity production difficulties can be overcome - in which case EVs have many advantages.
There are two slightly different problems relating to fossil fuel cars. Firstly there is the atmospheric global warming effect, and secondly there is the pollution, which in cities at least does lead to illness and deaths. EVs definitely reduce problems due to the second of those, but for the global warming one has to look at the total consumption of fossil fuels. Heating of homes may be more significant than transport in regard to that, which should spur a move towards heat pumps for domestic heating. However I think that will still require more electricity generation even though heat pumps are perhaps 3-4 times as effective as using electricity for heating directly. Burning oil or gas may still be more effective for heating, but issues related to CO2 emissions do need to be considered. Better insulation is essential, whatever mode of heating is used.
Given that many families now have at least 2 cars, it would not be unreasonable for at least one of them to be an EV. Most of the better small EVs now have a range which enables people to do basic actions, such as shopping, going to work etc. - but obviously it does depend on how far people "need" to travel on a regular basis. Currently longer distances are easier to cope with in petrol or diesel cars, but most people don't drive hundreds of miles each day.
There are also some trends starting to be noticeable regarding EVs with small range, or second hand vehicles. Second hand EVs have not seemed to be a very good buy as there is definite improvement in battery technology year on year, and newer cars have better performance and range. However, some people are discovering that they can buy a second hand EV with a manageable range, and if they can charge their cars up at work - sometimes "for free" - that has relatively little adverse impact on their lifestyle, and is quite a low cost solution for their personal transport. One EV enthusiast I met had also bought a Leaf at a very low price because the previous owner had managed to screw up the electronics. As the new owner was an electrical/electronics engineer he was able to fix the car at very low cost to himself. That's an option that most of us will not be able to exploit.
Given that many families now have at least 2 cars, it would not be unreasonable for at least one of them to be an EV. Most of the better small EVs now have a range which enables people to do basic actions, such as shopping, going to work etc. - but obviously it does depend on how far people "need" to travel on a regular basis. Currently longer distances are easier to cope with in petrol or diesel cars, but most people don't drive hundreds of miles each day.
The problem is that although most people don't drive hundreds of miles each day they do occasionally and they want to keep the ability to do that without any added aggravation or delay. If you have more than one car then one could be an EV and the other an ICE or hybrid but how many people can afford that?
And more than 8 million adults in the UK live alone, so seems likely to me that the vast majority of them would not even contemplate owning two cars just for that purpose. Especially if they live in flats, or terraces with either none or very limited off-road parking.
You do a long journey in your EV, you're 40 miles from home and running out of charge. That means finding a charging point and waiting at least 45 minutes in some god-forsaken service station for the car to gain enough charge to make it home. As opposed to a five-minute stop to get petrol, or not needing to get petrol at all. That's the reason everyone I know won't even contemplate all-electric. It's a good reason and I can't see attitudes to that changing.
walpurgis
13-09-2020, 08:33
Those who want an electric car are free to buy one, although there is an ecological cost even with those. Personally, I'm happy to continue to burn fossil fuels, as modern cars are very clean. Folk making a fuss about 'the environment' would do better addressing the monstrous pollution churned out by shipping, commercial vehicles, aircraft and providing power to trains (that's not clean either).
Looks good. I ending buying a Speed Triple.
dave2010
13-09-2020, 09:34
The problem is that although most people don't drive hundreds of miles each day they do occasionally and they want to keep the ability to do that without any added aggravation or delay. If you have more than one car then one could be an EV and the other an ICE or hybrid but how many people can afford that?
Perhaps it depends on which part of the UK you live in. In the south east - where I was previously, every house, its owners and the dogs had cars, which is why even when the houses had drives and garages, there were still extra vehicles parked outside. So there are many people/families who already afford more than one car.
Most EVs are not currently suitable for very long journeys, which means that families which go on holidays in their car may find EVs a problem. However, as I've already suggested, many families do have more vehicles, and one could be an ICE specifically for such long joureys.
We noticed recently though that some roads do now seem busier than before lockdown - perhaps more people are driving and avoiding public transport - which is perfectly understandable.
Before lockdown many people would go on holiday by air (not in itself good ....) but wouldn't need a car to do long journeys.
The year in which EVs may have very clear advantages over other vehicles is expected to be 2025. Currently they are perceived as being expensive - and of course they are, but the price differentials will swing in favour of EVs in a few years. Running costs are lower.
As more older and viable cars start to trickle down to the second hand market, things will change.
Those who want an electric car are free to buy one, although there is an ecological cost even with those. Personally, I'm happy to continue to burn fossil fuels, as modern cars are very clean. Folk making a fuss about 'the environment' would do better addressing the monstrous pollution churned out by shipping, commercial vehicles, aircraft and providing power to trains (that's not clean either).
yes. I think the ecological argument is a red herring. There's no such thing as an eco-friendly vehicle or lifestyle for that matter, unless you go and live in the bushes and eat berries. And 90% if us would have to go and do that if it was to make any real difference. It's all marketing bullshit aimed at flogging tat to the middle classes who want to continue their 21st century lifestyles without feeling guilty about it.
Better air quality in cities would be good though, and that means getting rid of all non-essential diesel powered vehicles for a start.
Pigmy Pony
13-09-2020, 11:41
[QUOTE=Macca;1221030] it's the equivalent of boiling 250 full kettles of water. It will take about 7 hours to fully charge the car from a domestic socket, so it's like boiling the kettle 35 times an hour for seven hours.
Right now the option of charging your EV at work is ok, when it's just Duncan in HR and his new Nissan Leaf God bless him, but what about when all the employees have been made to "go electric"? If the company has 50 employees that would be equivalent of boiling 12,500 kettles every day. If your gaffer is like my old boss who went round switching off lights in unoccupied rooms, he's not going to be happy with that set up :(
Perhaps the government will subsidise this cost as an incentive, as it would probably be cheaper than building more power stations. I heard somewhere that a nuclear power plant takes about 20 years to come online, so they'd better get their skates on.
The government do offer a subsidy for installing charging points at workplaces. The office block I (used to) work in houses a couple of companies that have installed them in their car park spaces.
On the other hand since Covid 19 anyone who can work from home is working from home. No journey required at all. And companies save a fortune on renting office space. No need to go round turning out lights in the building when there is no building. Everyone I know who is working at home says their company has no plans to get them back to the office anytime soon, if ever.
dave2010
13-09-2020, 12:04
Perhaps the government will subsidise this cost as an incentive, as it would probably be cheaper than building more power stations. I heard somewhere that a nuclear power plant takes about 20 years to come online, so they'd better get their skates on.I don't see how it would be cheaper to fund electric charging points than building new power stations. More power generation is likely to be needed, whether nuclear or otherwise, but some of it could be renewable and batteries in cars could take some of the load and store it.
It's good that some firms are finally realising that having everyone commuting in each day just to give the boss a thrill and a sense of power is a complete waste of effort. OTOH there are some problems if everyone stays at home - some practical ones, some involving training of new staff, and also long term isolation and mental issues. So some home working is very good - but too much - maybe not.
Pigmy Pony
15-09-2020, 21:01
Smart motorway my arse!
We've just returned from a delightful 560 mile round trip to Poole and back, and when returning, we had just got north of the M6 Toll, where the M6 is being "upgraded" to a Smart motorway. Just before the Stafford junction we came upon a geezer pushing his broken-down Goldwing Trike along the slow lane nee hard shoulder. It was dusk, and his lights were so feeble it was hard to tell he was only moving at 1mph until we were almost upon him.
Fortunately(!) there'd been a bad accident on that stretch (probably another Smart casualty), so the traffic was slowing in readiness to come off and divert through Stafford, otherwise he could easily have become a 600kg bumper sticker on the front of our Civic. And God knows what would have happened with the following traffic.
All of that hard shoulder is now an extra lane, but they haven't finished making the refuges yet. I despair with this country I really do.
dave2010
18-09-2020, 20:53
A hitherto unknown feature of some cars - such as EVs - like Tesla. Just found out that if one drives a Tesla, one's whereabouts and routes might be sent to others, so no sneaking off to see Glenda or Brenda for the afternoon! If that's your bag, make sure that nobody else who might be interested or concerned has a phone connected to the car.
Is this a feature of many new cars?
Pigmy Pony
18-09-2020, 21:16
hard to be sure just what some modern cars are capable of.
i recently saw a TV programme where someone was murdered by his car being 'hacked', disabling the brakes and making it swerve off the road. It was fiction, but who's to say that something like this isn't possible?
Pigmy Pony
18-09-2020, 21:23
I'm looking to replace my van in the coming weeks, and I've narrowed my choice down to a Mercedes Vito. Which in LWB form is big enough (just).They were recommended to me by a friend's brother who owns a garage. Reckons they'll run forever if looked after properly.
But researching them tells me they come either as a 2.1 litre Mercedes, or with a 1.6 Renault engine. Surely the Merc engine would be better? Anyone have any experience of these, or any words of caution?
walpurgis
18-09-2020, 21:23
A hitherto unknown feature of some cars - such as EVs - like Tesla. Just found out that if one drives a Tesla, one's whereabouts and routes might be sent to others, so no sneaking off to see Glenda or Brenda for the afternoon! If that's your bag, make sure that nobody else who might be interested or concerned has a phone connected to the car.
Is this a feature of many new cars?
Yes, I'm afraid that now if you use sat-nav, not only will 'they' know where you've been and where you are, they'll also be waiting for you when you arrive :eek:.
Yes, I'm afraid that now if you use sat-nav, not only will 'they' know where you've been and where you are, they'll also be waiting for you when you arrive :eek:.Yeah but uf their sat nav is anything like yours, they will have crashed in a footpath somewhere [emoji23]
dave2010
19-09-2020, 07:57
Yes, I'm afraid that now if you use sat-nav, not only will 'they' know where you've been and where you are, they'll also be waiting for you when you arrive :eek:.I think that the speed of the vehicles can also be tracked, so whether speed limits are broken (even by 1 mph — and is that accurate anyway?) can also be spotted remotely. I’m not convinced that all this technology stuff is needed or desirable.
I'm looking to replace my van in the coming weeks, and I've narrowed my choice down to a Mercedes Vito. Which in LWB form is big enough (just).They were recommended to me by a friend's brother who owns a garage. Reckons they'll run forever if looked after properly.
But researching them tells me they come either as a 2.1 litre Mercedes, or with a 1.6 Renault engine. Surely the Merc engine would be better? Anyone have any experience of these, or any words of caution?
I used to rent them and lease them and we never had problems with either. Only vans we did have issues with were LDV so avoid them and you should be fine. But you probably knew that.
That was 14 years ago so maybe things have changed.
InThe Sticks
19-09-2020, 15:56
I'm looking to replace my van in the coming weeks, and I've narrowed my choice down to a Mercedes Vito. Which in LWB form is big enough (just).They were recommended to me by a friend's brother who owns a garage. Reckons they'll run forever if looked after properly.
But researching them tells me they come either as a 2.1 litre Mercedes, or with a 1.6 Renault engine. Surely the Merc engine would be better? Anyone have any experience of these, or any words of caution?
Steve, the Renault engine is good, no worries there.
One of our parts vans has one and I’ve serviced it several times, along with many many A, B and C class entry level Mercs that use Renault engines and have never seen a problem with any of them.
As long as the previous owner has serviced it properly and changed the filters and fluids (engine oil, brake fluid, gearbox oil and diff oil) there is no reason to have concern.
Pigmy Pony
19-09-2020, 17:28
Thanks for your inputs Martin and Jon, my only concern with the Renault-engined models was them possibly being a bit underpowered. I do a fair bit of motorway. The 111 may just do at a pinch.
I'm going to look at a 114 Blue Efficiency one tomorrow (I should mention I'm looking for a tidy used example). 46k miles for £10k plus VAT. I'm hoping that p/ex on my old Trannie will cover the VAT, but I'm not confident. A year ago it looked fine, then during the lockdown I built some very study planters down the side of the drive, which I've since reversed into. Twice. :( Mrs. P could have complimented me on building some very bomb-proof planters, but no, instead she says I'm not fit to have a nice van.
InThe Sticks
19-09-2020, 18:08
You'll never know until you test drive one.
I was working for a Toyota dealer when the Proace came out (similar engine) and it was a blast to drive, although I didn't drive one fully laden.
That said, it seemed more than capable.
dave2010
19-09-2020, 18:26
You'll never know until you test drive one.
I was working for a Toyota dealer when the Proace came out (similar engine) and it was a blast to drive, although I didn't drive one fully laden.
That said, it seemed more than capable.I know very little about vans - but yesterday I had a conversation with a fitter who said he'd like a new van. To my surprise he said that it was usually the cost of fuel which was a determiner, as he claimed that the fuel (diesel) always cost more than the van over the vehicle's lifetime.
I don't think this is always true of cars, but maybe vans get a lot more mileage per year. FWIW I calculated the relative costs of fuel against the purchase price of my now deceased Toyota Prius, and the fuel cost did get close to the vehicle cost, but I don't think it surpassed it. That was over 12+ years.
In the conversation he also said that he thought that some electric vehicles would have a future, because the fuel cost would effectively be lower - though other issues such as range would still be important, and he was hoping he might be able to buy one (van) in a few years time.
I think that the speed of the vehicles can also be tracked, so whether speed limits are broken (even by 1 mph — and is that accurate anyway?) can also be spotted remotely. I’m not convinced that all this technology stuff is needed or desirable.
My car tells me if a local speed limit is being exceeded!
My car tells me if a local speed limit is being exceeded!Yeah mine does that. If sat nav is on but it also scans the Rd for speed limits with a camera and let's you know what speed you should be doing and if you go over it.
My car tells me if a local speed limit is being exceeded!
Yesh, and it'll have 'amazing new inventions' such as electric windows and power steering, too.... That's what happens when you join the 21st century!:D;)
Have you worked out how to use the sound system yet? I suspect it won't even have a CD player:eyebrows:
Marco.
dave2010
21-09-2020, 11:33
My car tells me if a local speed limit is being exceeded!Worse than that, some cars will tell your missus who's miles away tracking the car on a mobile phone!
walpurgis
21-09-2020, 12:07
Autonomous cars will become common. Thing is, will you be done for drink driving after a snifter if yours is driving you home from the pub? :)
Yesh, and it'll have 'amazing new inventions' such as electric windows and power steering, too.... That's what happens when you join the 21st century!:D;)
Have you worked out how to use the sound system yet? I suspect it won't even have a CD player:eyebrows:
Marco.
Yes it has a CD player; Bluetooth; electrically heated seats; air conditioning; auto-headlights; automatic adjustment of the headlight beam to suit the loading of the car; automatic anti-dazzle rear view mirror; retractable side mirrors; tyre pressure sensors, kerb illumination lights in the doors, and parking proximity sensors. All the expected 'bells and whistles'.
My two previous cars had some "amazing new inventions" such as electric windows, an electric sunroof, power steering - and even a synchromesh gear box! :ner:
dave2010
21-09-2020, 12:54
Yes it has a CD player; Bluetooth; electrically heated seats; air conditioning; auto-headlights; automatic adjustment of the headlight beam to suit the loading of the car; automatic anti-dazzle rear view mirror; retractable side mirrors; tyre pressure sensors, kerb illumination lights in the doors, and parking proximity sensors. All the expected 'bells and whistles'.
My two previous cars had some "amazing new inventions" such as electric windows, an electric sunroof, power steering - and even a synchromesh gear box! :ner:Other features maybe - automatic windscreen washers and wipers, and follow round corner lights. Heated wing mirrors.
For all the new automation etc., the new car doesn't seem to have a warning to fill up the windscreen water/screenwash bottle - even less a robot to do it for me.
One of my previous cars even had a long gear stick.
It has heated wing mirrors, as did my last car. A reminder to refill the wash bottles would be handy - I just let it be done when the car is serviced.
The American Tucker had headlights that would turn ahead of the steering, but the car never went into production.
dave2010
21-09-2020, 13:59
It has heated wing mirrors, as did my last car. A reminder to refill the wash bottles would be handy - I just let it be done when the car is serviced.
The American Tucker had headlights that would turn ahead of the steering, but the car never went into production.How often do you get the car serviced? Every other week?
Our Peugeot 207cc has "round the corner" lights - actually extra lights which come on when the wheel is turned. Very handy sometimes.
The now defunct Prius didn't have heated wing mirrors, but the Ford Focus we had before did - and also a heated front screen. Very good.
Didn’t the Citroen DS have swivel headlights?
Think that was late 60s or early 70s.
Didn’t the Citroen DS have swivel headlights?
Think that was late 60s or early 70s.
It certainly did. As Dave said, nowadays the headlights stay fixed, but extra lights shine in the direction you are turning. Very handy.
rmcin626
22-09-2020, 08:06
Spending the morning at Audi Glasgow
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
dave2010
22-09-2020, 10:06
Spending the morning at Audi Glasgow
Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkBuying, selling, or just "window" shopping? Or maybe work!
rmcin626
22-09-2020, 10:08
Unfortunately just in for a service, my Q5 is only 2 years old, although there are many temptations here
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Get an RX8 - You know you want to!
Spending the morning at Audi Glasgow
Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkMine is due to go in in Nov. They will get a shock with the mileage, or lack of [emoji23]
rmcin626
22-09-2020, 13:19
Get an RX8 - You know you want to!
Maybe a few years ago but these days more than happy with the Q5
InThe Sticks
22-09-2020, 17:41
This is what I get presented with on a pretty much daily basis when I’m MOT testing.
I know the days of a “pre MOT” are long gone, but you’d think people would at least check their tyres..
https://i.imgur.com/Il60D9U.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/OalzM0m.jpg
AMG A45 & C43, both of which are reasonably powerful cars, and I certainly wouldn’t want to be putting near 400BHP through that rubber.
Neg camber btw.
Had a minivan that had that issue and shreaded a set of tires in a few hundred miles
rmcin626
22-09-2020, 18:48
Unfortunately just in for a service, my Q5 is only 2 years old, although there are many temptations here
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
All good, although will need a couple of front trees before the winter.
I took my Audi S6 to the main dealer for a small job, this was around the time the RS5 was launched and they had one in the showroom. After they mopped up my wee and calmed me down I was given a test drive in a RS6 to cheer me up (the RS5 wasn't registered and was only for show at the time.....boooooo).
rmcin626
22-09-2020, 19:34
I took my Audi S6 to the main dealer for a small job, this was around the time the RS5 was launched and they had one in the showroom. After they mopped up my wee and calmed me down I was given a test drive in a RS6 to cheer me up (the RS5 wasn't registered and was only for show at the time.....boooooo).
Stayed away from the showroom today, keeping temptation at bay.
walpurgis
22-09-2020, 19:41
Mine is due to go in in Nov. They will get a shock with the mileage, or lack of [emoji23]
Think I've done maybe 500 miles since February.
I do less than 2,000 miles a year.
rmcin626
22-09-2020, 20:04
Not done many miles so far this year.
Pigmy Pony
22-09-2020, 21:47
Done 2,500 miles so far this month.
Pigmy Pony
27-09-2020, 10:15
Well the "smart repair" guy has finally got the Blade's fairing panel done, after just eight weeks. So if I can find time I'll get the bike down to Fastline tomorrow to have it put on, MOT'd, serviced, and new chain. I've left Thursday clear in my diary, so hopefully I'll get a spin on it then. Of course the great British weather may have other plans, but the Pony Express will definitely be ready to go come the next good day :) Strictly fair weather biker, me
dave2010
27-09-2020, 13:19
Think I've done maybe 500 miles since February.Wow. I've done over 700 miles in the last 3 weeks. My car tells me that.
Until recently we were doing about 12000 miles per year in the car we used most.
gave mine a spin round the rds to keep it charged etc.. going well considering its lack of use last 7 months. been a nice day anyway
dave2010
28-09-2020, 11:12
gave mine a spin round the rds to keep it charged etc.. going well considering its lack of use last 7 months. been a nice day anywayDon't let the battery go down in that one - which I think is a fairly new hybrid IIRC. Probably needs a decent run every couple of weeks.
Don't let the battery go down in that one - which I think is a fairly new hybrid IIRC. Probably needs a decent run every couple of weeks.
just given it another run and filled it up... 19 quid ffs:doh:;) booked in for its 2 year service too.. lady phoned when i was driving lol. they are picking it up and redelivering.
walpurgis
29-09-2020, 13:14
Mine's nice and clean after its wash. Still got to give it a pre-winter wax though. Interior's been hoovered out too, needs some dash shine yet. I've found my aerosols of waxoil, so I may start on the rust proofing later. Had new tyres all round a couple of moths ago, now seven years old and still only 22k on the clock, it drives like new.
was going to wash it too but they wash it when they do the service check etc. so leave it til then. its fairly clean anyways
Pigmy Pony
29-09-2020, 18:35
[QUOTE=struth;1224548 they are picking it up and redelivering.[/QUOTE]
Get some much needed miles under its belt :)
Pigmy Pony
29-09-2020, 18:39
Mine's nice and clean after its wash. Still got to give it a pre-winter wax though. Interior's been hoovered out too, needs some dash shine yet. I've found my aerosols of waxoil, so I may start on the rust proofing later. Had new tyres all round a couple of moths ago, now seven years old and still only 22k on the clock, it drives like new.
Found them in your wallet when you went to pay for the tyres :)
Pieoftheday
30-09-2020, 16:16
Finally sussed a way of uploading pics:) here's my new ride to work28666 I've got used to the hard seat now:) not super fast like the 4 cylinder super sports but plenty quick enough for me, sounds quite nice with akrapovic pipe on too
InThe Sticks
03-10-2020, 00:03
My biking buddy has all but given up riding this year and has handed over the keys to his bike for me to enjoy for a while, and enjoy it I will
https://i.imgur.com/cz6CHKZ.jpg
:D
Very nice. I have just bought a Speed Triple 94. It is also on SORN now, but I still have my K16 to pootle about on until the weather gets to grim.
Pigmy Pony
03-10-2020, 15:44
The Blade is back home now, having had a service, fairing smart-repaired (an absolutely mint job, thanks for the suggestion Jon), new chain and MOT (sailed through). All for £530. Picked it up on a dry and sunny Thursday, it's pissed down since :( Still got to tax it, but don't know if it's worth bothering now. How much is road tax for bikes these days? Can you pay monthly direct debit? You didn't used to be able to for bikes.
I was a bit apprehensive getting back on, the last time I rode it I fell off. I needn't have worried, it was like I'd never been away. After 2 years of van performance, it was a hoot getting on something that shifts like that :)
Good u got it on Rd.. Tax will be about £80 I think. As u say with our weather now isn't time to run it.
InThe Sticks
03-10-2020, 16:32
The Blade is back home now, having had a service, fairing smart-repaired (an absolutely mint job, thanks for the suggestion Jon), new chain and MOT (sailed through). All for £530. Picked it up on a dry and sunny Thursday, it's pissed down since :( Still got to tax it, but don't know if it's worth bothering now. How much is road tax for bikes these days? Can you pay monthly direct debit? You didn't used to be able to for bikes.
I was a bit apprehensive getting back on, the last time I rode it I fell off. I needn't have worried, it was like I'd never been away. After 2 years of van performance, it was a hoot getting on something that shifts like that :)
Great news :D
Yup, you can pay monthly for tax. Probably worth doing just in case a warm dry day appears and you feel the urge to take her out.
Get some pics up Steve!
Ali Tait
15-10-2020, 12:19
Finally managed to get some new tyres for the jalopy yesterday. After a bit of research and some thought I plumped for Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSports. It was a toss up between these and Pilot 4S really, but the fact that the F1's are scoring a bit higher on Tyrereviews and are a little cheaper made them the preferred choice.
Have to say they are a revelation, and really show how utterly shite the Continental run flats BMW fit as OEM are by comparison. Responsiveness and feel are an order of magnitude better, and it honestly feels like I'm driving a different car.
Grip seems endless. I was always having to be careful in the wet at roundabouts and corners as it was all too easy to step out the back end with the run flats, but none of that with these. It's a relief not having to be constantly on edge, waiting for the back end to go..
Anyway, a thumbs up from me. Not cheap, but probably the best road tyres available at the moment.
Finally managed to get some new tyres for the jalopy yesterday. After a bit of research and some thought I plumped for Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSports. It was a toss up between these and Pilot 4S really, but the fact that the F1's are scoring a bit higher on Tyrereviews and are a little cheaper made them the preferred choice.
Have to say they are a revelation, and really show how utterly shite the Continental run flats BMW fit as OEM are by comparison. Responsiveness and feel are an order of magnitude better, and it honestly feels like I'm driving a different car.
Grip seems endless. I was always having to be careful in the wet at roundabouts and corners as it was all too easy to step out the back end with the run flats, but none of that with these. It's a relief not having to be constantly on edge, waiting for the back end to go..
Anyway, a thumbs up from me. Not cheap, but probably the best road tyres available at the moment.
what do they come in at Ali.. 150?
walpurgis
15-10-2020, 12:26
I just ask the tyre guy at the top of the road to bung new ones on. Don't even look at the make. Cost me nearly ninety quid for four fitted & balanced last time! :D
Ali Tait
15-10-2020, 12:32
what do they come in at Ali.. 150?
A little more Grant, I was £686 for four. The 4S would have been over 700..
Anyway, as the tyre fitter opined- " You can't put cheap tyres on a car like that mate" :lol:
Ali Tait
15-10-2020, 12:34
Ironically, the OEM run flats are over £200 a corner..
ones on mine were fairly expensive when i looked them up.. forgot what they are now tho.. i dont pay for them lol.. but not as bad as that. over a ton each tho i think/ big tyres mind, and with the embarrassing lack of miles ive done they are brand new still lol
Ali Tait
15-10-2020, 12:46
I could have gone a lot cheaper, but having driven on them now, they are worth every penny to my mind. Drove a few hundred miles yesterday in wet and dry conditions, they are superb in both.
Just need a set of winters now. A part worn set off ebay from Germany will do I think, some good deals on there.
Pigmy Pony
15-10-2020, 16:38
Which model of BM is it Ali?
Are part worn tyres a safe bet? I know Germany will have stricter laws re. tread depth, but even so... If ever there was a season where your tyres need to be A1, it would be winter. If you do get some winters off Ebay, be sure to give them 2 coats of lookingat. I know you will :)
Firebottle
15-10-2020, 17:22
'lookingat' lol.
InThe Sticks
15-10-2020, 20:00
Are part worn tyres a safe bet?
I wouldn’t touch one with a bargepole a mile long. Period.
I briefly worked as an MOT tester at a garage that sold them, and the sheer amount that had unbelievably poor repairs (including sidewall patches) bulges, cuts and all other problems was quite staggering to say the least.
Personally I think its false economy to buy part worn tyres, plus the fact one doesn’t know where they’ve come from. It could be from a scrapyard or a tyre that has been repaired that shouldn’t have been or any other factor.
There are strict rules here that I imagine most retailers ignore.
If one wants a decent all rounder then use Michelin CrossClimates and forget the hassle of swapping to winter tyres.
Ali Tait
15-10-2020, 20:23
I’ve bought a set before, they were fine. They’re checked and pressure tested, not like the dodgy stuff that you used to get here. I’ve a set of 18” wheels for them. Looking at some Uniroyals with 6-7mm tread, they should do the business.
Ali Tait
15-10-2020, 20:24
They don’t do Crossclimates in the sizes I need. Used them on my last two cars, good tyres.
Ali Tait
15-10-2020, 20:25
Which model of BM is it Ali?
Are part worn tyres a safe bet? I know Germany will have stricter laws re. tread depth, but even so... If ever there was a season where your tyres need to be A1, it would be winter. If you do get some winters off Ebay, be sure to give them 2 coats of lookingat. I know you will :)
535d M Sport.
Pigmy Pony
16-10-2020, 06:11
535d M Sport.
Very nice. I've always liked 5 Series BMWs through the years, And that one would have a the go I'd need, but cheaper to run than an M5 :)
Ali Tait
16-10-2020, 07:08
Yes, that was the rationale for getting it- I was using it for work so doing around 500 miles a week. If that hadn’t been the case I’d have gone for an M5. :-)
Have another vehicle for work now though, lucky if the beemer does 50 miles in a month now.
Pigmy Pony
16-10-2020, 21:08
My youngest brother has a 630i, and it does 18mpg all day long. I bet the 535d gets double that, with probably better performance. No brainer really.
MOT day today for my VW. Was dreading it as there's been an "airbag error" warning light past few weeks which sounded expensive... £91 all in not a bad result since last MOT was May 2019! Was thinking of changing it but the mileage since that MOT is around 3,000 miles so hardly seems worth the bother! Mind you, if I'm doing so little miles fuel economy is now irrelevant.... Hmmm.... Mustang!?
Ali Tait
20-10-2020, 21:06
My youngest brother has a 630i, and it does 18mpg all day long. I bet the 535d gets double that, with probably better performance. No brainer really.
I average 36-38, pretty good given a 3 litre with 313hp. With the cruise set at 60, on the flat it’ll give an indicated 52mpg.
dave2010
21-10-2020, 21:39
I have an almost new Tesla Model 3 long range AWD, with under 2000 miles on the clock. I am gradually coming to dislike this more and more. It has some really good features, but also quite a few problems which either seem insuperable, or unlikely to be corrected in the near future.
I am seriously considering reverting to petrol or hybrid cars for this level of comfort and performance. i see little point in continuing to pretend that I enjoy driving the car, when quite often I don't. The sad thing is that passengers like it a lot, so I'd probably have to buy something more expensive for comfort, but hopefully with much improved driving features. Ah well, it's only a car .....
Pigmy Pony
22-10-2020, 05:56
I have an almost new Tesla Model 3 long range AWD, with under 2000 miles on the clock. I am gradually coming to dislike this more and more. It has some really good features, but also quite a few problems which either seem insuperable, or unlikely to be corrected in the near future.
I am seriously considering reverting to petrol or hybrid cars for this level of comfort and performance. i see little point in continuing to pretend that I enjoy driving the car, when quite often I don't. The sad thing is that passengers like it a lot, so I'd probably have to buy something more expensive for comfort, but hopefully with much improved driving features. Ah well, it's only a car .....
Still early days for electric cars Dave but already all the major manufacturers are coming on board. A couple of years and you'll have your pick of cars that do everything the Tesla does, but without all the niggles.
Ali Tait
22-10-2020, 06:46
I have an almost new Tesla Model 3 long range AWD, with under 2000 miles on the clock. I am gradually coming to dislike this more and more. It has some really good features, but also quite a few problems which either seem insuperable, or unlikely to be corrected in the near future.
I am seriously considering reverting to petrol or hybrid cars for this level of comfort and performance. i see little point in continuing to pretend that I enjoy driving the car, when quite often I don't. The sad thing is that passengers like it a lot, so I'd probably have to buy something more expensive for comfort, but hopefully with much improved driving features. Ah well, it's only a car .....
What is it you don't like?
dave2010
22-10-2020, 08:49
What is it you don't like?A few things:
Getting in/out is difficult. There is a supposed Easy Entry mode - but actually for me I think it may be harder than just leaving the seats as they are.
A few things are very much driving related:
1. The indicators don't cancel "properly". This is erratic - and I'm fed up with notes on forums suggesting drivers need to change their behaviour, or learn new skills, or tap the indicator stalks gently. The fact is that in my car, and it would appear in others too, doing a turn and indicating can be a total pain trying to get the indicators to cancel. If you ever follow a Tesla and you notice that the indicators are going alternately left and right it's probably because the driver is trying to fix this issue - and just wants to cancel the indicator.
2. The windscreen wipers - a. in heavy rain they're not fast enough b. auto mode doesn't always work c. using the screen can be used to speed the wipers up, but only really works if there's a co-pilot (passenger) to set the screen - otherwise it's dangerous. I know that windscreen wiper timing can be a bit hit and miss, but most cars do better than this nowadays. Actually having a lever or knob with several positions is better than just one push button at the end of a stalk for manual operation, given that the auto operation doesn't work well enough. I don't think the cars have been user tested in places where there is a lot of rain.
3. There is no rear screen windscreen wiper. I know this is a "feature" of many cars, but it is actually not helpful.
Range - my model ought to be able to go a long way, but realistically it can only do 200 mile hops at a time. My own estimation, based on recent journeys, is that it should be able to do 240 miles - just. Admittedly my "tests" are based on journeys over quite severe terrain - with a loaded car (2 passengers + luggage) going over 3 of the highest passes in the UK, and with rain and other issues requiring wipers and heating/AC to be turned on. I think many petrol or diesel cars could do significantly greater distances before any danger of running out of fuel. People who only drive on fairly good roads which are fairly flat should be able to go considerably further.
By careful planning it is possible to reduce or minimise the range "issues", but that almost certainly does require the use of high speed charging points, which Tesla are gradually deploying (redeploying) round the UK. Many of the other chargers are less good for various reasons, and thus not really helpful for people who want to travel long distances. Many chargers have three (3) cables - typically one AC output (slow - but faster than home charging) and two DC outputs (Chademo and CCS). Usually - in my experience - it is not possible to have two cars charging from the DC source, so if a Leaf driver (Chademo) is occupying a bay, then it's not possible to use the DC CCS cable. The charging times are very significantly different for the different modes, though sometimes one might be happy with a slow charge - for example charging while going to a football match. Typically it is considered bad practice to leave a car in a charging bay if it is not charging (and sometimes there are real financial penalties for doing so), so if you want to go away for longer than (say) an hour, then that can be done by deliberately using the slower charging cables.
Some Tesla drivers have opted for the base model 3 - but that only has about 2/3 the specified range of the long distance versions - which I would suggest in practice is going to be about 160 miles. That's less of a problem if very fast charging stations are available, but that's not the case in much of the UK.
4. If fully charged, the regenerative braking doesn't work.This is a feature of all EVs, and it is surprising what a difference this makes. Normally it's not a problem, as most drivers won't charge up to near 100%, but if one is going on a long trip that is exactly what one would do, and it's also quite likely that the car will be more loaded up. Thus for the first 30 or so miles braking will be reduced. Ideally this should be avoided.
5. Cruise control. This is something I've not fully mastered, but it's associated with a lever which in some other cars might be associated with a right turn indication. Unlike other cruise controls I've used, it seems to remember the max speed , so even in a 20mph zone, inadvertently pressing the lever might cause the car to shoot forward in an attempt to go up to 60 or 70 mph. Most other cruise controls don't work at lower speeds, which would avoid that issue. Allegedly it will work even on motorways and follow other vehicles reducing speed to leave a suitable gap. So far I've not risked testing that. It is supposed to prevent collisions by taking avoiding action, but it's not something I can safely test, and indeed it looks as though in the limit Tesla put the responsibility and liability back on the driver.
I have also not found the Tesla company to be very helpful - with only really one person who put himself out more than the others. The company seems to think it has cars which are so good that users will put themselves out to get them, rather than offering a comprehensive service deal. Other manufacturers already have a service network which works over most of the UK. I might have to travel nearly 200 miles to get something fixed - though I believe there are mobile units for service.
What do I like? Actually the regenerative braking mode is generally very good, and the car can be driven mostly with only the accelerator pedal. I don't quite know how other drivers behind react, but the brake lights do come on if the accelerator pedal is released slightly. This was something I wasn't sure about until recently. So my concern that maybe other drivers wouldn't know if the car was braking in any way are not founded, but now I wonder if in fact the perception is that the car - if driven "manually" - is nearly always braking.
Overall there are a mixture of good and bad features about the car. There is a lot that is good, but the indicator and the wiper issues are killer issues for me. There is also a possible problem with the headlight controls. The things that bother me most are the ones which really interfere with my ability to drive safely. The lack of gears is a dream - as it is with most automatic cars - and the way the car accelerates/decelerates so easily is brilliant.
interesting Dave.. my hybrid does have many of the adaptions on yours, although work in a different way, often, and seem to be mostly well designed(or at least better) the fancy cruise control on mine is supposed to be used only on motorways, although i do use it on normal rds. you just have to be more aware of its limitations etc. accellerating on a slight bend or roundabouts can happen if its following a car and doing less than set speed etc. so really use it in straighter rds and in areas where i want to keep under a limit. mine wont work under 28mph
dave2010
22-10-2020, 11:12
interesting Dave.. my hybrid does have many of the adaptions on yours, although work in a different way, often, and seem to be mostly well designed(or at least better) the fancy cruise control on mine is supposed to be used only on motorways, although i do use it on normal rds. you just have to be more aware of its limitations etc. accellerating on a slight bend or roundabouts can happen if its following a car and doing less than set speed etc. so really use it in straighter rds and in areas where i want to keep under a limit. mine wont work under 28mphGrant - I think yours would be very like the one in my now dead and gone Prius. That was easy to use, with an engage position, then push up to speed up, and push down to slow up, and also a disengage action. One thing it didn't do which I think in theory the Tesla should do is to follow behind other vehicles, and slow up appropriately, leaving a suitable gap, so I didn't usually use the cruise control in heavy traffic, but it was good on fairly clear roads. As I recall it didn't always stay under the speed limit, but it gave a reasonably good shot at it. Downhill dips often fooled it, just as they do for human drivers. I'd obviously forgotten that Toyota is cautious enough to suggest only using cruise control on motorways. I used it on regular roads sometimes, and if I wanted to get somewhere fast I sometimes set it running, with my foot and hands ready to disengage it if necessary. I felt that sometimes, within its operating range, it could maintain a more constant speed than I could.
Teslas also detect the local speed limit - but they're not alone in the way they do that. It seems to be by optical/computer means. As far as I could tell, the Prius did it by sat nav, which was usually pretty accurate. Optical speed limit detection quite often gets fooled, and in the Zoe we have, it picked up a 100 mph sign from a sign just off the road in a nearby town, which was probably relating to a weight - maybe 100kg. If the Tesla had seen that and similarly misinterpreted it, it might have lunged forward very rapidly.
Optical speed limit detection is often not clever enough to distinguish between speed limits which only apply to lorries - such as on the A9, so the car thinks the limit is 50 mph when in fact it is 60 mph. Similarly while entering a 30 mph zone, the warning signs hundreds of yards before the limit get interpreted as immediate limit signs, and that can be a nuisance too.
One last thing - why is it that some modern cars seem to give the spoken sat nav instructions in feet, rather than yards? I can't say I like this. There ought to be the option to switch between feet and yards for those of us who are still driving in areas with distances measured in miles rather than kilometres.
One last thing - why is it that some modern cars seem to give the spoken sat nav instructions in feet, rather than yards? I can't say I like this. There ought to be the option to switch between feet and yards for those of us who are still driving in areas with distances measured in miles rather than kilometres.
Youngsters I know understand feet but anything more archaic like yards and they are clueless so maybe that's why? When talking with anyone under thirty I like to quote distances in chains. :D
You can always just dived the number of feet by 3 to get yards, not a massive imposition.
walpurgis
22-10-2020, 11:50
It's probably because SatNavs are geared for the US market.
I covered a few furlongs walking the dog earlier, not as much as a league though :).
How many rods is that Geoff?
walpurgis
22-10-2020, 12:09
How many rods is that Geoff?
Over a thousand, a few hundred chains at least.
walpurgis
22-10-2020, 12:16
I've actually used a surveying chain. They're handy for getting approximate measurements over rough or overgrown land.
Grant - I think yours would be very like the one in my now dead and gone Prius. That was easy to use, with an engage position, then push up to speed up, and push down to slow up, and also a disengage action. One thing it didn't do which I think in theory the Tesla should do is to follow behind other vehicles, and slow up appropriately, leaving a suitable gap, so I didn't usually use the cruise control in heavy traffic, but it was good on fairly clear roads. As I recall it didn't always stay under the speed limit, but it gave a reasonably good shot at it. Downhill dips often fooled it, just as they do for human drivers. I'd obviously forgotten that Toyota is cautious enough to suggest only using cruise control on motorways. I used it on regular roads sometimes, and if I wanted to get somewhere fast I sometimes set it running, with my foot and hands ready to disengage it if necessary. I felt that sometimes, within its operating range, it could maintain a more constant speed than I could.
Teslas also detect the local speed limit - but they're not alone in the way they do that. It seems to be by optical/computer means. As far as I could tell, the Prius did it by sat nav, which was usually pretty accurate. Optical speed limit detection quite often gets fooled, and in the Zoe we have, it picked up a 100 mph sign from a sign just off the road in a nearby town, which was probably relating to a weight - maybe 100kg. If the Tesla had seen that and similarly misinterpreted it, it might have lunged forward very rapidly.
Optical speed limit detection is often not clever enough to distinguish between speed limits which only apply to lorries - such as on the A9, so the car thinks the limit is 50 mph when in fact it is 60 mph. Similarly while entering a 30 mph zone, the warning signs hundreds of yards before the limit get interpreted as immediate limit signs, and that can be a nuisance too.
One last thing - why is it that some modern cars seem to give the spoken sat nav instructions in feet, rather than yards? I can't say I like this. There ought to be the option to switch between feet and yards for those of us who are still driving in areas with distances measured in miles rather than kilometres.
yes it has a camera that picks up sign posts. if sat nav is running does it more accurately as the optical can miss a sign or pick up the wrong one occasionally.
As for the adaptive cruise, yes it will speed up and slow down to car in front. if it has to go to stop, it cancels. It is very accurate although im always covering pedals. its handy to get a steady 60 say.
Ali Tait
22-10-2020, 12:34
A few things:
Getting in/out is difficult. There is a supposed Easy Entry mode - but actually for me I think it may be harder than just leaving the seats as they are.
A few things are very much driving related:
1. The indicators don't cancel "properly". This is erratic - and I'm fed up with notes on forums suggesting drivers need to change their behaviour, or learn new skills, or tap the indicator stalks gently. The fact is that in my car, and it would appear in others too, doing a turn and indicating can be a total pain trying to get the indicators to cancel. If you ever follow a Tesla and you notice that the indicators are going alternately left and right it's probably because the driver is trying to fix this issue - and just wants to cancel the indicator.
2. The windscreen wipers - a. in heavy rain they're not fast enough b. auto mode doesn't always work c. using the screen can be used to speed the wipers up, but only really works if there's a co-pilot (passenger) to set the screen - otherwise it's dangerous. I know that windscreen wiper timing can be a bit hit and miss, but most cars do better than this nowadays. Actually having a lever or knob with several positions is better than just one push button at the end of a stalk for manual operation, given that the auto operation doesn't work well enough. I don't think the cars have been user tested in places where there is a lot of rain.
3. There is no rear screen windscreen wiper. I know this is a "feature" of many cars, but it is actually not helpful.
Range - my model ought to be able to go a long way, but realistically it can only do 200 mile hops at a time. My own estimation, based on recent journeys, is that it should be able to do 240 miles - just. Admittedly my "tests" are based on journeys over quite severe terrain - with a loaded car (2 passengers + luggage) going over 3 of the highest passes in the UK, and with rain and other issues requiring wipers and heating/AC to be turned on. I think many petrol or diesel cars could do significantly greater distances before any danger of running out of fuel. People who only drive on fairly good roads which are fairly flat should be able to go considerably further.
By careful planning it is possible to reduce or minimise the range "issues", but that almost certainly does require the use of high speed charging points, which Tesla are gradually deploying (redeploying) round the UK. Many of the other chargers are less good for various reasons, and thus not really helpful for people who want to travel long distances. Many chargers have three (3) cables - typically one AC output (slow - but faster than home charging) and two DC outputs (Chademo and CCS). Usually - in my experience - it is not possible to have two cars charging from the DC source, so if a Leaf driver (Chademo) is occupying a bay, then it's not possible to use the DC CCS cable. The charging times are very significantly different for the different modes, though sometimes one might be happy with a slow charge - for example charging while going to a football match. Typically it is considered bad practice to leave a car in a charging bay if it is not charging (and sometimes there are real financial penalties for doing so), so if you want to go away for longer than (say) an hour, then that can be done by deliberately using the slower charging cables.
Some Tesla drivers have opted for the base model 3 - but that only has about 2/3 the specified range of the long distance versions - which I would suggest in practice is going to be about 160 miles. That's less of a problem if very fast charging stations are available, but that's not the case in much of the UK.
4. If fully charged, the regenerative braking doesn't work.This is a feature of all EVs, and it is surprising what a difference this makes. Normally it's not a problem, as most drivers won't charge up to near 100%, but if one is going on a long trip that is exactly what one would do, and it's also quite likely that the car will be more loaded up. Thus for the first 30 or so miles braking will be reduced. Ideally this should be avoided.
5. Cruise control. This is something I've not fully mastered, but it's associated with a lever which in some other cars might be associated with a right turn indication. Unlike other cruise controls I've used, it seems to remember the max speed , so even in a 20mph zone, inadvertently pressing the lever might cause the car to shoot forward in an attempt to go up to 60 or 70 mph. Most other cruise controls don't work at lower speeds, which would avoid that issue. Allegedly it will work even on motorways and follow other vehicles reducing speed to leave a suitable gap. So far I've not risked testing that. It is supposed to prevent collisions by taking avoiding action, but it's not something I can safely test, and indeed it looks as though in the limit Tesla put the responsibility and liability back on the driver.
I have also not found the Tesla company to be very helpful - with only really one person who put himself out more than the others. The company seems to think it has cars which are so good that users will put themselves out to get them, rather than offering a comprehensive service deal. Other manufacturers already have a service network which works over most of the UK. I might have to travel nearly 200 miles to get something fixed - though I believe there are mobile units for service.
What do I like? Actually the regenerative braking mode is generally very good, and the car can be driven mostly with only the accelerator pedal. I don't quite know how other drivers behind react, but the brake lights do come on if the accelerator pedal is released slightly. This was something I wasn't sure about until recently. So my concern that maybe other drivers wouldn't know if the car was braking in any way are not founded, but now I wonder if in fact the perception is that the car - if driven "manually" - is nearly always braking.
Overall there are a mixture of good and bad features about the car. There is a lot that is good, but the indicator and the wiper issues are killer issues for me. There is also a possible problem with the headlight controls. The things that bother me most are the ones which really interfere with my ability to drive safely. The lack of gears is a dream - as it is with most automatic cars - and the way the car accelerates/decelerates so easily is brilliant.
A comprehensive answer, thanks for that, makes interesting reading. I get the annoyances, there's nothing worse in a new car than features that really bug you.
car got picked up by toyota first thig this morning.. good service so far...:) driveway looks a tad empty from the doorway tho. not sure i like it
Car returned. Serviced etc. Even though the forums on toyota hybrids dating way back are full of complaints re the 12v battery failing, toyota say its all our fault. Not a satisfactory attitude and im pretty sure there is some issue behind it. The tiny battery for one wont be helping. Im thinking there is something coming on occasionally and causing it.
Anyway i think i will steer clear(nice pun) of toyota next year when its changed. Probably wont be a hybrid either.
walpurgis
23-10-2020, 13:49
There are usually niggles with new models. I like tried and tested cars that have proved themselves. Mind you, even then you can come unstuck :rolleyes:.
took it a run and averaged 62mpg. not too bad, that was in eco mode and mix of town and main roads. top speed 60mph. shame as its a nice car all round, and getting the hoist moved into another make of car might be time consuming etc... still, we shall see.
dave2010
23-10-2020, 17:26
Car returned. Serviced etc. Even though the forums on toyota hybrids dating way back are full of complaints re the 12v battery failing, toyota say its all our fault. Not a satisfactory attitude and im pretty sure there is some issue behind it. The tiny battery for one wont be helping. Im thinking there is something coming on occasionally and causing it.
Anyway i think i will steer clear(nice pun) of toyota next year when its changed. Probably wont be a hybrid either.I'm not sure that I'd be so harsh on Toyota - what would you buy instead? However, if yours is not very old, then it should be in really quite good condition. Mine didn't really start to have really serious problems until it was about 10 years old. Watch out for water getting into the compartment where the auxiliary batteries are stored - that can be a reason why batteries run down. Otherwise just keep driving it, so the main battery charges up, and if it's going to go wrong make sure that's within the 8 year guarantee period.
Today finally had success with DVLA - so our remaining petrol car is now taxed again. We got a snot letter telling us it needed to be taxed or SORNED (yes - we did know that ....) but because of other factors, plus the coronavirus problems we were unable to do this via the web site, or get a sensible result from a phone call (which simply refers one back to the web site ...with no intelligent communication with a human being ...... Aggggghhhhhh!), we were unable to do so previously. The letter which was also threatening that someone might come and crush the car fortunately also had the code we needed to get it taxed via the web site, as clearly earlier reminder letters never got to us - so I can now take the convertible out - at least to take leaves etc. to the dump.
Sad that the weather is now getting wet enough that I won't want to spend too much time with the roof down, but at least a result.
Car is under 2 yrs and has had 4 batteries
I'm not sure that I'd be so harsh on Toyota - what would you buy instead? However, if yours is not very old, then it should be in really quite good condition. Mine didn't really start to have really serious problems until it was about 10 years old. Watch out for water getting into the compartment where the auxiliary batteries are stored - that can be a reason why batteries run down. Otherwise just keep driving it, so the main battery charges up, and if it's going to go wrong make sure that's within the 8 year guarantee period.
Today finally had success with DVLA - so our remaining petrol car is now taxed again. We got a snot letter telling us it needed to be taxed or SORNED (yes - we did know that ....) but because of other factors, plus the coronavirus problems we were unable to do this via the web site, or get a sensible result from a phone call (which simply refers one back to the web site ...with no intelligent communication with a human being ...... Aggggghhhhhh!), we were unable to do so previously. The letter which was also threatening that someone might come and crush the car fortunately also had the code we needed to get it taxed via the web site, as clearly earlier reminder letters never got to us - so I can now take the convertible out - at least to take leaves etc. to the dump.
Sad that the weather is now getting wet enough that I won't want to spend too much time with the roof down, but at least a result.
I tried to get my car taxed on-line. The DVLA site is hopeless: it kept asking for a ten digit number, when the only number I had on the V5C stub was an 11 digit number. Gave up and went to the post office.
They said that the DVLA site was unreliable, took the stub and scanned in the bar-code which revealed all the salient information for them to expedite matters in a matter of minutes!
I'm still waiting for the DVLA to supply me with an updated V5.
Pigmy Pony
23-10-2020, 20:03
Car is under 2 yrs and has had 4 batteries
If you do decide to avoid hybrids. Mazda have a good reputation for reliability. CX3 or CX5 might be a good fit
dave2010
23-10-2020, 20:35
Car is under 2 yrs and has had 4 batteriesYou mean the auxiliary and/or security batteries. Those should last a few years, but maybe the car doesn't get driven enough. It's the main hybrid batteries you really need to worry about/take care of. Unfortunately I'm not sure that it's wise to try trickle charging a car like that - certainly not if the car is working reasonably well otherwise. That's definitely one area where I'd be cautious, though for a regular petrol or diesel car which isn't being driven too much I'd say that trickle charging the batteries would be a good thing. Maybe ask Toyota if it's OK to trickle charge the batteries, though I'm not sure whether you'd get a good or helpful answer.
Swapping batteries in and out to charge them is also rather hard, and not recommended by me, and probably not by Toyota either.
How many miles are you doing each year, and how hard do you drive the car? I reckoned when my Toyota was working well, it was actually best to drive it quite hard.
InThe Sticks
31-10-2020, 13:44
I needed a wee bit of retail therapy, so bought a Karcher K4 full control pressure washer and a snow foam lance…
https://i.imgur.com/Idrh992.jpg
Quick wipe over with a sponge, then rinsed off..
https://i.imgur.com/42Dv9jW.jpg
Good stuff that snow foam.
Pigmy Pony
31-10-2020, 13:47
That number plate is even worse than the one I stuck on the FireBlade. Karcher done good though :)
Picked up Sofia from a short stay at hospital today.
Was getting Prodrive springs and dampers replaced, found out Mr Prodrive himself is re-manufacturing the parts from original drawings they used when Alfa Romeo asked them to to upgrade 500 standard Brera's for the UK market back in the day.
Less unsprung weight at each corner from much lighter 8C style 19"alloys, upgraded Eibach and Bilstein suspension system and more.
Less weight, much more grip and better feel.
Drives like she should now.
Not the fastest 4 wheels on the block or quickest off the traffic lights, but in your 50's, 130-odd mph is enough for anyone. :D
Goes down the road very quickly and makes a nice noise.
Plus has all the feelz...
https://i.imgur.com/mgELOM0.jpeg
RobbieGong
06-11-2020, 12:19
Looks lovely too Gary, love the colour as well :thumbsup:
new motor gaz... looks the biz:eek:
new motor gaz... looks the biz:eek:
Naa,
same car Grant, she's just "had some work done" :)
MOT'd for another year,
happy days.
ah, it looks different... must be the angle:) good your set for another yr
Ali Tait
06-11-2020, 16:03
Looking good mate, nice rims.
Magnificent looking car, the Brera has to be one of the best looking cars of recent times. I fancied V6 156 but it was just too small for my ample physique.
It's the 3/4 arse view of the Brera that does it for me. When I first saw it I was really impressed.
We've just gone into lockdown and ironically I now have to go into work everyday. So I am driving the Porsche again after a 6 month break. It is as if I am rediscovering it. It is loonball fast when you have deaclimatised to it. In another week it will just feel normal;)
Ali Tait
06-11-2020, 22:49
Magnificent looking car, the Brera has to be one of the best looking cars of recent times. I fancied V6 156 but it was just too small for my ample physique.
Should’ve gone for a 166 then. :-)
Ali Tait
06-11-2020, 22:49
It's the 3/4 arse view of the Brera that does it for me. When I first saw it I was really impressed.
We've just gone into lockdown and ironically I now have to go into work everyday. So I am driving the Porsche again after a 6 month break. It is as if I am rediscovering it. It is loonball fast when you have deaclimatised to it. In another week it will just feel normal;)
Nothing like a nice arse.
Ali Tait
09-11-2020, 09:02
Full valet and ceramic coat ready for winter.
https://i.imgur.com/0YY7RUW.jpg?1
Full valet and ceramic coat ready for winter.
https://i.imgur.com/0YY7RUW.jpg?1
nice.. looks very shiny
Ali Tait
09-11-2020, 09:50
The shiniest I've ever seen it Grant, looks better than when I bought it.
Pigmy Pony
09-11-2020, 18:30
Looks great Ali. One question: what's a ceramic coat?
walpurgis
09-11-2020, 18:41
Looks great Ali. One question: what's a ceramic coat?
I don't know either, but I have a feeling it doesn't have sleeves and buttons.
its a fancy molecular layer that kinda bonds with your paint. Gives a slick highly polished and water-repellent finish
Pigmy Pony
09-11-2020, 18:54
My first record player had a ceramic cartridge. Would probably scratch the paintwork though.
Pigmy Pony
09-11-2020, 18:56
its a fancy molecular layer that kinda bonds with your paint. Gives a slick highly polished and water-repellent finish
So is it DIY or do you pay someone to do it?
Ali Tait
09-11-2020, 19:28
I paid for it to be done, though you can do it yourself. It forms a hard barrier that protects the paint. Will last about 2 years or so. You dont need to wax the car any more, just wash it to keep clean, the coating acts like a permanent wax.
Pigmy Pony
09-11-2020, 19:33
I like that idea, might get the bike done, come spring
Ali Tait
09-11-2020, 19:55
Yeah worth doing imo.
I have done my last last 2 bikes. It lasted 3 years on the last bike. The bike takes about 10 minutes to wash and get a polished result.
Yo, Gaz! Firstly...
Picked up Sofia from a short stay at hospital today.
Who's Sofia? And I hope she's ok:)
Was getting Prodrive springs and dampers replaced, found out Mr Prodrive himself is re-manufacturing the parts from original drawings they used when Alfa Romeo asked them to to upgrade 500 standard Brera's for the UK market back in the day.
Less unsprung weight at each corner from much lighter 8C style 19"alloys, upgraded Eibach and Bilstein suspension system and more.
Less weight, much more grip and better feel.
Drives like she should now.
Not the fastest 4 wheels on the block or quickest off the traffic lights, but in your 50's, 130-odd mph is enough for anyone. :D
Goes down the road very quickly and makes a nice noise.
Plus has all the feelz...
https://i.imgur.com/mgELOM0.jpeg
*THAT* is one shexy looking set of wheels [and I don't just mean the wheels!:D] Best I've seen your car look by a country mile, mate:thumbsup:
Glad that the mods have hit the spot. That's what happens when you get things done RIGHT by professionals who *know* what they're doing! It was the same with my car, and simply results in releasing the latent performance and handling potential inherent in the car's design. Quite simply, there are no downsides.
Anyway, enjoy and get the most out of it mate, as you'd have to go some now to better it when/if you decide to change it!:cool:
All you need now is to install a killer sound system...:eyebrows:;)
Marco.
Ali Tait
12-11-2020, 06:41
This’ll give more info on ceramic coatings for those interested-
https://www.ceramicproedinburgh.co.uk/ceramic-coatings/
Ali Tait
14-11-2020, 18:48
Found a nice pic of one of my previous babies. Still miss it.
https://i.imgur.com/XeDqcrR.jpg
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