Car (or bike) Chat!

[Marco]

As an aside, that's one of the reasons why I dislike electric cars, as you can't do anything to 'tweak' or customise them... BOORRING!!

I never leave any decent car I own in its standard state, and instead love 'pimping' (or personalising) them, so that they're both different from the norm and also so I can release their full latent potential, in terms of handling and performance.

What is there to tweak, customise or improve on an electric car? Next to hee-haw, so you effectively end up driving the same 'homogenised box on four wheels' as the rest of the masses, devoid of any character or *personality*...

For a car enthusiast or 'petrolhead', where is the FUN in that??

I think the 'powers that be' are doing everything that they can to stifle, and eventually eradicate, FREE choice (in many aspects of our lives) - and that's not a world I wish to be part of.

Marco (staunchly non-conformist and proud of it).

[Macca]

As an aside, that's one of the reasons why I dislike electric cars, as you can't do anything to 'tweak' or customise them... BOORRING!



Marco.

You can, read this https://www.torquecars.com/tuning/ev-tuning.php

[Marco]

Interesting, and thanks for that! However, this would concern me:

"It is worth noting that some electric car makers are voiding warrantees, limiting charge and restricting their service if onboard protection detects it has been tampered with (even so called undetectable systems have been detected)".

Therefore, that would need seriously looking into before (if I had an electric car) I'd attempt doing anything to it. I'd need cast iron guarantees from both the modification company concerned, and the car manufacturer, than the warranty was still going to be valid. I'd also need such assurances that later, when the car got older, that it would pass an MOT.

You see, this is the problem with overly computerising cars (or indeed anything else that's useful), and the introduction of things such as 'onboard protection' circuits, which simply impose CONTROL upon you - and that *massively* pisses me off, as I don't want to be controlled by such devices, and rather have the freedom to do as I wish, within reason, to the car that I own, as is the case now.

Marco [shuns anything that seeks to reduce his freedom or status as an individual, and become merely a 'number'].

[struth]

most modern cars have sims that go back to hq now. there are good and bad reasons for it(mostly bad imo) and warrantees have always been voided if you alter it, as does insurances

[Marco]

Warranties, yes sometimes (you need to read the small print), but not insurances if you use a company, such as I do, that specialises in modified cars, and state exactly how the car has been modified. I've always had fully comp insurance for the Brabster on that basis, since day 1 of owning it

Marco.

[struth]

yeah but standard insurance wont and folk get caught out for minor things that had no bearing on the claim..its just a get out clause. im betting much is same with ev alterations. the eu love this type of thing, and cars here follow their lead mostly

[Marco]

...which is why I'll unlikely ever own one. I may have been tempted eventually *if* I could pimp one without any adverse conseqiences, but otherwise, no.

Also, if you have a modified car, it's up to YOU to have the sense to have it properly insured (not, like a dumb ass, use standard insurance), so that the car is covered, and if not, hell mend you!

Marco.

[CageyH]

A lot of electric cars will out perform their ICE equivalents. But you can still pimp them, if that is your thing.

The performance is shocking, in a good way. They just keep pulling and pulling. Instant torque? Yep, no problem...

[CageyH]

Anyway, back to my PHEV. 3 degrees C when I left home this morning, so as expected my battery suffrered as I had the heating on to keep the windows clear. The commute was also 3 km longer today and I have used about 55% of the battery.

It means I will be burning some dino juice on the way home...
I am still pleased with the comfort of the car, but some of the gadgets are a pain, and need to be switched off.

ACC for one. The car tells me what speed I can go round a corner, and slows the car down to that speed? No thanks....

[struth]

my acc is only for motorways really so doesnt see corners, just cars in front. you can use it on normal rds but you have to take extra care.

can you not heat batteries and car when plugged in before you go out remotely?