The new news 24 thread

[cort1977]

Again, this has been said a few times. 1980s classics are hurtling upwards in value, driven largely by nostalgia (as ever). I think the market will only go pop if something appears that seems a better bet to plough your money into. At the moment, classic cars just keep on delivering. I agree it's all a nonsense, and people will get burned, but I take some comfort in thinking that those most at risk are the ones who have bought more for investment than pleasure. So serve them right. I couldn't give a monkey's what the value of my 2CV is. It just isn't relevant.

 

What was the main driver the last time classic value took a big dive during the late 80s / early 90s recession?  We have had worse recessions since then that didn't really hit classic values (in fact may have increased them as people lost faith in financial products).  Is there any consensus on what factors caused that big devaluation and do any of them apply now?

[madrat]

 

Bluetooth is a system designed so any piece of technology can talk to any other

I have never been able to get anything Bluetooth to talk to anything else Bluetooth since about 2002.

[Pat Earrings]

Hope you have better luck than me. Hes never replied to my PM.

I have kept checking today, it says he hasn't even read the message. My message is basically yes I'll have it..even provided mobile. BUT I WANT TO WINNTHE ROFFLE TOO. LIEF. WAT EVEN IS IT

[tooSavvy]

^^ get logged back in.... He's there on TOC

[They_all_do_that_sir]

(If it's cable-operated gear-linkage) take some electrical strip-connectors.

Got me out of a fix one evening when gear-cable broke on my old Ford Connect van 100 miles from home. Gearbox was stuck in 2nd regardless of gearstick position.

 

30A ones probably most useful if you have to buy some, cost peanuts so keep a selection of sizes. Trick's been used successfully on broken throttle and clutch cables too.

 

Maybe a linkage-rod jumped off. (Lash it up with cable-ties). Sorted.

Previous owner had lashed it up with cable ties already, this repair* had failed so I done a better cable tie repair

 

 

 

Sent from my F3211 using Tapatalk

[somewhatfoolish]

What was the main driver the last time classic value took a big dive during the late 80s / early 90s recession?  We have had worse recessions since then that didn't really hit classic values (in fact may have increased them as people lost faith in financial products).  Is there any consensus on what factors caused that big devaluation and do any of them apply now?

The only thing that makes any sense is that;

 

A - Markets are irrational

B - Every other previously popular investment opportunity has either been made shit by the government or is now in the toilet because of casino behaviour in the city so people rationalise buying a snide Mk2 Scrotum RS2000 instead of becoming an amateur Rachman or blowing it all on penny shares.

[richardmorris]

Ok, here is today’s courtesy car from Mercedes ascot. It’s a bit PlayStation like inside with a huge ipad screen and lots of flashing lights. I also got it to flash a red triangle at me just now as I was accelerating up the a30 but no idea what that was. It went away after a bit.

7speed auto diesel with stop start ( I accidentally found how to turn it off thankfully).

 

 

I also think they missed a trick with the air vents- surely the Mercedes emblem shape would be better?

 

Edit, I’ve just been playing with the Mercedes website to try and see a manual as there isn’t one in the car. This two litre diesel amg line ( which I think means snazzy floor mats) is over £31,000! They’re pushing the finance too- £5500 down and four years of £359 a month with a final £11,000 payment. Limited to 10,000miles too.

[Guest Hooli]

Sorry I have been away for a while, sad and depressed. However, just as I said I was going to repair the dollop, Flying spares sent me a revised offer after they had read the article in 'The Spirit' and so for £10K I have sold the heap of shit! Okay, it is still mine at the mo' but they are going to collect it from Exeter and pay me a couple of days before they do! Happy(ish) and it's gone (going) and I hope they are going to break the bastard thing. It's worth a LOT more in parts than as a car so it's possible.

 

I also get to keep the plate

 

So I've just been out and bought a Merc CLK 320 Convertible, from a dealer (nice guys) and paid good money for the sod. Year 2000, last owner for 14 years (friend of the dealer who really sells commercials) with history and a nice tidy car. Having a couple of new tyres and a new MOT so should get it towards the end of the week. I just can't stand the diesel clatter this Vauxhall makes, it worries me no end though I dare say it's normal, just sounds awful to my ears. Also, manual is fine for a day or two, but prolonged use, is a no-no as the old leg plays up rather a lot.

 

Quite looking forward to getting the MB, it's a bit old and got rust round the arches (of course) but otherwise nice and clean and straight and £1800 is not really a lot when you compare it to £6K for a head gasket! I just couldn't refuse an easy 'out' with 10 grand back to me and no hassle. Flying Spares have been great to deal with so far (I hope it continues) and I will be glad to see the back of that car. Nice thing is: I should be able to pocket the money from them (spent the head gasket fund to buy the MB) and keep it in case something I do want comes up at some point.

 

Also getting my Fiesta soon so I will have acar and a spare again, oh hum...

Sounds like a good out for you mate. Hope the new wheels behave better.

 

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

[SiC]

Ok, here is today’s courtesy car from Mercedes ascot. It’s a bit PlayStation like inside with a huge ipad screen and lots of flashing lights. I also got it to flash a red triangle at me just now as I was accelerating up the a30 but no idea what that was. It went away after a bit.

7speed auto diesel with stop start ( I accidentally found how to turn it off thankfully).

 

Thats a much better engine than I had as a hire car last week. This one is basically a Renault engine. Same 7 speed DSG box as you had though.

 

Red triangle is collision warning. If you really upset it, it moans at you by flashing and beeping. I had it go off a couple of times. So basically the car telling you off for your driving.

[Tetleysmooth]

Anyone driving abroad this year?

 

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=282072

 

Sorry, no pics in the ad, but if anyone's interested, I'll request some.

Just chuck a pm my way.

[wuvvum]

That sounds about right.    So where does one get these unique-to-Girling unions from?  Are they main dealer only?  Do Pug main dealers even still stock 205 bits?

I stopped in at the Aylsham Road branch of Wilco on the way home from work this evening, to see if they could help at all.  They immediately knew exactly what I was talking about, and had two of the correct unions in stock.  I fugging love that shop.

 

Also took the Renner Six for a quick spin down the road this evening.  Front brakes are a bit sticky (expected that tbh) but other than that it seems happy enough.  Time and weather permitting I'll give the front calipers a bit of a clean up over the weekend.

[richardmorris]

Thats a much better engine than I had as a hire car last week. This one is basically a Renault engine. Same 7 speed DSG box as you had though.

Red triangle is collision warning. If you really upset it, it moans at you by flashing and beeping. I had it go off a couple of times. So basically the car telling you off for your driving.

 

I thought it was annoyed about something ( to quote dr McCoy), but there was no one else about to collide with. ( with which to collide ).

[PhilA]

I also think they missed a trick with the air vents- surely the Mercedes emblem shape would be better?

 

That's a strange direction they've taken with the vents. All classic Mercs I've seen have horizontally louvered vents. Given MB's current fetish for "re-living the glory days", it is an interesting design statement.

 

They remind me of rather more gaudy Mini vents.

 

Phil

[tommotech]

I may be about to call time on Mrs T's Renault Scenic, the alternator became noisy and showed a charging fault. The shaft is walking in and out of the front bearing, but this is not its only issue.

 

Clutch is on its way which will also mean a flywheel, rear dampers are required for next MOT, AirBag rotary contact is required for next MOT, steering rack has too much play and new tyres are required. In doing the maths I'm not sure its worth it when I could get something useable for the cost of these parts alone. The engine is its only redeeming feature, would be a good donor.

 

This is the first time I've had to think about binning a car that has performed daily duties. It has done well during its tenure with us but sometimes you just have to make a decision.

[Supernaut]

I may be about to call time on Mrs T's Renault Scenic, the alternator became noisy and showed a charging fault. The shaft is walking in and out of the front bearing, but this is not its only issue.

 

Clutch is on its way which will also mean a flywheel, rear dampers are required for next MOT, AirBag rotary contact is required for next MOT, steering rack has too much play and new tyres are required. In doing the maths I'm not sure its worth it when I could get something useable for the cost of these parts alone. The engine is its only redeeming feature, would be a good donor.

 

This is the first time I've had to think about binning a car that has performed daily duties. It has done well during its tenure with us but sometimes you just have to make a decision.

 

You'll probably be able to get the Ronnie Pickering from WilsonX2 soon.

[panhard65]

I may be about to call time on Mrs T's Renault Scenic, the alternator became noisy and showed a charging fault. The shaft is walking in and out of the front bearing, but this is not its only issue.

 

Clutch is on its way which will also mean a flywheel, rear dampers are required for next MOT, AirBag rotary contact is required for next MOT, steering rack has too much play and new tyres are required. In doing the maths I'm not sure its worth it when I could get something useable for the cost of these parts alone. The engine is its only redeeming feature, would be a good donor.

 

This is the first time I've had to think about binning a car that has performed daily duties. It has done well during its tenure with us but sometimes you just have to make a decision.

Good move to bin the Scenic. I had a similar conversation with one of my customers last week about his Landcruiser. It is turning into a right liability and he spends a couple of grand every year keeping it going. The latest fail was the ABS unit he was seriously considering spending 2k on a new Toyota unit until I managed to get his repaired for 500 by BBA Reman. When he picked it up last night his mrs asked what I thought about it and hopefully she will persuade him to replace it rather than keep spending on it. Doesn't do me much good but I really hate watching people pour money into hopeless cases.

[Bobthebeard]

Back home again and time to button up the Saab 9-3 sump drop, clean and breather pipe upgrade. The sump plug had been tightened up to StupidFt/lbs and had to be removed by 'hammering the smaller socket over it ' method but came out eventually. New plug and washer fitted. One of the sump bolts was stripped, but as the genuine sealant has been applied I don't anticipate that it will matter greatly. Hopefully.

Realised that I had routed one of the breather pipes in the upgrade kit wrongly so that will be addressed. It needs to be insulated and run alongside the throttle body heater pipes apparently. Not sure why.

Am planning to re fill the sump with the correct fully synthetic oil and then drain it out again before re filling and running the engine. This may flush out any particles of carbon sludge or flakes that were missed. Or not.

The amount of the stuff clinging everywhere was incredibly hard to remove, especially in the timing chain tunnel.

75% job done now. Another hour or so to do on Thursday if the weather holds.

[tommotech]

Having had the MG Midget MOT'd a couple of weeks ago I renewed the insurance today. Didn't go with Lancaster as Adrian Flux were £35 cheaper, with better cover.

 

I'm not a fan of the 40 year exemption and will choose to have mine tested as normal.

 

[dollywobbler]

The best age of Midget. I love the black-sill type.

[SiC]

I dunno, I really like the goofy rubber bumpers on the later midgets. But then I also like rubber bumper MGBs, so maybe I should be ignored.

[richardmorris]

Well I’ve still got the courtesy car. New bolts ordered yesterday were too short according to the service manager. New ones should be here tomorrow. Place your bets!

[tooSavvy]

... Prace your bets!, m8

 

You new at this... ? lol

[madrat]

I dunno, I really like the goofy rubber bumpers on the later midgets. But then I also like rubber bumper MGBs, so maybe I should be ignored.

I prefer the rubber bumpers

[JeeExEll]

Having had the MG Midget MOT'd a couple of weeks ago I renewed the insurance today. Didn't go with Lancaster as Adrian Flux were £35 cheaper, with better cover.

 

I'm not a fan of the 40 year exemption and will choose to have mine tested as normal.

 

MGMOT.JPG

Nice colour! Krome bumperz

What's the story with those period alloys? Used to see a few Midgets on these. BL option-list? Minilites, Dunlops?

[richardmorris]

... Prace your bets!, m8

You new at this... ? lol

?

[Jams]

Sold the mrs Leon to some guys of gumtree so for the past two weeks I’ve been car hunting normally I would be excited! But I think I’ve lost my mojo:( just can’t be bothered

[BavarianRetro]

I prefer the rubber bumpers

I prefer the round arch.

[stuboy]

Grabbed 5 mins to try and fix the rusty backbox back on the companys sharan 7 seater.. welded pipe in to sleeve over the rusty bit, just waiting on a new clamp

 

On different news decided to take missus car home as she stuck in hospital with stepson with broken leg, funny looks from dudes expecting a female driver

[MarvinsMom]

after bigging up the black mini on sunday evening, our journey home on monday turned into a complete 'mare.... it seems i really iinxed it! 

 

so, we left Gravesend about 8.30, car both running really well.

 

up to cambridge services about 10am, and on to just pass stamford for 12.30-ish, so far, so good....

 

then on towards homeworld. get to the Newark junction, the balck mini started to miss-fire. decinding that it was wiser to get off the motorway we dived down the sliproad where the car finally died. now, as we knew the petrol gauge told lies, we thought that i musta ran it out of fuel. indeed dropping the contents of the petrol can into the car, all seemed well, so, we made our way into the town centre and filled them both back up.

£6 later, it seems that the tank wasnt as empty as we thought.

 

ah well, not to worry. so back to getting home, only maybe a mile outta town this happened.

 

yes, FTP.... the black car had lost power and if it did start, it wouldn't rev, like no power whatso ever. shit.

still not the end of the world, as there is recovery included in the insurance., so, at 14.30, we called the breakdown, we couldn't fix it.

 

an hour or so later, a chap arrived. he too found that while the car had a healthy spark, there wasn't any fuel. examining the petrol pump revealed this

 

that pump is shagged. the end of the operating lever is missing as is the return spring. and there is no sign of them either. not under the car, anywhere obvious. we assume that they are missing, presumed somewhere in the block or gearbox (we think, fuck!!!!!)

 

thats it, our jouney is done, and the car needs recovering., so once it has been booked (at around 4.30-ish) we wait.

and wait

and wait some more

and wait some more again

 

eventually (at around midnight) a very pleasant young man arrived and we get loaded up. but he can only take u up to Blyth Services on the A1M (about 30 miles away) cos his truck is registered as a wrecker and has no tacho fitted, so he cannot travel more than 60 miles from base, plus his firm is only contracted to cover Lincolnshire

arriving there at 1am. now thing get really peachy, see its the RAC, and they cannot get us on for forward recovery until 6am at the ealiest. 

 

so, a night at the Travelodge it is. at least well have a bed to sleep in, and i can get a shower. i stink. my hair is a state and the sticky sweaty ness of the day is clinging to me like a second skin. and the RAC are paying. what a carry on....

 

a new day, and a new trial to get home. a shit. shower and some sleep, lets see what today brings. check this out, the new jeep thing, now that is one of BL's finest greens i believe

 

1130 and this very nice chap arrives, again we load up, and head off on the 78 miles back to Pickering

 

arriving about 1.30 to unload

 

yes... back where we started nearly 6 months ago.  to the very same spot (almost)

 

so, what are we going to do, do we have a plan? yes, we do. we are going to lift the engine out of the min, and split it from the gearbox. all in the hope of finding the missing pieces of metal. alrernativly, if we don't find anything, at least them we know (hope?) that we are not going to have these bits turn up in either of the engine or box when they are actually running. it is such a sweet running motor, i don't want to ruin it or the gearbox. and its the only way to be sure. kerry has borrowed a long magnetic grabber thing so she is going to use that firs to see if there are any errent pieces actually in the engine block. but, there is hope. the car rolls smoothly so there isn't anything in the gearset/differential that shouldn't be there, and the engine turns freely by hand, so it seems there isn't anything stuck in that also. 

 

monday afternoon, i was gutted/devistated/heartbroken and pretty much utterly beside myself over it. like, have i just destroyed a really sweet running (and oil tight) A-series engine and/or is gearbox? well it seems maybe not, but we will only know once we have had a look inside.

 

so, a proper shitty end to what had been a top weekend, and i've ended up needing to take another days holiday as it has taken us nearly 24 hours to travel from Newark to Pickering. i could bloody well have walked, or pushed the damn car back, quicker. and the RAC are a useless shower of wankers. well the indian call centre staff are. for the most part the english staff did at least try and sort us out. but when i worked for Barclay's, this was true too. the indians will tell out right fuckin' lies, and leave the english contact centre to pick up the pieces...... and if i had known it was the RAC when i took out the recovery thing on the cars insurance, then i wouldn't have bothered!

 

plus i saw this beauty in the yard at Golden Square this afternoon. isnt she lovely?

[worldofceri]

Liked for the Foden at the end! Class.