Hawkeyethenoo

The AMP is kaput and even although the repair shop is a Bose dealer and it could be repaired, the parts required to repair it aren't available from Bose or Mercedes, so it's scrap. Only option is to find replacement from a scrappy. That could happen, but in the meantime I'm just going to get a wind up radio as it will give the wife something to do on the Autobahn other than say, slow down, watch that lorry, you're going too fast, look out what's he doing?

Looks like the CD changer has been replaced at some point and the AMP also has a hand written sticker/seal on it so someone has deffo been here before....

Non performing ICE. It turns on but nae VOLUME! Located AMP in boot yesterday, main loom and fibre optic cables where disconnected from the AMP. Tried reconnecting, but still no joy. Removed the CD changer and AMP, removed AMP (BOSE) from carrier and the wife has kindly agreed to take it here to assetain whether it's fubar or not? Hoping it is fixable and that once repaired we will have VOLUME! Moonroof also stopped and then started working again. That's now been treated to some silicone grease and seems to be working better(er). V5 arrived in the post, so I guess I should at least consider taxing it - next week/month.

More bulb issues. O/S rear indicator bulb this time, but get this, it switches to the 'alternative bulb', which is the outer of the twin sidelight bulbs and uses that as the indicator. Now that's clever. Will check the errant bulb and holder later.

Bulbs sourced and fitted, also tweaked the N/S rear indicator bulb and holder which was visibly not as bright as the other, this fixed it. Happy with my work, a full compliment of functioning lamps, it suddenly dawned on that I'd not yet ventured near the parking brake, why would you? MOT man will, best give it a stamp... Find a wee hill, not hard up 'ere. Give the pedal a stab and it goes all the way down, in neutral, foot off the brake and, we're off, rolling backwards downhill. I try again and sames. Phone. Click. Hello is that Kwik-Fit? Cee. MOT 4pm. Cee. Cancelled. Gracias. No worries. Don't phone me, I'll phone you. Ciao. Not sure what's going on there, but shoes and cables ordered. Discs and pads alround also ordered, plus fuel and oil filter. We're off to europe in 9-days and this is the car to do it in. Away out shortly to see why the ICE isn't working, producing any sound. Wish me luck.

The fancy pants sidelight bulb is an H6W. Most bulb finder sites wrongly list it as a bog standard W5W (501), but it isn't. Twats. Powerbulbs.com seem to be just about the only trustworthy guide in this case at least.

Range Rover came from the Cotswolds, Porsche from Wales, CL from Devon. Distance no object!

I removed the O/S HID today and it's an Osram bulb, so already been, 'upgraded'. Truth is that HIDs of this age are a bit pants and halogen bulbs are preferable. On main beam using the H7 halogens, they light up the road ahead like a WW2 searchlight, funnily enough. Don't mention the war, too late!

Thanks. Yes. Still have Reggie the 2009 TDV8. He's not so happy with the amount of attention the new 'upstart' V8 is receiving. Made me think, the three of them together in terms of purchase price = just over £9k. That won't buy you much in terms of new these days and that's two V8s and a flat six. Update. Got reg plate illuminated with new C5W bulbs, front side needs a new bulb but has offset pins of the kind not available at the local petrol station. Will need to head into the city for that fancy pants, bulb. Also topped up the oil, took 500ml to be cockon. MOT tomorrow at 4pm so no need to panic!

Reg plate lights weren't working (stealth mode), needed bulbs and O/S front side light is out, more bulbs. HIDs were not that great on the motorway last night, probably a mixture of faded lenses and aging D2R bulbs. They seem to range in price from about £8 to £80. Anyone got a recommendation? Osram?

And jesus on an e-scooter, the south of England seems even more full and full of even more mad drivers steerers than I remembered. And none of them keep left, natch. Normallity only resumes somewhat once north of Preston.

Think there's 16 in the CL? Of course they're all in perfect nick.

And hame. We left Okehampton at 9:30am. Very long, but enjoyable day and made it home on 'one' tank of fuel with 50miles range remaining. 533 miles 10:29h, avg 51mph, 30.6mpg. That's pretty good if you ask me. The car got better with miles, especially the brakes, few wee issues to sort prior to an MOT test on Tuesday. Will see what that throws up then. Cheers all.

Niw at Annandale services, pee and coffee much needed. Range still 200 miles so home on one tank 🙌

Yes we did Cheddar Gorge, like Tebay yesterday was mega busy, still fun though. Now stopped about Stafford for food.

Collection achieved. Thanks dude was good to meet you 🙏

2.

Day two. Next stop and the destination Okehampton.

Those were cold from the cold bag, we have standards to upkeep you know

Room with a view of yon M5 for the night. There's always a bloody rowan tree.

Collection occurred. Seems alright from 20 foot.

Skoda boot Bar is now open.

Skoda did us proud 👏

Arrived Exeter. Now beer N food On the right cabbages on the left motorised cabbages.

M5 achieved.