55bloke

My brother has an absolute minter, converted to LPG to keep the running costs manageable. He loves it, and I can see why, but I just don't fancy it. They seem like a Chaufeur's car to me.

Saw 8EES on a Mini the other day. Presumably a bee keeper.

Spotted a couple of gems this week: A black Aston Martin (might have been a DB 9, I'm not sufficiently clued up to tell the new ones apart) with DAV 10 B number plate. Also, on an anonymous silver Eurobox, ROD 27 T. That REALLY should be on a Model T street rod!

Off topic I know, and possibly showing my age, but can someone explain to me when and why "the" became "teh"?

Off topic I know, and possibly showing my age, but can someone explain to me when and why "the" became "teh"?

@55bloke: They're not superb, they're okay. Like the Thunderbird, they have this sort of ungainly, slightly blingy approach to styling that's neither charming nor stunning just sort of awkward, like a granny who wears a shell suit and insist on keeping the blue rinse and the gold antique jewellery. It's all at sixes and sevens with itself.

Above all else, they're a product of their time and place. I absolutely love them.

I don't think I've EVER heard anyone suggest that those early Mustangs look anything less than superb!!

I'm afraid I'm going to hijack this thread!! I have a mate in the same predicament - car died today, needs a car to get to work, has almost no money to spend. So, anybody in Yorkshire know of a runner available at about £200? Or even £300? Long shot I know, but I'm looking at any options!!

 

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Thanks for this link - and sorry for my delayed response. That's a bargain I reckon, but too big, both physically and in terms of cc, for what my mate needs.

I'm afraid I'm going to hijack this thread!! I have a mate in the same predicament - car died today, needs a car to get to work, has almost no money to spend. So, anybody in Yorkshire know of a runner available at about £200? Or even £300? Long shot I know, but I'm looking at any options!!

Absolutely wonderful!! MUCH respect to you sir! I'm a fellow Renault addict, though my addiction is mercifully less expensive! I'm addicted to R 25s! Sad, innit? I've always wanted to put a 21 turbo engine into one - should be fairly straight forward, I'd have thought?!

This thread is legend. Thank you.

It is! Comedy genius, and great spotting!! Does anyone else think the wheels on that Mk 2 'tina are stupidly small?!

Not sure I'd call it great exactly, but recently saw B 10 PSY on something silver and German on the M1. A medic of some sort, presumably?

Yep, this has been my daily driver for the last 7 years. I currently have no where to store it - it was on a neighbour's drive, but have been asked to move it, so it's now on our drive, which means both our other two cars are on the street! Realistically, if it were "stored," it would simply deteriorate to the pont where it would need a lot more doing to get it back on the road. I think I'm just delaying the inevitable for sentimental reasons.

These people seem to get decent reviews on the Sheffield Forum (whose members have a reputation for being whining sods).

http://www.mistergearbox.co.uk/index-1.html

Yep, I've used them before, they are excellent. And, as I said earlier, it's about £700 to £800 for a rebuild, plus another couple of hundred to remove and refit. On a car worth about £500 or £600 at best, it's madness, even if I had it, which I don't.

I'm genuinely surprised by the amount of comment this post has produced, and touched by the offers of help. Having owned 25s since 1991, I'm fully aware of the spring compressor thing. In typical Renault style, no ordinary compressor will do, it has to be the special Renault tool - which can be hired from the Renault owner's club. My mechanical knowledge of autoboxes is "limited," so I have to listen to the words of those who know. Having spoken to a couple of guys who've rebuilt dozens of the A4 boxes, I'm assured that the problem IS a collapsed bearing. I have nurtured the box as it's a notorious weakness, with a life expectancy of about 60k. I have changed the ATF twice, and also the paper filter, and driven it gently. The fluid is still clear, and the forward gears shift perfectly. But, it has about 70k on it, and despite the care, it's succumbed. My heart is telling me to fix it, but my head is saying no. Not fully decided yet, but I suspect it's terminal.

Hmm... you're only in Sheffield. What's involved with dropping a gearbox? If I can, I'll help, though my skills and toolbox are quite limited I'm always willing to do my research and get stuck into a job. I can't bear the thought of you scrapping this for want of a bit of skill and a small wedge.

That's beyond generous, and very much appreciated!! Honestly, I'm not absolutely sure, except that the box is very heavy, and I have nothing that will lift the car high enough to get it out!! The Haynes manual just says "Consult your Renault dealer"! Don't even know if you have to take the front struts out to remove the drive shafts - if you do, a special spring compressor is needed!

Scrapping that would be like killing your gran because she broke her hip.

Again, I totally agree. I've had it longer than my 1st marriage lasted, and I love it to bits. Scrapping it would break my heart, but I simply don't have the skill or the funds to save it.

J673 UOC 1992 Renault 25 by willswitchengage, on Flickr

 

One of the few cars that looked better post-facelift.

I absolutely agree! Much prefer the phase 2 to the phase 1. That was taken in a restaurant car park Harrogate, right? We were inside the restaurant, having dinner with my folks. We could see the car from where we were sat, and I never noticed you take the photo!

Hmmm... not seen that before. Wonder if it actually works? However, I'm assured that the problem is a collapsed bearing. The forward gears are not slipping, only reverse.

I've been quoted 7 to 8 hundred to rebuild the box, and that's if I remove it and refit it myself (which I don't have the skill or equipment to do)

Those of you who've been on here for a while will recognise this car. It's my beloved '91 R25 TXE auto, which has given me well over 7 years virtually trouble-free motoring. Now however, sadly, it's suffered the dreaded gear box failure. It's lost reverse, due to a collapsed bearing I'm told. It drives forward ok, but I'm told doing so risks getting metal fragments in the valve body. It's beyond my means to fix it, so is probably headed for the scrappy. Unless someone on here feels like a challenge!?!

I've only just seen this thread. I'm almost tempted!! Those of you who've been Autoshite regulars for a long time will know of my obsession with these cars. I still think they represent the best value "luxury" motoring available! Superbly comfortable (amazed you say you don't find it comfortable!) and, contrary to popular belief, amazingly reliable, especially in 8 valve manual form. I have 2 TXEs, though sadly one of them has just died (autobox failure) after 7 years of virtually faultless motoring. If anyone fancies a project, it's available!! Ha ha!! Or, if anyone knows the whereabouts of a good AR4 box going cheep?!!

Agreed. I hate orange! We've just got a 406, and it's dash is hideous! Rather like the modern trends for blue and red. The dashes are just about the only part of modern cars I actually like!

Gotta ad the R 25 dash:

Saw a Black Bentley yesterday with SPL1F on it......

 

That made it onto a friend's old facebook page in photo form.

 

55bloke, I have photo of your R25 in a Harrogate car park from the 21st of July, it will feature in my next thrilling spotting update

Yup, that was us alright. Sadly, it'll probably be it's last appearance, as the auto box expired this week. Absolutely gutted, love that car so much, but cost too much to fix, I think.