Marm Toastsmith

We were mid way through removing parking tickets that had fallen behind the dash. All clear now. The ABS warning light went out for a good 10 minutes earlier. I’m happy that it’s an intermittent fault. Waiting for another ferry. It leaves in half an hour. I think we are the only vehicle in the queue with a non-idling engine. People are idiots. I can’t decide whether the moss should be removed or encouraged.

We’re about to hit the road. Fluids checked (oil topped up), some leaves and acorns removed from scuttle area, sticker installed and boot filled. How nice to have an estate car again.

So...it's been a continuing, extended collection mission - the car has been in the family for a while, actually my dad's partner had it from brand new as a company vehicle, more recently it's been my dad's vehicle. In truth it's more than he needs, and I've had my eye on it for a while - so we agreed a swap - he's taken the Polo and I'm having the Audi. I've been driving it round the island today and am loving it. Heading back Thursday - it'll get a decent run then. The car is an honest, low mileage example, but it hasn't exactly been lavished with care and attention recently. It goes well enough and everything seems to work, but it comes with a to-do list, firstly a good clean, and getting it through the upcoming MOT - main issue being an ABS fault. Will add a proper to-do list later, for now have some pics.

Close! A4.

Test drive accomplished. All the warning lights. Am happy.

Waiting for a boat.

Panic over… all sorted, car seems fine.

She’s fine. Thank you!

Possibly another one for the parking thread… Wasn’t me driving but actually an easy mistake to make to be fair to Mrs T. Waiting for Autoaid… Fingers crossed they can move it and it’s not totally fucking fucked.

All my favourite VWs past have had these issues...VW electrics have always been awful, but it mattered less in the older cars. Weird momentary FTPs are unbeatable for giving a car "character". My absolutely fave example was a -£70- hand painted B2 passat that I thrashed down to the south of France in the middle of the night which then promptly died in the hotel carpark...and started again without issue. It never let me down, but eventually succumbed to multiple acts of vandalism.

Polo has gone to Grandad/Dad. I delivered it to Southampton yesterday, which is probably the longest journey it's done in a good few years, and it drove very nicely without issue. Blaupunkt worked really well too - I have supplied the car with a box of suitable tapes. Dad took it over on the ferry. He loves it already, he says they're "going to be friends". I think it's ended up in the right place.

New aux belt ✔️ Headlights in this are total crap. Lenses are clean and clear, reflectors look fine too from what I can see. Any ideas?

Local tyre place comes up with these at reasonable ish money. Very possible that when I go in the selection and prices will be totally different.

I'd probably lean towards the Kumhos out of this lot, or maybe the Toyos? (interesting that the "all weather" Kumhos are rated lower than the Ecstas for wet grip...) Probably see what's available locally 1st.

Right apologies for no updates. Mrs Toastsmith decided the gearbox was getting worse in this and bought a Volvo to replace it. It's going off for a new, gentler life on the Isle of Wight, with an older gentleman who'll appreciate a quality cassette player with a big twisty volume knob and not too many buttons.

Moped runs fine with new fuel! I think it's just that the tiny tank looks full when it's only got a bit in it... Also pisses it out of the bottom of the carb if the tap's left on without the engine running. Suspect sticky float. Still great fun, even if the hills round here are a test for the poor little thing.

Cam belt and water pump ✔️ Chuffed to have found a local one-man, back-street Volvo specialist to do the job.. Previous quote from trusted local garage who have recently been ruined by new management was "£500 - £600". At that money I'd have probably played roulette... Saying that, the old belt was cracked, genuine Volvo, very possibly original so glad I didn't! He also noticed aux belt was tired, that's being done tomorrow. Otherwise he reckoned "give it some use". Then I'll look into replacing the naff rear tyres (+ maybe swap round the OK fronts).

He's still got this one. It's been painted and not brilliantly but it's presentable enough and goes well. I'm still tempted to have a second one for myself but I think I'm going to try to find a Cub instead. https://www.gumtree.com/p/honda-motorbikes/honda-pc50-moped-1975/1464584287

Micra keeps micraing. Yesterday I did a 500 mile round trip in it with no* discomfort. It is almost beyond adequate as an car. In other news I just picked this up. Had to push it half the way home up a huge hill due to mysterious vanishing fuel (I think perhaps the float tap is stuck on, also hose looks pretty naff) but it was super fun in the sun for as long as it run. Looking forward to riding it down the the beach in flip flops like a continental bum. The seller did say I was mad to attempt riding it home. Not sure what it's fate is, I ostensibly bought it for my dad, as he's been looking for one for a while, but he might have a job getting it off me. Actually the seller had two... so I'm tempted to have another while I'm at it. He accidentally "upsold" this to me as it was nicer than the red one advertised. Looking forward to putting more fuel in it.

DIBS! Edit, seen I'm too late... but still...

Just dropped him a line. Apparently head was replaced a year ago following HGF which warped the original head... Other bits were done for MOT (April). Clutch last month. He's unlikely to be making a profit...

They can always get the bus. And it wouldn't be our only car.

Great info. Thanks. I've seen more 225s advertised locally recently, I think I'd prefer a 180 for the reasons you mentioned. Also in two minds about whether I want a Quattro or would prefer the simplicity of FWD. Your comments make me think that it's worth having. This is probably worth a look, just down the road: https://www.gumtree.com/p/audi/2001-audi-tt-225-/1464395997 I'd love blue leather though. I had a 140 bhp mk4 golf gti not long ago (pretty much the same 1.8t engine but in a milder state of tune) which was more than quick enough for me (although I missed the immediacy of an N/A engine, and the MGF I had after with a 1.8 VVC was much better in terms of power delivery). But the Golf handled OK, and I really enjoyed the comfort and refinement - it was an easy car to eat miles up in. I would hope a TT would be slightly more nimble and compact feeling, and perhaps slightly more exciting, or at least "special" feeling. To tell the truth, having owned a couple of "proper" sports cars over the years, as well as quickish, fairly raw RWD stuff like an E30 325i (all of which ultimately were hard work as daily drivers) part of the appeal of the TT is that hopefully it's a bit easier to live with day to day. In theory I'd love a Porsche 911 but in reality I think I'd hate myself in it, feel very self conscious, and worried about ruining it. A TT would be more practical and less precious. My current "fun" runabout is a Micra K11, which I genuinely love, obviously a TT is going to better it in pretty much all respects, and on paper there shouldn't be any downsides (other than running costs and neediness) - the main thing from my point of view is that it's a car that is practical to use as transport. Mainly I can't shake the thought that these have got to be on the up - they seem far too cheap at the moment compared to the rest of the market - and that if I don't buy one soon I'll miss the boat. It's probably only a sensible purchase if I manage to keep it long enough for values to rise though, and my previous form is not good on that score! TL;DR I wonder how much my kids would complain about the back seat.