Tadhg Tiogar Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Picked up the hire car today. As it wasn't my fault I got a like for like replacement. The guy on the phone said it's a Mini Cooper. Cool I thought, something mildly interesting (better than an Astra...). "I wonder if it was a 5 door or 3 door?" passed through my mind. Then had a fright "Ohhh no, I hope it's not one of those enormous Clubman things!?!". No. It wasn't. Far, far worse than that. When you close the doors, it does this... Is that a bit like the Batman symbol, but in reverse? Anyone got a balaclava that I can borrow for 7 days?.... Dollywobbler might have one.... SiC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exiled_Tat_Gatherer Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaetc...... sorry but I am lol'ing here. edit - obviously sorry for the accident - but the fact they see a Civic as like for like with THAT - hahahahahahaahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaoops - there I go again Talbot, SiC, twosmoke300 and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dean36014 Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Just got the phone with Footman james and now have all 3 old Citroens insured at last on the same policy. Extremely happy with the service received and looking forward to getting the xantia on the road in April. Eddie Honda, Bucketeer and Shep Shepherd 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtriple Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Been to the garage to get the tyre inflator thing out of the boot of BIG dollop and I am appalled at the state of the car/garage, may as well not have a roof at all for all the good it's doing. Car is soaking yet again and looks dreadful. It's got to go (the garage, maybe the car as well) so I need to know if there is a market for large garage items: compressor, welder, stuff like that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dean36014 Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Might be interested in the compressor depending on size and price etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiltox Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Short back and sides love Hahahahaha hahahaha M'coli and SiC 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strangeangel Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Picked up the hire car today... Anyone got a balaclava that I can borrow for 7 days? I feel your pain - when my first 205 got written off they sent me an Audi A1 in full wanker spec, complete with the world's most retarded automatic gearbox. Longest two weeks of my motoring life, that was. I'd actually prefer what you've got (apart from those stupid lights). SiC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiltox Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 I would fully embrace that with the roof down (and you’ve seen what an ugly fat bastard I am) Even in stop start Bristol traffic on a cold day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiC Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 The (rather camp) hire car chap said "You'll love the car you've got! It's that little mini convertible out there :) " "Really?! ????" Said I. He said he was very envious of me of what car I got. I'm usually not very bothered about what people think of me when I drive any car. However this one I felt very self conscious being in it with the roof down. Another interesting thing is that this car came through Thrifty - not a credit hire company. On my last accident (again rear end, the car I replaced the Civic with) I had a Merc B-class. They were charging back around £350 a day for that car. The paperwork for this car says that its costing the other insurer £18 a day. Apparently DirectLine and Thrifty have a multi-million pound deal for courtesy/hire cars now. It all started since the start of this month, so everyone is a bit new to it. However hopefully this means cutting down on the ripping off of insurers in business-to-business transactions. Maybe even helping reduce insurance costs? (Probably not). I'm genuinely quite intrigued to see what its like. Only done a thousand miles and still on its factory fit Michelins. The most annoying thing (for me) is that being the soft-top its slower than the standard car - I guess from the additional weight of that roof. Shep Shepherd and dollywobbler 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiC Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 I would fully embrace that with the roof down (and you’ve seen what an ugly fat bastard I am) Even in stop start Bristol traffic on a cold day Despite my reluctance, the hire guy insisted to put the roof down for me. Then disappeared off without telling me how to put it back up again! The roof does have a neat feature where you can just have the half bit at the front open - like a cloth sunroof does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tadhg Tiogar Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 ....being the soft-top its slower than the standard car - I guess from the additional weight of that roof. ....and whatever strengthening they've put inside the body to compensate for the loss of rigidity over the standard car. Slartibartfast and SiC 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 I'm genuinely quite intrigued to see what its like. Only done a thousand miles and still on its factory fit Michelins. The most annoying thing (for me) is that being the soft-top its slower than the standard car - I guess from the additional weight of that roof. I think soft tops need to have reinforcement along the chassis to stop chassis flex, and this usually adds a reasonable amount of weight. SiC and Talbot 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiC Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Yes and its why I generally don't like these sort of cars! A soft-top to me should be a sports car. Quick, nimble, light and impractical. However to fit those useless seats in the back to make it appear practical and the fancy electronic folding roof, they have to strengthen it up to stop it flopping around (like a Saab convertible does). Just realised that I won't be able to fit my bike in to take home either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiC Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 I really shouldn't moan at all to be honest. At least its a petrol Mini convertible, not diesel. It could have been much worse really, they could have given me a Vauxhall. Just wasn't quite what I was expecting when they told me I had a 2017 Mini Cooper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiltox Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Slumming it this week at easyHotel Croydon (yes, that easy of orange airline fame) They’ve done it up slightly since I was last here. It’s still woeful but at least it’s not mouldy and flaking paint woeful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bren Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Gave the rear brakes a strip and clean on the A6. Pads had about 5mm of material left so they should last until summer.Was surprised how rust free all the suspension and underbody were considering it is 14 years old. Ashamed to admit though it was the first time I have had the wheels off - they required boiling water. RobT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraser.innes.3 Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 BREAKING NEWS Darren from Cheshire Council needs lessons on using a spirit level, they got properly hammered on Facebook for not putting the end of the level on the road surface so deleted the post Sums up councils these days, instead of employing a team of people to fix problems they employ one to explain why they don't have to, twatsTwats! Sent from my HUAWEI M2-A01W using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraser.innes.3 Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 I found some bloody enormous potholes on the M11 last night. The motor I was in has 80 aspect 15" van tyres and soft suspension so must be one of the lesser affected, but I dread to think what it's like in something modern and sporty. Its also unfair on Bond drivers, the poor little buggers must have a job to climb out of some the holes I've hit.images.jpegLook at my post in the grumpy thread! Sent from my HUAWEI M2-A01W using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraser.innes.3 Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Yep it is indeed a Valver. Here is a shot of it's best side: Needs a lot of welding so looks like a big project or spares car unfortunately.Mk1 Renault 19 16v alloys I believe. I have an immaculate set in the garage gathering dust. The hub caps are worth more than the alloys!! Sent from my HUAWEI M2-A01W using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarvinsMom Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 further mini news.... i've been and tried the new, or NOS flasher relay thing in the mini. flasher operation on the drivers side, seems to be as required. flasher operation on the passenger side..... less so. bollocks!! fiddling with the wiring onto the tell-tale on the binical (cos we've not covered up the bulkhead hole) seemed to improve the operation of the n/s indicators. so, googling suggests that non-operating fuel gauge and tempreture gauges could be down to a failled voltage stabilizer on the back of the speedo. plus the wiring on th eback of the binacle is a rats nest.... double bollocks...... the last thing i wanted to do is get into that wiring, it looks like i now will have to (or i find some poor sap that i can farm it out to) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruffgeezer Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Focus passed it's mot today so I have swapped it with the old man's van which needs wiring, springs, service and mot. This weekend I'll give the Focus a good scrub up and then it will be for sale. Anyone looking for a petrol estate car? clayts450 and Jim Bell 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DodgeRover Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Been to the garage to get the tyre inflator thing out of the boot of BIG dollop and I am appalled at the state of the car/garage, may as well not have a roof at all for all the good it's doing. Car is soaking yet again and looks dreadful. It's got to go (the garage, maybe the car as well) so I need to know if there is a market for large garage items: compressor, welder, stuff like that?Yes what are you wanting to part with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busmansholiday Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 HiAce didn't pass the MoT, the MIG welder is going to get some more use in the next couple of days. Getting the passenger door off to sort the bit inside will be the fun bit, and getting the fog light to work all the time, not just when you kick it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hooli Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Picked up the hire car today. As it wasn't my fault I got a like for like replacement. The guy on the phone said it's a Mini Cooper. Cool I thought, something mildly interesting (better than an Astra...). "I wonder if it was a 5 door or 3 door?" passed through my mind. Then had a fright "Ohhh no, I hope it's not one of those enormous Clubman things!?!". No. It wasn't. Far, far worse than that. When you close the doors, it does this... Anyone got a balaclava that I can borrow for 7 days? I'm genuinely fearful that my wife may really want one after driving it. Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!! How bloody tacky is that light by the door????? Just when I thought they couldn't ruin the mini name any further! adw1977 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beko1987 Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Yep, the light on the door makes your whole ordeal even worse! I can imagine it now, you've nipped out to get pez, station is heaving, you already feel like a massive tit, unlock it to jump in and run and that thing shines out like a massive batman signal of woman. Put some tape over it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hooli Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Put some tape over it? Change the lens for one that puts a huge penis on the floor, best done just before you hand it back. busmansholiday, adw1977, Barry Cade and 4 others 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New POD Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Ken Dodd 'goes green'! lol His coffin will be fully environmentally biodegradable & green* *they are using all the Green £1 notes found stuffed in his mattress Tax dodging twunt My dislike of this thievery runs to footballers/entertainers/e businesses + others Grrr TS And yet he was found to be NOT GUILTY in an English Court of Law, so perhaps give him the benefit of the doubt now he is dead? Unless you have evidence of further wrong doings with the diddymen ? MarvinsMom, jbz2079, twosmoke300 and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busmansholiday Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Just walked the dog and apart from dodging the council gritters I noticed a new, unregistered Mini Clubman thing on the back of a delivery truck. Not an unusual site, but apart from the mirror thing SIC has posted I noticed the red flashing immobaliser / bugger off light. Not only is there one inside, there's also one built into the shark fin on the roof.Have BMW finally realised that they have bloated the old girl so much a parked one is in danger of being hit by low flying aircraft? Datsuncog and Slartibartfast 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiC Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Civic alarm keeps going off randomly. I think it's feeling unloved or knows it's fate. If it doesn't stop doing it, I might to disconnect it's battery in punishment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghosty Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Could be accident related shell damage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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