The new news 24 thread

[Saabnut]

If it is taxed and not insured, you have no need to report it. The fine will automatically make its way to them courtesy of the computer. I forgot to add one of my fleet to the MID and received a fine under continuous insurance rules. I got away with it on a technicality, but it took several letters and telephone conversations, so they do take it seriously

[xtriple]

Apparently the head gasket is do-able at home, just a lot of shit to get off and the exhaust manifolds are a pain to get at, but acoording to an 'old queen' (his words not mine) easy enough, just takes a while.

 

But not for a cripple. I can't bend and certainly not for any length of time and getting underneath to do the manifolds is a no-no.

 

I offered it to 'Flying Spares' which is the big breaker/reseller up North. They offered £8k for it as is  which gives them the option to repair (and make a BIG profit) or break and make an even BIGGER profit! I am really tempted to take it and just write it off as a bad loss and move on. I haven't got £5K at the moment (close but not close enough) and not sure I want to be skint yet again.

 

I am taking the weekend to think about it so if anyone wants it.... it's yours for the asking.

[panhard65]

Apparently the head gasket is do-able at home, just a lot of shit to get off and the exhaust manifolds are a pain to get at, but acoording to an 'old queen' (his words not mine) easy enough, just takes a while.

 

But not for a cripple. I can't bend and certainly not for any length of time and getting underneath to do the manifolds is a no-no.

 

I offered it to 'Flying Spares' which is the big breaker/reseller up North. They offered £8k for it as is  which gives them the option to repair (and make a BIG profit) or break and make an even BIGGER profit! I am really tempted to take it and just write it off as a bad loss and move on. I haven't got £5K at the moment (close but not close enough) and not sure I want to be skint yet again.

 

I am taking the weekend to think about it so if anyone wants it.... it's yours for the asking.

Go on then I am hoping to have a few grand spare in a couple of weeks if you are serious about selling as it is. Where the hell I would put it until I could find the time to sort it I don't know but with all the effort you have put into it to get it as good as it is it would be a shame to see it go to a breaker.

[cort16]

SIC you need to buy cars that aren't broken for your own well being

 

 

Speaking of VAG shite the guy who has the garage next to my locked had a 2 year old Skoda Superb Taxi in limp mode. He plug it into the computer and it came up with EGR valve.

No problem, he calls up Skoda and they quote him some un godly price. He then asked them the workshop hours to fit it. 7 hrs was their reply. It's a bastard.

 

So he gets a patent one for £200 quid or so then has to drop the front subframe, pull all the drive shafts out etc etc. Eventually gets to it and it's one of these huge water cooled ones.

He puts it all back together. Next day he see's it coming back down the lane back in limp home mode, the new EGR valve has pooped itself alreadty

He calls a different patent supplier and they say, we've had loads of these fail only buy the OEM one given the labour involved it's not worth it. Another 7 hours.

I think the bill was about 7-800 quid for a flipping EGR valve change and that';s not charging to change the failed unit. 

[richardmorris]

I’ve just replaced the rocker cover gaskets on the 2cv. Bought super duper ones from ecas last year but only just felt it temperate enough outside to muck about.

 

Had to chisel the old ones off they were that hard. Quite possibly original!

 

Checked for leaks afterwards and caught my hand on the (surprisingly hot) manifold. Big blister already! Think it’s leak free though.

 

Mot at the end of the month then another trip to north wales for 2cvgb registers day on the Wirral.

[artdjones]

SIC you need to buy cars that aren't broken for your own well being

 

 

Speaking of VAG shite the guy who has the garage next to my locked had a 2 year old Skoda Superb Taxi in limp mode. He plug it into the computer and it came up with EGR valve.

No problem, he calls up Skoda and they quote him some un godly price. He then asked them the workshop hours to fit it. 7 hrs was their reply. It's a bastard.

 

So he gets a patent one for £200 quid or so then has to drop the front subframe, pull all the drive shafts out etc etc. Eventually gets to it and it's one of these huge water cooled ones.

He puts it all back together. Next day he see's it coming back down the lane back in limp home mode, the new EGR valve has pooped itself alreadty

He calls a different patent supplier and they say, we've had loads of these fail only buy the OEM one given the labour involved it's not worth it. Another 7 hours.

I think the bill was about 7-800 quid for a flipping EGR valve change and that';s not charging to change the failed unit.

Why is German engineering so respected?Just remind me.That's a question that really belongs in the stupid question section.

[flat4alfa]

if it was mine I'd give it a go, it's only a pushrod V8 after all.

That's what I've been thinking all along

[Lacquer Peel]

Why is German engineering so respected?Just remind me.That's a question that really belongs in the stupid question section.

PR propaganda.

[holbeck]

Indulge me talking about moderns.

 

The local main dealer has just cold called me.. "We see your (actually wife's, but I pay the bills) car is due a service, cam belt / water pump / brake fluid change..."

 

Me: 'Is there a menu price for that?'

 

 

..........(sound of keyboard tapping)........"Yes, £790........ plus  VAT"

 

I love modern cars.

[Sigmund Fraud]

It'll be my last* German car I'm buying.

 

VAG shite only makes sense if you stick to base models and find one that hasn't been too neglected for sub-£500.

 

Parts are plentiful and cheap, and there's lots of of know-how out there. This also means that common problems are well-documented, so you know in advance what models and/or specifications to avoid.

 

Why is German engineering so respected?

 

I can assure you it isn't respected by anyone who has actually taken a modern VAG/BMW apart... They're engineered and built to a price, no better and no worse than most other manufacturers.

[cort16]

I read on a car dealer forum a few of their customers saying they're only looking at French cars now after having their fingers burnt with German ones. It must be bad.

[Sigmund Fraud]

I read on a car dealer forum a few of their customers saying they're only looking at French cars now after having their fingers burnt with German ones. It must be bad.

 

The same kind of logic* that made disappointed late-00s Renault owners move to reliable* Japanese* Nissans...

[castros_bro]

The same kind of logic* that made disappointed late-00s Renault owners move to reliable* Japanese* Nissans...

 

Just in case ..............

 

[They_all_do_that_sir]

Why is German engineering so respected?Just remind me.That's a question that really belongs in the stupid question section.

Years of building proper solid cars like the old audi 100s and million mile merc taxis.

 

This built the rock solid reliable image and they've traded off that ever since

 

Sent from my F3211 using Tapatalk

[SRi05]

First time I've cleaned the panda since buying it in November, thing was manky.Scrubs up pretty well I have to say. Also replaced the front and back badges with abarth ones because RACECAR

[Guest Hooli]

Apparently the head gasket is do-able at home, just a lot of shit to get off and the exhaust manifolds are a pain to get at, but acoording to an 'old queen' (his words not mine) easy enough, just takes a while.

 

But not for a cripple. I can't bend and certainly not for any length of time and getting underneath to do the manifolds is a no-no.

 

I offered it to 'Flying Spares' which is the big breaker/reseller up North. They offered £8k for it as is  which gives them the option to repair (and make a BIG profit) or break and make an even BIGGER profit! I am really tempted to take it and just write it off as a bad loss and move on. I haven't got £5K at the moment (close but not close enough) and not sure I want to be skint yet again.

 

I am taking the weekend to think about it so if anyone wants it.... it's yours for the asking.

 

If I had the money I would, those are a dream car of mine. Glad to hear Panhard65 is taking it, sounds a real shame for it to be a breaker.

[cros]

I've just driven a mates Fiesta a couple of miles and really can't see why people think modern cars are so wonderful. The handling seemed very soggy and the steering less precise than my Morris.

[Guest Hooli]

Bet it handled like a boat too.

[anonymous user]

I've just driven a mates Fiesta a couple of miles and really can't see why people think modern cars are so wonderful. The handling seemed very soggy and the steering less precise than my Morris. IMG_20180512_123632.jpg

It's one of those things, I have been driving one all week (due to continued Land Rover woes) I'm happy enough with it as it's transport, it seems competent enough, a bit characterless but character is not always good. If I was short of a car and one came along cheap I'd buy one, but it's not something I'd be in any rush to choose. I'm not trying to damn it with faint praise, just think it's a good car for people who aren't that bothered what they drive which is why there's a lot of them about.

[Guest Hooli]

I think you're missing the point that he's 'driving' up the middle of a canal.

[anonymous user]

I think you're missing the point that he's 'driving' up the middle of a canal.

Sat-Nav?

[Ghosty]

I think you're missing the point that he's 'driving' up the middle of a canal.

No roof either.

[richardmorris]

If I had the money I would, those are a dream car of mine. Glad to hear Panhard65 is taking it, sounds a real shame for it to be a breaker.

 

It had me doing sums too, but more cash than I have to spend. It’s a superb looking car and can’t believe it’s a parts car now. Surely worth £25k+.?

[artdjones]

It had me doing sums too, but more cash than I have to spend. It’s a superb looking car and can’t believe it’s a parts car now. Surely worth £25k+.?

Sounds like Flying Spares trying to take advantage.It's necessary to make profit but they would be paying £8000 for the car,the parts would probably be around £700 to them ,plus a technician's wage for a week,around £800 more,maybe a few hundred extra for the bumper,and then would want over £20000 for it.As the catchphrase is, double your money.

[cros]

I think you're missing the point that he's 'driving' up the middle of a canal.

Perhaps this will help

 

https://youtu.be/3wLFnr2NNxI

[fordperv]

What a great idea I mean who wouldn't want to use a ford for the basis of an amphibious vehicle they dont* rust at all

[Guest Hooli]

Perhaps this will help

 

Stupid question, is that the same rear lights/number plate cover etc as a FWD Lotus Elan?

[dollywobbler]

Stupid question, is that the same rear lights/number plate cover etc as a FWD Lotus Elise?

 

It's the Lotus Elan. And no.

 

EDIT - just regular generic truck lamps under perspex I think.

[Guest Hooli]

I said Elan *whistle*

Guess it was the covered number plate that makes it look so similar to me then.

[Kiltox]

Looks like the Duster is going on long term loan to a family member so my fleet is going to consist of a Boxster and a van....