The new news 24 thread

[GrumpiusMaximus]

It's the weird detachment in the handling I couldn't quite fathom.  No road feel at all and every little bump turned into a bounce.  Cresting anything would be very interesting, I'm sure.

 

The worst bit was some 'slowy downy' lines into the A303 bit near the Fleet Air Arm Museum.  They were not very fun to drive over at all.  Kept feeling like I might lose it at any time - even though I'm sure there were plenty of adequate grip levels.

 

80 was very odd on the private test track, I must admit.

 

And the weird, weird gear ratios and turbo spooling drove me nuts.  There's more on the thread I linked but essentially:

 

1st - short but fine.  Weird clutch issue to do with hill start assist, but ratio is fine.  2nd is long.  3rd is weird.  You change into third when you feel you should in any other car, only to be met with a complete lack of low-down torque.  Rev it up another 200/300 and suddenly the turbo spools up.  It's like they've deliberately put the torque band above the gear change.  So you have to rev the nuts off 2nd to be in the torque for 3rd.  That'll be a 105PS issue, I'm sure.  4th is very long with a bit of the 3rd gear issue but not so bad.  4th really is the gear to cruise in.  5th is fine.  6th is completely pointless and only pulls at all on a private test track.  On the road, one cannot drive quickly enough to make it worth having.

 

The turbo is too big for the base-model's 105PS output.  But they don't seem to have changed the gear ratios.

 

The hillstart is really annoying.  When you're in first at a standstill, the clutch has a dead spot at the bottom of its travel for 3-4 cm.  When you actually find the bite, you've almost stalled it - so you have a really narrow window to work in if you're not used to the van.  Combine that with a very sensitive accelerator and you've got a very easy way to stall a torquey diesel.  Which shouldn't be possible in this day and age...

 

Urgh.  Could be worse.  I could be driving a Juke, I suppose.

[Kiltox]

My Relay only does 70 (limiter fitted) but it feels very out of its depth if you chuck it into a bend at speed when unladen. So much more so than other vans.

[GrumpiusMaximus]

My Relay only does 70 (limiter fitted) but it feels very out of its depth if you chuck it into a bend at speed when unladen. So much more so than other vans.

 

 

The scariest part was on the road from Woodbury Common into Exmouth.  There's a very sharp S bend that takes you 90 to the right up a rise and then straight back to the left.  The A pillar is so big, I couldn't see the road markings.  You hit the corner at about 30 and combine the odd disconnection and lack of road feel, the wayward suspension and bouncy back end, the weird gear ratios, the sensitive brakes and the fact you can't see a bloody thing because the road is where your A-pillar is and you have a brown-trouser moment.  Never had a problem with that corner in any other vehicle.

[Richard]

You can turn the hill start assist off using the buttons on the steering wheel. You can't do much about the rest of the van being the worst product anybody has ever made. I'm sure motorcyclists appreciate Ford's decision to not bother fitting fuel caps to them.

[Jazoli]

You'll find a lot of dmf equipped diesels really easy to stall as if the ecu detects the revs are too low it kills the fuel to protect the dmf from vibration, I went from a 1.8td Mondeo which you could lift the clutch at tick over and pull away in second in to a 2.0tdci Mondeo which would stall for fun and needed plenty of revs to get going, that's progress for you.

[MikeR]

its been an early rise for me , the washing machine is still going

 

the back door is wide open as the washer does full tilt boogie

 

it can be heard across the back gardens

 

which makes a change from some twat with a hammer /leaf blower /mower / revving engine / hedge trimmer / etc

 

waking me up !!!

 

even better , both washers on full tilt boogie !!!  , the one outside has joined in

[Guest Hooli]

You can turn the hill start assist off using the buttons on the steering wheel. You can't do much about the rest of the van being the worst product anybody has ever made. I'm sure motorcyclists appreciate Ford's decision to not bother fitting fuel caps to them.

 

Saves the drivers needing to loose the caps I guess.

[xtriple]

Not feeling too bright today. Woke up (which is a good start I guess) and just couldn't balance at all. Barely made it to the loo as I was wobbling around like a very drunken sailor on a rough sea. Still the same (just not so much) and pain is gloriously flowing around my spine and down my legs. Took the dogs round the block and Phoebe, yes my crippled dog, was waiting for me and kept giving me 'hurry up' type looks. Fell over three times on the walk.

 

I have to babysit 9 week old puppy for a few hours soon whicI would normally be really happy about, dreading it now.  

[stuboy]

busy day out yesterday for sons 17th he wanted to go to wingham wildlife sanctuary, meal in harvester, whilst eating i can hear turbos and big muscle stuff, afterwards wandered over to garden centre car park to be greeted with mixed cool looking motors, ill try post pictures today.

[richardmorris]

Now I assume this container will have cars in it. Unfortunately they don't have a ramp!

 

Hmm, this is a bit of a Michael Caine  - hang on lads I've got an idea moment.

 

[richardmorris]

Turned out to be a Mclaren - after a bit of an oops moment.

[davehedgehog31]

Now I assume this container will have cars in it. Unfortunately they don't have a ramp!

 

Hmm, this is a bit of a Michael Caine  - hang on lads I've got an idea moment.

I don't see how this can possibly end well. 

[richardmorris]

I don't see how this can possibly end well. 

 

Amazingly, and somewhat disappointingly, it seems to have been pulled off. They did go and get two ten foot planks at one point though. Only the one car inside in the end (slightly crashed) plus a couple of crates of broken carbon fibre and wheels (still attached to the suspension).

[davehedgehog31]

Amazingly, and somewhat disappointingly, it seems to have been pulled off. They did go and get two ten foot planks at one point though. Only the one car inside in the end (slightly crashed) plus a couple of crates of broken carbon fibre and wheels (still attached to the suspension).

I was wondering why they had covered up his face like the elephant man.

[Wilko220]

I seem to have just bought another Rover.

 

It used to be owned by a vicar. 

 

That's kind of all really.

 

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153100942828?ul_noapp=true

[chatsharris]

An NSX drove past me the other day. Was proper sex like.

[clayts450]

I seem to have just bought another Rover.

 

It used to be owned by a vicar. 

 

That's kind of all really.

 

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153100942828?ul_noapp=true

 

Intermittent wiper will be a ball ache - will be a fucked relay in the SCU. Heater 1/2 TADTS, £5 for a new resistor pack from eBay. Otherwise top purchase

[wuvvum]

An LDV Convoy

 

at 80

 

[Shep Shepherd]

Just changed The Aero's engine oil and filter, which was as ever a nice, easy job. I used Shell Helix oil this time, as Euro Car Parts are currently having a 35% off everything event, meaning that the oil and filter cost just £23

 

 

A on change reminder for my six months into the future self; I have no intention of selling the car. Because Aero.

 

Does anyone else remember when Shell Helix was called Shell Gemini? I wonder why they changed the branding?

[Datsuncog]

Does anyone else remember when Shell Helix was called Shell Gemini? I wonder why they changed the branding?

 

Yes, I can well recall racing-spec Cosworths in Shell Gemini sponsorship livery...

 

 

It wasn't around 2003 that Shell changed the name, was it?

 

 

Nul points, famously.

[Parky]

I seem to have just bought another Rover.

 

It used to be owned by a vicar. 

 

That's kind of all really.

 

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153100942828?ul_noapp=true

No need to worry about insurance as you’ll have Jesus onside. Bless you my son

[GrumpiusMaximus]

busy day out yesterday for sons 17th he wanted to go to wingham wildlife sanctuary, meal in harvester, whilst eating i can hear turbos and big muscle stuff, afterwards wandered over to garden centre car park to be greeted with mixed cool looking motors, ill try post pictures today.

How was Wingham? I live less than 10 minutes from there and ought to take Lady Grumpius out sometime.

[Shep Shepherd]

Yes, I can well recall racing-spec Cosworths in Shell Gemini sponsorship livery...

 

Ford Sierra Cosworth - Jimmy McCrae.jpg

 

It wasn't around 2003 that Shell changed the name, was it?

 

 

Nul points, famously.

 

Exactly why I remember the oil being branded Gemini! 

 

As for that 'song', I never listened it in 2003, and have no intention of listening to it now! 

 

#BBC6MusicFan

[Shep Shepherd]

How was Wingham? I live less than 10 minutes from there and ought to take Lady Grumpius out sometime.

 

I was born in Canterbury and spent the first 23 years of my life in Eastry! 

[richardmorris]

This is outside now - door open, engine running. Do you think I could make a run for it?

 

 

[Exiled_Tat_Gatherer]

Yes, I can well recall racing-spec Cosworths in Shell Gemini sponsorship livery...

 

Ford Sierra Cosworth - Jimmy McCrae.jpg

 

It wasn't around 2003 that Shell changed the name, was it?

 

 

Nul points, famously.

 

 

Just got about 40 seconds in...... good god - my ears are crying...... I didn't know that was even possible.......

[Exiled_Tat_Gatherer]

This is outside now - door open, engine running. Do you think I could make a run for it?

 

Anti theft ejector seat or explodes - EVERYONE knows that! 

Or a la Father Ted... gwan....  gwan....  gwan....  gwan....  gwan....  gwan....

[egg]

This is outside now - door open, engine running. Do you think I could make a run for it?

 

Two a penny . I've just listed one for sale on Ebay. Needs a bit of work.

 

[GrumpiusMaximus]

I was born in Canterbury and spent the first 23 years of my life in Eastry!

I’m a Kent native but I’ve moved from Gravesend, to Charing and now to Aylesham. Family going back over 100 years ago are Canterbury types. Grew up within the walls. Lady Grumpius is a Canterbury native. Good part of the World.

[Shep Shepherd]

I’m a Kent native but I’ve moved from Gravesend, to Charing and now to Aylesham. Family going back over 100 years ago are Canterbury types. Grew up within the walls. Lady Grumpius is a Canterbury native. Good part of the World.

 

My mother's side of the family comes from Ash (via East Sussex and Ireland), but my father's side comes from Burnley (via Norfolk, Suffolk and eastern France), so I'm a proper mongrel at heart ^^

 

Aylesham people had a reputation for being quite 'edgy' when I was growing up, and as such I never really got on with the kids at my secondary school who came from there. Is this still the case?