The new news 24 thread

[SiC]

Looks a useful widget for the toys if the quiescent current is low
https://www.lidl.co.uk/en/p/car-accessories/ultimate-speed-car-battery-monitor/p26778

A charger with a decent charge current. 
https://www.lidl.co.uk/en/p/car-accessories/ultimate-speed-car-battery-charger-and-jump-starter/p26770

[RobT]

Done a collection today.  No pez shot as it still had half a tank.

I had no intention of buying it as my watch list has other treasures I want to bid on,  but L@@K.

It absolutely flies.  I'd say it's one of the best engines I've ever encountered.  Plus it makes a lovely sound and is audible pretty much all the time, unlike some cars where the lack of song can be disappointing.

Expect a roffle thread very soon though, tomorrow probably, as like I say my mind is really focused elsewhere.  As quick thrills go it's immense.  But it's still a gooner so could implode at any moment.  Bramz gave me the heads up on it, so he's the one to blame!  Nothing gets past his shite scanner.

[Kiltox]

Legend. 

[davehedgehog31]

21 minutes ago, RobT said:

Done a collection today.  No pez shot as it still had half a tank.

I had no intention of buying it as my watch list has other treasures I want to bid on,  but L@@K.

It absolutely flies.  I'd say it's one of the best engines I've ever encountered.  Plus it makes a lovely sound and is audible pretty much all the time, unlike some cars where the lack of song can be disappointing.

Expect a roffle thread very soon though, tomorrow probably, as like I say my mind is really focused elsewhere.  As quick thrills go it's immense.  But it's still a gooner so could implode at any moment.  Bramz gave me the heads up on it, so he's the one to blame!  Nothing gets past his shite scanner.

That is absolutely stunning, well bought. 

I vowed no more roffles but I'll be leaning into this one with my full weight. 

[beko1987]

Cor! If I could afford the petrol I would. Do have a hankering for a mk1 gooner though... 

[egg]

Manual or auto Rob? (i don't know if auto was an option with these TBH...).

Well bought, just what you need!

[SiC]

50 minutes ago, RobT said:

Done a collection today.  No pez shot as it still had half a tank.

I had no intention of buying it as my watch list has other treasures I want to bid on,  but L@@K.

It absolutely flies.  I'd say it's one of the best engines I've ever encountered.  Plus it makes a lovely sound and is audible pretty much all the time, unlike some cars where the lack of song can be disappointing.

Expect a roffle thread very soon though, tomorrow probably, as like I say my mind is really focused elsewhere.  As quick thrills go it's immense.  But it's still a gooner so could implode at any moment.  Bramz gave me the heads up on it, so he's the one to blame!  Nothing gets past his shite scanner.

See why I liked my Laguna II V6 that angle now owns?! Same engine but VVTi and more power on the phase II. Same great noise though. 

[Tadhg Tiogar]

CX VED renewed for another year. Despite everything.

[wuvvum]

Rob, that Laguna is superb.  I've fancied trying a 24v Mk1 for a while now.  I will definitely be participating in a roffle if one happens.

[bramz7]

I think it was fate, I woke up after a post night shift slumber, did my usual Gumtree browse and it was right near the top. Feverishly sent a link to Rob and here we are. 

 

I also have a collection tomorrow, which will mean a Xantia going for roffle, or for not that much pounds if anyone fancies.

[Tickman]

37 minutes ago, davehedgehog31 said:

That is absolutely stunning, well bought. 

I vowed no more roffles but I'll be leaning into this one with my full weight. 

Shame it is located such a long way away

[Cavcraft]

Rob, that Laguna is amazing.

[brownnova]

Hmmm what to carve into my pumpkin this year.... 

 

Glorious!

Fitted in well with the other spooky symbols... 

[Split_Pin]

The replacement subframe and lower arms arrived for the 172 on Tuesday. However, garages are making it really difficult for me to arrange fitting of it. The latest is that I was in the middle of messaging a contact I had been provided who is an expert in fast Clios. He seemed happy to take it on but said he might not be able to do it until mid December. I suggested perhaps it would be easier for both if we made it January and also could he give me a rough idea on the cost of his labour to fit the new subframe with arms. He read my message just before 10am but I assumed he would be busy at work and I forgot all about it. I realised at about 10pm that he hadn't replied. Perhaps he just forgot. I'll try one more garage in Stirling who also come recommended and if I still have no joy then I don't know where to go from there. Not ideal.

[SiC]

9 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

The replacement subframe and lower arms arrived for the 172 on Tuesday. However, garages are making it really difficult for me to arrange fitting of it.

I must have missed it but what is wrong with the original subframe and lower arms? Scottish weather got the best of them?

[RobT]

1 hour ago, egg said:

Manual or auto Rob? (i don't know if auto was an option with these TBH...).

Well bought, just what you need!

It's a manual.  You know me, I'm normally a lazy arsed auto 'box user, but I'll happily make an exception here.

It's a one owner from new and an odd spec, being a V6 mid-range RT.  Cloth manual seats (good), but has cruise and climate control.  The giffer is to be applauded for his choices back in the day.  Ex Renault car club member too, and I'd wager it's been garaged all it's life.  Interior is mintola, albeit a sea of grey.

I drove it back to back with the S60 this evening and the gooner packs lots more punch, even though the difference is only 10bhp or something.  Must check the torque figures.  Plus the ride is better because not stupid low profiles.  In fact, I'm wondering if I should keep this a bit longer and roffle the S60 instead.

This car is a tour de force.

Until it breaks.  Place bets now.

[RobT]

1 hour ago, wuvvum said:

Rob, that Laguna is superb.  I've fancied trying a 24v Mk1 for a while now.  I will definitely be participating in a roffle if one happens.

Funnily enough, I was thinking of you as I was thrashing it along an empty motorway link road.  Knowing how you don't hang about and all...

[Alusilber]

So I finally got round to doing an overdue oil change on my 924 today (taking the afternoon off was the only way it was going to get done, realistically). The oil filter on these couldn't be in a more inaccessible place - you can't see it at all from under the bonnet, and even when you get it up on ramps and take the under tray off,  you can't even see it from underneath either. It's cunningly hidden behind the crossmember, with the exhaust manifold and alternator providing further obstruction. I gather on RHD 924s they had to put in a right-angled adaptor to stop it fouling the steering column, but I doubt the original arrangement would have been any easier. Since I couldn't see what I was doing, my strap wrench wasn't much good, so I had to resort to unscrewing it by hand with a bit of sandpaper to give me some grip. Luckily it didn't put up too much of a fight.

Quite pleased with my new ramps though. Sealey CAR3000C plastic ones - a bit pricey and maybe not very high, but nice and wide with a shallow slope for easy ascents.

[Ghosty]

Not posted in a while due to life shake-ups. 

I now have a sort-of job/paid training/whatever in a bike shop that has the potential to become a full time position, and I'm done with my studies at least for now. That was a stroke of luck and it's keeping me afloat. Mental health is up and down but I'm a lot better on the whole than I have been for a while. 

Car wise, the Jag is used a couple times a week, and is unsettlingly reliable. Ideally it needs storing over winter though. I had plans for this but they fell through.

Volvo is reliable, doesn't ever set a foot wrong, but I'm now having to commute in it daily, 10 miles each way, a mixture of motorways and built up areas. It's averaging 23mpg, which after some research and querying, is bob on, sadly. There's no improvement to be had. 

In my fledgling adult life, I can't afford to take as many liberties any more, and a sensible daily driver is needed now to counterpart the Jag.  The Volvo is sadly no longer justifiable for me as my daily driver - I need something slightly smaller and more economical, but that can still fit a bicycle sometimes,  is still automatic, and most importantly, that I can insure; that's pure roulette now. I'm just hoping I don't have to get another Civic, as the prospect of one is looming over me like the backup car in a Top Gear special. And Civics are never simple.

Lamentably the T5 will be available for a bag if someone wants it. It's spot on mechanically, has a few marks cosmetically but is rust free. 

I need to sell the Volvo to release funds for anything else, so an ad might appear in the for sale forum soon. 

 

If anyone fancies a swap, if it's about £1k, decent on fuel and I can insure it, I might consider it. 

[paulplom]

2006 saab vector sport tid 16v 1,9 diesel black manual leather just had a service with all belts and water pump. Steady 50mpg wether you hoon it or not. In my profile pic.

[Split_Pin]

6 hours ago, SiC said:

I must have missed it but what is wrong with the original subframe and lower arms? Scottish weather got the best of them?

So the garage have said. However I'll have a look myself too as I think something happened at the garage as the owner is now super paranoid about suspension arms and subframes. Now I am too though.

[Spottedlaurel]

4 hours ago, Ghosty said:

If anyone fancies a swap, if it's about £1k, decent on fuel and I can insure it, I might consider it. 

I'm not sure if I'm being entirely serious with this suggestion, but my '88 Sunny hatchback?! Does approaching 40mpg. I've never had a Volvo before, this is the estate one isn't it?

[wuvvum]

Would that be your first non-Japanese car since the Manta?

[anonymous user]

12 hours ago, brownnova said:

Hmmm what to carve into my pumpkin this year.... 

 

Glorious!

Fitted in well with the other spooky symbols... 

You missed out the most scary one, the engine management light.

[Eyersey1234]

1 minute ago, anonymous user said:

You missed out the most scary one, the engine management light.

Lol

[Eyersey1234]

After 12 1/2 years on local bus I feel its time for a change so applied for a transfer to National Express 

[00833827]

I have taillights and brake lights working independently now. I still see a slight difference in brighness from left to right maybe its just me but i thing it should be close enough  i ordered the camshaft seal so hope that to be a job for next weekend

[Split_Pin]

11 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

The replacement subframe and lower arms arrived for the 172 on Tuesday. However, garages are making it really difficult for me to arrange fitting of it. The latest is that I was in the middle of messaging a contact I had been provided who is an expert in fast Clios. He seemed happy to take it on but said he might not be able to do it until mid December. I suggested perhaps it would be easier for both if we made it January and also could he give me a rough idea on the cost of his labour to fit the new subframe with arms. He read my message just before 10am but I assumed he would be busy at work and I forgot all about it. I realised at about 10pm that he hadn't replied. Perhaps he just forgot. I'll try one more garage in Stirling who also come recommended and if I still have no joy then I don't know where to go from there. Not ideal.

Chap got back to me, he did forget after all, glad I didn't badger him. Offered an extremely reasonable price to change everything out, he must enjoy* working on Clios! Booked in for Mid-January

[dozeydustman]

Last night in Manchester before heading back down south via the Peak District and Kent. Had a great time and I’m not as useless with newborn babies as i has thought.

 We somehow managed to fit me, the wife, niece and her nipper in a travel seat plus a pram, baby change bag in the ignis this afternoon on a day out to Bramall Hall. And fit 3 bags of shopping in on way back.

[LightBulbFun]

23 hours ago, Ghosty said:

Not posted in a while due to life shake-ups. 

I now have a sort-of job/paid training/whatever in a bike shop that has the potential to become a full time position, and I'm done with my studies at least for now. That was a stroke of luck and it's keeping me afloat. Mental health is up and down but I'm a lot better on the whole than I have been for a while. 

Car wise, the Jag is used a couple times a week, and is unsettlingly reliable. Ideally it needs storing over winter though. I had plans for this but they fell through.

Volvo is reliable, doesn't ever set a foot wrong, but I'm now having to commute in it daily, 10 miles each way, a mixture of motorways and built up areas. It's averaging 23mpg, which after some research and querying, is bob on, sadly. There's no improvement to be had. 

In my fledgling adult life, I can't afford to take as many liberties any more, and a sensible daily driver is needed now to counterpart the Jag.  The Volvo is sadly no longer justifiable for me as my daily driver - I need something slightly smaller and more economical, but that can still fit a bicycle sometimes,  is still automatic, and most importantly, that I can insure; that's pure roulette now. I'm just hoping I don't have to get another Civic, as the prospect of one is looming over me like the backup car in a Top Gear special. And Civics are never simple.

Lamentably the T5 will be available for a bag if someone wants it. It's spot on mechanically, has a few marks cosmetically but is rust free. 

I need to sell the Volvo to release funds for anything else, so an ad might appear in the for sale forum soon. 

 

If anyone fancies a swap, if it's about £1k, decent on fuel and I can insure it, I might consider it. 

Yay happy to see a post from you again  im glad to hear things are getting better

 

23 hours ago, Ghosty said:

I need something slightly smaller and more economical, but that can still fit a bicycle sometimes,  is still automatic, and most importantly, that I can insure;

get a Model 70?  its much smaller than the volvo, gets about 35-50Mpg, is automatic and the Bicycle can go where the wheelchair normally goes! (especially if its one of those fold up jobbies)