The new news 24 thread

[dollywobbler]

Wanaka is one of the scenic delights of New Zealand, with a stunning lake, beautiful mountains and a tree people seem to like taking photos of. I found this.

 

Which reminded me that I cannot remember the last time I saw one of these in the UK. Where did they all go?! Note the Nissan Prairie Joy in the background - a remodelled version of the M11 Prairie we got here.

[andy18s]

Well here's something i Never thought i would see in sunniest Bulgaria. 

[egg]

Just amazing Andy...looks like it would crumple like paper if it tapped anything.

@MorrisItalSLX @Angrydicky Fancyplates have got back to me and have pretty much delivered I think...(obviously I want front not rear...)

[xtriple]

Not only have I driven around looking more of a dick than usual - roof off but I have also polished the car.

I love driving it roof off 'cos, when the revs get to about 3000 the VVTI thing does its stuff and it sounds effin' amazing! Yes it really is worth freezing your tits off and looking like an utter twat just so you can listen to an engine having a bit of a sing.

As for cold, well, not really as the heater is brill, the Airscarf is brill, the seat heaters are brill... I even turn it all on the passenger seat so the fat dog is warm as well. Still look a dick but Chester doesn't seem to care.

Polishing it with that Meguirs stuff is easier than washing it not to mention warmer and faster. Meguirs for winners  

[iainrcz]

I drive around with the windows down so I can hear my exhaust wuffling away, so you're not the only one.

Sent from my VFD 710 using Tapatalk

[Ohdearme]

Second day in a row I’ve forgotten to call the garage to book in the 323 for putting new drive belts on to replace the ones it flung off faster than a  hooker’s knickers on the M1.

I’d do it myself but the 14mm bolt at the bottom of the alternator is inaccessible unless I have a very slimline adjusty spanner, which the recovery man had (if only he had a drive belt that fitted too ) plus it’s getting far too cold to be twatting my own knuckles and swearing.

[richardmorris]

Had to go to Warwick university today, which for reasons known to someone is in Coventry. Mercedes had already done 180 miles since I filled up on Saturday on they way up to @Six-cylinder but I’ve managed to get home again (200miles round trip) just as the fuel light has started flickering. Not stopping at all in traffic today helped. 

So that’s 58litres when the light comes on which is 29.8mpg- compared to the long term average that’s pretty good, it is a 25year old 24valve 3.2litre straight six after all. Cheap fuel from texaco last Saturday too (£122.9). I expect if I’d driven like Great Aunt Agatha at 60mph I’d have got more, but nigel farage came on the radio, and between shouting at him and the audi drivers I did find the speedo heading past 80 on occasion.

The funny noises seem to have stopped ( for now), but it’s still impersonating a fish tank. 

[Six-cylinder]

12 minutes ago, richardmorris said:

Had to go to Warwick university today, which for reasons known to someone is in Coventry. Mercedes had already done 180 miles since I filled up on Saturday on they way up to @Six-cylinder but I’ve managed to get home again (200miles round trip) just as the fuel light has started flickering. Not stopping at all in traffic today helped. 

So that’s 58litres when the light comes on which is 29.8mpg- compared to the long term average that’s pretty good, it is a 25year old 24valve 3.2litre straight six after all. Cheap fuel from texaco last Saturday too (£122.9). I expect if I’d driven like Great Aunt Agatha at 60mph I’d have got more, but nigel farage came on the radio, and between shouting at him and the audi drivers I did find the speedo heading past 80 on occasion.

The funny noises seem to have stopped ( for now), but it’s still impersonating a fish tank. 

It will be interesting to see what you get out of the V6 CLK in due course.

I think 29.8 mpg was better than I used to get out of my E320 W124.

[richardmorris]

It’s better than the usual which is about 26mpg. Monday I had it idling for twenty minutes to de ice the inside of the windscreen too. 

[The Moog]

The joys of winter. It's just after 7pm and icicles are forming on the ceiling of my home (AKA the inside of the roof of my van).

Get a hat ... Or an afro.... Or both.

[richardmorris]

1 minute ago, snagglepuss said:

23 hours ago, Bucketeer said:

The joys of winter. It's just after 7pm and icicles are forming on the ceiling of my home (AKA the inside of the roof of my van).

Get a hat ... Or an afro.... Or both.

Could be a little late for an affro given what he has to work with! Ha!

[anonymous user]

Was Bulgaria one of the places they sent Maestros to and then brought back unsold to become the Apple/Ledbury ones?

[Bren]

I have not been happy with the passat's gear change since I replaced the oil.

Somebody on the passat forum recommended fuchs titan sinto fluid 75W so I have ordered some.

[High Jetter]

Hope you have better luck with this than some of your other recent online orders.

[Bucketeer]

6 minutes ago, anonymous user said:

Was Bulgaria one of the places they sent Maestros to and then brought back unsold to become the Apple/Ledbury ones?

They set up a factory in Varna, Bulgaria but only ended up building a couple of thousand Maestros there.

I only ever spotted one the whole time I was there.

 

The van on the previous page papped by @andy18s  in Praktiker car park is a proper rarity and a great spot.

[paulplom]

14 hours ago, Ohdearme said:

Second day in a row I’ve forgotten to call the garage to book in the 323 for putting new drive belts on to replace the ones it flung off faster than a  hooker’s knickers on the M1.

I’d do it myself but the 14mm bolt at the bottom of the alternator is inaccessible unless I have a very slimline adjusty spanner, which the recovery man had (if only he had a drive belt that fitted too ) plus it’s getting far too cold to be twatting my own knuckles and swearing.

I've got dome of these somewhere, unless I've lost them.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bahco-9031T-8in-200mm-wide-slim-thin-jaw-adjustable-wrench-spanner-BAH9031T/264538224020?epid=2255465083&hash=item3d97b4f594:g:VA0AAOSwWkJY9VIE

[paulplom]

They buyer has dropped out from the t-5. Anyone want to buy it or swap?

[loserone]

Perodua Kelisa?

[paulplom]

I'd like something of the same value or add a bit cash. I'd love a mini cooper s.

[egg]

It will definitely be the Mazda on the school run this morning...

 

[eddyramrod]

Last week we took our Motability bus to Kendal for its first service.  Yes we've had it a year already!  Still only done 1800 miles though.  It won't be in five figures when we hand it back, at this rate!

[paulplom]

I'm at court today for what is the final time. The ex is still trying to get access to my kids. Her drinking is beyond help now and she regularly rings me pissed at midday. She was drunk at 10 o'clock in the morning at the last hearing. It'll be interesting to see what state she's in today.

[paulplom]

She's just rocked up with her mam and dad. She appears to be walking in a straight line.

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

[paulplom]

Brilliant result. Couldn't have went any better. I always thought If I gave her enough rope....

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

[cort1977]

Just fixed the bonnet release on the Passat.  I thought the front suspension was overly complex until I saw the bonnet catch, it has about 25 moving parts.  Managed to get the bonnet open, cleaned and oiled it and it's working fine now.  Clearly, there is no German translation for 'Keep It Simple Stupid'.

[Split_Pin]

2 hours ago, paulplom said:

Brilliant result. Couldn't have went any better. I always thought If I gave her enough rope....

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk
 

Great result chap, really pleased for you. Hope you gave your kids a big hug!

[High Jetter]

3 hours ago, paulplom said:

Brilliant result. Couldn't have went any better. I always thought If I gave her enough rope....

Pleased for you, sounds like good news both for you and the kids. 

[Eyersey1234]

Glad it went well @paulplom

[stuboy]

Loving this getting up and going work at 5am.. must get round to getting all the heated screen working

[wuvvum]

The Ford heated windscreen does come in bloody handy at this time of year. 

Having said that, my old heap of an Elantra isn't too bad at getting going on cold mornings - the blower is reasonably effective and the heater warms up surprisingly quickly for a diesel.  The main problem is that when it's been sub-zero all night, the unheated leather* seat is bloody cold on my arse when I first get in.  So I've forked out a fiver for a single fabric seat cover off eBay which will hopefully take the edge off the chill...

The 75 has a similar problem but at least that has heated seats - if I flick the seat heater on as soon as I start the engine, then by the time I've finished scraping the frost off the windows it's already warming up nicely.  Where the 75 falls down is the half wood steering wheel - that needs gloves when it's cold.

A mate of mine has recently bought a second hand Corsa D (not fully by choice - he is a driving instructor so it's a work tool.  His other cars are a Sandglow MGB GT and a 1969 Mini Cooper S, and his Mrs. drives a Rover 25), and apparently it has both heated seats and a heated steering wheel.  Maybe there is something to this modern car malarkey after all.