The new news 24 thread

[Bren]

20 hours ago, Cavcraft said:

Been out just now for another look. Honestly took all day as it sickened me to think what happened.

 

 

Looks like possibly door mirror wiring or a speaker perhaps? It's fucked whatever happens.

The person I bought this from didn't seem remotely arsed about doing anything about it yesterday. Given the field he's in you think he might be. Perhaps he's having a think about it, we'll see.

Options are scrap it and lose over half its cost, or take it to a garage for an independent assessment then consider the next course of action. It could maybe be repaired but will surely be too expensive and it's spooked me so I just want it gone.  I know nuns/kittens/someone think of the kids, but my missus and daughter are frequent passengers in the car and it's unpleasant to think what might have happened.

The only positive I can think of Billy is that no one was in the car. 

I would price what you need to repair - if it's silly then offer it for spares.

I am wary of dodgy electrics - we had a mk 2 cav with a fusebox that looked like icing on a cake - it must have got very hot.

It's why flood damaged cars are a no no - its not the biological aspect but water in the wiring can lead to corrosion and resistance.

[dollywobbler]

12 hours ago, wuvvum said:

Well the weather today was a bit more conducive to fettling so I got a few bits done.  FIrst order of business was to see whether the Delphi would talk to the BCM on the Rover.  As expected, the answer was no - it seems you need the proper T4 diagnostic software to communicate fully with a 75, and that is ££££.  I pulled the fuse on the central locking, which has stopped it from locking itself but hasn't cured the problem - the car's brain still thinks it's locked so keeps setting the hazards off.  I pulled the alarm fuse too but that doesn't seem to have made a difference - maybe it only covers the alarm sounder (which I'd disconnected anyway).  So not sure what to do about that - I'm a bit stumped TBH.

 

Which engine? My garage had some success communicating with my 75 by telling the computer it was talking to a BMW 3-Series E46 (I think). That was to investigate the ABS issue. Which seems to have come back again. (joy).

[SiC]

21 hours ago, Cavcraft said:

  I know nuns/kittens/someone think of the kids, but my missus and daughter are frequent passengers in the car and it's unpleasant to think what might have happened.

I would put money on someone smelling that happening and pulling over way before it got to that stage. Also even though it looks bad, it's impressive it's self extinguished given it burnt itself unattended. 

[wuvvum]

10 minutes ago, dollywobbler said:

Which engine? My garage had some success communicating with my 75 by telling the computer it was talking to a BMW 3-Series E46 (I think). That was to investigate the ABS issue. Which seems to have come back again. (joy).

Same engine as yours, BMW M47.  The Delphi software will talk to the engine fine, and to certain other components such as the gearbox, ABS, airbags and immobiliser, but it won't talk to the "body" functions.  I might try pretending it's an E46 and see if that gets me anywhere - a lot of the gubbins will be the same I'd imagine.

[SiC]

Also

18 hours ago, spike60 said:

Options are scrap it and lose over half its cost, or take it to a garage for an independent assessment then consider the next course of action. It could maybe be repaired but will surely be too expensive and it's spooked me so I just want it gone. 

That's scrap too I'm afraid. Even as a brand new car it would be written off. That's going to need as a minimum a complete new door (with modules), A pillar trim, windscreen, dash top, new passenger seat, headlining, airbags and associated wiring. The structural strength of the metal around the burnt areas will be in question too, depending how hot the fire got. Plus paint I imagine too on the outside.

Also I imagine it absolutely stinks in there of burnt plastic. Something that won't truly go away unless all the soft furnishings, sound insulation, etc are replaced. 

[Soundwave]

Having found somewhere to stash the MX5 that doesn't involve a non-essential journey risk, it's now been SORNed along with the Rover. No point paying tax for things I'm not using, if I need to go anywhere I can just use the modern for now.

[Cavcraft]

57 minutes ago, SiC said:

I would put money on someone smelling that happening and pulling over way before it got to that stage. Also even though it looks bad, it's impressive it's self extinguished given it burnt itself unattended. 

 

I'm sure you're right, it's just the worry of it all. It did try and start yesterday but I don't really want to drive it.

[wuvvum]

1 hour ago, SiC said:

I would put money on someone smelling that happening and pulling over way before it got to that stage. Also even though it looks bad, it's impressive it's self extinguished given it burnt itself unattended. 

'Cos double glazing innit.  Completely airtight, fire was starved of oxygen.

[Split_Pin]

23 hours ago, Cavcraft said:

Been out just now for another look. Honestly took all day as it sickened me to think what happened.

 

 

Looks like possibly door mirror wiring or a speaker perhaps? It's fucked whatever happens.

The person I bought this from didn't seem remotely arsed about doing anything about it yesterday. Given the field he's in you think he might be. Perhaps he's having a think about it, we'll see.

Options are scrap it and lose over half its cost, or take it to a garage for an independent assessment then consider the next course of action. It could maybe be repaired but will surely be too expensive and it's spooked me so I just want it gone.  I know nuns/kittens/someone think of the kids, but my missus and daughter are frequent passengers in the car and it's unpleasant to think what might have happened.

Fuck a duck man.

Stuff driving that again. Not for me to tell anyone else what to do but I'd get that to fuck tout suite. 

[davehedgehog31]

I hadn't bought a car for a while, I have absolutely no need. Idly browsing eBay I noticed a MK2 Focus 1.8 TDCi "Style" not far away. A rash bid later and I only won it...

A short trip through, it looked fine so I unenthusiastically bought it. 

Put it straight in for a test and it didn't embarrass itself too badly. Required three springs and a tyre. I'd planned to do any work myself, but I was reluctant to mess about with widow maker spring compressors.

Bought four springs from eBay and it went down to the tame mechanic of Ayrshire, who may make himself apparent on here. Very professional, rapid turnaround and a job well done 112/10. 

So it now has a full years test. It's the 115bhp 1.8 diesel. A very capable AN CAR. It's an odd spec, it has dual zone climate,  heated windscreen etc but then wheel trims. The fly in the ointment being a rattly flywheel. It's been mentioned in documentation going back to 2016ish at least, I don't think it's imminent cause for concern and drives nicely otherwise. Ace on fuel and tax is £115 p/a. 

Means a fleet of four again, which always stresses me. Have the Lexus, 405, 107 and now Focus. Lexus aint going anywhere and while I have zero mojo for the 405 at the minute I think I'd regret getting rid. Means either the Focus or 107 should really go. 

Both have their pros and cons really. The 107 probably just trumps it in running costs, but the focus is obviously far more spacious and better on longer trips. I do think the 107 and Lexus compliment each other very well, being so different, so probably coming down on the side of the 107. 

Anyway, I'll give the Focus some time to audition before any decision is reached. 

[wuvvum]

Ford TDCis can keep going with rattly DMFs for ages.

[Cavcraft]

Do they have that daft 'wet belt' or whatever it's called though that nobody replaces and it takes the engine out?

[davehedgehog31]

1 minute ago, Cavcraft said:

Do they have that daft 'wet belt' or whatever it's called though that nobody replaces and it takes the engine out?

I'm trying not to think about that. 

[adw1977]

1 hour ago, davehedgehog31 said:

It's an odd spec, it has dual zone climate,  heated windscreen etc but then wheel trims.

Style was the second lowest trim level IIRC.  Dual zone climate control must have been an optional extra, I had a top spec Titanium that didn't have it.

Sounds like a pretty winning equipment combination actually, the heated windscreen is useful and alloy wheels are just a liability.

[artdjones]

4 hours ago, davehedgehog31 said:

I hadn't bought a car for a while, I have absolutely no need. Idly browsing eBay I noticed a MK2 Focus 1.8 TDCi "Style" not far away. A rash bid later and I only won it...

A short trip through, it looked fine so I unenthusiastically bought it. 

Put it straight in for a test and it didn't embarrass itself too badly. Required three springs and a tyre. I'd planned to do any work myself, but I was reluctant to mess about with widow maker spring compressors.

Bought four springs from eBay and it went down to the tame mechanic of Ayrshire, who may make himself apparent on here. Very professional, rapid turnaround and a job well done 112/10. 

So it now has a full years test. It's the 115bhp 1.8 diesel. A very capable AN CAR. It's an odd spec, it has dual zone climate,  heated windscreen etc but then wheel trims. The fly in the ointment being a rattly flywheel. It's been mentioned in documentation going back to 2016ish at least, I don't think it's imminent cause for concern and drives nicely otherwise. Ace on fuel and tax is £115 p/a. 

Means a fleet of four again, which always stresses me. Have the Lexus, 405, 107 and now Focus. Lexus aint going anywhere and while I have zero mojo for the 405 at the minute I think I'd regret getting rid. Means either the Focus or 107 should really go. 

Both have their pros and cons really. The 107 probably just trumps it in running costs, but the focus is obviously far more spacious and better on longer trips. I do think the 107 and Lexus compliment each other very well, being so different, so probably coming down on the side of the 107. 

Anyway, I'll give the Focus some time to audition before any decision is reached. 

Those wheel trims look a lot like alloys, so you get the look without the disadvantages.

[Split_Pin]

I'd imagine the market for both the Focus and 107 would be pretty decent. 

405s no eating a piece where it is, definitely don't sell that. It's a bloody lovely motor and you'd never find another as nice.

[tommotech]

The silver C2 with rotten sills is definitely going over the bridge. It looks like I’ve lined up a replacement, needs MOT work but not major welding. 
 

[SiC]

20 hours ago, wuvvum said:

'Cos double glazing innit.  Completely airtight, fire was starved of oxygen.

Plenty of oxygen available in that car, also cars aren't airtight. They have ventilation flaps in the rear usually as a minimum plus leak through gaps around the car. Especially ones melted from the fire. 

[beko1987]

Poor xsara had a little cough at 75 just wafting along this morning, several times... 

Hard acceleration from already motorway speeds didn't really do anything, but on the way home when I was off the motorway I wrung its neck most of the way home and it feels much better! 

Not really a grin or grump as by the time I next drive it it'll be doing it again I expect, I'm glad its not breaking more with its long periods of inactivity or rare sub 2 mile trip. 

Topped the tyres up too, they were all different the fronts haven't been touched since being fitted on March 2020, probably barely got 1000 miles on them 

[Cavcraft]

Doesn't look like the seller of the S320 wants to know. 

Strange really, especially given he is actually a self employed Mercedes (service and repair) expert*.

 

[Yoss]

On 1/16/2021 at 8:02 PM, Tim_E said:

I was hoping for larger circles from the rear wheels than the front...

I was hoping for a full sideways arrival a lá Bodie and Doyle. 

[Yoss]

MOT time for Felicia today. Nothing to report of course, it's a Felicia, it just goes straight through. 

It's 23 years old now and still does this every year. 

These were parked outside. Not shite or even interesting but there is something satisfying about identical vehicles with consecutive registrations. 

Or is that just me?

[goosey]

This morning I did a fluid change on my gl320 Transmission fluid + filter,  transfer case, front and rear diffs.

old oil came out immaculately clean and probably didn’t need changing, oh well it’s done now etc......

[vulgalour]

Got my first "I've not seen one of those in ages" today at the shops.  I would have chatted more, the guy seemed genuinely delighted to see a Maestro and eager to talk about his Montego he had years ago, but I wasn't really in a position to chat.  It's also been weird seeing the Maestro referred to as a 'classic car' by younger people, who aren't even bothered that it's not the performance model.  I'm told Maestros were very popular in the south as a 'car Mum did the shopping in' which probably explains why it turns the heads of women of a certain age wearing puffer gilets, while up north my experience of them was as a lower-middle class family car when new, or the sort of thing the local farmer owned until it literally fell apart around them.

[Cord Fourteener]

3 hours ago, vulgalour said:

Got my first "I've not seen one of those in ages" today at the shops.  I would have chatted more, the guy seemed genuinely delighted to see a Maestro and eager to talk about his Montego he had years ago, but I wasn't really in a position to chat.  It's also been weird seeing the Maestro referred to as a 'classic car' by younger people, who aren't even bothered that it's not the performance model.  I'm told Maestros were very popular in the south as a 'car Mum did the shopping in' which probably explains why it turns the heads of women of a certain age wearing puffer gilets, while up north my experience of them was as a lower-middle class family car when new, or the sort of thing the local farmer owned until it literally fell apart around them.

I remember some car media pundit scoffing that not just any car is a future classic, and making some BL /Austin Rover joke. 

It turns out that Allegro, Marina, Metro, Maestro/Montego are all capable of attracting nostalgia, indeed I remember our neighbour owning a Montego for what seemed to me as ages. Northern lower middle class family car, that!

It's nostalgia that drives demand which drives up prices...

 

[davehedgehog31]

Driver's seat in the Fuckus is a bit shagged. Almost feels like the bolster has jumped off the frame. 

@cms206 identified a matching Focus in a yard in Paisley so went over for a gander. Unfortunately the seat was similarly humped, must be a TADTS. 

They did have a Zetec with a full interior present and offered it for a half decent price, I decided I just couldn't be arsed and that it probably wasn't worth the hassle/expenditure.

I did at least manage a small improvement;

And I finally had a look at it in the daylight;

[richardmorris]

Mercedes is having its mot on Friday ( well it’s booked). 4700 in the last twelve months. When I first had my 2cv back in 1993 it was doing 24000 a year! 100miles a day commuting - it was having four services a year!

[Cord Fourteener]

16 minutes ago, davehedgehog31 said:

Driver's seat in the Fuckus is a bit shagged. Almost feels like the bolster has jumped off the frame. 

@cms206 identified a matching Focus in a yard in Paisley so went over for a gander. Unfortunately the seat was similarly humped, must be a TADTS. 

They did have a Zetec with a full interior present and offered it for a half decent price, I decided I just couldn't be arsed and that it probably wasn't worth the hassle/expenditure.

I did at least manage a small improvement;

And I finally had a look at it in the daylight;

My 56reg Mondeo had a shafted driver's seat, and it was horrible, totally broken in every way.

I've replaced it, it's so much better. I think you're probably right with the TADTS sentiment.

[richardmorris]

17 minutes ago, richardmorris said:

Mercedes is having its mot on Friday ( well it’s booked). 4700 in the last twelve months. When I first had my 2cv back in 1993 it was doing 24000 a year! 100miles a day commuting - it was having four services a year!

The very same week I decided it was too much travelling, and leased a room in an apartment in Llandudno with four women I was made redundant. Ho hum.

[Cord Fourteener]

When I heard a certain Aussie motor journalist talk about 'Stellantis' being the new name for Fiat Chrysler PSA group I thought it was one of his elaborate pisstakes.

It turns out it's not.