The new news 24 thread

[ruffgeezer]

Problem with these goons is they don't know what they have - I've rung up to check for a car before only to arrive and find it isn't there.  Sadly the turn over is steady so finding one or two easily resellable items gets difficult.  I used to take and resell all of the Vectra/Signum rear cup holders as the T4/T5 folks love them.

[stuboy]

On 10/10/2023 at 6:02 PM, Rust Collector said:

We’ve just got back from the 20 week scan, and we’ve found out that we are expecting a girl who looks to be healthy and normal.

I had tried not to get my hopes up, but seeing as we have a son already I really wanted to have a daughter as our second child. I’m over the moon at the news 😁

good news dude, i got 2 sons, wanted a daughter but we have strong male genes in my family, ill just make do with the 2 stepdaughters

[Split_Pin]

Upullit have a catalogued price for everything regardless of make or model and it's on their website. So if you need a front bumper for a Zafira or a Merc, it will be £25 or whatever, and that's what you pay. It's a huge place, a bit like a breaker supermarket and they do have a corner for unusual cars so I presume there's a certain economy of scale. That Saab Aero splitter would go for over £100 on ebay but because its classified as a 'lower bumper splitter' the standard price was £15. Pretty good if you are looking for stuff that's silly money on ebay.

The items I had today werent on their catalogue so the office manager just leaned out and looked at what I had and pulled £15 out of the air, she's pretty fair with that!

[Ghosty]

I had a Volvo SC-805 head unit (Premium Sound System in 850s, standard in V70s) out of UPI for £15. They're Alpine units worth £50+ to Volvo people.

[High Jetter]

9 hours ago, greengartside said:

. It cost £600 plus £210 fees, so £810 in total for a running, MOT’d car. Not too bad.

'Kin ell, over a third in fees on top? Auctions know how to make £££

[greengartside]

11 minutes ago, High Jetter said:

'Kin ell, over a third in fees on top? Auctions know how to make £££

Yep, it’s a bloody disgrace in that respect. My dad used to buy cars out of the auction in the early ‘90’s and it wasn’t anywhere near that much. They did have the fees displayed on the notice board so it wasn’t too much of a shock when I went to pay.

[High Jetter]

Shoreham was 15%  IIRC in the 80's

[Bren]

A work colleague has a bulb go on his 2014 passat. Car went back to dealers because that's where most of the work has been done.

They did a diagnostic and replaced a xenon bulb. He was advised to get other side done as well but said no.

The cost for doing both sides ? £742.

[stuboy]

Young lady at work has a fiesta... millions made but can't say I seen these wheels many times before... anyone else?

[RetroShite]

I've run out of space for any more cars but bikes are ok!

Picked up these earlier.

[Slappy]

Went on a rugby trip to France, the first time I've popped over the water in over 20 years somehow.  Taking in a bit of Lille, then down to Valence, Avignon and Lyon, it was interesting to see how my preconceived notion that there would be a generally older car age would play out. In summary original Twingos are still everywhere, Teslas are only used as taxis (and not that many EVs generally), I only saw 3 205s in the 2.5 weeks I was there and I was gutted to miss out nabbing a Citroën C35. 

Anyway, enjoy a few spots from things caught while out and about...

[Split_Pin]

Some work on the 75 today.

Good:

I got an intact scuttle panel for £7 at Upullit at the weekend, an absolute rarity. I have literally never seen one.

Mine and all others seem to break here:

All fitted now including the grommets (I didn't lose any).

Bad:

I jacked the car up and investigated the knocking from the front suspension. I hoped it wasn't the ball joint as they are not replaceable and a whole new arm is required, which cost ££££s. Unfortunately that's exactly what it turned out to be. At least the other side is fine but the arms are £75 each. This thankfully includes the back bush which you might as well replace at the same time. The arm is attached to the subframe at the front by another ball joint which are notorious for being an absolute twat to get out. So I'll need to factor in garage costs too.

[egg]

6 hours ago, Slappy said:

Taking in a bit of Lille

A Friterie in Lille has just been declared 'champion of the world' for their chips,  I'd like to try them.

https://www.instagram.com/friteriemestre/?hl=en-gb

They do look good

https://www.instagram.com/p/CyVVQ73M7-h/?hl=en-gb

[Slappy]

Oh balls, walked past theirs on my first night and all.

I can confirm that the local frites are generally at a very high standard as it is (lots of scraps too)

[Dan_ZTT]

My GP is a shiter at heart, which is nice to know 

 

[RoverFolkUs]

7 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

The arm is attached to the subframe at the front by another ball joint which are notorious for being an absolute twat to get out. So I'll need to factor in garage costs too.

Dont do what this guy does 😅

 

[Split_Pin]

7 minutes ago, RoverFolkUs said:

Dont do what this guy does 😅

 

Fuck no. 

That's Julian Anderson by the way whom you may be familiar with if you ever look at Rover 75 Facebook groups....

 

[somewhatfoolish]

On 11/10/2023 at 17:43, HillmanImp said:

"Hi, I'm looking for a new dress to wear on the telly" 

"Sure, what kind of thing are you looking for?" 

"Hmm, something that looks like the trim out of a 1990s mid range family car please" 

"I got you fam" 

They were sufficiently posh that Armstrong seemed working class, perhaps they were looking for University Challenge and got lost?

[Metal Guru]

14 hours ago, Slappy said:

Went on a rugby trip to France, the first time I've popped over the water in over 20 years somehow.  Taking in a bit of Lille, then down to Valence, Avignon and Lyon, it was interesting to see how my preconceived notion that there would be a generally older car age would play out. In summary original Twingos are still everywhere, Teslas are only used as taxis (and not that many EVs generally), I only saw 3 205s in the 2.5 weeks I was there and I was gutted to miss out nabbing a Citroën C35. 

Anyway, enjoy a few spots from things caught while out and about...

Those Clios remind of the ad on TV for the current hybrid model. They show past Clios including the Williams and the V6. Yeh, progress*.

[Bear]

Paid a deposit on WBOD. It's being delivered on Wednesday. Have broken many of my own rules on this one. #pray4rtk

[GeordieInExile]

Practical family motoring. 

... They were just too wide to go through the ski hatch. 

Oh yeah, and the C6's parking sensors continue to take the piss out of me. One of the front ones was being French... it's behaving for now but one of the front corner ones has decided it fancies playing up instead. 

The brake related warnings came on again the other evening as well, when it was cold - I wonder if it's temperature related as it hasn't happened again otherwise.

[MJK 24]

On 03/10/2023 at 12:52, grogee said:

 

It's funny how contrived this 'sound optimisation' is getting, and yet those engines with the 'best' sounds are generally 60s/70s carb-fed units where the sound they made was a happy accident. The best one I heard recently was a Triumph GT6. 

I was driving down the A14 a couple of months ago.  Heading away from Huntingdon towards the M6.  

Around Kettering, there was a Triumph TR6 in a lay-by.  I’m guessing the same engine as a GT6 but not sure?  Anyway, a bigger pile of shite it’s hard to imagine.  Looked like it was on it last legs.  Young lad and presumably his girlfriend stood beside it with the bonnet open.

I later stopped in a lay-by nearer to the M6 for a break. Triumph was most definitely running on six as he dropped a gear for the big hill as it came past.

WHAT.  A.  NOISE.

Forget your BMW E46 M3’s etc.  This thing sounded incredible!!!!!

[artdjones]

33 minutes ago, MJK 24 said:

I was driving down the A14 a couple of months ago.  Heading away from Huntingdon towards the M6.  

Around Kettering, there was a Triumph TR6 in a lay-by.  I’m guessing the same engine as a GT6 but not sure?  Anyway, a bigger pile of shite it’s hard to imagine.  Looked like it was on it last legs.  Young lad and presumably his girlfriend stood beside it with the bonnet open.

I later stopped in a lay-by nearer to the M6 for a break. Triumph was most definitely running on six as he dropped a gear for the big hill as it came past.

WHAT.  A.  NOISE.

Forget your BMW E46 M3’s etc.  This thing sounded incredible!!!!!

The GT6 is the 2litre version, the TR6 has a 2.5. So fairly brisk by 1970 standards.

[EyesWeldedShut]

28 minutes ago, MJK 24 said:

Forget your BMW E46 M3’s etc.  This thing sounded incredible!!!!!

TR6 had the Triumph straight six in it at 2500cc with twin carbs or injection.
Same engine was in my Vitesse at 2000cc with twin carbs - the exhaust was virtually a straight pipe and the wee thing burbled away nicely like you say - drank fuel like a Glaswegian Jakie on Buckie
Like @artdjones says - the GT6 also ran the 2000cc version too (early Vitesse had a 1600cc version of the straight six). I think you got about 90 HP out of the 2000 but the TR6 got about 130 BHP

[grogee]

5 hours ago, RichardK said:

Have broken many of my own rules on this one

I am reciting the shiter's prayer for you. But doesn't it make you feel ALIVE!!! 

[Lankytim]

I finally got around to checking the front springs on the Laguna to see if they were behind the issue with pulling on acceleration/deceleration. I bought this Laguna from Wuvvum and during his ownership he replaced the entire drivers side strut with a used example from a breakers as the top mount failed. I found that the passenger side spring had a blue and white paint dots and the drivers side had white and blue. Different spring rates then? The Laguna came with the old strut in the boot which had ended up in the garage. I had an idea of swapping the top mounts around and refitting the original strut so I had a matching pair but on dismantling it I discovered that the top mounting nut had worked loose and had worn the top of the shock absorber away rendering the strut scrap. No problem, just swap the springs around. 
 

I dug my  dangerous old spring compressors out and got to work. I eat danger for breakfast and negligence for tea and soon both springs were removed, however the  £10 eBay specials bought in approx 2005 completely died a death when I tried to refit the spring, seizing up and stripping the thread. Fecking hell! Fortunately Mrs LT was out and about was able to get me a pair of Laser spring compressors from Euro Car Parts. These worked a treat and the spring was soon refitted and the strut then reinstalled to the Laguna.

On an initial test drive the problem seems to have gone but I’ll need to go on a longer test drive to confirm. It certainly feels much nicer to drive and much less like a shopping trolley. Pretty pleased overall! 

[richardmorris]

Neighbour’s place is finished and just on the market to rent. It’s an old outdoor photo, but you can see my beans and tomatoes through one window.
https://www.windsorgreatpark.co.uk/lettings/house-to-rent-in-bagshot/

four on the Windsor estate at the moment- most interesting is probably the pink gatehouse to Windsor great park.

[HMC]

Took the latest jalopy out for a drive on damp and undulating moorland roads…

Love it! Although new front dampers and better rear tyres are required (or maybe a lighter right foot/ better weather)

[richardmorris]

1 minute ago, HMC said:

Took the latest jalopy out for a drive on damp and undulating moorland roads…

Love it! Although new front dampers and better rear tyres are required (or maybe a lighter right foot/ better weather)

Impressive double rainbow ( unless cheating with a lens?)

[HMC]

3 minutes ago, richardmorris said:

Impressive double rainbow ( unless cheating with a lens?)

no just grabbed a hurried pic just then (i didnt notice the other rainbow)

Its in the other pic too….