The new news 24 thread

[dollywobbler]

Did four straight hours of 2CV driving this afternoon. Driven like that, even the 2CV leaves me aching, though the earplugs worked wonders! Not an entirely pleasant journey, thanks to idiots on the motorway who don't like being overtaken by a 2CV, and endless convoys of trucks once the dual carriageway ran out. On the plus side, I imagine it gave the fuel economy a boost, driving at 40mph for the best part of an hour.

 

The 2CV is hopeless as a distance vehicle really, but puts up with being driven flat out for hours quite well really.

[dollywobbler]

Shit. I forgot the other news. Rang a former Daihatsu, former MG Rover dealership in Swansea (clear winnahs) as the Sirion REALLY needs a new fuel filler neck. Turns out there's still a recall out on them! So, I'm going to drive it down to Swansea at some point, and they're going to fit a new one. I'll sling 'em a few quid to drop the tank and check the filter at the same time. Still slightly worried that once they start pulling bits apart, the entire car will collapse, but we'll see what happens...

[vulgalour]

For some reason that's reminded me of a massively dickish move that happened on the motorway when I was out on my jaunt yesterday.  Coach drivers are normally perfectly fine, I don't recall having any issue with them or lorries while out and about in any car.  I was rejoining the M1 from a services and there was a coach bearing down.  Foot to the carpet, the Princess isn't really a speed machine but there was loads of space for me to safely join until the coach started speeding up, drew level with me on the slip and forced me to exceed 70mph on the slip to get in front of him as I couldn't safely slot behind.

 

I don't join motorways with Audi abandon or with all the horbgorble** of a Honda Jazz, I indicate well in advance and accelerate as much as the car I'm in will allow.  I don't know what the point of the exercise was on the part of the coach driver as the other lanes were clear of traffic.  Perhaps he just wanted to be in front of me, which he was once I'd joined the motorway and dropped my speed a bit.

 

I hate driving on motorways anyway, especially at entry-exit slipways where you get people desperate to get in front of you for no reason or zooming off at the last minute and cutting you up.  Motorways are both stressful and boring and I wish I could avoid them but needs must to get anywhere usually.

 

 

**it's a real word, a fabulous one.

[dollywobbler]

I did get some modern Mercedes thing try and barge into me at a slip road. Loads of room behind me and in front, and there's no obligation for me to move over. He's the one crossing the give way markings! I will generally move over if I can, but I don't have to, and this time, I didn't.

 

In other news, a woman I was chatting to in our local pub last October picked up a Bafta last night!

[ruffgeezer]

In other news, a woman I was chatting to in our local pub last October picked up a Bafta last night!

 

Was it for "Best Actress in pretending to be interested in a beardy man's 2CV"? 

[stuboy]

woke up to this magnectic sign on my car...

 

 

 

found was a friend being a fool

[Sloth in a bowl]

The new C5 failed to proceed earlier, giving only a click from the starter when and attempt was made. I was in the Vet's car park after collecting Holliedog, so this wasn't the ideal time for such failings.

 

Luckily my years of training sprang into action, from the old tow rope in the boot I removed a large shackle, from the interior I found a large torch.

Much to the bemusement of the watching BMW owner, I bashed the starter with the shackle until after a few attempts, the car started.

 

Looks like I'll have to rebuild the starter soon then. Great.

 

The fact that you carry a tow rope with you, tells me all I need to know about C5 ownership.

[ruffgeezer]

I've carried the rope around since the Delica, the one time I've needed it, I didn't have it, I carry a tow rope and a set of BFO jump leads, just incase.

[twosmoke300]

Well having been there before , I have now been in Mr livered's home village twice in a month . Once for the sw meet and last Sunday on my dirt bike . Didn't see you though . I'm sure you heard us lot .

[beko1987]

I am getting strong feelings for selling the XM whilst I don't need a car to get to work, and buying some form of possibly saab 9-3 convertible type thing...

 

WCPGW?

[scruff]

Self-employment means I can juggle quite a few different things and there's a glimmer of a chance I could require something uber cheap to run in order to rack up some boring A47 miles. 205 diesel time?? Though a small van would be better suited. Hmm

[saucedoctor]

Series 1 of The Bill. Should be good for some chod-spotting.

 

 

(click the "Watch on YouTube" button to get the list of other episodes on the right of your screen)

[vulgalour]

205 diesel time?? Though a small van would be better suited. Hmm

 

 

 

 

WCPGW?

[scruff]

I have already been hitting Leboncoin...! 

[trigger]

My first works van was a D plate 205 XRD, It was brilliant, comfortable, quick for a non turbo and ran on fresh air. Would Recommend 5*

[Mike D]

Being as I am a spaz and cant seem to stop buying cars, even when thinning the fleet, have an almost ebay quality picture of the latest addition:

 

 

 

[andy18s]

Apple RepairsCHEAP CARS for Sale in the north west

3 February

https://www.facebook.com/alun.hughes.5268

 

150 no tax or test

 

 

popped up on facebook

[Sloth in a bowl]

 

 

 

 

Apple RepairsCHEAP CARS for Sale in the north west

3 February

https://www.facebook.com/alun.hughes.5268

 

150 no tax or test

 

 

popped up on facebook

You could probably flog the numberplate to a Porsche owner for more than that.

[Shep Shepherd]

Finally got around to fitting TV2's new 'wood' dashboard kit yesterday, a job which I thought would be straightforward, but was anything but, due to the car's original radio/heater control surround being held in with lots of almost inaccessible Torx screws, leading me to dismantle most of the dashboard in order to try and access them, losing several of the screws and just as many screwdriver bits behind the dashboard in the process; I think my howls of pain/despair/anguish/frustration must have been audible across the Thames in Kent

 

In the end, I resorted to destructive force to remove it and used about two thirds of said screws to jury rig the replacement in place. Anyway, I managed to get the dashboard back together, around four hours after I started the job:

 

 

I think the strife was just about worth it, as I think the 'wood' looks a lot better than grey plastic, and during the proceedings I managed to get the rear cigar lighter/12v socket working again (its wiring had become unplugged where it connects to the centre console loom...), but there is no way that I would consider doing the job again or recommend that anyone else attempts it; I think it would be far easier to buy a car fitted with the 'wood' from the factory than to retro fit it to a car without it. Still, I live and learn (and ache all over and have numerous cuts and scratches on my hands)

 

Next job: replacing the PCV bits and pieces, which promises to be an even more horrific job.

[Lord Sterling]

^^^^ I saw one of those boxy Volvo stereos in a scrappy I went to in Sussex somewhere a few weeks back. I was tempted to get it, I reckon It would have made a great little house stereo or a spare for FATHA_Sterling's V40 (which I know has the newer one)

[Shep Shepherd]

^

 

Apart from Ford's "Mondeo Gold" system, the Volvo SC-805 radio/cassette/CD head unit (aka the OMG VOLVO SOUND BOX) is the best OEM car stereo I have ever experienced

[cort16]

XJR's sold. I got what I was happy with but will be sad to see it go. It's been good fun though.

Deposit paid and getting picked up in a couple of weeks.

[dollywobbler]

Eagerly awaiting vehicle swap day. Naturally, because we're rubbish, we're both fixing our cars before the swap takes place, but hopefully it'll occur in the next week or two. The XM plan isn't doing very well, but the BX takes the pressure off that little adventure. I will own an XM this year, but I keep reminding myself it doesn't have to be now. In fact, there's no hope of the 2CV getting another MOT next month if I blow what little money I have on yet another car! Sensible, must be sensible. Feels odd, but sensible is sense.

[cobblers]

Carelessly bought a Mk2 golf GTD engine to plop in my mk3 Golf.

It's about due a gearbox and clutch, so when I do that I might as well change the 1.9d to a 1.6TD and pissball around with various screws and springs and stuff, apparently they will do 130bhp without any issues. In all honesty I've been driving it for so long that 62bhp in 1100kg doesn't actually feel that slow anymore but I'm an absolute sucker for turbo whistle and unsilenced old diesels that overfuel a bit.

[wuvvum]

The Stanza headlight arrived today while I was at work, and was dumped on my front doorstep by the courier.  It had been well packed with plenty of polystyrene squiggles, so it had survived intact.  Weather permitting I'll fit it on Saturday - then all I need to do is get the fucking thing to run right and I can start using it properly.

[Angrydicky]

Replaced the O/S/F wheel bearing on the Somerset today, the old one had developed a nasty rumble and turned out to be completely knackered, and actually fell apart on removal. Looking through the MoT history it had regular advisories for 'slight play in O/S/F wheel bearing' since 2006. It's done 4000 miles since the last test in 2011, 800 of those in my ownership. I'm pleased to say the new bearing has transformed it.

 

Tomorrow I'm heading up to the Essex County Council archives in Chelmsford to view the original registration record for the Somerset, and once I'm back I'll either make a start stripping down the cylinder head on the Maestro, or weld up the rust hole in the roof, I haven't decided which yet.

[EssDeeWon]

Im going to drive a Nissan Figaro for the first time tonight, the GF wants a lift from the station when she gets back later from London and my BM is tucked away for a few days having the door lock and entry system sorted so she left the keys to the fig. It certainly feels better put together than the Micra she had and she recks it uses quite abit more fuel? the road test beckons if I don't fall asleep before she gets back lol!

[EssDeeWon]

Series 1 of The Bill. Should be good for some chod-spotting.

 

 

(click the "Watch on YouTube" button to get the list of other episodes on the right of your screen)

 

The thing that would piss most kids off in the 80s would be missing Fun House on a Friday tea time, or the Commodore computer packing up, but for me it was when they replaced the series 1 SD1 at the start of the Bill with the MK2 Sierra 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6wyuumoTag

[stuboy]

woke up to this magnectic sign on my car...

 

 

 

found was a friend being a fool

got mate back for his shenanigans as he now weak minded bmw driver..

[alf892]

hah!......he looks like the Churchill dog!