The new news 24 thread

[Lord Sterling]

Vectra was looking a bit forlorn. Flat tyre (not seen as hidden by wall) and that dust and rain mix we had last week.

Having been left for 2 weeks without starting, it obviously didn't have enough juice in the battery to start, so out with the Noco:

This was the first time I used it properly and it worked like a charm. The Vectra sprang itself back to life.

Now, despite the fact I've just got back from a 10 hour shift at work, I don't feel tired in the least, I'm off to Brussels tomorrow morning so it helps that I can stay awake long enough. 

I took the Jag for a wash as I'll be using that on the trip, then I took the Vectra to the better car wash nearer mine, it came out looking amazing:

The maddest thing is, it drove so well, it sounded great. 

I took it for a bit of a blast around Kidderminster doing a couple of spots on the way. Including another forlorn Vectra that's been sitting on a driveway for a couple of years now.

I miss this car and need to get it sorted. 

[Bren]

Me and my better half saw Jason Donovan last night at the Parr Hall in Warrington.

He was very good. There was footage of him from his heyday and he gave anecdotes about family and everyone getting older.

Lots of middle age women in leather trousers. Nobody was snorting anything - they were eating crisps instead.

 

[MrGTI6]

Found myself in need of a cheap stopgap car, so this evening I went to view a 56-plate Nissan Note.

So, why a Note? Because it was a 20-minute walk from my house.

Seemed like an honest little car so I bought it! Apologies for the lack of photos, but it was dark.

[Split_Pin]

Had a look under the 75 today, specifically at the headlight level sensors for the Xenons. There are 2, front and rear axle. 

Good news, the one at the back is intact with just broken plastic arms which are £15 per bone. Even gooder news was that a complete 2nd hand arm with sensor and bracket was available for £21 free post.

The front arm and sensor is completely fucked and the tester didn't like the fact it was cable tied on. So the used arm with bracket can go there and the brand new one can go on the back and I'll keep the existing sensor as a spare.

That also means South Devon MGRover spares can go take a fuck to themselves, not before I leave them a big steaming NEG for being cheeky misleading bastards.

[Mr Livered]

27 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

That also means South Devon MGRover spares can go take a fuck to themselves, not before I leave them a big steaming NEG for being cheeky misleading bastards.

Interested in feedback on these chaps, plus any information you might have about any of the competition. 

[Split_Pin]

Just now, Mr Livered said:

Interested in feedback on these chaps, plus any information you might have about any of the competition. 

DMGRS is the place to get spares but they are out of stock of the level sensors at present. Tom Force is the other person to go to for bits (and to look after your 75 if you're in Lincolnshire). Dennis Jones is another trusted breaker, he's in Walsall, as is Steve Cleeton. Al Rogers sold all his stock I think but he's another good guy for bits.

[RoverFolkUs]

Somebody has reversed into my Rover 45 today

Thankfully it was witnessed and they've left their details

Damage appears to be isolated to the rear bumper, not the end of the world and I'm glad the chap was decent enough to leave his details. Accidents happen, but it's still a bummer 

[davehedgehog31]

Dug this out for MOT this morning.

And stashed this in it's place, good to know it fits

And then...

A marginal fail. I've taken the path of least resistance and ordered a full driveshaft for £37 rather than fucking about with a new boot. I'll probably do the wheel bearing as well as it was an advisory last year and felt like I could maybe hear the first grumblings of it. Hopefully get it in for retest next week.

[Lord Sterling]

It's that time again. It is FAAAAARKIN windy here, I mean, it would be being by the sea.

I'm on an earlier Ferry, but when it actually goes, no one knows.

Edit*

Made it here in really good time. The S-Type is a real motorway muncher. It laughed in the face of all the horrible rain and roads we have in the UK, France and Belgium. 

Got out the car and didn't even feel like I'd driven to Telford.

[barefoot]

14 hours ago, Mr Livered said:

Interested in feedback on these chaps, plus any information you might have about any of the competition. 

The one in Derby is worse than fucking useless as well. Avoid, lying shites.

[barefoot]

In other, more positive news, I've attended 3 funerals in the last week. My lovely white shirt has looked crisp at all three and is now off for a well-earned wash and spin dry.

RIP Urga, Rosea & Spanners.

[lesapandre]

Nissan Leaf app deleted by manufacturer:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/14/nissan-leaf-app-shutdown-nissanconnect-ev-app

[adw1977]

Great, welcome to a world where cars become obsolete as fast as smartphones.

[Zelandeth]

35 minutes ago, adw1977 said:

Great, welcome to a world where cars become obsolete as fast as smartphones.

Only going to get worse.  Already a bunch of manufacturers have accessories and performance maps which are locked behind software pay walls.  Let's see what those do when they're no longer able to phone home to make sure you've got a license to use your heated seats.

[RoverFolkUs]

5 hours ago, lesapandre said:

Nissan Leaf app deleted by manufacturer:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/14/nissan-leaf-app-shutdown-nissanconnect-ev-app

I wonder what harm that will do the manufacturer other than push people to upgrade who now "can't live without" such modern functionality 

It's so backwards 

[Momentary Lapse Of Reason]

How hard/impossible is it to "Jailbreak" the Leaf etc operating system?

[reb]

Six years exactly since dad ( @Richard) died.

Started the day thinking I could treat it as any other Saturday, maybe just a bit lazier.

Wrong. By about 2pm I was an emotional mess. Not necessarily in a negative way, but clearly my brain has decided that today is the day to feel all of the feelings that ordinarily I don't let myself.

[bramz7]

Bought my first car of 2026 today. Thank you @HMC

Sorry, I know I beat a few other people to it but I had to have it. I've been hankering for a 156 SW ever since I sold my last one, engine irrelevant but a Busso is top of the pile. 

It drives well. Some normal 156 foibles, but nothing dramatic.

My other 156 had it's MOT yesterday.

I knew about the airbag light but unfortunately this garage don't seem to really do Alfas so can't sort it out with their diagnostic. I should have mucked about with the underseat cables myself before taking it there. On the flip side, they were really impressed with the car and all the work it has had done.

 

[loserone]

8 minutes ago, bramz7 said:

Sorry, I know I beat a few other people to it

Thanks for freeing up funds for my bike (I was second dibs)

[Yoss]

10 hours ago, lesapandre said:

Nissan Leaf app deleted by manufacturer:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/14/nissan-leaf-app-shutdown-nissanconnect-ev-app

 

5 hours ago, Zelandeth said:

Only going to get worse.  Already a bunch of manufacturers have accessories and performance maps which are locked behind software pay walls.  Let's see what those do when they're no longer able to phone home to make sure you've got a license to use your heated seats.

Remind me never to buy a car that needs an app. Not that I'm likely to any time soon. 

[Split_Pin]

21 minutes ago, Yoss said:

 

Remind me never to buy a car that needs an app. Not that I'm likely to any time soon. 

To be fair, someone could probably easily create another app. Saabs can only really be interrogated by Tech 2. Furthermore everything needs divorced and re coded, even a radio and you need a shit load of additional paraphernalia to do that. Which is a pain.

[Yoss]

56 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

To be fair, someone could probably easily create another app. Saabs can only really be interrogated by Tech 2. Furthermore everything needs divorced and re coded, even a radio and you need a shit load of additional paraphernalia to do that. Which is a pain.

I was about to say not on my cars but then I realised the Up! probably would. But that is very much Mrs Yoss's choice. If anything happens to that I'd be looking at something 90s to replace it. 

[richardmorris]

Going to look at a car tomorrow- first old purchase since 2012!

[stuboy]

6 minutes ago, richardmorris said:

Going to look at a car tomorrow- first old purchase since 2012!

any hints on what it maybe?

[richardmorris]

2 minutes ago, stuboy said:

any hints on what it maybe?

 

[richardmorris]

2 minutes ago, richardmorris said:

 

Very dangerous conjunction of right car, nearby, and money not yet tucked away in an isa before 5th April. Of course I’ve nowhere to keep another car…

 

500m inside the ulez zone so need to task the TIPO.

[IronStar]

3 hours ago, bramz7 said:

Bought my first car of 2026 today. Thank you @HMC

Sorry, I know I beat a few other people to it but I had to have it. I've been hankering for a 156 SW ever since I sold my last one, engine irrelevant but a Busso is top of the pile. 

It drives well. Some normal 156 foibles, but nothing dramatic.

My other 156 had it's MOT yesterday.

I knew about the airbag light but unfortunately this garage don't seem to really do Alfas so can't sort it out with their diagnostic. I should have mucked about with the underseat cables myself before taking it there. On the flip side, they were really impressed with the car and all the work it has had done.

 

Seat connectors, in a small drawer under the front of the seat. It’s always those fucking connectors with these. 
Contact spray sorts it out temporarily, permanent solution is connector replacement or soldering the wires. 

[richardmorris]

5 minutes ago, IronStar said:

Seat connectors, in a small drawer under the front of the seat. It’s always those fucking connectors with these. 
Contact spray sorts it out temporarily, permanent solution is connector replacement or soldering the wires. 

Same as the C5 and xantias. Soldering fixed those.

[IronStar]

1 minute ago, richardmorris said:

Same as the C5 and xantias. Soldering fixed those.

Shockingly awful connector design. Thankfully rectified in 159 with a chunky block that doesn’t really move. 

[Morris 63]

Looks like the Shonky Shogun of Shame's time as a conveyance is over. It also needs 5 decent tyres, a clutch, the cooling system sorting, and whatever is causing the "interesting" noises from the front end sorting as a minimum. 

Edit: no idea why the image is sideways!