The grumpy thread

[GrumpiusMaximus]

Took the Bini for a service because I can’t be arsed to do it myself.  Two new tyres needed on the back and aux belt.  Fine.

On the way home, the under tray decided to drop down at the front on the A2, doing 65.  Just about made me shit myself with the noise.

Garage took it back in to sort, no questions.  But still irritating.

[EyesWeldedShut]

  On 28/12/2023 at 17:13, GrumpiusMaximus said:

Took the Bini for a service because I can’t be arsed to do it myself.  Two new tyres needed on the back and aux belt.  Fine.

On the way home, the under tray decided to drop down at the front on the A2, doing 65.  Just about made me shit myself with the noise.

Garage took it back in to sort, no questions.  But still irritating.

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Buy an R55 - no undertray

[Paul-l]

F…ing car.

just spent 45 minutes trying to work out why the wipers stopped working. Fuses - no, Scan - no, wiggle switch- no repeat all - no, engine running- no

 

bonnet open on the catch!

[GrumpiusMaximus]

  On 28/12/2023 at 17:18, EyesWeldedShut said:

Buy an R55 - no undertray

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It is an R55.  Definitely an undertray under the front.  Can confirm because I was was trying to get it re-attached with on a bizarre spur road directly off the A2.  In twilight.  Just after it started to rain...

[RoverFolkUs]

  On 28/12/2023 at 17:56, Paul-l said:

F…ing car.

just spent 45 minutes trying to work out why the wipers stopped working. Fuses - no, Scan - no, wiggle switch- no repeat all - no, engine running- no

 

bonnet open on the catch!

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I've definitely* not done this before... 🤣On a poxy modern Skoda fabia with the infamous constantly on intermittent fault having just replaced the stalk... Having the bonnet open after reconnecting the battery had nothing to do with it of course 🙄🤣

[twosmoke300]

Vag pain in the ass bonnet switches ! I’ve known mot testers get caught out with it 😂

[nev_jr]

Sigh

 

[richardmorris]

  On 26/12/2023 at 20:08, Zelandeth said:

My entire goddamn house reeks of cigarette smoke.  My lungs feel like they've been through a cheese grater, and my head is pounding (even more than usual) and has been for about 48 hours now.

Having chain smoking relations over for Xmas sucks.  Especially if you've got asthma.

I thought it was about the most repulsive habit on the planet even before seeing it in black and white as a cause of death on my mother's death certificate.

Sure it will only take about a week to get rid of the stink.

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You let them smoke inside your house? My uncle died of lung cancer but never smoked inside his own house ( or my parent’s.)

[Metal Guru]

  On 28/12/2023 at 17:13, GrumpiusMaximus said:

Took the Bini for a service because I can’t be arsed to do it myself.  Two new tyres needed on the back and aux belt.  Fine.

On the way home, the under tray decided to drop down at the front on the A2, doing 65.  Just about made me shit myself with the noise.

Garage took it back in to sort, no questions.  But still irritating.

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That happened on wife’s Bini too, apres service. We were doing about 65 too. At first I thought a tyre had come off and it was running on the rim.

[GrumpiusMaximus]

  On 29/12/2023 at 00:13, Metal Guru said:

That happened on wife’s Bini too, apres service. We were doing about 65 too. At first I thought a tyre had come off and it was running on the rim.

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That's exactly what I thought had happened too.  Gave me a proper fright...

[EyesWeldedShut]

  On 28/12/2023 at 19:16, GrumpiusMaximus said:

It is an R55.  Definitely an undertray under the front.  Can confirm because I was was trying to get it re-attached with on a bizarre spur road directly off the A2.  In twilight.  Just after it started to rain...

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I've been diddled !
Definitely got one on the R50 but the 2008 R55 has none (nor any attachments) - there's a teeny, tiny thing that kind of closes off a gap behind the air dam.
I want my money back.

The current R50 has its one cable tied in place (by previous owner) that works.....

[GrumpiusMaximus]

  On 29/12/2023 at 08:59, EyesWeldedShut said:

I've been diddled !
Definitely got one on the R50 but the 2008 R55 has none (nor any attachments) - there's a teeny, tiny thing that kind of closes off a gap behind the air dam.
I want my money back.

The current R50 has its one cable tied in place (by previous owner) that works.....

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Under trays are over rated…

[EyesWeldedShut]

  On 29/12/2023 at 09:00, GrumpiusMaximus said:

Under trays are over rated…

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Most of the old tat we have through this household are missing them (mainly because the manufacturer's fixing are made of chocolate?)
Only two cars stick in mind as being of any good -Freeloader had a big steel plate bolted in with BIG bolts (not sure if that's standard or a mud wallowers' thing). The Scooby Outback was brilliant - big clips and a hatch to access the oil filter - clever.

Today's grump from here is for a car lacking an undertray - it's a coil pack ordered on Boxing Day (I know it's the holidays but I did pay for 24 hr delivery)

[edit] now I am really pissed off - that message was sent at 21:17 yesterday. There's no way I can get one of these before Tuesday now and I had moved the MoT back to next Wednesday already - fecketitty feck feck 

[Split_Pin]

On Christmas day I lost a plastic jacking pad fron the 75s sill when I couldn't avoid a Puddle as it was behind a blind bend and there was oncoming traffic.  Its not the first time either and they are FIFTEEN quid each. Thankfully my wife saw it land in the middle of the carriageway, opposite a car park and there was also a pavement so I was able to retrieve it. They're hard plastic so it was unscathed.

A couple of days ago I then took it back off, heated it with a heat gun and opened up the clips to make it a tighter fit and had to tap it back on with a hammer. As such I thought that was that on for good.

Today, gone. Arseflaps.

[beko1987]

Hope I don't need to work on the car with ramps any time soon. As their now holding up next doors fence! 

Thought my gate got opened a few time yesterday (my phone notifies me) but it seems both posts have snapped and it wa leaning over my side. 

Not too concerned, their a nice old lady and daughter and we get on well. They had the whole thing replaced a few years ago too. Not spoken to them yet as their out but will tell them not to rush, I think there's more poor weather on the way. Hopefully this keeps it from crashing right down (ramps are on the posts, with some @dollywobblercable ties for good measure

[MikeR]

Today I found out my mains tester screwdriver no longer works ...

Don't worry I am still here .... 

[High Jetter]

Always test before you trust.

[ruffgeezer]

Belted a poor rabbit on my way to work this morning, arrived at work to find the fog lamp surround has escaped due to this incident.

As much as I don't want to spend frivolously on the Vectra, I am sorely tempted to replace the front bumper entirely. 

[Zelandeth]

Fucking shite modern fuel.  The can I bought for mower, pressure washer etc towards the end of September is no longer flammable.

Yes it's been in the shed which gets bloody hot when it's sunny, but even so...

Of course I only came to this conclusion after spending over an hour trying to get the bloody pressure washer started.  Fresh fuel, first pull.

Too late to actually do what I'd set out to buy then so all I've achieved is getting myself slightly damp and pissing off my back.  Maybe tomorrow.

[Dyslexic Viking]

  On 30/12/2023 at 14:26, Zelandeth said:

Fucking shite modern fuel.  The can I bought for mower, pressure washer etc towards the end of September is no longer flammable.

Yes it's been in the shed which gets bloody hot when it's sunny, but even so...

Of course I only came to this conclusion after spending over an hour trying to get the bloody pressure washer started.  Fresh fuel, first pull.

Too late to actually do what I'd set out to buy then so all I've achieved is getting myself slightly damp and pissing off my back.  Maybe tomorrow.

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I was recommended several years ago to start using Aspen 4 for 4 stroke engines like this and have done so ever since, I no longer have problems since I started using it and things like the snowblower starts first time after 6 months with that in it. I think the exhaust is much better when using it too so is recommended.

https://aspenfuel.co.uk/products/aspen-fuel/ 

[Zelandeth]

Yeah, think I'm going to need to switch to something like that.  I know modern pump fuel goes off, but the fact that this had degraded to a point where it wouldn't even try to run the engine at all so quickly surprised me.

Just wish it wasn't something like four times the price of pump fuel.

[auntiemaryscanary]

  On 30/12/2023 at 14:26, Zelandeth said:

Fucking shite modern fuel.  The can I bought for mower, pressure washer etc towards the end of September is no longer flammable.

Yes it's been in the shed which gets bloody hot when it's sunny, but even so...

Of course I only came to this conclusion after spending over an hour trying to get the bloody pressure washer started.  Fresh fuel, first pull.

Too late to actually do what I'd set out to buy then so all I've achieved is getting myself slightly damp and pissing off my back.  Maybe tomorrow.

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I put a glug of fuel stabiliser in anything I'm not using immediately. Had both petrol and diesel be fine for a year. I write on the can the date the stabiliser was added. It gets bloody hot in my garage too. 

But I might try Aspen/ other alcolyte petrol as well.

[outlaw118]

I wonder about myself sometimes

Bought something for SWMBO's birthday in Halfrauds sale, a dashcam and it was suggested I might like the little bag, SD card etc for £3, reduced to clear, discontinued stock.

BILLY BARGAIN

My local one at Lakeside didn't have one, so I pressed the "look further" button and it came up with Gravesend @14.7 miles away or Chadwell Heath @ 16.5 miles.

I've got local resident discount for the Dartford Crossing, so it'll cost me 20p there and back. The traffic should be OK 4pm on a Saturday afternoon yeah?

Was it bollocks. So, doing what any sane person would do I missed the sliproad and proceeded to Chadwell Heath.

As soon as I passed the little green sign that said ULEZ zone, I figuratively punched myself in the clack.

So, saving a few quid on the purchase now means I'm paying £12.50 for the pleasure* of driving through Dagenham to get to the shop.

FERFUXAKE.

[eddyramrod]

Walking the dog.

Now I love my dog.  She loves me.  I'm very happy to take her out, it's probably good for my ever-expanding waistline, and she needs to go anyway.  So this afternoon I looked out of the front window and saw the puddle behind the Jag lying still and undisturbed.  Oh good, no rain.  Put my coat and shoes on, bring her harness, coat and lead into the living room where she's trying to make up her mind; some wrestling ensues and eventually she's ready.  Out the back door, into the alley, effectively racing the dusk.  She stops.  I'm used to this, so I sweep her up in my arms and carry her to the end of the street, where we try again.  She walks a few steps and... some ignorant shitbag sets off a firework.  Naturally, Memphis freezes solid and has to be carried some more.  Eventually she decides she will walk, we get one block down the street and another firework goes off.  I'd love to find these people, nobody else ever would!

Meanwhile, while we've been walking, the rain has come back, with a vengeance.  Memphis does what she normally does and freezes again.  Somehow she doesn't see that just standing there will get her wetter and wetter.  And by the time we got home, my shoes were leaking.  Marvellous*.

And if you like this, wait till I get started on going to bed!

[HMC]

The ex hmc, ex @Schaefft ex @Rocket88 xm is for sale- at basically 4x what we were all selling it for.

Im just grumpy as it prices enthusiasts out of the market - but i suppose good luck to them

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276258193822?hash=item405245819e:g:j~AAAOSwXpJlkXz2&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4C9krRoOCdlg9dpW4UFihDt9edC1p1pLOgXeTa8Gc%2BorP3rvpaA8bxTfULDUoqF7D6ti1Fu%2FodtlZsbD%2B3K3vd8oZzsgqbITHyHB7caaTbKv4DMTiRo%2B7g9CLxjJyKz0d2Xc%2B0AFyT3j4ilXWv8IacyIXtbAwiqyeHeEB1m3dZH6xphKoiRFXe%2FH01XoUNA7O%2BmxpBiKZPsbkgln5T%2B5RXx0Fy27ZlnJmIw9eczgkrEKEkOgXKlENFwt%2BK6EDz8kZwqB1rNhHzIKvxlOjSEC8UWOx2A0o97Y7qIqxNa%2BQgwj|tkp%3ABk9SR4zXoI-YYw

 

[artdjones]

  On 31/12/2023 at 17:42, HMC said:

The ex hmc, ex @Schaefft ex @Rocket88 xm is for sale- at basically 4x what we were all selling it for.

Im just grumpy as it prices enthusiasts out of the market - but i suppose good luck to them

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276258193822?hash=item405245819e:g:j~AAAOSwXpJlkXz2&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4C9krRoOCdlg9dpW4UFihDt9edC1p1pLOgXeTa8Gc%2BorP3rvpaA8bxTfULDUoqF7D6ti1Fu%2FodtlZsbD%2B3K3vd8oZzsgqbITHyHB7caaTbKv4DMTiRo%2B7g9CLxjJyKz0d2Xc%2B0AFyT3j4ilXWv8IacyIXtbAwiqyeHeEB1m3dZH6xphKoiRFXe%2FH01XoUNA7O%2BmxpBiKZPsbkgln5T%2B5RXx0Fy27ZlnJmIw9eczgkrEKEkOgXKlENFwt%2BK6EDz8kZwqB1rNhHzIKvxlOjSEC8UWOx2A0o97Y7qIqxNa%2BQgwj|tkp%3ABk9SR4zXoI-YYw

 

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They haven't sold it yet.

[EyesWeldedShut]

  On 31/12/2023 at 17:42, HMC said:

The ex hmc, ex @Schaefft ex @Rocket88 xm is for sale- at basically 4x what we were all selling it for.

Im just grumpy as it prices enthusiasts out of the market - but i suppose good luck to them

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276258193822?hash=item405245819e:g:j~AAAOSwXpJlkXz2&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4C9krRoOCdlg9dpW4UFihDt9edC1p1pLOgXeTa8Gc%2BorP3rvpaA8bxTfULDUoqF7D6ti1Fu%2FodtlZsbD%2B3K3vd8oZzsgqbITHyHB7caaTbKv4DMTiRo%2B7g9CLxjJyKz0d2Xc%2B0AFyT3j4ilXWv8IacyIXtbAwiqyeHeEB1m3dZH6xphKoiRFXe%2FH01XoUNA7O%2BmxpBiKZPsbkgln5T%2B5RXx0Fy27ZlnJmIw9eczgkrEKEkOgXKlENFwt%2BK6EDz8kZwqB1rNhHzIKvxlOjSEC8UWOx2A0o97Y7qIqxNa%2BQgwj|tkp%3ABk9SR4zXoI-YYw

 

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We could all just 'watch' it and make 'em think that there's mega interest? See how long it sits there unsold with three hundred watchers? (The P6 is into it's second listing but I see the price is unchanged).

Also listed by them : https://www.carandclassic.com/user/ccts1234

[Rocket88]

  On 31/12/2023 at 17:50, EyesWeldedShut said:

We could all just 'watch' it and make 'em think that there's mega interest? See how long it sits there unsold with three hundred watchers? (The P6 is into it's second listing but I see the price is unchanged).

Also listed by them : https://www.carandclassic.com/user/ccts1234

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I spent about a grand on it to get it to that standard. It owes me £2.5 k. I got a good deal on the Rover pick up, so I’m not complaining about the price he wants for it

[EyesWeldedShut]

  On 31/12/2023 at 18:13, Rocket88 said:

I spent about a grand on it to get it to that standard. It owes me £2.5 k. I got a good deal on the Rover pick up, so I’m not complaining about the price he wants for it

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Asking and getting are two different things though

Once we sell something it is beyond our control - I've seen stuff I've sold get flipped instantly but, like you, I've been happy with the price I got - so good luck to 'em.
Be interesting to see if it gets sold/reduced though. I'm guessing the XM world is fairly smol so it may take a while to sell - we'll see

[Fumbler]

A friend of mine in Utah had a rather unhappy ending to 2023. He pranged a deer while driving back home in the small hours this morning

I guess this is what happens to a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix when you hit a grown deer at 65MPH. Fortunately he wasn't hurt and the car still drove. What stings is that he had only just put new head gaskets on, replaced the water pump and replaced the starter motor after the solenoid failed.

I feel sorry for the fella, he put a lot of work into keeping the car alive only for this to happen. Life is a real bitch sometimes.