The grumpy thread

[EyesWeldedShut]

13 hours ago, 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...

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]

Just now, 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.....

Under trays are over rated…

[EyesWeldedShut]

34 minutes ago, GrumpiusMaximus said:

Under trays are over rated…

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]

1 hour ago, 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.

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]

2 hours ago, 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.

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]

3 minutes ago, 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

 

They haven't sold it yet.

[EyesWeldedShut]

8 minutes ago, 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

 

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]

21 minutes ago, 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

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]

31 minutes ago, 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

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.

[Spiny Norman]

Pic not showing for me.

[Fumbler]

9 hours ago, Spiny Norman said:

Pic not showing for me.

Ope, had to re-upload the image.

[Markeh]

Due to the weather and my driveway being unfit for purpose I managed to get stuck last night. Managed to get it moved today.

Will get done in a couple of months when I get some cash through. Hopefully before I get stuck again!

[Tenmil Socket]

6 minutes ago, Markeh said:

Due to the weather and my driveway being unfit for purpose I managed to get stuck last night. Managed to get it moved today.

Will get done in a couple of months when I get some cash through. Hopefully before I get stuck again!

Move to the right a bit 👍

[Markeh]

Just now, Tenmil Socket said:

Move to the right a bit 👍

You're not wrong. Normally I do park on the slabs (or even with one side on the path itself) but when I moved the car last night I was in a rush and clearly wasn't paying enough attention! One advantage of this being a modern with cameras is that I can look at how I'm lined up at least. Did help with maneuvering to get it unstuck.

[nev_jr]

Yeah I got out, but WHY THE FUCK HAVE YOU BLOCKED ME IN YOU CUNT?!?!?!

 

[myglaren]

Had a look to see if the Mazda has a spare wheel yesterday.

Pleased to see that it has.  Not pleased to see that the wheel well is full of water, as is the well for the jack.

Also tried to fix the non-working interior lights.  Removed the bulbs, not an easy task, checked them and photons were released in the usual way.  Refitting them, I got one skewed and it lit up.  Still didn't work when properly fitted.

Checked the fuse and it was OK.  Refitted it and the puddle lights in the doors came on, as did the rear interior light and the underseat light.  Not the glovebox, can't see that anywhere and the map reading lights still didn't work, but then started glowing slightly.

Left it at that and dropped the car at my son's to use for work (nights, no public transport).

The following night got an urgent message that the battery was flat and the car wouldn't start.

Took the charger for him and recharged for 48 hours.  All OK, used it myself for a few hours then pulled the fuse and found that remote locking doesn't work.

Refitted the fuse yesterday and had a bugger about.  Interior lights working again, except the rear passenger one, remote locking restored.

Took it back for son to use but removed the fuse so he doesn't get stuck at work.  Further bodgery expected.

 

[tooSavvy]

@nev_jr.... IIRC the 'street parking' issue, on residential estates etc, runs to 'if a dropped kerb/driveway' then Don't Be A Knob.... But if you yark yours over the path then it can reasonably be regarded a 'garden ornament'. Local council won't be impressed with broken paving slabs either...

Neighbours, you might assume, can be relied upon to show discretion 😯.

[BorniteIdentity]

4 hours ago, nev_jr said:

Yeah I got out, but WHY THE FUCK HAVE YOU BLOCKED ME IN YOU CUNT?!?!?!

 

You don’t have an easement in place do you? 

If you own your house, it’s a simple procedure. I’d wager he wouldn’t have parked like that if you had a legitimate right of way across the pathway. 

If you rent, it’s worth asking the landlord if you can pay for it or help with the process. 

In reality, he’s not done anything wrong. I wouldn’t have done it myself, but that’s life. 

[cobblers]

4 hours ago, nev_jr said:

Yeah I got out, but WHY THE FUCK HAVE YOU BLOCKED ME IN YOU CUNT?!?!?!

 

you are totally within your rights to ram it out of the way as far as I'm concerned