LMC - Life-Making Chod, a business diary.

[The_Equalizer]

Do you find your love of large engine pez stuff goes somewhat against the grain here in NI? Such motors seem to hang about in the classifieds and make less money than on the mainland. It must work for you though.

I did rather like the E350 CGI Benz you had recently which I presume has now shifted. Also rather like the look of the Alfa (159 ?) on RoI plates behind your A4 cab. Right old mix you have.

[barrett]

Wow, a welcome name from the past returns! I must admit when I saw that first picture I was pretty shocked at how life at treated you in the last couple of years. I know juggling ageing French tat can age a man, but jesus...

Anyway, can we have MORE INPUT on the lovely BX please? You're in the less-exclusive-every-day Autoshite Mk1 BX Owners' Club (there must be half a dozen on here now at least) and I will take any opportunity to have a right old perv over somebody else's Mk1

[R9UKE]

1 hour ago, The_Equalizer said:

Do you find your love of large engine pez stuff goes somewhat against the grain here in NI?

It depends what way you look at it.  Yes, they can hang round for longer, but very often mine is the only one (or one of a handful) for sale in that guise, so you're not pitching against 20 identical cars all at the same price, as you would be with a TDi Golf.  Also, the more "in demand" cars cost more to buy within the trade in the first place.  So, they may sit around a little longer, but the profit is good and the pleasure of driving it in the meantime is unparalleled.  A strange business model, but it's working, quite well.

The Alfa was a £100 trade-in from Dublin!  They couldn't shift it down there because of the tax, so were happy with it providing their ride up to Belfast and £100 against their Volvo.

 

21 minutes ago, barrett said:

Wow, a welcome name from the past returns! I must admit when I saw that first picture I was pretty shocked at how life at treated you in the last couple of years. I know juggling ageing French tat can age a man, but jesus...

Anyway, can we have MORE INPUT on the lovely BX please? You're in the less-exclusive-every-day Autoshite Mk1 BX Owners' Club (there must be half a dozen on here now at least) and I will take any opportunity to have a right old perv over somebody else's Mk1

Hahahaha what can I say, the stress of getting to the bottom of EML faults and Renault key cards is beginning to take a toll.

Ahhhh the BX.... spotted it about Belfast in my uni days, driven by a Deirdre Barlow lookalike.  I approached her a few times and last June I took ownership.  She had the car from new and it was her daily driver.  It is completely original, down to the dealer stickers, spare key with dealer tags, sales brochure and FULL service history.  Her husband kept a record.  I have it insured on a classic policy, taxed, MOTd, and she gets out 2-3 times a week.  Absolutely love the thing.  Here's some pornography for you.

[Cavcraft]

Your new business looks ace. Can I humbly suggest you advertise your cars on here (modern and old, exciting or dull) as I'm sure a few would be interested.

[barrett]

That's flippin' fantastic!

[Tadhg Tiogar]

38 minutes ago, R9UKE said:

......  Here's some pornography for you.

Now that's what I call a dashboard

[The_Equalizer]

1 hour ago, R9UKE said:

It depends what way you look at it.  Yes, they can hang round for longer, but very often mine is the only one (or one of a handful) for sale in that guise, so you're not pitching against 20 identical cars all at the same price, as you would be with a TDi Golf.  Also, the more "in demand" cars cost more to buy within the trade in the first place.  So, they may sit around a little longer, but the profit is good and the pleasure of driving it in the meantime is unparalleled.  A strange business model, but it's working, quite well.

The Alfa was a £100 trade-in from Dublin!  They couldn't shift it down there because of the tax, so were happy with it providing their ride up to Belfast and £100 against their Volvo.

Good theory and makes sense to me. It is an absolute pain to travel to GB look at cars.

There is a chap in Carrick that sells what are less fashionable high end cars, say 1980s Bentleys and 2000s S-Class Mercs with 100K plus on them. Some of them I am surprised he shifts but that must work too, probably on a similar basis to yours. I think he is called Norman - I am sure you will know him what with NI being 'the World's biggest village' (copyright @Datsuncog). I can spot his adverts a mile off just by the cars. 

I did the same with classics about a decade ago albeit buying them here with the idea they were a bit cheaper and shifting them to the south of England where the number of buyers was much greater. As you say, half the fun is floating about in some rather nice cars.

Did wonder about the tax bracket down in the Republic. When I looked everything was relatively expensive full stop. Even the mega high tax didn't seem to pull the price of the old cars down enough to make it worth while. 

Anyway, good luck with it all and looking forward to the updates ...

[Macscrooge]

Nice to see a success story - and a real enthusiast in the motor trade!  I love that early BX - I remember driving a 'C' plater with a similar interior.  And stop posting photos of Honda Legends - oh, the temptation!

[jon.k]

Your bx is gorgeous!

[R9UKE]

3 hours ago, Cavcraft said:

Your new business looks ace. Can I humbly suggest you advertise your cars on here (modern and old, exciting or dull) as I'm sure a few would be interested.

Thanks Cav, I sure will.  I'm actually delivering this rather tidy V50 SE Lux to a shiter in Blackpool at the weekend to replace his Rover 75 as a workhorse. I guess you just never know what'll take somebody's fancy.

 

 

1 hour ago, The_Equalizer said:

There is a chap in Carrick that sells what are less fashionable high end cars, say 1980s Bentleys and 2000s S-Class Mercs with 100K plus on them. Some of them I am surprised he shifts but that must work too

Oh of course, balls of steel that guy.  I've gotten used to the odd car coming back for a warranty claim, but I think standing over a Bentley Azure gearbox fr six months is a little different to forking out for a failed wiper motor on a Renault Scenic.  Hats off to him!

 

33 minutes ago, Macscrooge said:

And stop posting photos of Honda Legends - oh, the temptation!

I should finally get around to editing the footage I have reviewing mine in the snow, so I'll hide* the YouTube link from you once it's live 😉

21 minutes ago, jon.k said:

Your bx is gorgeous!

Thank you sir!

[Datsuncog]

1 hour ago, The_Equalizer said:

There is a chap in Carrick that sells what are less fashionable high end cars, say 1980s Bentleys and 2000s S-Class Mercs with 100K plus on them. 

Funny, I was on a walk round the streets last week and happened across a driveway with a Bentley Arnage and a W220 Mercedes parked up, and what looked like a  a Jaguar XJ12 S3 in the garage.

Quite possibly the same fella? I don't know too many denizens of Carrickfergus with a penchant for Bentleys...

[The_Equalizer]

1 hour ago, Datsuncog said:

Funny, I was on a walk round the streets last week and happened across a driveway with a Bentley Arnage and a W220 Mercedes parked up, and what looked like a  a Jaguar XJ12 S3 in the garage.

Quite possibly the same fella? I don't know too many denizens of Carrickfergus with a penchant for Bentleys...

Unless Carrick has suddenly become a hotbed for the sale of such faded glory. A prime example (now sold I believe) here and I too admire his bravery:


 
 And that 122K mile "cheap" Arnage:



Anyway, back to LMC ...

[Dave_Q]

Have you thought about selling the plates of some of your stock as a sideline?

Obviously most of them arent worth much but the WEZ plate on that V50 must be worth a coupla hundred to someone?

[R9UKE]

I've sold a few.  I once paid far too much for a Megane dCi that ended up needing a clutch.  It had an NIL plate on it (which for some reason people go nuts for).  It ended up paying for the car, plus profit, plus I had great pleasure of personally ridding the world of another Renault diesel.  

This morning I have three viewers booked in, a few more usually get added on throughout the day - Friday is always the same.  Hopefully a few more leave to make space for whatever I buy on the mainland over the next few days 😬

[cort1977]

Great cars and lovely to see another early BX.  I remember my mate being let loose on his Dad's BX as a learner in about 1994, he was most disappointed when his shiny new magnetic L plates wouldn't stick to the bonnet.

While we're also on the topic of the car market in NI can I ask what's the deal with Sierras over there?  Since buying mine I have been looking for bits and there seem to be several people dealing in Sierra parts, much more than in England.  Is there some kind of rallying or drifting scene going on?

[warninglight]

8 hours ago, cort1977 said:

While we're also on the topic of the car market in NI can I ask what's the deal with Sierras over there?  Since buying mine I have been looking for bits and there seem to be several people dealing in Sierra parts, much more than in England.  Is there some kind of rallying or drifting scene going on?

My experience of Sierra owners in NI isn't so much drifting or rallying, but 'diffing', a much more culchie, much less skillful version. Look it up, tragic. 😅

No, me neither.

[Tadhg Tiogar]

59 minutes ago, warninglight said:

My experience of Sierra owners in NI isn't so much drifting or rallying, but 'diffing', a much more culchie, much less skillful version. Look it up, tragic. 😅

 

Simple pleasures* for simple people?

[R9UKE]

Correct. A strange group of people uphold extreme values of Sierras, 405s, Omegas and Lexus IS200s on this side of the water!

Today should be a good day. I’m currently sat on the Stena, 5 decks above this beauty who is heading for Blackpool this afternoon. 

I’m then heading across to Huddersfield to a pick up a 26-year-old, beige, land-yacht and hoping that I reach Birmingham for sundown. 

[Datsuncog]

Chodspeed, dude!

[R9UKE]

Fantastic day all round yesterday. 
 

My first taste of a Volvo 960, great to meet Austin-Rover and give this proper beige beast a new home. 
 

Did the 120 miles down to Birmingham lovely, let’s hope it does the same for the 300 back to Cairnryan on Tuesday 😍

 

[Crackers]

On 3/12/2021 at 5:36 PM, warninglight said:

My experience of Sierra owners in NI isn't so much drifting or rallying, but 'diffing', a much more culchie, much less skillful version. Look it up, tragic. 😅

No, me neither.

Well, nope, that's entirely lost on me too.

See also: Spinning (South African version, e30 325i = car of choice)

[mitsisigma01]

Someone wake me up when it's over 😴😴😴

I meant the spinning round in circles 💤

[R9UKE]

^ Sorry to bore you.

For those who are interested, the trip was a great success.  The Volvo was booked for an MOT on Monday before I left for the ferry the next day, so everything was crossed.  Unfortunately the handbrake cable was damaged, and idiot me didn't prepare for that despite a forewarning.  Amazingly, the tester managed to bodge it in order to satisfy the brake test and the old girl got herself a new ticket.  Emissions were right on the limit, which would explain why this came on on the way back from the MOT

 

 I have to say, it ate the 300 mile trek from Birmingham to Cainryan better than a lot of newer cars I've done the same with, andI'd say the run has done it the world of good given that it did just over 1000 miles last year.   What an epic place it was to sit for six hours.

 

Back home and it's straight back into business.  My local SAAB specialist keeps in close contact with me for if any of his customers are selling or looking to purchase.  He asked me to come and take a look at two that had been left with him before being sold.  The first was a new model 9-5, unfortunately a diesel.  I got the keys and took for it a run with real anticipation,  I'd love to get to know one of these things.  Unfortunately all I could feel was disappointment, verging on anger, for what happened to SAAB in the end.  The interior is a blatant Insignia, with the same cheap switchgear that wears horribly and just looks awful at this stage, and with that clattery Vauxhall diesel engine under the bonnet, it marks a sad end for a brand with such a rich history.

The owner was after strong money for it and it just wasn't worth the effort.  I did leave with this ridiculously cheap and unloved floppy top 9-3 though...

Another "something a little different" came in as well, a Renault Koleos.  Anyone remotely interested in these should really consider one.  They have a lot of Samsung influence which is great for dependability.  They're comfy, well spec'd and the 4WD model is pretty capable.  They're also down to very little £££.

Engine management light is on.  It's 2009 and has done 59k, I'd say it just needs a real good drive.  Then it's due MOT and should be ready to go. 

 

[mitsisigma01]

^^^ not the road trip, I meant the spinning round in circles. 

Great trip, great car 👍

[Austin-Rover]

A good result on the MoT. 👍

It's such a great car for eating up the miles. Comfiest thing I've ever driven.

I'm off to browse the web for Renault Koleos now! 😄

 

[cort16]

I like the look of those newer 95's but they seem expensive for what they are .

[brownnova]

6 hours ago, R9UKE said:

^ Sorry to bore you.

For those who are interested, the trip was a great success.  The Volvo was booked for an MOT on Monday before I left for the ferry the next day, so everything was crossed.  Unfortunately the handbrake cable was damaged, and idiot me didn't prepare for that despite a forewarning.  Amazingly, the tester managed to bodge it in order to satisfy the brake test and the old girl got herself a new ticket.  Emissions were right on the limit, which would explain why this came on on the way back from the MOT

 

 I have to say, it ate the 300 mile trek from Birmingham to Cainryan better than a lot of newer cars I've done the same with, andI'd say the run has done it the world of good given that it did just over 1000 miles last year.   What an epic place it was to sit for six hours.

 

Back home and it's straight back into business.  My local SAAB specialist keeps in close contact with me for if any of his customers are selling or looking to purchase.  He asked me to come and take a look at two that had been left with him before being sold.  The first was a new model 9-5, unfortunately a diesel.  I got the keys and took for it a run with real anticipation,  I'd love to get to know one of these things.  Unfortunately all I could feel was disappointment, verging on anger, for what happened to SAAB in the end.  The interior is a blatant Insignia, with the same cheap switchgear that wears horribly and just looks awful at this stage, and with that clattery Vauxhall diesel engine under the bonnet, it marks a sad end for a brand with such a rich history.

The owner was after strong money for it and it just wasn't worth the effort.  I did leave with this ridiculously cheap and unloved floppy top 9-3 though...

Another "something a little different" came in as well, a Renault Koleos.  Anyone remotely interested in these should really consider one.  They have a lot of Samsung influence which is great for dependability.  They're comfy, well spec'd and the 4WD model is pretty capable.  They're also down to very little £££.

Engine management light is on.  It's 2009 and has done 59k, I'd say it just needs a real good drive.  Then it's due MOT and should be ready to go. 

 

I’ve always been mildly intrigued by the Koleos. Think they sold in very low volumes here in its first iteration iirc. Might be a viable contender to replace the C5... 🤔🤔

[R9UKE]

I just had a lady buy a 2004 V70 off me because she didn't her grandkids and dogs ruining her week-old Tesla.  My first experience of one of these.  Terrifying.

 

 

[Tadhg Tiogar]

22 hours ago, R9UKE said:

I just had a lady buy a 2004 V70 off me because she didn't her grandkids and dogs ruining her week-old Tesla.  My first experience of one of these.  Terrifying.

 

 

God it's a barren featureless desert in there....

[R9UKE]

Isn't it just.  So clinical and soulless.