The Driving Thread

[Magic]

Lol at buying a stupid grandad wagon.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

What comfy 4 door barge should I get then?

[Foe]

Buy an old Porsche instead. Every now and again I look on gumtree and see some of these old range rovers, Porsche and golfs and really think about just spunking the 4 or 5 grand on a toy as a second car.

Probably also need to buy a cushion though to satisfy the comfort aspect.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

You haven't been paying attention, have you?

[Foe]

You used to have a Porsche didn't you? Or have you still got that too?

(I zone in and out)

[Magic]

What comfy 4 door barge should I get then?

Golf Estate 1.0 TSI.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

You used to have a Porsche didn't you? Or have you still got that too?

(I zone in and out)
I just sold it. I couldn't run the Boxster for much longer without dipping in to savings I don't want to touch (my shifts at work stopped in the last few months and I'm about £450 worse off a month). Now I'm commuting on the main roads (boring) at peak times in the pitch black so it's a complete waste of a sports car, hence going the bargain barge route and using the difference between the new car and the £7.5k from the Boxster to fund any issues.


Golf Estate 1.0 TSI.

Jesus wept.

[Foe]

Ah, that's upsetting.

That hideous Jag might well be a solid move then. Are jags reliable with age?

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

Ah, that's upsetting.

That hideous Jag might well be a solid move then. Are jags reliable with age?

Of all those sorts of cars (7 series, A8, Phaeton, S-class) they're probably the cheapest to run from what I can gather. To be honest, pick any one of them at 14 years old and they're not going to be without some issues.

The diesel seems to be the one to avoid due to its comparative complexity, the petrol engines are pretty sound. My old man has the diesel and does about 1000 miles a year, I'm just waiting for something to shit itself after clogging up with repeated 2 minute runs to the nearest co-op.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

Update on viewing the XJ-

Firstly, the car looks great in the metal and the interior feels very special (fuck the lot of you, minus Giggles). I'd see it giving a massive feel good factor.

Now that the good is out the way...

Niggles. You expect a few but maybe not on a car at top money. Battery appears on the way out. They'd said they had to put a booster on the battery to to get it started and because of this a gearbox fault and handbrake fault was showing.

Even if I conceded that, the whole fucking car shouldn't jolt massively when stationary and switching between park/drive/reverse. I mean a proper thud. Of course this was only noticed after I'd gone over the car and found-

*Headlamp washer still missing
*A/C useless (just a regas they say)
*Windows only had a one touch function on the way down
*Brakes covered in rust- unclear if a good session of hard stops would clean them up although given it wasn't just surface rust I doubt it
*Heated seats didn't get very warm
*Passenger door handle was a bit flimsy and the mechanism didn't feel great for opening
*A little corrosion at the bottom corner of the o/s/f and n/s/r doors, nothing terrible
*Rear tyres were properly budget crap from the looks of it- 'Three A P606' Never heard of them and I'm a bit of a tyre anorak.
*EML on as noted before (just an O2 sensor they say)

The main chap took the day off and so the folk that were there didn't want me to take it out very far from the lot in case the battery packed in or some other shite. Didn't even bother looking at any paperwork, you'd have to be a genuine ape to not notice this gearbox issue. Unless of course a dodgy battery can somehow make the gearbox operate in such a way, which I doubt.

Absolute shambles and it's a shame because it'd be an utterly fantastic barge in good condition. All that at a £5500 asking.

I'm not as annoyed as I otherwise would be though as before this I went to see a 7 series in Glasgow belonging to a chap on pistonheads that's well known to the forum. With looks only a mother could love, avoiding disaster, this will be the next steed for £3800-

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1608792

[Lewis]

Is Pistonheads as full of weirdos as its reputation claims, or is it just that its size means more of them (in absolute terms) than here?

[Baz]

Times like that don’t you wish you were mates with Edd China? He’d get that Jag running fine and fix everything else.

Although the new series of Wheeler Dealers doesn’t have him in because the network wanted “less focus on the workshop” so he quit. Shambles. :(

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

Weirdos in what way? There are some nutters but there are so many users.

Then there's sad act anoraks like me who could talk about tyres all day.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

Times like that don’t you wish you were mates with Edd China? He’d get that Jag running fine and fix everything else.

Although the new series of Wheeler Dealers doesn’t have him in because the network wanted “less focus on the workshop” so he quit. Shambles. :(
Would be handy. I just don't know what a trader would be thinking, that car would be way overpriced if it had none of the things I'd listed. It's not had an MOT since August ffs, maybe he just likes it as furniture.

[Giggles]

Times like that don’t you wish you were mates with Edd China? He’d get that Jag running fine and fix everything else.

Although the new series of Wheeler Dealers doesn’t have him in because the network wanted “less focus on the workshop” so he quit. Shambles. :(

Ant is better.

[Baz]

ant is better.blasphemy!

[Giggles]

There's not been a big cut back on the workshop bits after anyway. There's more to it than the story that Edd is telling.

[Foe]

That beemer is way better anyway. Assuming it doesn't fall apart.

[Magic]

Wow are you surprised a fucking ancient 70 grand car valued at 5k is a hunk of shit?

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

Doesn't feel as nice to sit in but I could be waiting a while to find something as well maintained.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

Wow are you surprised a fucking ancient 70 grand car valued at 5k is a hunk of shit?

I'll be honest, I can't say I'm surprised your life has turned to shit.

[Giggles]

Have you considered a W221 S-Class? A lot of people don't like Mercs but they're a lovely drive.

[Magic]

Have you considered a W221 S-Class? A lot of people don't like Mercs but they're a lovely drive.

Last time I looked he wasn't a middle-class corner shop owner.

[Giggles]

Yeah it's probably better you don't talk about cars.

[Lewis]

Wasn't the E-Class always the corner shop/takeaway owners' car of choice?

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

Have you considered a W221 S-Class? A lot of people don't like Mercs but they're a lovely drive.

Probably more than I'd want to spend at the minute, certainly to get a V8 one. These cars are so complex that knowing who has owned the car beforehand and how well they looked after it counts for a lot too.

[Lewis]

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C833429

Lads.

[Pepe]

How many mpgs do you get on that badboy? :drool:

[niko_cee]

I think it's gallons per mile.

[Lewis]

Wikipedia sez its 'road range' equates to 1.7 mpg, so probably not even half that on what you're actually allowed to use it on.

[Baz]

So I’ve been driving round with what I assumed were my fog lights on today. But then I noticed a second button which also appeared to be fog lights. :scratch:

It can’t be a case of one does the left (near side) and one does the right (off side) surely, so what are the two buttons and corresponding lights?

Here’s some photos taken while parked up:


https://i.imgur.com/IsKw86h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/lXnr183.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/q50ayH9.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/EWCULPS.jpg

[Giggles]

Front and back.

[Baz]

Of course!

The green light is front, I assume?

[Giggles]

Of course!

The green light is front, I assume?

It is indeed.

[Baz]

:thbup:

I’ll stick with the back ones in daylight and both when it gets dark, if the fogs as bad tomorrow. (Pff as if I won’t be home by 3:30)

[phonics]

I'm now wondering whether to buy a tank for a fiver and just parking it on someone's lawn.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

:thbup:

I’ll stick with the back ones in daylight and both when it gets dark, if the fogs as bad tomorrow. (Pff as if I won’t be home by 3:30)

Mind and only use them when it's properly bad. I never understand folk using them in the slightest mist when you can comfortably see regular lights from hundreds of yards away.

A work mate of mine is in his 60's and ever since he got his Toyota Avensis he's convinced it has 'driving lights', these are of course the front fog lights. This might make a touch more sense (relatively) if he didn't also drive a Clio just like mine now and again and have the front fog lights on while driving that too.

How someone can get to that age and not recognise the fog light symbol on the dash is beyond me.

The best bit is he was moaning to me the other month about other drivers going about with their fog lights on. Keeping a straight face is quite difficult but fucking honestly, what the juddering fuck.

[Giggles]

The back is far worse than the front to have on in good conditions. They're blinding.

[Baz]

I’ll smash em both in in the morning. :uhoh:

Nah the fog was shocking today. Was lucky I was working local and knew the roads cos you could easily have a give way creep up on you, could only see about five meters ahead at times.

[Giggles]

My Da was saying that to me this morning too, took him 4 hours to get home from work last night when it normally would have taken 2.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

The back is far worse than the front to have on in good conditions. They're blinding.

People that use them round town should be shot

[Spikey M]

Fucking bus has just taken my wing mirror off. We were both at the front waiting for the traffic lights to change, he was turning right, I was going straight on. It’s one of those roads where right turning traffic has too wait in the middle of a cross road until there’s a chance, but he was too far to the left, there was no room for traffic to go up the side of him so I stopped.

Predictably when making the turn his arse swang out and took my mirror out. Good job I hadn’t gone further on or the whole side of the car would have copped it. Got to wait for them to call in the morning now.

[Giggles]

Got a proper spin out of the new van today, it's surprisingly decent to drive for a diesel.

[Magic]

Is it actually a van or are you being a weirdo and just calling it that?

[Giggles]

Is it actually a van or are you being a weirdo and just calling it that?

It was converted into a van in the week between buying it and me getting it. On commercial tax and all.

[Magic]

A V60 van. I just can't visualise it. Pic?

[Giggles]

A V60 van. I just can't visualise it. Pic?

It just looks the exact same from the outside but it has the seats taken out and a new flat floor put in the back. Saved the company €8,000 on import and saves me €10,000 tax a year.

I only have a photo of the outside but I'll take a snap looking into the boot tomorrow.

[Magic]

Giggles taking a pic of his specialised rapist boot is peak sinister.

[Giggles]

Giggles taking a pic of his specialised rapist boot is peak sinister.

I'll hide the stirrups and gimp mask first.

[niko_cee]

10 grand in tax, a year?

[Giggles]

Yeah, BIK on a company car is 30% of the value of the car new per year. On a commercial vehicle it's 5%.

[Magic]

Jesus mine is only 2k, though the BIK is rising by 2% each year. :@

[Pepe]

I think I'll need to buy a car in the next few months. Will probably go for something cheap, boring, and used. Like a Yaris of Honda Fit or something.

[Spikey M]

You want AMERICAN MUSCLE, you tart.

[Pepe]

Nah, if I was to splurge it would be on something like an Abarth or a Fiesta ST. Golf GTI at most.

[Lewis]

Hemmings > classifieds > search: 'suspension lift': > yes mate (https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/ford/f250/2066814.html)

[Pepe]

:D

Not too far, will have to go check it out.

[Magic]

Can't go wrong with a Golf imo.

[Lewis]

I've read that those things wear through their parts at an incredible rate, so bear that in mind on your pitiful academic salary.

[Pepe]

Yeah, I don't want some shite that will break all the time. I already have one (currently broken) for those purposes.

As for pitiful, first offer was $91k. :eyemouth:

[Lewis]

Sorry. I forgot you did a worthwhile subject.

[Pepe]

Not really sure it is worthwhile, but I am not going to complain.

[Pepe]

Fuck me, such a thing as a $40,000 Focus exists. :harold:

[Lewis]

The Focus RS. :cool:

[Giggles]

Can't go wrong with a Golf imo.

Apart from dying of boredom.

[Pepe]

The Focus RS. :cool:

Seems like a bit of a beast without looking as lol as that Civic R thing. A Mustang GT probably dons them both senseless though.

[Lewis]

Focus RS 0-62: 4.7 seconds
Mustang GT 0-62: 4.8 seconds

Donned and donned. Decision made.

[Giggles]

I thought you'd be all over electric like a rash.

[Magic]

91k? Get to the jobs thread m8 we want to hear what you've got to say.

[Pepe]

91k? Get to the jobs thread m8 we want to hear what you've got to say.

I posted there but only Foe congratulated me. I am flying him down to my housewarming party, the rest of you can fuck off.

[Magic]

Can't wait until robots can do engineering tbqfh.

[Pepe]

Good that I will be teaching and teachers will never be replaced because soft skills and stuff.

[Spikey M]

I missed the post. Bare with.

[Giggles]

I just didn't care.

[Lewis]

Can't wait until robots can do engineering tbqfh.

Posting here all day whilst the PhonePlugger-1000 pays your child maintenance for you. :drool:

[Magic]

Cheers Phonics.

[Lewis]

No need for that.

[Foe]

I posted there but only Foe congratulated me. I am flying him down to my housewarming party, the rest of you can fuck off.

:cool:

I need to get a job in America. I'd heard murmurs our grads start on $100K and assumed it was bullshit. Maybe not.

[Pepe]

I think people with Bachelors start on average at $80k or so, with some fields being better than other of course. The two persons that graduated recently from my lab with PhDs both went to Intel and I think they are on $120k.

[Foe]

Well that's fucking demoralising. :mad:

Although, having $200K of debt probably evens the field a little.

[Pepe]

Definitely. Luckily, I managed to keep my debt down to a reasonable $0. :cool:

[Foe]

Oh yes. The cartel look after their future cooks. Wicked.

In all seriousness though, that's great. Mortgage free in 5 years.

Back to cars, my car needs handed back/bought in a few months time. Think I'll just buy it and keep it for a year or two before I panic and buy a Porsche.

[Pepe]

Picking up this beast in the next few days:

https://i.imgur.com/mE8oZbL.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/pgFjawN.jpg

:drool:

[Foe]

Gift for your girlfriend?

[Giggles]

She'll love it.

[Baz]

:D

[Magic]

The American bumpers. :harold:

[Spikey M]

Atleast you won’t have to worry about locking it.

[Pepe]

She'll pay half of it and she does love it.

[phonics]

Lol isn't that the thing that's just a souped up Fiat Punto? I recognise the badge.

[Spikey M]

Looks more like a Fiat 500.

[Pepe]

Souped up 500, yes. Thing sounds like a lawnmower on steroids. :drool:

[phonics]

Considering how little I know about cars, I'm quite proud of being that close.

[Magic]

It's an Arbarth.

[Lewis]

Abarth. My friend has a standard Fiat 500 and it's really good, so that should be fun provided the windows let enough light in to actually drive it.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The American bumpers. :harold:

It's to help them parallel park, they all get in by bumping.

[Magic]

Abarth. My friend has a standard Fiat 500 and it's really good, so that should be fun provided the windows let enough light in to actually drive it.

Your mum, you mean.

[Pepe]

Abarth. My friend has a standard Fiat 500 and it's really good, so that should be fun provided the windows let enough light in to actually drive it.

I could barely see the mirrors when test driving it last night.

EDIT: Didn't even notice that the windshield is tinted too. Who does that? :face:

[Spikey M]

Is that legal there?

[Pepe]

Doubt it.

[phonics]

Is that legal there?

Depends on how brown you are so Pepe's fucked.

[Pepe]

I'll carry a camera with me at all times so Magic can wank to the video of my assassination.

[John]

I could barely see the mirrors when test driving it last night.

EDIT: Didn't even notice that the windshield is tinted too. Who does that? :face:

You've driven it and didn't realise the windshield was tinted? :D

You sound very safe.

[Pepe]

Haven't had an accident in 10+ years. A+ driver.

[Spikey M]

When did you last have a car?

[Magic]

I'll carry a camera with me at all times so Magic can wank to the video of my assassination.

Please don't get me unnecessarily hard.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

11.

He's racked up lawnmower accidents in that time though.

[Pepe]

When did you last have a car?

I think the previous one died on October 2016.

[Pepe]

Spent seven hours in the car yesterday (had to go renew my passport.) Surprisingly comfortable for such a small car. I am sure someone in the back seat wouldn't agree, but fuck him, he should get his own car. The engine drone is a bit annoying when on the highway for hours, but eventually you get used to it.

[Adramelch]

Never drove a car that was droning, but I can imagine it being really annoying when the rest of the car is properly quiet.

[Spikey M]

As if Peps didn’t have Despacito cranked up for his mamacita.

[Pepe]

I have never heard that song. :uhoh:

I do know of its existence.

We had the 80s playlist at full blast. :cool:

[Pepe]

Already had to take it to the dealership to replace a steering shaft. Dat reliability. :drool:

[Baz]

https://i.imgur.com/bfZlVNe_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium

:cool:

[Lewis]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AJCdmW33fM

[Pepe]

Pretty spot on. Some plastic covers for the usb/aux plugs also broke but I didn't bother asking for them to replace them since they will just break again. The exhaust noise makes up for all of it though.

[Baz]

Just drove home from Bolton and saw a pretty hefty smash on the M62. About ten minutes before it all the cards were queued and moving about 10mph and some dickhead came pelting down the hard shoulder with his hazards on. Then later on I passed him, still going slowly, as he had pulled over on the hard shoulder, still with hazards on. For some reason the driver was now out of the car and round the other side speaking to his passenger through a half open window. I thought nothing of it and carried on.

Next thing that happens is while we’re still all queued, and now more traffic is filtering on from a junction (either 10 or 11, I’d guess), his car appears, undertaking me, then swerving around and pulling in front of a car in the slow lane, then tried to swerve into the middle lane (about four cars in front) but smashes into the back of s car, which then spins around and hits a pickup truck and another car. The guy who caused it was driving like an absolute loon and it made a hell of a noise.

Was weird how clear the motorway suddenly looked, despite all the debris. All four cars involved managed to pull over in the hard shoulder and as I drove off the driver from the main smashed car and from the pickup were running back down the hard shoulder, presumably to go mad at the idiot driver who could’ve easily killed someone.

I just drove off though. What are you supposed to do in that situation? Presumably I had a better view than the three victims because I was behind them all, but I’d never consider stopping and giving a witness statement or anything. Are you supposed to?

[Giggles]

Keep going and don't get involved.

[Magic]

Yes.

[Spikey M]

Just drove home from Bolton and saw a pretty hefty smash on the M62. About ten minutes before it all the cards were queued and moving about 10mph and some dickhead came pelting down the hard shoulder with his hazards on. Then later on I passed him, still going slowly, as he had pulled over on the hard shoulder, still with hazards on. For some reason the driver was now out of the car and round the other side speaking to his passenger through a half open window. I thought nothing of it and carried on.

Next thing that happens is while we’re still all queued, and now more traffic is filtering on from a junction (either 10 or 11, I’d guess), his car appears, undertaking me, then swerving around and pulling in front of a car in the slow lane, then tried to swerve into the middle lane (about four cars in front) but smashes into the back of s car, which then spins around and hits a pickup truck and another car. The guy who caused it was driving like an absolute loon and it made a hell of a noise.

Was weird how clear the motorway suddenly looked, despite all the debris. All four cars involved managed to pull over in the hard shoulder and as I drove off the driver from the main smashed car and from the pickup were running back down the hard shoulder, presumably to go mad at the idiot driver who could’ve easily killed someone.

I just drove off though. What are you supposed to do in that situation? Presumably I had a better view than the three victims because I was behind them all, but I’d never consider stopping and giving a witness statement or anything. Are you supposed to?

Call the Police and tell them what you saw.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Yep.

Say you couldn't stick around but are willing to give a statement now.

[phonics]

Call the Police and tell them what you saw.

This. You're not expected to stop your entire day when it happens but making a phone call hurts no-one and helps everyone else involved.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Bloke concerned will be a general criminal/drug dealer or something.

Undertaking is a proper hazard, it seems to be almost commonplace these days for cunts to just ping down the left when the middle lane is doing less than 80. Should be an instant driving ban.

[phonics]

I remember Alan Shearer the 2nd kicking off on here for someone being 2mph below the speed limit.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Probably more annoying on Scottish roads where sheep are more common than cars.

[Giggles]

Bloke concerned will be a general criminal/drug dealer or something.

Undertaking is a proper hazard, it seems to be almost commonplace these days for cunts to just ping down the left when the middle lane is doing less than 80. Should be an instant driving ban.

If there is a left lane and it's empty (assuming you're not talking about an exit filter or hard shoulder) then no cunt should be sitting in the middle anyway, let alone doing 80. That itself should be the instant ban.

[Magic]

Bloke concerned will be a general criminal/drug dealer or something.

Undertaking is a proper hazard, it seems to be almost commonplace these days for cunts to just ping down the left when the middle lane is doing less than 80. Should be an instant driving ban.

You slow cunts should get out the fucking way.

[phonics]

My favourite day on the motorway had to be driving back down from the Midlands and noticing that while we were bombing down it, the other side was like the Walking Dead. No traffic updates had popped up previously so we figured it must have been a pretty horrendous crash as it went on for miles. Only for us to arrive at the sight of he other lane, full of about 50 sheep just running down the middle of the M4(?) flanked by 10 police cars with their lights going and travelling at like 5 miles an hour and this farmer shouting blue murder at them.

Must have been infuriating to be just behind it.

[Spikey M]

If there is a left lane and it's empty (assuming you're not talking about an exit filter or hard shoulder) then no cunt should be sitting in the middle anyway, let alone doing 80. That itself should be the instant ban.

Yep. If you’re being undertaken then most of the time it’s because you’re sat in the wrong lane.

[Magic]

Yep. If you’re being undertaken then most of the time it’s because you’re sat in the wrong lane.

He's the sort of entitled cunt that wouldn't even check his mirrors, and will also wear driving gloves.

[Baz]

Call the Police and tell them what you saw.Done. :thbup:

[niko_cee]

Seems my dreadful french wreck of a car has some sort of ridiculous electro osmosis problem which causes the windscreen washer pump to direct water through the 'marron' electrical cable and into the fuse box. Washer jets and sidelights disabled.

:face:

How easy is it to replace this type of thing? I can get into it, and all the wiring loom connectors look alright (the connector pins on the fuse board have had it though). A new fuse box/board is about £70 so I don't much fancy having a dealer, or mechanic, charge me thousands to fix it really. Think I'd need to replace the water pump thing as well.

[Greg]

I feel like if you have to ask how easy it is you should just get someone who knows what they're doing to do it, like a mechanic. Might void the warranty if you do anything with it as well.

[Spikey M]

I feel like if you have to ask how easy it is you should just get someone who knows what they're doing to do it, like a mechanic. Might void the warranty if you do anything with it as well.

Nah. Google it. There might be a YouTube video of how to do it, depending how common a problem it is. My local garage wanted £110 to replace my broken wing mirror. I did it myself for £25.

[niko_cee]

Warranty?

:lol:

I can get a mechanic to do it, but he's a bit of an investigator and will want to waste loads of time 'finding' the problem (he's done it before, nice as he is he's a bit of an autist) which will cost me - that's probably a £500 route depending on whether he accepts my parts or not.

I know if I take it to the dealer they'll quote me £1000+ for a new fuse board, wiring loom and washer pump (combined ebay parts cost about £130) which is just galling seeing as it's a manufacturing/design defect that seems to have been getting moaned about a lot in recent years. Useless french twats.

First things first though I'm going to try and clean the marron plug to see if that makes any difference, the corrosion doesn't look nearly as bad as some examples I've seen online.

[Baz]

Any of you hardwired a dashcam before?

I’ve bought one (won’t link it cos you’re all sarcastic cunts) and hoping I can keep the cigarette lighter free for USB ports.

[Giggles]

Any of you hardwired a dashcam before?

I’ve bought one (won’t link it cos you’re all sarcastic cunts) and hoping I can keep the cigarette lighter free for USB ports.

I've done it a few times yes.

Find a fuse that comes on with the ignotion.

Plug in one of these:

https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1rrhrMFXXXXX4XFXXq6xXFXXXn/Car-Style-A-Circuit-Standard-Mini-Micro-Blade-Fuse-Boxes-Holder-Piggy-Back-Fuses-Tap-for.jpg_640x640.jpg

Add one of these to the live and take a common from any screw that's into the chassis (something bolting a bit of the underside of the dash on or something).

https://www.kenable.co.uk/images/car_12v_power_splitter.jpg

I used a double one so I could have a phone charger permanently too. Cut the plug part off and just wire straight.

Find somewhere to tie the socket behind the dash. Mine is under the steering wheel in behind.

Run the cable up the A-pillar (take it off, it'll be much handier) and across the front of the roof lining. I used sticky pad cable tie holders to keep them in.

Result.



.

[Giggles]

Or you could just put one of these into your fag lighter socket so there's one free, but I cannot abide cables strewn around a car.


https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1v4MHRVXXXXXuaXXXq6xXFXXXd/MOONBIFFY-Dual-cigarette-lighter-car-Lighter-Charger-Socket-Splitter-12V-Car-Cigar-Lighter-Socket-Double-Dual.jpg_640x640.jpg

[Baz]

Cheers.

What’s that second thing in the first post? I understand the top one is a piggyback fuse.

[Giggles]

Cheers.

What’s that second thing in the first post? I understand the top one is a piggyback fuse.

It's basically the same as the thing in the second post but it has a cable connection instead of all being the one piece. I used one so I could cut the single plug off it and connect the wires straight to the fuse tap.

[Baz]

It's basically the same as the thing in the second post but it has a cable connection instead of all being the one piece. I used one so I could cut the single plug off it and connect the wires straight to the fuse tap.Okay.

I've watched a few videos on youtube and bought some kit. I'm way out my depth though.

[Giggles]

Just take it in steps. Once you have a fuse picked, then get the connections done and find a place you can cable tie in the 12V socket. That's the worst of it. Just a matter of running the cables up to the camera then.

When you get to that stage, connect the lead int camera and work backwards down to your socket, so you can hide any excess wire too.

[Giggles]

If you're really not happy though, send the camera back and buy one at Halfords. Their installation prices aren't bad at all if you're buying the kit off them too.

[Magic]

Lol Volkswagen just sent me a fucking video of their mechanic doing a health check on my car.

[Spikey M]

I have in interview for a job that has a bit of a commute lined up, and a possible interview for another one that’s closer but still a bit of a trip. I don’t trust my car with either of these long term, and both of the jobs have an increase in wage that mean I’ve no need to risk it.

With that, I need some advice:

I need a family car, nothing too big but 5 doors, reasonable leg room and boot space. Best? Worst? Bonus points for Eco. Cars. Not because I’m green, because of that cash money.

I will also be relying on getting one on lease / credit, as we don’t have £5-10k outright. What’s the best way to go about this? What should I avoid? Best companies to use?

[niko_cee]

C3 Picasso is mega (well the 2011 style model) if you can overlook the shoddy French engineering and tendency for it to channel water into the electrical parts of the engine bay.

I fixed that by the way. £100 spent on something a dealer would have been charging in the 1000s for. Win. :cool:

[Magic]

Get a company car so they pay for your commute.

[Spikey M]

Get a company car so they pay for your commute.

I’ll see what they say about picking me up in the chairman’s chopper first.

[Spikey M]

C3 Picasso is mega (well the 2011 style model) if you can overlook the shoddy French engineering and tendency for it to channel water into the electrical parts of the engine bay.

I fixed that by the way. £100 spent on something a dealer would have been charging in the 1000s for. Win. :cool:

I do like them (assuming they’re not the ones with the plastic panels on the doors). Is the MPG any good? How much is road tax?

[Magic]

I’ll see what they say about picking me up in the chairman’s chopper first.

Hard to peddle 2 people on a chopper mate.

[Spikey M]

Stunt pegs.

[Dquincy]

VW Tiguan.

Cuurent version or the older one.

[Pepe]

Especially the diesel ones. :harold:

[Dquincy]

Diesel is the future.

[niko_cee]

I do like them (assuming they’re not the ones with the plastic panels on the doors). Is the MPG any good? How much is road tax?

Mine's a diesel VTR job and does about 500-600 miles on a tank (which seems good to me). No idea on road tax as we don't have that.

They have good visibility, the seating position is a bit elevated which is nice and good internal size (given the overall size of the car).

[Pepe]

Diesel is the future.

I thought electric, driverless cars were the future.

[Giggles]

Diesel is the future.

In 1984.

[Spikey M]

Which is still the future in parts of Ireland. :baz:

[Giggles]

Which is still the future in parts of Ireland. :baz:

More so in our neighbours. You have to set your watch back 30 years when you cross the border.

[Pepe]

Someone buy me this one:

https://s13252.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/1522159946f66e7dff9f98764da974C81B2-5AEE-488F-B8D6-F5FAFB9A9F28-940x705.jpeg

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1991-ford-sierra-cosworth/

:drool:

[Magic]

The APPALLING bumper modifications. :sick:

[Spikey M]

It’s like a 90’s nightmare.

[Pepe]

Exactly. :drool:

[Giggles]

Love those.

[niko_cee]

The spoiler's a bit understated.

[Pepe]

The spoiler's a bit understated.

Stolen from an STI.

[Giggles]

Stolen from an STI.

I used to have an A4 with the spoiler off a WRX on it :drool:

[Pepe]

Would have never guessed. :D

[Pepe]

We used to have one of these when I was a kid:

https://s17-us2.startpage.com/cgi-bin/serveimage?url=http:%2F%2Fwww.relentlessracing.com %2Fimages%2Fcustomers_baker_1.jpg&sp=67b3a072bf7aacaedfd66edb8b44efeb

Shit car, but those wheels looked great.

[Pepe]

Taking the Fiat to the racetrack on Tuesday. :cool:

[Spikey M]

Why?

[wullie]

Got shunted in the rear the other day, felt like a massive hit but in reality it must have been about 3mph as the only sign of damage was some scratches which it turned out was dirt that rubbed off. The Fiesta's a strong beast compared to my beautiful 206 (RIP) developed a dent if I stared at it sternly enough.

[Pepe]

Why?

For fun.

[Magic]

Almost certainly got the 3 points and £100 fine I've deserved for the past 11 years today.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

Where?

[Magic]

Portlethen (A90 Aberdeen). Didn't think the GATSO cams had been recalibrated to 50 for the roadworks, got flashed at 70-odd. That could end quite badly...

[CJay]

When it comes to roadworks and there's no work being done at night (but the speed signs at 50 or whatever are still there) are you still obliged to stick to the restricted speed?

[Magic]

When it comes to roadworks and there's no work being done at night (but the speed signs at 50 or whatever are still there) are you still obliged to stick to the restricted speed?

On average speed yeah but I thought fixed ones @ 70 would always be at 70 regardless of fucking roadworks.

[Giggles]

When it comes to roadworks and there's no work being done at night (but the speed signs at 50 or whatever are still there) are you still obliged to stick to the restricted speed?

You have to stick to the posted limit regardless.

[Magic]

You have to stick to the posted limit regardless.

That requires competence. Clearly I've underestimated our camera maintainers.

[Magic]

Changed in feb apparently. Cunts. That's 2 years after the roadworks started.

[Pepe]

Taking the Fiat to the racetrack on Tuesday. :cool:

Well, that was a blast.

Some fast cars out there. Shared the novice session with a Z06, one of those beastly Camaro ZL1s (or whatever they're called,) a Camaro SS, a Lotus Exige, an M3, and an S5. Needless to say the little Fiat got smoked. Zero fucks given though. :cool:

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

Alternator on the 7 series seems to have royally shat itself.

Think I'll be getting shot of it soon, after getting a couple of gaskets and the lower oil pan replaced recently (hairline crack in it) it still leaks oil, albeit much, much slower than it did.

Not quite sure how BMW can fuck up the design of an engine quite so badly, makes a better sieve.

[Magic]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/05/09/bmw-recall-312000-cars-finding-engines-could-cut-driven/

:lol:

[Spikey M]

First VW lying about MPG and emissions, now this. Arise British Motors and BRITISH MANUFACTURING. #Brexit

[Lewis]

http://i66.tinypic.com/2hdbd52.jpg
http://i64.tinypic.com/2hmk3f7.jpg

Maybe not.

[Spikey M]

Where’s your sense of national pride?

[Lewis]

The Germans are responsible for that (and all of these SUV things).

[Disco]

They should stick to half-tracks.

[Pepe]

I bloody hate trucks.

Which reminds me: Lol at Ford not selling cars (apart from the Mustang) in the US anymore.

[Magic]

Please don't use 'bloody' when you're not from these shores, bro.

[Pepe]

I will use whatever term I want mate.

[Spikey M]

Calm down Ese.

[Magic]

I will use whatever term I want mate.

Buddy or pal plz.

[Pepe]

https://photos-5.dropbox.com/t/2/AADPNT0PgVW6H9FelYId0TeXJcDTPl8mZAFIaSDsSKru3Q/12/113308158/jpeg/32x32/3/1526072400/0/2/Image00396.jpg/ENWDwpAFGKRAIAcoBw/X9gx-aY0x6HnbEoxfCGINSnAr1_5p19zfcdnHWnzGwo?dl=0&size=1280x960&size_mode=3

:cool:

[Giggles]

Is that a helmet? :D

[Pepe]

Yes it is. Serious business mate.

[Giggles]

Yes it is. Serious business mate.

Why didn't you turn up in a fiat 500 then?

[Pepe]

It's an Abarth. Totally different beast. Mini Ferrari.

[Pepe]

I would've taken my Neon if it didn't leak oil and didn't have bare tires.

[Magic]

Bald = better for drifting.

Watching the ladies drifting by that is.

[Spikey M]

https://photos-5.dropbox.com/t/2/AADPNT0PgVW6H9FelYId0TeXJcDTPl8mZAFIaSDsSKru3Q/12/113308158/jpeg/32x32/3/1526072400/0/2/Image00396.jpg/ENWDwpAFGKRAIAcoBw/X9gx-aY0x6HnbEoxfCGINSnAr1_5p19zfcdnHWnzGwo?dl=0&size=1280x960&size_mode=3

:cool:

picture isn't working for me.

[Disco]

Reached a new low on the way home today, got parped at for stopping at a green light to let an ambulance (with full lights and sirens) cross a junction ahead of me.

[Lewis]

I got pulled over doing 96 mph on the M62 today, which is three points and a hundred quid. I'm obviously annoyed, but I'm not SEETHING because:

1) My speedometer said I was doing over a hundred, so I shitted myself when he flashed me because I believed that thirty over the limit was instant ban territory.
2) He said 96 mph is the upper limit for a ticket (twenty-six over the limit), and anything over is a court appearance which I could do without.

HOWEVER, he claimed to have been 'tracking' (following, mate) me for six miles. If my speed was so dangerous, why let me do it for five miles? Was he waiting for me to stray into court and/or ban territory? Doing me a favour alright fella.

[Pepe]

Can you get a lawyer and fight tickets over there as you can here? Parking ticket lawyer sounds like the biggest chancer job.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

If he was tracking you for that long how come you didn't see him and slow down?

I was once caught doing 90 (my speedo was just under 100 though) and I just got a warning. He probably felt sorry for me, pity vote ftw.

[Giggles]

Can you get a lawyer and fight tickets over there as you can here? Parking ticket lawyer sounds like the biggest chancer job.

If it's anything like here then you're completely wasting your time fighting it. Plus, if you take it all the way to court and inevitably lose the points and fine go up.

[Giggles]

If he was tracking you for that long how come you didn't see him and slow down?

I was once caught doing 90 (my speedo was just under 100 though) and I just got a warning. He probably felt sorry for me, pity vote ftw.

I'd presume they were in an unmarked car.

[Lewis]

He has footage of me doing ninety-odd, so unless I could prove I was having a heart attack I would (not unfairly) got lolled out of court.

Yeah, unmarked BMW, which I figured was just some dickhead getting up my arse.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Can you get a lawyer and fight tickets over there as you can here? Parking ticket lawyer sounds like the biggest chancer job.

Parking tickets that aren't issued by the police/local council you can just ignore. They'll threaten you with legal action but nothing will actually happen.

If it's by the Police/Council it's not all that easy to fight it.

I once ignored a red light offence (it turned at the last second) and they took me to court but after multiple delays they decided they couldn't be arsed anymore so threw it out.

[Pepe]

I still have a couple of unpaid speeding tickets, one from Florida and one from New York. I wonder if they'll ever come bite me in the ass.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

I'd take the 3 points and £100 for that, would have expected worse.

I don't tend to speed excessively on main routes for fear of unmarked cars and the like.

In other news, while the BMW's alternator shat itself last week (and also needs a water pump I'm told) it seems the differential on the Clio is making a nasty clicking/knocking sound now.

Anyone want to buy a 7 series that only leaks some oil?

[Lewis]

Yeah, I'm not too put out by it. It's a wonder I've never been done before (not least on that road), and it could have been worse, so I'll take one for the team.

[Magic]

He has footage of me doing ninety-odd, so unless I could prove I was having a heart attack I would (not unfairly) got lolled out of court.

Yeah, unmarked BMW, which I figured was just some dickhead getting up my arse.

Such a rookie mistake, that.

Why didn't you slow down and pull over? If it's unmarked it will probably follow you if not let it fly past.

In other news, still no ticket for me. I did a bit of reading and asking and anyone that had a ticket from speeding had to wait a few months for it to go through the leasing company > my company which is annoying.

[Yevrah]

I drove round the Nurburgring yesterday. Fuck. Me.

[Lewis]

Who had that down as most unexpected post ever?

[Yevrah]

This might be the second most.

I did it in a convertible Mercedes that me and a mate bought for £400 two weeks ago.

[Lewis]

That's mega. What brought this [mid-life crisis] on?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What is going on?

[Yevrah]

There's a guy I've worked with for years who's talked about doing a top gear style banger rally challenge and finally he organised it.

So on Friday afternoon an assortment of work people and their friends left in 4 cars (an Audi 80, MX5, MR2 and the Merc - all bought for under £500) for Dover. Overnight stay and then on the Ferry at 7, through France, Belgium and Luxembourg (which was fucking amazing) before arriving at Nurburg in the evening. Piss up and meal that evening then we hit the track the following morning. Well, I say morning, we didn't get on until 1 as it was closed three times (with 1 fatality I think).

Finished at the track before driving over to Amsterdam, with one of the cars perishing on the A2 7 miles out. After we'd shuttled everyone to the hotel another night out ensued before we drove to the Hook of Holland for a lunchtime ferry back over to the UK today. Just got back home now and exhausted, but so so worth it.

The ring was simultaneously the most exhilarating and terrifying experience I've ever had. Words (or Top Gear even) can't really do it justice. One of the guys was in the stand when I was driving so I think I'll have a photo to share later in the week.

[John]

That sounds fucking quality. What was so good about Luxembourg?

[Yevrah]

There's a hill/mountainside series of roads that have fantastic scenery and views, with sheer drops off the side at times and you can drive right through it.

I think it's more of a biker's route than traditionally a car one, but the convertible Merc did the trick.

[Pepe]

That sounds really great and a bit tragic at the same time.

Yevrah. :cool:

[Pepe]

We definitely need some pictures.

[Baz]

Sounds better than an episode of Grand Tour.

[Magic]

Work organised too? That's even more impressive. That's like Rust2Rome.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

That's one of the last people I'd have expected to post that. What was the Merc, SLK that was more rust than steel?

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

I'd take the 3 points and £100 for that, would have expected worse.

I don't tend to speed excessively on main routes for fear of unmarked cars and the like.

In other news, while the BMW's alternator shat itself last week (and also needs a water pump I'm told) it seems the differential on the Clio is making a nasty clicking/knocking sound now.

Anyone want to buy a 7 series that only leaks some oil?

And now the Clio's differential has shat itself.

Karma coming after me all in the same month.

[Pepe]

That's one bad run of form there.

[Magic]

Buy shit ancient cars that's what you get sucker.

[Spikey M]

I’ve got my MOT tomorrow, my first one. In the event that it’s an unroadworthy pile of shit, and I scrap it, what happens with my car insurance? I paid up front, rather than paying monthly. Would I be entitled to some back (minus an admin fee or something)? Or is it tough shit?

[wullie]

You should be able to claim back whatever part of your remaining insurance applies, I did the same in October and it was way less hassle than I was expecting it to be.

[Baz]

You should be able to claim back whatever part of your remaining insurance applies, I did the same in October and it was way less hassle than I was expecting it to be.You scrapped your gold [plated] beast? :thbdn:

[wullie]

Yeah, put it in for a service and the guy called me to say that I was about four years past the time you should probably change the cambelt, so that was the point I had to wave goodbye. No suggestion that the belt was actually likely to fail, but I knew the end was nigh.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

Buy shit ancient cars that's what you get sucker.

Ancient I'll give you but they're great when they're not misbehaving.

[Spikey M]

My shit ancient car has somehow passed its MOT, proving that Magic knows as much about cars as he does WiFi solutions.

[SincereTheRebel]

Had an airbag problem with my car. Various garages quoted me over £600 to fix over the past month. The interwebs suggested a website called crashdata.co.uk. They fixed the issue for £50 :D

[Spikey M]

Ban the bot.

[Giggles]

First job this morning is 33km away. Google Maps is showing 1 hour and 56 minutes :moop:

[SincereTheRebel]

Anyone ever used halfords or kwik-fit for serving your car or are they that shit?

[Spikey M]

Halfords fitted our car seat, but that’s it as far as they’re concerned.

Kwik-fit changed my spark plugs for £40 but wanted over £100 to do a wing mirror. Best off going to a little local garage.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

http://i.imgur.com/aYLTEKw.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/zuNINHg.jpg

:harold:

It's so blatantly thievery which makes it actually funny.

'Suspension dust cover failed? Let's replace the whole suspension'.

Oh and Windscreem made me smile.

Took it to a Polish garage and they also gave me a shit Ford Fiesta 1.4. The door panels on the driver side are all ripped out and the window on the driver side is purely cosmetic, it's being held in place by a bit of wood. At least I don't have to use public transport tomorrow though.

Don't do it, Sincere. I picked it up and took it to a local garage to do the repairs and they charged me £80 all in.

They're crooks.

[wullie]

I've used Halfords for piddly things I couldn't be arsed/didn't know how to do myself, but they're a ripoff otherwise. For MOT go to the council, then word of mouth for a local garage with anything else.

[Spikey M]

After a dick head driver managed to roll his lorry (https://www.essexlive.news/news/a130-traffic-sees-six-miles-1644592) on the A130 yesterday, causing my 33 minute drive to take 3 hours, I’ve made my work book me a train for today. No idea how people do this every day. I’m currently sat on the floor next to the doors, and it would cost about £4K for the pleasure if I worked in London.

[Baz]

Why are you sat on the floor? :cab:

[Spikey M]

Because the chairs are taken and I don’t want to stand up.

[Giggles]

Because the chairs are taken and I don’t want to stand up.

What the fuck? Are you stitching Nike trainers together or something? :D

[SincereTheRebel]

In London, people wake up in the morning to tramps sleeping in the doorway to their house.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Have the provincials amongst us not been on rush hour London trains? It's like being in the very centre of a sardine net.

[Baz]

Have the provincials amongst us not been on rush hour London trains? It's like being in the very centre of a sardine net.

Surely you can stand up though.