Depends what you want from a car. Its more sedate LWB cousin 'limo' has a higher geared final drive. My contact in Kansas tells me his 2006 LWB W12 shows 2150 at 80mph which translates to around 37mph per 1000 revs. Audi geared the SWB 'sport' for mid range performance and acceleration, a bit like a rally car but obviously not as few mph per 1000 revs in top gear. So the 0-60 time is less and in theory it could even have a better top speed than the LWB if the 250kph limiter was disabled - it might well do 180 mph at 6,000 revs.

I was working at a Saab dealer when the 2.3 turbo debuted in the 9000. I remember reading in a magazine at the time how it would do 50-70 in 5th gear quicker than a Ferrari Testarossa. All very impressive, but I was thinking that the Ferrari is geared to do 180mph, whereas the Saab topped out at about 140mph. Were the Ferrari's 5th gear the same as the Saab's, would it still take longer to do 50-70?, unlikely. ...

Yes, compressor oil is not changed as above. When an aircon is regassed, they usually use a fully automatic machine. It removes and weighs any gas left in the system, and separates any oil that is held in suspension in the gas. This will be in the order of only a few ml. It pulls a vacuum to remove all the gas, any water present boils off too. It checks the system for leaks by then stopping and checking the vacuum is still maintained after being stood for around 30 minutes or more. It then refills the system using a set weight of new gas. At the same time new oil is added, equal to amount removed plus a bit usually 5-10ml depending on how much gas had been lost.

If the vacuum test fails, it indicates a leak, the machine stops as its illegal to refill a leaking aircon system. One significant advantage with kwikfit type places is if it they don't charge the customer if the machine fails the vacuum test (ask them beforehand to be sure). No idea but doubt a dealer would do that.

Any Audi/VW/Skoda/Seat petrol with the 2.0ltr turbo giving some 215 to 245bhp for the later models. Any VW Golf GTI is a good bet. A BMW 330i has some 245bhp

You will find that on the road you will often have little opportunity to exploit the full potential of the above and when you do fuel consumption suffers. Also insurance has also to be considered....

Notice states (Pleasure Grounds Parks and Open Spaces Bylaws 1992. (Insert code) 9.2 )

I was parked in an very unclear supposed to be hatched area which doesn’t look like a hatched square, but on the Note they have put “parked where sign prohibits”

The reason I suggested using grease is that's what I read a lot of people did with the Mk7 fiesta, as it's a known fault. It's a shaft with a joint on either end. One connects to the power steering motor behind the steering wheel, and the other to the steering rack down by the pedals. I agree a new part is probably the way to go. Shame I can't seem to find a pattern part, as Mazda are a bit of a rip off in my experience.

Greasing wont last long and doesn`t prevent the UJ from wearing, but its up to you if you use a pattern part, but I don`t recommend it as I have known pattern parts to wear knock faster than OEM...