June 2023
I'd forgotten the pleasure of driving a 3 litre in-line six. Just so smooth and, because it is normally aspirated, the power builds so naturally. And manual too. It was, quite simply, heavenly. Sad to admit, these are engines that make my love of Italian cars seem misplaced... Read more
Classic cars that is. Seen three this evening - an immaculate MGB in red and a good wholesome exhaust sound (and smell) as it passed. Also two cars I see each summer which must be local - a slightly dog-eared FIAT X1/9, I think the owner must have a full-time job keeping on top of the corrosion. The third was a 1990 Golf convertible, sounding a bit rough in need of a tune I think. What really surprised me was how tiny it was but then the MK1 on which it was based was a small car by MK2 standards. I think I would take the MG... Read more
Always liked the BX, brother had one and it was supremely comfortable. Bit flimsy for my liking but great value. Bit easier to work on as well compared to the GS.
I won and bought a car on eBay through an auction BMW 323 e21 (1979). Due to the distance of where the car was located I had a 3rd party pick it up and deliver it to me. The advert stated it's a restoration project, has rust in all the usual places and needs work. The advert stated the interior was good but just needed a good clean but the car drives well. His photos didn't really show the extent of the rust however as mentioned he did say it has rust in his advert.
On recieving the vehicle... Read more
I think that you (the OP) are on your own with this one. You've bought a restoration project off eBay without viewing it in person. It doesn't appear particularly misdescribed, it's always going to be on the poorer side than any description or photos will show. In my opinion the seller has done nothing wrong. If you no longer want it, sell it on and cut your losses.
I’ve done about 300 miles in it now, and all good.
It’s impossible to offer any impressions on drivetrain simply because it’s electric, and one motor is pretty much like another.
I’ve been Oldham - Mansfield - Oldham today, and because of an M1 closure I went out over Snake Pass and back via Woodhead, either way a couple of big climbs over the Peak District. It’s done an indicated 4.5 mi/kWh, meaning a 254 mile range. Tomorrow is Oldham - Canterbury, so we’ll see what a motorway cruise range is.
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80% if you’re using a DC rapid charger. Not so much a battery preservation issue as the battery slows down the rate of charge past 80%, more a case of it being quicker on a long journey to make a second, short stop than wait for the car to get from 80-100%.
If it’s on an AC point, routinely charge to 90% but if you’ve a long trip the following day it won’t come to any harm going to 100%.
Expect a 1-2% per annum range loss.
No, EV’s tend not to hit range figures. It’s the same WLTP process as ICE, and they don’t tend to, either.
The range works the other way round re motorway vs urban - around town they get lots of opportunities to regenerate, whilst on a motorway they’re under power most of the time. An ICE will inevitably be more fuel efficient at cruise than bimbling around town.
EVs are indeed liable to cause up to twice as much stress to road surfaces than ICE cars according to research. The increase in the popularity of SUVs cannot be helping.
Electric cars 'cause TWICE as much road damage as petrol equivalents': Why Britain's pothole crisis could be worsened by the rise of EVs (msn.com)... Read more
As to the Welsh renaming I and at least 2 million English speaking people living in Wales are sick of the Welsh language and the money being wasted on duplicating every written word. And I have no objection to those who love and want to use their native tongue....
Hi,
I currently do around 20000 miles per year in a ford fiesta. I now am needing to tow occasionally (maybe 8 weekends a year) and so need a new car. The towing weight will be low, approx 1000kg.... Read more
What is it you plan to tow?
Caravans are a different prospect to horseboxes and both are different to boats. ...
‘Back in the day’ Fiat used to offer the 126 in a not very fetching shade of dark brown. Imagination had escaped them when it came to naming the thing and it was called the 126 ‘Brown’
Indeed - I remember when I was at primary school back in the late 70s / early 80s, and two members of staff each had the boxy little Fiats, one in beige, the other chocolate brown.
Some one near us went on a continental road trip on his motorbike with some pals. He had a nasty accident requiring a hospital stay and an operation. Thing is the insurance company won't pay out as the CC of the bike was higher than covered. £25K, maybe there is a a way out of this but shows us all to be very careful that insurance covers all aspects of a foreign trip. Read more
They would only have had to pay the 'board and lodging' costs - around €20/day, if I remember correctly.
I don't know what they're complaint about - I got a Renault Kadjar once.
I’ve seen a 66 plate 30kw Mk I Nissan Leaf for sale locally(ish) for £8,200 - before I kick him with my size 9’s. Say I get it for £8,000 tops (I’d be aiming for £7,700) that works out at around £150 a month for a bank loan. Now, currently I spend around £160 a month on fuel for old Terrance the Toyota plus £250 a year to tax him and he’s getting old and probably will need some money spending over the next 4/5yrs.
On paper it makes complete sense to flog the Avensis and to buy this cheap Leaf. It more than covers itself on fuel and tax savings alone and that’s without me factoring in the money I’d get from flogging my current car, as I’ll probably spend what it gives me on something a bit retro to play with.
I do go hill walking and use the car occasionally to transport my mountain bike but these are rare occasions and I usually go in the someone else’s car and chip in for fuel. These are the only occasions where the 90/100 mile real world range of the older gen 30kw Leaf wouldn’t manage in my lifestyle. It would offer free travel to and from my work and mean effectively a free car purely from fuel savings.
Do I or don’t I? Read more
I hanker for something I wanted as a teenager. A nice mild/hot hatch from the 80’s or 90’s would be grand, ditto a rep mobile from the same era.
I got myself a present last Christmas : a Pug 205 GR 1.4 with 77K on the clock, complete service history and one lady owner from new (31 years - not many like that) .... It's had some fettling and looks pretty good for its age. Cost a bit over a grand.
Browse
A friend has a 2011 535d. It's had a fair few problems since three years old and he's had good value from the extended warranty but I can see the attraction. Lovely engine and there's often a smile to be seen on his face when exercising the loud pedal. His has all the toys including adaptive suspension.