***** Motors chat - round 12 *****

James Bond Junior

James Bond Junior wrote: »

Agreed but his point was he visits his family at the same time.

It's all there in the post above, his other point was "I don't bring a car on a 520 km round trip every time I want something done to it for the craic either" despite being from there.

I pointed out the 520 km round trip for servicing etc is a non runner for 99% of people ...... I'm not really sure what you are sh1tting on about really....... you threw in some not everyone's from Dublin comment too to be fair, some country folk love getting that in whenever they can so well done on that.

MetzgerMeister

MOD: And we'll leave that argument there. Anything further will result in a ban.

Alanstrainor

I've had the Lexus IS250 for a few months now, and as of yesterday she passed the her NCT. It's a grand car really, I've not noticed anything terribly wrong with it. Some clunks over bumps that I've been chasing but at this point I think I'll leave it until spring before I go looking too much. The v6 is grand, it makes a decent noise when you floor it, but it's no BMW straight 6. Nothing compares to the noise of the old straight 6 at the red line.

Next plan is an interim oil change, when I did the last one in Sept I noticed the old oil was looking particularly ancient so I'm going to change the oil and filter again as a flush of sorts. I wish I hadn't bothered my hole with Castrol oil the first time... oh well it was on sale in Halfords.

greenfield21

I need to dry out floor carpet, any rec on a electric heater I could leave on overnight.

Alanstrainor

LIGHTNING wrote: »

yeah but it being a Lexus v6 engine means it isn't half a bad mood away from a stretched chain, injectors, coolant issue that a BMW engine has :pac:

I went out to it to top off the oil about 4000km after changing the oil... didn't need a drop!

greenfield21 wrote: »

I need to dry out floor carpet, any rec on a electric heater I could leave on overnight.

Surely a dehumidifier is the job rather than a heater? Depends on bad it is I suppose, I doubt the cars A/C would be sufficient if it's bad...

Toyotafanboi

At the NCT centre with the Golf now. Had an 08 Civic hatch queuing in front of me, reminded me of how secure I used to feel :pac:

The Golf needs a few bits consumables wise but hopefully nothing come between it and a test. That said, I've spent practically nothing on it since I got it so it doesn't owe me anything.

Interslice

greenfield21 wrote: »

I need to dry out floor carpet, any rec on a electric heater I could leave on overnight.

Buy a few big bags of cheap rice. Chuck it in for 24 hours, scoop out the bulk and hoover it out. You might have to lift the trim off the door sill to lift the carpet if its really bad.

ba_barabus

I'm currently trying to dry out an interior right now, 5 days and 13 litres of water and it's still soaking. Rice in there too. Putting in a heater tonight to see if it helps. Interior coming out on Saturday probably at this rate.

Interslice

13 litres is some amount. I got some silica gel out of work. It was alot faster and better than the rice.

https://www.preservationcare.com/shop/orange-self-indicating-silica-gel

This stuff. You can dry it out in the over and reuse it.
https://www.preservationcare.com/shop/silica-gel
Clear stuff is cheaper.

Toyotafanboi

If its through a dehumidifier that you are drying its bare in mind you are drying the air in the car too and the air is fairly moisture laden this time of year, so 13 liters in the tank isn't necessarily 13 liters that was in the floor pan.

ba_barabus

True that. I'll be taking seats out on Saturday. Hopefully the carpet isn't too big a job and I might tackle that too.

wotzgoingon

Anyone ever fix the tracking of a car themselves. I done it during the summer with a length of string and measuring tape. It actually worked and has held up since then till now. Reason it was out is I changed the wishbone. And was out by a good bit. I tried to get it right by adjusting the nut and going for a drive but got no where. Bit of string and job was done. Let go of steering wheel and car drives straight on.

CIP4

The Golf hit 40K km this week. There was just under 30K on it when I bought it and I have it just over 6 months. Its the least amount of mileage I have ever done in that period would always normally average 25-30K km per year. So far no issues with it.

Duke O Smiley

Got my renewal during the week, went from 900 to 1900. Went into Axa offices this morning and your man said the jump is most likely due to the number of owners on the car (05 car, 4 owners) and the amount of times it failed an NCT in the past. You couldn’t make it up

bazz26

Moving the goal posts again.

moby2101

Duke O Smiley wrote: »

Got my renewal during the week, went from 900 to 1900. Went into Axa offices this morning and your man said the jump is most likely due to the number of owners on the car (05 car, 4 owners) and the amount of times it failed an NCT in the past. You couldn’t make it up

If you're keen to stay insured with Axa (I've been with them 10+ years) get 2 quotes that are similar to what you paid last year. Head on into the office, no point in ringing , you need to physically show the other quotes and ask to speak to the underwriter.
This has worked for me in the past, last years insurance was 680, renewal in December was 950, got 2 quotes and went in and got it down to 700. I could have moved but I find the policy they offer really good, comprehensive driving of other cars etc etc..
Give it a shot otherwise just go with whoever's quote is cheapest

selectamatic

Personally axa have never wanted anything to do with me. Anytime I got quotes off them they were priced along the lines of please f#*k off.

It's always been a 10+ year old car I've been trying to insure though.

Rsa through Chill have been the best for me the last 2 years running. Very good policy too fully comp with windscreen and breakdown cover. Ncb protection and driving of other cars as well.

ba_barabus

ba_barabus wrote: »

True that. I'll be taking seats out on Saturday. Hopefully the carpet isn't too big a job and I might tackle that too.

Well that was an arse of a job but it's done now. It's soaking wet.

FDave

Duke O Smiley wrote: »

Got my renewal during the week, went from 900 to 1900. Went into Axa offices this morning and your man said the jump is most likely due to the number of owners on the car (05 car, 4 owners) and the amount of times it failed an NCT in the past. You couldn’t make it up

Try doing a new customer quote and try AIB who are underwritten by axa but often undercut their prices. I had been switching between them but axa have been the cheapest for me the last few years, €620 on a 20 year old car. Got 10% off just for asking for a discount.

Tazzimus

Had to change the battery on the girlfriends 01 A4.
What sadistic **** decided that's where the battery should go and what should be around it. Absolute pain in the hole to change it.

punisher5112

Tazzimus wrote: »

Had to change the battery on the girlfriends 01 A4.
What sadistic **** decided that's where the battery should go and what should be around it. Absolute pain in the hole to change it.

At least it wasnt a fiat stilo where you had to remove that, the housing and other bits to change a bulb....

I always changed every bulb in the fitting as to get longer out of them all.

blade1

punisher5112 wrote: »

At least it wasnt a fiat stilo where you had to remove that, the housing and other bits to change a bulb....

I always changed every bulb in the fitting as to get longer out of them all.

You should have popped out the rubbers in the drainage holes while you were there.
I'd go back in again if I was you! :pac:

MetzgerMeister

Duke O Smiley wrote: »

Got my renewal during the week, went from 900 to 1900. Went into Axa offices this morning and your man said the jump is most likely due to the number of owners on the car (05 car, 4 owners) and the amount of times it failed an NCT in the past. You couldn’t make it up

I'd recommend people try a brokers, my broker came in 30% cheaper than when I rang around myself...

Truckermal

That Saab in the Meme is pure porn!

colm_mcm

Saw a convertible 900 Classic this morning. So much want.

tossy

My renewal is 10e cheaper than last years - the one advantage of getting old as f..k!

MetzgerMeister

tossy wrote: »

My renewal is 10e cheaper than last years - the one advantage of getting old as f..k!

Mine came in at the same price as last year, down to the cent. I got it down another €50.

bazz26

Lads you should read up on dual pricing by insurance companies around renewals.

Autosport

Received my renewal and it’s up €50 from last year. Time to start shopping around

colm_mcm

tossy wrote: »

My renewal is 10e cheaper than last years - the one advantage of getting old as f..k!

Something something 1.6 TDI

tossy

colm_mcm wrote: »

Something something 1.6 TDI

R Line

Toyotafanboi

Speaking of R-Line kitted 1.6 TDi's,

Suffered my first ever NCT fail the other day. Stupid European cars.

Headlight alignment, front brake pads and discs unacceptable and an oil leak in the engine bay.

Headlight alignment was fair IMO, I'd replaced at least 3 headlight bulbs in the last 2 years so that seems plausible. Presented the car with the brake wear warning light on the dash too so that's fine :pac:

Oil leak is proving to be tricky though. I can't really see any.
Engine looks dry from above and below, the lower end of the sump has a bit of residue on it from 11 previous oil services but an unfair fail for that IMO. How and ever going to wash it down, clean the under tray and send it back.

Genuine front pads and discs (economy line) for €90, not too bad.

George Dalton

Front crank oil seal leaking is common on the diesels.

Toyotafanboi

Hopefully not mine, all that TLC that car gets :pac: :pac:

Will have a closer look around the timing cover area, only had a quick glance on the driveway yesterday. In fairness I've put almost 40k on it without hassle so if it needs doing, it needs doing.

wotzgoingon

That oil leak fail is unfair. My car had a pretty decent oil leak since I got it and had it for two NCT tests and passed and at least one other before my ownership. I did drop the sump during the summer though and resealed it and the NCT was earlier in this month for it's third in my ownership. I'd say there was still oil residue as I never cleaned it plus it is a 22 year old car so bound to be leaks here and there.

vintagevrs

I'v had my car just over a year and a half now, and it's fault less. It's quick, comfortable and practical (330d estate). But just in the last few weeks Iv been thinking of a change for the craic. Thinking of going old school again with rwd, manual petrol. Still need something practical though. Stuck that criteria into autotrader this evening and just seen this, and it's localish to me.

This makes sense right?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202001015709469

Tazzimus

vintagevrs wrote: »

I'v had my car just over a year and a half now, and it's fault less. It's quick, comfortable and practical (330d estate). But just in the last few weeks Iv been thinking of a change for the craic. Thinking of going old school again with rwd, manual petrol. Still need something practical though. Stuck that criteria into autotrader this evening and just seen this, and it's localish to me.

This makes sense right?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202001015709469

It's got 4 doors, how much more practical do you need?

wotzgoingon

Old school? Me and you have a different meaning to that word.

Interslice

You'll always miss an estate if you dogs and stuff to haul on the regular. That 335 is gorgeous though.

Interslice

wotzgoingon wrote: »

Old school? Me and you have a different meaning to that word.

Ha ye thought it was going to be s volvo 850 or something :pac:

vintagevrs

Interslice wrote: »

You'll always miss an estate if you dogs and stuff to haul on the regular. That 335 is gorgeous though.

Yeah I prefer the estate, just found this one though

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201912235565225

vintagevrs

wotzgoingon wrote: »

Old school? Me and you have a different meaning to that word.

Yeah I suppose I mean old school BM qualities, not the age of the car. Been there and done that with a previous car that I ran for 2 years and don't have the time anymore to be under it in the garage once a week.

Lovely driving these days with dry cold weather and slippy roads and the diesel soundtrack with the autobox isn't that much craic. Maybe I just need to suck it up.

M7roadrunner

Best car history check crowd is?
The old pair are very interested in a car, 6year old and only 25k miles, UK import.
Who would you recommend for a history/finance check?

GustavoFring

vintagevrs wrote: »

Yeah I prefer the estate, just found this one though

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201912235565225

Going back to the saloon is a bit of a pain in the arse sometimes for me after the F31 if I'm honest. The black one's better spec too. Do it!

Leonard Hofstadter

Both of them are beauties, I'm nearly tempted to buy the F30 myself :pac:.

Of course as you know from owning manual BMWs the first thing you'd need to do is remove the pesky clutch delay valve and then it will be much more pleasant to use.

The engine in this is based on an engine you are already very familiar with from your ownership of an E46, the M54. Being based on the M54 it shares its excellent reliability although it also shares that engine's love of oil leaks:D and some owners report a fondness for burning oil as the miles pile on (although pretty much every petrol BMW since the M54 was introduced in 2000 does this, and unlike say a 1.2 Polo or Mk3 Mondeo, this is absolutely not an issue once you remember to top it up when the light comes on). Unlike the E46 these cars don't have kettles for cooling systems, either.

The only problem I have with the manual is that it's in a higher VRT and car tax band than the auto so it makes them that bit more expensive to import (I'm not actually sure a manual 335i appears on the revenue's website - it certainly didn't the last time I checked, only the automatic version did).

marcos_94

M7roadrunner wrote: »

Best car history check crowd is?
The old pair are very interested in a car, 6year old and only 25k miles, UK import.
Who would you recommend for a history/finance check?

I personally use motorcheck.ie and have found it very good so far. Iv also found with two cars Iv bought that were UK imports, you can contact motorcheck and sometimes they have a bit of extra information on the car

Leonard Hofstadter

Leonard Hofstadter wrote: »

.............

The engine in this is based on an engine you are already very familiar with from your ownership of an E46, the M54. Being based on the M54........

The M54 that's based on the M54, would that be a straight six would you know? Smooth and whatnot?

Interslice

Think i found a buyer for my avensis. If it sells for the 300 we have half agreed it would be grand.

bazz26

Small automatics in general are thin on the ground here. People are only really coming around to the idea of automatics now that EVs and hybrids are becoming more popular.