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

vintagevrs

This covid thing has nearly put me off cars. Two lumps been sitting in the drive now for months now doing very little. Her car hasn't been started in weeks I'd guess. My own car clicked over 100k miles today, and I have it two years now so normally would be getting an itch for something at this stage. Would like to get into a petrol again but can't justify anything now as a bicycle would nearly do me with the recent millage.

The QuietMan

vintagevrs wrote: »

can't justify anything now as a bicycle would nearly do me with the recent millage.

How Eamon Ryan would smile reading that

CIP4

In the last 3 months I have only done 3K km don't ever remember doing so little driving in a car. I have really only been using the car to commute to work. From today my mileage will rise a little as I am back Monday-Friday in work after 12 weeks of working shift.

theintern

vintagevrs wrote: »

This covid thing has nearly put me off cars. Two lumps been sitting in the drive now for months now doing very little. Her car hasn't been started in weeks I'd guess. My own car clicked over 100k miles today, and I have it two years now so normally would be getting an itch for something at this stage. Would like to get into a petrol again but can't justify anything now as a bicycle would nearly do me with the recent millage.

The Covid thing has actually done the opposite of put me off my car. I'm working from home all the time, and so in the evenings I'll often just take her out for a spin for the sake of driving because I miss it. I've been really enjoying spinning out the 100k roads, putting the foot down pulling away from roundabouts and enjoying the engine. No music, just driving. And the roads are basically empty in the evenings even still. It's nice to just enjoy driving the car for the sake of it with no commute or destination in mind.

Up to mid March I'd done 7500kms, since then 3500kms........... I've been out 5 days/weeks for work buy not normal work really. I can't say I miss the motorway trips tbh ......... pootling about the country with little to no traffic is a joy in the fine weather.

AndyBoBandy

Collected a new car on March 13th, currently have 2,874 km's on it, had it about 2 weeks before full lockdown came into effect, so did a few ~150-200km spins in it before we completely locked down, then for 2 months it only went to our local Tesco!

First time on the motorway yesterday in 2 1/2 months, and I still let it drive itself!!

This is an incoherent rambling post for the most part (you've been warned!) but I bought a 2007 Ford Galaxy in June or July of 2018. Unfortunately it got wrote off in a car accident in November of '18, and I ended up in a Mondeo as I needed to get back on the road swiftly.

I've since been pottering around in Mondeos and I reckon the one I'm currently in is heading to the scrapyard when it's NCT is due (expires in December, so will hopefully last that long). So being bored and nosey, I've been keeping an eye on 2007/2008 Galaxy's for sale on Adverts and Donedeal, and it seems that they have managed to get more expensive since I bought my one two years ago.

Not only have they somehow managed to go up in price, I'm fairly confident some of the same ones that were for sale when I was looking are actually still for sale.

When I bought mine it was off one of the indy dealers around Kylemore road in Dublin. Yer man couldn't give it to me fast enough. Asking price on it was 3,500 and I think I offered 2,350. He took the hand off me and it had almost full year of NCT if i recall (albeit some minor aesthetic issues, but nothing too bad).

Is it worth while bothering to make offers to private sellers? Or are there too many low-ball merchants out there that effectively ruin it for everyone else as no one gets taken seriously when they make an offer? I'd normally prefer to view a car in person before talking money, but I just want a spacious runaround and I know I wouldn't pay near the price some are asking for their Galaxys that are sitting there months for sale.

Brakes on my Mondeo are squeaking and grinding the last couple of days but I don't want to spend anything on it if it's going to car heaven fairly soonish, so I'm sitting here with my car dilemma 6 months earlier than I'd hoped to.

Wailin

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Brakes on my Mondeo are squeaking and grinding the last couple of days but I don't want to spend anything on it if it's going to car heaven fairly soonish, so I'm sitting here with my car dilemma 6 months earlier than I'd hoped to.

December is a long way away for those brakes in that condition!

Wailin

Wailin wrote: »

December is a long way away for those brakes in that condition!

Hence car dilemma 6 months earlier than hoped.

tcawley29

Deleted User wrote: »

Brakes on my Mondeo are squeaking and grinding the last couple of days but I don't want to spend anything on it if it's going to car heaven fairly soonish, so I'm sitting here with my car dilemma 6 months earlier than I'd hoped to.

Please don't be cheap when it comes to something like this. It's not just you but other road users you have to think of

CIP4

When Taxing a car online what's the story with them looking for full insurance details policy number etc. Whats it used for or does the system actually verify it ?

bazz26

It has no way of verifying it. Put in last year's policy or one from 5 years ago and it will work.

Midnight_EG

CIP4 wrote: »

When Taxing a car online what's the story with them looking for full insurance details policy number etc. Whats it used for or does the system actually verify it ?

Since its been done online I've always put in gobbledegook for the insurance details... A guard pulled me up on it one day because that's something they can actually see with Pulse. I still put in gobbledegook though.

PsychoPete

I just put in random numbers, pretty handy for taxing cars that aren't insured

wotzgoingon

Deleted User wrote: »

Brakes on my Mondeo are squeaking and grinding the last couple of days but I don't want to spend anything on it if it's going to car heaven fairly soonish, so I'm sitting here with my car dilemma 6 months earlier than I'd hoped to.

What would a set of pads be 30-50 euro. Worth it to change them and the car will probably last till December.

Can change them yourself? It's not that difficult. Wheel off and two bolts usually.

Noccy_Mondy

2016/17 BMW 320d msport

Or

2016/17 Golf GTD (prob pre facelift)

Have my golf a few years now. Getting the itch to change and I think it's between these 2. Slight leaning BMW..

Sexual Chocolate

Probably go with the 320d as it will be a better car to drive but the golf is also an excellent car as well. I always said lately that if I was to change my car soon and was spending +15k the F30 and GTi/GTD would defiantly be contenders.

wotzgoingon

wotzgoingon wrote: »

What would a set of pads be 30-50 euro. Worth it to change them and the car will probably last till December.

Can change them yourself? It's not that difficult. Wheel off and two bolts usually.

Hmm.. I dunno, I know there are discs and pads, and calipers and such, but I don't really know my way around the brakes mechanically.


Last time I got all the brakes done on a car (again not sure what parts, but i know it was front and back) was an old Focus and the bill was nearer the €300 mark. Which is what I was expecting this time around. If the car's going to the scrapyard, it's €300 i'd rather put towards something else.


Anyway, the plan is to drop it over to mechanic next week. Give it a look over in general and see is it worth trying to give it the kiss of life, or am I better to just swap it out and send it to it's untimely death.

CIP4

Deleted User wrote: »

Hmm.. I dunno, I know there are discs and pads, and calipers and such, but I don't really know my way around the brakes mechanically.


Last time I got all the brakes done on a car (again not sure what parts, but i know it was front and back) was an old Focus and the bill was nearer the €300 mark. Which is what I was expecting this time around.


Anyway, the plan is to drop it over to mechanic next week. Give it a look over in general and see is it worth trying to give it the kiss of life, or am I better to just swap it out and send it to it's untimely death.

It's fairly unlikely all 4 pads and discs are worn. If you are lucky it might only need a set of pads which I would imagine you would get done for sub €100.

CIP4

CIP4 wrote: »

It's fairly unlikely all 4 pads and discs are worn. If you are lucky it might only need a set of pads which I would imagine you would get done for sub €100.

Fingers crossed you're on the money. To be honest, I don't mind spending a grand on the car, if it'll go through the NCT. I just don't want to pump a grand into it and have it fail on something relatively vague like emissions, which could be the same expense again trying to figure out whats wrong.

selectamatic

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Fingers crossed you're on the money. To be honest, I don't mind spending a grand on the car, if it'll go through the NCT. I just don't want to pump a grand into it and have it fail on something relatively vague like emissions, which could be the same expense again trying to figure out whats wrong.

Unless its whaling out black smoke it'll pass the "emissions" test so I'd not worry about that.

You'll know by looking at the discs if they're goosed. Check for a lip on the outer edge or put pics up here of them. If they're sound a set of pads definitely won't break the bank.

On the Galaxy point there's no value to be had on the 08 model they were one of the few mpv's ready for the start of the cheap tax era and as such they've remained strongly priced. Smax's tend to be cheaper if you've your heart set on another ford.

selectamatic

selectamatic wrote: »

On the Galaxy point there's no value to be had on the 08 model they were one of the few mpv's ready for the start of the cheap tax era and as such they've remained strongly priced. Smax's tend to be cheaper if you've your heart set on another ford.

I had a Galaxy before, and I just loved it. All the space. Effectively a van, without the hassle of the commercial aspect, and more comfortable seats. Thought it was great.

So it's not so much another Ford, but specifically another Galaxy. I was also looking at other MPVs but none look as nice as the 07+ Galaxy in my opinion.




But I'll report back after my mechanic has looked at the Mondeo and advised. I'm in 'aggressive mortgage paydown' mode at the moment, so I'm trying to limit my spending on cars to the bare minimum. I'd rather a Galaxy, but if i can keep the mondeo on the road for another year for under €1k, I'd jump at it.

ELM327

Did 21k km in new (to me) car from November to start of March, and have not done 1k km more since.
Crazy.

ELM327

ELM327 wrote: »

Did 21k km in new (to me) car from November to start of March, and have not done 1k km more since.
Crazy.

Think of all the savings

ELM327

Augeo wrote: »

Think of all the savings

I can but assume you're being ironic.
She costs me the same if I do 100km or 100k km!

Kilboor

Anyone owned or driven a 2.2 T/SR 180 Auris ?

I always go back to checking prices on em on autotrader as on paper they're interesting. Thinking of buying one for around 2k and remapping it.

colm_mcm

They’re not as fast as you’d think.
Interior is pretty shonky too, and reliability wouldn’t be great on the 180.

Basically a front wheel drive Lexus IS220d.


Nox charge would kill any value you’d have importing from the UK. Nox alone would cost more than the car.

Kilboor

colm_mcm wrote: »

They’re not as fast as you’d think.
Interior is pretty shonky too, and reliability wouldn’t be great on the 180.

Basically a front wheel drive Lexus IS220d.


Nox charge would kill any value you’d have importing from the UK. Nox alone would cost more than the car.

Thanks, think I'll avoid given that. Completely forgot about Nox too

selectamatic

Ya can't remap them either, only put a tuning box on for a bit more fuel and they're hard enough on diesel as it is.

Kilboor

selectamatic wrote: »

Ya can't remap them either, only put a tuning box on for a bit more fuel and they're hard enough on diesel as it is.

Meant the tuning box. Thanks lads, after more research I'll go back to sourcing a legacy b4 for myself. Don't stop me with that one

wotzgoingon

Jesus new tax rates ruined the Clio sport. Old news obviously but just realized today. Madness on a 2 litre to be paying that high a rate.

Sexual Chocolate

Lads quick question.

Should a dpf still regen when using cruise control ?

Drove on the motorway for nearly 2 hours and it seems the the car tried to perform a regen when I got off the motorway.

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

Sexual Chocolate wrote: »

Lads quick question.

Should a dpf still regen when using cruise control ?

Drove on the motorway for nearly 2 hours and it seems the the car tried to perform a regen when I got off the motorway.

Absolutely, cruise control for a long time with no change is probably the best condition for the DPF

When you were on the motorway, what rev was she sitting at ?

Sexual Chocolate

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

Absolutely, cruise control for a long time with no change is probably the best condition for the DPF

When you were on the motorway, what rev was she sitting at ?

2200 @120kmh.....

I just found it strange that by time I got to the end of the M9 when I hit the roundabout it decided to regen (I think). Holding onto the gears and more of a deeper sound from the engine is what seems to be when its taking place. And that horrible burning smell through the vents when stationary.

CIP4

Sexual Chocolate wrote: »

2200 @120kmh.....

I just found it strange that by time I got to the end of the M9 when I hit the roundabout it decided to regen (I think). Holding onto the gears and more of a deeper sound from the engine is what seems to be when its taking place. And that horrible burning smell through the vents when stationary.

It happened to me a few times when I had diesels. I suppose it’s impossible for the car to know how long you will be on the motorway for and when you are getting off. Maybe the soot levels just weren’t high enough for it to request a regen on the earlier part of your motorway trip.

Sexual Chocolate

CIP4 wrote: »

It happened to me a few times when I had diesels. I suppose it’s impossible for the car to know how long you will be on the motorway for and when you are getting off. Maybe the soot levels just weren’t high enough for it to request a regen on the earlier part of your motorway trip.

True that. I'm thinking of picking up a Carly adaptor so I can monitor the soot and ash levels. Unless someone could recommend something different.

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

Sexual Chocolate wrote: »

True that. I'm thinking of picking up a Carly adaptor so I can monitor the soot and ash levels. Unless someone could recommend something different.

Tbh I wouldn't be worried about it.

If you do a drive like that regularly the car will be doing the Regen automatically without you knowing on the motorway. Those revs would be fine for it.

It's not about the car knowing how long your going to be be on the motorway but more the car will meet the conditions and just do it.

Midnight_EG

Well I bought one, let's see how long it lasts

wotzgoingon

Jesus you could have got a car with a decent size engine.....

Edit: Like a 8 litre... :pac:

Truckermal

Midnight_EG wrote: »

Well I bought one, let's see how long it lasts

Nice one and tested until February!

Midnight_EG

Truckermal wrote: »

Nice one and tested until February!

Indeed, trouble free for a while and insurance was only 130 extra for the whole year

colm_mcm

Best colour on them too IMO

Midnight_EG

colm_mcm wrote: »

Best colour on them too IMO

I wasn't sure, the first time I viewed I wasn't certain as I felt the silver fell away but on second viewing today (and after sleeping on it and not being able to take my mind off it all day/night) it definitely felt good. I took it for a good 35 minute test drive too before I bought, and bar some wheel balancing in the front left it's perfect.

Duke O Smiley

Midnight_EG wrote: »

I wasn't sure, the first time I viewed I wasn't certain as I felt the silver fell away but on second viewing today (and after sleeping on it and not being able to take my mind off it all day/night) it definitely felt good. I took it for a good 35 minute test drive too before I bought, and bar some wheel balancing in the front left it's perfect.

So no Quattroporte! :P

Smashing buy. Is it one of the two from Rockfield Cars?

Midnight_EG

Duke O Smiley wrote: »

So no Quattroporte! :P

Smashing buy. Is it one of the two from Rockfield Cars?

As impractical as that would have been, no :P

Yeah, I bit my tongue and realised that I liked the car too much (it was the better of the two) to not go back so I made a point of making sure the other fella didn't cross my path :pac:

CIP4

Only really seeing the benefits of the cheaper fuel prices now since I went back to working Mon-Fri. I don't normally run the tank below quarter but the last two times ran it till the light came on and was still only €56 to fill. Just looking back and the end of Jan I put the exact same volume of fuel into the tank and it cost just under €68 that's a fair difference.

Midnight_EG

CIP4 wrote: »

Only really seeing the benefits of the cheaper fuel prices now since I went back to working Mon-Fri. I don't normally run the tank below quarter but the last two times ran it till the light came on and was still only €56 to fill. Just looking back and the end of Jan I put the exact same volume of fuel into the tank and it cost just under €68 that's a fair difference.

I filled the Subaru two weeks ago for €52, cheapest it's been in years... Today I filled the LS460 for €103...Swings and roundabouts apparently

ba_barabus

Folks, what are BMW E63 like? Just as a general question. Specifically a pre 2006 3litre?

630i is the most pocket friendly of them I'd imagine. The v8s are double the trouble with oil leaks etc.
If there's no brake warning lights on & lights illuminate upon startup & it drives OK I'd be tempted TBH.
Great presence & lovely cars.

sunnysoutheast

Hi all

Any recommendations for alloy refurb as close to Waterford as possible?

I've got an opportunity to get them done while OH is (hopefully) on hols in Aug. as I don't need to use the car.

Current wheels are diamond cut but I don't need them re-finished that way. Will just go for as silver as possible.

Cheers!