Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

The 1007 was greeted from launch with a flurry of ugh. I know it's only anecdotal but my 3008 has been pretty costly to maintain. Otherwise, great car.

All offices shut now!

I've had quite a few issues with DVLA and registering vehicles.

If you own a vauxhall....

What problem did you have taxing it?

I don't own it!
Thanks for the link that is the exact problem, seems like a fairly simple swap. Although out of all of the niggles I've encountered since driving the car, in typical french car spirit none of them have been straight forward to put right.

Thats always been my view of it, not sure exactly who their target market was when designing it. Apart from the ahem 'quirky' doors they really are quite dull.

It's in very good stock mechanical condition. I suspect things like hoses, seals, brakes and suspension bushings may need sorting. The guy now has a new v40 t5 so the t5r is just gathering cobwebs. The paint is very faded and quite dull but evenly so. I guess no accidents is true. It may cut back to an acceptable level but in aussie sun that never lasts. I'd be looking at a long term project to repaint. It's probably good enough just to sand and paint over rather than strip.
Spent the evening browsing volvo parts sites and everything is available. Plus my mate with a garage and hoist is quite happy for me to use it. Plans, plans!

Has the guy kept on top of oil changes? When I got mine at 136,000 the rings were FUBAR due to old, thick oil gumming them up. I was burning a litre of oil with every tank of fuel, more if in boost a lot.

These cars are very analogue, and they're very strong - I'm unusual in having an electrical issue that was a bugger (wiring to crank position sensor) but that said they're all 20+ years old now so the looms are going to be getting fragile.

The air-con evaporator rots out in UK cars, check that and the state of the magnetic AC clutch (this can be shimmed easily enough, the evap is a PITA).

Of course, a lot depends on what the guys kept on top of maintenance wise - mine had been properly neglected by the guy I bought it from, but then I paid £2,000 for a car with a £2,000 pair of brakes fitted.

I'd caution you about all parts being available - most parts are, some are definitely NLA though, for example manual throttle cables (I'm fitting one from an auto in the next couple of weeks, the kick-down fitting will be a little redundant).

Hmm, good info there, thanks. If i get beyond speculation I'll have a thorough look over the car. My friend with the hoist is also part of the Sydney Porsche club and good friends with a Mechanic in the club (who is good, the 944 turbo he drives is amazing...) and will look over the car too.
Funny how I was essentially taking an evening stroll with my kid strapped to my chest and decided to chat to a guy about his car - and it's escalating!
He said he's serviced the car to the book at every recommended interval and only had to change the clutch 2 years ago. Everything else works. AC is mandatory, was 46ºc here the other day so will def. check that.

Anyway, going into this eyes open. May e able to purchase for ~ 4k but over time spend 10-15 on bringing it back to top spec. My man maths suggest I could recoup that in 5 years if it's maintained, given the rarity.

I have a boxed Bosch P7004 oil filter and an oem VW stereo head unit both of which I had to go on a 2002 vw Passat I no longer own. Free to any one here who could make use of them.

Due to mankinds desire to tinker with things I now have the latest firmware running on the built in nav on my 1998 car, with 2017 maps.

U just need a 3310 now.

Does anyone know of a good bodywork shop east or north london, cheers K

http://petrolicious.com/classic-remise-is-berlins-automotive-mecca

Anyone see this? https://www.goodwood.com/grrc/road/news/2017/2/3.8m-takes-the-original-mid-engined-ferrari-road-car-at-Retromobile/?utm_source=The%20Goodwood%20Estate%20Company%20Ltd&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=8017549_MSI%20GRR%20February%2017%202017&utm_content=Dino&dm_i=1QLU,4RUDP,EKR0ER,HXWC9,1

Wow.

In other news, I'd just washed the car:

Quite happy because I've caught up on all the maintenance and got a few jobs done that have made a huge difference to how I fit into and interact with the car:

But wait!

This has been annoying since I got the car, it rattles over bumps and lets the interior down, so what should to do?

Remove the Torx T20 screws here and here:

And pop off the temp-sensor cover here to reveal the third and last one:

Then pull the vent assembly forward and to the left:

In that last photo you'll see two tabs, there are another two tabs on the other side, you'll definitely need a tool of some kind now in order to pry the tube section off the (visible) trim section. I was convinced I was going to break something, but steady pressure caused the two parts to pop apart with no cracking.

You'll be left with this:

And you'll need to locate this:

In my case it was still attached to the bottom-most slat, lying down inside the vent. You'll need to click it back onto all the slats:

Then you will, for the first time, see this sight:

Put the vent-tube back on, taking care to get it over the four tabs AND LINE UP THE PRONGS ON THE VENT CONTROL with the middle of the three vertical slats as you push it together, leaving you with this:

Pop it back into the car, do the other side (which on mine was possible simply by reaching through the slats with a pair of needle-nose pliers as only the top few had come away).

Then put the car away and drive the Volvo to Saino's:

Great how to guide. But didn't work on my Peugeot.

Ah, you need to use a hammer for Peugeots

Shitola.

If only that worked. Some of the panel fitment is shocking.

Other weekend activities, a pleasant stay at Brooklands Hotel and then AMG driving experience at MBenzWurld. Circular wet skid (drift?) pan in C Coupe particularly good. Dat engine noise.

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Going to N24h with some friends.

E39 isn't going to keep up with the M235i so considering options, or whether it's really an issue if I can't keep up.

tanked up le'brover yesterday and noticed a drip of diesel coming from an area above the rear axle. It didn't persist and stopped after a minute or so.

will i die?

Breather, maybe? Not sure how these agricultural vehicles work tbh.

Cleaned up this BM this weekend, inside and out.

Front (broken) bumper needs replacing (currently cable tied on) but that is coming soon, ordering today. Going to get an M5 bumper repro one too as it is getting repainted. Should look mean.