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

Is it suppose to turn easily?

When I was threading the castle nut onto the top ball joint, after a couple of turns the ball joint itself spins. This meant I couldn't fully tighten the castle nut as it doesn't travel up the thread. I hope that makes sense.

Check the threads are clear on both the castle nut and the ball joint, i had this with one on mine where the nut locked up on some tiny bit of shit on the threads and spun the ball round.

Failing that, you can borrow my electric windy gun to buzz it on which may or may not help

Thanks, in that case I know what it might be... When I enthusiastically used my new ball joint remover it crushed one of the edges slightly pushing it in. I bet it's that. Thanks for the offer but might just try a new nut in that case.

Passat is A4 sized. If you want true load carrying capability you need to go mid-size. The Mondeo will be much better than the Passat.

In the boot of my E39 I’m currently driving around with a quick lift jack, 2 axle stands, 8 litre drain pan, 5L bottle of oil and 2L bottle of coolant, 2 tool boxes, a harness bar for my MX5, other various parts still needing to be fitted to the MX5, a mid sized pushchair, and a cycloc bike hanger. There’s still enough space in the boot to fit as much as you could in a hatchback’s boot, probably more, plus proper sized seats in the back.

Mid sized cars are bae if you truly want to be able to lug shit about.

Sorry I’ve just re-read your post and seen that you thought the A6 was too big. You’re probably going to find the Mondeo too big too then.

What sort of age are you looking at? Would an r36 Passat estate work? Much better interior than the standard ones, and fun to drive. Maybe not great fuel economy tho

If you ever need to transport an 11ft Christmas tree and you’ve forgotten the bungees for the roof, it’ll fit inside an E61.

I saw one in aus and thought it was moody. Then I saw one on eBay last week. They look the tits.

Thanks - I'll see how it drives on Tuesday. I don't live in London now so slightly less of an issue.

Zero interest in high premiums and killing myself these days. I had enough close shaves in my late teens and 20s.

It's not. Just sayin'.

Boot capacity in litres (seats up/down):

Golf (stnd) = 380 / 1,270
A4 = 505 / 1,510
Golf Estate = 605 / 1,620
Mondeo = 525 / 1,630
Passat = 650 / 1,780

A trick can be to get the ball joint to seat properly then tighten the nut as needed...

I hope that none of the red bits are anodised aluminium.

Thanks, the red collars are made from nylon it's cool.

I have joined the fun and put my deposit down on the 2004 European Car of the Year. Hopefully pick up this weekend.

2004 European Car of the Year

The thinking man's Fiat 500?

Toyota Yaris?

I got the B8 Avant. (No longer this clean or healthy)

Just took tree to tip yesterday and had familam down in Sussex over crimbo wid roofbox full of pressies.

Is ample for 2 nippers imo.

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A 14 year old Panda with 22,000 miles, three owners and full service history. MOT'd in November with no advisories. Quite possibly the most boring car in London, which suits me just fine. Technically my first car despite having had a full license since 2000.

What engine?

1.2

60 bitchin' horse powerz

Mod time?....

Eco version or normal.

It makes vroom vroom noises and goes forwards and backwards

As a rule he is correct about adjustable anti roll bar links, as a rule if you lower the suspension you fit anti roll bar links to match to keep the anti-roll bar in the same position.

Of course this does not apply to every car as some vehicles the mounting point of the anti roll bar link does not move in relation to the drop in height, but as a general rule they have to be changed or adjusted.