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

Had seen the xc90 and looked rather nice - but seemed a bit big. But oddly the XC60 has more room inside for passengers (though trade off is 400 litres less cargo room!). Might focus search a bit more on these two. Cheers

I think the extra two (safe) rear seats are the big selling point.

Wonder how the 4wd 33 would handle? So 33 4wd while the 155 q4 is not on the list.

Tipo 16v is quite a fun car. Tipo's are very light, they even made a 1.1 tipo.

No y10 turbo on that list?

List is about being achievable really - 33 Per4 I could (theoretically) afford, 155 Q4 is both rare and expensive; I could pick up an early low spec delta integrale for less I reckon.

Y10’s a touch though - screamy little bugger! Also, Lancia Delta HF is one for the list too....

I do appear to like them ugly!

He’s awaiting your call...

Flipping love a 155.

Stahp pls......

I went there:

Number plate surround from a scrapped W203. The previous owner(s) have clearly employed a variety of adhesive and mechanical fixture based techniques to attach a registration plate to the car.

Interestingly they've actually removed the four external towers that the plate is designed to mount against, leaving the surface (somewhat) flush.

This is with a screw threaded in to the depth that it would be with plate and tower in place:

And this is the obverse:

So that the standard screw is only just finding some thread when almost totally screwed in does, I think, indicate that the thread of the plate surround is fucked.

I have, hack that I am, put Loctite 243 on a 20mm long M5 bolt and screwed it in.

However, this (as a fix) makes my teeth itch.

So! Helicoil it? Or would this suit Danstuffs Rivnut approach?

If it were me I'd use a regular m5 nut and a mudguard washer on the back and just tighten them up properly? Then pop the surround back on...

Which would mean popping the surround out whenever I wanted to change the plate, which I grant you is not a frequent thing - but mine do have the EU/GB thing on, which we may have to change in April next year. Also, I'd like to fix it in a way that didn't engender additional fuss down the road, as it were.

I'd drill it out and put an expanding brass insert in.

We do this at work on plastic parts (inc 3d prints) that need need robust threads, works well

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This is a joke right? 155's won basically every major touring car championship in the 90's including DTM & BTCC.

This is great. I've always had a soft spot for these and it's always something I search for when idly checking pistonheads, autotrader & ebay. I can't remember the last time I saw one as clean as that. Hope you get a load of enjoyment out of it.

Thanks, I’m really crossing fingers that the bonnet is the only area that’ll require bodywork, and that the lump will have had any major concerns dealt with over time.

I am on the lookout for some 15” Speedline 5 spokes, that will be redone in gold a la 1970’s Alfa GTV Junior stylee...

What's the correct name for the collar you fit round a drill bit to ensure you don't drill deeper than a certain depth?

Just a stop collar innit?

What's the correct name for the collar you fit round a drill bit to ensure you don't drill deeper than a certain depth?

Vinyl tape.

Yep. Just use a bit of electrical tape.

@dammit if you're going the whole hog on it I'd suggest using some epoxy when you're putting it in to form a bond... I've never had wonderful success with getting things to stay put in relatively thin/ flimsy plastic.

You could even just epoxy an m5 nut and a mudguard washer onto the back of it with the bolts done up to keep it in place if you wanted? It'll work every bit as well as the knurled insert I reckon.

Polo written off. Valued at £2,500 which seems fairly generous tbh.

Yeah I’d be happy with that. Found anything you liked?

1999 V40, 1998 V70, 1996 Range Rover?

But we'll probably end up with a Golf.

Me too it is well done isn't it, that video has been doing the rounds at work :D

I saw an E34 5 series last month at a Treffpunkt car meet that had the same supercharged V8 set up plus meth injection

time sert? I have a rivnut set if you need some

.....and I still have some spare sticky pads, 3 weeks on and the rear number plate has yet to hurl itself lemming-like from the Z4.

98v70 trumps 99v40 any day of the week. If you want the most sort after high performance model, I happen to have one available. It doesn't move, but is that an essential for you?

Could you redesign a superior version that meets your needs, and have it 3D printed?