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

Btwin RacknRide 2 or 3 is the nicest/most sensible priced one I ever saw. Thule quality (no idea who actually made it but I wouldn't be surprised if it was made by them, same colour and textures of plastics, but all fittings proprietry to the btwin brand). Folds up, fits any bike apart from tiny 16" kids bikes, even 27.5" enduro length enduro, enduro bikes (much wider than most cars). Feels solidly built, comes with easy detachable light board and foldy out bits, and I htink they were only £150 for 2 bike, and £195 for 3 bike versions. More than double that for Thule equivilent quality

Double boosted for extra pop!

dat blue <3

I'm more interested in the 2014-2016 turbo 3.0 6 cylinder rather than the later superturbo 2.0 4 cylinder. I've heard the 8spd on the latter is better, but the info from a Volvo tech is that they recently released an update to the 6spd auto on the former making it more responsive.

Thoughts on the S213 E Class estate? Thinking of getting an E220d as a replacement for my F11 520d touring. Anyone have any experience of them?

Yeah that seems to be more highly rated too.
I suppose the double boost is so they can pass Euro rules, which I'm all down for, but it just sounds like a maintenance headache down the line.

You gonna keep this as your main wheels or will you keep the Mazda too?

If you need a hand, gimme a shout.

Sets its self alight in a sporty manor ;)

I can't afford to keep 3 cars sadly, so it'll be that and MX5.

‘Book time for a service’ has come up on my dash. Car had oil, sparks and filters done at annual service in September for £220.

Going by Volvo’s service indicator on the website, it’s the 7 year/80k service that it’s prompting me for, as I’m approaching that mileage (although the car is over 7 years old (2009) and has been taken to Volvo for all prior major service intervals). Also going by the website, there are no major works, it’s all just brake wear check and fluid checks etc, for which they want £255+VAT.

What do? @NurseHolliday do you reckon those folk in Leyton will reset the code for me? I still have some aforementioned brake back plates to be replaced at the same time...

If you want that service actually doing, I think the place in Leyton charge a similar amount.

If that service has technically been done (at 7 years), and it's in your book, take it to the Volvo dealer and show them that they completed the service but didn't tick it off in the car's schedule so technically they didn't finish the job, and they should just turn the light off.

If they cause a fuss and you do want the light turned off the place in Leyton will prob charge for it, I don't know without asking, but if you get the brake back plates replaced they might just do it for free while it's in, or at least you'd hope?

I have a seasucker for mine, scary but not let me down and trucking it at 60mph down a dirt track in the lakes too

https://www.seasucker.com

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Thanks - I will go and have a chat with them early next week. Volvo in Tottenham are useless - always take way longer than they say, never have a temp car, questionable work standards at best - so am going to avoid them from now on if I can help it.

They're good on the phone if you want to talk to them in advance

The Focal iBus 20 that I bought is not (by 5mm!) going to fit in the 911 - just nowhere for it to go.

So I can't use it.

Anyone want a very good, brand new, fully enclosed, amplified sub that (in a normal car) can go under/behind a seat?

https://www.focal.com/en/car-audio/car-audio-kits-solutions/integration/plugplay/amplifiers/bass-enclosures/ibus-20

It has been really cold around our house for the past week.

Tuesday tried to start car and got all manner of flashing lights on dashboard, clicks, whirrs but car didn't start. Borrowed jump starter from neighbour car started up but had a load of warning lights most went off apart from the yellow submarine (which is apparently an exhaust system warning light). I drove to 10 miles to see friends and drove home.

Wednesday car started fine apart from submarine warning light remaining on. Yesterday when I got in the car the battery was flat again. Jump started it and it was fine (apart from warning lights on dashboard).

Today the car was fine, no warning lights and started but took it to a local garage and they suggested a battery test and told me the battery was fucked. It'd take a day to get a new one delivered so I asked them to order one in. But I thought I ought to get my own jump starter so went to Halfords to buy one, while there I got them to also check my battery (car had done 12 miles from the garage to Halfords). Halfords tell me there is nothing wrong with the battery (its voltage is slightly low but can be resolved by a motorway drive).

So is my local garage dodgy - why did their battery test say it needed replacement when Halfords say it's absolutely fine?

Profit.

Next question?

@J0nathan I can recomend an independent garage in Tottenham if you live around there.

What's the best track list to test a car stereo?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V57eqtN2K7E

closely followed by

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tif6KhnFcVo

I'd be inclined to change the battery after that scenario regardless of what the test said.

No enough information, did you charge the battery? How many miles were done on the journey, and what sort of jounrney?

Depends what tests are done on the battery by each place. Do you know what tests were done?

Halfords....yeah motorway journey...

I should add, this would be in the workshop, and I do need to return there.

Definitely ‘Money for Nothing’. Whilst wearing driving gloves.

Pull driving gloves on, swing down into driving seat, put stereo on, listen, exit car, remove gloves?