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

I would say a replacement is in order then.

How's the audio with the phone plugged directly into the aux port? Would it be too late to consider routing an aux port to wherever you keep your phone while driving?

Also wondering did you wire the new usb port to a new fuse or just tap it into existing cigarette lighter circuit? I've bought a bunch of those to add to the 159 in a few discrete places to allow charging points for front and rear passengers and one close to my phone holder to allow for a short cable to a Quadlock wireless charging holder and I can't decide if it's worth having them individually fused (or at least separately fused in groups...

can you point me towards these online? I guess I could just pull out a cigarette lighter and replace it with one of these permanently?

Also wondering did you wire the new usb port to a new fuse or just tap it into existing cigarette lighter circuit?

I spliced into the wires behind the existing lighter socket, so the circuit as a whole is on a single 10 Amp fuse, however the new socket also has a 10 Amp inline fuse. If it blows the main/original fuse when something is plugged into both sockets then I'll move the new socket to a fuse of it's own (there's an unused one for the tres 90's car phone, which I don't have).

can you point me towards these online? I guess I could just pull out a cigarette lighter and replace it with one of these permanently?

The one I used is designed to go in a hole that you cut/drill, they're not what I'd call good looking. Your car manufacturer is likely has a 12v USB socket option for a few quid that you could swap the lighter socket to.

I used one of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/CHGeek-Charger-Adapter-Waterproof-Motorcycle/dp/B077XY276Y/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=usb+car+socket&qid=1565598256&s=gateway&sr=8-6

Ah ok, thanks!

Have you tried streaming other than from Spotify? I gave up on using the bluetooth receiver for the same reason - anything via Spotify sounded extremely flat in contrast to how dynamic and rich anything on the CD player sounded. I assumed that it's just whatever compression Spotify uses and have resorted to just filling all storage compartments with various (Gran)dad rock CDs. I've listened to 'We Can't Dance' and 'The Divison Bell' more than twice in a row on various journeys and IJDGAF.

I think I might get one of these when it comes out next month.

This is what I have at the moment:

So trolling to you is ask why you went through the hassle of taking apart, drilling and screwing something that can be stuck back together?

Have you got a volt meter/multimeter.

Nice. You wouldn't consider the Porsche Classic one?

No line out- only amplified signals available. Plus that’s a grand.

No. But I have a brand new battery from Wolfies Battery and Tire garage.

Duff cells in the old one rather than alternator was the diagnosis. 14.1 amps (or somesuch measure) was mentioned.

Still a few of these around in daily life

1 Attachment

Do you know how much it is going to cost?

I've temporarily reverted back to CDs because the Bluetooth HD thing the previous owner wired in that tunes to the radio is cackly shit. Tempted to just remove the CD changer and run an aux cable to last until there aren't any phones with headphone jacks anymore...

~£450

I got a headunit and fascia for £30 on eBay and iso adapter/fuse spur thing from Halfords for £20 to have radio/usb/aux/Bluetooth in my beat up golf. So far so good

2 Attachments

Was the Golf originally a double din stereo then?
I've got a double in my VW Touran and replacement (branded) stereo's are all north of £100. A single din job leaving me with an extra cubbyhole might be the way to go.

there's actually a VW part of a DIN sized cubby hole - Some VWs/Skodas/Seats etc have a single din and the cubby hole if they don't have a sat nav head unit

Hello hello hi.

What were you doing going to Essex?

It desperately needs a decent clean.

Long time no post.

Here's a roundup for readers keen for an update (I assume none):

I think the Volvo needs a clutch and either the release bearing has gone (rattly) or the gearbox input shaft has bent. I'm really hoping the former, not the latter.
It failed the MOT on a torn steering rack gaiter so got that fixed to get it through the MOT but they also gave me a minor for leaking front shock absorbers. I'm guessing a combination of London and southern Italian roads were too much for them. I've just ordered Bilstein B6 front shock absorbers to replace the Koni adjustables, they're not adjustable but I have it on good authority that they're very very good.
I'm trying out the new Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 tyres on it, upgrading from the Asymmetric 3, so far they seem very good, better ride and grip. TyreReviews rated the new 5 much better than the old, but also best in class beating the PS4 so I'm happy they live up to the expectation so far.

I tried to get the MX5 engine swap finished in time for a trackday in Wales at the end of July, it was a big rush of working all day on a couple of weekends and some late nights. I managed to get everything ready to turn it over literally on the morning of driving to Wales but it wouldn't run for longer than a few seconds. I didn't have any time left as I was actually going on a family holiday to Wales (I'd combined the two trips), so had to leave it behind and I haven't touched it since due to too many other things on but I've got an evening at Donny booked on Sept 2nd so that's a new deadline. I think the issue is the map that is on the ECU at the moment is for much more advanced timing than this engine is set to (involving re-drilled cam gears) so I need to load a base map on and it should run. Then got a few tidy up jobs to do and it should be good to go.

Also managed to agree a swap of my Compomotive TH Mono wheels from the MX5 for a set of lightweight 2pc Racing Beat 15x7 wheels. I think I'll get those rebuilt into some fancy pants wideboys with a lot of dish as a second set of wheels, I've got the ATS DTC to go on before the trackday.

@Pifko had this in before. I only care about Bluetooth/aux really so single din fine for me and often looks less tacky than some double din third party units. Also hopefully less of a thief magnet.

edit - this is the one I got https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-Car-Stereo-Headunit-FM-Radio-Bluetooth-MP3-USB-SD-AUX-FM-4x-60W-1DIN/361683725079?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
whatever you get, get the ISO harness off ebay and the fuse spur thing. Had to cut the other end of the adapter and use a choc block, plus run a wire to the fuse box; my mate's dad ended up doing most of it because he knew what he was doing.

Halfords near me had some branded single DINs on clearance for £50 or £100 fitted which is not bad

1 Attachment

Has anyone ever done one of those supercar day experiences?
https://www.buyagift.co.uk/driving-experiences/supercars

I got one for my dad and wanted some tips on how to get the most from it.

From the reviews it sounds like calling ahead to check availability is a good move – he has always dreamed of driving a Lambo, so it would be nice if he could.

In terms of location Epping and Hemel Hempstead are likely to be the easiest, but if there’s another that is likely to be better that would be good to know.

Cheers.

• Carver Barracks Circuit - Essex (South East)
• Epping - Essex (South East)
• Aldershot - Hampshire (South East)
• Hemel Hempstead - Hertfordshire (South East)
• Norwich - Norfolk (South East)
• Bury St. Edmunds - Suffolk (South East)
• Dunsfold Park - Supercars - Surrey (South East)

also if anyone else wants anything from that site here is a code ending in ~7hrs:
£10 off. Just use code CRM6GKEUP8 at the checkout on orders £20+

1 Attachment

I called into Auto Audio in Park Royal, they spent some time tinkering with the amp settings and made it make a much nicer sound than I could achieve- and refused to charge me for their time. I’ve booked the car in for the end of the month so that they can take a much deeper dig into the system, very reassured by the expertise of the chap who looked over the car. I’ll also for that Blaupunkt unit if it comes in during the time they have the car