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

I didn't used to think there was much difference but I've recently found out that there's actually quite a bit of difference. Eg on Michelin Cup 2 tyres, there can be a difference of 2-3mm tread depth between the generic model and the manufacturer/model specific version.

Yeah I think that's more my budget too.

I had exactly the same issue with a screw this week. £10 to fix in a local tyre shop - plug and play! Lol

If you want a new tyre - this seems to be it -

https://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre/pirelli-pzero-245-35-r20-95-y-pz4-xl-seal-inside-l-s#303390918

New tyre and fitting is £200.

Checked Kwik Fit and a local place near Brixton and both looked at where the screw was (edge of sidewall and the flat) and said that they couldn't patch it because of the location and that it would be a new tyre.

Kwik Fit is £20 more expensive but would acquire it and fit it on Monday... the local garage was fine with me ordering it online and them fitting it but would charge £40 to fit if I ordered it, but were more expensive if I ordered it from them.

Have booked in with Kwik Fit as it wasn't terribly overpriced and the local place being willing to install if I ordered was enough to convince me neither was selling a tyre unneeded.

Sucks though... £200 less than 3 weeks in. London road debris is bad.

Boom. First car acquired. In my 30s. That’s what living in London will do to you.

Golf estate, gt Edition (which actually means “oh shit we have all this upgrade stock left over from mk7, let’s throw it on everything that leaves the factory”). It fits plenty of bikes and bouldering mats and maybe some room for the baby so we should be good for a minute. I’ve now become strangely obsessed with estates. Is that normal?

Yeh, estates are the best

SUVs next. 😎

Looks like I'm doing a couple of days in Paris ish this week and no car that I fully trust to complete it... fuck sticks.

Can't hire a car or van to do the run as it is leaving the country...and telling lies might not go down well if anything happens.

Should I buy a random left hooker car and see what happens?

I've never been told i couldn't take hire cars out of the country

I’ve now become strangely obsessed with estates. Is that normal?

Yes

Asked if the insurance and breakdown covered going to France and was told no.

#dadwagon

Yep, total dad wagon. It looks fast from the front at least. Really not a fan of the mk8 but maybe they can do some magic with the next R estate...

Anyway, this one is for carrying shite all over the place and getting used as a shed on wheels.

Dash cams. Yay or nay?

Talking of estates as we do, weekly, thoroughly enjoying my 3.0 H6 Outback purchased here. It's been exactly what we wanted and the perfect vehicle for hauling furniture, runs to the dump and driving on awful roads when fishing.

Uncharacteristically for me haven't done any maintenance and it hasn't missed a beat, apart from the battery currently being on the way out. It's like driving around a creamy sofa with a decent amount of poke when you put your foot down. Only criticism I have is it's a little thirsty and it's no sports car in the tight stuff but that's to be expected.

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Cant think of any reasons to not get a dashcam. Most insurers will give a discount if you have one

As long as you don't take to posting the videos on YouTube it's pretty sensible IMO.

While I'm on the subject, is it just me or are the majority of dashcam owners on the dashcam compilation channels actually really shit drivers with absolutely no hazard perception skills?

Hah! Yeah I mostly associate dash cams with Russian street fighting videos and asteroids. I do quite like the self-policing aspect of it though - little reminder to not be stupid.

Didn’t know that - speaking to insurers on Monday so will enquire. Cheers.

Might also save you some bills one day if you can use it to prove an accident wasnt your fault. Only reason I didnt get one last time i reupped insurance was because the discount they offered was under the cost of the dashcam

If you're interested, I've a lightly used battery (S4 027 Bosch) from our 2011 Legacy that may fit. Bought a replacement then promptly solved the car's current draw issue.

Anyone have a recommendation for a body shop around north east London?

I need to get the Skoda tidied up a bit.

Bodyshop or dent people?

I think I need more than dent people can manage.

Want to get a tow bar supplied and installed to my VW Golf.

Online mobile fitting quotes are around £600. Waiting for a VW dealer to quote, but assume will be the same.

Anyone know of any good independent garages that can do it for a better price?