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

They're just drawing a line in the sand aren't they though and saying that 'this is what London will look like in the future'. 20 year old cars is where that line is drawn, and they don't want them on the road.

I understand why they're not prepared to enter into a conversation with owners about what mods / what fuel / whatever else. I have sympathy with drivers as well, of course, but tend to agree that less cars is an attractive end goal.

^Yeah, it's to give people a shove to scrap older stuff, which typically is dirtier than modern kit.

Of course, there will be outliers, I suspect I'm one- the 3.7 litre won't pass, so will stay at home in preference to the 5.5 litre twin-turbo which does.

I don't need it/can't afford it. But it sounds nice!

I want to get a 25mm port for a turbo recirc silicone hose welded into my existing aluminium intake housing. Does anyone know where I can source a 25mm barb? I am struggling to locate one of that size apart from the US or China.

Of course, there will be outliers, I suspect I'm one- the 3.7 litre won't pass

The porsche post engine swap? Can't you just get it approved before it happens, once approved I'd have thought it stays that way

Cars in the historic vehicle category are exempt.

Try Think automotive.

The porsche post engine swap? Can't you just get it approved before it happens, once approved I'd have thought it stays that way

I doubt they'll test/approve such a low volume engine tbh. Also, it's not going to be mapped for anything other than the shoutier side of things, so whilst it'll have proper cats I don't know that we'd pass the tests (but hey, we might do - the E63 does after all).

Does matter to me, but thought there was a scrappage grant scheme for 'small' business too. Then extra if you went for EV. Remember some radio ads but never paid attention.

The changing of engines on PSV/HGV were to get the last bit of commercial life out of them.

Now this is just chat but the point is to reduce the NOx and particulates which are particularly diesel engines, hence buses. So we have all behind a TFL bus, even now, belching out clouds of black smoke. Due to the nature of how buses run, it is very difficult to keep emissions low, so perfect for hybrid diesel/electric. Wonder why there aren't more hydrogen buses.

Yeah say that to a 356 porsche owner ;)

re ULEZ. We've a dirty diesel family carrier that we still need for family trips for a few more years but am just considering what 2nd to get.
a) lease a new electric like a skoda citigo
b) buy a cheap tiny petrol Kia Picanto or similar.

We have 2 teens learning to drive (when covid allows again), so the latter makes more sense for them in terms of getting used to driving 'properly' (I realise that this will age badly, but for now I'd rather they got used to driving with gears). And we'd still have it available in a few years when no3 is old enough.
But a lease on an electric, while they develop over the next 3/4 years feels like what we should be doing esp as a second car. And we have space to have charger etc. By then we probably wouldn't need the big car anymore and could consolidate.
So in a bit of decision limbo for now.

So we have all behind a TFL bus, even now, belching out clouds of black smoke

All London buses are now Euro VI, so anything belching black smoke is broken. There's a plan to make them all electric and many of them already are.

Hydrogen is a silly technology.

What he said.

It’s the stinking black cabs, sole trader vans and Uber drivers in shitbox 15yo diesel Zafiras with their clogged particulate filters chopped out that are the biggest problem around town.

A new set of fuel injectors just arrived from Autodoc.com, there were some issues - I'd advise people to avoid.

1) They have a UK website, but are actually based in Germany - the injectors took 12 days to arrive
2) They swapped out the OEM Magneti Marelli parts that I specifically ordered. for an upgraded read -cheap alternative (from a company which they just happen to own) without giving me any notice, whilst retaining the high price of the OEM parts.
3) I'm now stuck with postage costs to German for returning these bits, and their Customer service has been so slow that they haven't even confirmed the return is ok yet.

Shower of wankers - I found original parts posted from Doncaster at £3 cheaper in the end.

I sent in a scan of the V5 in an email. Straight back quite quick with a letter informing me the vehicle was exempt and the database had been updated.

Considering the fact I'm a bit of a petrol head, I must say the Nissan Leaf is an excellent car. Just not great for longer commutes. For our use it is working out very well.

Purchase price is higher than a IC car but running costs thus far have been very low.

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I've used autodoc loads, and had the same issue with slow delivery and parts being exchanged (it was cheap shite parts for my old astra so I wasn't fussed when they were swapped). Although I just ordered a new thermostat for the E46 from them specifically to get a Febi Bilstein one - if they'd swapped that out I would have been pissed.

I have to admit, from my experience, most motor factors are a complete pain in the arse.

Currently chasing a refund from Online Automotive.

I like it, burly yet compact...

No way! That's great, and so much easier than mine was (I don't have emissions on my v5c, but even if I did would have assumed it couldn't be used as they might already have access to that information.)

Uber does note accept any cars older than 2008 in London.

Still struggling to find the max roof load for the car though which may influence what I go for.

Fwiw mk6 golf is 60kg.

I reckon your best bet is to call Toyota.

Bright orange Exige 350 Sport parked on my road, bulging with aggressive aero, can't upload a photo Upload a file isn't working

Thule says it's 60kg so that seems similar. I've emailed the dealer though, will see if they come back with anything useful.

I've put up an advert to sell my Cooper S and if it sells for asking price I'm going to replace it with a Subaru...

I'm at an absolute deadlock in terms of choosing between two models so I'd love anyone who cares to make a comment to chime in.

The plan is to do an engine/ transmission swap in either one so engine and gearbox won't be a factor in the decision making...

Pre-Facelift Forester SG (the blue one)

or

Legacy Outback BP (the silver one)

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I love those foresters, will it be easy to find one that isn't rusty?