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

The Porsche... Are you going for a standalone ECU like motec/haltec etc? Could you replace the throttle pedal with an e-throttle (drive by wire) or is this just getting in too deep?

Also, agree that cars up until early 2000's are probably the best... Peaked at understated designs, strong structures, decent build, analogue enough, decent engines and chassis. No wonder all the performance classics from then are booming in value, even if they are not fast in comparison to newer cars.

Not to come across as rude, but you should mention who supplied the kit you used again ;)

I've used the woolies kits (https://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/category/117/leather-renovation) on older leather, and used fine wire wool to clean the leather. Used a paint pad to paint the leather. It is very labour intensive.

If only you could 'like' eBay posts

@hugo7 @Dammit @lynx

I used products from Furniture clinic
https://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw-4SLBhCVARIsACrhWLXgAMxds8264V3ptPGs28XAsx9cpJokJUsQ5Tc0bdVD7V4pWajs-4waAjTVEALw_wcB

They also do a steering wheel kit which I used on my 318i steering wheel with good results, I would use proper leather cleaning products, any oils will affect the ability for colouring.
https://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=+steering+wheel+kit

Before

After

Cheers.

Just wanted you to mention who supplied stuff as the last time I bought a Woolies kit was over a decade ago. So no idea what the modern stuff is like.

Don't use saddle soap. Reading up that it is the wrong thing.

Any particular reason?

I have a huge tub of budget stuff I use for boots and wellies, and then a a little bit of poncy Saphire stuff I keep for best shoes.

In the past for leather trousers I've just used moisturising gentle hand soap and light olive oil. Note for the oil you're only using the smallest amount

That was the original intention- but I want to keep the cruise control integration with the stalk on the column. Keeping the standalone cruise ECU is the easiest way of doing that.

And yes- Syvecs engine management

Now’s the time to start stockpiling carburettors to replace all the dead ECUs in 2040. You mark my words.

Seriously though, I’m with @TRA above but there’s going to be problems with all cars. My mk2 Golf that I dailied up to 3 years ago developed a problem with its carburettor and no mainstream garages near me had anyone experienced in working on them (it’s a particularly complicated unit on that car) and my only solution was an uneconomical full replacement with a non-OE Weber. So even if the technology is relatively crude, the skills will die off sooner than you might expect.

You make a good point. I have faith in the car world that someone, somewhere will figure out a way to keep dinosaur juice/synthehol turn the wheels. I'm imagining a 2040 version of the raspberry pi handling basic firing and a/f ratios.

I am still worried about my cat in my exhaust despite accurate lynx’s advice (thanks, it helped at least calm the nerves). Despite the cat not causing the issues which coolant i had been experiencing, it was definitely blocked this and so far all i have done to ‘fix’ it is to have full revved the engine until a huge cloud of smoke/particles were released from the exhaust. I have read the you can cut the cat out and insert an extra section of pipe and also ‘rod out’ the cat. What do people think?

Possibly unrelated, My exhaust is a bit shakey at the moment, the rubber mount isn’t doing a good job at all. Easy fix?

Went to look at a W124 (or the one after, late 80's early 90s) Merc 300D (e class size) locally last week, was an old slushy 4s auto, but with the epic OM606 in original condition. Slow by modern standards, floaty handling, barge like, had 250k+ on it, drove extremely solidly and had good feedback.
The heavy controls and solid feedback makes you feel like you are operating heavy machinary. Modern (2005>) cars feel like a mid priced playstation force feedback gaming wheel, only its not configured quite right. Think it likely does have a lot to do with the way domestic car drivers behave and interact, they feel very safe and very removed from the reality of operating heavy machinary.

The lightness of electronic power steering feels completely wrong after driving in the e46.
Makes me sad knowing that this will probably be the last car I have that has a nice driving feel (it’s no race car, but still).

The lightness of electronic power steering feels completely wrong

I feel this.

I actually found I was driving our car too quickly because it was far too easy to steer in the bends etc. I've recently switched to 'dynamic' mode which is a speed responsive steering, i.e heavier the quicker you go. It's slowed me down, certainly with the family in the car, as I'm aware through the steering alone my speed through corners. Slower cornering = happier passengers!

What's annoying mind, is in a Volvo you cannot set the drive mode permanently. So despite having keys with 'profiles' I need to move the little wheel every time to set it. Urgh.

no car that I've tried with electronic PS has much feel

Would be interested to hear some thoughts on this, most likely candidate for my next car is an ND MX-5, the first MX-5 with electric power steering. Only other car I've driven with that is my wife's Polo which is probably not a great benchmark. Electric PS seemed like an odd choice to my (inexperienced in these matters) mind, but I'd hope that the folks designing the MX-5 aren't going to stick something in that'll have a significantly negative impact on feel.

Yup. Even on modern cars with a “sport” mode that synthetically makes the steering heavier, it still feels fly-by-wire.

Mk4 (9n/9n3 2002-9) were the 1st to have CAN bus network and electro hydraulic steering. They really built them well and many survive without the steering system or electronics having ever need to be looked at. They are same assistance profile all the time, doesn't really change noticably, but is lighter at 0-10mph than it is at higher speeds. Its light and dumb feeling but there is still at least something there.
The mk5 (6r/6r3) that replaced it is full playstation. Steering is a little lighter, but feels like the steering components are made from plastic. Technically a more stable car, broader track, more driving orientated suspension bush style (wheras mk4 generation were more comfort/makes car feel bigger and more substantial than it is), but I have got into difficulty so so many times driving Mk5's. They just go on you, front end ploughs straight on more times than I've probably ever experienced in any other car, its like the wheels just break traction and like to slide. Then ESC kicks in, steals your power and ability to avoid it then turning into a lift off oversteer situation. So you just end up driving it more carefully IME.

Molto fun at Italian car day today. 👌

3 Attachments

Has anyone here used the Makita 18v cordless vacuums? Was looking at mini vacs like Dyson etc but would rather use something that takes the same batteries as the drill (and doesn’t cost £500).

Harry's garage 1965 911 SWB

My god.

The DCL180Z is basically useless.

The DVC750LZ is supposed to be decent tho, although I’ve not used one (but I have used the above and can confirm it being shit).

The soap is too alkaline and can cause damage the car seat leather as saddle leather is different.

Have been told that if nothing is available to use dilute washing up liquid with a round(sash) paintbrush then clean/dry with a microfiber cloth. Then use 2 parts white vinegar and one part olive oil in a spray bottle is supposed to clean and feed the leather.

Going to try both on the jag to remove the shiny spray on them.

Always had a soft spot for these .
Bizarrely, I spotted one from the top of the acropolis .
Had a close look later , it was a long way from Paris

1 Attachment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3DVUYTeOyQ

Yeah, I regularly find myself driving as quick or quicker in the Polo (mk5) comapred with my MX-5. Yet to hit a limit yet, but I've always figured that it would not be a smooth transition if it were to happen! Not sure how indicative it is of your average car on the road, but it does feel like modern cars are maybe a bit too easy to drive near the limit, with relatively little feedback.