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

Good news. Thanks.

Yes, very. Still love the car though.

Interested to hear how you get on. We’re on a two car policy - 2 people, 2 cars insured on both.
The renewal increased, but it seemed like no one would be cheaper. Hopefully I can haggle them better this year.
Failing that I’m going to try one of those specialist insurers.

Renewal due in October. I will try to remember to post. I am expecting around £3000 for three cars and three drivers.

Went out to lunch with colleague and his 2018 BMW threw up a warning about coolant levels being low and to top up.

He is freaking out that he is going to die on his drive home.
Will this likely be a leak or just because it needs a top up?
I was under the impression it is a closed system so shouldn't really "use up" coolant, so would probably be a leak somewhere (Caveat: I know less than fuck all about cars)

Cars definitely shouldn’t consume coolant. Tell him to check for wet spots under his car after he’s parked it. And check the oil cap hasn’t got any mayo on it.

Cheers, I'll leave before he does in case the HG has shit the bed, he will not be pleased...

My 5 series popped up with a similar message although it was at about 8000m so still fairly new.. apparently quite common - an air bubble finally working its way out. Nothing since in the following 15k m

He got 50m down the road befire the warning light came back. Bought more coolant and that just flowed out (apparently)
Something is fucked.
Bad times for him.

If its flowing out somewhere then I guess it's cheaper than losing it into the cylinder head?

Sign up to the E30Zone, loads of info on the wiki pages

So, I’ve got a Kangoo mk1 (fits all the bikes!) for the occasional trips to the mountains, but it won’t be used much. It will mostly be sitting in an underground car park, and I worry about what will happen when I come to pick it up every ~6-8 weeks. Notably, to the battery and the tyres. Might get a bit cold this close to the Alps.

I’ve seen battery chargers, jump starters, folks who recommend to unplug the battery… but I’m very non-knowledgeable about cars and unsure what I should do. What would you all recommend?

I have a Citan which is based on the Kangoo. Very often doesn't get driven for a couple of months. I've had to recharge the battery a few times in 10 years. Before you try and start it if it's been sitting, make sure you switch off the ac/heating, radio, lights etc.

You can get a small portable battery pack that will start it from pretty much a dead battery, at least while the battery pack is relatively fresh (under 5 years old).

I'd go for a rechargeable battery pack too. I used to have a small oddysey sealed lead acid battery that I jumped my reluctant Impreza from but was expensive....

Personally like those li ion small jump packs mower days. But if you have access to power in then occasionally charging the battery can helps.

Yeah, but it seems pretty much dead. Tried signing up and following multiple times but never received any reaction. Tried through a different ways🤷🏼‍♂️. You van access the wiki even if you don’t sign up which is something.
I did become a member of the Dutch E30 club.

If you can get a battery conditioner continually plugged in where it's parked then that's the best solution otherwise taking a portable jump pack that's fully charged is probably the best option. 6-8 weeks isn't a killer I'd say, but unplugging the battery is a pain in my opinion so I wouldn't do that.

My van sits for longer than that and starts no issue. A good new battery should be fine. If it is dying then it's either an old battery or you've a drain on it.

Just keep some jump leads in the car incase, and ask a kind sole to start you if needed.

Stunning old Volvo.....


...and a LOL Toyota, invisible to traffic wardens, brilliant!

In love with that AE86.

A high school classmate had an AE86 - dark gray with a white stripe down the middle third of the car. Such a cool little car.

Volvo is so, so, so nice

Spotted one the other day too.

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At work we had a few vehicles which were used much but had a draw on the battery, they all had isolator switches put on them to idol the battery . So that and a decent jumper pack.

I have been loosely playing with going back to a Fiat Panda from my current Abarth 595, but they seem expensive and therefore barely worth it.

The Audi A2 has always appealed...is this a realistic proposition in terms of reliability? I drive a handful of times a week but need it to start. I know there's love for them here, but they are now 20 year old vehicles.

Hells yeah. For the Toyota more than the Volvo