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

Zombie FIAT Twin Air passed MOT with no advisories WTF.

Not to be a cnut, but isn't the new system supposed to be easy, simple and straight forward.

Or usual cluster fuck of shite

500 or panda?

What is the rear beam like?

Wondering about those that do there own servicing. When changing sparkplugs, have had a duff new sparkplug. Changed 8 and had a duff one.

NGK had issues years ago with fakes, so I went to denso as my usual plug.

So is it still an issue?

I just paid a premium for AA to replace my dead battery at home. Finding the right sized battery, potentially having to clean it all out and end up with cables being too short/long made my brain go foggy but now the regret is sinking in. I guess I just needed to say it out loud to move on.

But pretty good service if you ever need it.

Project thread? Is the R53 as unreliable as most make out? I think it's a good option for a small fun car that's not an MX5

I love reading those project threads but alas far too indisciplined to do the detailed write ups/photos that make them fun, and (hopefully) there won't be much happening to it. Since I've had it it's been totally reliable and the things that I've decided to do were more like preventative maintenance. Thankfully a lot of work around common issues in particular a supercharger rebuild and refreshing the coolant system (upgraded rad, new thermostat and housing) had been done recently.

It's had a few modest tweaks too and I would deffo recommend it (so far) as a small fun car as you say, which was very much the MO when choosing it (a classic mini was also my first car back in the early nineties so a fair helping of nostalgia too). According to the local mini specialist the R53 is the one to go for too, and he reckons as long as they're looked after they're a good bet (he has 3 including a lovely GP1). Big enthusiast community too which is good for support. Not a concern for me, but a possible drawback for some could be its thirst around town, it's pretty good on a longer run/motorway. It's possible a track day could be in it's futute we'll see.

Drove down to the seaside a couple weeks ago as did my dad in his old 500 sec, brakes went spongy on the drive down in the pitch black on the A12, proper fucking terrifying, think it needs bleeding, or the master cylinder is on its last legs.....

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Yesterday marked a month since I bought my car, it also marks 3 1/2 weeks in the workshop.
1 damper, a Haldex and a Prop shaft into making it 'good'.

So why am I posting this? Well today im informed it now has an EML on and it's being reviewed in the morning.

I'm kind of over it now, I wanted to fall in love with the car. I haven't even had it in my possession to do so. It feels tainted and if anything breaks now I'll probably have a breakdown.
Should I just fire a shot across their bow and give them until end of the week to have it back with me and fixed? Citing I will reject it otherwise. I appreciate I've had it for a smidge over 30 days, but they've had opportunity to fix and it hasn't been the case. Main dealer for context, not some dodgy back street outlet which I guess is in my favour.

Personally, I'd wait to see what it is. Could just be a sensor for example.

I'm betting either the vacuum pipes to the servo or the servo itself.

At a guess this is a main dealer that claims to do lots of checks on its used car stock?

Hey I'd see what they broke, or are the garage trying to get you to buy another car instead.

In the region of 150 individual checks I believe - Which did not extend to wiggling the steering wheel or driving it whilst pressing the accelerator in a corner.

I'll give them tomorrow. If I hear the words "We have ordered additional parts from Sweden" I'll send the now drafted rejection email.

As you have said it is quite a unique car.. what are you going to get instead.

Oh and those who do there own servicing, check Halfords out as managed to get bosch single tip sparkplugs for £1.56. two different types/grades too. Bosch oil filters for less than £4 too. Not even with trade card or motoring club discount.

Definitely be prepared to return the car at no cost to yourself. I wouldn't threaten them to hurry up though. They'll just clear the codes and send it back home with you. I'm a firm believer in giving people a chance.... But I would communicate your intention of rejecting the car

this is dark. I reckon these bumps will be long forgotten if you get it back great and can start enjoying.

That if is getting smaller and smaller though

I think it’s the historical part that’s getting in my head; When I wrote off my M140i (how stereotypical) I took 3 months to find another car, a lovely little S3 saloon was chosen. But it turns out they’re simply no good for tall folk, the super sport seats sucked and my head hit the roof every time I went over a bump - not observed on the 15 minute test drive!
So I’ve spent months and months again on AT trying to find a fast and comfy car when this popped up and I literally pulled the trigger overnight. Now to have all this happen, humph.

I couldn't keep it. I'd be forever thinking what will happen next. I changed cars because my 5 year old, old one had failed rear brake calipers.

good shout! having it booked in to look at even though it now feels fine again, not worth the stress

Absolutely reject/return it and get out whilst you still can. The car shouldn't be like that straight off the forecourt, it's clearly got issues and hasn't been checked properly, massive red flag.

Up until their 'warranty' ends they will do the bare minimum fix and leave you with a car with multiple historical problems. It's a bad egg, walk away.

If the problem arises when warm I would go for vacuum pipe failing.

Deep breath. Do you like this car?

So what did the garage come back with today?

In my case, if I like a car I overlook a great deal. But then I will be the one doing the fixing.

Honest answer here is that I simply don’t know. I drove it 200miles on a motorway and 30 miles of A roads where it didn’t function and it’s been with them ever since.
Had I drove it for a week and fell in love I don’t think I’d be so conflicted here.

No update from garage yet - due this afternoon (was midday). Update will feed into decision here. I checked my old car which I PX and it’s been sold so I will be getting cash back at least.

When you look at the car, does it make you smile?

Would a grand or two off make you feel better, as the vendor sold the car that was known to be bad when they bought it.

Have the garage given you a car to use? The work will devalue the car as some won't like the car had faults so new.