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

Cool! A little inspo for you, I see this being used as a daily driver. Hilarious watching the guy fly over all the speed bumps round here. I think it gets driven at 100% everywhere. Nice Holden Ute being too

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I have a soft spot for Deux Cheveax, as everyone I see driving one seems to be thoroughly enjoying it.

There was one time I was on a driving tour with the Se7ens List - a mailing list for all Lotus 7 inspired cars - Caterhams, Westfields, Daxes, Stikers, Robin Hoods, whatever. It was an epic 3 week tour - ferry to Bilbao, down through the Pyrenees to Andorra, over the Pyrenees to France and Milau, over to the Vosges mountains, and then up to Le Mans for the Le Mans Classic race. I came back with different tyres to the ones I'd set off on, having totally worn out the new AO21Rs I'd started with, and with only 4 out of 6 gears still working.

Anyway, while racing up a pass in the Pyrenees, we came across a large group of 2CVs and 2CV-based specials (lots of Lomaxes) coming down. We were flying up with our race-spec suspension, almost no body roll, minimum of 200bhp per tonne, oversteer powerslides on every hairpin, and more than a Dab of Oppo. The 2CVs and 2CV specials were coming down the hill with epic body roll of totally comedic proportions, tyres screeching with unrelenting understeer. I have no doubt we were covering ground faster, but I'm far from sure we were having more fun.

#csb

Oh, and the replacement tyres were Barum Brilliantis. Yes, I'd never heard of them either.
Not much choice of tyres for 13" rims in Andorra. They were comedically awful. Could have been worse. My friend ended up with 8 year old Dunlop snow and mud tyres, in a car with a very peaky motobike engine, a twisted chassis (he hit a Mountjack deer on the run down to the port), a digital on/off clutch and a Detroit locker rear diff which made a deafening clunk every time it engaged. It was not, apparently, a very relaxing drive. He finished most days' driving covered in sweat and twitching slightly after the tyre change.

It was designed to be able to drive over a ploughed field with a tray of eggs and not have any eggs break. Lets us not forget this in still late 1940s technology.

Nice spot in crystal palace

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I was parked in front of that around midday.

Spotted a new M3 today. Didn't actually know they existed anymore.

Assuming it's meant to be the 4 door M4 option (until BMW decide to release bring a 4 door M4 "coupe").

It looked pretty good for a new BMW. I've been genuinely staggered by how shockingly bad the new stuff looks in the flesh. I'd expected them to look better irl and/or grow on me. It's like they're trying to design an ugly Merc that's too gaudy a Russian gangster to drive without feeling self-conscious .

Anyone de dented their own car using any of the paintless dent removal kits?

What happened to the Polestar 2?

I gave up my pre-order last year when they bumped the release date to later this year because I had to hand the 4 series back in October last year. That got swapped for a RR Velar which I've got until at least October this year.

The Zoe is for Siona on her year's maternity leave to get around locally without the need to use the giant car... easier parking, cheaper running costs etc.

I'm currently looking at three options for October onwards for the Velar:

1. Keep it
   
2. Get a Model 3 LR
   
3. Get an X5 45e
   

Wouldn't a Model Y be more piratical?

Not coming to the UK until 2022 ish otherwise 100% agreed. That would be the decision made if I could get one.

Sorry, keep forgetting that we are in the UK sometimes.

What about the Kia- e-niro? Very good reviews on the car and actually have a electrical range which matches what is says, even with motorway miles.

Must be quite rare in your manor? They are indeed exceptional on speed bumps I’ve had this one for 18 years, the last 10 have been in the garage, waiting for a couple of weekends work!
Lockdown has saved it and me.
I’m back working now so it has slowed progress a little.

Also you can sing " Kia e Niro's waiting" every time your family are late getting ready to go out

Not interested in a full electric car for long-range driving that has to use public charger networks. They're shit, they cost loads, they're usually full and they're slow to charge.

Would only consider a Tesla because their charge rate and network are good or a PHEV because of their capability beyond electric for the big / main car.

The main reason for this is that we travel down to my parents place in France at least once a year. That's a 1,600 mile round trip on the autoroutes. Using an e-niro would mean hours of additional charging as well as registering for different services etc which I can't be bothered with. A Model 3 (or preferably Model Y) would mean 4 / 5 stops in total but only for 30-40 mins max at each one.

I shall be driving to Morzine on the 15th of August, starting with a full tank of fuel in SE23 how many times will I need to fill the tank of the C55 do we think? Small prize for nearest guess.

Twice

Twice but you'll arrive with 3/4 of a tank.

Once, and you'll arrive with it nearly empty.

I mean... it's 989km, fuel consumption is probably 11l per 100KM, so we're talking 90 litres, and your fuel tank is probably in the 50-60l range, so you could do it with one top up... if you're brave enough to get to near empty before filling the whole way and taking it back to near empty... assuming extra usage of fuel in traffic at points.

Next question- where should I stop overnight?

When we drive to Bourg D'Oisans we normally stay in Troyes.

Second vote for Troyes.

Got a hotel recommendation?

I doubt @Dammit drives at 56mph for maximum fuel economy. I'd say about 220 miles between stops so could easily need a third stop.

Drive on past Troyes and stay at Bourg en bresse . Theres a cheap and cheerful budget Ibis less than 10mins off the motorway on the road into the town centre .its basic but it has a car park and most rooms look onto it . Next door is restaurant that is fine . You’ll be in Morzine in the morning meaning more riding time .

I have done the drive to Morzine 3 times in last 12 months and always stay in Bourg . It’s more than doable as a long drive .

There are fancy restaurants in the town if you want the specialty chicken that the town is famous for .

One the way back normally stay around Troyes .