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

The customer experience matters a lot too. Again, using my parents. They loved Ford, and they're fiesta even though it had constant issues and recalls. But their local Ford dealer handled it quickly, did things like ad a bonus year of warranty etc. So they were happy and no negative feelings. Same again for Toyota, my folks are happy because Toyota handle it well. I suspect Tesla is the same coupled with very enthusiastic customer type means their sales won't be impacted by recalls.... Until regular car manufacturers catch up and offer better build, better reliability etc.

Should say too, I think it's amazing how Tesla have gone from zero to making proper cars in such a short time. It's impressive and a few stumbles are only normal.

Yeah. Customer experience definitely can’t be underestimated.

It’s a bit shit with Range Rover and despite being on a ridiculous partner deal with them, I can’t wait to get rid.

Should say too, I think it's amazing how Tesla have gone from zero to making proper cars in such a short time.

I agree that they've done very well but they ahve the luxury of being able to buy the majority of their components from other manufacturers and the incredible advantage of being so well funded that they can spend an enormous amount of money more than they earn for a prolonged period of time.

For a while they were losing $14k per minute. Apparently it's closer to $7k now on average. If the next release is halfway reliable and sells well, it'll be an incredible achievement.

Well also Tesla did buy the NUMMI plant. A bit of Googling Toyota/GM/Kaizen/NUMMI will give you a feel for the quality of the facility they acquired.

Can I put these on my mk1 mx5?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274278019862

Some of the numbers don't match up but I don't know how much that makes a difference. The pcd and holes would match up.

Not sure I would take no-brand rims when you can get sensible ones with warranty and safety stamps for not much more

https://www.driftworks.com/rota-tfs3-in-hyper-silver-15x7-4x100-et38.html

You need to check offset (the ET value) to make sure they will fit. This is a good comparison tool

https://www.willtheyfit.com/

Those look good cheers

Make sure you do the numbers, as back in the day I bought some alloys for my MR2, they fouled the brakes, so had to get spacers, wheels were heavier than OE, also ruined the steering feel..had to take them off. A costly exercise.

Well clicking through that site for mx5 wheels pulls up those alloys so I'm hopeful. Will check a bit more before clicking the button.

Also make sure the centre hole (73.1mm) is the right size. Too big, and you can take up the slack with spacers. Too small and you'd need the mythical negative shims. Or you'd have to machine the rims, which would be spendy even if it was possible.

The pipe has probably fallen off the jet, remove the inner hatch trims to access the spoiler securing bolts, remove the spoiler but only enough to lift it up that corner as there are wires attached for the third brake light. refit it and add some tape around it for extra security.

https://youtu.be/OkoCuKOSpeo

https://vimeo.com/459810702

Does anyone know why people replace the breathers on their E46 320d? Lots of people suggesting to put a vortex style breather on, but not many explanations!

Vortex type is the later one and fit and forget, the filter type needs changing every service really or they clog up and cause over pressuring of the crank case system and turbo damage.

Always bringing the knowledge. Cheers. Looking at dates of manufacture, I should already have a vortex in mine, but will double check!

Gonna (tastefully) punk this Xk120...

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Yessssss! This is great. Project Binky is cool and all but I like the instant gratification of this.

I imagine they were fed up of making things too complicated also. Great concept and obviously no form of racing is cheap but loving how accessible it feels.

Today’s shit show. Order car cleaning stuff so I can clean car before MOT. Go to euro car parts to pick up order, takes guy 20 minutes and several attempts to pick my order. Order incomplete so he amends my invoice saying one item is to be collected tomorrow. I double check my order at the car, and he’s amended the wrong bit on the invoice, get back in the queue to get it sorted. Takes another 20 minutes at least as I get stuck behind two complicated customers. Right, no time to wash car myself, so pay a fiver* to get the cheapest handwash, and hightail it to MOT centre. Arrive 2 minutes past 1pm, to be told that I’ve missed my slot and to come back tomorrow (test centre is an hours drive from home). This is kinda fair and definitely my own fault. Ring a friend and get recommended another garage 20 mins away. They can fit me in if I can leave the car for a couple hours. Great. Take car there and proceed to walk around tiny village for 3.5 hours hoping that the car makes it through first go. Hurrah, success.

/csb I know. Anyone in Leeds want to buy a sweet MK IV Astra with 134k on the clock. 12 months MOT ;-)

*I'm genuinely worried about the workers if a wash costs that little.

Spotted in the park on Sunday. Looked a weapon.

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Stopped on friday for a wash, paid a fiver. Five blokes £5 took ten minutes, so if they have a constant stream of cars £6 / hr. Mine was the only car in.

Are we users part of the problem?

I very rarely use them at all (less than once a year), because each time I’m reminded of how uncomfortable I am about it. Just doesn’t add up at all. Although I guess they might price the wash cheap to get people in and make more money back on the valet.

Either way, without a queue round the block, I don’t see any of it adding up at a fiver a wash.

8 quid round this way and the economics still don’t work.

Sure it does. Pay the workers nothing, 10p on materials, £7.90 profit. Big win.