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

especially as I doubt the car has limited slip diffs on the centre or rear diffs.

The Outlander PHEV has no centre diff at all. The rear wheels are electric drive only.

@grams @NurseHolliday @Brommers

Thanks guys. Since it’s basically a FWD when the electricity runs out (as I understand it) and it’s a rear tyre, I expect it won’t really be an issue.

How far away from civilisation are you?

Far enough for a non standard size tyre to take >5 working days to get here apparently

Grams is on the money here, and you're fine. The issue with mismatching tyre diameters is that they cause the tyres to rotate at different rates which a centre diff tyres to stop, as it sees it as slip, and then overheats and dies (if it does it for long enough). But as you have a FWD petrol/RWD electric car with a logical rather than physical connection between the two axles you could even go for a bit of rake, a-la jacked up Charger.

In that case, happy days. Apart from the potential for wear on the rear diff, unless there's one one motor per wheel.

Perfect. Thanks again everyone!

Would you have to be a nutter to buy a diesel at this time?

Ruminating about a dad-spec estate. Supposedly a 180cm person can just about sleep in the back of a V70 - anyone tried it?

I thought it would be a bit more mechanical being a Mitsubishi, but if that's the case @russmeyer, it sounds like you're laughing. I mean other than having 1 odd tyre.

My mate drove back to Aberdeen from Paul Ricard with 1 odd sized race tyre he managed to get off a Mini Challenge race team after he got a puncture. We stopped regularly because we were worried his diff would overheat, which made it pretty slow going, but it actually drove pretty fine.

I guess it depends on your requirements for diesel?

If i lived in the vicinity of London didn't do over maybe 10k a year of mileage or need to tow a trailer probably not.

I'm fairly sure I'd not do more than 10k miles. I was thinking more about low emission zones (I'm in Edinburgh).

I also thought the sale of diesel cars was going to be banned but looks like that's completely false so not sure where I got that idea.

Diesel cars are still bloody horrible things whether they actually ban them or merely wait for the worst ones (pre Euro 6) to die out.

More modern diesels have Ad Blue which significantly reduces the N0X. etc.

Diesel is a necessary evil for certain functions (e.g big mileage, towing etc etc) but if you don't need any of those things I would look for a petrol.

It really depends what age of car you're looking at but i would wager you'd be better off finding a petrol T6 or whatever than buying a D5 V70.

I specifically bought a TDI alltrack recently because i have to tow my car trailer, but we rarely use it around town or for short journeys, we have a small petrol car for that.

I bought a diesel a6 estate, as all we use it for are trips between London and Wales. Its also cheaper to buy and run than the petrol equivalent.

If you’re sitting on a motorway most of the time, then a euro 6 diesel is an option, but if you’re mostly scooting round town I’d get a petrol.

I was thinking more about low emission zones (I'm in Edinburgh).

Edinburgh seem fairly on the ball with stuff like this. I wouldn't get a diesel unless it's a modern one - Euro 6 etc - as there seems a reasonable likelihood of there being an emissions scheme introduced in Edinburgh.

Also, I bought an old diesel and part of me definitely wishes I'd looked for the petrol instead. Och well.

Literally twice what I paid, but still. . .
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104030925737

Sorry, it doesn't properly activate unless you post a picture on social media.

Oh sorry 'loving my new @simoniz wheel spooge goo doing a great job on the @seat_uk #ibiza'

Need to get a snow foam Lance next.

1 Attachment

Thanks for the advice all. I think I'll stick with petrol in that case as its purpose is to visit things and seems a bit pointless if there's a chance I'll be charged a load every time. Petrol cuts down the options quite a bit but seems to be plenty out there

Here's a car for the purple ano fans:

https://m.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1160797034381791/

Call that wheel cleaner? Pffff

1 Attachment

Petrol cuts down the options quite a bit but seems to be plenty out there

Also think of the resale in a few years time. I might shift my diesel soon for that reason...

Did you run over a Kiwi (bird)?

Just about 50 hedgehogs and maybe the odd possum

Thanks. It hadn't occurred to me that vans had lower speed limits on the faster roads. Good to know.
I have driven a van before and quite enjoy it tbh. I do like being that feeling of being higher than regular cars. That's part of the appeal a little bit as far as I'm concerned.

You wouldn’t know it from the way they’re driven!

Everyone needs a snow foam lance, 3 motors including a massive pick-up washed rinsed and dried in 30 minutes!

Yep.. I have a cheap Lidl washer. Wheel cleaner sprayed on.. skoosh on snow foam.. have fag and then get bucket of hot water.. rinse off snowfoam.. skoosh on shampoo.. wash with mitt.. rinse off shampoo.

45 min for two cars including smoking time/foam soak in.

Amateur, should be tea and fag!