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[Auto Addict]

....Merc & Caravan....Hello Astra K 1.4 Petrol Elite Auto Sports Tourer.

[Marks DTM Calib]

....Merc & Caravan....Hello Astra K 1.4 Petrol Elite Auto Sports Tourer.

Sheerings holidays and Cruises for the future get aways  now then ?

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

1.4 Astra?

Is it the one the gobby scouser owned?

The one finished in 'projectile vomit' green.

[STEMO]

1.4 Astra?

Is it the one the gobby scouser owned?

The one finished in 'projectile vomit' green.

He's seen sense, at last.

[TheBoy]

....Merc & Caravan....Hello Astra K 1.4 Petrol Elite Auto Sports Tourer.

Sheerings holidays and Cruises for the future get aways  now then ?

I wonder if Saga have an upper age limit for members, and how our friendly Pikey Pensioner fairs....


So come on AA, pics needed .  Its been a long time since you've had a small car as your wheels

[Auto Addict]

....Merc & Caravan....Hello Astra K 1.4 Petrol Elite Auto Sports Tourer.

Sheerings holidays and Cruises for the future get aways  now then ?

How did you guess?

[Auto Addict]

1.4 Astra?

Is it the one the gobby scouser owned?

The one finished in 'projectile vomit' green.

He's seen sense, at last.

 

[Auto Addict]

....Merc & Caravan....Hello Astra K 1.4 Petrol Elite Auto Sports Tourer.

Sheerings holidays and Cruises for the future get aways  now then ?

I wonder if Saga have an upper age limit for members, and how our friendly Pikey Pensioner fairs....


So come on AA, pics needed .  Its been a long time since you've had a small car as your wheels

I don't get it till Monday.

[STEMO]

Rear legroom is poor, Barry, but with the back seats down there's plenty of space for camping trips and the like.

[Auto Addict]

Rear legroom is poor, Barry, but with the back seats down there's plenty of space for camping trips and the like.

Not too bothered about the the rear legroom, there's only two of us.

[Kevin Wood]

Rear legroom is poor, Barry, but with the back seats down there's plenty of space for camping trips and the like.

Not too bothered about the the rear legroom, there's only two of us.

My thoughts when purchasing the XE. Only time anyone sits there is when they've scrounged a lift, so they can suck it up.

[TheBoy]

Rear legroom is poor, Barry, but with the back seats down there's plenty of space for camping trips and the like.

Not too bothered about the the rear legroom, there's only two of us.

My thoughts when purchasing the XE. Only time anyone sits there is when they've scrounged a lift, so they can suck it up.

And a valid reason for always using the Westfield...   ...lift scroungers can get a taxi instead

[TheBoy]

....Merc & Caravan....Hello Astra K 1.4 Petrol Elite Auto Sports Tourer.

Sheerings holidays and Cruises for the future get aways  now then ?

I wonder if Saga have an upper age limit for members, and how our friendly Pikey Pensioner fairs....


So come on AA, pics needed .  Its been a long time since you've had a small car as your wheels

I don't get it till Monday.

I look forward to seeing some pics when you get it, Mr AA

[Auto Addict]

....Merc & Caravan....Hello Astra K 1.4 Petrol Elite Auto Sports Tourer.

Sheerings holidays and Cruises for the future get aways  now then ?

I wonder if Saga have an upper age limit for members, and how our friendly Pikey Pensioner fairs....


So come on AA, pics needed .  Its been a long time since you've had a small car as your wheels

I don't get it till Monday.

I look forward to seeing some pics when you get it, Mr AA

 

[Andy B]

https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/index.php?threads/icarsoft-md-ii-for-sale.188739/#post-1919707

Bugger! .... I missed that. I was busy at work. 

[henryd]

https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/index.php?threads/icarsoft-md-ii-for-sale.188739/#post-1919707

Bugger! .... I missed that. I was busy at work. 

I bought this Andy to do my Saab's as my Snap on jobbie didnt and it covers all modules on the Saab's, will be as good on Merc I would imagine and you can add other makes for a fee

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313022016634?hash=item48e190ec7a:g:R8gAAOSwxrJeZPin

The price includes one manufacturer

[Marks DTM Calib]

Another reason why I have been staying with brand, access to FOC scan tools is very useful.......not that I have needed them in anger 

[Andy B]

https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/index.php?threads/icarsoft-md-ii-for-sale.188739/#post-1919707

Bugger! .... I missed that. I was busy at work. 

I bought this Andy to do my Saab's as my Snap on jobbie didnt and it covers all modules on the Saab's, will be as good on Merc I would imagine and you can add other makes for a fee

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313022016634?hash=item48e190ec7a:g:R8gAAOSwxrJeZPin

The price includes one manufacturer

Thanks .... I might look into one. 
I suppose I should go for a multi car reader .... for just in case. I already have a cheaper Autel, but it only does engine codes (though it can see the auto 'box on SWMBO's Citroen)

[Auto Addict]

https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/index.php?threads/icarsoft-md-ii-for-sale.188739/#post-1919707

Bugger! .... I missed that. I was busy at work. 

Sorry.

[Andy B]

https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/index.php?threads/icarsoft-md-ii-for-sale.188739/#post-1919707

Bugger! .... I missed that. I was busy at work. 

Sorry.

  No worries Barry 

[TheBoy]

Another reason why I have been staying with brand, access to FOC scan tools is very useful.......not that I have needed them in anger 

You will. Once all these shinnanigans are over.  So best get you SDD up to date and authorised

[Auto Addict]

[STEMO]

Very nice, Barry, and right choice of colour. The 1.6 diesel under the bonnet would have made it a perfect choice.

[TheBoy]

Is that yours, or a library pic?

[STEMO]

Looks like Birmingham to me. 

[Marks DTM Calib]

Another reason why I have been staying with brand, access to FOC scan tools is very useful.......not that I have needed them in anger 

You will. Once all these shinnanigans are over.  So best get you SDD up to date and authorised

Just had the CCF file updated on the database so the new one will need plugging in

[Auto Addict]

Is that yours, or a library pic?

Library pic, I'll post an actual pic. in a day or two,

[TheBoy]

Another reason why I have been staying with brand, access to FOC scan tools is very useful.......not that I have needed them in anger 

You will. Once all these shinnanigans are over.  So best get you SDD up to date and authorised

Just had the CCF file updated on the database so the new one will need plugging in

I think it has to be reauthorised every couple of weeks to do certain stuff, hence I can't

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Stylish design, like the Signum.

Petrol engine is the way to go.

[Auto Addict]

Actual car, at TB's request.

[Andy B]

It looks very nice Barry. 

It also looks huge for what was originally a mid sized car .... I wonder what it would look like parked next to an Omega/Carlton/Senator 

[Auto Addict]

It looks very nice Barry. 

It also looks huge for what was originally a mid sized car .... I wonder what it would look like parked next to an Omega/Carlton/Senator 

Probably like a Dinky Car

Wheels are a bugger to clean though

[Andy B]

...
Wheels are a bugger to clean though

I used to think that of the cross spoked alloys of my Senator ..... a used tooth brush! 

[Auto Addict]

...
Wheels are a bugger to clean though

I used to think that of the cross spoked alloys of my Senator ..... a used tooth brush! 

So do I

[Nick W]

It also looks huge for what was originally a mid sized car .... I wonder what it would look like parked next to an Omega/Carlton/Senator 

We've actually done something similar: a Triumph 2000 estate parked next to an Astra H estate is completely masked by the Astra.

[STEMO]

It looks very nice Barry. 

It also looks huge for what was originally a mid sized car .... I wonder what it would look like parked next to an Omega/Carlton/Senator 

I've parked my J next to an omega and the omega looked quite small.

[STEMO]

Having said that, the omega is far roomier inside. The astra J estate has very little rear legroom.

[TheBoy]

That’s very red

Nobody will drive into that


I quite like it, not sure about estate bit, but that’s down to my dislike of estates, despite their practicality.


Hope it serves you well

[Rangie]

Looks very nice & great in that colour one of our neighbours has one in metallic grey looks much better in red.

[Nick W]

That’s very red

Nobody will drive into that

Are you sure??
You've met my friend who drove into the side of a London bus that he hadn't seen.

[Andy B]

It also looks huge for what was originally a mid sized car .... I wonder what it would look like parked next to an Omega/Carlton/Senator 

We've actually done something similar: a Triumph 2000 estate parked next to an Astra H estate is completely masked by the Astra.

... and they were a fairly big car in their day.

[Andy B]

....
 but that’s down to my dislike of estates, despite their practicality.
 .....

You need a 'shooting brake' then  Sounds a lot posher then 'estate' 

[Auto Addict]

That’s very red

Nobody will drive into that


I quite like it, not sure about estate bit, but that’s down to my dislike of estates, despite their practicality.


Hope it serves you well

Mrs AA has a Hatchback SRi the same colour.

It's a Sports Tourer

Thank you

[Nick W]

It also looks huge for what was originally a mid sized car .... I wonder what it would look like parked next to an Omega/Carlton/Senator 

We've actually done something similar: a Triumph 2000 estate parked next to an Astra H estate is completely masked by the Astra.

... and they were a fairly big car in their day.

Exactly

[Nick W]

....
 but that’s down to my dislike of estates, despite their practicality.
 .....

You need a 'shooting brake' then  Sounds a lot posher then 'estate' 

They're not quite the same. A shooting brake was used for carrying guns, and only has two doors - like an estate-based van

[Doctor Gollum]

The Sports Tourer looks much cleaner than the hatch, which looks like a facelift Leaf in profile. 

[ronnyd]

Does that model Astra still have a 'proper' auto box and not the DSG/Powershift garbage?

[STEMO]

Does that model Astra still have a 'proper' auto box and not the DSG/Powershift garbage?

It certainly does, Ronny. The J has a 2.0 165bhp engine, with a traditional slush box, and the K has a 1.6 135bhp engine with a traditional slush box. The K is a lot lighter so the 'performance' is about the same. However, the J has a cambelt and the K a chain. There are a lot of people worried about the noise the chain makes on startup, but Vx put this down to an engine 'characteristic'. I've seen pictures of a couple of the Ks, used for taxiing, that have done over 100K miles. The plastic guide at the bottom of the chain has disintegrated and fallen into the sump.

[ronnyd]

Thanks Steve. 

[STEMO]

Those are the diesel models I'm talking about, of course. I don't know anything about the ones that use that expensive petrol stuff. 

[TheBoy]

Mrs AA has a Hatchback SRi the same colour.

Twins

Come on, piccy of them together

[Andy B]

....
They're not quite the same. A shooting brake was used for carrying guns, and only has two doors - like an estate-based van

True .... but near enough.

Does the amount of doors actually make a difference?  Merc make a CLS Shooting Brake and that's just a slimmed down estate .... looks over practicality.
And a coupe should only really have 2 doors .. Coupe .... but Rover's P5 Coupe had 4 of them 

[Nick W]

....
They're not quite the same. A shooting brake was used for carrying guns, and only has two doors - like an estate-based van

True .... but near enough.

Does the amount of doors actually make a difference?  Merc make a CLS Shooting Brake and that's just a slimmed down estate .... looks over practicality.
And a coupe should only really have 2 doors .. Coupe .... but Rover's P5 Coupe had 4 of them 

Coupe originally referred to the roofline being cut. The P5 had a lowered(chopped in American) roof, and so qualifies.


Many bodywork terms were far more specific than their current usage; roadster and  convertible weren't interchangeable. Lots of words have lost their precise meanings; the bloke who can't mend your washing machine isn't an 'engineer'


Mercedes  using shooting brake, BMW Touring or Audi Avant is just to avoid the common(and cheap sounding) 'estate', which is important when your business model is founded on pretentious marketing

[Auto Addict]

Mrs AA has a Hatchback SRi the same colour.

Twins

Come on, piccy of them together

I'm not going out in the rain taking piccies

[Auto Addict]

Mrs AA's Astra SRi Hatchback

[/url]bb image[/img]

[Andy B]

Mrs AA's Astra SRi Hatchback

I like the 'floating roof line' of the hatch 

[TheBoy]

Mrs AA's Astra SRi Hatchback

[/url]bb image[/img]

No, no, no.  We need to see the twins together.  Get out there!

[Nick W]

Mrs AA's Astra SRi Hatchback

I like the 'floating roof line' of the hatch 

It's like designers of the mk1 Focus reunited: lots of conflicting lines and finishes just because they could. Which is a pity because the rest of the car looks OK.

[Doctor Gollum]

At least the Ford interns had the nouse to seam both the rear windows to the tail lights

Like I suggested previously, from the side the Astra K hatch looks like a Leaf in drag

[STEMO]

Mrs AA's Astra SRi Hatchback

I like the 'floating roof line' of the hatch 

It's like designers of the mk1 Focus reunited: lots of conflicting lines and finishes just because they could. Which is a pity because the rest of the car looks OK.

Remind me what it is you drive, Nick. 

[Doctor Gollum]

An Astra or Focus the Metro is not

Or should that be a '5 seat front engined MGF' 

[Nick W]

It's like designers of the mk1 Focus reunited: lots of conflicting lines and finishes just because they could. Which is a pity because the rest of the car looks OK.

Remind me what it is you drive, Nick. 

When have I ever said anything good about the Focus? While styling criticism is entirely subjective, my real dislikes are based on thousands of miles in the things. I wouldn't spend your money on one.

[TheBoy]

Having had the misfortune to be the "proud" owner of a brand new Mk1 Focus, I can indeed confirm they are utter shite.  Particularly when it comes to handling.  But when you are stupid enough to use bushes that size, it is going to make handling unpredictable.  And the MK1's boot was far smaller than that of the Rover 25 that we owned at the same time, so it wasn't even practical - even the horrible Battlebus is practical, so has something going for it.

So, if it was between a Focus and an Astra, I'd take the Astra every single day of the week.  I care not about looks, remember I drive a modern XJ, which surely has one of the most hideous arses of any car....

[Nick W]

Having had the misfortune to be the "proud" owner of a brand new Mk1 Focus, I can indeed confirm they are utter shite.  Particularly when it comes to handling.  But when you are stupid enough to use bushes that size, it is going to make handling unpredictable.  And the MK1's boot was far smaller than that of the Rover 25 that we owned at the same time, so it wasn't even practical - even the horrible Battlebus is practical, so has something going for it.

So, if it was between a Focus and an Astra, I'd take the Astra every single day of the week.  I care not about looks, remember I drive a modern XJ, which surely has one of the most hideous arses of any car....

Using bushes to give a semblance of rear wheel steer was never going to end well. And rear-wheel steering is completely pointless on anything as short as a car. The ride is biased in favour of handling which is stupid in a family hatchback. The boot space is ridiculous; there's only room for one reasonable sized suitcase, as the suspension takes up the space.


The real problem with the styling is not that the exterior is hideous, but that they made the bits you can see when driving it match. Which they still do; the interiors of current Fords are just as brain meltingly ghastly.


The weird thing is that they got the mk5 Fiesta absolutely spot on: dialled back the design; losing the twitchiness and overly firm springs made the car a much better drive; it's only smaller than a Focus on the outside; improved the interior materials(although the leather trims are down to Ford's usual poor standards) and remembered that a car should be comfortable.
The XJ isn't hideous, but the transition between the rear pillar and the roof/quarter panel is very awkward, which has been a Jaguar characteristic for ever.

[Auto Addict]

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Fine looking brace of Vauxhall cars.

The last design triumph being the orgasmic Signum.

[TheBoy]

I'm now looking at the estates wheels, thinking, "that'll keep the kosos busy cleaning them"

[Auto Addict]

I'm now looking at the estates wheels, thinking, "that'll keep the kosos busy cleaning them"

Spray them with bi-carb mixed with water, then hose off.

[TheBoy]

Spray them with bi-carb mixed with water, then hose off.

Surely that's a Koso job?

[Sir Tigger KC]

Spray them with bi-carb mixed with water, then hose off.

Surely that's a Koso job?

What do the Koso's think about getting sprayed with bi-carb water?