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91

General Discussion Area / Re: Terry Paget

« on: 05 May 2021, 08:19:15 »

This is very sad news.

I had the fortune to meet Terry and his wife earlier this year. Both were lovely people.

RIP Terry and my thoughts are with his wife and family.

92

Omega General Help / Re: Cam Locking Kit

« on: 05 May 2021, 08:16:34 »

I can sell you a second hand kit if that's any good? I don't need 2 v6 locking kits.

93

General Discussion Area / Re: Renewel Time

« on: 05 May 2021, 08:14:59 »

1993 Mk1 MX5. Full protected NCB. 12k a year. The only downside is no 3rd party cover for other vehicles.

It started off at £165, but as I went through QuidCo, I got £40 cashback making it £125 for the year. I'm more than happy with that, a classic policy price on a daily driven car.

94

General Car Chat / Re: Solar powered battery charger

« on: 04 May 2021, 15:26:40 »

They are OK, I've owned one before. Beware that some cars the cig lighter socket is turned off when the car is turned off. Mine came with the cig lighter and clamps. If I was going to install it long term, I would probably crimped some eyes on the cable, added a fuse and hidden all the wiring.

I can't really give a long term review as it didn't last long. One day I forgot about it, drove off and it hit the gearknob and smashed.

95

Omega General Help / Re: Engine and gearbox change essential work.

« on: 04 May 2021, 14:57:14 »

Plenum gaskets (plus cleaning out the plenum)
Thermostat


Depending on engine, oil cooler (some had stainless steel ones fitted from factory).

96

General Discussion Area / Re: Carrie's Flat

« on: 30 April 2021, 15:34:25 »

... who wouldn't take up the offer of free decorations & furnishings..😂😂😂

Someone who could see that such behaviour could be viewed as a bung for other things.

97

General Car Chat / Re: Oh dear 2

« on: 30 April 2021, 12:12:32 »

There is a massive percentage of households that have nowhere for a charging point to be installed

There are an even bigger percentage of households who don't have a petrol station in their gardens. If fast charging stations take off, it won't be an issue. As most people would need to fill up 1-2 times a week. There is no reason one of those charging sessions can't be a fast charge whilst you wander around the supermarket.

98

General Car Chat / Re: Oh dear 2

« on: 30 April 2021, 10:22:02 »

How do they intend to enforce/track/manage it?

If they do it via yearly MOT, people will start clocking cars again. If they go for a blackbox, then the costs are epic and I've no doubt a faraday cage would limit a blackbox.

It's difficult to implement those style of recording without doing it at the manufacturing stage.

The fairest way is to put it on fuel, but they wouldn't just add 2p, they'd add a lot more. I've said this for years, do away with road tax, add a penny to each litre of fuel and you'd get about the same amount, but with the added benefit of those who drive more, pay more and those who avoid paying to use a car, will still get stung for road tax equivalent at the pump. It would also save millions in being able to get rid of a large section of the DVLA. Sadly I don't trust any government to implement this in a sensible way, they are too greedy.

99

General Discussion Area / Re: mobile phone numbers

« on: 30 April 2021, 09:14:10 »

I never answer calls on my mobile from numbers not known from the contacts list-if it's important they can send a text message instead.Always let the house phone ring to the answering machine then I can listen to any message they leave on that-if indeed they leave a message.

I go the other way, I try and keep them on the phone for as long as possible. I've even sat there telling them what I am doing with my computer for over 30 minutes, my computer wasn't even on. I play stupid and drag everything out for as long as possible.

Why? Well they could be ringing a relative of mine, a friend etc; The longer I can waste their time, the less time they have to harass people who will fall for this.

100

General Car Chat / Re: Oh dear 2

« on: 30 April 2021, 08:58:19 »

What scares me is the fact the government seem to be approaching this like a rudderless ship.

Go back a few years and the government was saying, 'Buy a diesel, they're green!' Pause for a few years. 'Don't buy a diesel, you are killing us all!'.

Now they are saying 'Buy an electric car!', excuse me while I cynically avoid the advice given.

101

General Discussion Area / Re: mobile phone numbers

« on: 29 April 2021, 15:53:52 »

I have to say, since Corona took over India, I've not had a call.

102

General Discussion Area / Re: Carrie's Flat

« on: 29 April 2021, 15:50:42 »

Two things strike me about this flat thing...
1. The PM seems to care more for a flats decor than he does about the people who can't move/sell because of awful cladding. Nevermind the fire risk.
2. What possessed anyone to go for that design? 'I'd like my flat to look like a wrapper from a Tunnocks Tea Cake please.'

103

General Car Chat / Re: Actual cost of producing a car

« on: 29 April 2021, 13:25:03 »

Those batteries are not going to recycle themselves.

The thing is, a battery pack is made of thousands of individual cells. If a few cells fail, they can be replaced and the pack put back in to use in a different environment where the 80% of battery left is more than enough. I think it was Toyota who were using old battery packs in the vehicles they use to transport stuff around the factory. Or more likely, the pack can be repaired and then used in a solar installation where the a secondhand pack will cause less problems.

With regards the cost of cars, R&D is massive. I seem to remember a figure into millions to certify a new Audi headlight. Then there are crash tests, test driving of the vehicle is all types of conditions (very hot, very cold). Of course you have to maintain your dealer network, you've also got advertising, fines (dieselgate), press cars. The costs are epic.

Are we getting to the point that a car is a loss leader? And they make the real profit from extras/servicing etc;

104

General Car Chat / Re: Oh dear

« on: 29 April 2021, 09:27:50 »

Yep, and I assume why the traditional spare wheel is gradually disappearing. Reduced weight, reduced emissions and reduced costs.

No need to assume. A spare wheel adds 1-2g of co2 per km, hence why you rarely get them now. Of course they could save a lot more by not adding a load of useless crap, but then it wouldn't be the car industry.

105

General Car Chat / Re: Oh dear

« on: 29 April 2021, 09:26:19 »

Renault announce that all of their cars have had speed limited devices for decades and that device is the engine.