The Motor Forum

TimR · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 8:42 pm Post subject:

I've got long term plans to get a different exhaust for the BMW.

I was shocked recently to discover that as standard it's one complete piece from the headers to the tailpipe tips.
I reckon it should be pretty easy to cut it about to insert something less silenced though

Blarno · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 8:50 pm Post subject:

The Clio is the same. They do it so they can rape you for replacements, as you have to have it welded in place.

Except that they make the Clio one out of chocolate and everyone ditches them for stainless!
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Arms held out, in the Jesus Christ Pose.

Boxer6 · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 8:54 pm Post subject:

Looks extremely smart Stu - hope you get the compressor sorted ASAP.

Word of advice though - and you should know this, being a copper - those plates are illegible, and hence illegal.

Wouldn't want you getting pulled by the Black Rats!!!

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Just keepin' on keeping on.

TimR · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 8:58 pm Post subject:

Blarno · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 9:32 pm Post subject:

Aren't all Dibble top brass?
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Arms held out, in the Jesus Christ Pose.

TimR · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 10:14 pm Post subject:

I always assumed it was a prerequisite for getting very far certainly.

Maybe that's all changed now though.

They let women in (and not just to work in the canteen)

.

Roadsterstu · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 10:44 pm Post subject:

Blarno · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 7:37 am Post subject:

It's not leftovers, actually. It's spanking new steel tube!

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Arms held out, in the Jesus Christ Pose.

DradusContact · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 9:22 am Post subject:

If you want my advice go for a milltek system. If they do one for yours of course. If they can make my 1.7 sound like it does i shudder to think what they could do to a V8.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O19yk7IGpxU
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Roadsterstu · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 9:57 am Post subject:

Blarno · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 9:58 am Post subject:

Don't get your hopes ups about the rollcage being any good. Or being finished anytime in the near future!
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Arms held out, in the Jesus Christ Pose.

Roadsterstu · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 11:55 pm Post subject:

Brief update. Guy from Mazda Assistance, or whoever they are called, came out and assessed the car. Pleasant chap. Found the remains of one of three rubber bushes that should fit into the front of the compressor and dampen the clutch plate and also hold it in position. Two missing totally, one found in the undertray, degraded or burnt. So, a clue.

The chap reckoned it shouldn't be driven, so was taken on a full lift back to Leeds. No courtesy car yet, but if it is going to eb more than a couple of days, I WILL be having one.

I have to say, in fairness to the dealer, Sunwin Guiseley, they have been on the ball. I suspect this compressor issue is down to the company that refurbished it. It tested OK at the garage and when I collected it.

PG · Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:05 am Post subject:

That really does look exceptionally nice. Very Q car. Subtle, understated. All the things that powerful cars ought to be.

Roadsterstu · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 9:20 pm Post subject:

Still in the workshop. Not likely to see it until Tuesday at the earliest. Arse.
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V8, RWD, no traction control...

Martin · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 12:17 am Post subject:

Let's hope it gets all its issues out of the way now, so you can enjoy some trouble free motoring when it does properly arrive.
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Roadsterstu · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 10:41 am Post subject:

Indeed. The aircon specialist has sent the compressor to another specialist, apparently. I'm all but ready to suggest they just get a new one now. I might save some pennies and just bite the bullet and order one from the States. I could get it shipped to a mate's, get him to put a bit of oil and muck on it, make it look used and then resend it to me, saving the import duty.

Looking like at least Tuesday when it will be back now. Warranty company will only pay for 2 days hire car, so not worth bothering about until I need a car to drive up and collect mine - in which case the warranty company will at least deliver a car to me and I then leave it at the garage when I get mine. Or, they have agreed to foot the train fare. Quite enjoyed the train journey last time so may do that - at least I can sit and read on the way.

Oh well...
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V8, RWD, no traction control...

DaveGibson · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 1:23 pm Post subject:

Why is the warranty company involved? The fault existed before delivery, the dealer failed to rectify it properly and is, in any case, responsible for any fault identified within the first six months since such a fault will be deemed to have been present at the time of sale.

Roadsterstu · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 10:39 am Post subject:

For the dealer to resolve with the warranty company. Up to them to sort it out. I just want it fixed.
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V8, RWD, no traction control...

Roadsterstu · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 12:38 am Post subject:

Been up to Leeds today to collect a courtesy car. Been without a car for long enough now. Mazda 3 1.6 TS2. Not bad. Overly light steering and a shade of blue I'm none too keen on. But it's wheels for now.

Feck knows what this "specialist" is arsing about at with my aircon compressor...
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V8, RWD, no traction control...

Boxer6 · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 7:57 am Post subject:

Roadsterstu · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 12:55 am Post subject:

Blarno · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 8:00 am Post subject:

Understandable.

Why the 'specialist' hasn't just replaced the entire compressor and clutch assembly is beyond me.
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Arms held out, in the Jesus Christ Pose.

Roadsterstu · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 9:06 pm Post subject:

Not spoken to this specialst myself due to work being so busy today but did put the garage under no illusions that I am now rather unhappy and that they should ring their specialist and get a fixed date out of them for the return of the compressor, instead of all this guesswork. Apparently "early next week" was the best they have managed. I've said I expect the car ready to collect by the middle of the week, when I am next up that way, taking the kids to their grandparents'. Jane and I have 2 precious days free of kids and dog. I want the 260 to use for days out.
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V8, RWD, no traction control...

Roadsterstu · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 7:20 pm Post subject:

IT'S BACK!

And by God, it's good

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V8, RWD, no traction control...

boc70 · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 9:00 pm Post subject:

Glad to hear the good news. You can now start a thread entitled '18.5mpg!'

DradusContact · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:51 am Post subject:

If he drives it like a nun maybe.
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Pkh72 · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 10:09 am Post subject:

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Nothing to see here

gonnabuildabuggy · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 10:15 am Post subject:

Pkh72 · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 10:25 am Post subject:

DradusContact · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 10:32 am Post subject:

I think he meant whats stu seeing mpg wise?
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Pkh72 · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 10:35 am Post subject:

PG · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:14 pm Post subject:

Roadsterstu · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:18 pm Post subject:

Not checked yet as haven't had it long enough. Filled the tank yesterday. Had a steady run down the M1, including long 50mph sections, and the needle barely moved. Got off the motorway to take some back roads and the needle started to drop pretty quickly...

Be next week somtime when I fill up. I'll let you know.

Isn't that Blarno on that tractor?
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V8, RWD, no traction control...

Blarno · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:22 pm Post subject:

DaveGibson · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 1:07 pm Post subject:

Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 1:12 pm Post subject:

DradusContact · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 1:31 pm Post subject:

You may get it back in time for christmas
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Roadrunner · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 1:50 pm Post subject:

Roadsterstu · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 2:52 am Post subject:

Roadsterstu · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 2:56 am Post subject:

Roadsterstu · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 2:58 am Post subject:

Roadsterstu · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 5:19 pm Post subject:

DradusContact · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 5:46 pm Post subject:

About 9.36mpg above our guesses then

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Mark · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 6:02 pm Post subject:

Boxer6 · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 6:29 pm Post subject:

Martin · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:02 pm Post subject:

That's surprisingly high, must do better!!!
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Roadsterstu · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 5:21 pm Post subject:

I'm sure that will drop. I'm still very much gradually getting to know how the car behaves. The engine, as you'd imagine, is unbelievably tractable. Last night I took it from under 30 in 50th, to just hitting 100. No grumble, no judder low down, just solid, increasing surge. Marvellous! Around town and in 30 limits, 4th gear, 1100-1200rpm, trundles along nicely. On the open road, it is from 4k rpm, when it hits its relatively high torque peak that it really starts to move. Below that it is a pretty laid back beast. Cruising is effortless and quiet, until you open the throttle a little more and you get a wonderful, bassy, V8 soundtrack. God knows what they are like with X-Power exhausts on, but mine sounds gorgeous on the standard system and the noise/refinement balance is rather pleasant.

Handling wise it is beautifully balanced. The steering, whilst not as communicative as, say, a Mazda MX-5, has a great level of feel and feedback and has a lovely weighty feel. The front end bites into corners and the rear will step out easily - even in the dry. Nice! I've not had much chance to play on wet roundabouts due to late finishes at work but once I build some more confidence I'll play a little more. Just don't want to put the car up a kerb or into something solid.

The car has a very "mechanical" feel to it. The steering is weighty, the gearshift slightly notchy - I kept missing third at first but I've got used to it know. It doesn't like rushed changes, preferring a steadier approach. And the clutch. Bloody hell. It's giving my left leg a workout. Traffic can be a bit of pain. Literally! Getting used to it, but you certainly "feel" the car even after driving it.

As for the tyres - I'm pretty impressed actually. Accelera Phi or something, which I thought would be cack. However, at the moment they feel rather good, which was a real surprise.

Thankfully the a/c is now working properly although it is run in "econ" now anyway.

I'll be meeting up with Twelth at the end of the month, so he'll be able to give a different perspective, which should certainly be interesting in comparison with the RS4 - if, indeed, there can even be a comparison.

Overall though, I am LOVING it. Also (sad bit) going for a 260's forum meet on Sunday at the Cov Transport Museum. At least it is all 260's (should be 14 or 15 hopefully) and not regular flat-cap Rovers

Should get some excellent technical info and tips, plus a trip round the museum too.
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V8, RWD, no traction control...

"him" · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 5:25 pm Post subject:

Apex clipper · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 5:33 pm Post subject: