Search found 159 matches

by mikeyb
Mon Jun 29, 2020 8:24 pm
Forum: Cars
Topic: Mini JCW thoughts - New car ordered
Replies: 37
Views: 3491

Re: Mini JCW thoughts

The R56 GP2 I’ve driven was laugh out loud fun. Front end grip was incredible and the brakes were excellent too. Not particularly practical however if there’s more than 2 of you. The set up/balance that provides the great front end grip also means the handling can be ‘interesting’ in the wet with c...
by mikeyb
Mon Jun 29, 2020 8:19 pm
Forum: Cars
Topic: Mini JCW thoughts - New car ordered
Replies: 37
Views: 3491

Re: Mini JCW thoughts

I’ve loved the Minis I’ve had - I think it’s 3 now - but definitely check out the ride on the one you’re looking at because some of them are proper bone-shakers which amplify every single tiny imperfection in the road. There’s a nice balance to be had, but so many seem to totally sacrifice comfort ...
by mikeyb
Mon Jun 29, 2020 2:20 pm
Forum: Cars
Topic: Mini JCW thoughts - New car ordered
Replies: 37
Views: 3491

Re: Mini JCW thoughts

I’ve loved the Minis I’ve had - I think it’s 3 now - but definitely check out the ride on the one you’re looking at because some of them are proper bone-shakers which amplify every single tiny imperfection in the road. There’s a nice balance to be had, but so many seem to totally sacrifice comfort ...
by mikeyb
Thu Jun 25, 2020 7:35 pm
Forum: Cars
Topic: Mini JCW thoughts - New car ordered
Replies: 37
Views: 3491

Re: Mini JCW thoughts

From owning an R56 GP2, regularly driving my OH F56 Cooper S (and soon to be involved in her project R53 Cooper S) my advice is to not bother with an F56 Cooper S/JCW. Harsh ride and pretty boring (but effective) engine. Like for like, I would go for an M140i.
by mikeyb
Mon Jun 15, 2020 2:25 pm
Forum: Cars
Topic: Next car purchase
Replies: 158
Views: 14230

Re: Question on Quattro

I'm looking to buy a second hand A6 avant around 3-4 years old. It'll be a boring 2L diesel. Is Quattro worth the extra money? Anyone had experience with them? Dad's last Audi was a 2015 A6 2.0 tdi 190 Ultra S Tronic (FWD). I personally thought it was fine - I didn't think the level of power/torque...
by mikeyb
Fri Jun 05, 2020 9:07 am
Forum: Cars
Topic: New arrival
Replies: 64
Views: 5701

Re: New arrival

Here’s the eBay ad, managed to get it a bit less, I spent the night removing all the dubious stickers. I am going to lower the bed sort a few other niggles/ make the garage finish nicer with something more durable and aesthetically pleasing :) https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184303835482 Thanks to mike ...
by mikeyb
Thu May 28, 2020 3:59 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Anyone live near Penrith?
Replies: 6
Views: 851

Re: Anyone live near Penrith?

mik wrote: Thu May 28, 2020 11:10 am Not sure exactly where @mikeyb is but he may be closest?
Yep, about 5 miles away. Give me a shout if i can help.
by mikeyb
Sun May 17, 2020 5:48 pm
Forum: General
Topic: 4 Paw Dog Drive Fleet running report
Replies: 981
Views: 116290

Re: 4 Paw Dog Drive Fleet running report

Making me want a second dog this thread, our boy is 5 next month and he still doing well and pretty much as manic as ever, despite maturing and having his nuts done (waste of time and money that was and I won't get another boy done). I'm not allowed a second at the moment but when I do I think I'd ...
by mikeyb
Sat May 16, 2020 1:53 am
Forum: Cars
Topic: Your fleet running reports
Replies: 20050
Views: 2288738

Re: Your fleet running reports

This sounds like a date for 2021 :D I went to Uni in Lancaster so I don’t mind a nostalgic trip up to the NW. Don’t ignore the solos, they’re good fun and a good way of meeting some of the folk from your club. There will be a huge wealth of experience to draw on, and people *love* talking about the...
by mikeyb
Fri May 15, 2020 9:48 pm
Forum: Cars
Topic: Your fleet running reports
Replies: 20050
Views: 2288738

Re: Your fleet running reports

Although being in Cumbria, there doesn't seem to be much locally! I bet there is ! You’ll have more interesting venues than down here too. Which bit of Cumbria ? Edit: https://www.cumbriacrack.com/2019/06/24/lake-district-classic-and-targa-rally/ Well don’t I look like a plank 😬 I only live a few m...
by mikeyb
Fri May 15, 2020 2:34 pm
Forum: Cars
Topic: Your fleet running reports
Replies: 20050
Views: 2288738

Re: Your fleet running reports

I bought a car today, I'm not sure how it happened really :lol: 2006 Mini Cooper with JCW kit, a non functional sunroof and a gearbox noise, 70k miles, 350 quid. I'm not sure if it will be the box, might be a wheel bearing as this is a late 6 speed r53 and the gearbox is pretty unburstable usually,...
by mikeyb
Tue Mar 24, 2020 9:18 am
Forum: General
Topic: Coronavirus
Replies: 8697
Views: 830703

Re: Coronavirus

Went for an interview at the start of this month and got the job. Yesterday was the first "official" day, luckily in academia I can work from home without much hassle. Hopefully HR and tech support have me on the system. Just grateful I got the job, if I didn't it would have caused some a...
by mikeyb
Fri Jan 31, 2020 2:10 pm
Forum: Cars
Topic: Your fleet running reports
Replies: 20050
Views: 2288738

Re: Your fleet running reports

What economy are you achieving? Was it a 530d you had previously - how does it compare? My new job involves a 130 miles/day commute for three days a week, so looking at a new car. The usual suspects are on my list (Superb, 5 series, Jag XF), but noticed the G01 7 series are pretty good value and yo...
by mikeyb
Fri Jan 31, 2020 9:51 am
Forum: Cars
Topic: Your fleet running reports
Replies: 20050
Views: 2288738

Re: Your fleet running reports

I’m also considering a Golf TDI, BMW 320d and Audi A4 2.0TDI or, for some reason my preferred choice, a Merc CLS350 CDI Shooting Brake. No proper big barges ? I'm doing 110 miles/day and quite enjoying mine at the moment. What economy are you achieving? Was it a 530d you had previously - how does i...
by mikeyb
Fri Jan 10, 2020 12:40 pm
Forum: Cars
Topic: Toyota GR Yaris
Replies: 375
Views: 227485

Re: Toyota GR Yaris

Are they widened arches? No, it's just an optical illusion, and definitely not related to the fact it's being homologated for the next WRC season, absolutely not. I think it's a whole new floorpan, lower roof etc, so could well be widened arches. Wider track too. From some angles it looks odd, but ...
by mikeyb
Fri Jan 10, 2020 12:09 pm
Forum: Cars
Topic: Toyota GR Yaris
Replies: 375
Views: 227485

Toyota GR Yaris

Details here: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/toyota-gr-yaris-hot-hatch-unveiled-257bhp-turbo-engine 260bhp and 4wd in a hardcore small hot hatch is an interesting proposition. The option of torsen diffs on both axles is intriguing. No mention of official pricing in the UK (I think price...
by mikeyb
Wed Dec 18, 2019 8:33 am
Forum: Cars
Topic: Your fleet running reports
Replies: 20050
Views: 2288738

Re: Your fleet running reports

Coaster1 wrote: Tue Dec 17, 2019 4:26 pm
JonMad wrote: Tue Dec 17, 2019 2:00 pm 8-) Loving the use your giving your GT3. Full respect.
Cheers Jon, yeah all those years I wasn’t dreaming about ‘polishing’ my dream car! :)
8-)
by mikeyb
Mon Dec 16, 2019 9:57 am
Forum: Cars
Topic: 2020 plans for your cars
Replies: 85
Views: 10297

Re: 2020 plans for your cars

Marv wrote: Sun Dec 15, 2019 4:59 pm 968 - gearbox has started making a very slight whining noise, may try some different gearbox oil...iirc there's a particular brand which is good for getting rid of noises? Anyway, otherwise the 968 is all good.

Royal Purple is worth a try - cured a gearbox whine on the Monaro.
by mikeyb
Thu Nov 07, 2019 1:27 pm
Forum: Cars
Topic: Your fleet running reports
Replies: 20050
Views: 2288738

Re: Your fleet running reports

The other thing worth adding for anyone looking for new tyres is that the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport are fricking awesome and are especially so in the wet. On the run from Selkirk to Moffat yesterday they really took some abuse and behaved beautifully. They feel superb up to and beyond the limit ...
by mikeyb
Thu Nov 07, 2019 12:07 pm
Forum: Cars
Topic: Your fleet running reports
Replies: 20050
Views: 2288738

Re: Your fleet running reports

The other thing worth adding for anyone looking for new tyres is that the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport are fricking awesome and are especially so in the wet. On the run from Selkirk to Moffat yesterday they really took some abuse and behaved beautifully. They feel superb up to and beyond the limit ...