Your fleet running reports

[Jobbo]

I'd rather have an E46 330i than a Legacy 3.0, having spent a weekend with a 3.0R version borrowed from Marcus/Trany formerly of this parish (remember him?) The Legacy isn't bad but it's not got much torque and I'd prefer a 4-cyl turbo version.

In other news, the Jimny has passed its MOT with flying colours. Which is somewhat of a surprise because I've not driven it in months and was shocked that it started first turn last weekend - still gave it a top-up charge. I unglued the wipers from the screen and wiped some cobwebs off but did no other MOT prep, not even checking the bulbs. It hasn't even been living in the garage over winter. Tempted to swap it for a Toureg (if I could find one with diff locks and air suspension - the mk2 Escape is probably a better bet than a mk1 now) or Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland; something which is properly capable off-road but which has a bit more space so I can take my bike with me or use it for tip runs, and which is a bit more comfy so I might choose to use it for further-flung trips. Of course, neither Jeep or Touareg is going to be a negligible cost to run like the Jimny.

[Jimexpl]

A nicer Cadillac in RHD, the STS: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 1173336179

The STS has that added attraction of almost certainly costing more than a Bentley to build - re-engineered for the UK, the factory produced the first 25 that I ordered before GM pulled Cadillac out of Europe. The V6 goes well, and you'll never see another on the road!

[Jobbo]

re-engineered for the UK, the factory produced the first 25 that I ordered before GM pulled Cadillac out of Europe.

That you ordered? Did you work for GM at the time?

[Beany]

It also has the added detraction that parts for it would likely be a pig to find - a quick wiki suggests that it was a US GM specific platform (not shared with any Euro models) so I expect that trying to get a hold of, say, a lower control arm, would be fun in the UK - a slow boat either from the US or China.

[Jimexpl]

re-engineered for the UK, the factory produced the first 25 that I ordered before GM pulled Cadillac out of Europe.

That you ordered? Did you work for GM at the time?

I ran Cadillac, Corvette and Hummer Park Lane, Reading and Luton 2006-08. In 2005 CCH UK (run by Pendragon) let head office order stock, which is why there were fields full of BLS and CTS in Bedford and Corvettes with crap colour/gearbox combinations. When I started in '06 I took over all the UK ordering.

[Jimexpl]

It also has the added detraction that parts for it would likely be a pig to find - a quick wiki suggests that it was a US GM specific platform (not shared with any Euro models) so I expect that trying to get a hold of, say, a lower control arm, would be fun in the UK - a slow boat either from the US or China.

It's only the lights, dashboard and alarm that were UK specific, but yes it was a US platform. The suspension was just whatever the sportier US V8 model got with Brembo 4 pot brakes and adaptive dampers on both the UK V6 and V8.
Have a minor bump and crack a light and it might write the car off though!

[Matty]

That's it - I'll be there tomorrow. Are you working at the hairdressers?

Quite a Stourbridge mafia going on!

TBH the hairdressers might be easier....I work at an IT place just around the corner. Can't fix hair, can fix IT stuff if you need it.

This isn't you is it @Matty?

No....I'm with an MSP on the Hagley Road, by the old Library.

[Sundayjumper]

Short deadline targa prep update. Trailing arm bushes fitted & reattached to beam. Poly diff bush. Replaced both inner cv boots. I really ought to do the outers too but I’m running low on time & patience now.

The car is booked in with a recommended local toooner on Friday for welding, and MOT is next Weds.

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[Mito Man]

He’s fine, thinks it’s stuck in 2 gears at once. Or between gears or something like that from what he describes.

He got the Caterham back, dead lambda sensor, clutch bite point wasn't correct so it wasn't fully disengaging, air in clutch line and another duff sensor somewhere. Lucky it was all small things as there's a 6 month lead time on many parts due to shortages.

[jamcg]

That’s reassuring in a brand new car……

[integrale_evo]

Commuting count this week

Compact - 1
X5 - 1
Alfasud - 3

Just the right weather for it, warm and dry but not too hot. Shame it’s taken so long to get here, before this week I had only managed two commutes in it so far this year.

Oil change on the merc last night. But if a faff as two undertrays had to come off to access the drain plug, no access flap. I guess it was around that point manufacturers started sucking out of the tube instead of draining out the bottom. However, while I was there I dropped the cover under the radiator and emptied out a whole heap of leaves, stones and straw!

[Sundayjumper]

But if a faff as two undertrays had to come off to access the drain plug, no access flap.

I highly recommend a small impact wrench for this kind of thing. I recently got one of these and it's great. Not powerful enough for big stuff, obvs, but when you've got a dozen small fixings to undo it makes it a breeze.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225183508381

[Sundayjumper]

Tempted to swap it for a Toureg (if I could find one with diff locks and air suspension - the mk2 Escape is probably a better bet than a mk1 now)

Did the Mk2 come with proper diff locks ? I know the Mk1 had a centre locker (as does the Cayenne 955/957) and a rare-ish option for a rear but I thought the Mk2 went to a "modern" (presumably cheaper) electronic implementation ?

Edit - ah, the Escape was a special edition. Did they do it with the 4.2 TDI ? That would be perfect.

[Jobbo]

The Escape was a mainstream model but had low-range transfer box, centre and rear diff locks as standard plus some more rugged exterior cladding. Air suspension was only optional, and rare. Only came with the more powerful V6 diesel engine.

After driving the Jimny again, I think it’s staying; it’s not worth lots of money, it costs buttons to own, takes up very little space and it’s manual - it’s a nice contrast to the S6 to drive.

[Sundayjumper]

Here you go - slightly purple with brown leather. And air suspension. Sounds like Jobbo spec ?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/195596627151

[Jobbo]

Already spotted it - nice spec for an Escape since it has upgraded seats as well as air suspension. It’s not particularly well priced but is the only one for sale with those options.

[Sundayjumper]

You've got me looking at the Merc GL again. They come with centre & rear diff locks as standard and the 420/450 is decently powerful.

[MikeHunt]

I need more coffee, I thought you were buying a Renault Espace

[Mito Man]

I remember when I had a young drivers off road experience at MB World the ML there had an optional off road pack which had all round air suspension with locking diffs but I can’t seem to find much info on it. Would have been a 2008 model.
Could possibly be more suitable than a GL for smaller roads.

[Jobbo]

You've got me looking at the Merc GL again. They come with centre & rear diff locks as standard and the 420/450 is decently powerful.

That would presumably share the Jeep Grand Cherokee WK platform - I think the Jeep is an interesting possibility. Didn’t have a Merc engine though.