Your fleet running reports

[Matty]

The Up is being treated like the ugly stepchild at the moment - finally washed it but it needs a proper session; it's covered in road tar, the BBS wheels need to come off for a proper clean. I'd pay someone to properly detail it, but I'm far too tight for that.

The QV has passed the MOT with *flying colours* as suspected. It needs new brake disks at some point, does grumble a under pressure but still lots of meat left on the pads. Suprisingly cheap - pair of discs are just over £400 on Autodoc for OEM Brembos and pads are only £60, so not bad considering.

[Jobbo]

Never seen that before - but I suspect you should flush the air every now and again so that makes it easier /s

Yes, that air must get a bit stale.

[Sundayjumper]

Never seen that before - but I suspect you should flush the air every now and again so that makes it easier /s

Yes, that air must get a bit stale.

I actually remember about 20 years ago on the E36 forum, trolling them asking how often people change the air in their tyres. Nobody fell for it at the time.

[Jobbo]

MX5 owners must be more gullible

[integrale_evo]

Is t it to make it easier to purge the air out when filling with nitrogen. Because racecar!

I’m sure those bungs will work fine. I’d rather that than a second valve.

[dan]

Is t it to make it easier to purge the air out when filling with nitrogen. Because racecar!

I’m sure those bungs will work fine. I’d rather that than a second valve.

78% of the time I fill my tyres with nitrogen every time.

[DeskJockey]

[mik]

The new wheels come with two valve holes

I wasn’t aware this was a thing. I declare it to be Maximum Stoopid.

[Jobbo]

The new wheels come with two valve holes

I wasn’t aware this was a thing. I declare it to be Maximum Stoopid.

Seems to be so you can keep a pressure gauge on one while filling the other. Because racecar. Yes, that'll be what I do on the drive... Have ordered a set of blanking plugs though since they're silver (the only ones I could find) I shall establish whether the tyre fitting place has anything less obtrusive which would do the job. I saw a suggestion online that you can stick a normal rubber valve in upside down

[tim]

The new wheels come with two valve holes

I wasn’t aware this was a thing. I declare it to be Maximum Stoopid.

You need two holes for the AC air they have in Japan.

[V8Granite]

Tinted safety specs.
Bright red Mechanix branded gloves.
High pressure airline with heavy duty inflator.
Knee pads.
Nascar hat.
Pressure gauge.

If you don’t maximise your speed and seriousness when filling your tyres, are you even a driver ?

Dave!

[scotta]

The new wheels come with two valve holes

I wasn’t aware this was a thing. I declare it to be Maximum Stoopid.

Seems to be so you can keep a pressure gauge on one while filling the other. Because racecar. Yes, that'll be what I do on the drive... Have ordered a set of blanking plugs though since they're silver (the only ones I could find) I shall establish whether the tyre fitting place has anything less obtrusive which would do the job. I saw a suggestion online that you can stick a normal rubber valve in upside down

It could be used when filling with nitrogen to create a vacuum first and reduce the air content. Ill caveat that i have no idea if nitrogen inflation already does this with the one hole and the machine.

[scotta]

Weekend work.

Serviced Mrs A's Mini. All filters inc pollen and plugs. Was actually a bit early to do it. According to the computer it still had 6 months. However the oil was black as tar when it came out so no bad thing.

The top of the gear knob also fell off when i was moving it so gorilla glued that back on. See if it lasts.

Continuing the knob theme - fitted a new gear knob to a friends Peugeot 3008.

Lotus - MOT Passed without advisory on Saturday. Its due a service next month. Think i'm going to use the sportscar specialist in the next town rather than the Lotus specialist. Their prices seem to be edging very close to main dealer costs. It's also the other side of Edinburgh vs under a mile from my house. Drove it on saturday and it seems to be slightly missing at low revs (Its always done this on the cold map TADTS but usually sorts itself out when warm). The plugs were done 2 years ago so they should be fine. When i get a chance ill remove them and make sure they are not fouled up. It was also fucking cold over the weekend so not sure if that would have made any odds. It also doesn't get much use over the winter - could also be just needing a good Italian tune up.

[Rich B]

Similar theme - my Lotus is in with a local specialist (Max500 in Guildford) for a general once over/service with a little list of items to fix.

The main one being shifting into 3rd gear. It’s developed a “gap” where you go to shift into 3rd and the gearstick moves forward into position, but you’re not in any gear.

Other than that, it’s far more fun to drive in the dry on quieter “half term” roads though, in busy traffic and rain, it’s just a bit hard work (which is pretty much what i wanted/expected - it means i won’t use all my limited mileage on commuting in it!)

[Matty]

Traffic and rain is a pretty miserable time in the Elise, but commuting can still be enjoyable as long as you occasionally get some gaps in traffic.

And that was always thing about the Elise, it was fun even at low speeds, something many modern, big powered cars seem to miss.

[Jobbo]

Mower due back from its annual service tomorrow. Just under £400 and they've had it for a week. It's basically an oil change. Makes Porsche servicing seem reasonable

Three of my MX5 alloys are arriving today. One is in Stansted so due on Thursday.
ETA: three have arrived, though the Fedex man tried to deliver just one and head off with the other two... When buying wheels online the separation of the parcels becomes a real problem.

[Rich B]

Traffic and rain is a pretty miserable time in the Elise, but commuting can still be enjoyable as long as you occasionally get some gaps in traffic.

And that was always thing about the Elise, it was fun even at low speeds, something many modern, big powered cars seem to miss.

Totally. In my M2 I’d be doing highly illegal speeds all the time for it to feel similar.

[Rich B]

Just had the call from the garage, ironically the biggest issue (the gearbox 3rd issue) was the simplest - just a missing clip. A few other issues to fix - some loose/missing heat shields, some bodged fixings on under trays etc, a split CV boot, a steering rack boot of some kind twisted up and a few minor bits.

i expect it’ll all add up, but i’m happy that he’s been through it all and given it a clean bill of health in general, and hopefully the little fixes will make it even nicer/quieter to drive (taking into account the fact it is an Elise!)

[scotta]

Just had the call from the garage, ironically the biggest issue (the gearbox 3rd issue) was the simplest - just a missing clip. A few other issues to fix - some loose/missing heat shields, some bodged fixings on under trays etc, a split CV boot, a steering rack boot of some kind twisted up and a few minor bits.

i expect it’ll all add up, but i’m happy that he’s been through it all and given it a clean bill of health in general, and hopefully the little fixes will make it even nicer/quieter to drive (taking into account the fact it is an Elise!)

The shifter cables are held on with U clips. They rust and deteriorate.

https://www.eliseparts.com/shop/gearbox ... 111f6018f/

Top tip - Cable ties over the clips to stop them moving.

Mines fell off on track...Went for 3rd...Nothing...Oh fuck...Thought it had shat the box.

[scotta]

Weekend work.

Serviced Mrs A's Mini. All filters inc pollen and plugs. Was actually a bit early to do it. According to the computer it still had 6 months. However the oil was black as tar when it came out so no bad thing.

The top of the gear knob also fell off when i was moving it so gorilla glued that back on. See if it lasts.

Continuing the knob theme - fitted a new gear knob to a friends Peugeot 3008.

Lotus - MOT Passed without advisory on Saturday. Its due a service next month. Think i'm going to use the sportscar specialist in the next town rather than the Lotus specialist. Their prices seem to be edging very close to main dealer costs. It's also the other side of Edinburgh vs under a mile from my house. Drove it on saturday and it seems to be slightly missing at low revs (Its always done this on the cold map TADTS but usually sorts itself out when warm). The plugs were done 2 years ago so they should be fine. When i get a chance ill remove them and make sure they are not fouled up. It was also fucking cold over the weekend so not sure if that would have made any odds. It also doesn't get much use over the winter - could also be just needing a good Italian tune up.

Ah yes - the mini...

Its just arrived home on the back of an AA towbar after shitting its coolant. Initial look seems to be the rad end tank. £98 for a rad. will get it on ramps later and make sure its the rad.