Your fleet running reports

[Matty]

I've therefore enquired of VMTP Midlands (ZF authorised dealer - used them a couple of times before to change BMW gearbox oil) about getting it done by them.

VMTP rebuilt the gearbox on my SLK. Did a good job, but my main takeaway was they gave me a Jaguar XJ to waft around in while it was being fixed...it was a car a customer asked them to fix, and then never bothered to collect. I rather liked it....I think I hit my old man phase during my early 30s.

[Matty]

Got the Alpine back again yesterday after it went in for some Warranty work. There was a fuel pump recall outstanding on it which also includes and ECU flash. This has stopped me from getting it mapped so far as it would have overwritten the map. I can look now to get to to Litchfield for their 310 bhp map. At the same time it was getting some paintwork correction under their corrosion warranty. I discovered a tiny bit on one wing and a tiny bit above the drivers door mirror. They must have discovered a bit on the other wing as well as its come back with both repainted. Looks to be a good job. I was concerned about that due to it being pearlescent white.

However...Its never that simple is it.

PPF - they "forgot" to re-apply it. So im looking to get that done locally at their expense.

Drivers door button for the keyless entry isnt working and im not overly happy with the alignment on one side of the bumper. its a few MM off. Emailed the dealer.

Genuinely suprised of some of the stories of corrosion on the A110's, similar one on PH, especially as they're not that old.

You still happy with it, and/or planning to keep it given the dramatic start to the ownership?

[scotta]

Got the Alpine back again yesterday after it went in for some Warranty work. There was a fuel pump recall outstanding on it which also includes and ECU flash. This has stopped me from getting it mapped so far as it would have overwritten the map. I can look now to get to to Litchfield for their 310 bhp map. At the same time it was getting some paintwork correction under their corrosion warranty. I discovered a tiny bit on one wing and a tiny bit above the drivers door mirror. They must have discovered a bit on the other wing as well as its come back with both repainted. Looks to be a good job. I was concerned about that due to it being pearlescent white.

However...Its never that simple is it.

PPF - they "forgot" to re-apply it. So im looking to get that done locally at their expense.

Drivers door button for the keyless entry isnt working and im not overly happy with the alignment on one side of the bumper. its a few MM off. Emailed the dealer.

Genuinely suprised of some of the stories of corrosion on the A110's, similar one on PH, especially as they're not that old.

You still happy with it, and/or planning to keep it given the dramatic start to the ownership?

It was a tiny bit of corrosion that was just starting - it was however not going to get any better. They have a 12 year corrosion warranty and its been a fairly painless process getting it done. Alpine Uk have been great to deal with.

After having it back i'm really enjoying it. Ill make a decision as to longer term probably next year before the engine warranty expires. If it goes i would likely replace it with another. Probably just slightly newer and an "S". Id love an R but those are too expensive. It might also loose some of the daily appeal having to use a harness for every trip.

ETA - This would be perfect. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 6flrfc%3D1

[integrale_evo]

I quite like sport mode on the x5, being old it only add text the gearbox and throttle mapping, but changes the character nicely.

Sharpens the throttle, generally sits a gear lower, keener to kick down, holds the revs longer, changes down earlier giving real engine braking when slowing. Don’t generally use it when I have passengers but for the odd silly moment I like it.

Sport ( or dynamic) in the mito is always switched on as soon as the car is started because the throttle response in normal is appallingly mushy. Extra mid range boost and more aggressive boost mapping is an added bonus. Again, no exhaust valves or adjustable suspension though.

[mik]

Evora was back at the specialist earlier in the week for a “while you wait” replacement of an oil pipe that runs to the oil cooler mounted in the front bumper. Some oil weeping through to the pipe surface was noted as an advisory on this years MOT (due to corrosion).

Unfortunately, when they went to undo said pipe from the oil cooler, the whole input (possibly output – dunno) connection sheared off the cooler matrix. Also corroded. I was invited to confirm with my own peepers. Bah.

So the car had to be left with them. I thought I was going to have to get the train home, which would have required me to reorganise a couple of meetings. Far from ideal. But no – rather unusually Mr Specialist had an electric Corsa available that he offered I take instead. Only problem was that it had just 51miles range remaining. Waze confirmed 47miles to home. Should be fine eh?

What I should have done was stick it on his charger for 15-20 minutes and then just merrily drive home.

Failing that I should have navigated to the nearest fast charger, spent 15-20 minutes charging and then just merrily drive home.

Bit I didn’t do either of those things did I?

Headed off in the knowledge that there is a 50kw public charger about 8 miles from home that requires a very minor detour only. Takes card payment. No silly apps. Used it before. That’s my fallback.

By the time I’ve got to the end of the street, the Corsa’s range estimate suddenly chunks down to 47 miles. Perfect match for distance remaining to home. Now it’s a proper challenge.

Trundled along the motorway at 56mph, identifying as an HGV for about 20miles. No opportunity for regen, so we roll along with the remaining range oscillating between less than enough and more than enough . Topography dependant.

After leaving the motorway, we do get some regen opportunities. The range headroom steadily increases. Super. By the time we reach the decision point to revert to my 50kw public charger top-up option, the car suggests it has 13miles range remaining. Waze says only 9 miles to home. Ach fuckit – lets just keep going.

6 miles from home the car displays 9 miles range remaining. Golden.

Then the range estimate goes blank. Not zero. Blank. No estimate offered. “Low Power/Low Range” bing-bong warning. Shit.

No turning back now. Just keep going. Slowly. Feather that go pedal. 6 miles feels a lot further at low speed, with “Low Range” messages bonging at you every minute or so.

“Yes I know”.

“Yes, I KNOW”.

“YES I CHUFFING KNOW!”

I don’t mind admitting that I was somewhat stressed out of my pantaloons at the thought of it just grinding to a halt, catastrophising that it would do so in whatever position would be the worst possible position for that to happen – of course.

I made it home. Our charger is fitted inside the garage. I didn't have a garage door plipper on me as the Evora has a HomeLink system (do keep up) so I have to stop in the driveway and go inside the house to activate the door. Once opened the Corsa could barely drag itself inside, the very last weary electrons straining.

What a(n almost entirely user created) farce.

On the return leg I charged it to 170miles range, and after 47 miles returned it with just 68 miles range showing. That’s pretty dire.

Now back in the Evora. New cooler rad and pipe were reassuringly expensive.

TL;DR > do your own summary.

[Mito Man]

Damn, I'd have driven it normally and assumed that it would have about 8-15 miles of range in reserve once it hits 0

[Jobbo]

Do you have two chargers or did Mrs Mik have to go without charging her E-tron that day?

[Explosive Newt]

Bit I didn’t do either of those things did I?

Did the specialist McChap voice any concern or just allow you on your merry way?

[mik]

Do you have two chargers or did Mrs Mik have to go without charging her E-tron that day?

Just one, but I was back at the house not long after 10:00 so it was fine before Mrs mik returned. She could easily have done without a charge for a day though if necessary.

[mik]

Bit I didn’t do either of those things did I?

Did the specialist McChap voice any concern or just allow you on your merry way?

The latter. His approach was that if Mito’s - he thought this appeared to be a great adventure.

[speedingfine]

Bit I didn’t do either of those things did I?

Did the specialist McChap voice any concern or just allow you on your merry way?

The latter. His approach was that if Mito’s - he thought this appeared to be a great adventure.

[Mito Man]

Finally got round to replacing the throttle cable. Ordered it from Cable-tec and it is perfect and far better quality than the original

[IanF]

I have a small metal bowl with a magnetised bottom that is great for storing, and more importantly not losing, nuts and bolts..

[DeskJockey]

I have a small metal bowl with a magnetised bottom that is great for storing, and more importantly not losing, nuts and bolts..

I inherited one of those from my wife's grandfather. It is very useful indeed!

[Mito Man]

They’re useful for smaller things but when you get to the 50th bolt it becomes a bit of a mess!

[mik]

I only recently purchasificated one of these

[Explosive Newt]

Not really fleet as such but my AA tire inflator doesn't seem to be able to get above 40 PSI.
I guess struggles getting it up come to us all as we age.

[mik]

All their early years heavy drinking didn’t help

[Explosive Newt]

But the Tesla own brand inflator, although still packing a stiff performance into its dotage, asks itself the question "but was it worth it?"