Your fleet running reports

[ste]

*shrugs*

I know Neil took the M-Sport wheel off and bought a brand new M3 one and fitted that instead. I have practically zero interest in the thing if I'm honest, it's an absolute bag of shit.

[ste]

(Unless anyone wants to buy it of course, then it's great*)










* it really isn't.

[Jobbo]

He did say it was an M3 wheel (I used to follow his blog), and I don't know the exact difference. Is the stitching M-coloured?

[ste]

Yes it is actually. Is that the only difference though? BMW have a habit of making incredibly similar looking wheels in almost imperceptibly different spec. It may be slightly thicker / slightly smaller diameter? Again: *shrugs*.

[Jobbo]

It probably is very slightly thicker and smaller diameter, yes - ETK contains too many steering wheels for me to be arsed checking.



Sorry, I should probably say: "Non-original steering wheel, I'm out".

[Beany]

Yep, they're in the pictures. If you have an illuminated gearknob and the smaller, chunkier M3 steering wheel with the solid bottom spoke then yes, someone must have also fitted M3 bits to yours.

No illuminated gearknob on mine, obvs I'll pop down to the car park inabit and see if my steering wheel is much different



Thought I'd get a clear shot. Black thread only on mine

[integrale_evo]

Standard e46 wheel has a split bottom spoke, and no thumb grip shaped bits on the rim.

[JonMad]

Seriously not using the Megane enough - I've not put any fuel in it since mid-November, when I came home from Rockingham.

[Ascender]

The Golf R continues to be utterly reliable, ridiculously practical and much quicker than I expected it to be. There’s even more room in the boot now i’ve taken that stupid false floor out. I had hoped there would be a cargo net of some sort to save me having to get a dog guard though.

Whose idea was it to have to switch the heated mirrors on manually though? I was cursing the poverty spec for a couple of days last week when having to manually scrape them.

The “suspension” is still making a creaking noise when its compressed on speed bumps or the like. Must get it booked-in to be looked at.

[_andy]

Someone school me on gearbox oil.
Specialist 1 are recommending 85w90
Specialist 2 are recommending 75w80.
Internetz are all using 75w90 (Motul 300)
Lotus dealers are apparently recommending 75w80.
Or I should just preempt JL's usual "Just use what the manufacturer recommends as they probably know a little bit more about it than the weirdos on the internet" ?

I'd go with olive oil. Much cheaper.

I remember a 250GT 2+2 that my old boss bought from a known Italian car collection unseen that we were certain had olive oil in the engine. It smoked loads at idle and had a whiff of burnt cooking, but two engine flushes and the correct stuff mostly cured it...

Probably Castrol R.

[Broccers]

cargo net of some sort to save me having to get a dog guard though.

Weve the VW one and its a really good fit along with the vw window blind kit its ideal for dogs.

[integrale_evo]

I noticed the manual heating thing on the polo. I guess it's to eek out another fraction of a co2 point or something.

My BMW ones come on with the ignition and have lasted 20 years + so doubt it's to ensure longevity.

[Matty]

I noticed the manual heating thing on the polo. I guess it's to eek out another fraction of a co2 point or something.

My BMW ones come on with the ignition and have lasted 20 years + so doubt it's to ensure longevity.

I thought it was "the norm" for the heated mirrors to come on with the rear screen? Or have I just spent too much time in VW's?

[KevH18]

(Unless anyone wants to buy it of course, then it's great*)










* it really isn't.

Hope no one sees this, it's up to £1500 already. And that means I'm out

[Beany]

I noticed the manual heating thing on the polo. I guess it's to eek out another fraction of a co2 point or something.

My BMW ones come on with the ignition and have lasted 20 years + so doubt it's to ensure longevity.

I thought it was "the norm" for the heated mirrors to come on with the rear screen? Or have I just spent too much time in VW's?

Same on Fords too.

[Mito Man]

I like the BMW de-mist/warm the car using the warmth of the engine while it’s switched off as you enjoy a greasy takeaway ‘Rest’ mode


Do other brands have this?

[Barry]

I noticed the manual heating thing on the polo. I guess it's to eek out another fraction of a co2 point or something.

My BMW ones come on with the ignition and have lasted 20 years + so doubt it's to ensure longevity.

I thought it was "the norm" for the heated mirrors to come on with the rear screen? Or have I just spent too much time in VW's?

Same on Fords too.

Civic heated mirrors require manual button press.

[integrale_evo]

Maybe it's just bmws that are ( or were ) always on. E30, all the e36s and e46 the heating element is active as soon as there is power to move them, i.e. Ignition on. Quite handy if it's cold / damp / drizzly.

[Barry]

I agree, it makes sense to have them linked to heated rear screen at the very least, if not timed with ignition. What's more annoying in the Civic is the button is tiny and hidden from sight by the steering wheel so you often forget you put them on.

[JLv3.0]

You guys - never realised heated mirrors were such an issue